NORTH NEWS

This academic year at North Middle, we are thrilled to unveil an innovative learning experience designed to inspire our students – the Project-Based Learning (PBL) class. The PBL class is centered around student choice which incorporates high-interest topics. Standards-based content will ensure that academic rigor remains at the forefront of each lesson. Engaging cooperative learning and partnering activities will not only encourage collaboration but also provide a platform for diverse perspectives to flourish. Each week, the "A Cool Thing Happened in Class" section of this newsletter will capture many of the PBL projects our students are doing. We hope you are as inspired as we are to see them use their gifts and talents in these many different ways!

The first "Sneaker Ball" was a hit! On Thursday afternoon, students enjoyed a time of fun, food, and dancing with their friends in their best sneakers! Thank you to Coach Jones and all of the cheerleaders for hosting this amazing event! We appreciate your hard work!

Check out several pictures of our students enjoying themselves at the Sneaker Ball!

It's that time of the year again! We are gearing up for our yearly holiday Angel Tree Program which helps families in need for the holidays. Last year, your generosity assisted us in providing for over 35 families and a total of 75 people! This community showed how gracious they were through their donations, and this year we still continue to need your support. We are hoping to exceed last years donations based on an increase in our community's need, but we we cannot provide for these families without your help. Any amount would be appreciated and we thank you again for your support! Click the link below to donate.

If you have any questions or just want to help by donating, wrapping presents or distributing items, reach out to our Communities in Schools Coordinator, Brandon Sarina at brandon.sarina@k12.wv.us.

The Student Council Meeting on Monday, December 4th. Meet in Cafeteria for snacks then report to Ms. Updike's room for a project.

Wednesday, December 6th is the annual Science Fair in the library! If you are a participant, please make sure to bring your projects to the library during homeroom. Judging will take place in the morning and wrap up by lunch time. We want to invite all parents to visit the fair on December 7th at 5pm! Good luck to all of our NMS scientists!

ITS BACK! Martinsburg North Middle and Royce Too are again teaming up for their 4th annual sock sale! The sale will be on December 9th from 8:00am to 4:00pm and again on December 10th from 11:00am to 3:00pm. For just $1 a pair, you can snag a comfy pair of socks and help support North Middle. This sale gets better and better every year, and we are hoping to make this our best year yet! Royce Too generously donates a portion of the sale to North Middle to help cover the cost of field trips, school events, and student incentives! Invite your friends and family to shop for the holidays!

The Books-a-Million book fair is coming to NMS the week of Dec 11-15th! Students will have the opportunity to visit the fair during their reading classes. Families can visit the fair on FAMILY NIGHT, December 14th from 5-7pm! Come to the basketball game and visit the fair all in the same evening! Free sweet treats will be available with every purchase during Family Night!

Check those Schoology grades! Get that missing work finished! Please view the scheduling reminders below!

Check out the game schedule below for both the girls & boys basketball teams! Games start THIS MONDAY!

Come out and support our cheerleaders and pep squad. They are hosting their spaghetti dinner fundraiser and silent auction on December 15th at 6 pm. There will also be a showcase following the dinner. You won't want to miss this delicious meal! Cheer & Pep Squad members are NOW selling tickets so get yours today!

If you know a Little Blue Devil who wants to be a Blue Devil Cheerleader for a day, tell them to sign up for our Stomp and Shake Clinic. Scan the QR code or click the link to sign-up.

FREE BCS virtual tutoring is available in Math, Science, English (Reading and Language Arts), and Social Studies for ALL BCS K-12 students Monday-Thursday from 5-7 pm by appointment. Tutoring sessions are approximately 30 minutes.

Please complete the form below and you will be contacted via email on your requested day prior to 5 p.m. with the information for your tutoring session. One of our tutors will call the number you provide between the hours of 5 - 7 p.m. Please be sure you select a date that you are available and able to attend. Also note that you will not have the tutor for the full 2 hours.

Also available daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at no cost for West Virginians, TutorWV provides support for patrons of all ages and stages. For students, the program offers online, on-demand, expert tutoring and homework help in more than 200 subjects, along with drop-off review services for essays and math problems. Tutoring included for AP, SAT and ACT. Read the press release.

Primary & secondary guardians are automatically added to the NMS NTouch list. But if you are an aunt, uncle, childcare provider, or student and you want to receive NTouch alerts & school newsletters, please use the QR code or link below to sign up for alerts!

Shenandoah Community Health visits our school every Thursday. Students can be seen for a variety of reasons, including immunizations and school sports physicals.

If you want your child to be seen in the mobile clinic by a medical professional, please contact the main office for more information!

North Middle strives to do "WHATEVER IT TAKES" to help students reach their highest potential, not just with grades in school, but also in life. Therefore, it is fitting to delve into a topic that resonates deeply with the essence of education – the cultivation of respect for authority figures. Respect for teachers and administrators goes beyond mere obedience; it lays the foundation for healthy and constructive relationships with professors, bosses, and law enforcement officers in the future.

Middle school is a transformative period where teens are not only acquiring academic knowledge, but also developing social skills and attitudes that will shape their character for a lifetime. One crucial aspect of this development is learning to interact and agreeably disagree with those in authority over them. Parents play a pivotal role in supporting the school's efforts to instill this essential value for their child's future success.

STRATEGIES TO HELP YOUR CHILD LEARN TO COMMUNICATE WITH AUTHORITY FIGURES:

1. Model Respectful Communication - Parents are powerful role models. Children often learn by observing the behavior of their parents. Parents can demonstrate respectful communication with authority figures in their own lives, whether it be with teachers, employers, or others, to model appropriate communication. Show your child how to express differences of opinion without resorting to disrespectful language or behavior, and do not allow your children to speak to you in your home with disrespectful tones. As hard as it may be, allowing your child to cool down, express their feelings and talk through a disagreement at home with you (their ultimate authority), will help them learn to do so in school or the workplace later in life.

2. Teach Active Listening - Help your child develop strong active listening skills because understanding another person's point of view is essential for effective communication. Teach them to listen carefully before responding and to acknowledge the authority figure's perspective even if they disagree with them. It is important for students to learn that a difference in point of view or opinion, does not mean there cannot be a compromise or solution to the disagreement. Differences in perspective provide valuable lessons if managed correctly!

3. Use "I" Statements - Teach your child to express their disagreement using "I" statements. For example, instead of saying, "You're wrong," encourage them to say, "I see it differently because..." This approach shifts the focus to their perspective rather than placing blame.

4. Discuss Appropriate Channels - Help your child understand appropriate channels for expressing disagreement. Encourage them to use established processes, such as raising their hand in class, scheduling a meeting with a teacher, or following workplace protocols. Discussing issues privately and respectfully is more effective than a public confrontation in the middle of class.

5. Practice Empathy - Cultivate empathy in your child by helping them understand the challenges and responsibilities of all people, including those in authority over them. Discussing the pressures parents, teachers, bosses, or others may face can promote a more empathetic approach to expressing disagreement.

6. Role-Play Scenarios - Engage in role-playing scenarios where you play the part of the authority figure, and your child practices expressing disagreement respectfully. This interactive approach allows them to experience different communication styles and helps build confidence in navigating such conversations. It is also important as parents that we allow our middle schoolers to advocate for themselves and not be quick to email or call the teacher to fix the problem for them. Role-playing the conversation they need to have with their teacher can guide them in how to handle a situation instead of solving the issue for them.

7. Highlight Positive Examples - Share stories or examples of individuals who effectively expressed disagreement in a respectful manner. This could be historical figures, characters from literature, or even personal anecdotes. Highlighting positive examples can inspire and provide practical insights.

8. Reinforce the Importance of Tone and Body Language - Emphasize the significance of tone and body language in communication. Teach your child how to convey disagreement respectfully through a calm tone, maintaining eye contact, and using open and non-threatening body language.

9. Celebrate Effective Communication - Acknowledge and celebrate instances when your child expresses disagreement respectfully. Positive reinforcement encourages them to continue practicing respectful expression.

It's important for students to recognize that disagreements are a natural part of life. Middle school is an opportune time for them to learn how to navigate differences of opinion with grace and maturity. As they practice these skills with teachers and administrators, they are better equipped to handle conflicts in the workplace and other life situations.

Empowering Students to Speak Up: A Lesson in Advocacy

Respecting authority figures does not mean unquestioning obedience. Middle school provides an excellent platform for students to learn about advocacy and expressing their needs. Parents can support this process by teaching their children how to assertively, yet respectfully, communicate their concerns and suggestions, fostering a sense of agency that will benefit them in the future.

Nurturing respect for teachers and administrators in middle school is a gift that keeps on giving. As parents, you contribute significantly to this process by reinforcing positive communication and conflict resolution skills at home. By doing so, you are not only shaping responsible and respectful citizens but also preparing your children for a future where they can navigate relationships with authority figures with confidence, grace, and a sense of empowerment.

Thank you for your continued partnership in the educational journey of our students.

Schoology is our online grading program. Parents are able to create accounts which allows them to view all of their child's assignments, due dates, & grades! If you do not have a Schoology account and would like one, please fill out the form below and our technology specialist will email you directions to set up that account. EVERY STUDENT benefits when parents and teachers are able to communicate!

*Ms. Keppler's art classes used Canva this week to practice their graphic design skills. Students created YouTube thumbnails about antibullying and later next week will be creating the video as well! A big thanks to Mr. Oldfield from the board office for coming to help with this project!

*Mr. Ware & Ms. Updike's 6th grade social studies PBL classes have been studying women's roles in the military and how it helped advance women's rights. Students started by comparing the DC comic book hero "Wonder Woman" to women in the military. Then they learned about the struggle for women's rights and how women persevered in their struggle to pass the 19th amendment. Finally, students made posters for supporting women's suffrage.

*Ms. Bair's choir classes reviewed content today through the online game Blooket!

*Ms. Heck's students were "Growing and “Glo-ing” in science this week. Students explored the bones in their bodies by participating in a group gallery walk. They looked at x-rays of bones and discussed how the structure might impact the job that bone does. Everything had the extra flair of being fluorescent and we let it "Glo!"

"We at North Middle School are committed to doing WHATEVER IT TAKES to ensure that all student reach their highest potential!"

THE NORTH WAY

BE SAFE - BE RESPECTFUL - BE RESPONSIBLE

Email: rachel.deavers@k12.wv.us
Website: https://www.berkeleycountyschools.org/o/martinsburgnorth
Location: 250 East Road, Martinsburg, WV, USA
Phone: 304-267-3540
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialNMSpage
Twitter: @nmsteachers