Bobcat Nation:

The end of the first marking period was on October 31st. Report cards will be distributed in HAC on November 8th. If you have questions about one of your child’s classes, please contact the teacher.

Thank you to the PTO for organizing and facilitating the Fall Fest Dance! It was a great night for the students and staff as we celebrated the fall season together as a school community.

The NMS Student Government Association (SGA) is facilitating a canned food drive during the week of October 28th - November 6th for End Hunger in Calvert County. This program will support families in need in Calvert County. We ask that students and families drop off non-perishable or canned foods to their grade designated boxes located in the main office lobby at Northern Middle School to be donated to our local food pantry. The canned food drive is a perfect opportunity for students, staff, and families to support the community and demonstrate our theme at Northern Middle School – “We Rise by Lifting Others!”

CCPS Calendar Reminder

• Tuesday, 11/5 - Schools Closed
• Monday, 11/11 - Schools Closed for Students

Have a great week!

Mr. Webster, NMS Principal

An additional Picture Day for make-ups and retakes will be held in the morning on Wednesday, November 6th.

Make-Ups - Students can bring a completed order form (attachment below) OR you can wait for the proofs to arrive and be sent home before you place your order. Students do NOT need an order form to have their picture taken.

Retakes - Students who purchased pictures earlier in the year but who would like to have them retaken should bring back the original pictures they received to turn in to the photographers.

Questions? - please contact Classic Photography at: (800)869-9515 x112

The Counseling Department at Northern Middle School will be hosting a Career Day on Thursday, December 12th.

The purpose of the Career Day is to expose students to a variety of professions and inform them of all the details regarding those careers so that they may relate them to their future goals and aspirations. It is an opportunity for our students to see firsthand the career choices of some of the parents in our school and community. In addition, students can see the commitment and dedication that parents give to their career.

We would like to invite you or a family member or friend to present at our Career Day to discuss the opportunities and expectations of your career. Career Day will take place from about 12:30 pm - 2:45 pm. Lunch will be provided for our presenters prior to the start of the presentations.

If you are interested in being a Career Day Presenter, please complete the attached form and return it to the counseling department by November 29th. If you have any questions, please contact your school counselor via email or by phone at 443-550-9230.

• Jessica Himes, School Counselor - himesj@calvertnet.k12.md.us
• Linda Woehlke, School Counselor - woehlkel@calvertnet.k12.md.us

On Thursday, November 21st, Northern Middle School will be holding a Parent Visitation event from 8:20 – 10:56 am. This event is part of our American Education week celebration. You will be able to visit your child’s first period through third period classes. Parents can stay for all three classes or come for just part of the time period if that fits best with their work or home schedule. Please be sure to stop by at the main office when you arrive so we can get you checked in and help you find your child’s class. We hope to see you on 11/21!

If your child is absent because they are sick, please make sure to send in a note and/or doctor's note so these absences can be marked as legal. Notes can be turned in to Ms. Contee in Guidance or emailed to conteeb@calvertnet.k12.md.us.

Calvert County Public Schools attendance policy states:

Students who miss 18 or more days, whether they are lawful or unlawful absences, in a school year will be considered for retention. Parents of middle school students will be notified in writing after students have accumulated 12 or more absences. Additionally, the principal may consider the following penalties or actions:

1. Verbal and/or written contract with parent/guardian.
2. After-school detention.
3. Removal of school privileges.
4. Restriction of extracurricular activities; and/or
5. In-school suspension and/or
6. Summer school attendance

Reminder: Students in 7th and 8th grade will participate in the family life and human sexuality component of the health curriculum. Typically, this takes place during the 2nd or 3rd marking periods. Parents will receive an opt-out letter outlining what is taught in Family Life and Human Sexuality. Teachers will email this letter through Home Access Center (HAC). Any parents who would like to excuse their child from family life and human sexuality topics, should return the letter to the teacher. We encourage parents to speak with the teacher to further understand what is being taught and to determine if there are specific elements in which you would want your child to participate. Students who are excused from family life learning objectives will receive appropriate alternative learning in health education outside of the health classroom.

If you have any questions regarding the curriculum, please contact your child’s teacher. You can find the letter here: 7th and 8th Grade Family Life Opt Out Letter (finalsite.net)

Ms. Galarza and the Green Club are organizing a collection drive for Small Electronics Recycling Week.

The Calvert County Health Department will be conducting a hearing and vision screening at Northern Middle School. This screening is for all 8th grade students, students new to Calvert County Public Schools and those students who have not had a recent screening. This is only a screening. All students are required to be screened unless they have been evaluated by an optometrist/ophthalmologist/audiologist within the past year.

If your student was recently screened by an optometrist/ophthalmologist/audiologist, please provide documentation to the school nurse for your student’s health record. The Vision & Hearing Technician is scheduled to begin screening on Tuesday, November 12th.

Students who wear glasses, contacts and/or assistive hearing devices should have them available for the screening. Please note that the date is subject to change.

Please feel free to contact your school nurse, Mrs. Fleshman, at 443-550-9227 with any questions you have concerning this matter.

Our 8th grade students have been given permission to take a tour of the CCPS Career & Technology Academy (CTA) in Prince Frederick, MD. The purpose of this tour is to provide our students with exposure to the 13 different programs and pathways that are offered and available at CTA when the students move on to high school.

The trip will take place on Wednesday, November 13th from approximately 11:15 am – 1:25 pm.

8th grade students have been provided a copy of the permission form. Signed permission forms should be returned to their ELA teachers.

The NMS Student Government Association (SGA) is facilitating a canned food drive during the week of October 28th - November 6th for End Hunger in Calvert County. This program will support families in need in Calvert County. We ask that students and families drop off non-perishable or canned foods to their grade designated boxes located in the main office lobby at Northern Middle School to be donated to our local food pantry.

The canned food drive is a perfect opportunity for students, staff, and families to support the community and demonstrate our theme at Northern Middle School – “We Rise by Lifting Others!”

We are now accepting applications for our Carson Scholar Nominee. The Carson Scholars Fund recognizes students who exemplify academic excellence and humanitarian qualities. In order to apply, students must have minimum of 3.75 GPA, display strong humanitarian qualities, and participate in community service activities.

If selected as the NMS nominee, you will apply to be selected as a Carson Scholar and possibly win a $1000.00 college scholarship.

Students who are interested in applying should stop by the Counseling Office for an application. See Ms. Himes or Ms. Woehlke if you have any questions.

Top Readers for September/October

The following students have the highest book checkouts for the start of the school year!

1. Hailey Ulmer (8th Grade) 18 titles

2. Stephanie Griffing (7th Grade) 10 titles

3. Natalie Wood (6th Grade) 10 titles

4. Kaylie Dietz (6th Grade) 7 titles

5. Samuel Sinclair (6th Grade) 7 titles

6. Camden Thompson (8th Grade) 7 titles

7. Kaden Colon (7th Grade) 5 titles

8. Matthew Holsworth (8th Grade) 5 titles

9. Caiden Johnson (6th Grade) 5 titles

10. Ines Lyczkowski (6th Grade) 5 titles

Northern Middle School library resources connect students to a world of information beyond the school walls. We encourage students to make use of our subscription databases to support their research projects.

The link to our listing of databases is here:

Online Resources - Northern Middle School LibGuide - LibGuides at Calvert County Public Schools

Below is the login information to access our databases outside of school.

Also, students have access to the Calvert County Public Library resources through their virtual library card (CRAB Card). Information on the CRAB Card and the public library’s resources for students can be found at the following links:

• CRAB Card - https://calvertlibrary.info/kids-teens/kids/kids-cards-crab-cards/
• Online Resources - https://calvertlibrary.info/online-resources/?

As we kick off another school year, we wanted to inform and/or remind our families of the importance of being to school on time. It is important that students arrive to school between 7:50 and 8:00 a.m. Car-riders that arrive after 8:00 a.m. are considered tardy. A student who is tardy misses valuable instructional time. When a student is tardy multiple times, that student repeatedly misses class time and instruction, which may result in a significant reduction in grades and possible failure of one or more subjects.

Please speak with your child about the importance of regular attendance, which includes being on time daily. The following steps are in place when a student arrives repeatedly late for school:

• 4 tardies in one marking period-the NMS Attendance Team will talk with the student
• 6 tardies in one marking period-parents/guardians will be notified
• 8 tardies in one marking period, the student will receive a lunch detention for each subsequent tardy

If there is any way we can assist you in getting to school on time, we are happy to help. Please reach out to administration or guidance if you have any questions or concerns.

We are excited to share that an online spirt wear store has been opened for our school community. Check out the link below to purchase gear to support Bobcat Nation!

https://teamlocker.squadlocker.com/#/lockers/northern-middle-school-bobcats-1985132

The NMS Staff has collaborated to develop a set of common expectations to support reduced distractions and a productive learning environment throughout the building. These expectations will be shared with the students at the beginning of the school year. We appreciate the support of our families with reinforcing these expectations.

Annie Jr. performances will take place at the Mary Harrison Cultural Arts Center at 7:00 on Friday, November 22nd and Saturday, November 23rd. Use the link below to purchase tickets. It's going to be an amazing show!!!

https://osp.osmsinc.com/CalvertMD/BVModules/CategoryTemplates/Detailed%20List%20with%20Properties/Category.aspx?categoryid=EQ315

From the Desk of Amelia Burchfield (Grade 8, Wellness Club Member for third year):

Our recent projects include painted jars with plants in them, painted jars with animal treats in them, and colored paper ornaments. The painted jars with plants in them go to the veterans’ home and to hospice. We do this because people in these sorts of situations tend to not have anyone to spend time with, so we give them something to smile about. The ornaments go to Calvert County nursing homes. We do this because although people in the nursing homes tend to get more visitors, we would like to give them something to make them feel loved. The Jars with the animal treats go to the animal shelters throughout Calvert County. We do this because no animal should go without feeling loved and should not go without having a few treats a day.

If you are interested in participating in Math Counts, tryouts will be held afterschool on Wednesday 11/13. See Dr. Dempster in Room 18 if you have any questions.

See Ms. Lewis in Rm 23 if you have any questions or would like to participate.

See Ms. Lewis in Rm 23 if you have any questions or would like to participate.

See Ms. Himes or Ms. Woehlke in the Counseling Office if you have any questions or would like to participate during Advisory.

Congratulations to our volleyball team for their performances this season in reaching the county semifinals.

Congratulations to the NMS Soccer Team for advancing to the county championship game! NMS will play WHMS at Calvert High School on Thursday November 7th @ 4:30pm. There will be online tickets for the championship game. Cost is $3 for adults. Students of any age are free. Ticket purchasing information will be forthcoming.

If you have any questions, please contact our Athletic Director, Ms. Gott, at gottl@calvertnet.k12.md.us or 443-550-9230.

Winter Athletics Clinics will begin the week of November 12th. Offerings during the winter include Boys and Girls Basketball, Poms, and Cheerleading. Attached is a calendar of clinic dates. Please look for which grades participate each day. In order to participate in the clinics, students will need to submit a completed physical, Athlete Clinic Form (with the clinic fee), and a School Insurance Waiver Form. These documents can be turned in at the main office.

• Winter Athletics Flyer - students with forms and clinic fees submitted by Friday, 11/8 will be eligible to participate on the first day of clinics.
• Winter Athletics Clinic Calendar
• Required Forms - Copies are also available in the main office and cafeteria.
  
  • ​​​​​​​CCPS Middle School Athletics Clinic Fee Form - OSP One Time Clinic Fee Form - 35.00.pdf - Only one clinic fee will be collected per school year.
    • If your child has already participated in a clinic this school year, please complete the clinic fee form for the new sport and designate the sport for which you have already paid the clinic fee.
    • If this is your child’s first sports clinic of the year, the clinic fee can be paid online at https://osp.osmsinc.com/CalvertMD/. If you are unable to pay online, please contact the financial secretary, Laura Gott at 443-550-9219.
      
  • Sports Physical Form – all pages – (signed by a physician) - Note: Physical Forms are only good for 14 months from the date of the exam.
  • School Insurance Waiver Form – Only need to submit one form per school year.
    

If you have any questions, please contact our Athletic Director, Ms. Gott, at gottl@calvertnet.k12.md.us or 443-550-9230.

Fall Festival

Thank you to the incredible parents who helped make this event a success!

Thank You for Supporting Chipotle Spirit Night!

Our Bobcat community raised $226.33 to support the PTO. Your participation makes a difference!

UPCOMING EVENTS

MOD Pizza Fundraiser
Tuesday, November 5 | 10:30 AM - 10 PM
Order online using code MODGIVES25 or show the flyer/mention the fundraiser in-store at the Dunkirk location, and 25% of sales will go to our PTO.

PTO Meeting
Tuesday, November 19 | 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Join us to stay informed and get involved in PTO initiatives. Join us in the cafeteria or virtually via Microsoft Teams

Thankful for Our Teachers & Staff Luncheon
Friday, November 22 | Drop-off by 10:30 AM
Let’s show appreciation for our teachers and staff with a hearty lunch of chili and sides. Please bring ready-to-serve items and include ingredient lists for dietary considerations. Pickup for labeled items will be after 2 PM. Sign up here to contribute.

Support NMS PTO: Join Us Today!

Join the PTO! Membership dues directly support school supplies, student activities, 8th-grade promotion, and staff appreciation events.

• Membership: Family memberships are just $10
• Discounts: Families that have joined or donated $10 or more will receive discounts to select events (excludes 8th-grade activities).

Join and/or donate here.

School Volunteer Opportunities – Approved CCPS Volunteers Needed

• School Store: Help during lunch on select Wednesdays
• PBIS Cart: Volunteer to assist students with Bobcat Bucks on November 8 and/or December 6
• Copy Room Help: Support our staff with copying, stapling, and more on Wednesdays anytime from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM

Questions? Please email nmsbobcatspto@gmail.com.

For information about family events and youth activities taking place in our community, visit calvertnet.k12.md.us/flyers.

Please note: These events and activities are not sponsored by the Calvert County Board of Education or Calvert County Public Schools. We provide equal opportunities to outside agencies to distribute materials that offer opportunities to students and/or their parents, but that permission should not be considered a recommendation or endorsement by the school district.

https://calvertnet.nutrislice.com/

• Bobcat Handbook for Students & Families
• CCPS Code of Conduct – https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/student-services/code-of-conduct

In addition to hard copy notes, parents can send notes for student absences to Ms. Contee in the counseling office via email at conteeb@calvertnet.k12.md.us.

Some students may qualify for free or reduced-price meals. A new application must be submitted each school year. Eligibility is typically determined by household size and income. To see if your household qualifies, please complete, and submit one meal benefit application per household. Applications are available in the main office but may also be completed online at https://LinqConnect.com. More information is also available on the CCPS website at Departments – Child Nutrition or at https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/child-nutrition.

If students have questions about their device (laptop/computer), they can get help from a member of the CCPS IT team at helpdesk@calvertnet.k12.md.us or call 443-550-8146. Students needing assistance can also drop off their laptop in the main office and fill out a paper Help Desk ticket.

Supports are available on the CCPS website using the Technology Support link below. This resource provides links to submit help desk tickets, frequently asked questions, and other resources that can be used to solve issues.

https://calvertnet.zendesk.com/hc/en-us

Learning Expectations with Devices

• CCPS/NMS device brought to school every day – fully charged before school begins.
• Used as the official electronic device in all classrooms
• Use CCPS Office 365 account to save assignments, projects, notes

Device Safety:

• Accounts, usernames and/or passwords are never to be shared with another student/individual
• Laptop devices should never be loaned to another student/individual
• Personal, identifiable information should never be posted on the internet
• Never leave devices unattended

Device Care:

• No decorations, stickers, drawing or writing on the device
• No eating or drinking near the device
• Do not expose the device to extreme heat, cold or rain
• Clean with a dry soft cloth only
• Do not drop or slam the device on any surface
• Do not places papers or other objects between the keyboard and screen and close shut/use as a folder

Schoology accounts for parents are view only accounts. They were created for parents who have an email address in Home Access Center (HAC). For more information about how to access your Schoology parent account click:

https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/instruction/programs/digital-learning/schoology

As part of our commitment to create an optimal learning environment for all students, CCPS has implemented a new policy regarding cell phone and smartwatch use. We kindly request your support in ensuring that your child adheres to the new guidelines.

Students are not permitted to use cell phones or smartwatches during the school day. This policy is designed to minimize distractions and promote a more focused and engaging educational experience.

Key Points of the Policy:

1. Students may bring cellular phones/smartwatches to school but are not permitted to bring in other electronic or communication devices (such as personal laptops).
2. Once school begins, the device must be powered completely off (not on vibrate or silent mode) and must remain in a non-visible, secure location. There are exceptions for administratively approved times for students in grades 9 – 12 only to use their cell phone/smartwatch.
3. If there is an emergency, parents/guardians are encouraged to contact the school’s main office. All cell phone/smartwatch guidelines, expectations, and discipline consequences apply even if communicating with parents/guardians.
4. Students may use their phone/smartwatch on the bus or school-chartered vehicle, but it must not be disruptive or cause a distraction to the driver. Sound must only be audible through headphones.
5. Camera/video use, and phone conversations are prohibited at all times.
6. Students found using cell phones during school hours are subject to disciplinary consequences, including having their devices confiscated and returned at the end of the day. Repeated violations may result in further disciplinary action.

We are confident that, with your support, CCPS students will follow expectations and contribute to a more focused, engaging, and supportive educational experience for all. Thank you for your partnership with successful implementation of the new cell phone and smartwatch policy.

Here Comes the Bus (HCTB) is an app with tracking features for the bus(es) your child(ren) is assigned to ride. They include

• Showing the real-time location of your child's bus on a map
• Scheduled and actual arrival times at home and school for bus routes
• Push and email notifications when the bus is near

Click this link for more information on getting the app - https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/transportation/bus-status/here-comes-the-bus

To create an account, you will need to know your child's ID number and the school district activation code 87557.

NMS parents who drop off or pick up their student(s) are asked to turn left onto Flint Hill Road then left into the parking lot near the NMS cafeteria. The drop off and pick up zone for students extends from the sidewalk by the NMS cafeteria, continues along the sidewalk towards the NMS office, then continues along the sidewalk in front of the Mary Harrison Center. Please pull up to the furthest spot in the drop off zone so that we can allow as many vehicles into the zone as possible. Students should be ready to exit their vehicle quickly so that we can keep traffic flowing. Upon students exiting and entering, vehicles follow a route that allows them back onto Flint Hill Road. In the afternoon, if there are no additional spaces on the sidewalk before the cafeteria entrance, please park in a parking space so that we do not have cars blocking traffic on Flint Hill Road.

We are excited to share that the construction process for the new Northern Middle School building is scheduled to begin over Winter Break. The new building will be constructed in the NMS front parking lot. As a result, there will be significant changes to the parking lots and entrances to campus. Starting in January, the current NMS parking lot and the entrance to the bus lot will no longer be accessible. At that time, all cars and school buses will begin entering and exiting the NMS/NHS campus via the first entrance off Chaneyville Road by the NHS tennis courts. Additional details will be provided as we get closer to January. With all vehicles accessing just one entrance, families can help reduce traffic congestion by having their student(s) ride the bus to/from school. Students beginning the school year on the bus will have a much easier transition. We appreciate the cooperation of our school community as we work through the logistics with construction. While there will be short-term challenges, the long-term advantages of a new NMS building will benefit our community for years to come.

Calvert County Public Schools uses Raptor for visitors and volunteers to sign in and sign out. Volunteers must apply annually to be an approved volunteer. All volunteers will need to review the volunteer handbook and watch the volunteer training video before completing and Online Volunteer Application. Volunteers must be approved before they may begin service as a volunteer in any school buildings.

CCPS Online Volunteer Application & Process: https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/human-resources/become-a-volunteer

Contractors are paid $24.04 an hour/8 hours per day for a brand-new bus driver. There are increases for those individuals with more verified school bus driving experience starting at year 4, 9, 14, 19 and 24. Drivers work for independent school bus contractors throughout Calvert County. The contractors hire drivers to work on daily bus routes, or as substitutes, or to drive field trips and sports teams.

The Transportation Department provides training, free of charge, for qualified candidates to become school bus drivers. This is a terrific opportunity to work close to home and to serve the children and schools in our community.

For more information about raining, requirements, and an application, go to the CCPS Transportation page at https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/transportation.

Please contact Chuck Baker, Driver Instructor, @ 443-550-8778 or bakerc@calvertnet.k12.md.us for details on the free training process or with questions. Classes are typically held twice a month at the Career & Technology Academy, 331 Dorsey Rd., Prince Frederick, MD 20678