Good Afternoon NBHS Families!

We are very excited to welcome our students back to school tomorrow! Our staff has spent the last two days at school preparing for the new year. Our custodial staff has worked hard all summer to get our school and grounds ready. All we are missing is the students. Students will have an assembly first period and then receive their schedules. Class supply lists will be given out this week.

I want to give a huge shout out to Ms. Malone and our nationally recognized student council for putting together a great family/student orientation last Friday. Thank you to all the families who attended! You are a huge part of our success. As I mentioned at the orientation, our middle school is growing.

Finally, I am including some schoolwide expectations in this newsletter along with a link to our student handbook.

See you tomorrow!

John Diorio

Principal

Last year we had a very intensive accreditation visit from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.(NEASC). A NEASC committee came to our school to evaluate us in the areas of school environment, safety, and instruction. The NEASC committee was here for 3 full days visiting classrooms and interviewing staff, students, school committee members, and administration. I am proud to announce that we were given our accreditation! Thank you to all our dedicated staff and amazing students. I am sharing some of the commendations from NEASC:

The positive school culture that ensures all learners are known and valued and have equitable access to a full range of school programs and services

The use of lesson studies with novice teachers to improve professional practice and instruction

The instructional leadership team that provides professional development to staff around collaboration and teacher efficacy

The school culture, led by the principal, promotes a spirit of collaboration, shared ownership, pride, leadership, social responsibility, and civic engagement

The positive learning opportunities provided to students, such as the ability to attend conferences and internships that ensure individuality and extended learning

The student leaders, including the student council, who encourage social awareness and upstanding behavior that make an impact on the school community

The meaningful and defined roles in decision-making assigned to students to promote responsibility and ownership

The palpable sense of inclusivity and compassion within and amongst the school community

The IDEAs training afforded to staff and students that strengthens the understanding of, and the commitment to, equity and diversity

The dedicated staff takes on additional responsibilities and roles as coaches or leads clubs beyond their content to help students develop the skills necessary to achieve a positive school/life balance

The successful procurement of secured grant funding to advance its curriculum and programs such as Illustrative Mathematics,

OpenSciEd, and Safe and Supportive Schools

Once again we will have a 6 period schedule with a 25 min lunch and a 25 min flex block. Classes will rotate, however students will not have a dropped class this year. All students will have 6 classes. This will allow more time on learning for each subject. Periods A- D will rotate in the morning and E-F will rotate in the afternoon. I provided a sample schedule below.

A-D rotate, E-F rotate: 4 day cycle

Day 1 2 3 4 1

A B C D A

B C D A B

C D A B C

D A B C D

Lunch/Flex

E F E F E

F E F E F

This year we will be offering a hot breakfast before school starts from 7:15-7:30. We will still offer our second chance breakfast after first period. All students are entitled to 1 free breakfast and 1 free lunch. Additional food can be purchased. Students who want a hot breakfast should go down to the cafeteria at 7:15.

As you know, attendance is very important to the success of our students. All students should be in class be 7:35. Any student who reports to class after 7:35 will be tardy. Please see the link to our updated student policy regarding attendance on pages 77-79. (I will include the link to our handbook in this newsletter.) Any student who has 4 unexcused tardies in a quarter will receive an office detention. Any student who arrives late to classes during the day will receive a teacher detention after 3 late arrivals. Excessive unexcused absences may result in a loss of credit for a class(s) and students will be placed on social probation.

Once again, cell phones and ear buds are not allowed in class. Students will place their cell phone in the cell motel upon entering the classroom and take them out when class is over. Students are allowed to have their phones during lunch. We are asking for your help with this policy by not call or texting your child during class. Family members can call the main office if they need to speak to their child during school. Our cell phone policy can be found on pages 66-67 in the handbook.

Our upper classmen may bring coffee drinks to school if they are on time during the first period only. However, students who arrive late to school with a coffee drink will have to leave them in the main office. Only water is allowed in classrooms for all students after first period. Energy drinks are not permitted in school.

No students are allowed to leave school for lunch. All students are expected to eat in the cafeteria for lunch.

If your family is experiencing difficulties at home, we would like to provide additional support at school. We understand that you are not always able to share details and that is okay.

If your child is coming to school after a difficult night, morning, or weekend, please email me “Handle With Care” with your child’s first and last name. Nothing else will be asked. I will then reach out to their teachers to share that your child may need extra help and patience during the day.

If it would be helpful for the school adjustment counselor to reach out to your child and/or family directly, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Contact:

Mrs. Tova Margolis

School Adjustment Counselor

North Brookfield Jr./Sr. High School

tmargolis@nbschools.org