NORTH NEWS

Ms. Kyker's first period class decided to make posters to take to the VA medical center in November for Veterans Day. The veterans were thrilled to get cards from our students and hung the posters up around the facility. When Ms. Kyker told her students about the veterans' responses, one student asked if they could collect donations for them for the holidays so they would feel like the community had not forgotten them! So, Ms. Kyker's class, led by 8th grader Alex Roberts, helped to create a list of supplies they may need during their stay at the VA hospital in Martinsburg. Alex says,

"I decided to help Veterans because it is beyond important to me. The veterans who come in are struggling with their mental health, physical health or addiction problems and they have nowhere to go and often feel left behind by society. Even the smallest things make the biggest difference! Donating is important because veterans come to the VA Medical Center with nothing; they just need something to lift their spirits."

Please contact Ms. Krista Kyker (8th grade WV Studies teacher) or Alex Roberts (8th grade student) with any questions or partner with the class by bringing items to the library for donation. A full list of items is listed below!

From Ms. Jackson, our school Guidance Counselor:

Next Wednesday, December 7, counselors from Martinsburg, Hedgesville, and Spring Mills High Schools will be visiting North Middle to distribute scheduling forms to our current 8th graders in preparation for 9th grade. The counselors will discuss course requirements for each student. Students will bring the forms home to choose their courses and on Wednesday, December 14, the high school counselors will return to check in with each student and collect their scheduling forms.

I will be available to answer student questions in the meantime. If you would like to browse the program of studies with descriptions of each high school course, it can be found by clicking the link below.

If your child is unsure where they will attend high school, please instruct them to stop by my office or email selena.jackson@k12.wv.us.

The Cheer Showcase & Spaghetti Dinner is TONIGHT, December 2nd at 6:00pm! For $10 you can enjoy a delicious pasta meal which will help our cheerleaders raise money for their organization! Come on out and support the Blue Devil Cheer Squad!

The girls & boys basketball season will kick off on December 5th with the first games of the season; the girls will play at Musselman and the boys will be at home, both starting at 6pm (boys varsity will play at 7). We look forward to seeing all of our NMS staff, students, & parents during the upcoming season!

The Martinsburg Elks have released their 2022 essay contest entitled, "What is your American Dream?" Essays must be the student's original work and no longer than 300 words. Students are encouraged to participate for a cash prize of $100 for first place, $50 for second, and $25 for third. Essays and contest entry forms are due in the main office by homeroom on December 12th. Please see your social studies or ELA teacher for more information or click the button below for the entry form and rules.

All of our band, choir, and strings students will be participating in the winter concert on December 14th at 5:30pm in the North Middle School gymnasium. Our students have been working hard since the beginning of the school year to present their talents. Come out to support our students in their musical endeavors!

Every year, North Middle's "Angel Tree" Program helps families in need for the holidays by providing meals and gifts for the season. If your family could use assistance with food or gifts this holiday season, please contact the main office. There is also a link below for those who might be interested in donating monetarily to the program.

If you have any questions about the "Angel Tree" program, please call Mr. Sarina at 304-267-3540.

During the week before Thanksgiving, Heather & Andrea from Shenandoah Community Health, helped our cafeteria staff serve the Thanksgiving meal, complete with turkey and all of the trimmings. We appreciate SCH's committment to North Middle School and thank them for their service to our community!

Registration is now open for students in grades 1-12 for the Apollo Youth Theatre after school program. The cost of participation is $250 and auditions will be held on January 7th & 8th with rehearsals beginning on January 10th and continuing on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 5-7pm.

For more information, email apolloyouththeatre@apollocivictheatre.org.

When may students return to school after an Illness? The following guidelines are provided to help you determine if your student is ready to return to school after an illness.

• Fever free for the past 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications such as Tylenol. A fever is defined as a temperature ≥ 100.4º F.
• No vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours.
• After at least 24 hours of antibiotic therapy for bacterial illnesses such as strep throat, pneumonia, etc.
• The child’s appetite and activity level have returned close to normal.
• Cold symptoms that are mild enough so as not to interfere with your child’s ability to participate in the activity of a normal school day or infect other students. Please remember that cold and cough medicines, including cough drops cannot be given to students by school staff without a doctor’s order.
• If your child was sent home with a rash, they may return when the rash is resolved or with a doctor’s note stating they are not contagious.
• If your child’s doctor has prescribed medication that will need to be given during the school day, please remember that an order from the doctor is necessary. Most area physicians have these forms. If not, we would be happy to fax one to their office.
• During your child’s visit to the doctor, please remember to obtain a note so that your child will be medically excused.

If you have any questions as to whether your child may return to school after an illness, please feel free to call the school nurse, Ms. Hutzler. She will be happy to assist you in deciding what is best for your child.

(Reviewed and endorsed by Dr. Kevin McLaughlin D.O., Health Officer, Berkeley-Morgan County Board of Health.)

On the Friday before break, Mr. Jackson & Ms. O'Leary's 7th grade math classes participated in a fun STEM activity. Students had spaghetti noodles & marshmallows to build the tallest tower possible. The trick was that the towers were measured from the largest marshmallow to the desk, so they had to be strong enough to hold a the heaviest marshmallow AT THE TOP!

This week, Ms. Landerkin's 8th grade ELA students used their knowledge of the Leopold & Loeb "crime of the centurty" to solve a Breakout box. Using their notes from class and their clever witt, students had to find the combinations to several locks to open the box in an escape room-type activity in a race against the clock (and their classmates).

In Ms. Amavisca's art classes this week, 8th grade students created Tim Burton-style self-portraits.

Ms. Long's Family & Consumer Science classes were busy preparing desserts for tonight's Cheer Showcase Spaghetti Dinner!

Students are doing great things at NMS!

"Whatever It Takes"

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