Northern Middle Newsletter 8/27/23
Weekly Update 8/27/23
Bobcat Nation:
We are excited for the start of the 2023-24 school year! It was wonderful meeting our new 6th graders, as well as new 7th/8th graders, on Friday during Orientation!
- Monday, August 28th - First day of school for all students
Please review the newsletter below for important information regarding bus schedules, students schedules, Back to School forms/documents, Open House, PTO information, etc.
The newsletter has been designed with features to improve accessibility for all viewers. On the right hand side of the page, you can access features which allow for language translation, modifying text size, and contrast mode. If you are accessing on a mobile device, there is an icon that looks like a person at the bottom of the newsletter. Clicking this icon on a mobile device will provide the accessibility features.
A key to the success of each student will be everyone working together in support of our theme - "We Rise by Lifting Others." We are excited to work together with your student and family this year!
Mr. Webster, NMS Principal
Back to School Message from Dr. Townsel, CCPS Superintendent
1st Day of School - Monday, August 28th
Student Schedules Available in HAC/Paper Copies Provided on 1st Day
With many new students enrolling, we will continue to work on balancing class sizes. As a result, student schedules may still be adjusted this week.
Bus Information from CCPS Transportation
Bus information (bus #, bus stop location and approximate bus stop times) for the 2023-2024 school year has been posted in Home Access Center. Bus stop information is based on the guardian’s home address unless they have provided a different pick-up and drop-off location to your child’s school. Please contact your child’s school to make any corrections to the student database.
Our bus routing software vendor has made us aware that they are experiencing a nationwide technical issue that is impacting bus assignment information upload. They are diligently working to correct this problem. Please continue to check your student’s HAC and/or your Here Comes the Bus App for your student’s bus information. In in the meantime, for the most up-to-date bus stop locations and times, please go to: https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/busroutes and enter the passkey: 2023routes. Information is posted by school.
Please note that over the coming weeks Transportation will be reviewing routes to ensure students are arriving on time. It may be necessary to make adjustments to bus routes, times, and locations. Thank you for your understanding and patience.
Please review the attached letter Rules and Regulations for School Buses memo from Transportation with your child. A hard copy will come be sent home in 1st day folders. There is a portion to complete and have your student provide to the bus driver.
Here Comes the Bus - A School Bus Tracking App for Parents
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.
Car Riders
Important Back to School Forms and Documents
There are many forms and documents that are being shared as informational guides and references for families. See the attachments below.
- NMS Back to School letter
- Bobcat Handbook for Students & Families
- NMS Bell Schedule 2023-24
- CCPS Code of Conduct – https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/student-services/code-of-conduct
- CCPS Technology in the Classroom letter
- Back to School Vaccinations Flyer
Forms to Sign & Return
There are forms that need to be signed and returned for each student. They will be included in our First Day Folders so parents will receive a paper copy. Attached are copies of the forms in the event that you would like to start filling them out.
- CCPS Code of Conduct Statement of Understanding
- CCPS Personal Cell Phone, Electronic, & Communication Devices Registration Form
- NMS Technology Expectations Form
School Supplies
Student Laptops
Students will have a laptop provided by Calvert County Public Schools. 8th graders will continue to utilize the laptop this school year that has been previously issued to them and was taken home over the summer. 6th grade and 7th grade students will be receiving new laptops during the initial weeks of the school year. In order to receive their new laptop, they will need to return the laptop and charger that they had last school year (some 6th graders may have already turned them into their elementary school).
- 6th Grade will be receiving their new laptops/chargers on Tuesday, 8/29 through their Social Studies classes. Those 6th graders who still have their laptop/charger from last year will be exchanging.
- 7th Grade will be receiving their new laptops/chargers on Wednesday, 8/30 through their Social Studies classes. 7th graders will be exchanging their old laptop/charger from last year.
It is important that students take care of their device and charger. While normal wear and tear is acceptable and expected, intentional damage or damage caused by neglect is not covered under the accidental warranty. These types of damages will require an investigation by school administration and may result in a student obligation for the repair costs. We would like to avoid parents being responsible for these costs, as they could hundreds of dollars depending on the damage.
NMS NON-NEGOTIABLES FOR STUDENTS
Open House/Back-to-School Night will occur on Monday, September 11th
Willy Wonka Auditions Coming Soon!
SCHOOL MEALS - BREAKFAST & LUNCH (for the 2023-24 school year)
Students not eligible for free/reduced-price meals will be able to purchase meals at the following prices: Secondary Schools - $1.65 breakfast, $2.80 lunch
Students enter their 5-digit ID number at the register when making purchases. The total purchase price will be subtracted from their account. Please review your student’s
5-Digit ID number with them. (Please Note: For accountability purposes, students/siblings are not permitted to share accounts).
NEW ONLINE MEAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
To provide parents/guardians with a better user experience, the CCPS Child Nutrition Program has transitioned from www.MySchoolBucks.com to https://LinqConnect.com for its online meal management system.
Student purchases and account balances may be monitored by signing up online for a LINQ Connect account at https://LinqConnect.com. There is no fee to sign up for an account. From this one site, parents/guardians will be able to apply for meal benefits (no registration required) and to register their student(s) if they wish to monitor Café purchases, view balances, set low balance reminders and make deposits. In addition, parents/guardians will also now have the ability to transfer funds between their student accounts and may choose to place spending limits/purchasing maximums on these accounts. Online deposits will still incur a fee of $1.60, but that fee will now include all deposits made during a single transaction.
Please note that all previous account balances automatically transferred into the new system, however, any special notes regarding snack/á la carte purchases and limits did not and will need to be re-entered vis https://LinqConnect.com or by contacting the Child Nutrition Office at 443.550.8680.
FREE/REDUCED PRICE MEAL BENEFIT APPLICATION
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 will be sent home with students in the beginning of the school year folders but may also be completed online at https://LinqConnect.com. Applications are available in many languages on the LinqConnect site but are also available on the USDA’s website at http://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/translated-applications. More information is also available on the CCPS website at Departments – Child Nutrition or at https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/child-nutrition.
Middle School Athletics - Fall
Sports physicals must be completed prior to a child’s participation in a sport. The clinics for soccer and volleyball are scheduled to start approximately Tuesday, September 5th. If your child is interested in trying out for soccer or volleyball, they will need to have the completed physical evaluation form, team form, insurance waiver form, clinic form and $35.00 clinic fee turned in before they can participate. These forms can be located at https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/athletics/middle-school-athletics. Copies are also available in the main office.
Northern Middle School PTO
Update from the NMS PTO
Welcome back NMS families. We hope all the NMS staff and students had an enjoyable summer with their family and friends.
Our PTO school year has already been busy supporting our staff and all they give to our students and community. The PTO provided a Welcome Back picnic this week. We appreciate all the donations and volunteers that showed their support this week for the luncheon and first day folder organizing.
We would like to invite you in considering joining the NMS PTO as we need the support from the parents and families at NMS. No matter how you support us: with your time, your item donations or your financial contribution please know it goes directly to the students and staff at NMS.
Also please look out for additional information in the first day folder or sign up with us at the Back to School Bash and Family Fun event being held on September 11th at 5:00 pm. Rita's will be available for purchase and fun yard games will be available to entertain your crew before the Open House.
Join the NMS PTO! Membership link below:
Recurring Resources for Families
CCPS Reopening Plan
CCPS SCHOOL LUNCH MENUS
PARENT ACCOUNTS IN SCHOOLOGY
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-for-parents
Technology Support
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 also available on the CCPS website using the Technology Support button (pictured below) on the main page. This resource provides links to submit help desk tickets, frequently asked questions, and other resources students can use to solve issues.
Become a Volunteer
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
Resource Flyers and Opportunities for Students and Families
Board of Education Seeks Citizen Advisory Committee Members
The Board of Education is seeking applicants for the Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) for the 2023-2024 school year.
The CAC will be composed of a cross-section of the population of Calvert County. The Board will consider a variety of criteria when appointing members. These criteria will include, but will not be limited to, the high school district in which the prospective member resides, achieving geographic, demographic, ethnic, and racial diversity, the order in which applications were received, and the attendance record of individuals who previously served on the committee.
Members must be legal residents of Calvert County during the period of his/her term. The term of service for CAC members is one (1) year. No more than twenty-five (25) applicants will be selected.
If you are interested in serving on CAC, please complete the survey on this form by September 5, 2023: https://forms.office.com/r/Lm8r0YeQ1m
CCPS Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC)
CCPS Family Life Committee
Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) is establishing a joint Family Life Committee of educators who work in CCPS and community representatives who reside in Calvert County for the purpose of reviewing and commenting on, and where appropriate, recommending instructional materials. Members will serve a one-year term.
The Family Life Committee will meet the 2nd Monday of each month, January through May at 6PM. At the initial meeting, the purpose, expectations, and full health curriculum will be reviewed. Following full group sessions, the committee will divide into an elementary and a secondary committee where specific family life curricula will be reviewed and discussed.
CCPS is asking for any community member or parent residing in Calvert County to consider serving on this committee. Eight community members and parents representing elementary and secondary schools will be randomly selected. An official notification will be sent to those who are selected by September 15.
If you are interested in serving on the Family Life Committee, please complete the survey on this form: https://forms.office.com/r/Yu5z4EAwJu by August 28.
CCPS Library Reconsideration Committees
Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) is establishing Library Reconsideration Committees for Elementary, Middle, and High School. Members will serve a one-year term.
CCPS is asking for any community member or parent residing in Calvert County to consider serving on these committees. Each committee will consist of administrators, teachers, librarians, students, community members and parents. These committees will meet based on need.
One (1) community member and two (2) parents will be randomly selected to serve on each committee. An official notification will be sent to those who are selected by September 15. If additional committees are needed, members will be selected at random from the original list.
If you are interested in serving on a Library Reconsideration Committee, please complete the survey on this form: https://forms.office.com/r/jZX1u49Lmu by August 28.