NMS Family Update

Dear Northwood Middle School Families,

With the start of Quarter 2, our students are diving into new challenges and continuing to build on the skills and values we’ve emphasized throughout the year—Respect, Responsibility, and Readiness to Learn. We’re excited to see them grow as they take on these responsibilities and work toward their goals.

November is a busy and exciting month here at Northwood! We’re looking forward to a series of events, including our first dance of the year, several PBIS incentive activities, and a special parent event later in the month as well as the 8th grade field trip to the JVS. Encourage your 8th graders to wear comfortable shoes. These opportunities are wonderful ways for our students to connect, celebrate their achievements, and reinforce the values we hold as a school community.

As always, we value the partnership with our families and encourage you to check in with your child as they take on new learning and responsibilities. Thank you for your support in helping them stay organized, focused, and ready to make this second quarter a success.

Lastly, there is a NEW bus tracking app. Click on our transportation button below to learn more.

Warm regards,

Jean Capacetti, Michael Basinski, Elizabeth Andrachik
Northwood Middle School Admin Team

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Please click on the image below to see our Student Expectations Assembly Presentation for a rundown of our behavior expectations. We encourage you to speak with your student about strategies to help them meet these expectations.

The Northwood Middle School administrative team invites parents to an important and timely evening event on November 25th, from 5:30-7:00 pm, in the NWMS cafeteria. Students are welcome, however are not the target audience. During this event, we will host a presentation and interactive discussion on the widely recognized book, The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt.

Jonathan Haidt’s work delves into the pervasive rise of anxiety, depression, and emotional challenges faced by today’s youth, largely attributed to the widespread use of smartphones and social media. In The Anxious Generation, Haidt highlights how the constant connectivity and pressures from digital interactions can negatively impact teenagers' mental well-being and academic performance. The book also explores how parents and educators can better understand and respond to these challenges to support young people in leading healthier, more balanced lives.

Our event will consist of two parts:

1. Presentation: In the first part, the NWMS admin team will guide a discussion summarizing Haidt's data and research findings, focusing on the implications of smartphone usage on teenage mental health, including social, emotional, and academic impacts.
2. Parent & Educator Conversation: In the second part, we will open the floor for a collaborative discussion with parents. Together, we will explore actionable strategies to help our students and children navigate the challenges of phone use, balancing the benefits of connectivity with the importance of mental health and in-person interactions.

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Email: northwoodmiddleoffice@elyriaschools.org
Website: https://www.elyriaschools.org/domain/88
Location: 570 Abbe Road North, Elyria, OH, USA
Phone: 4402848016
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nwmselyria