Bear Paw Times
Volume 16, Issue 1 - August 2024
AUGUST
Message from the Principal
Hello Black Bear Families, it was exciting to see all the students at the Meet the Teacher event. The new year has started, and we are ready to get to work! As I wrote on the Welcome Back letter, I am as excited as I was during my first year as the principal of NCMS. This year, we will continue to focus on instruction, strengthening our Professional Learning Communities (PLC), and leveraging the collective expertise of our staff to improve achievement for all our students. We started our journey “Building and Nurturing our Community Together”, and we will continue this journey as “One Family Growing and Learning Together”. Last year we became an A, and I know this year we will continue working hard to remain one! Let's Go Black Bears!!!
Dr. Francisco Rivera
Narcoossee Middle School Principal
AVID News
Media Center News
If you did not return your books last year, or from a previous school you may return them to Mrs. Biela without a penalty.
Don't forget to log in your reading minutes into Beanstack. We will be giving out monthly prizes and random drawings to our top readers!
Cheer News
Cheer Information
Cheer information meeting will be held on Thursday August 22nd in the Media Center 4:30-5 PM.
Please join our Instagram Page for all the 24-25 Season Tryout information.
Drama News
Theater & Tech Design
Dear Parents and Students of Narcoossee Middle School,
Welcome to the Theater and Tech Design class! My name is Mrs. Acevedo, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to share my passion for theater with your children this year.
Theater is more than just a subject to me—it’s my life. I am deeply committed to fostering a creative and supportive environment where every student can explore their talents, build confidence, and discover the magic of storytelling. Whether your child is interested in acting, set design, lighting, or sound, this class will offer them the chance to dive into the many exciting aspects of theater.
In our class, students will not only learn the fundamentals of performance and technical design, but they will also collaborate, communicate, and think critically—skills that will serve them well beyond the stage. I believe that theater can be a transformative experience, and I am excited to see the growth and creativity that will emerge from each and every student.
I encourage open communication, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns throughout the year. Together, we can make this a memorable and impactful experience for your children.
Thank you for your support, and I look forward to an amazing year of theater with your students!
Warm regards,
Mrs. Acevedo
Theater Teacher
Narcoossee Middle School
Sports News
Sports Tryouts
Cross Country
August 23rd, 26th, and 27th,
Boys' Soccer
August 20th, 22nd, and 23rd
Girls' Soccer:
August 19th, 20th, and 22nd
REMINDER: Please get physicals done ASAP and give completed form to the appropriate coach.
Band News
First Band Meeting
Band Parent Meeting on Wednesday, August 21st at 6pm in the Cafeteria.
Testing Information
Testing Days REMINDER:
Students need to charge their laptops the night before testing and have a great night's sleep. A nutritious breakfast is also encouraged for State Testing rediness.
For more testing information, contact: frances.velezcollazo@osceolaschools.net
Attention Parents
Here Comes The Bus APP
Here Comes The Bus is an easy-to-use website and app that enables parents to see the location of their child's school bus on a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer.
You may call the Transportation Call Center if you have any other questions or concerns.
TRANSPORTATION CALL CENTER:
School days 6am-6pm 407-483-3673
Please have the following information ready when you call:
1. Student Legal Name (Student Number is helpful)
2. School Name
3. Bus ROUTE Number
4. Bus Stop Location (Pick-up / Drop-off)
Box Tops for Education
We need your help to get more families to support the Box Tops program here at NARCOOSSEE MIDDLE SCHOOL. The more people that participate, the more our school can earn to help get the supplies it needs! This year, our goal is to earn $1,000.00 through Box Tops.
PLUS, you can earn a bonus for our school by inviting your friends, family, and other parents at NARCOOSSEE MIDDLE SCHOOL to sign up and participate in Box Tops. To refer friends to sign up, go to the Invite Friends section of the Box Tops app. (You can get there by tapping on the person icon in the upper-right corner of the app home screen.) You'll get a referral code that you can send to a friend. You'll BOTH earn Bonus Box Tops for our school when they scan their first receipt — that's extra cash that counts towards our Box Tops earnings goal of $1,000.00 this year.
Thanks for your help!
Dean's One Pager
See below for important information from the dean's office.
Mark Your Calendar
8/12 - FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL/FIRST DAY OF 1ST GRADING PERIOD
8/21 - NCMS Band Parent Meeting 6 PM
8/22 - Cheer Information Meeting 4:30-5 PM
8/29 - FAST ELA
Clubs
Media Center Club
If you are interested in joining a Media Center Club. Please go to the school website: https://osceolaschools.net/ncms and click on media center and then media center clubs.
STEM Clubs
Robotics, Odyssey of the Mind, and Sphero's
If you want to apply to join the NCMS Robotics Team, or the NCMS Odyssey of the Mind team, please use the QR's below to fill out an application form.
For more information, mailto:Stephani.Mckeown@osceolaschools.net
PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Support) Expectations
Be Responsible
Encourage Others
Act Safely
Respect All
Strive For Success
NCMS Business Partners in Education
Other News and Resources
Donations
NCMS is always looking for donations of school appropriate jeans for middle school students. Please drop off fairly used or new jeans that are NOT distressed with holes, tears, or frays.
We also welcome other school appropriate clothing such as polo shirts, spirit shirts, kaki's, bermuda shorts, belts and sneakers.
In addition, the school accepts various donations of school supplies. We thank you in advance for your generosity!
Free Crisis Services
Does your child need social, emotional, or mental health stabilization? Devereux’s Mobile Crisis Services, provides free crisis services with trained counselors. Services are available 24 hours a day, every day including weekends and holidays.
Dial 2-1-1 or 407-839-HELP (4357).
ONE MORE CHILD Anti-Trafficking Mobile Team
If you or someone you know has been forced or coerced to perform sexual activities, or promised false opportunities, text or call us to set up a meeting with a mentor, advocate, or clinician.
YOU MAY BE A VICTIM IF:
- You are not free to come and go as you wish.
- You are involved in the comercial sex industry (prostitution, stripping, pornography) with a trafficker, or you are under 18.
- You do not have control over your own personal documents/money.
- You were recruited to your job through false promises.
- You are forced to provide labor or commercial sex.
SERVICES INCLUDE:
- trauma-informed counseling
- psychoeducation
- court accompaniment
- life skills
- mentorship
- case management
- free food boxes & hygiene items
- access to 24/7 hotline
- advocacy
- referrals to other providers
- interpreter services available
For more information: https://onemorechild.org or antitrafficking@onemorechild.org
Important Information for 7th Grade:
All students entering 7th grade must provide the school with an updated immunization record (FL form 680/white form). All 7th grade students must have (1) Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine and all other required vaccines must be up-to-date.
After receiving the Tdap, please email the form to: ncmsregistration@osceolaschools.net
For FREE Vaccines, contact The Osceola County Health Department at 407-343-2066. Located on Fortune Road in Kissimmee.
Adult Learning Opportunity/Oportunidad de aprendizaje para adultos!
ALCO
Nighttime English Classes for Adults at ALCO or at Narcoossee Middle School.
English Classes each Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30-8:30 PM.
For more information, contact Carolina Figueroa at
NCMS 407-891-6600 or ALCO at 407-518-8140.
You may apply at: https://otech.focusschoolsoftware.com/focus/apply/
Clases de Ingles para Adultos en ALCO o Narcoossee Middle School.
Clases cada martes y jueves de 5:30-8:30 PM.
Contacte a Carolina Figueroa en NCMS al 407-891-6600 o ALCO al 407-518-8140 para mas información.
Puede presentar su solicitud en: https://otech.focusschoolsoftware.com/focus/apply/
Narcoossee Middle School- Home of the Bears
AVID National Demonstration School
Mission Statement: Our number one priority is student achievement with high expectations being the responsibility of our entire school community.
Website: www.ncms.osceolaschools.net
Location: 2700 North Narcoossee Road, St. Cloud, FL, USA
Phone: 407-891-6600, Fax: 407-891-6610
FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/NCMSbears
Instagram: ncmsblackbears
Dr. Francisco Rivera Mieles, Principal
Lucile Schneider, Assistant Principal
Jamie Hopkins, Assistant Principal
Carolina Figueroa, A-F Dean
Marlenys Vargas-Ortiz, G-O Dean
Samantha Alfred, P-Z Dean
Ronaldo Ortiz. A-F Counselor/PBIS
Dr. Gloria Martinez, G-O Counselor/MTSS/FIT
Maria Morales, P-Z Counselor
Heather Biela, Media Specialist
Marisha Smalling, Literacy Coach
Gabrielle Tandlich, Math Coach
Frances Velez-Collazo, Testing Coordinator
Meg Hodge, RCS
Marianela Abreu DeJesus, ESOL Compliance
Kremsa Susla, Psychologist
Michelle Lauria, Social Worker
Marisol Losada, Occupational Therapist