NORTH NEWS

This is just a reminder that students and staff will be back at school TOMORROW, November 27th! We hope you had a restful and relaxing break with a lot of time with your treasured family & friends.

There are only 3 1/2 weeks left in the 2nd nine weeks. Please help us by encouraging your teen to plug in their iPad tonight and prepare their school supplies for tomorrow morning! It's also a wonderful time to review their academic goals for this quarter and set study routines for the next few weeks.

Check those Schoology grades! Get that missing work finished! Prepare for the next three weeks!

North Middle School is blessed to have several community organizations that offer assistance to our families during the holidays. To make sure that we include as many families as possible, we would like to hear from parents/guardians if you are in need of holiday meals or gifts this season.

Though we cannot guarantee what our school community can provide, we use your input as to what family needs are to continue to work to meet the needs of our school community. If your family could benefit from assistance this holiday season, please fill out this form to let us know (click the button below).

If you have any questions or just want to help, reach out to our Communities in Schools Coordinator, Brandon Sarina at brandon.sarina@k12.wv.us.

Tomorrow, all UA rotations will change except for gym, band, or choir. Check out the graphic below to figure out where you will rotate tomorrow during your Unified Arts classes!

Get your best outfit and sneakers together, because the cheerleaders are hosting their first ever Sneaker Ball. It will be on November 30th from 3:15 - 4:30 in North Middle's gym. Concessions will be sold in the cafeteria.

You won't want to miss your opportunity to grab those stocking stuffers this holiday season! The annual SOCK SALE IS BACK! NMS partners with Royce to bring you high quality socks for only $1 per pair! Proceeds support the 8th grade class activities and reward programs for students at NMS!

Check out the game schedule below for both the girls & boys basketball teams! Only one more week until games begin! We are so excited to see our athletes play!

Basketball games are starting December 4th! Check out this website to grab some fan t-shirts, sweatshirts and more to support our teams! THE LAST DAY TO ORDER IS NOVEMBER 27th!

Come out and support our cheerleaders and pep squad. They are hosting their spaghetti dinner fundraiser and silent auction on December 15th at 6 pm. There will also be a showcase following the dinner. You won't want to miss this delicious meal! Cheer & Pep Squad members are NOW selling tickets so get yours today!

If you know a Little Blue Devil who wants to be a Blue Devil Cheerleader for a day, tell them to sign up for our Stomp and Shake Clinic. Scan the QR code or click the link to sign-up.

FREE BCS virtual tutoring is available in Math, Science, English (Reading and Language Arts), and Social Studies for ALL BCS K-12 students Monday-Thursday from 5-7 pm by appointment. Tutoring sessions are approximately 30 minutes.

Please complete the form below and you will be contacted via email on your requested day prior to 5 p.m. with the information for your tutoring session. One of our tutors will call the number you provide between the hours of 5 - 7 p.m. Please be sure you select a date that you are available and able to attend. Also note that you will not have the tutor for the full 2 hours.

Also available daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at no cost for West Virginians, TutorWV provides support for patrons of all ages and stages. For students, the program offers online, on-demand, expert tutoring and homework help in more than 200 subjects, along with drop-off review services for essays and math problems. Tutoring included for AP, SAT and ACT. Read the press release.

Primary & secondary guardians are automatically added to the NMS NTouch list. But if you are an aunt, uncle, childcare provider, or student and you want to receive NTouch alerts & school newsletters, please use the QR code or link below to sign up for alerts!

Shenandoah Community Health visits our school every Thursday. Students can be seen for a variety of reasons, including immunizations and school sports physicals.

If you want your child to be seen in the mobile clinic by a medical professional, please contact the main office for more information!

It's essential to recognize and address the unique challenges our middle school students may face between Thanksgiving and winter breaks. While the holidays bring joy and celebration, some students encounter difficulties that can impact their attention and behavior. Let's explore ways to support our teens through these challenges:

1. Understanding the Impact of Poverty

During the holiday season, it's not uncommon for some students to face financial hardships, making it challenging to afford gifts or even meals. As parents, let's foster empathy and community spirit. Consider the neighbors around you and try to help if you can. At NMS, we conduct an Angel Tree program so that those who are not in need can help those around them during the holidays. We have volunteers who help with wrapping these gifts and even delivering them with meals to NMS families who are in need. Participating in these types of local initiatives to support families in need creates a sense of unity within our school community and helps all families have a holiday to remember. If you are interested in helping an NMS family in need, please contact our Communities in Schools liason, Mr. Sarina.

2. Navigating Family Stress and Harm

Family gatherings, while often joyful, can be stressful for students who have experienced harm or tension from family members in the past. It's crucial to create a safe space for open communication at home. Encourage your teen to express their feelings and concerns, and look for behaviors you cannot easily understand. Often behind those behaviors are emotions that teens keep hidden inside, without knowing how to address those concerns. As a community, let's strive to be understanding and supportive, recognizing that family dynamics can greatly impact a student's well-being. Our school counselors, Ms. Poe and Ms. Sigler, are always here to help.

3. Flexible Approaches to Unpredictable Schedules

Holiday events bring with them unpredictable schedules, which can disrupt students' routines and focus on their studies. Encourage flexibility in your teen's study plans and help them develop effective time-management strategies to plan for longer projects. Keep track of Schoology assignments and due dates. Remember, there are only 3 1/2 weeks between Thanksgiving break and the end of the 2nd nine weeks! Together, we can empower our students to balance academic responsibilities with the joys of the holiday season.

4. Promoting Inclusivity in Celebrations

It is important that we acknowledge that not all students may experience the holidays in the same way. Some may not participate in traditional celebrations due to cultural differences or personal reasons. At NMS we desire to foster an inclusive environment by celebrating diverse cultural practices and encouraging students to share their unique holiday experiences. This not only enriches our school community but also helps students feel valued and understood. Parents can do the same by exposing their teens to many different cultures and viewpoints and stressing your family's beliefs while showing tolerance to those around you.

5. Encouraging Peer Support and Understanding

Students facing challenges during the holiday season can benefit greatly from peer support. Encourage your teen to be understanding and inclusive; teach them how to notice when someone is struggling. Small gestures of support can make a significant difference in a peer's holiday experience.

As we come together as a school community, let's remain vigilant and compassionate. By understanding and addressing the challenges our middle school students may face during the holiday season, we can create an environment that nurtures their well-being and supports their academic success.

Schoology is our online grading program. Parents are able to create accounts which allows them to view all of their child's assignments, due dates, & grades! If you do not have a Schoology account and would like one, please fill out the form below and our technology specialist will email you directions to set up that account. EVERY STUDENT benefits when parents and teachers are able to communicate!

*We didn't have classes this week, but Ms. Neff would like to congratulate the following 6th grade students who won the IXL challenge during the past few weeks!

READING - 1st place: Ayden Burrow - 2nd place: Elizabeth Bowlin - 3rd place: Andrew Bixler

Mr. Malcolm's 2nd period class won overall!

MATH - 1st place: Devlin Lewis - 2nd place: Elizabeth Bowlin - 3rd place: Elaina Sines

Ms. Wood's 7th period class won overall!

"We at North Middle School are committed to doing WHATEVER IT TAKES to ensure that all student reach their highest potential!"

THE NORTH WAY

BE SAFE - BE RESPECTFUL - BE RESPONSIBLE

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