NORTH NEWS

6th Grade

• Montana Lowe - Montana has made great efforts and improvements to be his very best. He always comes in with a courteous and helpful attitude.
• Felicity Griffin - Felicity is a hard worker with a great sense of humor. She has a positive attitude and is ready to learn daily.
• Hung Tran - Hung is an absolute joy to have in class. He is hard-working and creative, and he is always friendly with his peers and teachers. We are lucky to have Hung as a Blue Devil!
• Ally'Zia Sepada - Ally'Zia always has a smile on her face! She tries her best daily and is a friend to all she meets. She is simply the best!
• Spring Smitherman - Spring always goes above and beyond for everyone in the classroom and loves to help when asked or volunteers to help others. She continues to improve everyday, she makes sure all her work is completed and asks if there is anything she can do for extra credit. Spring goes above and beyond.

7th Grade

• Kendall Overby - Kendall is being nominated for growth and progress in the classroom. Kendall has put an effort into finishing her projects and class assignments, even when it's difficult. She has shown tremendous progress, and we are so proud of her!
• Seqouia Draper - Sequoia is nominated for her excellent attitude toward her classes on a daily basis. She stays on task and exceeds expectations by completing her assignments and then helping her peers. She is a star student!
• Kaberin Mahoney - Kaberin is nominated for the incredible grit he shows in the classroom. If Kaberin doesn't get something right the first time, he doesn't give up. He keeps trying to improve as much as he can. He also maintains a positive attitude through all endeavors. Great job Kaberin!

8th Grade

• Ayvreigh Lightner - Ayvereigh is a shining star who brings kindness and enthusiasm to everything she does! Her involvement in the REN club showcases her dedication to making a positive impact on the school community, always stepping up to help wherever she’s needed. Outside the classroom, she enjoys playing volleyball. You can find Ayveriegh sipping on a warm cup of hot cocoa, eating snacks and spending time with her beloved cats, who bring her endless joy. Keep being amazing!
• Cadence Interiano - Cadence comes to every class ready to learn. She not only completes her work but is also helpful to students who need help with their work. Cadence has an artistic flair that can be seen in her fashion sense, artwork, and attention to detail when completing projects. Cadence works hard to stay up to date on her work and readily contributes to class bell ringers, reviews, and discussions. Moreover, she comes to class everyday with a smile on her face and something kind to say! We are so grateful to have Cadence in STAR Academy, she is one of a kind!

We want to take a moment to thank our amazing students, parents, and teachers for their hard work and perseverance during this week’s remote learning. Despite a few technical difficulties, we are so proud of how everyone pushed through to continue learning and growing together. Your flexibility and commitment are greatly appreciated!

If you are a student who was unable to log into your meetings at all due to technical issues, please see Ms. Deavers in the main office foyer one morning as soon as possible. Additionally, you can report any iPad-related issues by using the QR code for student iPad problems.

We want to ensure all technical issues are resolved before the next snow day (if we should have one), so don’t hesitate to let us know if you need assistance. Thank you again for your patience and dedication to making remote learning a success!

Berkeley County Schools has issued this guidance document to help students & families care for their school-issued iPads. Please take a moment to go over this with your child as we prepare for remote learning in the event of snow.

We are now selling SuperBowl subs/pizzas to benefit REN club at North Middle. Order forms and money will be due no later than TUESDAY, January 28th, and pickup will be the morning of Saturday, Feb 8th (day before the Super Bowl). For more information, please see Ms. Burton or print out the order form below!

The top seller in each grade level will be awarded a $50 Amazon Gift Card, thanks to Family Bible Church! Other prizes will be handed out as well! Thanks so much to those who are collecting orders.

On Thursday, January 30th, NMS will host their second in-school game of the season. Students with 30 or more REN points qualify to attend the game for free! If a student did not earn a minimum of 30 points, they can purchase tickets for $5. Tickets will be on sale during lunches on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. Students who have had more than one day of ISS or any OSS during the 2nd nine weeks will not qualify to buy a ticket. Concessions will be sold at the game. Don't forget to wear your spirit gear!

Pay $1 on Friday, January 31st to dress up as a winter character. All proceeds go to Relay for Life to help fight cancer. Who will you be: Elsa, Santa, Jack Frost? There will be costume winners who will receive $10 gift cards to Starbucks!

Don't miss your opportunity to dance with your sweetheart at the Valentine's Dance on February 13th from 3:00-4:15pm. Tickets will be on sale from your team leaders on Feb 11th & 12th for $5 and concessions will be available during the dance. Any student who has earned in-school or out-of-school suspension during the 3rd quarter will not be allowed to attend.

Join Ms. Mangold & Mr. Nuhfer to raise money for the American Heart Association and have a little basketball fun! On February 21st, we will be hosting the "Hoops for Heart" 3-on-3 basketball tournament during 1st - 4th periods to raise awareness about heart disease. Students who raise $25 can register to play and students who raise $20 can come to watch. There will also be a concession stand to benefit the Ren Club. Students who raise $100 for Hoops for Heart will have the opportunity to pie a teacher or administrator in the face! Please click on the information below to donate or see Ms. Mangold or Mr. Nuhfer with questions. ALL DONATIONS ARE DUE BY FEB 7th!

Due to a scheduling conflict, the book fair dates were changed to February 10-14th! All students will have the opportunity to visit the fair during their ELA class and parents are invited to attend Family Night on Feb 13th! Hope to see you at the book fair!

Due to last week's snow, some games will need to be rescheduled. At this time, the Mountain Ridge games will be played on January 28th. The boys teams will play at home and the girls teams will be away. Hope to see a lot of spectators come out to support our teams!

We are now live-streaming selected NMS basketball games with student commentators! Our livestream can be found on the NMS website by clicking in the icon for livestream or at the link below. We will also post links to past games in the same location.

As we kick off basketball season at North Middle School, here are some key reminders to ensure a great experience for everyone who is playing & attending:

• Pick-Up Time & Game Schedule: Doors open at 5:30 PM for most games (subject to change). If your child is attending a game without you, please pick them NO LATER THAN 8:30 PM. Late pick-ups may result in requiring a parent to accompany the student or the loss of game attendance privileges.

• Attendance Policy: If a student is absent from school during the day, they are not allowed to attend the game that evening. Students serving out-of-school suspension (OSS) or attending Transitional School may not attend NMS games. Once any suspension period ends, students may resume attending after school events like basketball games. Administrators will be at every game to enforce this expectation.

• Behavior Expectations: The same school rules and behavioral standards apply at games as they do during the school day. Any disruptive behavior could result in the loss of game attendance privileges and/or disciplinary consequences.

• Sportsmanship Matters: Players, coaches, referees, and spectators must be treated with respect. These games are for fun & to cultivate community. We expect all spectators to model good sportsmanship for our students.

Our cheerleaders have been working hard for months preparing for competition. Their first competition, the East Fairmont Winter Cheer Classic Cheer Competition, was yesterday! Even though they didn't place in the competition, we are so proud of their hard work! Because of their competition, they were unable to cheer for our teams as they played South Middle yesterday, but they wore yellow ribbons to support South's student Ava May, who is experiencing a health-related battle currently.

Cross Country runners should be prepared to stay after school on January 29th for individual and team sports pictures right after the pep rally! See Mr. Malcolm for more details!

8th Graders should return their permission slips for the James Rumsey/Blue Ridge Field Trip by January 27th to their homeroom teachers or Ms. Poe. On February 14th, 8th grade class will travel to James Rumsey to learn about high school career training programs and then visit both Blue Ridge campuses to learn more about college classes they can take during and post-high school. This is always a great opportunity for 8th graders to learn more about careers so even if students are interested in attending a 4-year college or university post-high school, they should still attend this field trip! Lunch will be provided.

With a potential for remote learning due to snow, there are two programs we would like our NMS families to be aware of if your family does not have internet at home.

Internet Essentials through Xfinity

https://www.xfinity.com/learn/internet-service/internet-essentials

Lifeline

https://www.lifelinesupport.org/

West Virginia has partnered with My Mobile Witness to implement a “see something, send something” reporting system that can be completed on a smartphone or other mobile device. All West Virginians are encouraged to participate in this initiative by downloading the free See, Send application from the App Store or Google Play. All of our students have this app on their school-issued iPads. The user may submit tips for “Crime/Suspicious Activity” or “School Threat or Safety Issues,” and they may also request help for “Suicide or Addiction.”

Our students also have access to our school counselors from their iPads as well. There is an icon on the iPad that takes students directly to the school counselor forms on our website where they can request to see Ms. Poe or Ms. Sigler for assistance.

NEVER SUFFER IN SILENCE! As Mr. Rogers once said, in times of crisis "look for the helpers."

Did you know that your student could receive important health care at school? This can help save time in making doctor's appointments. If you would like your child to see one of Shenandoah Community Health's medical providers, contact our school nurse or the main office for a permission form. The Shenandoah Community Health van visit North Middle EVERY THURSDAY throughout the school year.

Did you know you can manage which schools you receive communications from on a weekly basis? North Middle will be sending all communications through the app this year, trying to reduce the number of text messages we send to parents. We will reserve text message and emails for the weekly newsletter and the most important information. So, to stay "in the loop" be sure to download the app today!

Check out the Middle School Parents newsletter for January 2025! Click on the PDF below to read more!

In today’s digital age, teaching children online etiquette is as crucial as teaching them good manners. Over 90% of jobs now involve technology, and 62% require internet use for daily tasks. With remote work increasing by 91% in the last decade, it’s clear that understanding online behavior is key to future success. From emailing colleagues to hosting virtual meetings, children must learn to navigate the digital world responsibly and professionally.

Parents play a pivotal role in guiding their children’s online interactions. Essential behaviors to teach include:

• Respectful Communication: Use polite language in emails, chats, and posts.

• Professional Emails: Start with greetings, avoid slang, and proofread.

• Privacy Awareness: Never share personal information or passwords.

• Conflict Resolution: Handle disagreements calmly and kindly.

• Social Media Responsibility: Share thoughtfully and avoid oversharing.

Children often model their behavior after their parents. When you handle interactions with teachers, school administrators, or other authorities with calm and respectful professionalism, your child learns to do the same. Demonstrating clear and respectful communication, even in challenging situations, sets an example that prepares them to interact thoughtfully both online and offline.

Teaching online etiquette is about more than career preparation—it fosters empathy, respect, and effective communication in a connected world. By modeling professionalism at home and reinforcing these values, you equip your child to build strong relationships and maintain a positive reputation. Start today by having open conversations about digital responsibility and practicing respectful online behaviors as a family.

PLEASE NOTE: All documentation relating to absences shall be provided to the school no later than three instructional days after the first day the student returns to school. In the event documentation is not provided to the school within three instructional days after the first day the student returns to school, the absences are unexcused.

The recent three days of remote learning gave us all a chance to practice important online skills. Whether you were sending emails to your teachers or participating in a Teams meeting, your behavior online reflects who you are—just like it does in person. Here are some tips to help you act more professionally online and make a great impression on your teachers and classmates.

1. Communicate Clearly and Respectfully

When you need to reach out to a teacher, use email or Schoology messaging to let them know what’s going on. If you can’t attend a class, explain the situation and ask for any work you need to make up. Start with a polite greeting (like “Dear Mrs. Smith” or “Hello, Mr. Brown”), be clear about your question or issue, and always say thank you. Avoid using slang or emojis in messages to teachers—keep it professional.

2. Participate Appropriately in Teams Meetings

During a Teams meeting, it’s important to follow a few simple rules to make the class run smoothly:

• Mute Your Mic: Keep your microphone muted unless it’s your turn to speak. This avoids background noise.

• Use the Chat Wisely: If the teacher allows chat, use it for class-related questions or comments. Avoid sending jokes, memes, or unrelated messages.

• Make Sure You Are Logged In Properly: Use your Microsoft Office 365 email to log in so your correct name appears on screen.

• Pay Attention: Stay focused on the lesson and avoid distractions like your phone or other tabs.

3. Handle Conflict Calmly

If you disagree with someone in a meeting or a group project, express yourself respectfully. Avoid using all caps (it feels like shouting) or making negative comments. Instead, explain your perspective politely and work toward a solution.

4. Protect Your Reputation

Remember, anything you say or do online can last forever. Be mindful of what you type, share, or post. Always ask yourself: “Would I feel comfortable if my teacher or parent saw this?”

5. Take Responsibility

If you make a mistake—like forgetting to mute your mic or sending the wrong message—apologize and correct it. Teachers and classmates will appreciate your accountability.

Why This Matters

Acting professionally online isn’t just about avoiding trouble. It shows your teachers and classmates that you’re serious about learning and respectful of others. Plus, these skills will help you in the future when you’re emailing coworkers, joining virtual meetings, or collaborating on projects. Let’s all work together to create a respectful and productive online environment. By practicing these habits, you’re not only becoming a better student but also preparing for success in the digital world!

Don't miss a thing!

Last Thursday, students in the slime club learned the science behind how the clay slime works. Then they made their own.

Ms. Heck's 7th grade science classes conducted a S’mores lab recently. Students learned about thermal energy and how heat flows from warmer to cooler matter and the three types of transfer. It was a delicious lesson!

This week, class looked a little different! Thanks to everyone for working so hard during remote learning!

Ms. French's class had a great time online with remote learning! Ms. Tang even got to show off her furry friend!

WE ARE NORTH!

Our mission is to provide a supportative and inclusive learning environment where every student is valued, held to high expectations, and inspired to reach their full potential. We commit to celebrating our diverse backgrounds while implementing strategies that promote respect, responsibility, and academic excellence.

Email: rachel.deavers@k12.wv.us