If you’ve walked past the main office recently, you’ve likely noticed something special—a beautiful "Thankfulness Tree" spreading its paper branches across the wall. This year, Ms. Mills has invited the entire school to participate in this wonderful tradition by writing down one thing they are thankful for on a paper leaf and adding it to the tree.

The "Thankfulness Tree" began in past years on Ms. Mills’ library door, but its roots have “grown” to include the whole school this year. The display has become a colorful and heartfelt representation of what makes our NMS community special. From family and friends to favorite teachers, hobbies, and even favorite foods, the leaves showcase a wide range of what brings joy to our students and staff. A big thank you goes out to the students who helped Ms. Mills create the tree and the leaves. Their creativity and hard work have made the display a warm and inspiring way to start each day. Whether you’re dropping by the office or heading to class, the Thankfulness Tree is a daily reminder to pause and reflect on what we’re grateful for.

Gratitude is contagious, and this project has encouraged everyone to think about the good things in life, no matter how small. Thank you, Ms. Mills, for reminding us to focus on the positive and for creating such a beautiful tradition that brings our school together.

Do you know if your student is using disappearing message features on their favorite apps such as Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, or YouTube? Do you know why it matters? Disappearing messages have been shown to promote impulsive online behavior and create a false sense of privacy and security. Your child's unknowingly captured content could harm their reputation or future opportunities. The more you know about disappearing messages, the better you can protect your child.

Superintendent Dr. Ryan Saxe, in partnership with SmartSocial, is hosting a LIVE, virtual event designed to help parents understand the dangers of disappearing messages and learn practical strategies to protect your child.

Join us and learn:

• The hidden risks behind disappearing messages
• How disappearing messages work across different apps
• Gain confidence and learn practical strategies to protect and guide your child’s digital behavior

Parents & students, we are in the middle of the 2nd nine weeks! Please check your child's (or your) grades now and make-up any missing work to improve your grades! Don't wait until last minute! THIS IS THE TIME FOR ACTION if you are not pleased with you or your child's performance!

Senate Bill 530 requires that the FITNESSGRAM physical fitness assessment be administrated to all students in grades 3-12. FITNESSGRAM is a health-related fitness assessment developed by The Cooper Institute for Aerobic Research and is a research-based criterion referenced test. During your child’s test day(s), they should wear appropriate PE clothing and tennis shoes. If your child forgets proper testing attire, they will be required to proceed with the fitness test.

Any parent or community member interested in coming to the Local School Improvement Council meeting on November 19th is welcome! We will meet at 3:15pm in the main office conference room and will be discussing our Angel Tree program and other areas of concern for the school. All are welcome!

This Thursday is the day! Students who have turned in their permission slips & money will be traveling to the Apollo Theatre to see "The Little Mermaid." See Ms. Updike or Ms. Moreland if you have questions about the trip.

Join us on November 21st in dressing like a turkey for Relay for Life. Pay $1 and dress like everyone's favorite November poultry! Remember, all proceeds go toward our Relay for Life goal to help fight cancer. See Ms. Pleva for more details.

Our choir department is proud to present their winter concert on Friday, December 6th at 5:00pm in the main gym! You won't want to miss this opportunity to celebrate the hard work of our 6th, 7th, 8th grade choirs and the "Northern Lights" Show Choir! Come "UP NORTH" with us for an amazing adventure in music!

Don't know what to get your loved ones for the holidays? Stop by the annual NMS Sock Sale! Every pair of socks is $1! Help Royce get rid of their extra inventory while contributing North Middle!

Check out the latest "UNBOXING THE BOOKS" video to see the newest additions to our library collection! The videos are located at the bottom of the library webpage which you can get to from our school website by clicking on "Activities & Programs."

Students who want to visit the library during recess should fill out a future pass in SmartPass during homeroom on the day you want to visit. Click on the link below to watch a video tutorial about how to sign up!

Our girls & boys basketball teams have been created for the 2024-2025 season! The coaches would like to congratulate everyone who participated in tryouts! They wished they could have selected everyone - you made the decisions tough!

The boys & girls basketball seasons begin on December 5th with games against Wildwood! Check out the flyer below for all of the home games at NMS this December. All home and away JV games start at 6pm with Varsity starting around 7pm with two exceptions listed below:

• On December 12th, the girls & boys basketball teams will play South Middle at Martinsburg High School. Girls start playing at 4pm; boys play at 6pm.
• On December 16th, the girls basketball team will play at Spring Mills at NMS during school at 1pm! Students who have earned 8 or more Ren points will be able to attend for FREE. Students with 6 or 7 points will be able to purchase tickets for $2.00. Students without 6 points or students who have earned ISS after November 12th or OSS this year will remain in class.

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who joined us for the spaghetti dinner on Friday evening!

Our Little Blue Devil Cheer Clinic will be held on December 14th. Scan the QR code on the flyer below or click the link to register.

If you are an 8th grader attending Hedgesville High School next year, you are invited to an information meeting to run track & field this year!

Tuesday, November 19th at 6:00 pm

Hedgesville High School Cafeteria

Join Remind.com for updates:

• Class Name: HHSTrack&Field-Freshman (Class Code: @77ce3d)

To Join: Send a text @77cd3d to this number: 81010

Students, staff, & parents, please help us by donating non-perishable food items as we conduct a food drive for needy families! The drive continues until November 20th! Let's work together to feed the hungry!

As the holiday season approaches, North Middle School is proud to continue the Angel Tree program—a heartwarming initiative designed to bring holiday joy to NMS families who may need a little extra help this year. Through Angel Tree, we work together as a community to provide gifts and holiday meals to families in need, ensuring that everyone can experience the warmth and joy of the season.

Each year, we’ve been able to support dozens of families thanks to the generous donations from individuals and businesses who contribute to Angel Tree. This generosity has created countless smiles, filled holiday tables, and lifted the spirits of families in our community.

Community Donors: For those who wish to make a difference, we welcome donations of gifts or financial contributions to the Angel Tree program. Participating businesses that contribute to Angel Tree will receive advertisement in our program’s press releases, acknowledging your generous support and positive impact on our community.

Let’s make this holiday season unforgettable for everyone in our NMS community! Please refer to the attached letter and link below for more details on how to apply for assistance or donate. Together, we can make a difference—one family at a time.

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 November 2024! Click on the PDF below to read more!

The middle school years bring new challenges and opportunities for both students and their parents. As children transition from elementary to middle school and eventually to high school, they experience significant physical, emotional, and social changes. These years are exciting but can also be stressful for parents who want to guide their children through this period with wisdom and care.

Common Challenges for Parents of Middle Schoolers

1. Self-Esteem Development - Middle schoolers are figuring out who they are and where they fit in. Peer pressure, social comparisons, and academic challenges can all affect their self-esteem. Parents often worry about whether their child feels confident and valued.

• Tip: Celebrate your child’s strengths and encourage them to try new things. Acknowledge their efforts, not just their achievements. Help them build resilience by teaching them to see mistakes as opportunities to grow.

2. Hormonal Changes - Puberty brings physical and emotional changes that can be confusing and overwhelming. Hormonal shifts may lead to mood swings, irritability, or self-consciousness.

• Tip: Keep open lines of communication. Normalize what they’re experiencing by sharing age-appropriate information about puberty. Be patient and understanding, and create a safe space for your child to share their feelings.

3. Independence and Rebellion - Middle schoolers seek greater independence, often testing boundaries in the process. While this is a normal part of development, it can be challenging for parents to balance their child's need for autonomy with maintaining appropriate boundaries.

• Tip: Set clear expectations and consequences. Allow your child to make some decisions within those boundaries to foster independence. For example, let them choose their extracurricular activities or how to spend their free time. When conflict arises, try to listen first and respond with empathy rather than frustration.

A New Resource to Support Parents

Recognizing the unique stresses of parenting during these years, ParentGuidance.org offers a new program designed to provide parents with expert support and tools to navigate this journey with confidence.

Through this program, parents can access:

• Confidential coaching tailored to your family’s needs.
• Bi-weekly phone calls with a dedicated parent coach.
• Messaging support, allowing you to ask questions as they arise.
• Tips and tools to manage parenting challenges effectively.
• Guided resources to support both you and your child.

The program is accessible at https://cookcenter.info/coaching, where you can learn more and register. Check out the flyer below and scan the QR code for additional details. This program is here to remind you that you are not alone—there is a community ready to help you thrive during these important years of your child's development.

Parenting a middle schooler isn’t always easy, but it’s also deeply rewarding. By addressing challenges with understanding and seeking support when needed, you can help your child—and yourself—navigate this stage successfully. Remember, you’ve got this, and resources like ParentGuidance.org are here to back you up every step of the way!

NEW POLICY NOTICE: 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.

Our lost & found in the cafeteria cubbies is getting REALLY full! If you are missing a lunch box, water bottle, or article of clothing, you need to check out the cubbies. When the cubbies are full, we will be donating unclaimed items.

Let’s talk about something that can feel really hard in middle school: self-esteem. Middle school can be tough on how you see yourself. You’re in a time of major change—your body is growing faster than it ever has, your classes are harder, and friendships may feel different than they used to. It’s easy to compare yourself to others and wonder if you’re good enough. But here’s the truth: you are enough, just as you are.

When I think about self-esteem, I always remember a student I taught many years ago named Tim. Tim wasn’t a superstar in any one area, but he was someone everyone loved being around. Let me tell you why. Tim wasn’t the greatest athlete, but he played sports because he enjoyed them. He wasn’t the smartest kid in the school, but he worked hard and earned good grades. He wasn’t voted “Most Handsome,” but there were still a few girls who liked him. What Tim was great at was being kind. He smiled every time you saw him, and people loved being around him because he made them feel special and valued. What stood out most about Tim was his quiet confidence. He didn’t act like he was better than anyone else, but he knew who he was, and he was okay with that. He didn’t let what others thought define him. He found happiness in showing kindness to others, and by doing that, he also loved himself. Tim didn’t come from a perfect family, and he didn’t need to be the best at anything. His worth came from the way he treated people and the way he believed in himself.

You can live that same happy, confident life, too.

Why Self-Esteem Feels Hard in Middle School

Middle school is a time of big changes. Your body is growing and changing in ways that might feel awkward or even frustrating. You might trip over your own feet, or you might feel unsure about how you look. Guess what? That’s normal. This is probably the most growth you’ll ever go through in your life, and everyone feels a little clumsy or out of place during this time.

But here’s the thing: your looks don’t define who you are. Who you are on the inside matters so much more. When people think about you, what they’ll remember most is how you made them feel. Were you kind? Did you make them laugh? Did you help when they needed it?

Learning to Love Yourself

Loving yourself doesn’t mean thinking you’re perfect. It means understanding that you’re valuable, even when you make mistakes. Your mistakes don’t define you—they teach you. Everyone has things they’re good at, and everyone has things they struggle with. That’s normal!

The key to loving yourself is finding what brings you joy. Maybe you’re an artist, a writer, a musician, or a gamer. Maybe you love helping others or solving puzzles. Whatever it is, focus on what makes you feel happy and confident. And if you’re not sure yet what your “thing” is, keep exploring. You’ll find it.

Who You Are Matters More Than What You Do

In middle school, it’s easy to focus on how good you are at sports, your grades, or how many friends you have. But here’s the secret: none of those things matter as much as the kind of person you are.

Work on being kind, just like Tim. Be the person who makes others feel good about themselves. Smile. Say something nice to someone who looks like they’re having a bad day. Help a friend who’s struggling. The way you treat others will shape your reputation far more than anything else.

You are amazing, just the way you are. And when you focus on being the best version of yourself—not perfect, but kind and confident—you’ll find that other people are drawn to you, just like they were to Tim.

So, go out there and love yourself. Not in an arrogant way, but in a way that says, “I know I’m not perfect, but I’m still worthy of love and happiness.” Because you are.

With confidence in you,
Ms. Deavers

Don't miss a thing!

The Ren Club, in conjunction with Ms. Long's Family & Consumer Science classes, teamed up to celebrate our bus drivers last week by preparing pepperoni rolls for them! Ren Club members surprised our bus drivers on Thursday with a snack for their afternoon bus runs!

Ms. Moreland's 8th grade social studies class created comic strips about early WV Native American groups. Students had to use Keynote with our new Logitech crayons to create digital drawings for their comic strips. This one was entitled: "Shawnee-he-he" featuring Michael Jackson.

Ms. Rhoden's class had a few "cheerful" volunteers last Friday who worked with students on sight words! The students loved having a few new faces in their classroom!

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