Welcome to the first edition of North Clay Middle School's Parent Newsletter. This will be a monthly newsletter that will inform as well as highlight all the happenings going on at North Clay Middle School. Be sure to check out our website as well as follow us on Instagram @ncmsknights.

January 6 Second Semester Begins

January 13-14 Math iReady Testing

January 15-16 English iReady Testing

January 20 MLK Jr. Day (No School)

January 22 5th Grade Parent Night (Elementary schools will send info home w/5th graders.)

January 27-31 ILEARN Checkpoint 2

January 27-31 Winter Spirit Week (Northview Homecoming)

January 29 5th Graders Field Trip to NCMS (Elementary schools will send info home.)

We serve students grades 6 through 8 with an enrollment of approximately 750 students. With over 50 teachers and 40 staff, North Clay Middle School is dedicated to providing each student with the utmost instruction that promotes achievement and growth. We offer a curriculum that gives students diverse educational opportunities including advanced courses, high school credit courses, band, choir, and several vocational courses that include state-of-the-art technology. Many students represent North Clay Middle School through Student Council, our Ambassadors program, Robotics, and many extra-curricular sports and activities.

In addition, North Clay has implemented the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program. We work to create and maintain a productive, safe environment in which all school community members have clear expectations and understandings of their role in the educational process. North Clay Middle School’s overall expectations are: be respectful, be responsible, and be safe.

I look forward to serving our students, staff, and community as North Clay Middle School’s Principal. Join us at North Clay Middle School where…

We Care! We Count! We Can! WE ARE NORTH CLAY!

At NCMS, we value each student's presence in the classroom and the contributions they make to our school community. Every day is an opportunity for learning, building relationships, and fostering skills that are essential for long-term success. Missing school can create challenges in staying on track with lessons and activities which is why we are committed to working with families to ensure that each student can fully benefit from their education.

If your child needs to miss school due to illness or another unavoidable reason, please ensure that we are notified promptly to excuse the absence. Please contact the NCMS Attendance Secretary to notify us of your child's absence. Call 812-448-1530 and then press 2.

The NCMS Student Handbook and the CCS Secondary Handbook provide a great deal of information about NCMS. Click on both links above to navigate through each handbook. We ask that all families read the Student Handbooks completely. If you have questions after reading the Handbooks, please contact the main office.

Testing Dates:

Math - January 13-14

English - January 15-16

The iReady Diagnostic Test is designed to help educators by providing meaningful data about the instructional needs of their students. i-Ready supports teachers as they plan instruction, set goals with students, and assess learner progress. Using the winter iReady data, teachers will be able to see student growth from the fall as well as areas of focus needed to ensure that all students are at grade level in Math and English.

All students in CCS will now receive free breakfast and lunch thanks to the Community Eligibility Provision Program. Extras and a la carte items will be available for purchase.

If you currently do not receive assistance from SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid, we ask that you still complete the Free & Reduced Meal Benefits applications. These are available online at www.claycs.schoollunchapp.com. This application is now used for 21st Century Scholars, Title 1, and other grants. (See the Guidance Department section to learn more about the 21st Century Scholar Program.)

Due to difficulties in ordering, limited supplies and delayed deliveries, menus may need to change on a daily basis. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. All meals that are served to our students are in compliance with State & Federal Guidelines.

Free school break food for students is available from the Clay County YMCA and Clay County Youth Food Delivery Program. Food and snacks for weekends and breaks will be sent home on the last day of each week. Students must sign up for this program. Forms can be picked up in the Guidance Office.

More and more parents are delaying their child's use of social media and even smartphones. Research shows that social media use has an increase effect on one's mental health including anxiety, depression, suicidal ideations, and more. Not only that, increase in social media use is linked to poor academic progress. Be sure to monitor your child's social media use. Watch the video below for 4-science backed tips for parents.

Did you know you can create a PowerSchool account to monitor your child's attendance? Did you know you can create a PowerSchool account to see how many missing assignments your child has in each class? The PowerSchool Parent Portal will help you monitor your child's academic progress. Click the button below to create your PowerSchool Parent account now. (You will need to contact the main office to get your child's Access Username and Password.)

If at any time you have questions about your child's academic progress, please reach out to the teacher first. Please allow 24 hours for a response.

To preview each class syllabus and monitor your child's progress through Canvas, click the button below to create a Canvas Parent account. (Please note: You will see grades in Canvas only for assignments done in Canvas. To preview your child's overall grade, please access PowerSchool.)

After school tutoring is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 - 4:45. You must have a permission slip on file. Permission slips can be picked up from the main office or completed online.

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s AskRose Homework Help is a free math and science tutoring service for Indiana students and other students in grades 6-12. Students can call 877-ASK-ROSE, email, screenshare, or chat live with a friendly tutor to work through and better understand homework assignments.

Indiana's 21st Century Scholars program is an early-college promise program designed to make college more affordable for students. Eligible students who meet the requirements receive a two- or four-year scholarship that pays up to 100% tuition at an eligible Indiana college or university. Students must enroll online by June 30th of the end of their 8th-grade year. Visit the link below for more information and to apply:

https://learnmoreindiana.org/scholars#what

Students participating on any athletic team must complete the Finals Forms Registration and have a current physical on file with the Athletic Office prior to trying out. Please contact the main office for more information.

Due to weather, the dates below have changed. Tryouts will now be January 8-9.

When entering NCMS, have your driver's license ready to scan. If this is your first time in the building, you will have your picture taken to be saved for future visits. A one-time use identification sticker will be printed to wear while on campus. Upon your departure from NCMS, return your sticker to the main office staff to check out.

For your convenience, CCS utilizes various communication channels for delays or closings, including our website (www.clay.k12.in.us), email and text notifications, emails to employees, notifications to local newspapers, radio and television stations, and updates on the CCS Twitter page (https://twitter.com/ClayCommSchools). NCMS will also update their Instagram page with delays or closings.

Principal: Mrs. Bethany Jones

Email: jonesbe@clay.k12.in.us
Website: https://in02200674.schoolwires.net/site/default.aspx?DomainID=1200
Location: 3450 W State Rd 340, Brazil, IN, USA
Phone: 812-448-1530

Instagram: ncmsknights