NMS Update 3.16.2025

MS current and future families:

With the communications about budget reduction proposals and the direct effect that it could have on the middle school school day, registration options will look much different. Even though final decisions have not been made and will not be made for several weeks, we need to move forward with our 2025-26 registration.

A significant change is that we may need to move to a 6 period day. We will have students register in a way that allows us to adjust to any changes that could happen between now and when the school board approves the final reductions. This means that students/families will rank the few options they have to choose from. To be clear, in a 6 period day students will only receive one or two of their choices.

Another significant change in 2025-26 is our Math choices. Over the past several years we have had our double accelerated students (pre-algebra in grade 6, Algebra in grade 7, and Algebra II in grade 8) and these will continue. The change that will happen is that all students not in these accelerated classes or receiving special services will be in either Math 6, Pre-Algebra 7, or Algebra 8. The district has a process that includes both data, teacher input, and attendance for giving students the option to be in an accelerated class.

I know this is lots of information and questions will come up and if we need to move to a 6 period day it will be a significant change for Northfield Middle School. Let’s all hope that our state gets public school funding figured out sooner rather than later.

Thank you for your support. Specific dates for each grade are listed below. For class registration forms and summaries, please visit our middle school website.

Grade 7: Talking with students on Monday, March 10 through social studies classes.

Actual registration is Monday, March 17.

Grade 6: Talking with students on Thursday/Friday, March 13 and 14 during Launch.

Actual registration on Thursday/Friday, March 20 and 21.

Grade 5: School Visit Dates:

Prairie Creek- April 3rd

Bridgewater- April 4th

Spring Creek- April 7th

Nerstrand- April 8th

Greenvale- April 11th

Greg Gelineau

Northfield Middle School

Eighth Grade Media Art Students at Northfield Middle School currently have a Documentary Photography show hanging at the Northfield Public Library. In December, students spent about three weeks documenting their lives within our community. Each of the 70+ students have one photo hanging in the show. We are grateful to the Northfield Fine Arts Boosters for giving us a grant for all printing and installation costs, and to the Northfield Public Library for letting us show off our work in a public space in our community. This show will be up through April 5th.

We want to share an update regarding our middle school nurse. We’ve been fortunate to have Macayla Battin and Maimouna supporting the nurse's office during Carol Reed's absence. Starting Tuesday, March 4, Nica Patterson will be our long-term substitute nurse for the remainder of the year. If you have a moment, please join us in welcoming Nica to the middle school!

Hi! My name is Nica Patterson and I'll be filling in as the long term sub nurse at the Middle School. I have been a sub nurse in the district for the past four years and have worked at each of the schools. Most recently I was the long term sub at NCEC for the past three months. I was born and raised in Northfield. I have 5 kids who attend Northfield schools and daycares; Brayden (12th), Brooke (7th), Griffin (5th), Carly (4 years) and Nash (2 years). Currently my free time is full of hockey games and dance competitions. Please reach out with any questions or concerns. My email is npatterson@northfieldschools.org. I look forward to caring for your kids!

Our annual 6th grade March-O-Rama festivities will be taking place throughout the month of March. We will enjoy various games, contests, activities and dress up days! Our dress up days are listed below in case you want to join us!

• March 21 - Raider Pride Day

Monday, March 17, 2025: Maroon - Day 1

Music Lesson Day 1

• MSYC, 3:00 pm - Leadership Club, Homework Help, Sports Club (basketball), Black Student Union, Video Contest
• All District Band Concert, 7:00 pm, NHS

Tuesday, March 18, 2025: Gold - Day 2

Music Lesson Day 2

• MSYC, 3:00 pm - CLOSED - parent/teacher conferences
• Division Street Singers, 3:00 pm
• MS Spring Family Conferences, 3:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Wednesday, March 19, 2025: Maroon - Day 1

Music Lesson Day 3

• One hour late start, 8:57 am
• WEB Spring Break Movie, 12:45 pm - 2:45 pm
• MSYC, 3:00 pm - Homework Help, Sports Club (soccer), LGBTQIA+, Knit & Crochet Club

Thursday, March 20, 2025: Gold - Day 2

Music Lessons Day 4

• Student Council Meeting, 7:15 am
• MSYC, 3:00 pm - Leadership Club, Homework Help, MESA (cookie decorating), ESports, Cooking Club (choc chip cookies)
• All District Orchestra Concert, 7:00 pm @ NHS

Friday, March 21, 2025: Maroon - Day 1

Music Lessons Day 5

End of Quarter 3

• No Chamber Orchestra

Monday, March 24 - Friday, March 28, 2025:

No School, Spring Break

Monday, March 31 - Tuesday, April 1, 2025:

No School, Teacher Prep Days

Wednesday, April 2, 2025: Gold - Day 2

Music Lesson Day 6

Beginning of 4th Quarter

• One hour late start, 8:57 am
• MS Spring Activities begin, 3:00 pm (Fitness Center, Boys Tennis, Boys/Girls Golf, Boys/Girls Track & Field)

March 17 - All District Band Concert, 7:00 pm, NHS

March 18 - MS Spring Conferences, 3:30 pm - 7:30 pm

March 19 - WEB Spring Break Movie, 12:45 pm - 2:45 pm

March 20 - Student Council Meeting, 7:15 am

March 20 - All District Orchestra Concert, 7:00 pm @ NHS

March 21 - End of Quarter 3

March 24 - 28 - Spring Break, No School

March 31 & April 1 - No School, Teacher Prep Days

April 2 - Quarter 4 Begins

April 2 - MS Spring Activities begin, 3:00 pm (Boys Tennis, Boys/Girls Golf, Boys/Girls Track & Field)

April 3 - Public Hearing for Budget Reduction Process, NMS Auditorium, 6:00 pm

April 10 - Student Council Meeting, 7:15 am

April 11 - Films for Foodshelf Movie, NMS Auditorium, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

April 16 - MS Music Solo & Ensemble Festival, 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm, NMS Auditorium

April 17 - 5th Grade Parent Night, 5:30 pm, NMS Auditorium

April 19 & 20 - Fundraiser at Jersey Mike's, Northfield location

April 24 - Student Council Meeting, 7:15 am

April 28 - School Board Meeting, 6:00 pm

April 30 - Division Street Singers Tour, 9:15 am

May 1 - Fire Drill

May 2 - MidQuarter 4

May 2 - MS Jazz Band Field Trip, 8:00 am

May 2 - Cinco de Mayo

May 8 - Student Council Meeting, 7:15 am

Get Creative and Craft Your Own Unique Gifts!

Join our hands-on class where you'll design cool, meaningful projects like woven heart baskets, cozy warm fuzzies, dreamy dream catchers, and trendy friendship bracelets. It's the perfect chance to chill, unleash your creativity, and make something special-for your friends and yourself!

Our MS spring activities will begin when we return from spring break on Wednesday, April 2nd. Registration opens on March 10th for spring activities. Students are not required to have a sports physical for a middle school activity.

If your middle school student chooses to participate in a HS activity, they must have a current sports physical on file with the HS before you can begin the registration process. Sports physicals can be emailed to Sheryl Docken sdocken@northfieldschools.org or be turned in to Kari Hartwig khartwig@northfieldschools.org at the middle school office.

The following middle school activities are offered for students in grades 6 - 8: Fitness Center, Boys' Tennis, Boys/Girls Track & Field, and Boys/Girls Golf. These activities will run Monday through Friday, 3:00 pm - 4:30/4:45 pm. Stay tuned for more information and schedules in the coming months.

Due to the number of illnesses we are currently seeing, we ask for your help in ensuring your student receives the care they need. Please review the following important information:

• Illness Protocol: If a student is feeling unwell, they are required to check in with the school nurse before contacting parents to arrange for leaving school.
• Sign-Out Process: Parents should sign their student out at the attendance office before leaving, unless other arrangements have been made with staff.
• Student Communication: All students are permitted to call home from the nurse's office at any time if they are ill.
• Reporting Symptoms: When reporting an illness, please communicate the student’s symptoms.
• Extended Absences: If your student will be absent for an extended period due to health reasons, please contact their counselor to arrange for any necessary accommodations.

We are excited to share a resource we have at the Northfield Middle School- The Raider Closet. It is a place that ALL students are welcome to use. The Raider Closet has coats, hats, gloves, sweatshirts, pants, shirts, shoes, and more! If you have a middle school student that could use any of these supplies have them come to the student support office during their study hall or before/after school and we can help them pick out what they need! Questions feel free to reach out to Heather Stanton Ims, School Social Worker at 507-663-0685.

Tutoring Hotline is a volunteer program that matches Carleton volunteers with Rice County students of all ages in need of free, one-on-one academic assistance in any subject. Our program supports students who already have a set curriculum; our tutors are not equipped to assign new content. Approved tutors sign up for specific tutoring requests depending on their academic interests and availability and will meet with students for about one hour, once a week in a public location or via Zoom. Tutoring sessions are individualized to the student’s needs and may include review of concepts learned in school, preparation for upcoming tests, help with homework, etc.

Activities Hotline

507-645-3559

Attendance Line

507-663-0655

Benjamin Bus

507-645-5720

NMS Main Office

507-663-0650

NMS Office Hours

7:15 am - 3:45 pm

Nurse

507-663-0656

School Fax #

507-663-0660

Student Support Office

507-663-0664

Building Notfications for Community Events

District 24-25 Calendar

NMS Athletics

NMS Daily Schedules

NMS Parent Skylert Communications

NMS Website

RevTrak

Tech Support

Volunteering

Our School Counselors are available to assist families with class schedules and questions you may have:

Jenny Streefland - student last name A-H
Natalie Amy - student last name I-P

Cori Yamry - student last name Q-Z

The Northfield School District does not discriminate on the bases of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX, including in employment. You can learn more at https://northfieldschools.org/about/departments/human-resources/ under the Title IX tab."

Email: ggelineau@northfieldschools.org
Location: Northfield Middle School, Division Street South, Northfield, MN, USA
Phone: 507-663-0650

Email: mokeefe@northfieldschools.org
Location: Northfield Middle School, Division Street South, Northfield, MN, USA
Phone: 507-663-0650