NORTH NEWS

Before the holiday break, North Middle School was able to provide holiday gifts for over 35 families connected to our school. When we adopt a family, it includes ALL members of that family, not just the student from NMS. We want to thank all of our community partners and donors, as well as Ms. Kyker and the LSIC for coordinating the Angel Tree program along with help from Ms. Griffin & Ms. Duncan! It was a daunting task to collect and wrap all of the items, which filled an entire Science lab! Thank you to the NMS community for your generosity!

Thank you to the following donors:

Gwen Hartman, The Haven-Smile & Skincare Spa, Aaron the Lawn Whisperer, Magnolia Fields Venue & Events, WVU Medicine, Clorox, Shenandoah Sister Scouts, Montese, Angelo's Pizza, Mt. Pleasant Church of God, Titan BBQ, Martins Food, Argos, Argil, Clorox, The Classical Christian Academy, Pyramid Healthcare, Doug Metz of Pierson Smith Realty, Family Bible Church, Argon, Sara Wolfe, Ramer Center

Berkeley County Schools has only 4 remaining snow days this school year. If those days are used, we will continue days 6-10 in remote learning. Students will be expected to login to live, virtual classes during the same times as their classes during a regular school day using their school-issued device. Each teacher will be adding a remote meeting link at the TOP of their Schoology class pages which students will use to access their class. It is a great idea to locate those links now, as well as the folder in your Schoology classes labeled "REMOTE LEARNING" where your assignments and an additional link for your class will be located.

Here are some student preparation tips for remote learning:

o Access your TEAMS link and know how to log in

o Know where to find remote folder

o Know schedule and expectations of the day

o Have working, charged technology to have a successful day and a distraction-free location to work

The daily schedule is listed below. Please save and keep handy for remote learning days.

Be on the lookout this week for our upcoming SuperBowl sub/pizza fundraiser forms to benefit REN club. Order forms and money will be due no later than January 28th, and pickup will be the morning of Saturday, Feb 8th (day before the Super Bowl). For more information, please see Ms. Burton.

Chess Club will continue on Thursdays after school until 4:00 PM and will be co-hosted by Mr. Hairston of the Martinsburg Inititive. Please See Mr. Jones to sign up.

8th Grade Math Field Day practices will continue each Tuesday and Wednesday after school until 4:00 PM. The date of Math Field Day is January 22nd. Please see Mr. Jones in the 8th grade hallway to sign up.

Parents can now begin signing up for Parent/ Teachers Conference night, January 16, 2025! We invite parents to sign up with specific teachers by clicking the "ANYONE" dropdown box on the booking page and then selecting the teacher they want to meet with. ALL CONFERENCES WILL BE IN PERSON between 5:00 and 7:00pm.

Contact our Technology Specialist, Rachel Deavers at rachel.deavers@k12.wv.us if you have any problems with online sign-ups.

JOIN US FOR THE BOOKS-A-MILLION BOOK FAIR FAMILY NIGHT on Parent/ Teacher Conference night, January 16th from 5-7pm! Stop by the library to find your next next good book! More information will be presented to students in their reading classes.

All students will have the opportunity to visit the fair between January 13th and January 17th.

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!

After playing five out of their first six games on the road, North Boys basketball hosts Shepherdstown Monday night( 1/6) and Mountain Ridge on Thursday (1/9) JV at 6:00 p.m. Varsity will immediately follow at approximately 7:00 p.m.

North Girls Basketball hits the road this week, traveling to Shepherdstown Monday evening (1/6) as well as traveling to Mountain Ridge Thursday (1/9). JV girls begin at 6:00 p.m. Varsity girls start immediately following the JV game.

This is a tenative schedule; if we encounter winter weather, game dates & times may vary. If the game Monday is cancelled because of inclement weather, NMS will play Shepherdstown the very next day we have school.

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.

The "Shake, Stomp & Cheer Camp" is rapidly approaching! If you have not signed up your K-4th grader for this fun experience on January 18th from 10am to 1pm, do so quickly! Space is filling up! Campers will be invited to an upcoming home game to join the NMS cheerleaders in a routine!

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!

As we return from holiday break (depending upon the weather), transitioning students out of "holiday mode" and back into "school mode" can be challenging. To ease this transition, try the following tips:

• Establish consistent routines at home.

• Encourage your child to follow a set study time each day, even when homework is light.

• Designate a specific location in your home for schoolwork—a quiet area free from distractions.

• Ensure their school-issued iPad is plugged in and ready to go each evening.

In addition, we have had a few changes to the school rules and procedures that will be reinforced when students return. Please review these updates with your child:

1. Cell Phones: Cell phones are not permitted to be out at all during the school day, including lunch times. Students should place their phones in a locker and ensure they are not visible at any point during the day.

2. Locker Times: Locker access will be strictly enforced. Students should only be at their lockers four times during the day: when they arrive at school, before lunch, after lunch, and before 7th period to collect belongings for home. This keeps students focused on getting to class on time.

3. iPads: It is expected that all students carry their iPad to every class, even gym or Unified Arts classes where they may not be used as often. Students should place their iPads in their lockers during lunch and retrieve them afterward. iPads should never be left in a classroom unless in a designated charging station. All students must charge their iPads every evening. If a student leaves their iPad in a charging station overnight, they must retrieve it at the beginning of the day before 1st period starts; otherwise, they will have to go without it for the remainder of the day.

January is an important month for staying informed and engaged in your child's education. Report cards will be distributed on January 10th, providing an opportunity to reflect on first-semester progress and set goals for the remainder of the year. Additionally, Parent/Teacher Conferences will take place on January 16th, offering a valuable chance to discuss your child's achievements and areas for growth with their teachers.

Winter weather often brings interruptions like snow days, making it even more important to maintain focus. On days off, keep the study routine in place by encouraging your child to review class notes, catch up on reading, or practice math skills. If we reach four additional snow days, remote learning will begin. Students will need to log in to their classes at the same time they would normally attend during the school day. Preparing now by practicing good time management and using digital tools effectively can set your child up for success during these periods.

Parents can support their child by modeling a consistent approach to daily tasks. For example, remind your student to plug in their iPad in a designated location each evening and to pack their school supplies the night before. These small but essential habits will reduce stress and ensure a smoother morning routine.

We hope your family had a restful and joyful holiday season. The second semester is a fresh opportunity for growth, and we look forward to seeing your child’s progress! Thank you for partnering with us to make this a successful and productive school year.

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.

As we return to school, it’s important to talk about a few changes to our rules and procedures. These updates are designed to create a more focused, organized, and successful learning environment for everyone. By following these new guidelines, you’re setting yourself up for a great second semester.

First, let’s talk about cell phones. Starting now, cell phones & earbuds must be kept in your locker and should not be visible during the school day, even at lunch. Why? Because distractions from phones can take away from your ability to focus on learning and connecting with your peers in meaningful ways. Additionally, cell phone use, especially on social media, can sometimes lead to conflicts among students. By limiting phone use during the school day, we aim to make North Middle a conflict-free zone where everyone feels safe and supported.

Next, we’re enforcing locker times to keep transitions smooth and hallways safe. You’ll have four designated times to visit your locker: when you arrive at school, before lunch, after lunch, and before 7th period. This helps limit disruptions and keeps the flow of the day running efficiently.

Finally, carrying your iPad to every class is required, even for gym and Unified Arts. Many of your classes rely on iPads for important activities, and leaving them behind has led to damage and loss. At lunch, iPads should be safely stored in your locker and retrieved afterward. NEVER leave your iPad in a classroom. Always charge your iPad overnight to be prepared for the day. If you leave it in a charging station overnight, be sure to pick it up before 1st period begins.

These updates may take some getting used to and may not make you happy, but they are here to help you succeed. By staying organized and focused, you’ll be ready to make the most of your time at school and achieve your goals this semester!

Don't miss a thing!

Before break, Ms Rohrer's students made glitter jars!

Congrats to Ms. Michael's class for being one of the winning classes in our gingerbread house competition before break!

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

Website: https://www.berkeleycountyschools.org/o/martinsburgnorth

Location: 250 East Road, Martinsburg, WV, USA

Phone: 304-267-3540

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialNMSpage