NORTH NEWS

We’re thrilled to introduce two new educational tools designed to enhance your child's learning experience: Learning.com and iReady. Learning.com leverages gamified learning on iPads to teach essential skills such as internet safety, keyboarding, and computing. This engaging platform makes learning these critical skills fun and interactive, helping students become more proficient and confident in their digital abilities.

In addition, we have adopted iReady to replace our previous IXL platform. iReady uses diagnostic assessments in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Math to create a personalized "prescription" of lessons for each student. These tailored lessons address specific learning gaps and provide advanced challenges for students who are already meeting grade-level expectations. This ensures that all students receive targeted support and enrichment, helping them progress at their own pace.

Students will be using Learning.com and iReady during their Enrichment classes, where they will benefit from these tools’ interactive and personalized approaches. We are excited to see how these platforms will support your child’s growth and development and look forward to witnessing the positive impact they will have on their learning journey.

This year, the NMS yearbook cover will be a student creation! If you like graphic design or drawing, this is an opportunity for YOU to be recognized by the whole school for your talents! Submissions are due October 1st to Ms. Sibert in the 6th grade hallway.

This is a great chance for our students to show their North pride and be part of something special. Let’s come together and demonstrate that WE ARE NORTH!

The North runners showed a lot of grit and determination at their meet on Wednesday. The top finishers were:

Boys: 5th Place- Declan Kradel, 4th Ryan Smith, 3rd- Derrick Redman, 2nd Ray Stamat, and 1st on the team and second overall, Dayon Fischer with a blazing time of 13:52.

Girls: 5th Vanessa Munoz, 4th Aubrey Rau, 3rd Monica Ball, 2nd Olivia Martirano, and 1st place Jasmine Aliguen-Keguini!

Come join us Wednesday, September 18th at Poor House Farm Park at 5:30pm for our next meet!

Boys Basketball conditioning is from 3:00-4:30 pm and each Monday and Friday. Please have your rides ready promptly at 4:30pm. Our coaches have been having to stay until 5pm several nights. We want them to be able to get home to their families since they are volunteering their time for conditioning practices. For more information, see Coach Rhoden or Coach Callis.

Starting this week, girls conditioning will take place every Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday from 5:30-7pm.

Don't miss these opportunities to enhance your skills and build relationships with the coaches & other players!

Show your commitment to being a bullying-free school by participating in our spirit week September 16-20!

Join us for our annual BCS Bullying Prevention Program Community Wide Kick-Off event at War Memorial Park on September 19 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. There will be community organizations, along with student performances, a DJ Dance Party, fun activities, speakers, light refreshments, and more! In the case of inclement weather, the event will be held at North Middle School.

This is a great opportunity learn more about our efforts to prevent bullying and improve school climate. Our very own Northern Lights Show Choir is performing! We look forward to seeing you there!

There are students all over Berkeley County who just need a positive role model in their lives. YOU could be that person! If you have time to share with a student, apply to be a PASS volunteer. To apply, click the link below!

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!

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito invites you to Academy Days 2024! All West Virginia students, parents/caregivers, teachers, and school counselors are invited to meet with admissions representatives from U.S. Service Academies, ROTC Scholarships programs, and the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DoDMERB).

Meet With Representatives From:

• U.S. Air Force Academy
• U.S. Coast Guard Academy
• U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
• U.S. Military Academy
• U.S. Naval Academy
• Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)
• Dept. of Defense Medical Examination Review Board

A local session will be held on:

Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.

Jefferson High School

4141 Flowing Springs Road

Shenandoah Junction, WV 25442

Check out the Middle School Parents newsletter for September 2024! Click on the PDF below to read more!

As Dr. Saxe highlighted earlier this week, our school community has recently seen an increase in verbal and digital threats. This underscores a critical need to address how our children use their words, both in conversation and online. At this stage in their development, middle school students are learning to navigate complex social dynamics and digital interactions, making it crucial for us to guide them in understanding the impact of their communication.

Here are five practical tips to help teach your child about the significance of their words and the potential consequences that can arise from them:

1. Model Respectful Communication: Children often emulate the behavior they see at home. By demonstrating respectful and thoughtful communication in your own interactions, you set a powerful example. Use polite language, listen actively, and avoid engaging in negative or hurtful dialogue. Show your child how to handle disagreements constructively and calmly.

2. Discuss the Impact of Words: Have open conversations with your child about how words can affect others. Explain that while they might not intend to hurt someone, their words can still have a significant impact. Share examples of how positive and negative words can influence someone's feelings and self-esteem and discuss how to apologize and make amends when necessary.

3. Educate About Digital Footprints: Emphasize the permanence of online communication. Explain that once something is posted online, it can be difficult to remove and may have lasting consequences. Encourage your child to think carefully before posting or sending text messages, and remind them that their digital footprint is a reflection of their character.

4. Teach Empathy and Perspective-Taking: Help your child develop empathy by discussing how they would feel if they were on the receiving end of hurtful comments or threats. Engage in role-playing scenarios to practice responding to conflicts with empathy and respect. This can help them understand the emotional impact of their words on others.

5. Establish Clear Rules and Expectations: Set clear guidelines about acceptable behavior and communication, both in person and online. Make sure your child understands the rules regarding what is considered respectful or disrespectful. Consistently reinforce these expectations and address any breaches promptly.

By integrating these strategies into your parenting approach, you can help your child become more aware of the power their words hold and the potential consequences they carry. Teaching them to communicate thoughtfully, both in person and online, will not only enhance their social interactions but also contribute to a more respectful and positive school environment.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in guiding our students towards respectful and responsible communication.

Your words are incredibly powerful, and they can have serious consequences—both online and in person. Lately, there’s been a rise in threatening language in schools across the country, including in our own region. Threats or mean comments can make people feel unsafe and disrupt learning environments. Even if you don’t mean harm, saying or writing hurtful things can lead to big problems. It’s important to remember that your words cannot only affect how others feel but can also impact your own future.

If you encounter or see threatening comments or behavior, it’s crucial to follow the “see something, say something” rule. Talk to a trusted adult, teacher, or counselor immediately. Reporting such issues helps keep everyone safe and prevents problems from becoming worse. Also, think about your responsibility to use your words positively. Instead of bringing others down, aim to uplift and support those around you. Positive communication helps build a better community and prevents unnecessary conflicts.

Remember, using threatening language can lead to serious legal consequences that might affect you for the rest of your life. Schools and law enforcement take such matters very seriously, and there could be legal issues that follow you into adulthood. By choosing your words carefully and promoting kindness, you contribute to a safer, more supportive environment for everyone. So let’s use our voices to make a positive impact and be responsible citizens.

Your words say a lot about who you are as a person. Make sure you are communicating who you really want to be!

Don't miss a thing!

Ms. Michael's class loves to make egg sandwiches in Family & Consumer Science.

8th graders really enjoy cooking in Ms. Long's class. This week was also the "Blue Devil Cafe" for teachers! They run it like a real coffee shop and always do an amazing job with customer service!

Our STAR classes are getting involved in multiple hands-on projects in Science & Math class.

The Northern Lights have had a very exciting week!!! Tuesday's practice was VERY productive and fun!!! Then, the next day, a few 8th grade students visited 6th graders to help them with the dance! 8th grade has been a helpful & WONDERFUL example for our younger performers! 7th grade also worked VERY hard yesterday and perfected the dance! We are so lucky to have amazing relationships and dedication within our choirs! Please come support us next Thursday, September 19th at the BCS Anti-Bullying Kick-Off!!!

This week, students in 6th grade Social Studies learned about and commemorated the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Students learned about how Americans remember that day and the different memorials built to honor those who were lost. Students then made their own memorial posters or wrote poems to remember the day. Mr. Ware's classes watched portions of the 9/11 remembrance ceremony that took place at the National September 11th Memorial and Museum in New York on Wednesday. They discussed and thought about why it's important to remember the names of those who were lost.

Mrs. French's class has been learning this week about the Hot Air Balloon Festival and created their own hot air balloon from apples, cheese sticks, and blueberry bread.

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