NORTH NEWS

Last Friday night, the NMS Choirs filled the auditorium with the festive sounds of the season during their holiday concert. Under the direction of the Ms. Pleva, the 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade choirs showcased their hard work and musical talent, performing several holiday favorites that delighted the audience. The Northern Lights Show Choir added an extra spark with their energetic routines. The evening included a surprise appearance by Santa, much to the excitement of children and adults alike.

During intermission, attendees supported the choir program by enjoying hot cocoa and cookies, making the night not only joyful but also a success for fundraising efforts. A big thank you to Ms. Pleva for her dedication and to everyone who joined in making this evening a memorable celebration of music and community. The concert was a perfect start to the holiday season, leaving all with smiles and holiday cheer. Don't forget to join us for the band & strings concerts this week to continue the holiday fun!

Check out these December schedule changes! Mark your calendars! The end of the second nine weeks is rapidly approaching! This is a great time to check those grades on Schoology and complete any missing assignments to boost your grade. Report cards will be issued shortly after returning from winter break, but grades will cut off the week before break.

STUDENT WINTER BREAK WILL BE FROM DECEMBER 23rd THROUGH JANUARY 3rd! (Teachers will return to work on January 3rd for a professional learning day.)

Thank you to everyone who came out to the NMS annual Sock Sale this weekend! We are still tallying the profits, but these funds will go to support our students in many ways! We are grateful to the entire community and especially Royce for allowing us to participate in this event! A special thanks to Ms. Dusing and all of the 8th grade teachers & students who worked at the event! It would not have been possible without our volunteers!

Our students have been working very hard this semester on reading & math using the iReady program. Now it's time to see how they have grown! Beginning December 9th, students will take their second diagnostic assessment of the school year in reading & math. It is imperative that students have a CHARGED iPad to assist them with testing. Student failure to bring an iPad for testing becomes disruptive to their ability to take the test as we do not have extra iPads for them to use. PARENTS, PLEASE HELP US BY REMINDING YOUR CHILD TO PLUG IN THEIR iPADS EACH NIGHT! We look forward to seeing how our students have improved in their reading & math skills.

**We are planning a special celebration on December 20th for any student who shows growth on their diagnostic tests!

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

The North Middle school bands will be performing their winter program on Thursday, December 12 at 7:00 p.m. Students from 6th, 7th, and 8th grade will perform selected holiday music. The North Middle School Jazz Combo will also showcase some jazz that they have been working on so far this year. It will a fun-filled night of holiday music that you won't want to miss!

Don't miss the beautiful melodies of the strings classes Friday, December 13th at 7:00pm! These students have been working so hard on their instruments and we cannot wait to hear their performance!

The next LSIC (Local School Improvement Council) meeting is at 3:15pm on December 17th. All are welcome!

Help us make cancer “jingle all the way AWAY” with this winter fundraiser!!! Wear an “ugly” sweater that you own, buy, or make Thursday, December 19th and donate $1 to Relay-for-Life to be entered to win a $10 Chick-fil-a gift card!

8th Grade Math Field Day practices start this week and 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.

This month, the Northern Lights have their FIRST fundraiser of the year!!! "Pick-a-Day" calendars were given out at the end of last month. This will conclude December 20th, with money being due that day. If your performer has lost their calendar, please contact Ms. Pleva for another. For anyone that would like to donate, please see a choir member or Ms. Pleva.

And don't forget to pick up a book to read over the Christmas break!

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!

Congrats to our boys and girls basketball teams for starting their seasons last Thursday night against Wildwood!

JV boys basketball defeated Wildwood 45-29. Leading scorers for North were Mason Blauch with 10 points, and Le'Ron (Mooki) Roman-Jones with 13. The varsity boys basketball team unfortunately lost to Wildwood by a score of 38-25. Their leading scorer was Lionel Dorsey with 7 points.

The JV Girls teams won by a score of 51-10. Congrats to Daesia Smith who was the JV girls "Player of the Game." The varsity girls team lost a hard-fought game by a score of 32-29 with Jaelah Butts leading the team as the "Player of the Game."

All teams will face off on Monday against Charlestown at 6:00pm. The boys teams will be home, while the girls teams will be away. Then, the North vs. South games on Thursday will be played at Martinsburg High! JV Girls will start at 4:00 p.m., followed immediately by JV boys, varsity girls and then varsity boys. Please come out and support your classmates in a very big event!

We look forward to seeing a lot of cheering fans at the games to support our players!

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 Spring Mills at NMS during school at 1pm! Students who have earned 6 or more Ren points will be able to attend for FREE. Students with 5 points will be able to purchase tickets for $2.00. Students without 5 points or students who have earned ISS after November 12th or OSS this year will remain in class during the game.

Please visit the school website to view the basketball game dates & times for the whole season.

Martinsburg High School's soccer teams will start conditioning next week! If you are an 8th graders attending MHS next school year and are interested in soccer, fill out the form in the link below!

Due to scheduling conflicts, we have to change the date for our Little Blue Devil Cheer Clinic. It will now be on January 18th from 10 am to 1 pm. You can scan the QR code on the flyer to register for the clinic.

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.

High school guidance counselors are going to be returning this week to pick up course schedules. Students must return their 9th grade class request forms on WEDNESDAY, December 11th to make sure they are scheduled for the classes they want in the fall. If you are interested in taking an honors course, it is a great idea to have your current teacher sign off on that form. See Ms. Poe if you have any questions.

We are still looking for a few more donations to assist several NMS families for the holidays. If you can help in any way, please click the link below to make your secure donation. Every little bit helps to put smiles on the faces of NMS students & their families in need during the holiday season!

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."

Parents of 6th grade students:

Your student, upon start of 7th grade year, is required to have a TDAP (tetanus) booster and Meningitis (MC4) vaccine. This is required per WV state law for all 7th grade students. This also applies to virtual students.

ACT NOW TO ENSURE YOUR STUDENT RECEIVES THESE BEFORE THE START OF 7TH GRADE. Appointments fill up quickly during the summer months and your student cannot start 7th grade until the nurse has had proof of their vaccines by the first day of their 7th grade year (August 2025). Your student can receive these through their primary doctor, through the health department, or via our school-based health program that partners with Shenandoah Community Health. The school-based health mobile unit is here every Thursday, and your student will need to have forms filled out in order to receive required vaccines. Please contact the nurse for forms.

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

As the holiday season approaches, life often becomes a whirlwind of events, obligations, and activities. For teenagers, this busy time can be particularly overwhelming, as they juggle schoolwork, extracurriculars, and social commitments while trying to finish the 2nd nine weeks with good grades. Parents play a critical role in teaching self-care, an essential life skill that helps teens navigate stress and maintain their mental and physical well-being. Modeling self-care is one of the most effective ways to instill these habits in your children.

Parents can model self-care by making time for themselves, even amidst a hectic schedule. Some simple yet impactful ideas include:

• Taking a walk outdoors to enjoy fresh air and clear your mind.
• Creating a morning or evening routine that includes reading, journaling, or meditation.
• Scheduling time with friends or family to nurture relationships that bring you joy.
• Cooking a healthy meal or treating yourself to your favorite snack to nourish your body.
• Setting boundaries with your time and energy, such as limiting extra commitments.
  By practicing these habits openly, you not only take care of yourself but also provide a powerful example for your teen to follow.

During the holiday season, self-care may require extra intention. Encourage your teen to maintain healthy routines, such as getting enough sleep, eating balanced meals, and limiting screen time. Help them recognize when they may need a break from the busyness by offering simple alternatives like listening to music, journaling, or spending time with loved ones. Small moments of rest and reflection can prevent burnout and help your teen stay present during holiday festivities.

Finally, remind your teen that self-care includes saying no to commitments that feel overwhelming. As a parent, lead by example—respect your limits and prioritize what matters most to your family. By teaching your child that it’s okay to pause, recharge, and focus on personal well-being, you equip them with valuable tools to manage life’s challenges and enjoy the holiday season with a positive, balanced mindset.

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.

Life can get really busy, especially during the holiday season, with all the activities, homework, and celebrations. It’s important to take time for yourself and make sure you’re feeling your best. Self-care means doing things that help you recharge, relax, and stay healthy—both physically and mentally. Remember, it’s okay to not be okay. Listening to your mind and body when you need a break or a boost is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Here are some simple self-care ideas you can try:

1. Take a break by going for a walk or sitting quietly to clear your head.
2. Listen to music that makes you feel happy or calm.
3. Get creative by drawing, writing, or working on a hobby you enjoy.
4. Get enough sleep and avoid staying up late scrolling on your phone.
5. Spend time with friends or family who make you feel good about yourself.
6. Move your body through fun activities like dancing, playing sports, or stretching.
7. Eat healthy snacks to give your body the energy it needs to keep up.
8. Write down what’s bothering you in a journal or talk it out with someone.
9. Say no to extra stress—it’s okay to set boundaries.
10. Ask for help by talking to a trusted adult if you’re feeling overwhelmed.

Taking care of yourself is especially important during the holidays because the busyness can make it harder to focus and manage stress. Self-care helps you stay balanced, energized, and ready to enjoy the season. If you’re feeling tired, stressed, or just “off,” listen to your mind and body—they’re telling you something!

Never forget that you don’t have to handle everything on your own. If you feel like you need support, tell a parent, teacher, school counselor, or another trusted adult. They care about you and want to help. Taking care of yourself is the first step to feeling your best and enjoying all that this season has to offer!

Don't miss a thing!

6th grade ELA students, as well as all of Ms. Mijajlovic's ELA students got a crash course in Canva from our Technology Integration Specialist, Ms. Deavers this week! Students are working on presentations about holiday traditions around the world! SO many students were creating learning and creating last week! We cannot wait to show off their presentations in NORTH NEWS when they are complete!

Several classes of students, as well as students in our lunch periods, have been decorating bank envelopes First United Bank & Trust. When you get your money over the next few weeks at that bank, you very well may encounter an envelope decorated by one of our students!

Mr. Rhoden's class did an egg drop project! Students had to create an invention that would keep an egg safe while being dropped from the top of the stairwell. No word yet on how many eggs survived!

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