NORTH NEWS

Berkeley County Schools has used ALL of it's snow days for this school year. Our next school day will begin remote learning for snow days 6-10. 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. On Friday, students were able to practice accessing those links, as well as the folder in their Schoology classes labeled "REMOTE LEARNING" where assignments will be located during remote learning.

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.

Our Technology Specialist, Ms. Deavers, created a student tutorial video for remote learning. Students were able to watch this video during TEAM class on Friday. If your student was absent on Friday, please encourage them to watch this tutorial to be ready for the next snow day.

If students have issues with logging into their classes on remote learning days, they can let us know through the link or QR code below.

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.

Parent/ Teacher Conference appointments are still available online for this Thursday, January 16th. The link will close on Wednesday! 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.

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.

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.

NMS basketball players will be busy this week! Monday the boys teams will travel to Musselman and the girls teams will play Musselman at home. On Wednesday, our boys teams will play at home against Shepherstown to make up one of last week's games missed due to snow. The girls teams will play at Shepherdstown. On Thursday, the boys teams will play at home versus Harpers Ferry & the girls teams will be away.

All of the action begins at 6pm with the JV games, with Varsity following at 7pm!

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 begin the third quarter of the school year, it’s more important than ever for parents to stay actively involved in their child’s education. The third quarter is often a turning point, determining whether students will pass their classes. It is also one of the most challenging times for students to stay focused, as winter weather and post-holiday distractions take their toll.

Students who have Ds or Fs in two or more classes will soon receive notifications from their teachers regarding the possibility of summer school or even grade retention. January is a critical month to stay informed and engaged to help your child get back on track or continue thriving.

Key Dates to Remember

Report cards will be distributed on January 17th, providing a clear picture of your child’s first-semester progress. This is a perfect opportunity to celebrate achievements and set meaningful goals for the remainder of the year. Parent/Teacher Conferences will take place on January 16th, offering a valuable chance to connect with teachers, discuss your child’s successes, and identify areas for growth.

Maintaining Focus During Winter Weather

Winter often brings interruptions like snow days, which can disrupt routines and focus. On these days, encourage your child to review class notes, catch up on reading, or practice math skills to maintain academic momentum. If additional snow days occur, remote learning will be implemented. Students will need to log in to their classes at the same times they would normally attend during the school day. Preparing now by practicing good time management and using digital tools effectively can ensure a seamless transition during these periods.

Simple Habits for Success

Parents play a crucial role in modeling consistency and responsibility. Small but essential daily habits can make a big difference:

• Remind your child to charge their iPad in a designated spot each evening.

• Encourage packing school supplies the night before to reduce morning stress.

• Establish a regular study routine, even on days off, to reinforce good habits.

By staying informed, maintaining routines, and supporting your child with practical strategies, you can help ensure that the third quarter becomes a time of growth and achievement. Together, we can make this quarter a success for every student!

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.

The third quarter is here, and it’s time to step up your efforts! This quarter is often a turning point, and staying focused can make all the difference. Here are some tips to help you succeed:

1. Focus on Classes with Ds or Fs - If you have a D or F in a class, prioritize that subject. Talk to your teacher about what you can do to improve. Whether it’s completing missing assignments or studying harder for tests, every effort counts.

2. Don’t Let Missing Work Pile Up - Zeroes will hurt your grade more than anything else. Stay on top of your assignments and turn everything in on time. If you’re unsure about an assignment, ask your teacher for clarification. Even turning in a 1/2 completed assignment is better than nothing at all.

3. Ask for Help if You’re Falling Behind - Don’t wait! Talk to your teacher or parents if you’re struggling. They can help you get back on track before it’s too late. We even have tutoring available after school if you need extra help!

4. Be Prepared for Class - Always come to class with your materials and a fully charged iPad. Being prepared helps you focus and participate more effectively.

5. Teach What You’ve Learned - One of the best ways to learn is by teaching someone else. Explain what you’ve learned in class to a friend, family member, or even your pet! It will help you understand the material better.

6. Set Daily Goals - Break your tasks into smaller, manageable steps. Setting daily goals will keep you organized and motivated.

Remember, the effort you put in now will pay off. You’ve got this—make the third quarter your best one yet!

Don't miss a thing!

Students in most classes were able to practice their remote learning links on Friday. We are excited to get back underway next week!

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