NMS Update 8.11.2024

Northfield Middle School 24 -25

Message from the Principal

Middle School Families:

Welcome to our NMS Update for the 2024-25 school year. For the next several weeks we will be introducing a few people that you and your students may connect with. Also, make sure to look through the important dates and information below.

Who is Northfield Middle School’s Social Worker?

Hi, I’m Heather Stanton Ims school social worker at the Northfield Middle School. I’ve been in the district as a social worker since 2001. I have been a social worker in the district at Bridgewater, Greenvale, and the middle school. I also have been a social worker at Triton High School and in District 196 at Greenleaf and Echo Park Elementary. I enjoy coaching, and currently coach six grade volleyball and help out at youth center as a club leader.

When I am not at work I keep very busy with my family. I am married to Chris Stanton and we have a blended family with 6 kids and 2 dogs :) The oldest, Alex is getting married in September; Mackenzie works as a doggie daycare supervisor; Samantha, Lindsey, and Rachel are all in college, and our youngest, Ben, will be a sophomore at Northfield High School participating in football, basketball, and baseball. We cannot forget Woody and Chip and their love of walks! When I am not chasing them all around, I like to garden, hang out with friends, and breathe :)

Who is Northfield Middle School’s Psychologist?

Hi! I’m Marcy Korynta, the School Psychologist at Northfield Middle School. I have been working in Northfield for 9 years and in education for 20 years.

This summer, I was lucky to be able to travel with my two kids and husband to a few of my favorite places; Oslo, Norway and Grand Tetons National Park. I’m looking forward to a great new school year!

Bond Referendum

On Nov. 5, 2024 the Northfield School District will ask voters to consider authorizing bond to Reimagine Northfield High School. The high school facility faces numerous problems. This referendum will address these problems because the proposal is Safe, Smart, and Sustainable. Go to our website to get additional information regarding the bond referendum. Or better yet, attend a presentation or come to one of our high school tours!

Family Engagement Event

Family Engagement Event will take place on the following dates:

* August 27th 11:00 am - 7:00 pm (School pictures will be in the small gym)

*August 28th 11:30 am - 3:30 pm

Families can choose a time to listen to a 30 minute grade level presentation. Following each presentation, families can walk through their student's schedule and meet their teachers, work on opening a locker, or attend a presentation on "Middle School: We are all in this together" in the auditorium.

Other options for families are:

iPad insurance payments (media center)
School Pictures (small gymnasium)
Walk through student schedule and find locker
Schoology and Skyward help (cafeteria)
Technology Questions (cafeteria)
Activities sign up (media center)
Schedule questions (cafeteria)
Fernbrook Services (cafeteria)
MSYC and ACES information (cafeteria)

More specific information will be sent out in an upcoming skylert message. If you are in need of an interpreter for our Family Engagement Events, please contact Jen Henriksen or the main office at 507-663-0650.

Picture Days/Self Guided Tours

Thursday, August 15th: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Tuesday, August 27th: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm

All middle schools students should have their picture taken in order to be added to our 24-25 yearbook and to receive an NMS student ID. There will be an additional retake day on October 1, 2024. Josten's will have an online ordering system for parents to view their students' photos after pictures have been taken (jostenspix.com). We will provide an event code for parents to use when placing your order online.

New 7th & 8th Grade Students

The School Counselors will host an orientation for all new NMS 7th and 8th grade students on Tuesday, August 20th, from 10:30 - 11:30 am.. Students will be given a building tour, receive their iPad and training on how to access Skyward and Schoology, as well as information on staff, lunch, and courses offered at NMS. Students and parents are encouraged to meet in Room 139 on Tuesday, August 20th, from 10:30 - 11:30 am.

MS Activities

MS Activities Registration are now open. Please visit our NMS Activities website to see what is offered this Fall. Please note that families will only be able to register for Fall activities at this time. If you have any questions regarding activities, please contact Kari Hartwig at khartwig@northfieldschools.org or Michael O’Keefe at mokeefe@northfieldschools.org, or click on the Activities Skylert message below.

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NMS Activities Skylert 8.4.2024.pdf

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MS Youth Center (MSYC)

JOIN US in room 153 afterschool for Middle School Youth Center! Check out the fun activities and clubs with your friends or join us to and make new ones! Everyone is welcome and there's no cost to you. All you need is a parent/guardian to fill out the MSYC participation form!

We provide a snack and bussing to select stops around town after programming (see the form for a list of stops). We have college tutors available to help with HOMEWORK, Monday through Thursday starting September 30th!

Immunizations Required for Incoming 7th Grade Students

Students entering 7th grade in the fall of 2024 must have all required childhood immunizations on file, or a legal exemption in order to attend public school in Minnesota. Parents may review their student's current health record in Family Access.

Please ask your physician to print or fax your immunization records to NMS. Records can be mailed to NMS 2200 Division Street South, Northfield, MN 55057, faxed (507-663-0660), or dropped off at the main office by August 30th, 2024.

Questions, please contact Carol Reed, NMS nurse, at creed@northfieldschools.org or

507-663-0656.

Required immunizations for students entering 7th grade:

Tdap (tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis)

Varicella vaccine - two shots or documentation of having the chicken pox

Meningococcal (meningitis)

If you do not want your child to have these immunizations, we will need a physician-signed medical exemption or a notarized conscientious exemption form in the health file.

The exemption can be found on the following link from the Minnesota Department of Health

https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/immunize/basics/imzform.pdf