NORTH NEWS

The Northern Lights Show Choir from North Middle School had their first performance of the year at the BCS Bullying Prevention Kick-Off Night on September 19th! Despite only having three weeks to learn their routine, they wowed the crowd of students, parents, and community members with an impressive rendition of "Renegade" by Styx. Their energy and talent were on full display, setting the stage for an exciting competition season ahead. A special thanks to Ms. Pleva, the choir director, for her incredible leadership and dedication to the team. We can’t wait to see what they’ll accomplish this year!

*Photo Credit: Emilyn Pleva & Paige Kozak

Schools all across Berkeley County participated this week in Anti-bullying Spirit Week, where we emphasized the importance of a safe school environment for all students. At NMS, many students & faculty members participated in dress up days to mark the celebration, including sports jersey day, twin day, and mismatch day. Check out some of great pictures of our participating staff members from this week!

This year, we are working with students in their enrichment classes to help them set goals and monitor their progress throughout the school year. Each student will have a progress binder in their enrichment class, which they will use to keep track of their iReady scores in Math and ELA. They will also set SMART goals focused on academic progress, behavior, and other areas of growth. Every week, students will chart their progress and reflect on their goals, encouraging them to take ownership of their learning. Be sure to ask your student about the goals they are working toward in their academics!

**Take a look at what students will be tracking in the attachment below!

8th grade band students participated in the Martinsburg High School Bulldog Marching Band step up night on Friday September 13. Students performed on the field and in the stands during the football game with the high school band. This helped them know what to expect as they move towards high school band. We look forward to seeing them marching with the Bulldogs next year!

Student Council had their 1st meeting and, wow, what a turn out with lots of great ideas! Student Council members are reminded to accept their group invites on Schoology and to be looking for communications there!

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. THERE ARE ONLY NINE MORE DAYS TO SUBMIT YOUR DESIGNS!

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!

NMS Cheer & the Girls Basketball teams are hosting a craft & vendor fair on October 26th from 9am to 3pm at North Middle School. If you are a small business or vendor that wants to have a booth, please contact Alexandra Russell at 717-414-8754 to book a spot!

We hope everyone stops by to get some of their holiday shopping completed a little early while supporting two great NMS student organizations!

The North runners continue to show growth! The top finishers in this week's meet were:

Boys Team:

5th - Jonathan "Take it to the" Houser

4th - Kaberin "No Bologna" Mahoney

3rd - Declan "Rock the" Kradel

2nd - "All Day" Ray Stamat

1st - Derrick "The Natural" Redman

Girls Team:

5th - Vanessa "AMazing" Munoz

4th - Aubrey "Oh Wow" Rau

3rd - Monica "Brilliant" Ball

2nd - Olivia "Mighty" Martirano

1st - Jasmine "The Flash" Aliguen-Keguini

Come join us Wednesday at Poor House Farm Park at 5:30 for our next meet!

North Middle Cheerleaders will have their first fundraiser for the season starting September 25th and ending September 29th. They will be selling popcorn from Double Good. The virtual fundraiser will go live at 5:00 pm on the 25th and end at 5:00 pm in the 29th. Please look out on our social media pages or ask a cheerleader for the link to access the fundraiser. Thank you for your support!

Boys Basketball conditioning is from 3:00-4:30 pm and each Monday and Friday. For more information, see Coach Rhoden or Coach Callis.

Girls conditioning will continue 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!

North Middle School is lucky to have the Shenandoah Community Health van visit our school EVERY THURSDAY! If you still need a physical for basketball season, please pick up a form from the nurse so you can be seen by a healthcare provider with Shenandoah Community Health.

Ms. Griffin joined North Middle this school year to help provide resources for students & families in need! We are SO glad to have her this school year! Feel free to contact her at nichel.griffin@k12.wv.us if you need assistance.

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 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!

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!

In today’s fast-paced world, our students are busier than ever, juggling school, extracurricular activities, and social lives. When we spoke with several students from North Middle School and asked, "What do you want your parents to know without having to tell them?" one message stood out: they need more quiet time. This is a reflection of a common struggle among teens today—finding moments of calm amidst the chaos. As parents, it’s important to recognize that quiet time isn’t just a luxury; it’s essential for their mental well-being and ability to focus.

Research shows that the teenage brain is particularly prone to distraction. A study by the American Psychological Association found that teens, on average, have shorter attention spans than adults, especially when constantly bombarded with stimuli like social media, screens, and noise. In fact, teens report being able to focus for only about 20 minutes before needing a break. The constant buzz of their environment—whether it's digital notifications or a packed schedule—can lead to mental fatigue and decreased productivity. A little quiet time each day can give their minds the reset they need to refocus and recharge.

Teens are also incredibly busy. According to a study from the National Sleep Foundation, teens are involved in so many activities that they often spend only 2-3 nights at home per week without a scheduled activity. Whether it’s sports practices, music lessons, or social engagements, the typical teen’s schedule leaves little room for downtime. This constant busyness not only exhausts them physically but also leaves little time for reflection and rest, which is vital for their mental health.

Parents can help create peaceful environments at home by establishing routines that promote quiet. Here are a few tips:

• Set tech-free times: Designate certain hours, such as during dinner or before bed, where phones, tablets, and TVs are turned off to allow for uninterrupted quiet.
• Encourage outdoor time or reading: Encourage your teen to spend time outside or read quietly in a cozy corner—both activities that naturally promote a sense of calm.
• Create a quiet space: Set up a space in your home where your child can go to relax and decompress, free from noise and distractions.
• Limit overscheduling: Try to ensure that your teen has at least one or two nights a week without planned activities, allowing them time to rest and recharge.

By helping your teen find moments of peace in their busy lives, you’re not only supporting their academic success but also contributing to their overall well-being. So, listen when they express their need for quiet, and take steps to create it for them.

Middle school can feel like a whirlwind. Between classes, homework, sports, and your social life, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or distracted. Did you know that your brain is actually wired to be more distracted during these years? All the changes happening in your body—like hormones and growth spurts—mean your brain is still developing, which can make it harder to focus and stay organized. If you find yourself forgetting assignments or zoning out in class, you’re not alone!

The good news is that you can manage these distractions by building responsibility, and one key way to do this is by giving yourself moments of peace and quiet. Quiet time helps your brain recharge, making it easier to focus when you need to. Here are some practical tips to help you stay on track:

• Set timers on your phone: Use timers to stay focused on tasks. Work for 25-30 minutes, then take a short break. This keeps you productive without getting too overwhelmed.
• Use a planner or digital calendar: Write down your homework and due dates, or use an app to keep track of what’s coming up. Check your Schoology calendar often so nothing sneaks up on you.
• Limit extracurricular activities: Make sure you have a few nights each week where you don’t have anything scheduled, so you can relax and have downtime.
• Turn off distractions: Put your phone on “Do Not Disturb,” turn off the TV, or find a quiet spot to do homework without interruptions.

If you need more quiet time at home, don’t be afraid to talk to your parents. Let them know how important it is for you to have some downtime to think, focus, and recharge. By finding these moments of calm and using tools like timers and planners, you can take charge of your time and feel more in control of your schoolwork and activities!

The teachers are looking to reward your behavior & progress this school year, so we need to know what would motivate you to work toward good grades, attendance & behavior! Please answer the following polls!

Don't miss a thing!

Ms. Stover's students had one class period to use provided mystery items to build a complete model device that was able to complete a task. In this fun STEM challenge, students created a micro-slingshot, a hanging vase, a solar laser (that may or may not work), and a launcher. Great creativity & innovation was shown by all!

Ms. Kyker's students are hard at work researching their tourist regions! WV has nine tourist regions and her kids have been researching one for an upcoming creative project! (In case you didn't know, you live in the Eastern Panhandle Tourist Region!)

A student in Ms. Keppler's art class made a sculpture out of wire! So cool!

In the library this past month, students were able to vote on what they would pick: movie or book. They were asked to think of a book that has been made into a movie and decide if they would rather read it or watch the movie. Student then discussed the advantages and disadvantages of both formats. What would you choose? Next month there will be a different question for them to vote on during their library time.

Ms. Sanders' class completed several measurement labs last week. Students were measuring mass using triple beam balances and using volume by displacement to find the volume of irregularly shaped objects.

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