NORTH NEWS

A huge congratulations to all of our students who participated in Math Field Day! They did a fantastic job representing North Middle School. Special recognition goes to To Truong (Tony) Son Vo, who won 1st place in the 6th grade competition. We are so proud of him and all of our students!

North Middle School was buzzing with excitement on Wednesday, January 29th, as students and staff came together for an action-packed pep rally! The cheerleaders wowed the crowd with their high-energy competition routine, setting the tone for a spirited event. The cross-country and basketball teams were proudly introduced, receiving cheers of support from their classmates. Students from each grade competed in fun games, but it was the 7th grade that stole the show, earning the coveted Spirit Stick for their creative signs, enthusiastic cheers, and unmatched energy. The rally was a fantastic display of school pride, teamwork, and excitement for the rest of the season!

If you want to watch, click the link below for a recording of the full pep rally!

With the potential for snow/ ice this week, we want to remind all students and parents that we have two remaining remote learning days for inclement weather. Following those two days, BCS will start adding school days to the school year or taking scheduled spring break days away.

If we do have remote learning days and you are struggling to login, please use the QR code below to report your problem and Ms. Deavers will contact you for assistance.

Berkeley County Schools has issued this guidance document to help students & families care for their school-issued iPads. Please take a moment to go over this with your child as we prepare for remote learning in the event of snow.

ALL FINAL ORDERS ARE DUE FIRST THING IN THE MORNING TO MS. BURTON! We could still use a about 30 more orders to reach our goal!

The top seller in each grade level will be awarded a $50 Amazon Gift Card, thanks to Family Bible Church! Other prizes will be handed out as well! Thanks so much to those who are collecting orders.

All orders can be picked up THIS SATURDAY, Feb 8th from 8:30-10:30am at the front of the school!

Ren Club is selling t-shirts and NMS bracelets starting on Monday, Feb 3rd. T-shirts are $8 and bracelets are $1. These items can be bought in Mrs. Long's room during lunch. Come get your NMS spirit wear to support Ren club!

The Chess Club will now be on WEDNESDAY after school until 4:15 PM and is still looking for members. We will be hosting a countywide chess tournament, but in order to be eligible for the tournament, you must be a member of the AFTER SCHOOL chess club. See Mr. Jones for more details!

Join Ms. Mangold & Mr. Nuhfer to raise money for the American Heart Association and have a little basketball fun! On February 21st, we will be hosting the "Hoops for Heart" 3-on-3 basketball tournament during 1st - 4th periods to raise awareness about heart disease. Students who raise $25 can register to play and students who raise $20 can come to watch. There will also be a concession stand to benefit the Ren Club. Students who raise $100 for Hoops for Heart will have the opportunity to pie a teacher or administrator in the face! Please click on the information below to donate or see Ms. Mangold or Mr. Nuhfer with questions. ALL DONATIONS ARE DUE BY FEB 7th!

Have a heart and wear your hearts and Valentine's shirts to support those battling cancer! Pay $1 and wear your Valentine's gear on Feb 13th so we can raise money for the victims of cancer. You'll already be dressed for the Valentine's Dance after school!

Don't miss your opportunity to dance with your sweetheart at the Valentine's Dance on February 13th from 3:00-4:15pm. Tickets will be on sale from your team leaders on Feb 11th & 12th for $5 and concessions will be available during the dance. Any student who has earned in-school or out-of-school suspension during the 3rd quarter will not be allowed to attend.

The BOOK FAIR is coming on February 10-14th! All students will have the opportunity to visit the fair during their ELA class and parents are invited to attend Family Night on Feb 12th! Hope to see you at the book fair!

Congrats to the NMS JV Boys basketball team for defeating Spring Mills during their day game on January 30th. North JV defeated Spring Mills Middle 47-28 and was led by Mason Blauch with 20 points. The Spring Mills Varsity defeated North 42-31. North's leading scorer was Dayon Fischer with 11 points.

The basketball teams will be back in action versus Hedgesville Middle on Monday, Feb 3rd at 6:00pm. The boys team will play at home and the girls will be away.

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.

Thanks to our cheerleaders for an amazing performance at the pep rally last week! They brought the enthusiasm and school spirit! Great work ladies!

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.

With a potential for remote learning due to snow, there are two programs we would like our NMS families to be aware of if your family does not have internet at home.

Internet Essentials through Xfinity

https://www.xfinity.com/learn/internet-service/internet-essentials

Lifeline

https://www.lifelinesupport.org/

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!

Middle school is a time of growth, self-discovery, and forming new relationships. Friendships and early romantic experiences play a big role in your child’s emotional development. As parents, you can guide your teen toward recognizing and maintaining healthy relationships while helping them avoid unhealthy ones.

What Does a Healthy Relationship Look Like?

A healthy relationship—whether a friendship or a romantic connection—is built on trust, respect, and open communication. Encourage your teen to seek relationships that promote respect, where both individuals feel valued and heard. They should also encourage independence, allowing each person to maintain their own interests and friendships. Open communication is key, as both individuals should feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and feelings without fear. Finally, a healthy relationship supports personal growth, bringing out the best in each person.

Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship

It can be difficult for teens to recognize when a relationship is harmful. Here are some red flags to watch for:

• Excessive Jealousy or Possessiveness: If a friend or partner constantly checks in, demands to know where your teen is, or tries to control their actions, this is a warning sign.

• Isolation from Friends and Family: Unhealthy relationships may discourage your teen from spending time with others, making them feel trapped or isolated.

• Disrespect or Put-Downs: Name-calling, belittling, or making your teen feel bad about themselves is not normal behavior.

• Excessive Monitoring of Social Media or Phone: A partner or friend who pressures your teen to share passwords or constantly monitors their online activity is crossing boundaries.

• Sudden Mood Changes or Withdrawal: If your teen seems anxious, sad, or secretive about their relationship, it may be time to check in.

How Parents Can Help

Your guidance can help your child develop the confidence to set boundaries and recognize red flags. Start conversations early by talking to your child about what makes a healthy relationship before issues arise. Be a safe space where your teen feels comfortable discussing their relationships with you. Teach assertiveness by helping them practice saying no and standing up for themselves in difficult situations. Modeling healthy relationships in your own interactions can also provide a strong example for your teen. Finally, know when to step in—if you notice concerning patterns, gently address them and offer support in making positive changes.

By fostering open communication and educating your teen on healthy relationship habits, you can help them build strong, positive connections that support their emotional well-being. If you need additional resources or support, our school counselors are available to assist both parents and students.

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.

Parents or guardians interested in volunteering as chaperones for field trips must complete the BCS volunteer training. We will have events and activities at the end of the year that parents may want to attend. Please think ahead now and make sure you are a certified volunteer! Click the link below for more information.

Because February is often a month where we focus on relationships in our lives, we thought today we would focus on what a healthy and unhealthy relationship looks like so you can evaluate the friends and relationship you have. Friendships and relationships should make you feel happy, safe, and supported. A healthy friendship is built on trust, respect, and kindness.

A good friend:

• Listens to you

• Encourages you

• Respects your boundaries

• Celebrates your successes

• Stands by you during tough times

• Makes you feel comfortable being yourself

An unhealthy friendship, on the other hand, can make you feel stressed, anxious, or sad.

An unhealthy friend might:

• Put you down

• Spread rumors about you

• Try to control who you spend time with

• Only talk to you when they need something

• Disappear when you need help

• Pressure you to do things that make you uncomfortable

If you notice these red flags, it’s okay to set boundaries or step away from the friendship. Surround yourself with people who treat you with kindness and respect. A true friend will lift you up, not bring you down! Do you know who in our school can help you with relationship issues? Ms. Poe and Ms. Sigler, our school counselors, are always there to lend a helping hand! Make sure you reach out to a trusted adult if you need help with an unhealthy relationship.

Don't miss a thing!

7th grade FCS students have been working hard on the beginning steps of their pajama pants! New patterns were needed and 1st and 4th period worked hard to help create them!

Ms. Tang made a beautiful bulletin board about the Lunar New Year for Ms. French's class.

Ms. Long's class has been prepping 500 sugar cookies for next week's winter carnival!

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