Spring is here. The temperatures are getting warmer and our students have lots of energy!

Today we celebrated our Pride Wall recipients. This quarterly recognition is a big deal for our school. Congratulations to the many students who participated in today's celebration.

Our NMS Theatre program has two more shows on Saturday at 1:00 and 6:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Come see our amazing students perform in Raise Your Voice!

I hope all of our families have a wonderful weekend. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to email me at petersonj1@fultonschools.org.

I can't wait to see our students again on Monday!

• Friday, April 28 - Music Department 7th Grade Carowinds Trip
  
• Tuesday, May 9 - May PTO Meeting
• Tuesday, May 9 - Jr. Beta Induction Ceremony (6:30pm)
• Thursday, May 11 - Chorus Spring Concert (7:00pm)
• Tuesday, May 16 - Band Spring Concert (6:30pm)
• Thursday, May 18 - Orchestra Spring Concert (7:00pm)

• Friday, May 12 - 8th Grade Dance (7:00-9:00 pm)
• Friday, May 19 - 8th Grade Block Party (6:00-7:30 pm)
• Monday, May 22 - Monday Funday (All grade levels)
• Wednesday, May 24 - 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony at Milton HS gymnasium (2:00 pm)

The 8th grade graduation signs are in!

If you preordered a sign, there are 2 available days for pick up:

Tuesday, April 25th from 9am to 11am AND Wednesday, April 26th from 5pm to 7pm. A table will be set up outside of Northwestern in the carpool loop.

*If you did not order a sign, we do have a few extras, they will be 1st come 1st served. Payment will be via Venmo or cash only.

8th grade parents and guardians:

We are looking forward to 8th grade promotion on May 24th at 2pm in the Milton gym. The ceremony is free to attend, there is plenty of room and no limit on guests.

As a PTO fundraiser, a limited number of reserved 8th grade graduation seats will be available for purchase on Tuesday, April 25th beginning at 10am on toolkit. Seats are $25/each, maximum of 4 per family.

Christine Nix has served as the PTO volunteer for Pride Wall each quarter during the last six school years. We are so thankful for her support of our students and school. In honor of her efforts, Christine was the last signature on our Pride Wall for this school year!

We will follow a modified bell schedule on testing dates, with the exception of the Algebra I date. Please be sure to have your student(s) charge their school issued device each night. We need our students to arrive early enough on these dates to be in their assigned testing location by 8:55 am.

Monday, April 24 - ELA Part 1 (6th-8th grade)

Tuesday, April 25 - ELA Part 2 (6th-8th grade)

Wednesday, April 26 - ELA Part 3 (6th-8th grade)

Friday, April 28 - Algebra 1 (no change to bell schedule)

Monday, May 1 - Math Part 1 (6th-8th grade)

Tuesday, May 2 - Math Part 2 (6th-8th grade)

Thursday, May 4 - Science & Physical Science (8th grade only)

Our school is scheduled to be painted this summer. We are very excited to have a fresh coat of paint in all classrooms and common spaces before next school year. This project will require our staff to prepare their classrooms and office spaces prior to the painters arrival.

If you have any cardboard boxes that can be donated to the school, we can use these to box up items in classrooms & offices. We will take as many boxes as you can donate and all sizes are appreciated. Boxes can be dropped off in the front office by students or parents/guardians starting Monday, April 17 and until the end of the school year. Packing tape donations are also appreciated.

Thank you!!

NMS Spring Carnival Volunteers & Donations Needed

The Spring Carnival will be held Monday, May 22 and each grade has a specific time slot to participate: 6thfrom 9am-10:45am, 7th from 10:45am-12:30pm, & 8th from 2:15pm-4pm. We need A LOT of volunteers to run event stations (instructions will be provided) to make the day fun & run smoothly for students. Volunteers will need to complete the FCS short volunteer registration by May 19. https://www.fultonschools.org/volunteer

Sign up to help here: https://northwesternpto.membershiptoolkit.com/volunteer/106841

We need large quantities of snacks & beverages so the kids stay hydrated and safe in the heat, plus shade tents & coolers (these will be returned to you). Please drop off all donations by May 17th at 4pm. Help with set up & clean-up is also needed.

Sign up to donate items here: https://northwesternpto.membershiptoolkit.com/volunteer/106825

Thank you for helping us make this a special and fun end of year event for our students! Questions? Contact Victoria Tucker at victoriabuter@comcast.net or text 404-519-6751.

Mark your calendars PTO is planning "Our Northwestern Teachers are Cool!" Staff Appreciation Week which is coming up on May 8th-May 12th. Wildcat parents please consider signing up to donate supplies, food items, raffle prizes or gift cards to help us spoil our staff! Donated items should be dropped off to the front office by May 5th if not before. The ink to donate is below:

Several Orchestra students performed in our NMS garden yesterday. This is an annual collaboration between our Orchestra program and Environmental Club. Thank you to our students for showcasing your talent and Ms. Champion and Dr. Bartlett for organizing.

Dr. Bartlett and his students do a tremendous job maintaining our garden. If you want to help or contribute to our garden fund, please use this link: NMS Student Garden Fund (osmsinc.com).

Northwestern Middle School is hiring Instructional Paraprofessionals for next school year.

Do you want a full time position on your kid's school schedule? Including summers off!

Do you want to make a difference for kids?

Do you want to work in a dynamic and supportive environment?

Are you awesome and want to work with awesome people?

Eleven out of ten people say Northwestern is an amazing place to work!

Please consider one of these positions at Northwestern Middle School:

Media Center Paraprofessional

In-School Suspension Paraprofessional

Email Mr. Peterson at petersonj1@fultonschools.org if you want to learn more about our opportunities for next school year.

The Cambridge PTSA needs you!!!!

As we approach the end of the school year, we are looking for dedicated and passionate parents to join the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) board. We believe that parental involvement is vital to the success of our school and we would love to have your support.

The PTSA board is responsible for planning and organizing school events, fundraising, and supporting teachers and students. By volunteering with the PTSA, you will have the opportunity to make a difference in your child's education and get to know other parents in the school community.

PTSA meetings are once a month usually on the first Friday of every month. If you are interested in joining the PTSA board, below are the positions that need to be filled:

1. Secretary

2. 2 Co VP’s of Student Achievement/Enrichment

We hope you will consider joining the PTSA board and becoming a part of our school community. If you have any questions or would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact Christie Estes at christierestes@me.com

Thank you for your support!

Each grade level has an assessment calendar located on our school website. These calendars can be located on the Northwestern site under Academics Home or the links are below.

The link below includes the weekly study/help sessions available for every teacher at NMS.

At Northwestern Middle School, we believe effective and timely communication is essential to our mission. NMS staff, students, and parents/guardians should maintain open, honest, and respectful lines of communication. Working together is the best way to help each student achieve success!

Parents/guardians have the ability to "turn off" attendance notifications in their Parent Portal. Click on the Silhouette on the top right and select Settings. Unclick the box for the Attendance emails.

The Curriculum Hub provides a variety of resources to assist parents in supporting their student's learning in the areas of English Language Arts/Reading, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies including:

• A year-at-a-glance for each course with the standards taught in each unit
• Unit plans detailing the specific learning targets to be mastered
• Parent resources to preview or review concepts and skills taught in each unit

Our School Governance Council has discussed the need to do more as a school community to better understand our student's use of social media and cell phones, and provide education for students and families around this issue. This school year, our students will engage in more discussions with staff around safe and responsible use of cell phones.

Representatives from Bark presented at one of our previous PTO meetings. As a company, Bark provides monitoring service and resources for families. I will be sharing information from Bark and other sources weekly in our newsletter.

There is also a Facebook group that is a great resource: Parenting in a Tech World

Parenting in a Tech World | Facebook

Northwestern will offer many clubs and student activities for our students during the 2022-23 school year. Check back often for more information!

The 8th grade dance is May 12th! Help the PTO make this event fun and memorable by donating items we need. Click here to check out the signup! The dance committee is also seeking special raffle prizes for our students. If you have any connections and can donate items such as concert tix, sporting event tix, Lake Lanier water park tix, local Gift cards or anything else that you think an 8th grader might want to win. Maybe a signed Jersey or sport ball by a local Famous athlete. If you have any items you would be willing to donate please contact Stacey Chambliss at staceylognion@hotmail.com.

Parent Info Night!

Date and Time: April 19th from 6-7:30pm

Location: Milton High School Media Center

(we will have students at the main entrance helping to direct parents to the Media Center location)

Save the Date!

Milton Volleyball Tryouts

Date and Time: May 13th from 9am-1pm

Location: Milton High School Gym

(arrive 15 minutes early to check in and warm-up)

*Registration info coming soon on the website: https://www.miltoneaglesvolleyball.com/

Cambridge Band Hosts Music Under the Moon Jazz Concert

We are excited to be hosting our annual Music Under the Moon concert featuring our two Cambridge High School Jazz Ensembles and your very own Northwestern MS Jazz Band! This year's event will be on Saturday, April 22, at 7:00pm and will feature a few coffee and dessert options for audience members to purchase and enjoy. Doors open at 6:30 pm. We are looking forward to hosting in our courtyard at a later start time that will ensure to provide our audience members with an experience that is sure to rival any professional Jazz Club! There is an abundance of pricing options for families including VIP Tables ($125 - seating 6), General Admission ($20), Student Tickets (6 and up - $10), and Family Bundles ($50 - two adults, two kids). Kids 5 and under enter for free! We are happy to offer sweet & savory items plus coffee for purchase for our guest to enjoy throughout the night.

Purchase Tickets Here: https://bit.ly/mutm2023

Mattress Fundraiser

The ​Cambridge HS Band Mattress Fundraiser is coming soon. On Saturday, April 22,​ from 10AM to 5 PM, in the cafeteria, there will be 25+ different styles of beds on display for customers to try. The beds are new, brand name, made to order, available in all sizes, and cost up to 50% less than suggested retail. In addition to beds, there will also be premium pillows, luxury sheets, and even adjustable power bases. Please share this information with family and friends!

Check out this video to see how it works. https://vimeo.com/637621858

And for more information you can visit the Facebook event page: FACEBOOK

April Parent Prep 101 Webinar Spirit Day

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND - 2 Parent Prep 101 webinar sessions on April 19 at 12pm or 7pm. This is perfect timing for you 8th grade parents who are a few short months from high school!

Parent Prep 101 is a webinar was created for 7th -11th grade parents and a WIN/WIN for you and your school. You will receive helpful information on what to expect over the next several years, a timeline to follow, and what your student can be doing now to earn FREE college tuition. You will learn about GaFutures, Grants, HOPE scholarships, Zell Miller scholarships, and when to take the ACT and SAT. You will feel more prepared and able to help your student find a college that is the right fit for them. The Northwestern Middle School session price is $55 and $10 goes back to the Northwestern PTO. The price will include a private Facebook group for additional information and ongoing support.

Once the registration form and payment is received, a zoom ID link for your session will be sent to you. If you have any questions please text Trisha Caputo at 678-777-7141 or email at Parentprep101@gmail.com.

More info: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=parent%20prep%20101

Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfsSk_4Y-dULKjwn9v4nM7-4iqpnxlJNffBlSlZ80SDmx8i8g/viewform

Interested in trying out for the Milton Girl's Flag Football Team?

Join us for an informative meeting about the 2023/2024 Milton Varsity & JV Flag Football Program!

Open to all rising 9th to 12th grade girls attending Milton

Wednesday, April 12th

7pm-8pm

Milton High School Media Center

This is a MANDATORY meeting for all parents & players interested in trying out.

Questions? MHSflagfootball@gmail.com

Please include information as often as possible leading up to the meeting date!

Thank you again for spreading the word!

Kelly Long

kvahalylong@gmail.com

The Always a Hawk Club is having a sock drive to benefit the Hembree Springs Elementary School’s Clothes Closet. We need mainly kid’s socks, especially boy’s size 8, but all of the donations will be appreciated. All donations should be brought to Mrs. Rindt in room 906. All the donated socks will go to the Clothes Closet in Hembree Springs where they will be put to good use.

We will be collecting donations all through the month of March,

P.S. If you went to Hembree Springs, come join us at our next meeting!

FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) meetings are back to normal at Northwestern and will continue take place on Thursdays in the gym from 8am - 8:45am. We will let you know when we will have another opportunity to join the Milton High School crew.

Students are encouraged to bring friends to the Thursday morning meetings.

The FCA at Northwestern is also hoping that some volunteers may be willing to become more active and attend FCA meetings on Thursday mornings or help with things such as picking up food, small group leading, or even character coaching. Not much is required other than attendance for one hour a week. FCA is also looking for part-time and full- time employees. If you are interested in volunteering and/or employment, please contact Denton Carter (FCA leader) via email (dentoncarter@fca.org).

Students interested in joining the NMS Newspaper Staff should contact Ms. Denna Warrayat at warrayatd@fultonschools.org.

Thank you to our PTO for having breakfast for our bus drivers this morning! They keep our kids safe on the roads and we appreciate them so much!

We have a few yearbooks remaining for purchase. You can place your order on the Balfour website. https://www.balfour.com/georgia/milton/northwestern-middle-school

The NMS PTO would like to give a BIG THANKS to our 2022-2023 Business Partners

When you see these businesses, please acknowledge their sponsorship for the school & dedication to the academic achievement of our youth!

Home of the Wildcats!

Email: nmsfrontdesk@fultonschools.org
Website: https://www.fultonschools.org/northwesternms
Location: 12805 Birmingham Highway, Milton, GA, USA
Phone: (470) 254-2870
Twitter: @TheNMSWildcats

Thank you for your continued support of Northwestern Middle School!

Sincerely,

Joel - Principal

Northwestern Middle School: Teach Hard, Love Harder - The Wildcat Way!