NORTH NEWS

On Thursday, October 10th, our middle school hosted a "Sources of Strength" meeting that brought together student leaders from various corners of our school community. This peer-led group is dedicated to supporting their fellow classmates, ensuring no one feels so overwhelmed that they want to give up. Students engaged in open discussions, created posters, and participated in activities aimed at fostering stronger connections among peers. They also learned about suicide risk factors and how to connect their classmates with helpful resources.

A core part of the meeting was the introduction of the eight "Sources of Strength" models: Mental Health, Family Support, Positive Friends, Mentors, Healthy Activities, Generosity, Spirituality, and Physical Health. These models are vital tools that students can use to build resilience and maintain well-being.

"Sources of Strength" is a diverse group of students and adults committed to promoting stories of hope and strength. They understand that while everyone experiences highs and lows in life, together, we can navigate the tough times. Through art, writing, music, activities, and social media, this group aims to spread positive messages and encourage everyone to use their voice for good.

Thanks to Ms. Sigler and our entire team of school counselors & social workers for their support of this program!

North is rolling out the new Ren Club! This club focuses on student leadership, events, and school initiatives. We need students who exhibit leadership skills and want to make our school a fun place to be. This club will be hosted on Thursdays after school as well as during monthly in school clubs. See Mr. Jackson or Ms. Dusing if you have questions. You will be contacted if you are accepted into the club, but you must use the link below to apply today! You will need to login to your school google account. (yourlogin@bcswv.org)

Parent/ Teacher Conference night is on October 23rd from 5:00-7:00pm! Use the link below to sign up with your child's teachers.

**On the sign up link, make sure you click the dropdown box that says "ANYONE" to select a teacher. Failure to do so may not sign you up with the teacher you desire to see. **

If you are having any trouble with Parent/ Teacher Conference sign-ups, please contact the main office or email our Technology Specialist, Ms. Deavers at rachel.deavers@k12.wv.us.

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.

Save the date October 29th on your calendars for our first after school dance of the year! Dress in a costume (no masks, hats, or real/fake weapons) for school and stay for the "Batty and Boujee" Afterschool Dance. $5 tickets will be sold Monday, October 28th during lunch only. Concessions will be sold at the dance so bring a few extra dollars if you want to purchase a treat.

NMS needs your help! The math teachers have decided to keep our choir teacher, Ms. Pleva, locked away until students are able to solve their math problems! The math teachers have created a math-themed breakout room based off math topics they have covered in class and essential math skills that all students should know. Students and parents will work together to review essential math skills, explore resources, and have the opportunity to learn together throughout this experience.

Students, please bring a parent/ guardian and an iPad when joining us on October 30th at 5:15pm to help save Ms. Pleva! After the great escape, there will be an open forum with the math teachers and Ms. Pleva will have a group of students performing a Reader's Theatre!

Contact Ms. Johnson (cromanjo@k12.wv.us) if you have any questions and please RSVP by October 18th using the link below!

7th Graders interested in 9/11 are welcome to join the 6th graders to the Flight 93 Memorial on Nov 4th. No students with ISS/OSS will be invited to join. If you are interested, your $40 is due by Oct 18th. Limited spaces will be available and will be filled by those who submit payment first to Ms. Updike. Please email Ms. Updike with any questions at mupdike@k12.wv.us.

It is that time of year again, to start thinking about the SCIENCE FAIR which will take place at North Middle on December 10th. If you are a student who loves to experiment, this is the activity for you. (And, it can earn you a TON of extra credit in those Science classes -- see your Science teacher for details!) Check out the due dates below. There is still time to participate if you are interested. Just see your Science teacher.

The North boys and girls came in 5th in the Berkeley County Championship last Thursday!

The top finishers for the boys were:

5th Place - Kaberin "No Bologna" Majoney

4th Place - Declan Rock the Kradel

3rd Place - Derrick "Rapid" Redman

2nd Place - "All Day" Ray Stamat

1st place - Dayon "Fly By" Fischer

The girl's top finishers were:

5th Place - Vanessa "AMazing" Munoz

4th Place - Aubrey "Oh Wow" Rau

3rd Place - Monica "Brilliant" Ball

2nd Place - Olivia "Mighty" Martirano

1st place - Jazmin Aliguen-Keguini

The Cross Country team would like to thank all of the NMS teachers, students & parents who supported them during this season! What a fun tailgate to end the season! Thanks to Mr. Malcolm, our head coach, for his hard work and determination in leading our team!

Along with the girl's basketball team we are hosting a Craft and Vendor Fair on October 26th. Save the date and come out and support some local businesses!

Boys' basketball conditioning will be on hiatus for now, resuming on October 28th. Girls conditioning will continue every Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 5:30-7:00pm.

The boys' basketball team tryouts will take place on November 11th, from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. All physical forms must be completed and returned to Coach Callis, Coach Rhoden, at the front office or with Nurse Hutzler. Students who participated in Cross Country do not have to submit another form, the physical will carry over to basketball season.

North Boys & Girls Basketball teams are in the process of raising funds to buy new chairs for the home and away team's bench. We are one of a very few schools who does not have our own padded bench chairs, and we would love to give the players in both programs the same experience as other school's players. Anyone interested in and willing to donate, please reach out to Coach Callis, Rhoden or Mejias.

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.

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 October 2024! Click on the PDF below to read more!

One of the most important factors in a student's success is the relationship between parents and teachers. When communication between home and school is strong, students thrive both academically and behaviorally. This is especially true during the middle school years when students face new challenges and greater responsibilities.

Take the story of Jake (*not their real name), a 7th-grade student who struggled with focus and behavior in class. His grades began to slip, and his teachers noticed he was often distracted and disruptive. Rather than allowing the problem to grow, Jake’s teacher reached out to his parents, and they worked together to come up with a plan. The teacher shared specific observations, and the parents provided insight into what was happening at home. With consistent communication between school and home, Jake's behavior gradually improved. His parents followed up on his assignments and supported the school's strategies to help him stay on task. Within a few months, Jake not only turned his behavior around but also raised his grades significantly. Most importantly, Jake realized that there was a team of adults surrounding him to help him succeed!

This story isn't unique. Research shows that when parents and teachers maintain strong communication, student achievement improves. According to a study from the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory, students whose parents are involved in their education are more likely to earn higher grades and test scores, have better social skills, and show improved behavior at school. The benefits are especially significant in the middle school years, as communication between parents and teachers can help catch small problems before they become larger issues.

• A study from the National Education Association (NEA) found that when parents and teachers communicate regularly, students are 50% more likely to complete homework.
• According to the Harvard Family Research Project, students with involved parents are 30% more likely to have improved behavior and are 25% more likely to graduate high school on time.

Tips for Improving Communication with Your Child’s Teachers:

1. Attend Parent-Teacher Conferences – Make the most of these meetings by asking about your child’s strengths, areas of improvement, and how you can support learning at home. Our first Parent/ Teacher Conference is right around the corner - October 23rd! SIGN UP HERE!
2. Check Emails Regularly – Teachers often send important updates and information via email/ Schoology message. Set a reminder to check for messages and respond promptly.
3. Use a Parent Schoology Account – Track your child’s grades, assignments, and teacher feedback weekly through Schoology. If you need a Schoology Account, sign up here!
4. Be Proactive – Don’t wait for a problem to arise before reaching out. Regularly touch base with your child’s teachers to ask how things are going. If you have a question after checking Schoology, follow up.
5. Provide Information – Let teachers know if there are significant changes at home (e.g., moving, family illness) that might affect your child’s performance. Having that information can help teachers understand any emotional stress your child may be going through and be more understanding of their needs.
6. Encourage Your Child to Self-Advocate – Teach your child to communicate their needs and challenges to their teachers respectfully. This promotes responsibility and helps teachers provide better support.

By strengthening the partnership between home and school, we create an environment where students can thrive both academically and emotionally. Let’s work together to ensure every child has the support they need to succeed!

As you move through middle school, learning how to advocate for yourself is an important skill that will help you succeed both in school and beyond. Self-advocacy means speaking up for your needs and asking for support when you need it. Whether it's getting help with an assignment, asking for more time on a project, or explaining a situation that affects your schoolwork, knowing how to communicate with your teachers and staff respectfully is key.

When Might You Need to Advocate for Yourself?

Here are a few examples of situations where self-advocacy could be important:

• You Don’t Understand an Assignment – If you’re confused about homework or a class project, don’t wait until the last minute. Speak up early, either during class or after. Let your teacher know which part of the assignment is unclear, and ask for clarification.

• You Need Extra Time on an Assignment – Life happens. If something comes up and you need more time to complete your work, explain the situation to your teacher ahead of time. Teachers are usually willing to be flexible when students are honest and upfront.

• You’re Struggling in Class – If you’re having trouble keeping up with a subject or you’re feeling overwhelmed, talk to your teacher or a counselor. They can help you find extra resources or strategies to improve.

• There’s a Conflict with a Peer – If you’re having a disagreement with another student that’s affecting your ability to focus in class, let your teacher or another trusted adult know. Advocating for a solution early on can prevent bigger problems down the road.

How to Advocate Respectfully

When you speak up for yourself, it’s important to do it in a way that’s respectful and constructive. Here are some tips to help you get the best results:

• Be Clear and Honest – Explain your situation calmly and clearly. For example, if you’re asking for help on an assignment, you could say, “I’m having trouble understanding this math problem. Could you go over it with me again?”

• Use “I” Statements – Instead of blaming someone else, focus on your own feelings and needs. For instance, rather than saying, “You never give us enough time for tests,” you could say, “I’m having a hard time finishing tests in the time given. Is there a way I can work on improving that?”

• Listen to Feedback – After you’ve explained your situation, listen to your teacher’s response. They may offer solutions you hadn’t thought of, so being open to suggestions is important.

• Be Polite – Remember, your teachers and school staff are there to help you. Saying “please” and “thank you” goes a long way in showing that you respect their time and effort.

Why Respectful Self-Advocacy Works

When you advocate for yourself in a respectful way, you’re more likely to get the help you need. Teachers and staff appreciate when students take responsibility for their learning, and they are more willing to work with you when you approach them with a positive attitude. On the other hand, if you’re demanding or disrespectful, it can make the situation harder to resolve.

Learning how to advocate for yourself is a skill that will help you not only in middle school but also as you continue through high school, college, and your future career. So, don’t be afraid to speak up! Just remember to do it with kindness and respect.

Don't miss a thing!

We love "HIGH FIVE FRIDAY!" Our staff greets students with a giant high five! Mr. Pittsnogle tries to see who can reach his 7-foot high five!

Ms. Heck & Ms. Mijajlovic's classes are studying germs & bacteria. The students swabbed the hallway and bathroom floors, the finger scanner in cafeteria, toilets, and door knobs. Results will be "growing" this over the next few weeks!

Ms. Keppler's art classes are learning about video production and online art. They are preparing podcasts and commercials to encourage young people not to drink & drive. They will be entering their work into a youth filmmaking contest!

Students in Ms. Landerkin & Ms. Smith's classes this week started a descriptive writing & figurative language project. Students had to create a 30-second song with GarageBand that communicated a mood and then use descriptive language to train an AI image generator in Canva how to communicate that mood in images. Student then had to create two lines of poetry communicating the same mood, while using figurative language in their poetry.

Students began using the Upunch system in Ms. Kyker's class this week. It is a work sign-in and sign-out simulation to hold students accountable for their attendance in school. Students will earn points for being present and they can use these points as currency to write "checks" in exchange for prizes after they have earned a certain amount of points.

A BIG THANK YOU to our backpack program volunteers from Ms. Michael & Ms. French's classes! Every week, they are instrumental in distributing needed supplies to students in need! Thank you for your hard work!

Congrats to the winner of the yearbook cover contest! We cannot wait to see your artwork on the front cover of this year's yearbook!

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