NORTH NEWS

Berkeley County Schools has used ALL of it's snow days for this school year. Our next school day will begin remote learning for snow days 6-10. Students will be expected to login to live, virtual classes during the same times as their classes during a regular school day using their school-issued device. Each teacher will be adding a remote meeting link at the TOP of their Schoology class pages which students will use to access their class. On Friday, students were able to practice accessing those links, as well as the folder in their Schoology classes labeled "REMOTE LEARNING" where assignments will be located during remote learning.

Here are some student preparation tips for remote learning:

o Access your TEAMS link and know how to log in

o Know where to find remote folder

o Know schedule and expectations of the day

o Have working, charged technology to have a successful day and a distraction-free location to work

The daily schedule is listed below. Please save and keep handy for remote learning days.

Our Technology Specialist, Ms. Deavers, created a student tutorial video for remote learning. Students were able to watch this video during TEAM class on Friday. If your student was absent on Friday, please encourage them to watch this tutorial to be ready for the next snow day.

If students have issues with logging into their classes on remote learning days, they can let us know through the link or QR code below.

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.

We are selling SuperBowl subs/pizzas to benefit REN club at North Middle. Order forms and money will be due no later than January 28th, and pickup will be the morning of Saturday, Feb 8th (day before the Super Bowl). For more information, please see Ms. Burton or print out the order form below!

Pay $1 on Friday, January 24th to dress up as a winter character. All proceeds go to Relay for Life to help fight cancer. Who will you be: Elsa, Santa, Jack Frost? There will be costume winners who will receive $10 gift cards to Starbucks!

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.

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!

Each Friday from now until the end of February, we will be having a half-court shot contest during lunch recess. Students can pay one dollar to make a half-court shot to win Chick-fil-a gift cards. Congrats to our first winner!

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN THIS YEAR'S BATTLE OF THE BOOKS TEAM? Join Ms. Mills on Tuesday, January 21st during recess for an informational meeting to learn what Battle of the Books is all about!

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.

Our cheerleaders have been working hard for months preparing for competition. Their first competition will be on Saturday, January 25th at the East Fairmont Winter Cheer Classic Cheer Competition. They will be hosting a competition showcase Friday, January 24, 2025, at 6pm in the NMS gym. Please come see their cheer competition routine and send well wishes to the team!

Cross Country runners should be prepared to stay after school on January 22nd for individual and team sports pictures! See Mr. Malcolm for more details!

8th Graders should return their permission slips for the James Rumsey/Blue Ridge Field Trip by January 27th to their homeroom teachers or Ms. Poe. On February 14th, 8th grade class will travel to James Rumsey to learn about high school career training programs and then visit both Blue Ridge campuses to learn more about college classes they can take during and post-high school. This is always a great opportunity for 8th graders to learn more about careers so even if students are interested in attending a 4-year college or university post-high school, they should still attend this field trip! Lunch will be provided.

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!

Check out the Middle School Parents newsletter for January 2025! Click on the PDF below to read more!

Middle school is a time of discovery and growth, and being involved in school clubs or organizations can have a lasting positive impact on students. Clubs and activities provide a safe space for students to explore their interests, build friendships, and feel a stronger sense of belonging. When students are connected to their school community, it contributes to a positive school culture where kindness, teamwork, and mutual support thrive.

Research shows that students who participate in extracurricular activities often perform better academically. Being part of a club can teach time management, responsibility, and problem-solving skills while keeping students engaged and motivated. Furthermore, involvement boosts self-esteem as students develop new skills and take pride in their contributions to their school. Whether it’s a leadership role in student council, a creative outlet in art club, or teamwork in a sports team, there’s something for everyone.

As a parent, you play a crucial role in encouraging your child to get involved. Start by asking them about their interests and sharing information about the clubs or activities offered at their school. If they’re unsure where to start, suggest attending a meeting or trying out a few different options to see what sparks their interest. You can also help them stay organized by keeping track of meeting dates and setting aside time for participation.

Getting involved in school activities not only enriches students’ middle school experience but also helps them build skills and relationships that will benefit them for years to come. Encourage your child to take the leap—you might be surprised by the joy and growth it brings!

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.

Have you ever felt like you’re just passing time scrolling on your phone or playing video games? What if you could use that time to have fun, meet new people, and discover something you’re great at? Getting involved in school activities—like clubs, teams, or organizations—is one of the best ways to make your middle school experience awesome!

When you join a club or activity, you get to hang out with people who like the same things as you. Whether it’s drama club, a sports team, or robotics, it’s a chance to make new friends and feel like you’re part of something bigger. You’ll also find that being part of a team or group helps you build confidence as you accomplish goals and contribute to something cool.

Getting involved can even help you do better in school! Activities teach you how to manage your time, stay focused, and work with others—skills that make tackling homework and projects a lot easier. Plus, being active in school can make you feel more connected to your teachers and classmates, which can turn school into a place you actually enjoy coming to every day.

So, instead of spending all your free time in front of a screen, try joining a club, playing a sport, or participating in an organization. Not only will you have fun, but you’ll also learn new things about yourself and create memories you’ll always treasure. Take a chance—you might find something you love and meet friends who’ll stick with you for life!

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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