Bobcat Nation:

Thank you to our staff, students, and parents for working together to create a successful Open House. It was wonderful to see connections being built between the school and home environments. Special thanks to our PTO for organizing a food truck for our community.

If you were unable to attend, you can view the opening video below.

Thank you to those families who have submitted the required CCPS Annual Student Update in HAC for your student(s). If you have not done so yet, please see below for information on how to do so by the deadline on Tuesday, September 24th.

Have a great week!

Mr. Webster, NMS Principal

If you have already completed the Annual Student Update for your children, thank you! If you still need to complete it, please follow the attached directions below. The same message was sent to parents/guardians by CCPS on September 5th. The direct link to access HAC to complete the update is https://hac.calvertnet.k12.md.us/HomeAccess.

This year, you will need to log in to your Home Access Center (HAC) account to complete the Annual Student Update form electronically for each child who lives with you by Tuesday, September 24, 2024. This process replaces the emergency form and several other permission forms and acknowledgements that are required each school year. Only one guardian for each child may complete this process, which is critical to school operations. Once each child’s form is done, it will be marked complete in eSchoolPlus, our student information system.

Classic Photography is excited to be your official school photographer

and capture these special memories for you!

Your Picture Day is:

9/18/2024

Don't forget to be dressed in your best and mark your calendars today!

FREE SHIPPING on all pre-orders! (a $5 value)

All pre-orders will be returned to the school and sent home with your student.

Click Here to Pre-Order

Online Code: 24nmscalv25

Pre-ordering expires 48 hours after picture day

Questions?
(800)869-9515 x112

We are excited to share that an online spirt wear store has been opened for our school community. Check out the link below to purchase gear to support Bobcat Nation!

https://teamlocker.squadlocker.com/#/lockers/northern-middle-school-bobcats-1985132

First marking period interim reports will be distributed via HAC on Wednesday, October 2nd. If you have any questions about a particular class, please contact the teacher. This will allow them to provide you with suggestions on how to provide the best supports to help your child improve their performance. It may also be valuable to work with your child to set goals for the remainder of the first marking period.

The end of the first marking period is October 31st and report cards will be distributed on November 8th. These dates will get here quickly. It is important for students not to wait until the last minute to study for tests, turn in missing assignments, etc.

Information about locker requests was shared with students last week. The information below was also sent to their student email account as well as a link they can use to request a locker. The request form will be active until the end of the school day on Monday, 9/16 for those students who wish to get one at this time.

• Students can request a hallway locker for storage of books, coats, and school-appropriate belongings.
• They do not need to request a hallway locker if they do not plan to use one.
• During the school year, students having issues with their assigned locker can stop by the main office to fill out a Locker Help form. They can also use the form to request a locker later if they change their mind about using one.

The NMS Staff has collaborated to develop a set of common expectations to support reduced distractions and a productive learning environment throughout the building. These expectations will be shared with the students at the beginning of the school year. We appreciate the support of our families with reinforcing these expectations.

There are forms that need to be signed and returned for each student. They will be included in our First Day Folders so parents will receive a paper copy. Attached are copies of the forms in the event that you would like to start filling them out.

• CCPS Code of Conduct Statement of Understanding
• NMS Technology Expectations Form

Some students may qualify for free or reduced-price meals. A new application must be submitted each school year. Eligibility is typically determined by household size and income. To see if your household qualifies, please complete, and submit one meal benefit application per household. Applications will be sent home with students in the beginning of the school year folders but may also be completed online at https://LinqConnect.com.

Applications are available in many languages on the LinqConnect site but are also available on the USDA’s website at http://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/translated-applications. More information is also available on the CCPS website at Departments – Child Nutrition or at https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/child-nutrition.

See below for information on auditions. Students can also pick up a packet in the main office, from Ms. Lewis in Room 23, or from the bulletin board in the hallway between the main office and gym. If you have any questions, contact Ms. Lewis in Room 23 or at lewisal@calvertnet.k12.md.us.

If you are interested in participating in the NMS Student Government Association (SGA), bs sure to pick up an application from the bulletin board in the 6th grade hallway by the media center. Applications are due before 1st period on 9/18. The first afterschool meeting will be held on 9/23. If you have any questions, see MS. Lewis in Rm 23 or email her at lewsial@calvertnet.k12.md.us.

Support the NMS National Junior Honor Society at their spirit night at Mod Pizza on 9/19.

See below for a press release from CCPS regarding the success of the NMS and NHS Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) at the National Leadership conference over the summer. If you are interested in participating in FBLA at NMS, be sure to see Ms. Lewis in Room 23 and be on the lookout for information about the program on the Morning Announcements.

Fall Sports Clinics have begun for soccer (coed) and volleyball. Attached is a calendar of clinic dates. Please look for which grades participate each day. In order to participate in the clinics, students will need to submit a completed physical, Athlete Clinic Form (with the clinic fee), and a School Insurance Waiver Form. These documents can be turned in at the main office. The clinic fee can be paid online at https://osp.osmsinc.com/CalvertMD/.

Parents - if you pay online, please submit the Clinic Fee form with the other paperwork. Please add a note that you paid online.

If you have any questions or are unable to pay online, please contact our Athletic Director, Ms. Gott, at gottl@calvertnet.k12.md.us or 443-550-9230.

Tuesday, September 17th @ 5:30 - Northern Middle School PTO Meeting - Italian Cream Soda Bar Style!

Come join us for our first meeting of the school year. Anyone can attend, but only members of the PTO can vote. The meeting will be hybrid. In-person attendees will meet in the cafeteria. Log into the meeting virtually through Microsoft Teams here.

Support NMS by Joining our PTO or Making a Donation and be entered into a drawing for a Family Movie Night Gift Basket

Please consider joining the PTO, as 100% of your membership dues and direct donations help fund much needed items such as supplies, initiatives designed to improve our students’ educational experience, 8th grade promotion activities, and staff appreciation. You can sign up and/or make a donation at https://my.cheddarup.com/c/pto-membership-2024-25/

Family Memberships are just $10. This year, we will offer a discount to at least one PTO event for students that have parents that joined and/or donated at least $10 to the PTO. *Discounted events determined by PTO and does not include 8th grade activities)

Copy Room Volunteers Needed

Volunteering in the Copy Room is a wonderful opportunity to support our teachers and staff. Helping with Copy Room tasks frees up time for teachers to focus on their students’ learning. Volunteers are needed each Wednesday anytime between 8:30am-2:30pm and must be approved CCPS volunteers.

Tasks may include:

• Copying
• Stapling
• Sorting
• Laminating
• Cutting

Sign up here.

Questions? Please email nmsbobcatspto@gmail.com.

For information about family events and youth activities taking place in our community, visit calvertnet.k12.md.us/flyers.

Please note: These events and activities are not sponsored by the Calvert County Board of Education or Calvert County Public Schools. We provide equal opportunities to outside agencies to distribute materials that offer opportunities to students and/or their parents, but that permission should not be considered a recommendation or endorsement by the school district.

Contractors are paid $24.04 an hour/8 hours per day for a brand-new bus driver. There are increases for those individuals with more verified school bus driving experience starting at year 4, 9, 14, 19 and 24. Drivers work for independent school bus contractors throughout Calvert County. The contractors hire drivers to work on daily bus routes, or as substitutes, or to drive field trips and sports teams.

The Transportation Department provides training, free of charge, for qualified candidates to become school bus drivers. This is a terrific opportunity to work close to home and to serve the children and schools in our community.

For more information about raining, requirements, and an application, go to the CCPS Transportation page at https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/transportation.

Please contact Chuck Baker, Driver Instructor, @ 443-550-8778 or bakerc@calvertnet.k12.md.us for details on the free training process or with questions. Classes are typically held twice a month at the Career & Technology Academy, 331 Dorsey Rd., Prince Frederick, MD 20678

https://calvertnet.nutrislice.com/

• Bobcat Handbook for Students & Families
• CCPS Code of Conduct – https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/student-services/code-of-conduct

In addition to hard copy notes, parents can send notes for student absences to Ms. Contee in the counseling office via email at conteeb@calvertnet.k12.md.us.

If students have questions about their device (laptop/computer), they can get help from a member of the CCPS IT team at helpdesk@calvertnet.k12.md.us or call 443-550-8146. Students needing assistance can also drop off their laptop in the main office and fill out a paper Help Desk ticket.

Supports are available on the CCPS website using the Technology Support link below. This resource provides links to submit help desk tickets, frequently asked questions, and other resources that can be used to solve issues.

https://calvertnet.zendesk.com/hc/en-us

Learning Expectations with Devices

• CCPS/NMS device brought to school every day – fully charged before school begins.
• Used as the official electronic device in all classrooms
• Use CCPS Office 365 account to save assignments, projects, notes

Device Safety:

• Accounts, usernames and/or passwords are never to be shared with another student/individual
• Laptop devices should never be loaned to another student/individual
• Personal, identifiable information should never be posted on the internet
• Never leave devices unattended

Device Care:

• No decorations, stickers, drawing or writing on the device
• No eating or drinking near the device
• Do not expose the device to extreme heat, cold or rain
• Clean with a dry soft cloth only
• Do not drop or slam the device on any surface
• Do not places papers or other objects between the keyboard and screen and close shut/use as a folder

Schoology accounts for parents are view only accounts. They were created for parents who have an email address in Home Access Center (HAC). For more information about how to access your Schoology parent account click:

https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/instruction/programs/digital-learning/schoology

As part of our commitment to create an optimal learning environment for all students, CCPS has implemented a new policy regarding cell phone and smartwatch use. We kindly request your support in ensuring that your child adheres to the new guidelines.

Students are not permitted to use cell phones or smartwatches during the school day. This policy is designed to minimize distractions and promote a more focused and engaging educational experience.

Key Points of the Policy:

1. Students may bring cellular phones/smartwatches to school but are not permitted to bring in other electronic or communication devices (such as personal laptops).
2. Once school begins, the device must be powered completely off (not on vibrate or silent mode) and must remain in a non-visible, secure location. There are exceptions for administratively approved times for students in grades 9 – 12 only to use their cell phone/smartwatch.
3. If there is an emergency, parents/guardians are encouraged to contact the school’s main office. All cell phone/smartwatch guidelines, expectations, and discipline consequences apply even if communicating with parents/guardians.
4. Students may use their phone/smartwatch on the bus or school-chartered vehicle, but it must not be disruptive or cause a distraction to the driver. Sound must only be audible through headphones.
5. Camera/video use, and phone conversations are prohibited at all times.
6. Students found using cell phones during school hours are subject to disciplinary consequences, including having their devices confiscated and returned at the end of the day. Repeated violations may result in further disciplinary action.

We are confident that, with your support, CCPS students will follow expectations and contribute to a more focused, engaging, and supportive educational experience for all. Thank you for your partnership with successful implementation of the new cell phone and smartwatch policy.

Here Comes the Bus (HCTB) is an app with tracking features for the bus(es) your child(ren) is assigned to ride. They include

• Showing the real-time location of your child's bus on a map
• Scheduled and actual arrival times at home and school for bus routes
• Push and email notifications when the bus is near

Click this link for more information on getting the app - https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/transportation/bus-status/here-comes-the-bus

To create an account, you will need to know your child's ID number and the school district activation code 87557.

NMS parents who drop off or pick up their student(s) are asked to turn left onto Flint Hill Road then left into the parking lot near the NMS cafeteria. The drop off and pick up zone for students extends from the sidewalk by the NMS cafeteria, continues along the sidewalk towards the NMS office, then continues along the sidewalk in front of the Mary Harrison Center. Please pull up to the furthest spot in the drop off zone so that we can allow as many vehicles into the zone as possible. Students should be ready to exit their vehicle quickly so that we can keep traffic flowing. Upon students exiting and entering, vehicles follow a route that allows them back onto Flint Hill Road. In the afternoon, if there are no additional spaces on the sidewalk before the cafeteria entrance, please park in a parking space so that we do not have cars blocking traffic on Flint Hill Road.

We are excited to share that the construction process for the new Northern Middle School building is scheduled to begin over Winter Break. The new building will be constructed in the NMS front parking lot. As a result, there will be significant changes to the parking lots and entrances to campus. Starting in January, the current NMS parking lot and the entrance to the bus lot will no longer be accessible. At that time, all cars and school buses will begin entering and exiting the NMS/NHS campus via the first entrance off Chaneyville Road by the NHS tennis courts. Additional details will be provided as we get closer to January. With all vehicles accessing just one entrance, families can help reduce traffic congestion by having their student(s) ride the bus to/from school. Students beginning the school year on the bus will have a much easier transition. We appreciate the cooperation of our school community as we work through the logistics with construction. While there will be short-term challenges, the long-term advantages of a new NMS building will benefit our community for years to come.

Calvert County Public Schools uses Raptor for visitors and volunteers to sign in and sign out. Volunteers must apply annually to be an approved volunteer. All volunteers will need to review the volunteer handbook and watch the volunteer training video before completing and Online Volunteer Application. Volunteers must be approved before they may begin service as a volunteer in any school buildings.

CCPS Online Volunteer Application & Process: https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/human-resources/become-a-volunteer