North Central News

September 1st: Stadium Cleanup (7:00am Kinnick Stadium North Endzone)

September 2nd: No School Labor Day

September 11th: PSTO Meeting 11:30am - 12:30pm (main office)

September 30th: Photo Retakes

All food and drink, other than water bottles, must remain in the cafeteria. You may not consume food in your classrooms, unless it is provided by a specific teacher for their class only. There is to be no food or drink in hallways or classrooms. Only water bottles may be taken in hallways and to classrooms. If a staff member sees you with food or any drinks other than water, you will be instructed to throw the item away.

This year the North Central Band Program is welcoming over 300 student musicians in grades 6-8. Over the course of the school year, bands and jazz bands will collectively participate in more than a dozen performances. Download a printable PDF copy of the 2024-2025 Band Calendar, and mark your calendars so you don’t miss them!.

6th Grade Band students are divided into four sections that meet every other day. In class they are starting the year by reviewing fundamental skills and learning to work together as an ensemble. They will combine to form two separate bands with concerts scheduled for December and May.

7th Grade Band students meet every day, and they are also starting the year with an accelerated review of fundamentals. The 7th grade band will perform concerts in December, March, and May. They will also participate in the University of Iowa’s Middle School Band Festival in April.

8th Grade Band students have begun the year with an introductory marching band unit. They are currently preparing to perform alongside the Liberty Lightning marching band in the pregame show at the LHS Varsity Homecoming Game on September 20th. 8th grade will wrap up their marching band season by participating in the Liberty Marching Band Extravaganza in October. They will continue the year by performing concerts in December, March, and May and participating in the U of I Middle School Band Festival in April.

Jazz Band registration will begin during the week of September 3, and will be open to all band students in grades 7-8. 7th grade jazz band meets before school on Monday and Thursday mornings starting on September 23rd. 8th grade jazz band meets on Wednesday and Friday mornings starting on September 25th. Please note that the Jazz Band and Show Choir schedules do not conflict – students who love music are encouraged to do both! Jazz bands will perform concerts in December, February, and April, and will also participate in the Liberty Jazz Festival in February.

Attendance Procedures for North Central Middle School:

If your student is going to be late to school, needs to leave school early or will be absent from school, please make sure you have reported this to the NCMS Attendance Office by 9:00am on the day of the absence. You may call the attendance line at 319-688-1210 or enter the absence in the Attendance Request section of Infinite Campus. Please give the date(s) and reason for the absence. (**Early releases requested in Infinite Campus must be done at least 2 hours before the student is to leave NCMS)

If a student needs to leave school early, please give the time the student is to be picked up from NCMS. Your student will be given a pass to leave their class and meet parents/guardians in the main office. Students are not permitted to leave class until the parent/guardian has contacted the attendance office directly.

Communicating absences to teachers directly or texting your student is not considered a communicated absence. The attendance office must be made aware of all absences.

Please note: Parents/Guardians will now be receiving automated attendance calls at the end of each period a student has an uncommunicated absence.

Students are not allowed access to the building before 8:30am. Students wanting to meet with teachers, must get permission from the teacher prior to the meeting, to be let in to the building before 8:30am. The office will not allow students in to the building before that time unless notification from the teacher has been given to the main office. Students will not be allowed up to meet with teachers before 8:15am unless that has also been clearly communicated with office staff.

Cell Phone/Personal Technology Policy & Confiscation Procedures

Cell phones: Students may use cell phones during passing time and at lunch while school is in session. All phones must be put away, and ringers silenced before entering the classroom. Phones in use or view during class time may be confiscated by staff (this includes using phones to listen to music). Students who refuse to comply will be subject to additional school consequences. Additionally, students are not allowed to have headphones/earbuds on or in their ears during class. At North Central Middle School the following steps will be used to enforce the policy:

1. At the beginning of class all teachers/staff will say “secure your phones”

2. Students should have their phones put away and out of sight.

3. If the phone is out or being used, the teacher will confiscate the phone and deliver it to the main office where it will be secured until the end of the day.

4. If a student is refusing to give up his/her cell phone a counselor or administrator will be called and escort the student to the office where the phone will be secured.

5. If a student’s cell phone/device is confiscated three (3) different times, it will be held at school until a guardian comes to school to pick it up. A conference will be requested with student/guardian/admin to discuss possible solutions and/or additional consequences such as:

a. Multiple-day cell/device detention;

b. Trimester long cell/device detention;

c. Yearlong cell/device detention

Dear North Central Middle School Families,

New school year! New School! New name!

Hello to new families and welcome back returning families! The PSTO committee provides meals, treats and goodies to our staff. We are currently in the process of planning the school year activities:

• Stock the Workroom with snacks and drinks- End of September
• Provide 4 conference meals- October 17 and 23, January 16 and April 23
• Teacher Wish List-December
• Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week- May

The PSTO committee continues to look for individuals for our Co-Hospitality group, who are available during school hours to help with our various activities. We will have a signup Genius for all our needs and donations if you wish to help.

Our PayPal account is:

North Central Jr. High PSTO

Our Venmo Verified Charity account is:

@NorthCentral-PSTO- click charities

We will continue with the Hy-Vee Cash for Students. So save those receipts! You may drop them off in the office.

Thank you,

NCMS PSTO

PSTO Information:https://northcentral.iowacityschools.org/students-families/psto

Email: miller.colby@iowacityschools.org
Website: https://northcentral.iowacityschools.org/

Location: 180 East Forevergreen Road, North Liberty, IA, USA
Phone: 319-688-1210
Twitter: @NCMSLIGHTNING

It is the policy of the Iowa City Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy, please contact:

• Laura Gray, Director of Diversity and Cultural Responsiveness (programming), gray.laura@iowacityschools.org
• Eric Howard, Director of Equity and Employee Relations (employment), howard.eric@iowacityschools.org, 1725 N. Dodge Street, Iowa City, Iowa 52245, (319) 688-1000; or
• If you are unsure how to proceed or would like assistance in discussing your options, you may also contact Janet Abejo-Parker, Ombuds, ombuds@iowacityschools.org or (319) 688-1312.

Ombuds Office

Students, Families, and Employees - The Ombuds Office is here to help! Visit www.IowaCitySchools.org/Ombuds to learn more!