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Northern Middle Newsletter
Weekly Update 12/3/23
Principal's Update
Bobcat Nation:
There will be several musical performances this week involving Northern Middle School students that will help everyone get into the holiday spirit. Each of the concerts will be held in the Mary Harrison Center. We invite everyone to join us celebrate the holidays and the hard work put in by the performers and directors.
- Winter Chorus Concert will be held on Monday, 12/4 at 6:00 pm (6th grade) & 7:00 pm (7th & 8th grade)
- Winter Band Concert will be held on Tuesday, 12/5 at 6:30 pm
- Winter Orchestra Concert will be held on Thursday, 12/7 at 7:00 pm
Second marking period interim reports will be distributed via HAC on Friday, December 8th. 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 marking period.
As a reminder, CCPS schools will have a two hour delayed opening for students on Friday, 12/8.
Have a great week!
Mr. Webster, NMS Principal
Information for Bobcat Families
NMS - Spirit Wear Store - Open until 12/4
The online NMS Spirit Wear store for students, families, and staff is now open! Place your orders through BSN Sports at the link below and have your items shipped directly to your home. Short sleeve shirts, long sleeve shirts, and sweatshirts are available. The store is open until December 4th.
Link to online store - https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/jVxh8PADWo
NMS Yearbook 23-24 - On Sale Now - Discounted Pricing Ends 12/31
Be sure to order your 2023-24 NMS Yearbook! Yearbooks are sold online at:
https://link.entourageyearbooks.com/my/NMS2023-24
Yearbooks are currently on sale with a discounted price of $30.00. After December 31st, the price will increase to $35.00. Be sure to purchase soon to get the discounted price.
If you have any yearbook questions, please contact Mrs. McGuire at mcguireta@calvertnet.k12.md.us.
NMS SGA - END HUNGER IN CALVERT COUNTY - CANNED FOOD DRIVE
The NMS Student Government Association (SGA) is facilitating a canned food drive for End Hunger in Calvert County. This program will support families in need in Calvert County. We ask that students and families drop off non-perishable or canned foods to their grade designated boxes located in the main office lobby at Northern Middle School to be donated to our local food pantry. The grade with the most will win an SGA-designated prize, so get those cans in!
The canned food drive is a perfect opportunity for students, staff, and families to support the community and demonstrate our theme at Northern Middle School – “We Rise by Lifting Others!”
NOVEMBER STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to our November Students of the Month! These students were selected by their teachers for their hard work in the classroom and for demonstrating the Bobcat ROAR!
NMS & SCHOLASTIC WINTER BOOK FAIR 12/4 -12/8
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming our way starting Monday.
Choosing their own books empowers kids and inspires them to become Bolder, Prouder, and Stronger Readers. AND—as always—every book they buy earns rewards for our library.
Here’s what you need to know about the Fair, which will take place from Monday, December 4 – Friday, December 8 at the NMS Library. The fair will take place during the school day for students who will visit the fair with their ELA classes.
This year, you can register an eWallet account to serve as your child’s digital payment account. Set up an eWallet for worry-free, cash-free purchases. If you prefer, shop at our school’s Online Book Fair.
All online orders ship directly to your home, and shipping is free for book orders over $25. Your online orders will also benefit our school. Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and get started with eWallet and online shopping:
https://www.scholastic.com/bf/northernmiddleschool4
Browse the digital book fair flyer here:
Watch the book trailer videos here:
https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/content/fairs/videos/playlist-ms1.html
Career Advisor Corner from Ms. Elgesem
Current News
- Did you know Career Advising made the local paper https://countytimes.somd.com/read/calvert.php
- At the end of this month I will talking to all the PE classes about the RIASEC model and how it connects to their Xello activities.
- Lunch Passes are currently available for all grades.
- Calendar outside Ms. E’s room shows what is going on this month.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Lunch Time Conversations in Ms. E’s Room - Space is limited so please see Ms. E for a pass
- December 12th Culinary Careers and Cookie Creations
- December 15th Lunch with an Environmental Engineer
- January - 8th grade students will get to hear from the CTE programs based at their home school. More information
NMS Extracurricular Opportunities
Middle School Athletics - Winter
- See below for the Winter Athletics Flyer
- See below for a calendar of clinic dates
- Required Athletics Forms - https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/athletics/middle-school-athletics. Copies are also available in the main office and cafeteria.
If you have any questions, please contact our Athletic Director, Ms. McGuire, at 443-550-9230 or at mcguireta@calvertnet.k12.md.us
Northern Middle School PTO
PTO is a great way to be involved in supporting our students, staff, and school! Click the link to join! https://my.cheddarup.com/c/pto-membership-2023-2024
We wanted to send out a reminder that starting today, December 1 though December 7, when you shop at Five Below in Prince Frederick a portion of your sale will benefit the NMS PTO! Be sure to show your flyer, printed or digital to receive credit for your purchase!
On December 3, while you're in Prince Frederick, its a great time to stop in to MOD Pizza! Mention NMS PTO and a portion of your food sales will also benefit the PTO!
Upcoming/Ongoing Volunteer opportunities! Take a look at the sign ups for more details. Your time is greatly appreciated!
Book Fair - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044DACAA22A46-46511139-book
Office Help-Copying and other various tasks - NMS Parents : December Volunteers- Copying & Other Miscellaneous Tasks (signupgenius.com)
Art Room Helper - NMS Parents : Art Room Volunteer (signupgenius.com)
Want to treat your favorite teacher or staff member to a holiday gift-here are a few of their favorite things!
A Coordinator is also needed to help plan our family paint night in February! Please email the PTO for more details if you are interested!
Resources, Opportunities, and Flyers
Calvert County Community Events & Activities
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.
CCPS Holiday Card Art Contest Entries Due By Dec. 4
This year's theme for the 2023 CCPS Holiday Card Contest is “Winter Wonderland." Artwork entries must be original artwork of current CCPS students and received by Monday, December 4. 2023, by 5 p.m. Entries may be emailed or dropped off.
Drop-off to: Child's art teacher or to the District's central office located at 1305 Dares Beach Road
OR
Mail to: CCPS, 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
OR
Email to: danielsr@calvertnet.k12.md.us - electronic submissions must be saved in the following format: 300 dpi - 1500 x 2100 pixels – jpeg.
Contest is open to all currently enrolled CCPS Students. Artwork entries MUST be original student artwork and should be no larger than 9" x 12” in size. Artwork can be in any medium. NOTE: 3-D artwork must be photographed (high res image)and submission emailed. All entries will be shared on the District’s social media sites during December. Winning entries will also receive a prize pack with cards/envelopes featuring their artwork.
Be sure to include the following with the artwork entry:
1. Student's Name, School, and Grade
2. Parent/Guardian's Name, Phone, and Email
Join CCPS on December 9th for a Student Behavior Training Workshop
You're Invited - Student Behavior Training Workshop December 9, at Northern High School 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
This is an event being hosted by the Departments of Special Education and Student Services. Join us on Saturday December 9, 2023, for a day of presentations by Ross Green associates where you will learn how behavior is a form of communication and how to talk to children about behavior to find solutions together. Parents and Guardians of CCPS students as well as Staff of CCPS are welcome to attend. Please RSVP at the following link: Ross Greene's "Lives in the Balance" Approaches to Student Behavior Training RSVP (office.com). For more details, please see the attached flyer.
Questions? Please contact the Department of Special Education at 443-550-8400.
School Bus Drivers Needed - Free Training
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
Recurring Resources
CCPS Reopening Plan
Tardy to School Process for NMS
It is important for students to arrive at school between 7:50 and 8:00 AM. Car-riders that arrive after 8:00 AM are considered tardy. The following steps are in place when a student arrives repeatedly late to school:
- 4 days tardy in one marking period, the NMS Attendance Team will talk to the student about the need to be at school on time and discuss solutions with the student.
- 6 days tardy in one marking period, the NMS Attendance Team will call the parents or guardians to discuss solutions.
- 8 days tardy in one marking period, the student will have lunch detention each day they arrive after 8 AM.
If tardiness is something your child is struggling with in the morning, here are some suggestions to help them get to school on time:
- Pack lunch (if necessary), lay out outfit for the morning and pack book bag before going to bed at night.
- Talk to the student about they need to do in the morning (take shower, get dressed, eat breakfast, drive time, etc.), and how long each activity will take, then have them set their alarm for enough time to get all activities completed to get to school before 8 AM.
- Students can be dropped off at 7:50, so aim for 7:50 instead of 8 AM as your arrival time.
- If tardiness continues, have student take their assigned bus to school instead of being a car-rider.
CCPS SCHOOL LUNCH MENUS
NEW ONLINE MEAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
To provide parents/guardians with a better user experience, the CCPS Child Nutrition Program has transitioned from www.MySchoolBucks.com to https://LinqConnect.com for its online meal management system.
Student purchases and account balances may be monitored by signing up online for a LINQ Connect account at https://LinqConnect.com. There is no fee to sign up for an account. From this one site, parents/guardians will be able to apply for meal benefits (no registration required) and to register their student(s) if they wish to monitor Café purchases, view balances, set low balance reminders and make deposits. In addition, parents/guardians will also now have the ability to transfer funds between their student accounts and may choose to place spending limits/purchasing maximums on these accounts. Online deposits will still incur a fee of $1.60, but that fee will now include all deposits made during a single transaction.
Please note that all previous account balances automatically transferred into the new system, however, any special notes regarding snack/á la carte purchases and limits did not and will need to be re-entered vis https://LinqConnect.com or by contacting the Child Nutrition Office at 443.550.8680.
FREE/REDUCED PRICE MEAL BENEFIT APPLICATION
It’s not too late! Apply today for free and reduced-price meal benefits!
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 may 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.
Student Laptops
Student have been provided with a laptop and charger by Calvert County Public Schools. 8th graders will continue to utilize the laptop this school year that has been previously issued to them and was taken home over the summer. 6th grade and 7th grade students have received new laptops.
It is important that students take care of their device and charger. While normal wear and tear is acceptable and expected, intentional damage or damage caused by neglect is not covered under the accidental warranty. These types of damages will require an investigation by school administration and may result in a student obligation for the repair costs. We would like to avoid parents being responsible for these costs, as they could hundreds of dollars depending on the damage.
Technology Expectations
Learning Expectations with Devices
- CCPS/CHS 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
PARENT ACCOUNTS IN SCHOOLOGY
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-for-parents
Technology Support
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.
Here Comes the Bus - A School Bus Tracking App for Parents
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.
Become a Volunteer
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