I hope everyone had a great week! The mornings and evenings are getting cooler. I hope everyone has something fun planned outdoors this weekend!

October is just around the corner which means our Wildcat Pink Out event is coming soon! Please see below for event information and the link for our Pink Out store. Pink Out is our Fall semester fundraiser and school-wide event. Last year was so much fun and we were able to donate several thousand dollars! Let's do it again this year!

Please see below about an upcoming change to our morning carpool traffic pattern.

I hope all our families enjoy their weekend. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to email me at petersonj1@fultonschools.org.

• Monday, September 25th - Tennis Tryouts start
• Friday, September 29 - 8th Grade Band Night at Cambridge HS
• Friday, September 29 - NMS Soccer vs. Holcomb Bridge MS (5:30 pm)
• Wednesday, October 4 - NMS Soccer vs. FAST (5:30 pm)
• Wednesday, October 4 - 7th Grade Band Concert at Milton HS (6:30 pm)
• Friday, October 6 - NMS Soccer vs. Crabapple MS (5:30 pm)

Our 2nd Annual Pink Out Event will be held on October 20th! Our PTO PINK OUT store with gear to support our campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness is now open. The deadline to buy is October 1st! All proceeds will go towards the Susan G. Komen Foundation. A grade level competition is at play as the homeroom with the most participants will be winning a lunch party! A school wide competition is also at play too! When our goal of $2,000 per grade level is reached, the APs will dye their hair pink for PINK OUT and when we reach over $6,000 Peterson's hair will turn pink too! This event was created and dedicated in honor, in support and in memory of those who have battled and currently fight breast cancer within our Wildcat community.

DEADLINE TO PURCHASE PINK OUT GEAR is OCTOBER 1st! Don't wait, PURCHASE PINK OUT GEAR TODAY!

This week I was informed by Captain Fiorenza from our School Police Department that the City of Milton has requested a traffic pattern change for our morning arrival. I would like to emphasize this change was requested by the City of Milton. The intent of this change to our traffic pattern is to keep cars from backing up on Birmingham Highway.

Our School Police Officer will be in the intersection at 8:30 am each morning to enforce a right turn only coming out of our carpool line.

School Police has not informed us of the start date, but we wanted to communicate this change to you now. I will share the start date as soon as I know.

*The map below was provided by FCS School Police.

MAP Testing at NMS

7th Grade students will take the Map Growth Assessment during their regularly scheduled

ELA and Math classes.

Math MAP – Week of September 25

Reading MAP – Week of October 2

September is Attendance Awareness Month where we spotlight the power of positive school attendance in our school community. This year we will be focusing on promoting the importance of positive attendance where we focus on our 3-prong attendance campaign: Connected to School, Engaged in Learning, and Achieving Success.

School Attendance Facts:

• Chronic absenteeism is defined by missing 18 days or more per school year.
• As few as 2 absences per month can result in a student being chronically absent.
• Approximately 50% of students with 2-4 absences in the first month of school will be chronically absent that school year.
• Poor attendance in early elementary can impact whether a child is able to read proficiently by the end of 3rd grade.
• Chronic absenteeism negatively affects a student’s academic performance and can result in them falling behind in subject mastery.
• By 6th grade chronic absence becomes the leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.
• When students improve their attendance rates, they improve their academic prospects and chances for graduating.
• Attendance improves when schools engage students and parents in positive ways and when schools provide mentors for chronically absent students.
• Teacher relationships with student and families are one of the most impactful strategies to reduce chronic absenteeism.
• Students who attend school regularly are more likely to feel connected to the school community and engaged in learning.

During September we will focus on raising awareness around the importance of positive attendance in our school community. Our attendance awareness plan includes weekly communications and school-wide activities. You play an integral role in promoting positive attendance here at Northwestern Middle School. Please make sure you actively participate in this year’s attendance awareness campaign, Connect – Engage – Achieve, and reinforce positive attendance messaging with your students and families.

For more information on FCS attendance policies please visit the FCS Attendance Matters Website.

At Fulton County Schools, we prioritize student safety. Emergencies happen. When they do, preparedness is the key to handling them well. We ask that all parents or guardians who have not listed an emergency contact to update their emergency contact list to include one person who is not the parent/guardian. If the parent or guardian is not accessible due to an emergency, it is important that the school has an approved person to contact regarding your student.

Thank you for updating your emergency contacts at your earliest convenience.

Here are step by step instructions for updating your student’s emergency contacts and a link for doing so in the Parent Portal:

EMERGENCY-RELEASE-STUDENTS.pdf

Link to parent portal:https://www.fultonschools.org/infinitecampus

FCS Nutrition is looking for feedback

on some new menu items!

If you have tried these new items -

Fish Tacos (on 9/22) or Street Corn (on 9/27)

scan the QR code and tell them what you think!

Our school website is full of information! The calendar is constantly updated with events from PTO, Fine Arts, Athletics and other school activities. There is a staff directory where you can get the email address of any staff member. Information on carpool, attendance, student handbook, bell schedule and more are located on the website!

Under the Academics Tab, you will find a list of department chairs, a curriculum guide, as well as the assessment calendars for each grade. Take a look to see any upcoming test or quizzes for your student. A list of all study sessions available to students is provided, as well. Links for the website, Assessment Calendars, and Study Sessions are below.

At Northwestern Middle School, we believe effective and timely communication is essential to our mission. NMS staff, students, and parents/guardians should maintain open, honest, and respectful lines of communication. Working together is the best way to help each student achieve success!

From Co-Presidents Victoria Tucker & Tracy Lynn Drye

Please join us for the October PTO meeting on Tuesday, October 17 at 9:30 in the Media Center. Our guest speakers will be Sherri Wylie, NMS Math Department Chair to share changes to the math curriculum, placement levels & future pathways. Also featured will be Kate Smith, our school based counselor from our Business Partner Summit Counseling.

Volunteers Needed!!

Please complete this short survey to indicate your volunteer interests & we will reach out soon with planning meetings!

https://northwesternpto.membershiptoolkit.com/volunteer/114130

Lost & Found Clean Up Volunteers Needed

This is an opportunity once a month for several people to clean out the lost & found closet. It should take approximately an hour. Sign up link with the full instructions is below. Please reach out to Victoria Tucker (victoriabuter@comcast.net) with questions.

Sign Up: https://northwesternpto.membershiptoolkit.com/volunteer/117964

Business Partners

PTO is currently recruiting new Business Partners for the 23-24 school year. Do you own/work for a small business and would like more exposure for your services while at the same time supporting your child’s school? This is also a great opportunity for real estate agents, lawyers, accountants, etc. to support our school in many meaningful ways and receive promotion for your business through multiple channels reaching NMS families. Please email northwesternmspto@gmail.com for more information on partnership levels & benefits or sign up here: https://northwesternpto.membershiptoolkit.com/form/m/237949

Exciting Opportunity to purchase some super soft bedsheets while supporting PTO

*****Sheets will be directly shipped home****

****** RISE UP! WILDCATS******

NMS PTO is partnering with the Atlanta Falcons this football season!

With each ticket sold, your generous support will support our special programs like Student Enrichment, Staff Support, Red Ribbon Week, and much more!!

Sunday, OCTOBER 15th - Falcons vs Commanders Game

All NMS families will be seated in the same section so kids are enjoying watching the game with family and friends together!! Tickets can be purchased directly through the link below - $5 of each ticket purchased will be donated to PTO by the Atlanta Falcons.

Tom's Place came at the request of several teachers wanting to go beyond just meeting the standard academic needs of a student and wanting to be able to help meet their social, emotional needs as well. Some students at Northwestern do not have access to the basic necessities, which directly impacts their academic success. Providing these essentials exemplifies compassion and care for these students on a personal level, which will have a positive impact on their academic standing. Tom's Place is designed to provide a discrete and individualized care space where teachers and other staff members can help these students. Tom's Place will become a place to display the passion and dedication of the NMS Staff, parents, and community to ALL students that attend Northwestern Middle School!

If you would like to donate items to Tom's Place, please use the link below to sign up. Donated items can be dropped off in the Tom's Place bin in the front office.

Welcome to Moe’s School POP-UP!

$5.00 from each kit sold goes to your school for 1 to 50 kits sold!

$10.00 from each kit goes to your school after you reach 51 kits sold!

Moe’s Southwest Grill will be delivering to Northwestern Middle School on Tues. 10/3 at 4:30. Order and pay online in advance, drive up to 12805 Birmingham Hwy., (front of school round-a-bout) and we will put the order into your car and off you go.

Moe’s Taco Kit- Feeds 4 to 6 people

White Meat Chicken, Ground Beef, Black Beans, Rice, Shredded Cheese, Shredded Lettuce, Sour Cream, Pico, Salsa, Queso, Chips, 12 Flour Tortillas

ALL ORDERS MUST BE PLACED BY: Mon. 10/2 by 12:00PM

Use the link below to place your order.

If you have any questions, please call or email:

Lisa Caprio

lcaprio@sterlingmoes.com

470-991-0853

The front office likes to have a stash of chocolate and candy (non chocolate) for the staff to access and get them through the day. Please help us keep their stash stocked. After all, most of us can relate to stress eating! Sign up here: https://northwesternpto.membershiptoolkit.com/volunteer/111882

Northwestern will offer many clubs and student activities for our students during the 2023-24 school year. Check back often for more information!

If you have a question about starting a new school club, please email Beth Wylie at wyliee@fultonschools.org.

Our Junior Eagle Cheerleaders competed in the Buford High School Classic and earned 2nd place! Nice job ladies!

Hello Parents!

Today we had club sign up and I wanted to send you the information for the FCA club. If your student was not able to sign up today attached is a QR code. On Monday there will also be a large poster with the QR code located on the Club Wall, Media Center and the Gym. Please spread the word that that each student can still have a chance to sign up for the club. On Wednesday you will see reminders and people outside to promote FCA and help with club sign up.

Our first meeting will be held on the 24th of August in the gym and food will be provided. The start time will be @0800. Parent you are welcome to join to see what we are doing for the first meeting. It will be also a chance to discuss some of the positions needed.

Northwestern Middle School does have an IG which is located below.

The NMS Student Garden was established in 2011 as a permaculture and wildlife garden. It has gone through many iterations. Its most recent additions (2023) are a no-till section (which is affiliated with the Rodale Institute for Organic Research) and five new fruit trees (planted in celebration of Earth Day). If you would like to contribute (monetarily) to the maintenance of this site and its research, then you can use the link below. If you have any other questions about the site, please free to contact Dr. Bartlett at: bartlettj@fultonschools.org. Thank you for your continued support of Northwestern MS 🙂

Innovation Academy will be hosting a free STEM Saturday for all 7th and 8th grade students who are eligible to apply on 11/4/2023 from 9am-12pm.

This day each student will engage in STEM activities that will be led by our students and teachers. Registration for the day will begin at 8:30 with activities beginning at 9:00am.

Sign-ups will be available to the first 100 students who sign-up. Every sign-up after the first 100 will be waitlisted.

Deadline to apply is 10/22/23.

Any questions, please reach out to quraishyh@fultonschools.org

Looking forward to a great day!

Students interested in joining the NMS Newspaper Staff should contact Ms. Denna Warrayat at warrayatd@fultonschools.org.

Our School Governance Council has discussed the need to do more as a school community to better understand our student's use of social media and cell phones, and provide education for students and families around this issue. This school year, our students will engage in more discussions with staff around safe and responsible use of cell phones.

Representatives from Bark presented at one of our previous PTO meetings. As a company, Bark provides monitoring service and resources for families. I will be sharing information from Bark and other sources weekly in our newsletter.

There is also a Facebook group that is a great resource: Parenting in a Tech World

Parenting in a Tech World | Facebook

Home of the Wildcats!

Email: nmsfrontdesk@fultonschools.org
Website: https://www.fultonschools.org/northwesternms
Location: 12805 Birmingham Highway, Milton, GA, USA
Phone: (470) 254-2870
Twitter: @TheNMSWildcats

Thank you for your continued support of Northwestern Middle School!

Sincerely,

Joel - Principal

Northwestern Middle School: Teach Hard, Love Harder - The Wildcat Way!