NORTH NEWS

Dear Parents & Families,

As we embark on the exciting journey that is the new year, we find ourselves reflecting on the incredible first half of the school year that has passed. It is with immense joy and gratitude that we extend our warmest wishes to each and every one of you. Happy New Year!

First and foremost, we would like to express our deepest appreciation to the parents of our students. Thank you for entrusting us with the education and well-being of your children! To our outstanding students, we applaud your hard work! As we all work together, we can create a supportive network that fosters academic success and the development of well-rounded, compassionate young people.

As we look forward to the second half of the school year, let us continue to work hand in hand to create a positive and empowering learning environment. May 2024 bring forth new opportunities, exciting challenges, and a plethora of achievements for our school community.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year filled with joy, prosperity, and the continued success of our students. Here's to a year of growth, learning, and shared accomplishments!

We have seen an outpouring of support from our community! THANK YOU for your support! We were able to support over 100 children so they could have presents and meals for the holiday this year! It would not have been possible without the support of so many individuals and businesses!

Our teachers are repeatedly not able to park in our parking lot due to parents parking to drop off their students. STUDENT DROP OFF IS ALONG THE ACCESS ROAD BETWEEN NMS & THE REC CENTER. Parents may NOT park in the side parking lot. If you desire to park, please do so in the Rec Center parking lot and have your student walk across the field to school.

If our teachers cannot get into the parking lot, they cannot teach your children. Please help us with this!

Report cards for the 2nd nine weeks will be issued on January 8, 2024 and our next Parent/ Teacher Conference night will take place on January 18th from 5-7pm. A sign up link will be made available soon!

Our next student council meeting will be held in Ms. Updike's room after school on January 8th! Don't miss it!

Basketball games resume this Thursday against Charlestown. The boys teams will play at home and the girls will be away.

ONLINE TICKETS AVAILABLE!

Did you know that you can purchase your girls & boys basketball tickets ONLINE? Purchase your tickets early and avoid the line! The link to purchase tickets is on our website under Athletics - Basketball. It will also be located right here on all of our newsletters throughout the season! See the link below!

Check out the game schedule below for both the girls & boys basketball teams!

Thank you to everyone that helped to make our second annual spaghetti dinner a success. This wouldn't have been possible without the support of local business, parents, staff and friends. We raised over $1800!

We also hosted our first ever Little Blue Devil Cheer Camp on December 16th. We all had fun and are excited to see the Little Devil Cheerleaders perform during a basketball game on January 11th.

The West Virginia Department of Education is pleased to announce applications for Governor's Schools of West Virginia are now open. Please visit their new website to learn about these exciting opportunities for students in middle and high schools and to access the applications.

These FREE summer residential programs offer incredible experiences for students in a variety of disciplines. Applications and directions for preparing for auditions can be found at the website below.

Middle School Programs

• Governor's School of Literacy through the Arts, Culture, and History (GSLACH) - current 8th grade students
• Governor's STEM Institute (GSI) (WVU) - current 7th grade students
• Governor's STEM Institute (GSI)(Green Bank) - current 8th grade students

First United Bank is excited to offer a student saving account special. Students who open a new savings account will be able to have their first deposit matched up to $10.00!

If you are interested in this opportunity, check out the flyer below or call Jennifer Lewis, Community Office Manager at the Edwin Miller Blvd Branch at 304-267-3130.

FREE BCS virtual tutoring is available in Math, Science, English (Reading and Language Arts), and Social Studies for ALL BCS K-12 students Monday-Thursday from 5-7 pm by appointment. Tutoring sessions are approximately 30 minutes.

Please complete the form below and you will be contacted via email on your requested day prior to 5 p.m. with the information for your tutoring session. One of our tutors will call the number you provide between the hours of 5 - 7 p.m. Please be sure you select a date that you are available and able to attend. Also note that you will not have the tutor for the full 2 hours.

Also available daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at no cost for West Virginians, TutorWV provides support for patrons of all ages and stages. For students, the program offers online, on-demand, expert tutoring and homework help in more than 200 subjects, along with drop-off review services for essays and math problems. Tutoring included for AP, SAT and ACT. Read the press release.

Primary & secondary guardians are automatically added to the NMS NTouch list. But if you are an aunt, uncle, childcare provider, or student and you want to receive NTouch alerts & school newsletters, please use the QR code or link below to sign up for alerts!

Shenandoah Community Health visits our school every Thursday. Students can be seen for a variety of reasons, including immunizations and school sports physicals.

If you want your child to be seen in the mobile clinic by a medical professional, please contact the main office for more information!

As we find ourselves at the mid-year point, it's an opportune time to reflect on the progress our students have made and set the stage for a successful second semester. Your involvement plays a pivotal role in your child's academic journey, and we're here to guide you through the process of evaluating mid-year progress and helping your child set goals for the upcoming semester.

Have a Parent Schoology Account - One valuable resource at your disposal is Schoology. Ensure you have a parent account to access real-time updates on your child's assignments, grades, and overall performance. Schoology provides a transparent window into your child's academic world, allowing you to celebrate successes and identify areas that may need additional attention.

Attend Parent/ Teacher Conferences - Jan 18th, 5-7pm - Mark your calendars for our upcoming Parent/ Teacher Conferences on January 18th from 5-7pm. This is an valuable opportunity to meet with your child's teachers, discuss progress, and gain insights into their classroom experiences. Your active participation reinforces the importance of education in your child's life.

Utilize Digital Communication Channels - Stay connected with your child's teachers through Schoology or the school website. Email communication is an effective way to address specific concerns or seek clarification on assignments and expectations. Regularly checking in with teachers fosters a collaborative approach to your child's education.

Stay Informed Through Newsletters & School Social Media - Newsletters provide updates on school events, curriculum changes, and important dates. Also, follow our school on Facebook & Twitter for information about fun activites students are doing in class and helpful reminders. Use this information as a conversation starter with your child. Asking questions about their day and expressing interest in their school life creates a positive environment for communication.

What If Your Child is Falling Behind?

Recognizing that every student learns at their own pace, it's essential to address challenges proactively. If you find that your child is struggling or falling behind, we would like to remind you of these valuable study tips:

1. Establish a Supportive Routine - Help your child create a structured daily routine that includes dedicated study time. This establishes consistency and reinforces the importance of prioritizing academic responsibilities. When they feel discouraged about their progress, that time set aside each evening is a valuable time for you to look at their school work and discuss the content. It's amazing what a few minutes of quizzing from a parent can do to help students review their coursework!

2. Communicate with Teachers - Reach out to your child's teachers to discuss any concerns. Teachers can provide insights into your child's academic strengths and weaknesses, offering tailored suggestions for improvement that you can follow through with at home.

3. Set Achievable Goals - Work with your child to set realistic and achievable academic goals. Breaking down larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps helps build confidence and a sense of accomplishment.

4. Provide a Positive Learning Environment - Create a quiet and comfortable space at home designated for studying. Minimize distractions and encourage a positive mindset toward learning.

5. Seek Additional Resources - Explore BCS Virtual Tutoring services or after-school tutoring at NMS that can provide additional support in challenging subjects.

Remember, your involvement is key to your child's success. By staying informed, actively participating, and providing support at home, you contribute significantly to their academic journey. Together, let's ensure the second semester is filled with achievements, growth, and continued success.

Don't forget! The beginning of the 3rd nine weeks begins THIS Wednesday, January 3rd! Let's help our students start well!

Schoology is our online grading program. Parents are able to create accounts which allows them to view all of their child's assignments, due dates, & grades! If you do not have a Schoology account and would like one, please fill out the form below and our technology specialist will email you directions to set up that account. EVERY STUDENT benefits when parents and teachers are able to communicate!

*Ms. Keppler's art students were busy before break making holiday-themed art!

*Ms. Stover's reading students created Episode 2 of "The Page Turners" podcast! Students have been talking about their reading book, "I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001" and what they are learning in their ELA writing class with Ms. Ramirez! LISTEN HERE!

*Ms. Long's students made Christmas cookies & chocolate lasanga! YUM!

*Santa (Mr. Sarina) & his reindeer (Ms. Sigler) visited each classroom on the Wednesday before break, bringing a gift for EVERY student in the school. The gifts were provided by our Sources of Strength program.

*The day before break began, Ms. Sanders' science students made "snow". If you want to make your own at home the recipe is 1 tbsp conditioner (any brand) & 6 tbsp baking soda. Have fun!

"We at North Middle School are committed to doing WHATEVER IT TAKES to ensure that all student reach their highest potential!"

THE NORTH WAY

BE SAFE - BE RESPECTFUL - BE RESPONSIBLE

Email: rachel.deavers@k12.wv.us
Website: https://www.berkeleycountyschools.org/o/martinsburgnorth
Location: 250 East Road, Martinsburg, WV, USA
Phone: 304-267-3540
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialNMSpage
Twitter: @nmsteachers