NORTH NEWS

Last Thursday, students without any Fs or behavior issues in the 2nd nine weeks were invited to a special activity/ movie afternoon at NMS! Each grade had games, movies, and crafts for students to do as well as a concession stand for refreshments. We also held award assemblies for each grade this week and it was lovely to see several parents in attendance.

We would also like to recognize two students who have excelled in the area of attendance! These students won the attendance drawing in December!

Perfect Attendance Award: Brittany Effoua

Less than Two Days Missed: Eric Bennett Jr.

We are proud of all of our students! We cannot wait to see you excel in the 3rd nine weeks! Keep up the amazing work!

Next week in Homeroom, students will receive a new password for their school email, Schoology, Google, etc. This is being done to keep our network safe. It's a great opportunity to remind students to keep their passwords private (not handing them out to friends or siblings) and to periodically change passwords on social media and other online accounts.

Virtual students will receive a phone call from our Technology Specialist with their new password. You can also email Ms. Deavers for more information at rachel.deavers@k12.wv.us.

We see many students daily who have either not brought their device to school or have not charged it, which causes many issues in the classroom. STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO CHARGE THEIR DEVICES EVERY NIGHT AND BRING THEM TO EACH CLASS. Because this has not been happening, the NMS Technology Committee has created a new policy to hold students accountable for their iPads.

1st offense (without a charged iPad): Warning

2nd offense: Tailslip & reteach during lunch/ recess

3rd offense: Phone call to parent

4th offense: Referral for administrative lunch detention

5th offense: Referral for habitual violation of school rules - student will be required to keep device at school to charge daily & cannot take home

It is extremely disruptive to the student's education and to the class when a student is not prepared for learning. We suggest that students find a place in their home where they can keep their backpack next to an electrical outlet. The student can open the backpack and plug in the iPad when they get home, allowing it to charge all night. When they leave in the morning, students can unplug the device, leaving the charger at home where it cannot be lost. An iPad will last ALL DAY if charged all night long and if the student is not inappropriately playing games during class. We ask parents to help their children get into a habit of taking care of their school devices at home!

One of the most important ways you can help your child through the middle school years is by letting them know you are working with their teachers! We would love to see a record number of parents back for the second conference night of the school year - January 18th from 5 to 7 pm! Click the link below to sign up with specific teachers!

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Congratulations to both the JV and Varsity girls basketball teams. Both teams had wins Thursday night vs. Harper's Ferry! JV also won on Monday vs. Hedgesville (Varsity did not have a game against Hedgesville). The girls basketball Players of the Week are:

• JV: Amina Taylor
• Varsity: Aaliyah Wymer

BOYS BASKETBALL

Congrats to our JV & Varsity boys basketball teams! On Thursday night, the JV won over Harpers Ferry with a score of 59-25. The JV player of the week is Isaiah Randolph! The Varsity team also beat Harpers Ferry with a score of 70-32. Jaedon Carter-Butts was this week's Varsity Player of the Week!

ONLINE BASKETBALL 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! There are only a few more chances to see a regular season NMS basketball game!

Check out the youth cheer clinic opportunity at Hedgesville High in the flyer below! Students ages 5-12 are invited to learn from the HHS cheerleaders on January 20th from 7:30am to 12:30pm! Contact Hedgesville High School for more details!

Our "Little Blue Devil" cheerleaders did an amazing job at the girls vs Harper's Ferry game. These girls attended our cheer camp on December 16th and joined the NMS cheerleaders & pep squad last Thursday to cheer our teams to victory. Great job ladies!

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!

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., an iconic figure in the struggle for civil rights, left an indelible mark on history with his unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and peace. His life serves as an inspiration, embodying crucial characteristics that resonate today: compassion and empathy, the transformative power of education, leadership through service, and the strength of community mobilization. As parents of middle schoolers, we have a unique opportunity to impart these principles, shaping the next generation into advocates for positive change.

In cultivating compassion and empathy, parents can foster open communication within their homes. Encouraging children to actively listen and understand diverse perspectives can be achieved through family discussions about personal experiences and feelings. For example, parents might share stories of their own encounters with compassion or guide their children in exploring fictional characters who demonstrate empathy. By creating an environment that values understanding and kindness, we lay the foundation for a future generation that embraces the interconnectedness of humanity.

To instill a love for learning and a belief in the transformative power of education, parents can create a home that values knowledge and critical thinking. Engaging middle schoolers in discussions about history, social issues, and literature can be complemented by practical examples. Parents may introduce relevant documentaries, books, or museum visits to expand their children's perspectives. By emphasizing the importance of education, we empower our children to challenge injustice and contribute to a society that values knowledge and enlightenment.

Modeling leadership through service can be achieved by actively involving middle schoolers in community service projects. Parents might initiate or participate in local volunteer opportunities and encourage their children to join. Practical examples include organizing a neighborhood clean-up day or volunteering together at a local food bank. By demonstrating the impact of small acts of service, parents instill the value of contributing to the well-being of others, following King's leadership style grounded in humility and commitment to the greater good.

Fostering a sense of unity and community mobilization begins at home. Parents can encourage a strong community spirit within the family by organizing collaborative activities. Family game nights, joint projects, or shared responsibilities around the house are practical ways to build a sense of teamwork. Discussing current events and social issues during family dinners can nurture an awareness of the collective responsibility we share. By creating a sense of belonging and interconnectedness, parents equip their children to contribute positively to their communities, both now and in the future.

As we commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day tomorrow, let us not only honor his legacy but continue to actively impart the principles he championed to our middle schoolers. By cultivating compassion, embracing the transformative power of education, leading through service, and fostering community mobilization, we lay the groundwork for a generation that will continue the pursuit of justice, equality, and peace. In doing so, we honor Dr. King's dream and contribute to the ongoing journey towards a better, more harmonious world.

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. Wood's classes did a gallery walk to determine the greatest common factor in math class.

*Ms. Updike reported that the 6th grade reading classes have started reading the book HOLES! They learned about the author, Louis Sachar, who had a degree in Economics and was a lawyer as well. He wrote his stories in his spare time and never told his family or publishers until it was all complete!

*Mr. Ware & Ms. Updike's social studies classes started an overview of WWII this week. What an exciting topic!

*Ms. French's students created an art project that celebrates diversity! See the picture below!

"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