NMS Parent Update

Dear Caregivers,

We appreciate the trust you have in us that you have in our school as well as the commitment you have made towards your child's education. We extend our thankful wishes to you and your loved ones for a happy holiday season, and commit that we will continue to work hard each day for the best education for your child.

We hope that this holiday season wraps you all in the warmth and love of family and friends, and that you are able to get some needed rest and relaxation. Please know that everyone at Norwich Middle School is preparing for the return to school on January 2nd.

We look forward to an amazing rest of the school year. As always, if we can be of any service to you or your student, please let us know!!

See you next year!!!

NMS National Junior Honor Society has had a great start to the school year. Members raised funds through our Fall Fundraiser, with great response in generous donations from the community.

NJHS hosted a spirit week in October while promoting Red Ribbon Week. Student's signed pledges to be drug free during their lunch bells, while learning about the benefits of living a drug free life through morning announcements.

We ended 2023 with a trip to NYC to see the Rockettes Show, lunch at Hard Rock Café and spent some time seeing all the sights this time of year brings.

We have a busy and interactive second half of the year planned within our school and out in the community.

Be on the lookout out for updates in the coming months!

Please click the link below to read some important information regarding the Socio-Emotional screener we use in the Norwich City School District.

BIMAS Screener Letter

Dear NMS Families,

As we wrap up December, Mr. Bennett and Mrs. van der Sommen are excited to share the latest happenings in the world of school counseling at Norwich Middle School.

During October and November, Mr. Bennett and Mrs. van der Sommen provided classroom lessons in grades 6th through 8th on career awareness through the Xello program. Students signed into their Xello accounts, updated their “About Me” pages, identified their skills and interests, and explored career clusters. Eighth-grade students took a career matchmaker quiz and identified what skills and interests are needed for a career of their choice. Students can access their Xello accounts from home. Ask them to show you their work and check all Xello offers.

Starting in December, classroom lessons focused on learning about the body’s physical reaction to stress, short- and long-term side effects of stress, and finding healthy coping skills to manage stress. Students in grade 6 took a self-assessment to identify areas in which they feel stress and discussed different coping skills. Students in grade 7 worked in groups to complete an escape room challenge to learn about stress. In January, students in grade 8 will rotate through a variety of “stations” in which they can practice stress management skills such as yoga, art/journaling, mindfulness/breathing, games, and listening to music.

We look forward to seeing families at Open House and will happily answer any questions and discuss our program further.

We've noticed many students have been sick recently. Health is our first priority, so please keep your child home if they're unwell. Regular attendance is important, but health comes first. If your child is absent for more than four days, kindly provide a doctor's note when they return. This helps us ensure everyone's health and safety.

Thank you for helping us keep our school community healthy. Enjoy your holiday and we look forward to welcoming the students back to school on Tuesday, January 2, 2024!

Congratulations to our SST Attendance Winners for the week of December 11-15:

We are excited to share an update on the 3R initiative. We are implementing a focus on being Respectful, Responsible and Resilient to foster a positive and supportive learning environment. We are excited about the positive impact that the 3R's is having on our school community. Included is how we are recognizing students, plans for continued teaching, and ways caregivers can support at home.

We are committed to creating a school culture that promotes positive behavior and allows all students to thrive. Students are recognized when they demonstrate these traits by receiving a card that highlights the "R" they are exhibiting. They then enter their card in a raffle of their choice. Raffle items have included:

Lunch with Mrs. Irwin

Lunch with a friend with Mrs. van der Sommen

A trip to the movies with Mr. Bennett and Mr. Ellis

Volleyball with Mr. Ellis

Science Experiments with Mrs. Powers

Pizza with Mr. Devine

Breakfast with Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Mills

And many more

When students return from break we will be reviewing these expectations again to set the stage for the remainder of the year. This helps students to have clear and concise behavioral expectations in various settings across the school.

A strong partnership between home and school is essential for student success. Here are some ways you can support our efforts at home:

• 1. Familiarize Yourself with Behavioral Expectations: Take the time to review the behavioral expectations with your child, and discuss the importance of positive behavior both at school and at home.

• 2. Celebrate Successes: Acknowledge and celebrate your child's positive behaviors at home. Positive reinforcement at home reinforces the expectations we are teaching at school.

• 3. Communication: Stay informed about your child's experiences at school, and feel free to communicate with us about any questions or concerns you may have.

Respect: Building meaningful relationships is based on kindness and understanding. Teaching children to treat others and themselves respectfully fosters positive interactions and a sense of belonging. Actively listening, appreciating different perspectives, and considering others' feelings are important aspects. Respecting oneself is equally crucial as respecting others.

Responsibility: Encouraging independence and accountability in middle school students helps them develop essential life skills. Supporting them in managing time, assignments, and commitments teaches them organization and punctuality. Taking ownership of actions and learning from mistakes cultivates a proactive attitude. Celebrating successes reinforces the idea that accountability contributes to personal growth.

Resilience: Middle school is a period of change, and building resilience equips children to handle challenges. Viewing challenges as growth opportunities and focusing on strengths helps develop a positive mindset. Sharing personal experiences of overcoming difficulties models resilience. Encouraging seeking help when needed promotes adaptability and perseverance.

At Norwich Middle School, we place significant emphasis on the development of both individual and collective character within our community. As part of this commitment, we are excited to introduce the CharacterDare challenge. The CharacterDare is like a workout for our hearts and enables us to actively practice and enhance skills such as kindness, patience, and respect.

We will be presented with many different CharacerDares throughout the school year. We will ensure that you are kept informed of each when they happen, providing you with the opportunity to engage with your students about their experiences and progress.

Check out our CharacterDare below and please participate with your student!!

We would also like to extend an invitation to all families to join us in taking up these challenges whenever possible. We are excited to discover the positive impact that these shared challenges can have on our students, families, and community.

January 2024

2 - Back to School

12 - 1/2 Day - Professional Development

15 - No School - MLK Day

26 - End of Quarter 2

February 2024

7 - NWEA Math

9 - 1/2 Day - PD Day for Teachers

14 - NWEA ELA

19-23 - No School - Winter Recess

Email: tdevine@norwichcsd.org
Website: www.norwichcsd.org
Location: 89 Midland Drive, Norwich, NY, USA
Phone: 607-344-1600