NORTH NEWS

On Friday, our 8th graders took a field trip to James Rumsey and Blue Ridge to learn about careers and opportunities during and post high school. Students had the opportunity to learn about programs they can take advantage of while still enrolled in high school. They also learned about several careers such as culinary arts, nursing, electrical work, cybersecurity, masonry and more!

Make sure you ask YOUR 8th grader about their experience and how it impacted their thoughts about future careers because many of them were impressed and wanted to know more.

James Rumsey runs a FREE three-day summer camp for 9th grade students interested in pursing one or more James Rumsey career programs. Students have the opportunity to try out several careers during the three-day session. A bus runs daily from North Middle to the James Rumsey Technical Institute, which is 9am-2:30pm. For more information about the James Rumsey Summer Career Academy, please click the button below!

A HUGE THANK YOU TO MS. POE who organized the trip this year!

The top 5 students in grades 6-8 for all of Berkeley County will win prizes for being top achievers during this month-long contest! The individual with the most skills proficient will win a $50 gift card and those who finish in the remaining top 5 will win a $25 gift card. Remember, even if North Middle gets eliminated, students are still competing on the individual leaderboard and can win individual prizes!

The IXL March Madness challenge will end on Friday, March 29 at 4:00pm.

On Tuesday, March 12th in each morning UA class, students will hear from several speakers to culminate our study of Black History Month in February. We look forward to the life lessons these amazing speakers will have to share!

Headstrong is an after school club which promotes self-esteem. Students who attend will be provided an afternoon snack while participating in a talking circle to share characteristics and qualities of healthy self-esteem. Guest speakers are invited to demonstrate and share cultural aspects of traditions shared by community members. The club is voluntary, and your child is not required to attend. Transportation is not provided, and your child must be picked up promptly at 4:10 pm. See Ms. Simmons or Ms. Jones for more information!

North Middle is again excited to present the MATH-FOR-ALL event! We invite all NMS parents to join us at 8am on March 14th in the school cafeteria for a presentation about the NMS math curriculum and how you can help your child improve their math skills. Teachers will present ideas for math games and real-world activities to help build math skills in our students. There will also be give-a-ways!

Students will receive their report cards this FRIDAY, MARCH 15th in Homeroom! Parents, make sure you take a look at your child's progress. There is only 1/4 of the school year remaining!

Coach Sam from MHS Cheer will be at NMS on Monday at 2:00pm to talk to any eighth graders who are interested in cheering at Martinsburg High School next year. Also check out the flyer below for details about the parent meeting on March 27th and Spring/ Summer conditioning.

There is still time for students to apply for the 2024 Stanford Middle School Scholars Program (SMSSP). The application deadline is March 29, 2024, at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. When students become Stanford Middle School Scholars, they develop skills to thrive at academically rigorous high schools. Students engage with different academic disciplines and build community with instructors and scholars.

The program serves low-income students in grades 6 or 7 who reside in and attend school in the United States. SMSSP is tuition-free and there is no fee to apply.

Students and their families can visit our website to learn more. You and your students are welcome to contact us with any questions at precollegiate@stanford.edu.

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.

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!

Have you ever wished their was a manual for the challenges you face as a parent? As our children grow and evolve, so too must our parenting strategies and approaches. Just as our children continue to learn and develop, so should we as parents. In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the demands of parenting adolescents. However, continuing education in parenting can equip us with the tools, insights, and strategies needed to foster healthy relationships and navigate the turbulent waters of adolescence with grace and confidence.

This is why we at North Middle School are excited to introduce you to the upcoming spring workshops from "A Brighter Tomorrow," designed to support parents like you in navigating the complexities of raising teenagers. It might not be a complete "manual," but the strategies and information you will receive can help you as you steer through life with your teenager. This series of workshops will cover a range of essential topics including:

• Trust & Relationship Building (March 13th): Building trust and fostering strong relationships with our teenagers is crucial for their emotional well-being and development.
• Introduction to Positive Behavior Support in the Home (March 27th): Discover effective ways to promote positive behavior and create a supportive home environment that encourages growth and autonomy.
• Theory & Practice of Collaborative Problem Solving (April 17th): Learn practical strategies for resolving conflicts and collaborating with your teenager to find mutually beneficial solutions.
• Effective Crisis Intervention (May 8th): Equip yourself with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively manage crises and support your teenager through challenging times.

Each session will be held at Orchard View Intermediate School, located at 1455 Delmar Orchard Road, Martinsburg, WV and run from 6:30-8:00pm.

These workshops offer a unique opportunity for parents to gain valuable insights, share experiences, and connect with other parents facing similar challenges. By participating in these sessions, you'll not only enhance your parenting skills but also strengthen the bond with your teenager. We encourage all parents to mark their calendars and register to attend one or more of these transformative workshops. Investing in your ongoing education as a parent is an investment in the future well-being and success of your child.

Remember, parenting is a journey, and we're all in this together. Let's embrace the opportunity to learn, grow, and support each other along the way.

Being a teenager can feel like walking through a maze without a map. It's okay to feel lost sometimes. Asking questions is super important! Don't be afraid to ask your parents, teachers, or other grown-ups you trust. Asking questions shows you're smart enough to seek help when you need it.

Learning how to solve problems and settle disagreements peacefully is a big deal. It helps you handle tough situations and keeps your friendships strong. Here are some tips to help you through your teenage years:

• Ask lots of questions and be curious.
• Learn how to solve problems on your own.
• Practice talking things out when you disagree with someone.
• Stay open-minded and ready to learn new things.
• Use your resources, whether they be books, people or sources of information.

In the end, it's okay not to know everything. Give yourself and your friends some room to learn and grow. Remember, growing up is a journey, not a race.

If you're looking for more guidance, here are some books and resources for teens who want to live a successful lifestyle:

• "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens" by Sean Covey
• "The Teen's Guide to World Domination: Advice on Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Awesomeness" by Josh Shipp

These resources can help you navigate the challenges of adolescence and set you on the path to success!

STUDENTS! Make sure your iPad is charged (everyday) and updated! Your homeroom teachers will be checking! If you have lost your charger, need a new sticker, damaged your iPad, can't login to your Apple ID or have ANY other iPad problem, scan the QR code or click the link below and fill out the form. Ms. Deavers will contact you this week! Remember, these QR codes are located ALL OVER THE BUILDING in case you ever need to report an issue with your device!

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!

*To culminate Black History Month, Ms. Simmons cooked a traditional “Soul Food” meal for her students! Students were allowed to taste collard greens, homemade macaroni & cheese, fried chicken, corn bread and butter pecan ice cream. This was a great way to help the kids expand their palates!

*Ms. Bair's choir students created art with music this week! Using AR Makr, students wrote melodies and then created augmented reality art with their music notes. SO FUN!

*Willow, one of Mr. Callis' Science students, continues to wow his classes with her art on the whiteboard. Check out the picture of Kermit the Frog she drew for the month of March!

*Ms. Sibert's photography club is working on a very special project for 7th grade. SHHH.. we cannot give details just yet, but there is a clue in the pictures below!

*In her meals under $5 unit, Ms. Long's Family & Consumer Science classes made "Breakfast Bombs" with eggs, sausage & cheese!

*In Ms. Kyker's WV Studies class, students are working through five stations on the Civil War. One of the stations is creating a trading card for a battle and a historic figure.

"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