NORTHERN LIGHTS SHOW CHOIR WINS TOP HONORS!
Congratulations to Ms. Bair and the NMS Show Choir for their outstanding performance last weekend at the Martinsburg High School Classic Show Choir Competition. NMS took home following awards for:
Outstanding Performer - Kiara Lartey
Best Female Performer - Aurora Snow
Best Male Performer - Gavin Wolfe
NMS also won for Best Choreography, Best Costume & Grand Champion in the Middle School division! We are so proud of our choir members and their director/ coaches!
NMS CONGRATULATES OUR REGIONAL SOCIAL STUDIES FAIR WINNERS!
NMS is proud to announce that several of our students placed in their Regional Social Studies Fair and will be moving onto the state level in April!
Hank Plunkert & Avery Reyes - 2nd, World History Group - "The Anglo-Zanzibar War: The Shortest War in History"
Kai Quevedo & Severe Hatch - 2nd, Economics Group - "Esports Gaming Economy"
Olivia Butts - 2nd, Economics Individual - "Why Are Food Prices Inflating & How Does it Impact the US?"
(A special shout out to one of our NMS alumni - SMHS 9th grader Riley Martirano - who also won her division!)
These students will travel to the Charleston Convention Center on April 10th to compete at the West Virginia State Social Studies Fair. We wish them good luck & safe travels!
NMS TEAM PARTICIPATING IN THE COUNTY BATTLE OF THE BOOKS ON MONDAY
Several teams competed in the NMS Battle of the Books competition on Friday, March 22nd in the library to be the NMS representatives at the county Battle of the Books competition. Congratulations to "Absolute Radiance" and "The Saltines" for winning the NMS Battle of the Books contest! We are excited to see what you can do against the county teams tomorrow at South Middle School! GOOD LUCK!
PART TWO OF THE GOLDEN HORSESHOE ON TUESDAY!
Eighth graders, this is YOUR chance to win the West Virginia Golden Horseshoe contest! On March 26th, you will take part in the multiple choice part of the test. The top 250 students in WV will be invited to a special ceremony honoring their achievements during the summer. Several North Middle School students have been among the winners in the past! Will you add your name to that list?!
March 19th - written portion - bring a blue or black pen to your social studies class - COMPLETED
March 26th - multiple choice portion - bring a CHARGED iPad to social studies class & know your email/ password!
FREE TUTORING
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.
HEALTH CLINIC INFORMATION
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 our teenagers navigate the complex journey of adolescence, one of our most important roles as parents is to empower them with the skills they need to become independent, responsible individuals. From managing household chores to making sound decisions, fostering independence in teens requires a delicate balance of guidance and support. In this article, we'll explore practical strategies to help your teen problem solve, stay organized, resolve conflicts, and take ownership of their academic journey.
Encouraging Problem Solving
Empowering your teen to problem solve begins with fostering their critical thinking skills and encouraging them to take initiative. Provide opportunities for your teen to make decisions and solve problems on their own, gradually increasing the level of responsibility as they demonstrate readiness. Encourage them to brainstorm solutions, weigh the pros and cons, and consider alternative perspectives before making a decision. Be a supportive guide, offering encouragement and guidance without solving the problem for them.
Practical Tips for Organization
Organization is a key skill for success in academics and beyond. Help your teen develop organizational habits by providing them with tools and strategies to stay on top of their responsibilities. Encourage the use of planners or digital calendars to keep track of assignments, deadlines, and commitments. Establish designated spaces for belongings, such as backpacks, school supplies, and personal items, to minimize clutter and promote efficiency. Model organizational behaviors and offer gentle reminders to help your teen stay on track.
Conflict Resolution Skills
Conflicts are a natural part of life, and teaching your teen how to effectively resolve conflicts is essential for healthy relationships and personal growth. Encourage open communication and active listening, teaching your teen to express their thoughts and feelings respectfully and assertively. Help them understand the importance of compromise and finding mutually satisfactory solutions. Model constructive conflict resolution strategies in your own interactions and provide guidance and support as they navigate conflicts with peers, siblings, or classmates.
Taking Responsibility for Academics
Taking ownership of their academic journey is a crucial step towards independence for teens. Encourage your teen to set academic goals and take proactive steps to achieve them. Teach them the importance of time management, prioritization, and self-discipline in achieving academic success. Provide support and encouragement, but avoid micromanaging or rescuing them from challenges. Encourage them to seek help when needed, whether it's from teachers, tutors, or peers, and celebrate their achievements and progress along the way.
As parents, our ultimate goal is to empower our teens to become independent, responsible individuals who are equipped to navigate the challenges of adulthood. In a sense, we are trying to work ourselves out of a job. By fostering problem-solving skills, promoting organization, teaching conflict resolution strategies, and encouraging ownership of academics, we can help our teens develop the confidence and resilience they need to thrive. Remember to be patient, supportive, and consistent in your efforts, and trust that your guidance will lay the foundation for a bright and successful future for your teen. Most of all, remember that our teens learn from OUR example. If we do not live lives that promote organization, healthy conflict resolution, or the importance of education, they won't either. Here's to nurturing independence and watching our teens soar!
Ever wonder why you're learning all these things in school? Well, let's talk about how the skills you're building now will help you rock it in the future – whether it's in college or at work.
First up, let's talk about problem-solving skills. You know those tricky math problems or challenging science experiments? Learning to solve them helps you become a problem-solving pro! And guess what? In the real world, whether you're fixing a broken computer or figuring out how to handle a tough situation at work, those problem-solving skills will be super handy.
Next, let's chat about organization. Keeping track of your assignments, managing your time wisely, and keeping your school stuff organized may seem like a hassle now, but trust me, it's worth it! When you're older and juggling lots of responsibilities, like college classes or a job, being organized will help you stay on top of things and avoid stress.
Now, onto conflict resolution. You know those times when you and your friends don't see eye-to-eye? Learning how to talk it out, listen to each other, and find a solution together is an important skill. Believe it or not, you'll use those same skills when you're working with coworkers or collaborating on a project in college. Being able to handle conflicts calmly and respectfully will set you apart as a great team player and team Players are sought after in the work world! You'll find more success overall in life (and less stress) if you can figure out how to have conflict in a healthy, productive way.
Last but not least, taking responsibility for your academics. Showing up to class, doing your homework, and studying for tests may not always be the most fun, but it's all part of being responsible for your own learning. And guess what? That same sense of responsibility will serve you well in college and beyond. Whether it's meeting deadlines for assignments or taking initiative on a project, being responsible will help you stand out and succeed in future careers, no matter what you choose to do.
So, keep up the hard work, middle schoolers! The skills you're building now may seem small, but they'll have a big impact on your future success in college and in your future career. It may seem like your teachers or parents are always on your case, but really they are just trying to teach you the valuable skills they know you'll need in the future to be successful. You've got this!
PARENTS, DO YOU NEED YOUR OWN ACCOUNT?
*Sgt. Nine from the WV State Police came in and talked with Ms. Burton's PBL class about Fingerprinting and Forensic Science. He discussed the different ways to collect prints from a crime scene. Before the visit, the students completed an online learning simulation, and learned about the history of fingerprinting as well. Ms. Burton is very proud of her class and the respect they showed to their guest!
*Ms. Kyker's PBL class has been working on an Oregon Trail project. Students began by playing an updated version of the old Oregon Trail computer game (many being frustrated about how difficult it was to win the game). Then each student had to research a location along the Oregon Trail and create instagram posts as if they were posting from the long trip. Finally, the whole class put them on an interactive Canva whiteboard, creating a visual diagram of the trip! Great job class!
*Ms. Moreland's class participated in a simulation of feudalism as a part of their study of the Middle Ages. Some students were selected to be "lords" of the manor while others played the role of serfs. It was a fun way for students to understand the organization of kingdoms around manors in the Middle Ages.
MARTINSBURG NORTH MIDDLE SCHOOL
"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
