Bobcat Nation:

On behalf of the Northern Middle School community, I would like to take a moment to honor our veterans and those who have given their lives for our country. While we do not know them all, we owe them for their service and the sacrifices they made.

The end of the first marking period was on November 3rd. Report cards will be distributed in HAC on November 15th. If you have questions about one of your child’s classes, please contact the teacher.

Have a great week!

Mr. Webster, NMS Principal

https://twitter.com/NorthernMSCCPS

On Thursday, November 17th, Northern Middle School will be holding a Parent Visitation event from 8:20 – 10:56 am. This event is part of our American Education week celebration. You will be able to visit your child’s first period through third period classes. Parents can stay for all three classes or come for just part of the time period if that fits best with their work or home schedule. Please be sure to stop by at the main office when you arrive so we can get you checked in and help you find your child’s class. We hope to see you on 11/17!

Our 8th grade students have been given permission to take a tour of the CCPS Career & Technology Academy (CTA) in Prince Frederick, MD. The purpose of this tour is to provide our students with exposure to the 13 different programs and pathways that are offered and available at CTA when the students move on to high school.

The trip will take place on Thursday, November 17, 2022 from approximately 11:30 am – 1:30 pm.

8th grade students have been provided a copy of the permission form. Signed permission forms should be returned to their science teachers.

Mrs. Albaugh's FCS classes enjoyed their homemade veggie smoothies!

The NMS Student Government Association spent their Election Day facilitating a bake sale to raise funds for their program. See Mrs. Lewis in Room 23 if you are interested in joining this outstanding extracurricular group.

We are now accepting applications for our Carson Scholar Nominee. The Carson Scholars Fund recognizes students who exemplify academic excellence and humanitarian qualities. In order to apply, students must have minimum of 3.75 GPA, display strong humanitarian qualities, and participate in community service activities.

If selected as the NMS nominee, you will apply to be selected as a Carson Scholar and possibly win a $1000.00 college scholarship.

Students who are interested in applying should stop by the guidance office for an application.

Congratulations to the soccer and volleyball teams! Both teams won their playoff finals last week and are county champions! Great job Bobcats!

We are preparing for the winter athletics clinics. Offerings during the winter include Boys and Girls Basketball, Poms, and Cheerleading. Please see below for information on required forms. The first date clinics can begin is November 14th.

• See below for the Winter Athletics Flyer and Calendar
• Required Athletics Forms - https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/athletics/middle-school-athletics. Copies are also available in the main office and cafeteria.

If you have any questions, please contact our Athletic Director, Ms. Emond, at 443-550-9230 or at emondr@calvertnet.k12.md.us.`

We are seeking donations for rewards for our students. NMS wants to continue our partnerships with our families and local businesses to support our school’s PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) initiative. PBIS is a statewide initiative to improve behavior and increase student achievement. We try to accomplish this by creating a clear system for all expected behaviors and rewarding positive behaviors and choices. We reward students for embodying the Bobcat ROAR (Respect, Outstanding Achievement and Responsibility).

We hope to provide very attractive prizes to keep the students motivated! Donations can include anything that will serve to reward and motivate the students ($5-$10 gift cards, individually wrapped food items, coupons for free items, tangible items, school supplies, etc…) If you want to check with us about an idea, feel free to contact Jessica Himes at himesj@calvertnet.k12.md.us

One easy way to donate is through an Amazon Wish List that is being facilitated by the PTO - https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/9H80XPJZUNWM?ref_=wl_share

We believe that involvement with families, businesses and the community can be a positive part of our students’ education. We will gladly accept donations year round!! Please drop your donations off in the main office.

We would like to recognize and thank the following business and individuals who donated to our PBIS program! We truly appreciate your generosity!

• AT&T
• Black Market Bakers
• Chick-fil-A
• Shelly Harvey
• Brenna Scheideman
• Ashley Stevens-Marrone
• WaWa

The NMS PTO is organizing a luncheon on 11/21 to thank the NMS staff for their hard work with our students. Check the link below to help support this event.

https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/4090E48ACA62DA7F49-thankful

Please consider joining the NMS PTO. The PTO is a very active organization at NMS. We need the support of all parents and families. Even if you have no time to volunteer, there are other ways to support all children at NMS. Please look for PTO information at the beginning of the school year and at Back-to-School Night.

The electronic link for membership is https://pto-membership-83842.cheddarup.com

You can also access the NMS PTO Facebook group page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/nmsbobcatspto/

The PTO is organizing several committees to help with events throughout the year. If you are interested in helping, please sign-up at https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10c0e4aa8ac2dabfac70-ptocommittees

Do you have questions or thoughts about Calvert County Public Schools you would like to share with Superintendent Townsel?

CCPS invites the community to Let’s Talk with Superintendent Townsel on Monday, November 14 from 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. at 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678. The Superintendent will not address specific personnel issues or questions about specific students, but all other topics are welcome for discussion. Future Let’s Talk conversations with Superintendent Townsel will be held in February and May.

https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/district-information/reopening-plan

https://calvertnet.nutrislice.com/

Calvert County Public Schools uses Raptor for visitors and volunteers to sign in and sign out. Volunteers must apply annually to be an approved volunteer. All volunteers will need to review the volunteer handbook and watch the volunteer training video before completing and Online Volunteer Application. Volunteers must be approved before they may begin service as a volunteer in any school buildings.

CCPS Online Volunteer Application & Process: https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/human-resources/become-a-volunteer

It is the responsibility of all families, students, and staff members to self-assess before entering a school bus or CCPS facility by answering the following questions:

• Has the individual or anyone in the family been sick with dry cough, shortness of breath, chills, fever, muscle or body aches, sore throat, or loss of sense of taste or smell in the last 5 days?
• Has the individual or anyone in the family been exposed to COVID-19 and asked to quarantine? If yes, who was directed to quarantine and what date did the quarantine start? (Ensure quarantine time is up and symptoms have improved.)
• Has the individual or anyone in the family tested positive for COVID-19? If yes, who and when? Were they having any symptoms? (Ensure quarantine is up and symptoms have improved.)
• Student and staff should not attend school if they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have been medically advised to quarantine. If this is the case, please contact our School Nurse, Carin Fleshman, at 443-550-9227 or fleshmanc@calvertnet.k12.md.us.

Here Comes the Bus (HCTB) is an app with tracking features for the bus(es) your child(ren) is assigned to ride. They include

• Showing the real-time location of your child's bus on a map
• Scheduled and actual arrival times at home and school for bus routes
• Push and email notifications when the bus is near

Click this link for more information on getting the app - https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/transportation/bus-status/here-comes-the-bus

To create an account, you will need to know your child's ID number and the school district activation code 87557.

If students have questions about their device (laptop/computer), they can get help from a member of the CCPS IT team at helpdesk@calvertnet.k12.md.us or call 443-550-8146. Students needing assistance can also drop off their laptop in the main office and fill out a paper Help Desk ticket.

Supports are also available on the CCPS website using the Technology Support button (pictured below) on the main page. This resource provides links to submit help desk tickets, frequently asked questions, and other resources students can use to solve issues.