Bobcat Nation:

We hope that everyone has had the opportunity to enjoy the weekend with their families. There is a lot of information in this week’s update – Open House, Picture Day, Required CCPS Student Annual Update Form, Online Spirit Wear Store, etc. Please take the time to look over these items.

As we commemorate the anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11, I encourage parents/guardians to share their memories of these events with their children. These conversations can help our students build context and an understanding of the world in which they live, as well as their future as citizens of our community and country.

We look forward to seeing families at Open House on Thursday. Have a great week!

Mr. Webster, NMS Principal

If you have already completed the Annual Student Update for your children, thank you! If you still need to complete it, please follow the attached directions below. The same message was sent to parents/guardians by CCPS on September 6, 2022. The direct link to access HAC to complete the update is https://ccpses4hac.calvertnet.k12.md.us.

This year, you will need to log in to your Home Access Center (HAC) account to complete the Annual Student Update form electronically for each child who lives with you by Friday, September 16, 2022. This process replaces the emergency form and several other permission forms and acknowledgements that are required each school year. Only one guardian for each child may complete this process, which is critical to school operations. Once each child’s form is done, it will be marked complete in eSchoolPlus, our student information system.

Open House/Back-to-School Night will occur on Thursday, September 15th at 6:00 p.m. Please plan on attending. Back-to-School Night provides an excellent opportunity for parents to meet with their child’s teachers. During open house, parents will visit classrooms and learn information concerning curriculum, homework procedures, classroom policies, and upcoming events. There will be many parents attending and in each classroom. If you feel the need to meet with your child’s teachers about individual needs, please schedule a conference through our Counseling Department.

Attached below is a letter which contains the schedule for the evening and a place for students to write down their schedule for their parents.

Prior to Open House, the NMS PTO and PBIS team will be holding a Back to School Bash from 5:00 – 6:00 pm. Come out and enjoy the Bobcat community with music and games. Purchase a sweet treat from the Rita’s truck. PBIS will have pizza and drinks for sale.

Students have been provided with picture day order forms to bring home. The easiest way to order is to submit and pay for pictures online. Pre-order access will expire 48 hours after picture day.

Skip the Order Form & Pre-order Before Picture Day

https://classicphotographyimaging.simplephoto.com/search/nmscalv2022

Questions? - please contact Classic Photography at: (800)869-9515 x112

The online NMS Spirit Wear store through National Ink & Stich is now open. The store is open until September 20th for delivery by October 7th. You will have the choice to have your order delivered to your home, to the school, or pick-up at their store.

https://www.nmsspiritwear.com/nmsbobcats

Spirit Wear comes in both Youth and Adult sizing, as well as in your choice of gray, black, and burgundy.

If you have any questions, you can contact National Ink and Stitch at 410-257-1776.

Students who requested a hallway locker were provided with their locker assignment during lunch on Friday. Time to practice with their locker was provided during lunch on Friday and will be provided again this week.

While there are no time restrictions for locker use, we have found that best practice for students is to visit their lockers before 1st period, before lunch, and at dismissal.

During the school year, students having issues with their assigned locker can stop by the main office to fill out a Locker Help form. They can also use the form to request a locker later if they have changed their mind about wanting one.

Contact Dr. Dempster if you have questions in Room 25 or email her at dempsterk@calvertnet.k12.md.us

Students received a Free/Reduced-Price Meal Benefit Application at the beginning of the school year. The form is also available on the CCPS website at Departments – Child Nutrition or at https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/child-nutrition. Households are strongly encouraged to complete the Free/Reduced-Price Meal Benefit Application to see if their student(s) qualify for free meals. Anyone wishing to submit an application may do so by:

• Accessing and completing online at www.myschoolapps.com
• Hard copy dropped off or mailed to Northern Middle School (2954 Chaneyville Road, Owings, MD 20736) or mailed directly to the CCPS Child Nutrition Office, 1305 Dares Beach Rd., Prince Frederick, MD 20678
• Scan or take a picture of the completed application. Email the scan/picture to Mrs. Pellock at pellockl@calvertnet.k12.md.us.

Fall Sports Clinics will begin this week for soccer (coed) and volleyball. Attached is a calendar of clinic dates. Please look for which grades participate each day. In order to participate in the clinics, students will need to submit a completed physical, Athlete Clinic Form (with the clinic fee), and a School Insurance Waiver Form. These documents can be turned in at the main office.

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

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

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

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

https://calvertnet.nutrislice.com/

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.

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

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.