Northern Middle Newsletter 4/30/23
Weekly Update 4/30/23
Bobcat Nation:
Thank you to the NMS PTO for organizing last Friday's Glow Party! The students who participated had a great time dancing and socializing with their friends.
We would like to invite the NMS school community to attend our upcoming spring concerts which will take place on evenings below at the Mary Harrison Center:
- Monday, May 1st - Chorus
- Monday, May 8th - Band
- Wednesday, May 10th - Orchestra
Fourth marking period interim reports will be distributed in HAC on May 10th. If you have any questions about a particular class, please contact the teacher. This will allow them to provide you with suggestions on how to provide the best supports to help your child improve their performance. It may also be valuable to work with your child to set goals for the remainder of the marking period.
Have a great week!
Mr. Webster, NMS Principal
State Testing Update for Parents - MCAP Assessments
Throughout the month of May, Northern Middle School will be completing the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) assessments. The assessments are online and students will complete them using their school laptop. In middle school, these assessments will provide information to students, educators, and parents, on student progress towards proficiency on the Maryland state content standards.
Testing Dates for MCAP Assessments
- Math – 5/9, 5/10
- Social Studies (8th Grade only) - week of 5/15 - 5/19
Please encourage your child to being their own plug-in headphones (wireless headphones are not permitted for testing). This will increase their comfort with the headphones, as well as reduce items that need to be shared.
Due to the importance of these assessments, we are asking parents for their support. If possible, please avoid making any appointments on the dates assessments are scheduled if possible. It is important for the students to be in school on time during the assessments. We are also asking families to make sure that each student gets a good night’s sleep and eats a healthy breakfast prior to taking the assessments. While we do not want any students or families to stress over the MCAP assessments, they are an important part of the school year. We want to make sure that every student is able to perform to the best of their abilities.
Further information regarding the transition to the MCAP assessments is available online at http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/about/Pages/DAAIT/index.aspx.
Note from Nurse Fleshman - Vaccination Information for 6th Graders and Upcoming Clinic
This is a very important message for current 6th grade students and their families. Students entering seventh (7th) grade are required to show proof of one (1) tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis/whooping cough (TdaP) vaccination and proof of one (1) meningococcal (MCV4) vaccination.
Many of our students have already submitted their required immunizations. Others may have received the required immunizations and just need to send paperwork to the school. If you would like to have your child’s physician fax a copy of the updated immunization record, Northern Middle School’s fax number is (410) 286-4025.
In addition to receiving the vaccinations at your doctor's office, the Calvert County Health Department will be holding a vaccination clinic on May 16th at NMS. More info below.
Please do not hesitate to contact our school nurse, Mrs. Fleshman, at (443) 550-9227 or fleshmanc@calvertnet.k12.md.us, with any questions.
- On May 16, 2023, the Calvert County Health Department will hold a vaccination clinic for 6th graders at Northern Middle School. Please see the attached letter regarding the clinic. If you would like your student to be vaccinated during the clinic, please register at:
NMS Student Government Association - Award Winners!
NMS Green Club - Fundraiser - SMENCILS
NMS Book Fair Update from Mr. Aris: 5/1 - 5/5
The Book Fair is coming - May 1 - May 5! Come join us in the library for our Scholastic Spring Book Fair.
Looking for some great titles to read on your summer vacation? Then check out the Book Fair! We will be holding our Spring 2023 Scholastic Book Fair in the library the first week of May, so come join us to browse and purchase books. We look forward to seeing you there!
Parents, you can use an eWallet--a safe, cash-free way to shop the Book Fair.
- Create an account for each child
- Add funds...
- OR share & invite family and friends to contribute!
- Shop the Book Fair
- Spend unused funds online or fund an eWallet for your next Fair!
- Visit our Book Fair Home Page to learn more and sign up:
https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/northernmiddleschool4
Check out this playlist for a taste of the books available at the Book Fair:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtCDOmMCDvaq1l_6KZCNKMN9YgyHhqc2F
Don't forget, all purchases benefit our school’s library!
CCPS Dress Code Reminder
The full Code of Conduct can be reviewed at: https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/student-services/code-of-conduct.
- Students must wear clothing that covers the chest, torso, lower extremities, and undergarments.
- Clothing that is ripped or has holes must cover the chest, torso, and undergarments.
- Clothing on the lower extremities must be longer than the longest fingertip when the student stands with arms fully extended at their sides.
- Clothing must not be see-through.
- Hats, hoods, and any other headwear that obscures the face and/or ears is not permitted.
- Attire that can be used as a weapon (e.g., chains, dog collars, hats with spikes) or cause damage to property is prohibited.
NMS Yearbook 22-23 – On Sale Now
Be sure to order your 2022-23 NMS Yearbook! Yearbooks are sold online at https://link.entourageyearbooks.com/view_account.asp?l=FA7A42A7-C300-45ED-BBEB-129ECDED39DC.
Yearbooks are currently on sale for $35.00. If you have any yearbook questions, please contact Mrs. McGuire at mcguireta@calvertnet.k12.md.us.
Save the Dates – 8th Grade End of Year Activities
We are excited to share dates that have been scheduled for 8th grade end-of-year activities. We wanted to give 8th grade families a heads up for your calendars. More information and details to come as we get closer.
- 8th Grade Dance sponsored by the NMS PTO – Friday, June 9th – 6:00 – 8:00 pm
- 8th Grade Picnic sponsored by the NMS PTO – Monday, June 12th – last two hours of the school day
- 8th Grade Awards Assembly – Monday, June 12th – 6:00 pm at the Mary Harrison Center
8th Grade Families - Request from Mrs. Martus
This year has really flown by and with only a few weeks left it is so close. Every year, for the past 5 or so, I have created the 8th grade slideshow that is shown during the 8th grade ceremony. I am requesting images from you to help with this endeavor. Pictures can be from field trips, first day of school, after school activities, etc. Last year I did a first day of 6th grade/8th grade mash up of students. I also divide pictures between 6th, 7th, and 8th grade within the slideshow.
Whatever images you choose to send please include:
- The name of the students in the images/pictures.
- Grades of the images/pictures
This will help when putting it all together to make sure all students are shown. Please send any school related pictures to me no later than Friday, May 26th. Thank you in advance and I look forward to seeing all of your great pictures.
Email: martusc@calvertnet.k12.md.us
Northern Middle School PTO Updates
THE NMS PTO NEEDS YOU!
We are seeking a new PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT and TREASURER to take the lead for next year. Our officer nominations are being held THIS TUESDAY, MAY 2nd! Not able to attend on Tuesday? Email: nmsbobcatspto@gmail.com to submit your self-nomination in writing.
NMS PTO Save the Dates:
- Tuesday May 2nd: PTO General Membership Meeting - OFFICER NOMINATIONS!! We are seeking a new President, Vice President and Treasurer. Please consider joining this amazing team!
- Wednesday May 3rd: RITA's Spirit Night
- May 8th - 12th: Teacher Appreciation Week! - More details below.
- Thursday May 18th: RITA's Spirit Night
- Wednesday May 31st: RITA's Spirit Night
- Tuesday June 6th: PTO General Membership Meeting - OFFICER ELECTIONS!
- Friday June 9th: 8th Grade Dance - A Night in New York City - 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm - More details to follow.
- Monday June 12th: 8th Grade Picnic - Hawaiian Luau - During school hours.
Please consider joining the NMS PTO! 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.
You can email the PTO officers at any time at nmsbobcatspto@gmail.com.
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/
8th GRADE PARENTS interested in volunteering please join our 2023 NMS 8th Grade Parents FB Page.
NMS PTO - Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week Donations Request
The NMS PTO is organizing events for Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week. This will occur throughout the week of May 8th - 12th. The PTO has developed a plan in which families from each grade level will sponsor the activities for one of the days of the week; with the entire community combining for an additional day. If you are willing to donate items or volunteer your time, please sign up at the appropriate links below.
If you have any questions, you can contact the PTO President, Michelle Rubio, at 667-321-4110 or rafaelmichelle@aol.com.
6th grade families: Monday, May 8th
· Interested in Donating Items - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f49aeaf2fa0f5c07-nmsstaff?fbclid=IwAR3NWHAye8pIPNSipo7FbYsiLqU9A4gcnCSHf-KLI_f_9O15MsDFzJM8WUI#/
· Interested in Donating Funds - https://my.cheddarup.com/c/teacher-appreciation-6th-grade-44182
7th grade families: Tuesday, May 9th
· Interested in Donating Items - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4AA8AC2DABFAC70-7thgrade?fbclid=IwAR2wiERfanb-6fS3cR5TONES1LlCcpEgFKLbRTBcvl0UtcXPU6DQbka8gCw
· Interested in Donating Funds - https://my.cheddarup.com/c/teacher-appreciation-7th-grade
8th grade families: Wednesday, May 10th
· Interested in Donating Items - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4AA8AC2DABFAC70-8thgrade?fbclid=IwAR2wiERfanb-6fS3cR5TONES1LlCcpEgFKLbRTBcvl0UtcXPU6DQbka8gCw
· Interested in Donating Funds - https://teacher-appreciation-8th-grade-13964.cheddarup.com
For Teacher Appreciation Week we are asking for donations of gift cards. These can either be personally purchased or donated from specific companies (like Chick-fil-A, if you don’t mind asking them!) We would like to give each teacher and staff member the opportunity to randomly pick an envelope with a surprise gift card inside, and we’d love your help to make that happen! If you have any questions, please contact the NMS PTO by replying to this email or through the Facebook page. Please send any donations to the office in a sealed envelope marked PTO.
Thank you very much and we can’t wait to thank the NMS teachers for all of their hard work this year!
Resource Flyers and Opportunities for Students and Families
Calvert County Community Events & Activities
For information about family events and youth activities taking place in our community, visit calvertnet.k12.md.us/flyers.
Please note: These events and activities are not sponsored by the Calvert County Board of Education or Calvert County Public Schools. We provide equal opportunities to outside agencies to distribute materials that offer opportunities to students and/or their parents, but that permission should not be considered a recommendation or endorsement by the school district.
CCPS Mental Health Resource Fair - May 2, 2023
Calvert County Public Schools' Department of Student Services is hosting a Mental Health Resource Fair on May 2, 2023 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Calvert High School.
This is a FREE family event! Daycare will be provided. Plus, refreshments and a chance to win door prizes!
Please register using the QR code below or click on this link: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=yp8tAqNgrEqakMGOUaxSfhaoFL0yF6xBmOp7bYXMa_5UREpOWk0wS0dDOFVYM05JNzhMRk1LNVM2NC4u
CCPS Summer Arts Academy
Recurring Resources for Families
CCPS Reopening Plan
CCPS School Lunch Menus
Become a Volunteer
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
Family, Student, & Staff Responsibility – Daily Health Screening
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 - A School Bus Tracking App for Parents
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.
PARENT ACCOUNTS IN SCHOOLOGY
Schoology accounts for parents are view only accounts. They were created for parents who have an email address in Home Access Center (HAC). For more information about how to access your Schoology parent account click: https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/instruction/programs/digital-learning/schoology-for-parents
Technology Support
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.