NORTH NEWS

March 18, 2023

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REPORT CARDS ISSUED YESTERDAY!

Your child received their report card yesterday! Please check their progress. There is only ONE MORE QUARTER of the year left to improve those grades! Together, let's remind them to FINISH STRONG!


Just a reminder--if you need to contact a teacher about your child's progress and don't have access to Schoology, you can always find their email address on our website. Just go to https://www.berkeleycountyschools.org/martinsburgnorth and click "Our School" - "Meet Our Staff" - "Teacher Directory. Then find the name of the teacher you want to message.

NMS PARTICIPATES IN THE COUNTY "BATTLE OF THE BOOKS"

On Thursday, two of NMS' Battle of the Books teams took on schools from all over Berkeley County. Before they left, they were cheered by the NMS cheerleaders. Congratulations to our teams who fought hard and represented our school well! Thank you to Ms. Mills, our school librarian, who coached this year's teams!

FUN TIMES AT MATH-FOR-ALL!

On Tuesday, several parents joined their students at school for our "Math-for-All" event! There were math games, refreshments and a lot of information about how to be successful in middle school math. We want to thank all of the parents who visited on Tuesday! A special thanks to Ms. Johnson, Ms. Webber, and Ms. Parrish for their work in organizing this event!

ATTENTION 8th GRADE STUDENTS & PARENTS

The end of the year brings many celebratory activities for the 8th grade including field trips and the 8th grade dance. Your teachers would like everyone to be allowed to participate, so they are taking this opportunity to remind students and parents that participation in these activities must be EARNED.


Any student who has out-of-school-suspension during the 4th nine weeks (March 13th & after) will NOT be invited to the end-of-year 8th grade activities.


Let's finish this year with strong grades and great behavior so we can ALL celebrate our achievements!


ALSO, check out the information below about the James Rumsey Summer Career Academy and the upcoming Golden Horseshoe Test!

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8th GRADE GOLDEN HORSESHOE TEST

Every year, 8th graders all over the State of West Virginia participate in the Golden Horseshoe competition. Students take an essay and multiple choice test about WV history, culture, geography, & economics. The top 250 students in the state will be invited to a special ceremony in Charleston, WV in the Spring. It is quite an honor to be one of the "Knights of the Golden Horseshoe." North Middle has been honored to have students named to the top 250 in the past and we look forward to it again!


Students already took the essay portion of the test. The multiple choice portion is scheduled for March 28th. Eighth graders, please see your social studies teacher for more information.

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7th & 8th GRADE CHROMEBOOK CHECKS

THIS THURSDAY, March 23rd, both the 7th & 8th grade classes will be holding a CHROMEBOOK CHECK. Students are encouraged to bring their devices to homeroom/ 1st period so their teacher can check them.


We are very close to being back online with student devices. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT STUDENTS HAVE THEIR CHROMEBOOKS CHARGED AND IN GOOD WORKING ORDER no later that this week so we will be ready when it's time to use them again!

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SPRING PICTURES: FRIDAY, MARCH 24th!

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THE SOCK SALE IS BACK!

After a few-year-hiatus, the Royce Sock Sale is BACK at NMS! Come out on March 25 or 26 to North Middle's cafeteria to buy good quality socks at discounted prices! Every pair is only $1!!! Time to stock up on socks for the whole family! NMS receives a portion of each pair sold so come join us!
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SAVE THE DATES: SUMMER SPORTS NEWS

From 5-8pm on June 8, 2023, FREE SPORTS PHYSICALS will be available at the Dorothy McCormick Center. Save this date on your calendar! More details will be available as the date grows closer!


Cheerleaders interested in SPRING and/ or SUMMER conditioning, check out the flyer below!

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PARENT CORNER: CAN ATTENDANCE REALLY IMPACT STUDENT PROGRESS?

As a parent, you undoubtedly want your child to succeed in school and have the best opportunities for their future. One crucial factor that can significantly impact your child's academic success is their attendance. Poor attendance can have a profound effect on a student's ability to learn and succeed in school. Missing as little as two days of school a month can derail a student's learning. Studies show that students who miss fewer than nine days of school per year are more likely to graduate high school and go to college. By 6th grade, chronic absence from school is a leading indicator that a student may drop out of school. Regular attendance helps students build good study habits and discipline, which are essential skills that will serve them well in the future. A student who is frequently absent from school may struggle to develop these essential skills, putting them at a disadvantage in their academic and professional lives.


Several studies have shown a strong correlation between attendance and academic performance, particularly in reading and math levels. For example, a study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that students who miss more than 10% of school days in a year (about 18 days) scored significantly lower on standardized tests in reading and math than those who attended school regularly. Similarly, a study by the University of California, Santa Barbara, found that students who miss school frequently are more likely to fall behind in their reading and math skills, even if they receive extra help or support. This is because regular attendance is crucial to building a strong foundation of knowledge and skills, which students need to succeed in these subjects. Furthermore, research has shown that attendance is a better predictor of academic success than socioeconomic factors, such as income or parental education. Even students from low-income families who attend school regularly are more likely to succeed academically than those who miss school frequently.


If you are concerned about your child's attendance, there are several steps you can take to help them attend school regularly and succeed academically:

  1. Talk to your child about the importance of attending school regularly and the long-term benefits of a good education.

  2. Establish a consistent morning routine that allows your child to arrive at school on time and well-prepared for the day.

  3. Monitor your child's attendance and communicate regularly with their teachers to identify any potential problems or areas of concern. Encourage your child to take responsibility for any absences they do have and make sure they make up missed work.

  4. Encourage your child to participate in extracurricular activities or other school events to help them feel more connected to their school community.

  5. If your child is struggling with a particular subject or needs extra support, work with their teachers or school counselors to identify resources or programs that can help them succeed.


In conclusion, attendance is a crucial factor in a student's academic success, and poor attendance can have a significant impact on their learning and progress. By prioritizing regular attendance and working with your child's teachers and school community, you can help your child build good study habits and achieve their full potential in school and beyond. Remember, attendance matters, and every day counts!

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OTHER PARENT RESOURCES FROM THE PAST FEW NEWSLETTERS:

A COOL THING HAPPENED IN CLASS...

Read about more of the amazing activities happening in our building!


*Mr. Jones & Mr. Little (8th & 6th grade math) are currently at the WVCTM conference representing North Middle and using research science and data to help improve math learning in WV. Thanks for representing us well!


*On Friday, Mr. Malcolm & Ms. Parrish did a breakout box activity (escape room) on Symbolism. The students had to solve puzzles to figure out the symbol. Then, they had to match the symbol to the meaning to figure out the locks.


*Mr. Adams' 6th grade computer class helped our Technology Specialist Ms. Deavers recycle old computers. Students got to pull apart the old computers to learn the different parts of the devices and learne about replacing disk drives with solid-state drives.


*Ms. Long's 8th grade Family & Consumer Science students catered Tuesday's Math-4-All event and made hand pies to celebrate National Pi Day! They also made "Shamrock Shakes" for staff members on Friday morning!