Northern Middle Newsletter 11/20/22
Weekly Update 11/20/22
Bobcat Nation:
Report cards were distributed in HAC on November 15th. We encourage families to review report cards with their child and set goals for the 2nd marking period. If you have questions about one of your child’s classes, please contact the teacher.
We would like to remind families that Calvert County Public Schools will be closed for Thanksgiving Break from Wednesday, 11/23 through Friday, 11/25. School will reopen on Monday, 11/28.
Have a great week and Thanksgiving Break!
Mr. Webster, NMS Principal
NMS Parent Visitation Day Recap
On Thursday, November 17th, Northern Middle School held our annual Parent Visitation event. We had more than 100 parents, guardians, and family members spend time with students in their classes. Thank you to all of our families for your help in building strong connections between home and school.
Thank You for Supporting NMS!
We would like to thank Ledo's Pizza in Dunkirk for generously donating pizza and cookies to recognize our staff members on Educational Support Professionals Day.
Thank you to Mr. Ellis of Infinity Restorations Inc. for donating $200 for one of NMS Student Support Groups.
Carson Scholar Applications
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.
NMS Fundraiser Mega-Party - Tuesday 11/22
It’s Not Too Late to Order Your 2022 Fall School Portraits
But Hurry…Deadlines are Approaching Fast!
Order by December 1st for Holiday Delivery
December 31st is the last day to order your fall pictures
Ordering is EASY!
https://classicphotographyimagingorders.onlinephotocart.com/
then Enter your Access Key from your proof
Or you can simply scan the QR code on your proof.
Questions? Call us at (800)869-9515 x112
Classic Photography & Imaging
NMS Winter Athletics Update
We have begun with the winter athletics clinics. Offerings during the winter include Boys and Girls Basketball, Poms, and Cheerleading. Please see below for information on required forms.
- 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.`
PBIS & PTO teams - Donation Request
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
NMS PTO - Thankful for Teachers Luncheon - Help Needed
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/4090E48ACA62DA7F49-thankful
PTO Fundraiser - Lynch Creek Farms
Have you ever seen the festive decorations that Lynch Creek Farms creates? Fresh fall and winter wreaths, garlands, dried summer wreaths and so much more. This year Northern Middle School PTO has been given the opportunity to share these creations with you and your families while getting 15% back for our kids!
We were able to put the Haunted Trail and fall party together with the help of your previous fundraiser participation. Thank you so much for your continued support!!
Northern Middle School PTO
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
Resource Flyers and Opportunities for Students and Families
CCPS Holiday Card Design Contest for Students
Join us in the Calvert County Community Wellness Challenge!
In collaboration with Calvert County Public Schools, Calvert Health, and Calvert Health Department, you are invited to join a FREE community-wide wellness initiative beginning Monday November 14th through Sunday December 18th. The focus of the wellness challenge is enhancing personal well-being by focusing on Nutrition and Hydration.
To join the challenge, click on the following link to register a new membership with an email and password and bookmark the defi wellness website. Register for the challenge as a family or as an individual. Use the CHALLENGE CODE CC13 and follow the prompts to complete registration.
If you’ve participated in a CCPS wellness challenge in the past, visit the website, click PROFILE on the gray toolbar, select “register for a new challenge” and enter the CC13 code. Please email awesome@defiwell.net for registration support.
Registration is complete and you can access the dashboard. Activity is not visible on the dashboard until the challenge begins Monday, November 14th. Use the tool bar on the side to navigate the website and explore additional resources.
Participation
Participation is voluntary and opened to ALL Calvert County Public Schools staff, students, families, and community members. The goal is to be mindful of daily behaviors that impact personal health and wellbeing while supporting one another in an online platform. The challenge encourages our community to access and utilize available resources that promotes healthy behavior change, develops healthy dietary habits, and improves relationships with others. Get excited about reducing risks for lifestyle disease through nutrition education and building a healthier community for all!
Track Your Progress
The wellness challenge is about adopting behaviors that enhance all aspects of health. Starting Monday, November 14th, login to your dashboard, commit to a health-enhancing daily behavior, and create a personal goal to achieve by December 18th. Choose from a variety of behaviors to improve personal well-being and develop healthy dietary habits as we close out 2022. Decide what aspect of your nutritional habits you would like to focus on for the next 5 weeks:
- Water Consumption
- Fruit & Vegetable Intake
- No Fast Food or Take Out
By consistently reporting activities every day (or at least once a week), setting small goals for behavior change, and challenging yourself to prioritize health and wellness, you can make a big impact on your overall well-being. Logging progress into a system holds you accountable for your goals and allows teammates and community members to support you in your efforts. Log in to our wellness platform on a phone, tablet, or computer daily and track your progress throughout the duration of the challenge. Encourage others to participate with you for accountability and kick off the New Year with a healthier, happier, more energetic community.
Commit & Recruit
Sign up for the Nutrition and Hydration Challenge and recruit friends, family, and neighbors to join in the fun. This is a county-wide initiative inclusive to all members so let’s prioritize health and wellbeing across Calvert County. Sign up with teammates, family members, or co-workers for additional accountability and cheer each other on by recognizing hard work, discipline, and dedication on the dashboard. Add pictures to the gallery to celebrate your commitment to your health and wellbeing and share the positive experiences of being active in the community.
Activity Resource Calendar
Use the activity resource calendar to access educational resources and learn about essential nutrients, dietary needs, and relationship with food. Set a goal to complete the daily activity on the calendar individually or as a family throughout the challenge. Click the hyperlinks for articles, videos, podcasts, and infographics to learn strategies for improving diet and health. Learn and apply essential skills for health-enhancing behaviors related to nutrition and food choices to decrease the risk of lifestyle diseases and enhance health and life satisfaction.
Post About It
Pictures and social media can help document your journey, make memories with family and friends, and encourage others to improve their health. Share your journey on social media and tag us in your posts (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook - @défiwellnet and TikTok - @défiwellness). Be sure to follow the accounts for news, updates, and additional wellness resources. Social media can spread positivity, encourage others to adopt healthier lifestyles, and bring awareness to opportunities within Calvert County. Commit to bringing our community together through movement, social interaction, and regular physical activity. Use the hash tags #calvertshines, #calverthealth, #calvertcommunity, #calvertwellness, and #defiwellnet so we can celebrate you and your progress toward a healthier life.
Awards
Update your progress in the challenge on the défi portal at least once a week. Continue to check-in regularly for the duration of the challenge to win giveaways and receive a completion certificate. The ultimate reward will be improved health, reduced risk of disease, and a stronger, healthier community! The top 5 registrants with the most points recorded on December 18th will win a grand prize. What are the prizes and giveaways? Participate to find out!
Live your best life by prioritizing your health!
Be Well - Calvert County Wellness & défi Wellness Team
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.
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.