Northern Middle Newsletter
Weekly Update 3/12/23
Bobcat Nation:
This past week, NMS students showcased their talents at the CCPS Secondary Music Adjudication Festival and at the CCPS History Fair competition. Each student participating put in extra time and dedication to prepare for these events. Be sure to see below for more details about their successes!
The Counseling Department at Northern Middle School will be hosting a Career Day on Friday, March 24th. If you are interested in being a Career Day Presenter, please see below for more detailed information. If you have any questions, please contact your school counselor via email or by phone at 443-550-9230.
Have a great week!
Mr. Webster, NMS Principal
Northern Middle School Students at the Calvert County History Fair
On Saturday March 11th, Calvert County Public Schools hosted the 33rd annual Calvert County History Fair. Several NMS students had projects in the CCPS History Fair and we are excited to announce several students that received recognition at the event. Thank you to the teachers and families who supported the students as they prepared their projects.
Most Outstanding Project Award
- Senator Miller Award for Most Outstanding Junior Division Project - Keven Luiru - Ms. Martus
Special Category Award Winners:
- Award for Excellence in History of Cultural Arts - Daphne Niederhauser - Ms. Martus
- Award for Excellence in History of Cultural Arts - Maggie Bright - Ms. Cain
- Award for Excellence in European History - Lochlan Fitzgerald - Ms. Cain
Honorable Mention Awards:
- Individual Exhibit - Nathan Hitchman - Ms. Martus
- Group Documentary - Evan Swoope & Jack Dusek - Ms. Martus
MD History Day Advancers:
- Research Paper - Ali Ahmad - Ms. Cain
- Group Exhibit - Madalyn Sokolov & Ila Gramiccioni - Ms. Cain
- Individual Documentary - Keven Luiru - Ms. Martus
- Group Documentary - Alex Rubio & Alex James - Ms. Martus
NMS Band, Chorus, and Orchestra Perform at CCPS Secondary Music Adjudication Festival
Congratulations to the members of our Band, Chorus, and Orchestra ensembles who performed last week at the Calvert Secondary Music Adjudication Festival! The Chorus and Orchestra ensembles received Superior ratings and the Symphonic Winds received an Excellent rating. Thank you to M. Hautmann, Mrs. Sigmon, and Mr. Wentz for supporting the students with their performances. Brief videos of their performances can be seen on our Twitter page at the links below.
Spring MISA Assessment for 8th Graders - Tuesday, 3/14 & Wednesday, 3/15
On Tuesday, March 14th and Wednesday, March 15th, 8th graders will be completing the Spring Maryland MISA (Science) assessments during 1st and 2nd periods. 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 from last school year.
Due to the importance of these assessments, we are asking parents for their support. Please help make sure your child's laptop is charged, charger in backpack, and that they are on time for school. If possible, please avoid making any appointments on the date above if possible. While we do not want any students or families to stress over the MISA 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 Maryland State Assessments is available online at https://www.marylandpublicschools.org/about/Pages/DAAIT/index.aspx.
MD School Survey for Students
This year, students across the state will participate in a Maryland School Survey. At NMS, students will be taking this survey in their Social Studies class on Thursday, March 23rd with make-ups to follow as needed. Please see the attached letter below for more information.
Northern Middle Career Day – March 24th – Presenters Needed
The Counseling Department at Northern Middle School will be hosting a Career Day on Friday, March 24th. The purpose of the Career Day is to expose students to a variety of professions and inform them of all the details regarding those careers so that they may relate them to their future goals and aspirations. It is an opportunity for our students to see firsthand the career choices of some of the parents in our school and community. In addition, students can see the commitment and dedication that parents give to their career.
We would like to invite you or a family member or friend to present at our Career Day to discuss the opportunities and expectations of your career. Career Day will take place from about 12:26 pm - 2:43 pm. Lunch will be provided for our presenters starting at 11:30.
If you are interested in being a Career Day Presenter, please complete the attached form and return it to the counseling department by March 3rd. If you have any questions, please contact your school counselor via email or by phone at 443-550-9230.
Jessica Himes, School Counselor - himesj@calvertnet.k12.md.us
Linda Woehlke, School Counselor - woehlkel@calvertnet.k12.md.us
CCPS Virtual Academy 2023-24
If you are interested in the CCPS Virtual Academy for your child for the 2023-24 school year, the flyer below contains information about the program and registration process. The deadline for completing the Online Application is March 17th.
Application Link: https://forms.office.com/r/ZyjxtcErcC
NMS Yearbook 22-23 – On Sale Now
NJHS Fundraiser - Chipotle in Dunkirk - 3/15
Message from the NMS Best Buddies Group
World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), held on March 21st, is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. To show support for individuals with Down syndrome, students and staff may use the link below to purchase a shirt or crazy socks to wear to school on March 21st.
Spring Athletics Update
Spring athletics clinics have begun. Offerings during the spring include Boys and Girls Track, Baseball, and Softball. Please see below for information on required forms.
If you have any questions, please contact our Athletic Director, Ms. Emond, at 443-550-9230 or at emondr@calvertnet.k12.md.us.`
NHS Cheer Clinics & Tryouts
Attention 8th graders who will be attending NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL next year!!!
CALLING ALL INTERESTED CHEERLEADERS Male and Female!!! NHS Cheerleading will be holding clinics and tryouts for the 2023 Fall Season March 22 through March 30, 2023 at Northern High School 4pm to 5:30pm. We are looking forward to the best season yet!
All interested participants MUST HAVE AN UPDATED ATHLETIC PHYSICAL on file with the school BEFORE the first day of clinics. Athletic physicals should be uploaded here https://nhs.calvertnet.k12.md.us/athletics
More details and Tryout Packets will be available by March 20, 2023.
Questions, please feel free to email nhspatscheer@gmail.com or burchinale@calvertnet.k12.md.us
Northern Middle School PTO
NMS PTO Save the Dates:
March 19th: All Day - Eat at MODs Pizza in Dunkirk to support the NMS PTO.
April 11th: PTO General Membership Meeting - 5:30 pm
April 28th: Spring Glow Dance - 6:00 - 8:00 pm
May 2nd: PTO General Membership Meeting - OFFICER NOMINATIONS
May 8th - 12th: Teacher Appreciation Week - More details to follow.
June 6th: PTO General Membership Meeting - OFFICER ELECTIONS
June 9th: 8th Grade Dance - More details to follow.
TBD - 8th Grade Picnic - More details to follow.
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/
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.
2022-23 National School Bus Safety Week Poster Contest
The centerpiece of National School Bus Safety Week is the Poster Contest. Thousands of school districts in over 40 states participate in local and state-level competitions to select artwork that depicts school bus safety-related themes and encourages and promotes school bus safety. The winning posters are used to promote safer school transportation for everyone.
Students can submit poster designs as part of this year's contest. By March 15, 2023, all poster submissions should be mailed to the office of Pupil Transportation/ Emergency Management at 200 West Baltimore St., Baltimore Maryland, 20201. More information about the National School Bus Safety Week Poster Contest can be found at www.napt.org/postercontest.
New MCSS School Safety Art Showcase
“What does your school safety community look like?”
Students, grades 3-12, are able to show what school safety means to them by submitting an art piece based on this year’s theme, as listed above. The art pieces will be judged anonymously during the MCSS Summer Conference on July 19th and July 20th, 2023. All entries must be original student pieces of work not containing logos, copyrighted imagery, or information. Failure to comply with the rules and guidelines will result in your entry being disqualified.
Submission deadline is May 31st, 2023. Please see the website below for contest submission requirements, registration form, and frequently asked questions.
Please see this link for details.
Recurring Resources for Families
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.
