Northern Middle Newsletter 4/3/23
Weekly Update 4/3/23
Bobcat Nation:
The last day of the third marking period was Friday, March 31st. Third quarter report cards will be posted in HAC on Wednesday, April 19th. If you have questions about one of your child’s classes, please contact the teacher. Be patient in getting a response as teachers are answering messages from many parents and students. Their main focus will be working on current assignments with their classes. As a result, anything missing from earlier in the marking period will be addressed as they can get to it.
This week we celebrate National Assistant Principal & Dean Week! Bobcat Nation is so grateful for the support we receive from Mrs. Wagner and Mrs. Pellock. Thank you for all that you do for the staff and students of Bobcat Nation! You help us RISE by LIFTING OTHERS!
As a reminder, CCPS schools will be closed for Spring Break from 4/3 - 4/10. Schools will reopen on Tuesday, 4/11 with a two-hour delayed arrival for students.
Our next newsletter will be distributed on 4/16. Have a great Spring Break!
Mr. Webster, NMS Principal
Energy & Sugary Drinks at School
We encourage parents, guardians, and family members to support our efforts to promote healthy choices by having discussions with their children and monitoring items they are bringing to school.
There have been situations in which students have brought these types of drinks to school to sell to others. Students have been reminded that they are not allowed to sell/purchase any items in school to/from their peers. Those found doing so will have the items and money confiscated and returned to a parent/guardian when appropriate.
7th Grade Families - CogAT Score Reports Distributed
Seventh graders took the CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) earlier this school year. The CogAT Test measures the level and pattern of cognitive development of s student compared to those students their age and grade level. These general reasoning abilities, which start developing at birth and continue through early adulthood, are influenced by experiences gained both in and out of school.
Each 7th grade student received a score sheet from their science teachers on Thursday, March 30th. Please be on the lookout for the letter. If you have any questions please contact Lori Pellock, Dean of Students, at pellockl@calvertnet.k12.md.us.
State Testing Update for Parents - MCAP Assessments - Tentative Dates
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.
Tentative Testing Dates for MCAP Assessments
- ELA – 4/17, 4/18, 4/19, 4/20
- 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.
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.
Calvert Writes - Spring Showcase - April 26th
Bobcat SGA - Reading Activity for Ages 3-8 - April 15th - Prince Frederick Library
NJHS Donation Drive
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
Calvert County Board of Education Approves 2023-2024 School Calendar
At the March 23, 2023, Board of Education meeting, the Board approved the 2023-2024 school calendar with the first day for students as August 28, 2023, and the last day for students as June 12, 2024.
Below is a link to the approved school 2023-2024 calendar, which outlines all holidays, early dismissals, delayed openings, and more. The calendar has been posted on the district and school websites and may be viewed anytime at https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/calendar.
Direct link to the 2023-24 CCPS Calendar
Northern Middle School PTO
NMS PTO Save the Dates:
Tuesday April 11th: PTO General Membership Meeting - 5:30 pm - BYLAW AMENDMENTS 2nd Reading & Vote
Friday April 28th: Spring Glow Dance - 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Tuesday May 2nd: PTO General Membership Meeting - OFFICER NOMINATIONS
May 8th - 12th: Teacher Appreciation Week - More details to follow.
Tuesday June 6th: PTO General Membership Meeting - OFFICER ELECTIONS
Friday June 9th: 8th Grade Dance - More details to follow.
Monday June 12th: 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/
8th GRADE PARENTS interested in volunteering please join our 2023 NMS 8th Grade Parents FB Page.
NMS PTO - Teacher Appreciation Donation Request
Hello families! 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.
Opportunity for 8th Graders - NHS Dance Team "Patriot Poms" Tryouts
Tryouts for the Northern High School Patriot Poms Dance Team are fast approaching. Please see the attached flyer for details. Tryouts are April 24th-27th in the Large Gym at NHS. Questions can be directed to nhspoms1@gmail.com. Follow this link to let us know you are planning to tryout: https://forms.office.com/r/nsU2cRbx84
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.