Northern Middle Newsletter
Weekly Update 2/19/23
Bobcat Nation:
As a reminder, CCPS schools are closed on Monday, February 21st for President’s Day.
Course registration forms for the 2023-24 school year for all grades are due to 1st period teachers on Tuesday, February 21st. See below for more specific information by grade level.
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
NMS - MS Course Registration Information for Current 6th and 7th Gr Families
2023-24 Middle School Registration Lesson for Current 6th Graders
2023-24 Middle School Registration Lesson for Current 7th Graders
Information for Current 8th Grade Students & Families: 9th Grade Course Registration
8th grade students have received their course registration material for high school during a presentation in their science classes. Course registration sheets are due back to their 1st period teachers on February 21st.
Please see video below for an instructional video that explains the registration process and important high school information. This information was shared with your students in class.
Please refer to the link below for the 2023-24 High School Planning Guide:
https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1674498172/calvertnetk12mdus/uqx5hqym7bijjd7cghnz/2023-2024-High-School-Planning-Guide.pdf
Feel free to contact your child’s counselor with questions:
Winter MAP Reports Distributed Tuesday 2/21
This week Math teachers will be giving students a "family report" with their student's Winter MAP scores for both ELA and Math.
What is a family report? A summary of how your child is performing in reading and math at this point this year, as measured by the most recent MAP Growth test. What is MAP Growth? A test given in the Fall, Winter, and Spring that adapts to your child's responses in real-time to measure your child's skill level. Why is my child taking MAP Growth? MAP Growth scores help teachers look at student performance by measuring achievement and growth. Reading and math teachers use results to inform instruction and set goals for students.
CogAT Testing Reminders for 7th Grade Parents/Guardians - Week of Feb 21st-24th
Student assessments are an important part of education as the scores help educators determine many factors about how students learn and how to continue to help individualize their learning in the future.
7th graders will be taking the CogAT test during Science classes on February 21-24th. CogAT stands for Cognitive Abilities Test. It is a multiple-choice test that measures reasoning skills with different types of verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal questions and is used to measure aptitude for the gifted and talented programs.
To help students do their best on this test and create good habits for future tests, please help them with the following:
- A good night’s sleep
- Laptop charged the night before and then both the laptop and charger in the bookbag
- A good breakfast
- Earphones that plug in to the laptop (no wireless ear buds)
- Reminders that they cannot use their cell phones or digital watches during the test. All electronic devices, except for their school-owned laptop, will need to be off and placed in a location in the classroom away from the students.
- To maintain excellent attendance during the test windows as much as possible and try not to have any scheduled appointments.
If you have any questions about the test, feel free to email Mrs. Pellock at pellockl@calvertnet.k12.md.us.
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
8th Grade Panoramic Picture - Wednesday 2/22
This year’s 8th grade panoramic picture will be taken during 6th period on Wednesday, 2/22. Complimentary copies will be provided to the 8th grade students later in the school year.
SGA Reading Activity for Children Ages 3-8
This weekend, members of our Student Government Association planned and facilitated an activity at the Fairview Library. The activities for children ages 3-8 included reading books and creating crafts related to the stories. Great job Bobcats!
CCS Classroom Refresh Winner at NMS!
The Calvert County School Foundation recently held a contest for teachers to be awarded a “Classroom Refresh.” Anyone in the community could nominate a CCPS teacher by making a $5.00 donation. The foundation took all of the entries and randomly drew a winner for each level - elementary, middle, and high school.
We are excited to share that our own Ms. Connell won the middle school Classroom Refresh! She won $750 to “refresh” her classroom and her students are as excited as she is!
Congratulations Ms. Connell! What a great Valentine’s Day surprise!!
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
CCPS Science and Engineering Expo - Feb. 25th
On February 25, 2023, Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) will host the 10th Annual Science and Engineering EXPO at Calvert High School from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. This family event is free and open to the public. The EXPO will showcase CCPS science and engineering programs and STEM organizations from the local community. Exhibits will be engaging for both children and adults, designed to spark interest in STEM classes and careers. The hands-on activities will include computer coding, biomedical experiments, robots, math games, catapults, and much more for the entire family to explore.
For more information, contact Dr. Yovonda Kolo at 443-550-8026 or koloy@calvertnet.k12.md.us.
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.
Winter Athletics Update
Congratulations to the Boys Basketball team for their hard work and dedication this season! The NMS Competitive Cheer Squad did a great job at the cheer competition this past Saturday. Their performance and spirit was outstanding!
Good luck to the Girls Basketball team in their upcoming playoff game! Cheer and Poms will also be performing.
- Thursday, 2/23 - 4:30 pm - Semifinal – PPMS @ NMS Girls Basketball
Spring Athletics Update
We are preparing for the spring athletics clinics. Offerings during the spring include Boys and Girls Track, Baseball, and Softball. Please see below for information on required forms. The first date clinics can begin is February 27th.
If you have any questions, please contact our Athletic Director, Ms. Emond, at 443-550-9230 or at emondr@calvertnet.k12.md.us.`
Northern Middle School PTO
NMS PTO Save the Dates:
March 1st: 5:30 PM - 8th Grade Events Planning Meeting
March 7th: 5:30 PM - Next PTO General Membership Meeting
March 19th: All Day - Eat at MODs Pizza in Dunkirk to support the NMS PTO.
April 4th: PTO General Membership Meeting
April 28th: Spring Glow Dance - More details to follow.
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/
NMS PTO - 8th Grade end of Year Activities Planning Meeting - March 1st - 5:30 pm
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.
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.
