Weekly Wildcat Newsletter - Mar. 12
Northwestern Middle School News and Notes
Good afternoon Wildcat Country!
I hope your students are enjoying their day off today and your family has something fun planned over the long weekend. Our teachers and staff used today to catch up and get ahead as we near the start of the 4th quarter.
Today is the last day to request changes to the learning environment for 4th quarter. After today, any requests will have to be approved by our Zone Superintendent. If you have any questions, please reach out to your grade level Assistant Principal.
The district announced the employee vaccine plan which will include some remote learning days in the coming weeks. Northwestern will be remote for all students two days during the week of March 22 and the entire week after Spring Break.
I have included the testing calendar and district survey below for Georgia Milestones. As we work to finalize our testing plan, we will communicate those details in our future newsletters.
If you have any questions, you can email me directly at petersonj1@fultonschools.org.
Have a GREAT weekend! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone Tuesday morning!
Remote Learning Days for Staff Vaccines
Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE)
School Year 2021-22 Course Verifications
The course verification process in under way. Parents if you have not checked to verify that all courses are correct for your student please use the directions in the link below to view them on the Parent Portal. If changes need to be made please complete the following form: https://bit.ly/38wo4o8. If you have any additional questions please email the rising AP, rising 6th grade Amber Manganelli manganellia@fultonschools.org, rising 7th grade Deana Skimel skimel@fultonschools.org, rising 8th grade Ashley Poston postona@fultonschools.org.
The form will close March 19th but will reopen later in the month for the 2nd round of course verifications.
8th Grade Ceremony
As we approach the 4th quarter of this school year, we are working to begin planning our annual 8th grade ceremony. Mr. Peterson has created a committee made up of students, parents, and staff members who are currently working through the district and local guidelines for events of this type. The committee is exploring two different ceremonies.
- The first option is a traditional ceremony that would take place in the Milton High School Stadium. The current capacity of the stadium is limited to 30% so tickets would be limited to two per 8th grade student.
- The second option is a drive through ceremony that would take place on the Northwestern campus. This event capacity would only be limited to the capacity of each family's vehicle.
During both of these options, student's names would be called and students would receive their 8th grade certificate. The real difference is how families would participate - either two members in the high school stands or together in your vehicle with your student
A survey has been sent to all 8th grade families to collect your feedback on the ceremony. Please complete the survey by Tuesday afternoon.
Georgia Milestones Information
This year, Fulton County Schools will continue to offer a variety of state and national assessments to help us better understand how our students are performing.
The State of Georgia is moving forward with administering the Georgia Milestones to all students in grades 3-8 and high school students taking Algebra, US History, Biology or American Literature (grade 11). The college board has also offered multiple options for students to complete this year’s AP exams.
The survey will be open until Friday, March 19. Our goal is for ALL FCS students to respond to the survey including those learning face-to-face and those learning remotely.
Please continue to be safe and as always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or support.
If you have any questions, please email our Testing Coordinator Ms. Ellen Mayo at mayoellen@fultonschools.org.
Georgia Milestones Calendar
May 3: Physical Science EOC & 8th Grade Science EOG
May 4: 8th Grade Social Studies EOG
May 6: 6-8 Math EOG (Part 1)
May 7: 6-8 Math EOG (Part 2)
May 11: 6-8 ELA (Part 1)
May 12: 6-8 ELA (Part 2)
May 13: 6-8 ELA (Part 3)
New Student Device Information
Many of our students are enjoying using their new Lenovo ThinkPads. This is a reminder that students are not allowed to download anything on their district provided laptop. To do so violates the Code of Conduct and can cause problems with the device’s functioning. We also recommend protecting against damage that may result in a fine by purchasing a screen protector and/or padded sleeve to protect the laptops. There are inexpensive options on Amazon.
We still have some Microsoft Surfaces that have not been returned to NMS. We need all these devices back—even if they are damaged or non-functional. If your student does not need a replacement laptop, you may come to NMS and drop the Surface off on the cart just inside the front door. If your student would like to receive a Lenovo ThinkPad, you will need to email Mary Deininger and arrange a time to drop off the Surface and pick up a ThinkPad. If we do not receive these Surfaces back by Friday, March 26, you will be fined for a lost device. The fine for a first time loss is $250. You may pay online (just scroll down to FCS Device Loss-1st Offense).
Remote Student Pictures
COVID-19 Parent (Student) Reporting Portal
Rising 9th Grade Cambridge Bears
Dear Future Bears,
I am SO EXCITED to welcome you to BEAR COUNTRY! To help gear up for your first year at Cambridge, I am buying you each a t-shirt. But not just any t-shirt – some Cambridge swag designed by YOU – our future Cambridge Freshman. Between now and April 23rd, I will be accepting t-shirt designs from you. The top 3 t-shirt designs will win a prize and be voted on by the entire Rising 9th Grade class. The final winning design will be announced at our Bear Hunt event at the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year where EVERY Rising 9th grader will receive the shirt! So, get out your artistic Bear side and get ready to make your mark before you even walk in the door. All t-shirt submissions should be emailed to agans@fultonschools.org by April 23rd at 4pm. The top 3 design winners will be announced on April 30th. I cannot wait to see what you create and I cannot wait to see you wearing your new t-shirts as you walk through the doors of Cambridge next year! Bear Country can’t wait to welcome the Class of 2025! GO BEARS!!!
Come Sub With Us at Northwestern!
Fulton County Schools is providing a temporary pay incentive to substitutes starting December 1st through the remainder of this school year. The following are the added incentives:
- Add an emergency substitute daily rate incentive (see below) that expires as of May 31st.
- If occurs, FCS will pay a quarantined individual substituting in the (teacher role only) a $75 flat daily rate for a maximum of 10 days during the quarantine period. The quarantine must be directed by a FCS COVID-19 Response Team nurse and the result of a direct contact with a positive COVID-19 staff/student while substituting at a FCS school. This is a one-time incentive.
- Increase the maximum number of substitute workdays per month from 17 to 20 days for the remainder of this school year.
New Substitute Rates with incentive
Keep Students Healthy Checklist
- Students are required to wear a face covering/mask while at school. Staff are also required to wear face coverings.
- If your child is sick, please keep them at home and make sure they are fever free for at least 24 hours before return.
- If anyone in your household has tested positive for COVID-19 and you have been advised to isolate or quarantine, please adhere to the public health guidance and do not send your student to school until after the noted timeframe.
- Encourage your student to wash hands frequently.
- If your child becomes sick while at school, you will be expected to be pick-up your child immediately.
- Please alert school administration of any COVID-19 related concerns.
Parent/Guardian Visits to School
We are attempting to limit visitors to the school and ask that our community only visit for essential reasons. We will make allowances for student who have forgotten things at home. There is no charge for breakfast or lunch in the cafeteria at this time, so parents/guardians do not need to deliver food for their students.
When visitors come to the school, they will be asked to complete a health assessment before entering the building. Wearing a mask is required and visitors will have their temperature checked upon entering the building. If you have to pick up your student or visit the school, please plan for these additional steps and come early.
Clinic Information
Medications may be brought to the school. Prescription medications must be in the original container and labeled. All medications must be accompanied with proper medical forms. Please go to https://www.fultonschools.org/Page/7525 for forms and healthcare plans. Medications will be accepted by appointment only. Please call Mary Crandall at 470-254-8514 or send an email to crandall@fultonschools.org.
- In the event that your student has been exposed to Covid please inform an Administrator and your concern will be forwarded to Student Health Services for further evaluation.
- If your child develops a fever while in school, they will be isolated and you will need to pick them up immediately.
NMS Clubs and Student Activities
Northwestern is excited to offer a variety of clubs and activities this school year. Please visit the NMS website’s Quick Links and select Student Clubs and Activities to learn more about our offerings.
NMS Student Newspaper
Milton High School Cirque
Milton Cheerleading
Northview HS Red Cross Club
The Northview Red Cross Club is a microcosm of the humanitarian organization, the American Red Cross. We focus on providing for our community from the emergency and health perspective through projects like, blood drives, disaster presentations, and preparedness classes. We also raise awareness about certain issues or topics that need more attention, especially from the younger audiences like elementary and middle school students. One of these topics is International Humanitarian Law, which concerns the rules that must be followed to protect civilians during war. Our presentation aims to educate students, our target audience being middle school students, on these principles in hopes of spreading knowledge on this topic and making this topic a future priority.
This virtual presentation will occur outside of the school day and is an opportunity for families and students to learn together from home. Northwestern Middle School is advertising this opportunity, but is not affiliated with the Northview HS Red Cross Club.
Please sign up at the link below if you are interested in attending our virtual presentation. A date and time are forthcoming. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfpDic3fw95jJ3bwtG0WXGN6mUHUj0TPqKjVmFdlofT462KcQ/viewform
Help Grow the NMS Garden
This year we are looking forward to revitalizing the Northwestern Middle School garden with vital native plants. This open-air space will provide an outdoor classroom as well as countless teaching opportunities on the importance of native plants in our area. From serving our butterfly and insect population, to providing beauty to our campus, these plants will thrive in our environment for years to come. We hope you will partner with us and create a lasting legacy in honor of your student’s time here on our campus. Follow this link to sponsor a flower(s) in the garden https://northwesternpto.membershiptoolkit.com/NMSGarden
Career Fair
The 7th Grade Career Fair will be virtual this year and we need volunteer speakers and helpers. The fair will consist of a variety of speakers answering pre-set questions on videos posted securely on FlipGrid. If you are interested in sharing your career path and want to learn more, please contact Michelle Cardillo at michcard74@hotmail.com.
We will also need volunteers to help pull the videos together. If you have experience with FlipGrid, video editing, interviewing, or simply want to help out, please contact Michelle at the above email address.
Looking for Volunteers for Next Year
The NMS PTO invites you to be a part of our Wildcat family. Please consider a role with our PTO, we have a few open positions on our PTO board for the upcoming school year; Co- president, secretary, Parliamentarian, VP of Ways & Means, VP of Student Services.
There are also committees that need a team to support them; Yearbook, Parking Liaison, Spirit Wear, Business Partners, Straight A Ice Cream Recognition, Staff Appreciation, Clinical Liaison, Community Outreach, Student Enrichment, Website Management, Volunteer Coordinator.
There is something for everyone. We encourage you to join us as we support our teachers, staff and students at Northwestern. Grab a friend and volunteer together!
Do You Own Your Own Business?
or Know Someone Who Does?
Northwestern Middle school invites you to partner with us to enhance the educational experiences of our students and support the needs of our teachers. Become a Business Partner and your financial donation will be greatly appreciated. In return, the NMS PTO would display your business logo to our NMS families in various communications, websites and on campus throughout the year. Click HERE to learn more about our Business Partner levels and ways to partner with us.
Northwestern Middle School
Home of the Wildcats!
Email: nmsfrontdesk@fultonschools.org
Website: https://www.fultonschools.org/northwesternms
Location: 12805 Birmingham Highway, Milton, GA, USA
Phone: (470) 254-2870
Twitter: @TheNMSWildcats
NMS Front Office Hours
Outside of these hours, you can send an email to our front office staff at nmsfrontdesk@fultonschools.org.
Thank you for your continued support of Northwestern Middle School!
Sincerely,
Joel - Principal
Northwestern Middle School: Teach Hard, Love Harder - The Wildcat Way!