Weekly Wildcat Newsletter - Mar. 26
Northwestern Middle School News and Notes
Good afternoon Wildcat Country!
We had a great week of school at Northwestern! We have one more week before a much needed break for our staff and students. As a reminder, Spring Break is the week of April 5th.
Updated Information: The district announced the employee vaccine plan which will include some remote learning days after Spring Break. Northwestern will be remote for all students Monday-Wednesday after Spring Break.
Voting for School Governance Council representatives began on March 24 and will continue until March 31. The candidate declarations for the teacher and parent positions are included in this week's newsletter.
I have included the testing calendar 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 Monday morning!
2nd Round Course Verifications
The 2nd round of course verifications are under way and will close April 12th. Please review any changes submitted via Infinite Campus. If changes still need to be made please do so by completing this form: 2nd Round Course Verifications.
After April 12th if there are additional changes or questions please email the rising Assistant Principal:
6th grade – Amber Manganelli manganellia@fultonschools.org
7th grade – Deana Skimel skimel@fultonschools.org
8th grade – Ashley Poston postona@fultonschools.org.
Directions to view the course recommendations can be found in the attachment below.
SGC Voting Window
NMS Parent SGC Candidate
NMS Teacher SGC Candidates
Remote Learning Days for Staff Vaccines
POST SPRING BREAK FACE-TO-FACE LEARNING UPDATE:
At the March 18 FCS Board Meeting, a schedule change was announced for face-to-face instruction the week after Spring Break. FCS face-to-face students will now be back in class on Thursday, April 15, and Friday, April 16. Originally, it was announced that all students would be remote for the entire week after Spring Break (April 12 – 16), so please note the change and mark your calendars accordingly. This decision will have no effect for FCS students currently in remote learning.
Thank you for helping to keep our colleagues, your students, and our workplace safe, and for your commitment and partnership with Fulton County Schools.
8th Grade Ceremony
Thank you to all of our 8th grade families who completed the 8th grade ceremony survey last week. Our goal is to celebrate our 8th grade students in a safe, fun, and memorable way. We also want to ensure our ceremony is an inclusive event that allows all of our students and families to participate. After meeting with the committee twice and reviewing the survey feedback, I have decided we will honor our 8th grade students with a drive through ceremony that will take place on Tuesday, May 25. I am excited turn our attention to planning this event that will be fun for all of our 8th grade students, families, and school staff. Stay tuned for more details including the time of the event after Spring Break!
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)
Federal Programs Input Meeting
The Federal Programs Department is holding our district Federal Programs Input Meeting. We are requesting parent, community, and staff input into how we spend our federal grant funds (Title I, II, III, IV, and IDEA) and our District Parent and Family Engagement Plan. The meeting dates are March 31st at 9:00 am (Join here https://bit.ly/District_Input_1) and April 1st at 1:00 pm (join here https://bit.ly/District_Input_2). The meetings are scheduled to take place on Teams. Your input is essential, and we value your feedback.
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.
COVID-19 Parent (Student) Reporting Portal
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
February Staff of the Month
Teacher of the Month: Vivian Perez - 6th grade Spanish
Professional of the Month: Katherine Wickliffe - Principal's Assistant
PLC of the Month: 7th grade Social Studies - John Crumb, Elijah Micah, Leah Robinson, Carl Winter, Kelley Hummel, and Nikki Rockstroh.
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, VP of Ways & Means, VP of Student Services.
There are also committees that need a team to support them; Yearbook, Parking Liaison, Business Partners, Straight A Ice Cream Recognition, Staff Appreciation, 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!
Email northwesternmspto@gmail.com with questions.
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!