NMS Mustang Minutes
Week of January 15 - 19, 2024
From the Principal
Please note that all school and offices are closed on Monday, January 15th, in recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We hope that all of our students and families enjoy the three day weekend!
Our staff and students continue to work hard and remain focused as we enter the middle of January! This past week I was able to meet with all students to review the Student Code of Conduct and our school-wide expectations. These quarterly reminders are important as we all work together to maintain a safe and structured school environment. These meetings also allow time to review our school-wide goals both behaviorally and academically. We continue to focus on the importance of student attendance along with increasing our literacy and mathematic skills. Our school team is proud of the growth that our students are demonstrating in these areas and look forward to working with all students to continue to increase their essential understandings of these required skills.
This past Friday we held our annual school-wide basketball game. Our students and staff proudly demonstrated their Mustang Pride as we all cheered on our student athletes. Congratulations to our basketball players and cheerleaders for their hard work and efforts during this wonderful event! Special thanks to our coaches, Mr. Parsley, and Appomattox Middle School for making this annual event a success.
I would also like to thank our School Resource Officers and the Nelson County Sherriff's Office for providing traffic support our Route 29 each afternoon during dismissal. Their assistance has made our afternoon dismissal safer for our buses and drivers as they exit the school. Special thanks to our families for their patience with our afternoon dismissal process.
Please reach out to our school team by email or phone with any questions or concerns that you may have regarding all things NMS.
Stay safe and warm this week!
Scott Belako
Principal
NMS Schoolwide Basketball Game
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Announcements & Reminders
Important January Dates:
- 1/15 - No School - MLK Jr. Holiday
All In Tutoring:
As we begin the second semester we will continue to focus on providing math and reading remediation during our daily Advisory time. Students who did not pass their reading and/or math SOL assessments last school year and students who passed with a score of 400 - 448 will receive additional math and/or reading support per the VDOE All In Tutoring requirements. Please note that some students were also invited to participate in after school tutoring. These invitations were sent home prior to winter break.
Help Us Catch Our Mustangs READING:
Parents, did you know 20 minutes of daily reading to or with your middle school student can greatly increase their reading comprehension and level? We encourage you to read with or to your student every day. If you need resources, or want to know how to encourage your student to read at home, contact their ELA teacher or our Reading Specialist, Jennifer Campbell. If you see your student reading at home send an email with a note or picture for a classroom or PBIS productivity reward.
Chromebooks and Chargers:
Students and families are reminded that restitution will be sought for damage to Chromebooks and for missing and/or lost power cords. It is important for students to handle their devices with care as we do not have the resources to continuously repair devices that are neglected or intentionally damaged.
Birthday Celebrations / Outside Food:
Parents and families are encouraged to work through their student's Advisory Teachers to arrange student birthday celebrations. Please note that birthday treats and food cannot be distributed in the cafeteria during student lunch times. All outside food must be purchased from a store and have the ingredients available due to student allergies.
Bus Passes:
Bus passes must be provided in writing or by email when requesting your student to go home on a different bus with a friend by noon of the day the pass is being requested. Please note that we will not accept a phone request as we have no way of knowing who is making the request. Thank you for understanding as we want to assure all students arrive home safely.
Daily Student Attendance:
Attending school has a huge impact on student success. This year, we want to make sure that every student is present every day. Student attendance is recorded daily. Students are expected to be present each day to receive instruction. By attending class regularly, your student is more likely to keep up with daily lessons and assignments. We will be monitoring student attendance carefully and working with families and students to make sure students do not become chronically absent this school year. Please note that students are considered chronically absent once they have missed 18 or more days of school for any reason.
Parents and/or caretakers are asked to contact the main office to report all student absences. Thank you in advance for making sure your student attends school regularly.
To encourage daily attendance we will be starting an incentive program through our PBIS Rewards program. Students who do not miss a day of school each month will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win prizes each month. We will also have additional raffles at the end of the school year for students who have 7 or more months of Perfect Attendance and for students who miss 7 or less school days overall. We look forward to working with our students and families to improve daily student attendance throughout this school year. Student success begins with being at school!
Classroom Action Process:
Our Classroom Action Procedures will restart for all students as we begin the second semester. Staff will issue Classroom Actions after reminding students of expected behaviors. Classroom Actions will be assigned as follows:
- 1st Action = Phone call home and warning provided to the student
- 2nd Action = Phone call home and teacher assigned lunch detention
- 3rd Action = Phone call home and scheduled parent/teacher conference
- 4th Action = Phone call home and disciplinary referral submitted to administration
Please note that serious violations of the Student Code of Conduct will be investigated and handled accordingly. Thank you for working with us as we build upon our tiered systems of support to promote a safe learning environment for all students and staff.
NMS Athletic Information
All student athletes are reminded that academics and behavior are monitored throughout the school year and each playing season. Students must maintain passing grades and demonstrate good behavior consistently throughout the school year and each season to be eligible to participate.
Upcoming Athletic Events:
1/16 - Basketball and Cheer Practice - 3:30
1/17 - Basketball and Cheer Practice - 3:30
1/18 - Basketball at Buckingham - 5:00
Important Game Reminder:
All elementary and middle school students must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all NMS and NCHS athletic events and games.
Nelson Middle School - Home of the Mustangs
Website: https://nms.nelson.k12.va.us/en-US
Location: 6925 Thomas Nelson Highway, Lovingston, VA, USA
Phone: 434-263-4801