Dear Northwest families,

Welcome to the busy month of December! Second trimester is underway and it is full of breaks. Please be sure to help support your student and keep them on track by checking PowerSchool, checking Canvas, and emailing teachers. If your student misses school due to illness or vacation, please be sure to excuse them through our main office and remind your student to get caught up on any work that they might miss.

In addition, we are keeping students on track with increased PBIS incentives! Students can earn extra points this month for getting to class on time, earn a chance to win wireless earbuds, earn electronics time, and even earn movie time! Our team knows that adding extra incentives can help focus students during this busy and hectic month. Our school store is also filled with great prizes for students to purchase with their points.

You can also keep on top of all the activities and fun things happening at Northwest by following us on social media! We have updated our Twitter handle to include our mascot change. We are now @NWJHTrojans. We have also added a Facebook page and an Instagram account. Follow us, like us, and join in the fun! We hope to have pictures, news, and updates on these accounts as much as possible. It is an easy way to keep up on all the good things happening at Northwest Junior High.

Thank you to all who were able to donate to our November food drive. We were able to provide lots of items to local families. We are now looking for donations of bus passes, earbuds, new hats, new gloves, and new coats. Anything will help! All donations can be brought to the main office.

Finally, I’d like to wish you all a wonderful and rejuvenating winter break! Spend time with friends and family during our two week break. Take time to reflect on the past year and make plans for a successful and happy new year. I hope you all have a joyous time!

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Bruening, Principal

Northwest Junior High

• December 12: Choir Concert at West High, 8th Grade Girls/7th & 8th Grade Boys, 7:30pm
• December 23-January 3: No School, Winter Break
• January 6: Classes resume, Day "A"
• January 20: SEIBA Honor Band Auditions
• January 21: Wrestling practice begins
• January 21: Orchestra Concert, 7th Grade, 7:00pm
• January 22: Parent Teacher Conferences
• January 27,28,29: Play auditions, 4:15pm

The NWJH PSTO would like to reward our hardworking teachers and staff with some treats before winter break. If you would like to help, please sign up to bring some treats on one of the available days. Treats can be dropped off to the office the morning of by 9 am or in the afternoon before. Thank you!

Baked Goods for Staff Signup

In the message please include:

• Student's name
• Parent's/guardian's name
• Reason for the absence

Visit the Basketball website HERE for information! Practice times will be finalized soon.

Visit the Swimming website HERE for information! Practice will be held at the Coralville Rec Center from 4:15-5:30pm M/T/W/F and 3:15-4:30pm on Thursdays.

If you have received communication via email or letter from the health office regarding your student's immunizations. please take note:

Your child could be excluded from school unless you correct any missing vaccines AND provide the health office with a paper copy of the updated record. This probable exclusion could be any time, with little warning. If you have questions, please contact Ms Christians at 688-1066.

• A temperature of 100 F or more. They may return to school after being fever free for at least 24 hours, without the use of medications.
• Vomiting or diarrhea. They may return after being symptom free for at least 24 hours.

Iowa City West Softball will have some off season opportunities during the winter and spring that 8th graders are encouraged to attend. Please email IC West Softball Head Coach Barb Lynn (lynn.barb@iowacityschools.org) for additional information and to get signed up.

It is the policy of the Iowa City Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status in its educational programs, activities, or employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy, please contact Jeremy Tabor, Director of Equity & Employee Relations, 1725 N. Dodge St., Iowa City, IA 52245, (319) 688-1000, tabor.jeremy@iowacityschools.org.