Northside Middle School
Back to School 2023-2024
From the Principal's Desk:
Dear Families,
It is with great excitement that I welcome you back for the 2023-2024 school year at Northside Middle School. I hope your summer has been enjoyable and relaxing. Our first day of school is Wednesday, August 9, 2023, beginning at 8:20 and ending at 3:25.
We have had a busy, but enjoyable summer at Northside Middle School preparing for the 2023-2024 school year. I look forward to students and staff returning to our outstanding school. I would like to commend our students and staff on a very successful 2022-2023 school year. Our students did an outstanding job throughout the school year, which was evident by their strong performance on SOL testing. Two of our teachers, Mrs. Ruby Voss and Mrs. Amber Benson, were chosen by the Association of Middle Level Education for their National Educator of the Year Award. One of our teachers, Ms. Karen Perry, received Roanoke County’s Red Apple Award for teaching excellence at the middle school level. This summer, Northside Middle School received The Virginia Department of Education’s Exemplar Performance Award for Continuous Improvement in Reading and Mathematics. We are one of only 4 middle schools in Virginia to receive this award. We will continue to build on this tradition of excellence that makes us one of the best schools in the Commonwealth. We are also excited to continue our behavior initiative this school year called Norsemen Gold. Information on this initiative is included in this newsletter.
You may access any of the newsletters this school year by going to the school website which is www.rcps.us/NMS. If you do not have access to the internet and would like a newsletter mailed to you, please contact the front office at 540-561-8145.
There are few places more dynamic or exciting than a middle school. My administration and I greatly value your student’s education and overall experience at Northside Middle School. I want Northside Middle School to be a place where students are safe and happy. I also want to make sure they can receive an education that will help them build on their future and pursue their dreams. If I can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to call me or stop in and say hello. Once again welcome back and let’s all work together at making this another fun, exciting, and successful year at Northside Middle School!
Sincerely,
Paul N. Lineburg, Ed.D.
Principal
562-3900 ext. 33002
Norsemen Gold
This school year Northside Middle School will continue to implement Norsemen GOLD. This is a school-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports program that encourages students to focus on academics, follow school expectations, and treat others with respect. We know that when good behavior and good teaching come together, our students will excel in their learning. We are proud to be a part of Roanoke County’s initiative to implement Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports throughout the school system.
As part of our Norsemen GOLD initiative, we will establish several clear expectations and rules for the behavior expected in all areas of our school. We will explicitly teach those expectations to the students and acknowledge them frequently with positive comments and incentives for their great behavior. The expectations for all student behavior will be clear throughout our building and grounds, cafeteria, gymnasium, restrooms, and classrooms. You will be able to ask your student, “What are the rules in your school?” “How do you follow those rules?” “What happens when a teacher sees you following the rules?” Please see the Behavior Matrix below.
Our school expectations and rules will help provide for a safer school environment and give more time for instruction. We will apply consistent consequences and positive reinforcement for all kids. By defining every expected behavior and teaching to kids in a positive way, we will provide a common language for everyone in our building, including students, teachers, front office staff, paraprofessionals, families, and the community.
We believe that by helping students practice good behavior, we will build a school community where all students have an environment where they can succeed and grow.
We would like your input and your involvement. Please contact us at school if you have any questions or need further information. Thank you for your support of Norsemen GOLD!
First Day Online Forms
More information is available on the RCPS website: https://www.rcps.us/Page/356
Northside Middle will have a computer set up in the front office for those who do not have the ability to complete the forms at home. Please call Mrs. Glass at (540)561-8145 to make an appointment.
Student Schedules
6th Grade and New Student Orientation
When:
Wednesday, Aug. 2nd, 9-11am
6810 Northside High School Road
Roanoke, VA
There will be an orientation meeting for ALL 6th graders and those 7th & 8th grade students NEW to NMS. The 6th grade will report to the Pope Gym at 9:00 a.m. for a brief meeting before touring classrooms. The new 7th & 8th grade students should report to the library at 9:00 a.m. for a similar activity. We ask that parents come and stay with their students at orientation. We look forward to seeing all of you.
7th and 8th Grade Open House
Wednesday, Aug. 2nd , 1-6pm
Where:
6810 Northside High School Road
Roanoke, VA
We will have an Open House for all returning 7th and 8th graders from 1:oo p.m. - 6:00 p.m. You will be able to visit your teachers during this time. Student schedules will be available for those who need one. We look forward to seeing all of you.
Supply List
6th, 7th, and 8th Grade
Ear Buds
Pencils
1 Large Binder
Pens
Loose Leaf Paper
Glue Sticks
Pocket Dividers
Scissors
Colored Pencils
Highlighter
Pencil Pouch
Expo Markers
Composition Notebook (Journal) - 6th grade only
Donations
During the school year, we use lots of tissues, cleaning wipes and feminine products . If you would like to donate any of these to our school, we would greatly appreciate it. Please drop these items off in the front office and we will distribute them as needed.
Laptops
New this Year : Video Announcements
This school year, we'll have video morning announcements for all students. This will allow students to re-watch any information they may have missed, provide students who are absent a way to stay updated, and provide parents a way to stay connected with what is happening at the school. Each day, the announcement video will be posted by 8:15 at newsatnorthside.com, where you can also find old video announcements and meet our student anchors!
Mr. Elijah Wilhelm
Nurse's News
My name is Desirae Nagel and I am joining the team at Northside Middle School as the School Nurse. I have 7 years of previous nursing experience in Labor & Delivery and Outpatient Surgery. When I am not serving my community, I enjoy spending time outdoors and quality time with my husband and daughter.
As a School Nurse, I strive to keep all students and staff healthy and safe!
A few reminders;
-Please encourage your child to eat a healthy breakfast daily. The school/clinic is unable to provide snacks.
-If your child is sent home due to illness, please follow Roanoke County’s recommendations regarding when to return to school.
Students may carry their own supply of cough drops and lip balm; however, they may not carry any other over the counter or prescription medications to school. Prescription and over the counter medications MUST be brought to the school by the parent/guardian in the original container or pharmacy prescription bottle. The only exception to this requirement concerns students needing diabetes medicine and supplies, asthma medications and severe allergy medications. If your student requires medication at school, a Medication Administration Consent form must be completed. Additionally, a physician signature is required for all prescription medications and herbal remedies/supplements that are not approved by the FDA. Students with asthma, diabetes, seizures, or life threatening allergies will need an action plan completed and signed by their doctor. All health forms can be obtained by going to https://www.rcps.us/Page/411. These forms are also available at the school.
CHANGES IN Tdap VACCINE REQUIREMENTS
In the past, students were required to have a Tdap vaccine prior to entering the 6th grade. Under new guidelines and recent state legislation, the Tdap booster vaccine is now recommended for children who are 11 years old and will be required for entry into 7th grade. Students who received their Tdap at age ten will not need another Tdap vaccine to enter 7th grade. Once your rising 6th grade student has their 11th birthday, please make an appointment for the Tdap vaccine with their healthcare provider or the health department. Please obtain documentation that your child received the vaccine and send a copy of the documentation to your child’s school.
I am here to help you and your child the best I can! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or concerns at any time during the school year. Please let us know if your child has an ongoing medical condition requiring daily or weekly attention/medication such as migraines/headaches, severe allergies, gastrointestinal issues, nose bleeds, etc. Our goal is to keep students in the classroom and out of the clinic, so we may need to develop a plan to best assist each individual situation. Looking forward to a great School Year!
Nurse Desirae
News from the Athletic Department
Carina Hughes, Assistant Principal and Athletic Director
chughes@rcps.us; 540-562-3900, Extension 33004
Athletic Passes will be sold for all 2023-24 home middle school events for $55 for adults and $15 for students. See Mrs. Nicole Weaver, School Bookkeeper, if interested.
Individual game ticket prices – Adults - $5, Students - $2
Volleyball
Facebook – Northside Middle School Volleyball
Please visit the NMS website-Athletics-Volleyball, for information about open gyms in July. Students in grades 6 – 8 are eligible to play volleyball. You must have an updated (dated May 1, 2023 or later) VHSL Sports Physical for 2023-24. Bring water and appropriate shoes and attire. Volleyball Tryouts start on July 31st in the evening. See the NMS website or the Facebook page for updates or click on the NMS website volleyball link
Football
Northside Middle School football will be having open fields throughout the summer for anyone interested in playing football this year. Grades 6-8 are eligible to play football. Students must have a completed VHSL physical dated May1, 2023 or later, on file with the school. Equipment pickup will be July 24 at 6 pm behind NMS. All interested players are asked to bring their team fee ($60) and their completed VHSL 2022-23 sports physical. Practice will begin on July 27th. Contact Coach Fisher at fisherab712@gmail.com with questions. Please go to theNMS website football link for more information.
Sports Physicals suggestions:
- Medexpress, Williamson Road. 540-265-8294 - $45.00
- American Family Care Urgent Care – 540-774-0000- $25.00
News from School Counseling
School Counselors and the Life Counselor will be working with students on Expect Respect. This presentation is anti-bullying and will be taught to all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. 7th and 8th grade students worked with this program last year so this year’s presentation will be an abbreviated version for 7th and 8th graders.
School Counselors will also be working with students to develop their Academic Career Plans. This program starts in 6th grade and by 8th grade students have developed and completed the Academic Career Plan which includes sessions on Learning Styles, Personality traits, Investigating Career Choices, and a Program of Studies for courses to take at the high school level.
7th and 8th graders will be taking field trips to the Salem Civic Center and Burton Center for Arts and Technology. The 7th grade field trip will be held in September at the Salem Civic Center and will introduce 7th graders to the many career opportunities available to them in the Roanoke Valley. The 8th graders will visit Burton Center for Arts and Technology in October and learn about all the programs and opportunities that will be available to them during their high school career. Once school begins, we will send the field trip forms home with students. Please fill these forms out as soon as possible and return them to the school counseling office.
We look forward to working with all our students in the upcoming 2023-2024 school year. We hope everyone has an amazing school year.
All the Best,
School Counseling Department
News from the PTA
- Join the PTA: Help us meet our goal of 100% this year for only $5.00 per parent. The PTA helps fund many events and other needs in our school.
- Like us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063650076201
Kroger Community Rewards
We have partnered with Kroger to earn money for the school but we need your help! It is as simple as linking your Kroger Plus card to Northside Middle School so we receive a percentage of the purchases you make. NMS will not see the purchases you make but Kroger will send us a percentage of the purchases when you use your Kroger Plus card. Follow these steps to sign up:
1. Go to https://www.kroger.com/account/communityrewards/
2. Log in with your Kroger account log in information
3. Under find my organization search for one of the organization numbers listed below that you would like your rewards to go to:
Band - JQ575
Boys Basketball - UG850
Cheerleading - WU145
Football - HR489
Northside Middle School - QW346
4. Click enroll.
5. Any transactions moving forward using the Shopper’s Card number associated with your digital account will be applied to the program at no cost to you.
6. Northside Middle School will receive a percentage of all sales made on Shopper’s Cards that are linked to our any of our organization numbers.
It’s that easy! Please consider sharing these organization numbers with anyone you know that shops at Kroger who may not be associated with any other organization for these rewards.
Fundraiser - Kick-off August 21st
Northside Middle School will be doing their first fundraiser of the year starting August 21st! We will be selling Krispy Kreme certificates that are redeemable for one dozen Original Glazed doughnuts at participating Krispy Kreme locations. These certificates are $14.00/each.
We will also be selling buy one get one free cards. Each card is valid for 1 FREE dozen Original Glazed doughnuts with the purchase of any dozen. Redeemable up to 10 times per card. The BOGO cards are $20/each.
We will send an order form home with every student and additional forms will be available in the front office if needed. Orders will only be accepted from August 21st – September 1st. All orders will be sent home from school with the student who took the order on or before September 18th. Orders will not be processed until full payment for the order is received so please make sure to collect payments from customers as the order is placed. Order forms/money collected can be turned in any time until September 1st in the front office.
Purchases can also be made online through My School Bucks. There is 4.95% processing fee that My School Bucks adds to any payment.
BOGO cards can be purchased here:
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZI5ZXH4N0046E6_ZZ5ZH7Y23RAV58A
Certificates can be purchased here:
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZI5ZXH4N0046E6_ZZ5ZH819KHIVFKU
Norsemen Proud
Super popular light weight jersey knit.
Available in size Small - X-Large for only $15!
You can stop by the school to purchase one. We will also be selling shirts during orientation and open house.
Cash or Check only!
NORTHSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Visit Us:
Roanoke, VA 24019
Get in Touch:
Phone: (540)561-8145
Fax: (540)561-8152