Weekly Wildcat Newsletter - July 16
Northwestern Middle School News and Notes
Happy Friday Wildcat Country!
I have been meeting this summer with our two PTO Co-Presidents, Gina Kellis and Susie Uhlich to plan for the upcoming school year. There are a few volunteer positions that still need to be filled.
PTO Volunteer Opportunities
VP of Student Services (dances and school events)
Parliamentarian (bylaws and procedures)
Legislation (district and School Board updates)
Website (manages PTO website)
Membership Toolkit (manages Toolkit - prior experience is huge bonus!)
Student Enrichment (coordinates with grade levels for programs/field trips)
Membership (helps promote PTO membership)
PTO Sale of Milton HS Student Parking is Coming Soon!
Our PTO will open the sale of the high school parking spots on Friday, July 30 at 7:00 am. Be on the lookout for PTO announcements regarding parking spots and membership packages. This school year, the PTO will have a limited number of Premium Membership Packages that include "Cut the Line" reserved parking spots for afternoon carpool. (reserved parking at the front of the carpool line)
If you have any PTO membership questions or you are interested in one of the volunteer opportunities, please contact our PTO at northwesternpto@gmail.com.
SY2021-22 NMS Student & Parent Handbook
Summer Office Hours Until August 3
Our front office will be open from from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm Monday - Friday.
Important Upcoming Dates
- Friday, July 23 - School Governance Council Meeting
- Monday, July 26 - Friday, July 30 - 6th Grade School Tours
- Monday, August 2 - Back to School Meeting w/ Mr. Peterson (6:00pm)
- Thursday, August 5 - NMS Information Day for School Year 2021-22 (12:30pm - 3:30pm)
- Thursday, August 12 - New Parent PTO Coffee w/ Mr. Peterson (9:00 am)
- Thursday, September 9 - Curriculum Night (6:00 pm)
Face Masks in Fulton County Schools
FCS Student Code of Conduct
Back to School Meeting with Mr. Peterson
- Meet your 2021-22 Co-PTO Presidents
- Join the PTO - membership table in Wildcat Atrium
- Meet Mr. Peterson and the Assistant Principals
- Learn about school year 2021-22 operations and policies
- Live Q&A with Mr. Peterson and the Assistant Principals
Please make plans to attend in person or remotely. A Microsoft Teams link will be provided in a future newsletter and posted on our school website prior to August 2nd.
Information Day
Parking is available in our front lot and in the bus lot. Students and families can enter & exit through our front door or the Wildcat Den doors. Doors will open at 12:30 pm.
Information Day Schedule
Last Name A-I - 12:30
Last Name J-S - 1:30
Last Name T-Z - 2:15
There is no advantage to being in the first alphabetical group on Information Day. Homeroom teachers will randomly assign top and bottom lockers to students who have paid the locker fee prior to families arriving on the afternoon of August 5.
What to expect on Information Day:
- Students will receive their unofficial schedule (changes are still possible before 1st day)
- Students who have paid the locker fee will be issued their locker number & combination.
- Students who have paid for a locker can bring items to store in their locker.
- Students can meet their homeroom teacher.
- Students can walk their schedule in preparation for 1st day.
- Families can join our Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO)
- Families can purchase NMS Spirit Wear from our PTO.
- Families can deposit money in cafeteria accounts.
Student Lockers
Please use our Online School Payment system in order to pay the student locker fee. We will not be accepting cash or check payments. All fees should be paid using the online system. There is a service charge associated with paying fees online.
Lockers can be purchased beginning on Monday, July 26. The locker fee must be paid online by 1:00 pm on Wednesday, August 4 in order for students to receive their locker on Information Day. Lockers will be distributed on Monday, August 9 for fees received after 1:00 pm on 8/4.
A screen shot or email on your phone, or a printed copy of your Online School Payments receipt for the locker fee is required before homeroom teachers will distribute a locker card.
Top and bottom lockers are assigned randomly by homeroom teachers. There is no advantage for paying earlier or being in the first alphabetical group on Information Day. Homeroom teachers will randomly assign top and bottom lockers to students who have paid the locker fee prior to families arriving on the afternoon of August 5.
Student Backpacks
Students will not bring their backpack to the cafeteria or outside during lunch and recess. Backpacks must remain in the student's locker during lunch and recess.
Student cell phones should be off or silent and placed in their locker during the school day. Students are not allowed to carry their cell phones in their backpack.
6th Grade Residency Verification Requirement
All rising 6th graders (new or coming from a feeder school) and any new enrollees to Fulton County Schools MUST provide TWO documents for residency verification. If you have a returning student in the 7th or 8th grade, you will need to submit proof of residency if there has been any address change.
An email address has been created strictly for submitting proofs of residence starting July 1st. Please make sure you attach a photo of your document.
· You may email your attached two acceptable documents to NMSResidency@fultonschools.org starting JULY 1st.
· Please make sure that in the SUBJECT line, you list the student’s complete name, parent’s complete name and grade.
· If you are moving into a new home, you may provide an email from the Utility company stating the following: your name, date service is to start and the current address.
· If you prefer, you may bring a hardcopy of your documents to Information Day on August 5th.
Fulton County School’s policy and the approved documentation list.
BOARD POLICY JBC - Persons enrolling a student shall submit two proofs of residency from the school system's approved list of verifiable residency documents: one from the approved utility list and one from the approved residency list, upon initial enrollment in Fulton County Schools or upon entry into Kindergarten, 6th, 9th grades, and when there is any address change.
If proof of residency is delayed, the student will be provisionally enrolled for a period of 30 calendar days. At the end of this 30-day period, if proof of residency has not been provided, the student may be withdrawn. The school will notify the enrolling person at least 10 calendar days prior to the withdrawal of the student.
IMPORTANT NOTE: When you email your residency, you WILL NOT receive a confirmation. IF more information is required, we will contact you as needed.
School Year 21-22 Bell Schedule
Student Cell Phones & Personal Electronic Devices
Student use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices is prohibited during the school day. Student use of cell phones (calling, texting, playing games, recording video) will result in disciplinary consequences in accordance with the RRRoar progressive discipline cycle. Student cell phones should be off or silent and placed in their locker during the school day.
Students may wear smart watches, fitbits, etc. on their wrist during the school day. Teachers may ask students to remove smart watches, fitbits, etc. during a test.
Students may check for parent/guardian text messages during locker breaks or at the end of the school day for things such as transportation changes, etc.
Student use of headphones, earbuds, headsets, and speakers is prohibited during the school day. Student use of headphones, earbuds, headsets, or speakers will result in disciplinary consequences in accordance with the RRRoar progressive discipline cycle. Student headphones, earbuds, headsets, and speakers should be placed in their locker during the school day. Teachers and staff may give permission for students to use headphones, earbuds, or headsets for school approved usage. The school is not responsible for electronic devices on school property or at school sponsored events.
6th Grade Campus Tours
Questions: please email Mr. Peterson at petersonj1@fultonschools.org.
NMS Balance Breaks in SY21-22 Calendar
Balance Breaks are designed to provide students and their families with a break from school work while at home. During a balance break, students will not be assigned any homework. There will be no expectation for students to complete schoolwork during these regular breaks from school. Students will not have any assessments (quiz or test) during the first two school days when they return from the break. Students should not feel the need to study/prepare for an assessment during the break.
Student Arrival to School
Expected arrival time for students is between 8:25 am and 8:45 am. Our 1st period class begins at 8:55 am. All students, except for bus riders, will enter the school through the Wildcat Den doors. The Wildcat Den doors will open at 8:05 am for early arriving students. Students may arrive early for teacher help sessions, etc. Early arriving students will be supervised between 8:05 and 8:25 in the cafeteria. At 8:25, all students will be dismissed to their grade level hallways. Northwestern Middle School cannot assume responsibility for students prior to 8:05 am.
Only students who have a signed Early Morning Pass will be allowed to attend a help session prior to 8:25 am. Teachers will provide a signed Early Morning Pass to students in advance for help sessions starting prior to 8:25 am. We encourage students to take a picture of their Early Morning Pass in case it is lost.
Breakfast is served from 8:25-8:50 and is free for all students this school year.
Here Comes The Bus - An App to Track Your Student's Bus
Download the App
- Download the Here Comes The Bus app on Google Play or the Apple App Store or visit www.herecomesthebus.com.
- Click the "Sign Up" button
- Enter school code: 87428
- Click "Next" followed by "Confirm"
- Complete the "User Profile" box
- Under "My Students," click "Add." Enter your child's last name and student ID number
- Once you confirm you information, you're ready to go!
How does "Here Comes the Bus" work?
"Here Comes the Bus" uses global positioning system (GPS) technology to locate and track your child’s school bus. It is powered by software from Synovia Solutions, who are experts at tracking data, which they’ve been providing to fleet managers across North America for over 15 years.
How much does it cost?
"Here Comes the Bus" is available at no cost to all families. It's free!
Student Dismissal From School
Car riders, bike riders, and walkers will be dismissed at 4:05 pm and exit the school using the front entrance doors and Wildcat Den doors. Bus riders will be dismissed at 4:05 pm to the gymnasium (6th/7th) and cafeteria (8th) until dismissed by staff to load their bus.
Please ensure your student(s) knows how they are getting home every day. We cannot notify students of transportation changes. Please text your student to let them know of a transportation change. Students will be able to check their cell phones during locker breaks and at the end of the school day.
Late Arrival and Early Check Out
Late Arrival – Any time a student arrives after the beginning of the instructional day.
- Late arrivals follow the same rules for excused and unexcused absences
- Late arrivals follow the same rules for documentation, but have different thresholds
Early Checkout – Any time a student leaves school before the end of the instructional day.
- Early Checkouts follow the same rules for excused and unexcused absences
- Early Checkouts follow the same rules for documentation, but have different thresholds
Tardy – Any time a student arrives after the beginning of a specific class period.
- Tardies will be handled at the school level with guidance from the principal
Northwestern Late Arrival Procedure: Parents/guardians should send a note with their student when he/she is arriving late to school. Students who are late arrivals must report to the front office before reporting to class. Parents do not need to accompany their students into school for a late arrival.
Northwestern Early Checkout Procedure: If a student needs an early checkout before normal dismissal time, a note from the parent or guardian requesting early check out must be sent to school with the student(s). The student will show their teacher the note to be dismissed from class to come to the office at the time indicated on the note. Parents must sign out their student in the front office. In an emergency, a parent/guardian or approved individual may come directly to the office to request an early check out for their student. Approved individuals must be listed in Infinite Campus - no exceptions.
Parents/guardians or approved individuals must have a government issued driver's license or picture ID to check out their student(s) Only approved individuals listed in Infinite Campus can check out a student.
No early checkouts after 3:30 pm unless there is an emergency.
Please note that we will require a photo ID every time a parent or guardian comes to school to attend a meeting, visit the clinic, or check out their student. Safety and security procedures only work if we follow them every time. Your cooperation with this procedure is requested as it ensures the safety and security of students, staff, and families.
Excused Absences
Excused Absences – A hold harmless absence that has been documented, and relates to one of the following circumstances in accordance with State Board of Education Rule 160-5-1.10 and Georgia State Code, O.C.G.A. 20-2-690.1:
- Personal illness or when attendance in school would be detrimental to the health of the student or others
- A serious illness in the student’s immediate family necessitating absence from school
- A death in the student’s family necessitating absence from school
- Observance of religious holidays necessitating absence from school
- Compliance with a court order or an order issued by a governmental agency mandating an absence from school
- Visitation with an immediate family member who is on leave from or is being deployed to military service
- Important family events/celebrations for an immediate family member (graduation, wedding, religious ceremony, etc.)
- Compliance with an order for a pre-induction physical examination for service in the armed forces
- An absence for registering to vote or participating as an active voter in a local, state, or federal election
- A verified interview for college admission or a documented college visit
- A specialized, supplemental, or extracurricular program/event
- Other absences pre-approved by the principal
Attendance Documentation
Documenting illness or the illness of family members:
- After 3 consecutive absences, late arrivals, or early checkouts a doctor’s note will be required
- After 7 cumulative absences and/or 10 cumulative late arrivals or early checkouts, a doctor’s note will be required for any subsequent illness-related absences, late arrivals or early checkouts
- If there is an on-going medical circumstance that requires a student to be absent, late, or checkout early from school frequently or intermittently, a doctor’s note will be required to address medical concerns and need for absences
- In the event of a serious illness in the student’s immediate family, schools may require students to present medical documentation regarding the family member upon return to school for validating the excused absence, tardy, or early checkout
Documentation Requirements
Documentation for any absence type must be provided within five days of returning to school for an absence to be excused. Parents and/or guardians may send an email or handwritten note to the school to document a student absence. If needed, the principal or designee will verify the email address and the credibility of the email. The following must be included in all documentation:
- Student Name
- Student FCS ID Number (lunch number)
- Parent/Guardian Name
- Parent/Guardian Email & Phone Number
Excuses will be kept on file at the school for the duration of the student’s enrollment.
Any student who accumulates seven or more days in a given school year for any reason, will be required to provide additional documentation (doctor’s note, court order, etc.) for any subsequent absence, whether that absence be excused or unexcused. This excludes days accumulated during an Assigned Remote designation.
Student attendance records shall be corrected from unexcused to excused after proper documentation is provided.
When a student is absent for any reason, a note from the parent/guardian can be brought to the front office or you can send an email with an attached note to nmsfrontdesk@fultonschools.org.
Family Events and Pre-Approved Absences
Students/families must formally request for students to be absent for family events or other pre-approved absences. These requests should be made five school days in advance of the absence. Schools should create their own procedures to collect and approve requests for absences related to family events and/or other pre-approved absences. Only the principal or assistant principal(s) can approve these absence requests.
Before approving these requests, school administration should consider the student’s complete attendance record including excused, unexcused, disciplinary, or other absence types. The school administration should also consider the student’s academic standing before approving these absences.
Northwestern Procedure: for pre-approved absences, please email your student’s Assistant Principal for approval.
Medication Administration & Storage
Deliveries for Students at School
NMS will not accept deliveries from Doordash, Ubereats, or directly from restaurants for students, even if they have already been pre-paid. The school has no way to verify these meals were purchased by a student's parent/guardian. This is a student safety issue and your cooperation is greatly appreciated in this matter.
Any item (such as lunches, instruments, PE clothes, projects, homework, etc.) delivered to school by parents/guardians will be held in the office until the student comes to claim it. Students will NOT be called to the office for deliveries, nor will parents/delivery persons be permitted to deliver items to the classroom. Parents/guardians may text their student that an item was delivered to the front office. Students may check their cell phone during locker breaks. Lunches delivered during the day will be thrown out if not picked up by 4:25 pm daily. Lunch containers will be placed in lost and found once the food has been thrown out.
Student Accident Insurance
As a service to students and their families, Fulton County Schools partners with T.W. Lord & Associates to provide access to Student Accident Insurance coverage for those students who do not have health insurance. It will also provide additional coverage for those students who are covered by health insurance. The Plan provides insurance coverage for medical bills associated with an accident which occurs during certain covered school activities.
Please be aware the cost associated with the purchase of the coverage is paid by the parent, the plan is for the current academic year only and may be purchased at any time during the year. Please see the attached list (Exhibit A) for a summary of plans offered. In addition, we encourage you to review the plans at the websites listed below to determine if the coverages are right for your family.
English: https://TWLORD.NET/APPLICATION-FOR-ENROLLMENT/
Spanish: https://TWLORD.NET/SOLICITUD-DE-INSCRIPCION/
For information on how to purchase the policies please see Exhibit B.
For information on how to file a claim please see Exhibit C.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact either the Fulton County Schools Risk Management office at 470-254-2174 or T.W. Lord & Associates at 770-427-2461.
Student Devices - Summer Information
M-F 7:30am-12:00pm June 7th-July 22nd
Summer Curbside Meal Distribution
Students attending face-to-face summer school or Pre-K will receive free breakfast and lunch meals during their school’s scheduled mealtimes.
For children not attending face-to-face summer school, Summer Curbside service provides an opportunity for families to drive through and pick up FREE Meal Kits for children 18 and under, or those under 21 with special needs. Meal Kits will include a weeks’ worth of meals. Meal Kits contain a variety of kid-friendly choices such as whole-grain rich breakfast cereals, 100% fruit juice, assorted fresh fruits and vegetables, and low-fat milk.
Summer Curbside service will kick off on Wednesday, June 9th at 20 school sites throughout the district. Summer Curbside sites will be open on Wednesdays from 8:30-9:30 AM.
The suggested pick up for Northwestern Middle Schools is Summit Hill Elementary School.
13855 Providence Road, Milton, GA 30004
School Community Connection
Family Resources for Social Media & Cell Phones
Last school year, representatives from Bark presented at one of our PTO meetings. As a company, Bark provides monitoring service and resources for families. I will begin sharing information from Bark and other sources weekly in our newsletter.
There is also a Facebook group that is a great resource: Parenting in a Tech World
NMS Clubs and Student Activities
Northwestern will continue to offer many clubs and student activities for our students during the 2021-22 school year. Check back often for more information!
NMS Junior Beta
NMS Student Newspaper
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
Thank you for your continued support of Northwestern Middle School!
Sincerely,
Joel - Principal
Northwestern Middle School: Teach Hard, Love Harder - The Wildcat Way!