Northern Middle Newsletter 11/12/23
Weekly Update 11/12/23
Bobcat Nation:
On behalf of the Northern Middle School community, I would like to take a moment to honor our veterans and those who have given their lives for our country. While we do not know them all, we owe them for their service and the sacrifices they made.
The end of the first marking period was on November 1st. Report cards will be distributed in HAC on November 13th. If you have questions about one of your child’s classes, please contact the teacher.
Special thanks to the PTO for organizing a staff luncheon last Friday! It was a much appreciated addition to our professional development day.
Have a great week!
Mr. Webster, NMS Principal
NMS PARENT VISITATION DAY - THURSDAY, 11/16
NMS Staff Members Recognized for their Service
- 25 years: Kristin Skiados & Brandon Aris
- 20 years: Annamaria Pace, Derek Poole, & Joe Siracusano
8TH GRADE FIELD TRIP TO CTA - Wednesday, 11/15
Our 8th grade students have been given permission to take a tour of the CCPS Career & Technology Academy (CTA) in Prince Frederick, MD. The purpose of this tour is to provide our students with exposure to the 13 different programs and pathways that are offered and available at CTA when the students move on to high school.
8th grade students have been provided a copy of the permission form. Signed permission forms should be returned to their ELA teachers.
7th Grade Math - Fall Festival
NMS YEARBOOK 23-24 – ON SALE NOW – EARLY BIRD PRICING ENDS 11/30
Be sure to order your 2023-24 NMS Yearbook! Yearbooks are sold online at:
https://link.entourageyearbooks.com/my/NMS2023-24
Yearbooks are currently on sale with a special early bird price of $25.00. After November 30th, the price will increase to $30.00. Be sure to purchase soon to get the discounted price.
If you have any yearbook questions, please contact Mrs. McGuire at mcguireta@calvertnet.k12.md.us.
NMS Soccer Wins the County Championship
Willy Wonka Jr Musical - Pre-sale Tickets - Friday 11/17 & Saturday 11/18
The students of Northern Middle School are proud to present “Willy Wonka Junior”, a wonderful musical based on the Roald Dahl book, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”. There will be performances on the nights of November 17th and 18th at the Mary Harrison Center. The performances will begin at 7:00 pm with doors opening at 6:30.
Presale tickets may be purchased online using the OSP Link below. Checks/cash may be brought to the front office along with the attached form below. The deadline for presale tickets is Thursday, November 16th. Tickets will also be sold at the door. The cost of the evening is $10.00 per adult and $5 per student, children under 3 are free.
Please come out and support the great talent that is part of our school.
- Online Tickets through OSP - Northern Middle School (osmsinc.com)
- Order form for purchases by check/cash (return to the main office) - see below
Update from Mr. Aris in the NMS Media Center
Hey Bobcats November is Nonfiction Reading Month.
One of the greatest things about reading nonfiction is learning all kinds of things about our world which you might never have known about. There’s the intriguing, the beautiful, the appalling, and the profound. What nonfiction book or books have impacted the way you see the world in a powerful way? Is there one nonfiction book that made you rethink everything? Do you think there is a nonfiction book that everyone should read?
And you can always pair up a nonfiction read with a great fiction title on a similar topic. Stop by the library to check out some of our great nonfiction reads!
Manga Book Club Announcement
Attention 7th and 8th graders...Do you love mange and anime? If so, consider joining a new lunch bunch club that will meet in the library once a month to discuss your favorite reads. More details to come, and you can stop by the library to let Mr. Aris know you are interested in joining.
NJHS - Toys for Tots Drive
CARSON SCHOLAR APPLICATIONS
If selected as the NMS nominee, you will apply to be selected as a Carson Scholar and possibly win a $1000.00 college scholarship.
Students who are interested in applying should stop by the guidance office for an application.
7th and 8th Grade Health Curriculum in Physical Education Classes
Reminder: Students in 7ᵗʰ and 8ᵗʰ grade will participate in the family life and human sexuality
component of the health curriculum. Typically, this takes place during the 2ⁿᵈ or 3ʳᵈ marking
periods. Parents will receive an opt- out letter outlining what is taught in Family Life and Human Sexuality. Teachers will email this letter through Home Access Center (HAC). Any parents who would like to excuse their child from family life and human sexuality topics, should return the letter to the teacher.
We encourage parents to speak with the teacher to further understand what is being taught and to determine if there are specific elements in which you would want your child to participate. Students who are excused from family life learning objectives will receive appropriate alternative learning in health education outside of the health classroom.
If you have any questions regarding the curriculum, please contact your child’s teacher. You can find the letter here:
NMS Extracurricular Opportunities
Middle School Athletics - Winter
- See below for the Winter Athletics Flyer
- A calendar of clinic dates will be published soon
- Required Athletics Forms - https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/athletics/middle-school-athletics. Copies are also available in the main office and cafeteria.
If you have any questions, please contact our Athletic Director, Ms. McGuire, at 443-550-9230 or at mcguireta@calvertnet.k12.md.us
Northern Middle School PTO
PTO is a great way to be involved in supporting our students, staff, and school! Click the link to join! https://my.cheddarup.com/c/pto-membership-2023-2024
There will be a Writers Showcase for families that takes place the Friday night of Willy Wonka in the Mary Harrison Center lobby! The team needs some assistance putting together and setting up the showcase. We are also in need of medium-large sized cardboard boxes, If anyone has any in good condition they can drop off to the school attn: Mrs Albaugh this week, that would be sweet!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B4FA9A62AA2FC1-45598053-writing
Our next PTO Fundraiser will take place November 13-17. Double Good popcorn is a great way to raise money for our PTO! We will earn 50% from all orders placed! Use code UEOZSK to set up your personal store in the app and share via email and social media!
Spirit Night at 5 Guys will be on Thursday 11/16 from 4-9pm! Hope to see you there!
Resource Flyers and Opportunities for Students and Families
New CCPS Student Forum Announcement
We are pleased to share that CCPS students are invited to attend a new student forum "New Generation – Students for Students" facilitated by student school board member Jordan Hayes. Meetings will take place during the months of November, January, March, and May. Meeting topics will be student-lead. The student forum is open to all CCPS students. Please note: students under the age of 11 must have a parent/guardian present. The November meeting topic is focused on Student Athletics.
New Generation – Students for Students Forum
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Central Office, Multipurpose Room
1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick
6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Refreshments Provided
RSVP by November 21 to https://forms.office.com/r/3iGvrV8KUZ?origin=lprLink
Recurring Resources for Families
CCPS Reopening Plan
Tardy to School Process for NMS
It is important for students to arrive at school between 7:50 and 8:00 AM. Car-riders that arrive after 8:00 AM are considered tardy. The following steps are in place when a student arrives repeatedly late to school:
- 4 days tardy in one marking period, the NMS Attendance Team will talk to the student about the need to be at school on time and discuss solutions with the student.
- 6 days tardy in one marking period, the NMS Attendance Team will call the parents or guardians to discuss solutions.
- 8 days tardy in one marking period, the student will have lunch detention each day they arrive after 8 AM.
If tardiness is something your child is struggling with in the morning, here are some suggestions to help them get to school on time:
- Pack lunch (if necessary), lay out outfit for the morning and pack book bag before going to bed at night.
- Talk to the student about they need to do in the morning (take shower, get dressed, eat breakfast, drive time, etc.), and how long each activity will take, then have them set their alarm for enough time to get all activities completed to get to school before 8 AM.
- Students can be dropped off at 7:50, so aim for 7:50 instead of 8 AM as your arrival time.
- If tardiness continues, have student take their assigned bus to school instead of being a car-rider.
CCPS SCHOOL LUNCH MENUS
NEW ONLINE MEAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
To provide parents/guardians with a better user experience, the CCPS Child Nutrition Program has transitioned from www.MySchoolBucks.com to https://LinqConnect.com for its online meal management system.
Student purchases and account balances may be monitored by signing up online for a LINQ Connect account at https://LinqConnect.com. There is no fee to sign up for an account. From this one site, parents/guardians will be able to apply for meal benefits (no registration required) and to register their student(s) if they wish to monitor Café purchases, view balances, set low balance reminders and make deposits. In addition, parents/guardians will also now have the ability to transfer funds between their student accounts and may choose to place spending limits/purchasing maximums on these accounts. Online deposits will still incur a fee of $1.60, but that fee will now include all deposits made during a single transaction.
Please note that all previous account balances automatically transferred into the new system, however, any special notes regarding snack/á la carte purchases and limits did not and will need to be re-entered vis https://LinqConnect.com or by contacting the Child Nutrition Office at 443.550.8680.
FREE/REDUCED PRICE MEAL BENEFIT APPLICATION
It’s not too late! Apply today for free and reduced-price meal benefits!
Did you know??
- Children in your household are eligible for free school meals if your household receives benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Just be sure to include your 9-digit case number when completing your application (you do not need to list your income).
- Children in your household may be eligible for free or reduced-price school meals if your household is currently receiving Medicaid or WIC benefits. Eligibility will be determined based on your household size and income.
- Children in your household may be eligible for free or reduced-price school meals even if you don’t receive any assistance benefits. Eligibility will be determined based on your household size and income.
- Children who were approved for free or reduced-price meal benefits last school year were granted a 30-day grace period this school year. That grace period ended on October 10th. If your household has not yet reapplied for meal benefits this school year and has not received a notice (dated August 28th or later) stating the children in your household are eligible for meal benefits this year, please apply as soon as possible to prevent unnecessary meal charges.
Some students may qualify for free or reduced-price meals. A new application must be submitted each school year. Eligibility is typically determined by household size and income. To see if your household qualifies, please complete, and submit one meal benefit application per household. Applications may be completed online at https://LinqConnect.com. Applications are available in many languages on the LinqConnect site but are also available on the USDA’s website at http://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/translated-applications.
More information is also available on the CCPS website at Departments – Child Nutrition or at https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/child-nutrition.
Student Laptops
Student have been provided with a laptop and charger by Calvert County Public Schools. 8th graders will continue to utilize the laptop this school year that has been previously issued to them and was taken home over the summer. 6th grade and 7th grade students have received new laptops.
It is important that students take care of their device and charger. While normal wear and tear is acceptable and expected, intentional damage or damage caused by neglect is not covered under the accidental warranty. These types of damages will require an investigation by school administration and may result in a student obligation for the repair costs. We would like to avoid parents being responsible for these costs, as they could hundreds of dollars depending on the damage.
Technology Expectations
Learning Expectations with Devices
- CCPS/CHS device brought to school every day – fully charged before school begins.
- Used as the official electronic device in all classrooms
- Use CCPS Office 365 account to save assignments, projects, notes
Device Safety:
- Accounts, usernames and/or passwords are never to be shared with another student/individual
- Laptop devices should never be loaned to another student/individual
- Personal, identifiable information should never be posted on the internet
- Never leave devices unattended
Device Care:
- No decorations, stickers, drawing or writing on the device
- No eating or drinking near the device
- Do not expose the device to extreme heat, cold or rain
- Clean with a dry soft cloth only
- Do not drop or slam the device on any surface
- Do not places papers or other objects between the keyboard and screen and close shut/use as a folder
PARENT ACCOUNTS IN SCHOOLOGY
Schoology accounts for parents are view only accounts. They were created for parents who have an email address in Home Access Center (HAC). For more information about how to access your Schoology parent account click: https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/instruction/programs/digital-learning/schoology-for-parents
Technology Support
If students have questions about their device (laptop/computer), they can get help from a member of the CCPS IT team at helpdesk@calvertnet.k12.md.us or call 443-550-8146. Students needing assistance can also drop off their laptop in the main office and fill out a paper Help Desk ticket.
Supports are available on the CCPS website using the Technology Support link below. This resource provides links to submit help desk tickets, frequently asked questions, and other resources that can be used to solve issues.
Here Comes the Bus - A School Bus Tracking App for Parents
Here Comes the Bus (HCTB) is an app with tracking features for the bus(es) your child(ren) is assigned to ride. They include
- Showing the real-time location of your child's bus on a map
- Scheduled and actual arrival times at home and school for bus routes
- Push and email notifications when the bus is near
Click this link for more information on getting the app - https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/transportation/bus-status/here-comes-the-bus
To create an account, you will need to know your child's ID number and the school district activation code 87557.
Become a Volunteer
Calvert County Public Schools uses Raptor for visitors and volunteers to sign in and sign out. Volunteers must apply annually to be an approved volunteer. All volunteers will need to review the volunteer handbook and watch the volunteer training video before completing and Online Volunteer Application. Volunteers must be approved before they may begin service as a volunteer in any school buildings.
CCPS Online Volunteer Application & Process: https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/human-resources/become-a-volunteer