10/30/26 Life in the Middle

October 30, 2026

We had a fun day at NHMS! Many of our students and staff got into the Halloween fun and shared their creativity through their costumes.

It is hard to believe we are heading into November. Enjoy the fall weekend with your family!

David Simpson and Raeanne Hart

On Friday, November 6, our 8th graders will head to Robinette’s Orchard for an afternoon with their CREWs and classmates. After having to cancel our canoe trip earlier this year, we’re excited to give students another opportunity to connect and have fun together. Students will explore the corn maze, enjoy cider and donuts, and spend time outdoors.

Students will eat an early lunch at NHMS from 11:15–11:45 a.m. before traveling to Robinette’s on FHPS buses. We will return before the end of the school day.

Do you have a veteran in your family? Our NHMS students would love to thank them for their service with a personalized card this Veterans Day!

As part of our annual tradition, students will learn about Veterans Day in social studies and create cards that we will mail to veterans connected to our school community.

Please share your veteran’s information and mailing address using the form below. You can also include details to help students personalize their card.

👉 https://forms.gle/KjuTm9dzkakXsw8q9

Thank you for helping us celebrate our Husky Heroes!

Calling all PRIDE Pup fans! Our PRIDE Pup sWAG sale is here, and it’s the paw-fect way to show some love for the four-footed friends who brighten our schools. Choose from cozy hoodies, crewnecks, tees, totes, and hats, with youth and adult sizes for the whole pack. Rep your favorite pup, or grab the design featuring the whole crew! Support Muffin and the FHPS PRIDE Pup program! All proceeds go directly back to our school support dog program. Shop by Nov. 30 at grmifullypromoted.chipply.com/pridepupspopup. Have it shipped, or pick it up at your school. It also makes a great holiday gift!

As colder weather moves in, students have another option for spending their lunch period: Chess Club!

Beginning Monday, November 2, Chess Club will meet during both lunches on Mondays and Wednesdays in room D-3, across from the pop-up media center.

Students should sign up for a pass in the morning and bring their lunch with them. Space is limited to 12 students per lunch. There will be no formal instruction, but students can learn from one another, practice their skills, and enjoy a friendly game. All experience levels are welcome!

Attention parents of Middle School baseball players. This is Tom Canute, the Varsity Baseball Coach at FHN. A couple of weeks ago, I attended the lunch hours for both the 7th and 8th graders at Northern Hills Middle School. I asked boys to sign up if interested. Each grade had 18 players sign up. We are planning on fielding 2 teams for spring baseball.

I’ve scheduled an informational meeting for Thursday, November 12 at 7pm in the High School Cafeteria (enter by the big wall of windows). At this meeting you’ll receive information on the MS League, games and practices. We have a Coach for the 7th grade team and will need one for the 8th grade team. I look forward to seeing you there.

Please click here for our district's November Fine Arts Newsletter.

As part of our ongoing commitment to safety and security, FHPS is introducing a new visitor management system in all of our schools this November. The system keeps track of who is in our buildings at all times, so we can continue providing a safe and welcoming environment for students, staff, and families.

When you visit any FHPS school during the school day, there are two important things to remember:

1. Always enter through the main entrance and check in with the office staff.

2. If your visit will take you beyond the main office, for example, to volunteer or read to a class, bring a valid government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or state ID.

   
   

If you’ll be going beyond the office, here’s what to expect when you arrive:

• Enter the secure vestibule area inside the main school entrance. Press the security door buzzer, and proceed to the main office. Scan your ID using the designated iPad and follow the directions posted at each iPad kiosk. If you need assistance, an office member can help you.

• Scan your ID at the kiosk each time you visit.

• The system reads your name, photo, and date of birth from your ID. It then runs a brief background check against the sex offender registry and any flags or local alerts entered by school personnel.

• Once you’re cleared, the kiosk prints a visitor sticker. Visitors must wear their sticker where staff can easily see it throughout their visit, so staff knows you’re an approved visitor.

• Before you leave, return your sticker to the front office and quickly scan out.

  
  

The entire check-in process typically takes less than 30 seconds.

Not every visit requires scanning in. If you’re stopping by briefly to drop off or pick up a student, or to make a delivery, you won’t need to use the system. FHPS employees also won’t scan in, because all district staff are already required to wear their FHPS ID badge at all times, enter through the main office, and check in with office staff before going further into the building. Furthermore, for larger school events, the check-in process will be more streamlined and communicated to families prior to these events, such as class parties or school fundraising walks, to name a few.

Behind the scenes, the new system replaces paper sign-in sheets with a secure digital process. It keeps a real-time record of everyone on campus, including when each visitor arrives and leaves. It also connects with PowerSchool, our student information system, and can generate reports for building administrators. If a visitor is flagged, the system immediately alerts an administrator so they can respond quickly and discreetly.

Most importantly, remember to bring your government-issued ID every time you plan to go beyond the school office. Our front office staff is always willing to assist. Thank you for your partnership in keeping our schools safe and welcoming for everyone.

Monday, Nov. 2

No events scheduled.

Tuesday, Nov. 3

• Student Council Meeting: Room 511, 2:45 to 3:45 p.m.

  
  

Wednesday, Nov. 4

• Boys Basketball vs. FHC:

  • Away: 7A at 4:00 p.m.; 8A at 5:00 p.m.
    5810 Ada Dr. SE, Ada

  • Home: 7B at 4:00 p.m.; 8B at 5:00 p.m.

    
    

Thursday, Nov. 5

• Math Counts: Room B3, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

  
  

Friday, Nov. 6

8th Grade Field Trip to Robinette's

Upcoming Events

Monday, Nov. 9

• Two-Hour Early Release for Students

• Boys Basketball vs. FHE:

  • Away: 7A at 4:00 p.m.; 8A at 5:00 p.m.

  • Home: 7B at 4:00 p.m.; 8B at 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 11

• Boys Basketball vs. EK Pinewood:

  • Home: 7A at 4:00 p.m.; 8A at 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 12

• Math Counts: Room B3, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

• Boys Basketball at Wayland:

  • Away: 7B at 4:00 p.m.; 8B at 5:00 p.m.