Lions in the Middle

Lion Fam, we did it! Our Silly String Showdown Fundraiser was a roaring success! I am so incredibly thankful for all of the hard work, energy, enthusiasm, and generosity displayed by our entire middle school community.

Thank you so much to all of our fantastic students and families who jumped in to support our students and this event. Thank your your school spirit and dedication we raised a significant amount of funds that will go directly toward each grade levels, current and future 8th Grade Mackinac Island Trip! It is awesome to see our Pride come together so early to invest in these unforgettable middle school memories for our kids!

An extra special, shout out goes to the mastermind behind all of this, Mrs. VandePanne! Thank you for your leadership, organization, and for putting up with what I can safely say was a very sticky, colorful, and most importantly fun afternoon for our students.

Our Lions definitely showed their pride, and had a blast spraying streams of what ever silly string is made of at each other and around the room. Thank you all for making our school such a fun and upbeat place to learn and grow!

At Newaygo Middle School, we are dedicated to fostering well-rounded leaders. Each month, we will spotlight a key Leadworthy character trait, striving to nurture not only our students' minds but also their ability to lead with compassion and empathy.

Our goal is to empower students to grow not just individually, but as part of a community, growing together and growing as leaders. We hope our students will learn to lead with their hearts and make a meaningful impact in their world.

Each month, we’ll introduce a new Leadworthy trait to focus on as a school. Thank you, Lion Families, for your ongoing support!

Attached below is this months Leadworthy Newsletter, highlighting Self-Direct.

What is Teamwork?

Teamwork is the ability to work in unity with others towards a common goal. For us to learn how to become team players, it is important that we learn to listen, encourage our peers, and allow and invite others to contribute their talents and skills.

Why focus on Teamwork?

• Teamwork improves communication: Teamwork helps us improve our verbal and non-verbal communication skills, conveying that we care and a relevant message.
• Teamwork builds interpersonal awareness: Growing a great team requires us to first build strong relationships through a better understanding of ourselves and others.
• Teamwork celebrates diversity. Teamwork thrives from diverse ideas that come from a mixture of different genders, cultures, expertise, experience, and problem-solving approaches.

Teamwork in Action:

• Call them a team, not a class or group. A group consists of many different people. A team, however, has a common purpose and a shared responsibility for success.
• Require teams to set expectations for and manage their own behavior. Do not tell teams what type of behavior is expected—let them decide for themselves with a Social Contract.
• Teach and encourage affirmations. Giving affirmations helps connect the team, builds trust, promotes engagement, and boosts a positive culture.

#TogetherWeRoar

We want to remind all families in our district about a powerful, free, and confidential mental health resource available to you: ParentGuidance.org. Developed by licensed therapists, this specialized website provides trusted support, professional guidance, and a safe community to help you navigate the joys and challenges of raising your children.

The Power of Parent Coaching

While the website offers a wealth of information, we want to especially highlight and encourage you to utilize the Parent Coaching service, provided free of charge to our families.

Parent Coaching is a confidential service designed to give you, the parent, extra support and personalized guidance from a licensed professional.

How the coaching works:

• Regular Sessions: A coach can meet with you as often as weekly for a 30-minute session to discuss your specific concerns and needs.

• Ongoing Access: You can message your coach confidentially if other questions or challenges arise between your scheduled meetings.

How to get started: To connect with this invaluable, one-on-one service, simply go to ParentGuidance.org, select "Parent Coaching," and then click "Register for Coaching."

In addition to Parent Coaching, ParentGuidance.org provides a deep library of resources to help you form stronger bonds with your children.

In accordance with Michigan’s statewide legislation restricting personal electronics during instructional time, Newaygo Middle School has established clear expectations regarding student electronic devices for the upcoming school year. These guidelines are designed to minimize classroom distractions, protect instructional time, and support student focus and well-being.

What Parents Need to Know

• Classrooms are Device-Free Zones: All personal electronic devices—including cell phones, smartwatches, Meta glasses (or similar smart eyewear), tablets, and Bluetooth earbuds/headphones—are strictly prohibited in classrooms during class time.

• Locker-to-Locker Rule: Upon arriving at school, all personal electronic devices must be turned off or silenced and stored securely inside the student's assigned locker for the duration of the instructional day.

• Lunchtime Use: Students retain the privilege of using their personal devices during their designated lunch period only. Once lunch concludes, devices must be returned to their lockers before heading to afternoon classes.

• Reaching Your Student: If you need to send an urgent message or reach your child during class time, please contact the Main Office directly. Our office staff will deliver messages promptly without interrupting instruction.

Please join us in celebrating Melissa Longcore as our October Staff Lion Pride Award recipient!

Mrs. Longcore brings an unmistakable warmth, an infectious smile, and steady positivity into our building each day. In her classroom, learning is lively, memorable, and creative. She regularly uses engaging study tips and tricks to make even challenging content click for kids. A true highlight every year is her student-favorite World Culture Day, an unforgettable event that brings global traditions, food, and history straight into the classroom.

Equally impactful is the strong community she builds within her four walls. Embracing the core principles of Capturing Kids’ Hearts, Mrs. Longcore has created a space rooted in intentional affirmation, compassion, and care. In her room, students aren't just noticed and heard by their teacher, they learn to lift up and value one another.

To her colleagues, Melissa is the ultimate teammate. She constantly looks out for the needs of others, whether stepping up during prep times, welcoming extra students during an emergency, or coordinating celebrations for big life milestones outside of school. Her deep heart of compassion makes our entire building stronger, and our school community is truly better because she is here.

Congratulations, Mrs. Longcore, and thank you for the lasting difference you make every single day!

Amanda, thank you for being someone we can always count on and for making a lasting difference in our school family. We appreciate you!

Our 5th graders have been working diligently to prepare a special morning of music and heartfelt gratitude to honor the courageous men and women who have served and continue to serve our country.

We would love to pack the gymnasium with our school families, neighbors, and community members -and most importantly, our local heroes. If you have a veteran or an active-duty military member in your family or circle of friends, please invite them to attend as our honored guests. It would be our absolute privilege to recognize their service, dedication, and sacrifice in person and say thank you together as a school community.

• Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2026

• Time: 8:15 AM

• Location: Newaygo Middle School Gymnasium

• Admission: Free and open to everyone

Please enter through the main gymnasium doors upon arrival. We look forward to seeing our bleachers filled with community support as our 5th-grade Lions celebrate our nation's service members!

This school year marked the beginning of an exciting new tradition at Newaygo Middle School: our quarterly Rewards and Recognition Rally! Designed to celebrate our students' dedication, growth, and character, this celebration gives our entire school family the chance to affirm the hard work happening in our classrooms every day.

During our inaugural first-quarter rally, we proudly celebrated student achievements across multiple academic and behavioral milestones:

• Academic Excellence: We honored all students who passed every course, earned a spot on the Honor Roll (all A’s and B’s), or achieved the prestigious Principal’s List (straight A’s).

• Attendance & Punctuality: We applauded students with Perfect Attendance, as well as our Zero Hero recipients—students who achieved zero tardies throughout the entire first quarter.

• Heart of a Lion Award: To close our celebration, we presented our highest character honor to three young men and three young women. This award recognizes students whose everyday leadership shines through compassion, teamwork, and self-direction. These honorees consistently look out for their pride and exemplify true Lion pride.

Congratulations to all of our students for their outstanding effort, dedication, and focus during the first quarter. We cannot wait to see what you achieve in quarter two—keep roaring, Lions!

The Mobile Dentist is coming to NMS!

Use the following sign-up link to sign your student up for FREE dental care at school.

www.MySchoolDentist.com

Paper sign-ups will go home with students at a later date.

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Registration is officially open for the Newaygo Youth Wrestling Club, welcoming all boys and girls in grades K–8 of every experience level!

In-person sign-ups take place this Thursday, November 5, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM in the High School Wrestling Room ($50 registration fee), with online registration also available via Venmo (@NewaygoYWC).

Mark your calendars for an informational Parent Meeting on Tuesday, November 10, from 6:00 to 7:00 PM in the High School Cafeteria to cover season expectations and practice details.

Official practices begin Monday, November 16, running Mondays and Thursdays in the High School Wrestling Room (Grades K–3 from 5:30–6:30 PM; Grades 4–8 from 6:30–7:30 PM).

Wrestling is a fantastic way for student-athletes to build strength, agility, discipline, and character that carry over into every sport and the classroom, come out and join the tradition!

We are proud to share that Newaygo Middle School has earned official designation as a MI HEARTSafe School!

Sudden cardiac death of the young (SCDY) affects more than 300 Michigan children and young adults each year. The MI HEARTSafe School Program is a statewide initiative designed to equip K–12 schools, staff, and communities to act swiftly during cardiac emergencies, prevent sudden cardiac death, and ensure life-saving readiness. This milestone also directly aligns with Michigan House Bills 5527 and 5528, which establish robust cardiac emergency standards across schools statewide.

Earning this designation demonstrates that our building has the specialized equipment, ongoing training, and comprehensive emergency protocols required to respond rapidly should an emergency occur.

To achieve this certification, Newaygo Middle School successfully met strict criteria including:

• Cardiac Emergency Response Plan: Implemented a detailed, written Cardiac Emergency Response Plan that is reviewed annually with all staff.

• Trained Response Team: Established a dedicated on-site cardiac emergency team with active CPR/AED certification ready to act during the school day and at school-sponsored events.

• Staff & Coach Certification: Ensured CPR/AED certification across our team, meeting state thresholds for general staff, 100% of physical education teachers, and 100% of head athletic coaches.

• Accessible AEDs: Maintained strategically placed, inspected, and clearly signed Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) throughout our campus, ensuring response placement within the critical 2- to 5-minute window.

• Annual Drills & Simulations: Conducted on-site emergency drills practicing the American Heart Association’s Chain of Survival—early recognition, early 911 activation, rapid CPR, and immediate AED deployment before EMS arrives.

The safety and well-being of our students, staff, and visitors remains our highest priority. We want to thank our health staff, coaches, teachers, and local first responders whose commitment makes Newaygo Middle School a safe place to learn, compete, and grow!

Achieving this milestone across our district would not have been possible without the dedication of our school nurse, Jen Stephens. Nurse Stephens has worked across all three of our district schools leading to every single one earning this vital MI HEARTSafe designation!

We are incredibly proud not only of the hard work taking place inside our school walls, but of our entire district's commitment to protecting and supporting our students, staff, and wider Newaygo community. Thank you, Nurse Stephens, for your leadership, advocacy, and heart for our schools!

This month, our 5th through 8th-grade students are taking part in the MBF Teen Safety Matters – Middle School Edition program, an evidence-informed safety curriculum presented by the Monique Burr Foundation for Children.

We want to extend a sincere and heartfelt thank you to Evergreen Child Advocacy Center (formerly the Newaygo County Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect) for their continued partnership with Newaygo Middle School. Through their leadership and support, our students are gaining practical strategies to recognize, prevent, and respond to critical challenges, including:

• Bullying and cyberbullying

• Physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect

• Relationship abuse and digital dangers, including online exploitation and human trafficking

• Identifying trusted "Safe Adults" and applying the MBF 5 Safety Rules in any unsafe situation

Programs like this provide our young people with essential tools to navigate today’s world safely and confidently. We are deeply grateful to Evergreen for their dedication to our building, their ongoing service to our county, and their tireless commitment to protecting and uplifting the children and families of Newaygo County!

Our Lost and Found area is officially bursting at the seams, and our Lion is practically buried beneath the mountain of hoodies!

We have been announceing everyday for the last two weeks. Now because our collection has grown so large throughout the first quarter, all unclaimed items will be officially donatedat the end of the week.

Our bins and racks are currently filled to the brim with:

• Hoodies, sweatshirts, and sweaters

• zip-up fleeces, and jackets

• Hats, beanies

• Water bottles, lunchboxes, and gym attire

How You Can Help Reunite Items with Owners:

• Remind Your Student: Encourage your child to check the Lost and Found bins before or after school this week.

• Stop By and Look: Families are welcome to sign in at the main office during school hours to check the racks in person.

• Label Everything: Writing your student’s name inside jackets and hoodies ensures lost items find their way back to their lockers.

Donation Notice: Please claim all missing gear before the end of the week. After this date, all remaining first-quarter attire will be cleaned and donated to support local families in our community.

The National Junior Honor Society is proud to partner with TrueNorth Community Services this season to support the local Children’s Christmas Programs and Toys for Tots.

Our NJHS members are collecting new, unwrapped toys to help ensure every child in our community experiences the magic of the holidays. With your support, we can make this our best year yet!

• Kickoff / Start Date: Monday, November 23, 2026

• Donation Deadline: Early December (final date to be announced soon)

• Where to Drop Off: Collection box located in the Middle School Office

• What to Donate: New, unwrapped toys for children of all ages

Every donation, big or small, makes a meaningful difference. Thank you for partnering with our students to bring smiles to local families this holiday season!

Keeping our students and staff safe starts with clear communication. All schools across Newaygo County utilize the same Standardized Response Terminology; starting with the 2026–2027 school year, these exact terms are now standard across the entire State of Michigan.

By using a single, shared vocabulary, our students, educators, families, and emergency first responders all understand the exact same action the exact same way. Whether your child is in an elementary classroom, attending an away game in another district, or visiting a facility in another city, the instructions and safety expectations remain completely consistent.

Review the five standard actions below to understand what each response means, where students are, and what parents and guardians should do in each scenario:

• Secure (Potential External Threat) : Used when there is potential activity or an external concern outside the building in the neighborhood or community. Exterior doors are locked, while teaching and learning continue as normal inside. There is no outside activities permitted. No parent action is needed unless directed; Expect increased security and security escorts for any mid-day student pick-up or drop-off.

• HOLD (Clear the Hallways): Used when students must remain in a specific room to allow full hallway access for medical or internal situations. No hallway movement occurs, but classroom instruction continues. Please do not come to the school, and do not expect any mid-day student pick-up or drop-off during this time.

• LOCKDOWN (Active Threat): Used for an active or existing threat inside or at the school building, requiring maximum security, immediate life-saving response (RUN, HIDE, FIGHT!), and a full public safety response. All interior and exterior doors are locked, and access to the school will be blocked by public safety. PLEASE DO NOT COME TO THE SCHOOL. Monitor official notifications and NIXLE for instructions on where to go for student pick-up.

• EVACUATE (Relocate Outside): Used when students and staff need to quickly leave an unsafe building. Everyone moves to a designated safe area outside and must not re-enter until cleared by public safety. Please do not come to the school; monitor official notifications.

• SHELTER (Environmental Hazard): Used when conditions outside (such as severe weather) make it safer to stay inside. Everyone moves to designated safe interior shelter areas, and building entrance/exit is restricted. Please do not come to the school; monitor official updates.

Stay Informed: Sign Up for NIXLE Alerts:

• Text NewaygoES to 888777

• FREE, takes less than a minute, and connects you directly with the Newaygo County Public Safety Team.

During any incident, official instructions and updates are broadcast directly through NIXLE, the fastest way to get accurate information and avoid rumors or social media misinformation.

Do you ever wish there was a place for your student to hang out after school that's not... well, the couch? A place where they can have a blast with friends, tackle that tough math homework, and maybe even learn to be a future world leader?

Look no further! Our After-School Program Beyond our Bell (BOB) is the place to be!

What's Happening in BOB?

From 3:20 to 5:00 PM (2:20 to 5:00 PM on Early Release Days), our halls are filled with energy and opportunity. BOB is a vibrant, fun, and engaging place where students can:

• Connect with Peers: Play games, hang out, and build friendships.
• Get a Snack: Fuel up after a long day of learning.
• Level Up in School: Get one-on-one help from teachers in core subjects like math, reading, and science.
• Join a Club: Explore new interests and develop new skills.
• Become a Leader: Work on leadership skills and participate in awesome service-learning projects that benefit our community.

This is more than just a place to wait for a ride home—it's a chance for your student to grow, learn, and have a ton of fun with their peers and our amazing staff.

A Few Quick Reminders

• After-school bussing is available to select stops.
• We kindly ask that you pick up your student by 5:00 PM sharp. Our dedicated staff can't wait to spend the day with your kids, but they also have families who can't wait to see them!

Don't let this incredible opportunity pass you by! Encourage your student to join the fun. We can't wait to see them there.

Our start time is 8:09 a.m.! We need your help getting students here on time! Any students arriving 15 minutes after class starts without a medical note from a Doctor/Dentist/Court/Bereavement will be marked unexcused for the class (not a tardy). Upon arrival at school a parent/guardian will need to sign in and or sign out the child at the front desk.

Please call the school If a student has a change in transportation. Please call the school office before 2:50 p.m. so that we have ample time to get the student the message. We need to limit interruptions into the classroom.

If your student will be gone for any part of the day, please call and or email the school secretary: Attendance Line 231-652-1285 Email: awood@newaygo.net or lsanchez@newaygo.net . Please refer to the following link to what your student misses when they arrive late to school. Link:On Time Everyday

Is your student nervous about opening their lockers? Please watch the following video to help them open their lockers. Video Link: How To Open A Combination Lock

Hi, I’m your middle schooler’s classroom desk.

Even though Chromebooks stay right here at school, I see it all. Today during science class, I’m holding a open textbook, a water bottle with a questionable cap, and your student's district device. Someone bumped into me, the water tipped, and whoops!!! a full drink just took a swim across the keyboard.

Or maybe a Chromebook gets shoved onto a crowded hallway cart, dropped straight onto the hard tile floor, or crushed under a heavy textbook in a locker.

Even inside the building, accidents happen, and repair bills can stack up fast.

With our Accidental Damage Plan, your child is covered for all the bumps, spills, cracked screens, and drops that happen throughout the school day. It keeps your student connected and saves you from unexpected out-of-pocket costs.

Protect your student's device from everyday school-day Mayhem ... Like me.

Enroll in the Accidental Damage Plan Today!

Coverage is available now for all student Chromebooks.10 Dollars per student *a maximum of $30 per family. Sign up today through the middle school office to keep your student covered all school year! (We do not accept debit/credit cards)

Details of Accidental Damage Protection attached below

School Calendar & Schedule Updates

• Tuesday, Nov. 3: National Sandwich Day

• Wednesday, Nov. 4: Early Release Day

• Tuesday, Nov. 10: National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) Induction Ceremony

• Wednesday, Nov. 11: Early Release Day

• Wednesday, Nov. 11: Veterans Day Concert (8:15 AM)

• Friday, Nov. 13: World Kindness Day

• Saturday, Nov. 14: National Pickle Day

• Wednesday, Nov. 18: Early Release Day

• Friday, Nov. 20: Future Educators Association / Future Teachers Day

• Wednesday, Nov. 25 – Friday, Nov. 27: No School (Thanksgiving Break)
  
  

Athletics and Extracurriculars:

Week of Nov. 2

• Monday, Nov. 2: Girls Varsity Volleyball – MHSAA Districts (Home)

• Monday, Nov. 2: Community Facility Use – Softball Open Gym

• Tuesday, Nov. 3: Community Facility Use – 6th Grade Girls Basketball

• Wednesday, Nov. 4: Girls Varsity Volleyball – MHSAA District Semifinals (Home)

• Wednesday, Nov. 4: Community Facility Use – Youth Girls Basketball Practice

• Wednesday, Nov. 4: Community Facility Use – Softball Open Gym

• Thursday, Nov. 5: Girls Varsity Volleyball – MHSAA District Championship (Home)

• Saturday, Nov. 7: Youth Girls Basketball Games (at Newaygo High School)

• Saturday, Nov. 7: High School Marching Band – State Finals

Week of Nov. 9

• Monday, Nov. 9: Middle School Boys Basketball vs. Central Montcalm (Home)

• Monday, Nov. 9: Community Facility Use – Softball Open Gym

• Tuesday, Nov. 10: 5th Grade Veterans Day Concert Rehearsal

• Wednesday, Nov. 11: Veterans Day Breakfast & 5th Grade Concert

• Wednesday, Nov. 11: Middle School Boys Basketball at Kent City (Away)

Week of Nov. 16

• Monday, Nov. 16: Middle School Boys Basketball vs. Grant (Home)

• Monday, Nov. 16: Community Facility Use – Softball Open Gym

• Wednesday, Nov. 18: Middle School Boys Basketball at Morley Stanwood (Away)

• Wednesday, Nov. 18: Community Facility Use – Softball Open Gym

• Saturday, Nov. 21: Youth Girls Basketball Games (at Newaygo High School)

• Saturday, Nov. 21: Boys Varsity Wrestling – Pre-Season Scrimmage at Chippewa Hills (Away)

Week of Nov. 23

• Monday, Nov. 23: Middle School Boys Basketball vs. Lakeview (Home)

• Monday, Nov. 23: Community Facility Use – Softball Open Gym

• Wednesday, Nov. 25: Community Facility Use – Softball Open Gym

Looking Ahead: Week of Nov. 30

• Monday, Nov. 30: Middle School Boys Basketball vs. Reed City (Home)

• Monday, Nov. 30: Community Facility Use – Softball Open Gym

• Tuesday, Dec. 1: Boys JV Basketball vs. Montague (Home)

• Tuesday, Dec. 1: Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Montague (Home)