NORTH NEWS

The first two days at Martinsburg North Middle School have been an exciting start to a new school year! We’re building a school community where every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and pursue excellence in academics and in life. Our teachers are introducing students to the North Norms, which will help create a positive, welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

A special welcome to our sixth graders—you belong here, and we’re so glad you’re part of the North family! Seventh and eighth graders, we’re counting on you to help our newest North stars find their way, feel included, and experience the North spirit.

We kicked the new year off with some fun on Friday afternoon! Our Renaissance Team hosted North Middle School Pep Rally to celebrate the start of the school year.

Looking Ahead: Next week, we’ll continue refining and practicing our North Norms as students become fully immersed in our schoolwide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework. Students will also participate in the IXL Real-Time Diagnostic, an adaptive assessment in math and English language arts that helps identify strengths, learning gaps, and skills students are ready to develop. The goal is to help every student understand where they are and grow from there—at their own pace.

With the Edulog Parent Portal app, you can see the GPS location of your child’s school bus and receive a push notification when the bus is approaching your stop. You can also set up additional locations—such as your child’s school or neighborhood entrance—to receive notifications when the bus reaches those areas.

Want to know where the bus is? Now you can! Click the link below to learn more about the Edulog Parent Portal and download the app for your smartphone.

If you plan to bring your student to school in the morning or pick them up in the afternoon, please use the access road between the Rec center on Woodbury Ave and North Middle School. NO PARENTS SHOULD ENTER THE MAIN ENTRANCE AT THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING. We also ask you not to park in the side parking lots in the morning due to limited parking. Teachers need to be able to park and get to class in the mornings. If you need to park for some reason, please do so in the Rec center parking lot and have your child walk across the field. Please see the aerial photo below for directions.

Remember, students are not to enter the building until 7:15am. Please do not drop off your child earlier than 7:15am. If a student does arrive prior to that time, they MUST report to the main entrance where they can be supervised.

Want to be part of something bigger? Find your voice with NMS Choirs! Students can join a Grade-Level Concert Choir with no audition required, or take the stage with Northern Lights Show Choir for an exciting mix of singing, dancing, acting, and more! Concert Choir is free to join and offers performances throughout the year, while Northern Lights provides additional concerts, competitions, and performance opportunities.

Thinking about joining Northern Lights? Don’t miss your LAST CHANCE AUDITION! Students who were unable to attend the May 5 audition, as well as students who signed up for Northern Lights after May 5, must audition on Thursday, August 27, from 3:00–5:00 p.m. in Room 2110. If you’re interested in Concert Choir and aren’t currently enrolled, contact the office or see Ms. Pleva for a quick enrollment form. Not sure which choir is right for you? Ms. Pleva is happy to answer questions and help you find the ensemble that’s right for you!

Join our NMS Social Studies teachers for America Rocks, an interactive learning experience celebrating America’s history and remembering 9/11. Students and their families are invited to enjoy this special event on Wednesday, September 10, from 4:30–6:00 PM at North Middle School. Come explore history in a fun, engaging way, and enjoy some concessions available for purchase. We hope to see you there!

Dear Student,

I need to tell you something, and honestly, I’m a little embarrassed. I’m overdue.

When you checked me out, I was so excited to go home with you! I thought we’d have a great adventure together. But now… I’ve been away from the library for a really long time, and I’m starting to miss my shelf, my librarian, and all my book friends.

Maybe you forgot about me. Maybe I got lost in your backpack. Maybe I’m hiding under your bed. Or maybe you just weren’t ready to let me go. I understand. But here’s the thing: I really want to come home. And if you’re worried because I belong to another school, that’s okay! Just bring me to Mrs. Mills, and she’ll make sure I get back where I belong.

And if you lost me and owe money for my replacement, please don’t be embarrassed or afraid to talk to Mrs. Mills. She’s not here to make you feel bad. She’s here to help, and you can work it out together.

So, my friend… please check your backpack. Check your room. Check under the bed. If you find me, bring me home.

I promise I won’t be mad. I’ll just be really, really happy to see Mrs. Mills again.

Your patiently waiting, very overdue library book,
Please Bring Me Back!

P.S. — Mrs. Mills is your friendly neighborhood librarian. She’s here to help!

To participate, runners must:

• Be enrolled at North Middle School
• Maintain at least a 2.0 GPA
• Have an athletic physical on file by the first practice
• Meet all WVSSAC eligibility requirements

Families, please make sure all required paperwork is submitted before the first practice.

Are you interested in being a member of the 2026 NMS Cheer Squad? If so, there are Flex days and parent meetings coming up!

The remaining cheer flex days will be August 24 & 26 from 6:00-8:00PM! ALL STUDENTS MUST HAVE A CURRENT SPORTS PHYSICAL (dated after 5/1/26) TO ATTEND & TRYOUT. Physicals can be turned in to Coach EJ.

There is a MANDATORY parent meeting on August 31st at 6:00PM in the cafeteria for the parents of students interested in trying out for the team. Tryouts will be September 8, 9, & 10 in the NMS gym from 6:00-8:00PM. The parents of students who make the team will be required to attend another mandatory meeting on September 11 at 6:00PM in the NMS Cafeteria. We can't wait to see what's in store for this year's squad! GO BLUE DEVILS!

Calling all Lady Blue Devils! Girls’ Basketball Skills & Drills sessions are coming to North Middle School this September for J.V. and Varsity players of all skill levels. Students will have the opportunity to sharpen their basketball skills, work on drills, and prepare for the upcoming season with Coach Mejias and Coach Alex.

September Sessions:

• Wednesday, Sept. 9 — 4:30–6:00 p.m.
• Friday, Sept. 11 — 5:00–6:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, Sept. 16 — 4:30–6:00 p.m.
• Friday, Sept. 18 — 5:00–6:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, Sept. 23 — 5:00–6:30 p.m.
• Friday, Sept. 25 — 5:00–6:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, Sept. 30 — 4:30–6:00 p.m.

All skill levels are welcome! Students should come prepared with water, appropriate basketball gear, a positive attitude, and a willingness to work hard.

⚠️ Important: A completed BCS Physical Form must be on file before a student may participate.

Every school year, the Counseling Department provides students with information and lessons on state four mandated topics: Suicide Prevention (Jamie’s Law), Fentanyl Prevention & Awareness, Education & Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children (Body Safety Toolkit), and Self-Harm & Eating Disorders. The first lesson delivered in September will focus on Suicide Prevention.

We use BCS-approved curriculum for each lesson. If you do not want your student to participate in these lessons, please email or call one of our school counselors by August 28th to opt your student out.

Lauren.Poe@k12.wv.us
Brianna.Sigler@k12.wv.us

Thank you for your partnership and support.

Students who will receive medication at school must have a completed Berkeley County Schools Administration of Medication Form on file for each medication to be administered.

A new medication form is required each school year and must be dated after July 1. The form is linked below for your convenience. Please see Nurse Hutzler if you have any questions or concerns about medication or health needs for your child.