KIDDER MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS

11/4- Early Release

11/5- KMS Picture Retake Day

11/11- Early Release

11/18- Early Release

11/25- No School

11/26- No School, Thanksgiving

11/27- No School

As we enter November, we have a wonderful opportunity to focus on two important qualities that help our middle school students thrive: gratitude and kindness. Middle school is a time of tremendous growth, as students navigate changing friendships, increasing academic expectations, and new social and emotional challenges. Practicing gratitude and showing kindness can help students build resilience, strengthen relationships, and create a more positive school community.

Why Gratitude Matters

Gratitude is the practice of recognizing and appreciating the good things in our lives, both big and small. Helping children develop gratitude can encourage a more positive outlook, strengthen relationships, and support emotional well-being. Gratitude doesn't mean that every day is easy or that we ignore difficult feelings. Instead, it helps us recognize the positive moments and people who support us, even when things are challenging.

The Power of Small Acts of Kindness

Kindness is one of the simplest ways to make a meaningful difference in someone's day. A friendly smile, a sincere compliment, including someone who feels left out, or offering help to a classmate can go a long way. During the middle school years, when peer relationships and belonging are especially important, small acts of kindness can help students feel seen, valued, and connected.

How Families Can Help at Home

Parents and caregivers play an important role in modeling gratitude and kindness. Here are a few simple ways to encourage these habits at home:

• Practice gratitude together. At dinner or before bedtime, invite each family member to share one thing they appreciated that day.

• Model kindness. Let your child see you expressing appreciation, helping others, and treating people with respect.

• Recognize thoughtful actions. Notice when your child includes others, offers help, or shows empathy. A little encouragement can go a long way.

• Talk about perspective. When your child experiences a disagreement or difficult situation, help them consider how others might be feeling.

• Encourage self-kindness. Remind your child that everyone makes mistakes and that learning to treat ourselves with patience and compassion is just as important as being kind to others.

November Family Challenge: Gratitude in Action!

This month, challenge your family to complete one intentional act of kindness each day or write down three things you are thankful for throughout the week. These small practices can become meaningful habits that continue well beyond November.

As we approach the Thanksgiving season, let's remember that gratitude is more than saying “thank you,” and kindness is more than being polite. Both are everyday choices that help build stronger relationships and a more caring community.

Thank you for partnering with us to help our students grow into compassionate, confident, and thoughtful individuals. Together, we can make our school and community a place where everyone feels welcome, supported, and valued.

Wishing all of our KMS families a wonderful November filled with gratitude and kindness!

If you ever have questions, concerns, or need support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Soles or Mr. Hesslau at Northwest Middle School. We’re here to listen, help, and support our students and families in any way we can.

Mrs. Soles alicia.soles@nwschools.org

Mr. Hesslau marshall.hesslau@nwschools.org

Update Your Information:

• Parents are required to create a Parent PowerSchool Portal account where you will be able to view transportation information, teacher assignments, grades, and fill out electronic forms from the district. Information on the Parent PowerSchool Portal accounts can be found at www.nwschools.org or CLICK HERE for more information on how to create an account.
• Please ensure your contact information is up-to-date by logging into your Parent PowerSchool Portal. Keeping your contact information up to date is crucial for you to be able to receive important district communications throughout the school year.
• In order for Northwest to continue to qualify for free breakfast and lunch for all students, it is important for all parents to complete the Education Benefits Form linked HERE. Visit the Family Portal and click on ‘Apply for Benefits’ to get started.
• Family Resources:
• Student Handbooks: Please take a moment to review our updated Student Handbook linked HERE.
• Northwest Community Schools will be implementing the Standard Response Protocol for the 2026-2027 school year. For information and resources on school safety and response, please visit our website linked HERE.
• Take a look at the Student Supply Lists as you prepare to return to school.
• Have questions? Contact Us through our website linked HERE.
• Student Technology:
• Starting this school year, in accordance with new State of Michigan regulations, all Northwest students must keep personal wireless communication devices (including cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, meta-glasses, earbuds, and headphones) turned off and stored away for the entire school day, following their specific building's guidelines.
• Student account and login information will be available on the first day of school.
• Technology information and resources can be found HERE.
• Stay up-to-date on district notifications and upcoming events by downloading our app! You can download the NWCS mobile app from the Apple or Google Play store. Click HERE for more information.

Northwest Kidder Middle School Cell Phone Use

• Students may use an Electronic Communication Device (ECD: This includes devices such as smart watches, cell phones, radios, etc.) BEFORE entering the building and after leaving the building at the end of the school day.

• During the school day, students should place ECDs in their lockers and lock them up. If an ECD is in their pocket, they must be silenced to prevent distractions.

• ECD use in restrooms and locker rooms is prohibited at all times.

• Students may not exit the building during the school day in order to use an ECD. Phones are available in the office to contact parents.

• Students that participate in extracurricular activities must abide by the ECD use rules determined by the coach, advisor, or sponsor. Coaches, advisors, and sponsors will enforce the consequences involving misuse of these devices during practices, meetings, or competitions.

• The school district is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage to ECDs. Students are encouraged to leave the devices in secure locations. A school district employee that stores an ECD for a student is not responsible for its loss, theft, or damage.

• Violation of the policy will result in disciplinary action in accordance with the school building code of conduct.

Public View Link: https://canva.link/qzki7z6emde1agg

ATHLETE REGISTRATION LINK: (QR CODE ATTACHED IN GRAPHIC) https://public.eventlink.com/registrations?id=c8eacfdc-8d1e-4ab1-716d-08ded131a089

WEBSITE: https://northwestmounties.com/

Download the Eventlink App for Athletic Events Calendars & News/Information in the App Store or Google Play. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sdiinnovations.eventlink&hl=en_US&pli=1

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/eventlink/id505254514

How To Guide - https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/cu/ohWbQLQ/communityplaybook

Attention Mountie Nation: New 2026/2027 Athletic Entrance Policies

***New This Year*** Cash will not be accepted at the gates for event admission. Digital tickets purchased via GoFan or credit/debit cards will be accepted at the gate.

Ticket Prices for all Home Regular Season Middle School and High School Athletics Events:

Adults (Age 64 and younger) - $6

Students (Young 5’s - 12th Grade) - $6

Seniors: Persons 65+ in age are free with ID

Children 4 and younger - Free

For ease of entrance, we highly recommend purchasing individual event tickets or a Northwest Athletics All Sports Pass in advance. Tickets can be purchased for all Northwest Middle School and High School events from GoFan at https://gofan.co/app/school/MI3393

REMINDER: ALL 8th grade and younger must be accompanied by an adult/guardian to attend ALL High School Athletic Events.

11/3- 7th Grade Boys Basketball @ Harper Creek, 4:00pm

11/3- 8th Grade Boys Basketball @ Home, 4:00pm

11/5- 7th Grade Boys Basketball @ St. John's, 4:00pm

11/5- 8th Grade Boys Basketball @ Home, 4:00pm

11/10- 7th Grade Boys Basketball @ Home, 4:00pm

11/10- 8th Grade Boys Basketball @ Harper Creek, 4:00pm

11/12- 7th Grade Boys Basketball @ Western, 4:00pm

11/12- 8th Grade Boys Basketball @ Home, 4:00pm

11/17- 7th Grade Boys Basketball @ Home, 4:00pm

11/17- 8th Grade Boys Basketball @ Coldwater, 4:00pm

11/19- 7th Grade Boys Basketball @ Home, 4:00pm

11/19- 8th Grade Boys Basketball @ Marshall, 4:00pm

11/23- 7th Grade Boys Basketball @ Hastings, 4:00pm

11/23- 8th Grade Boys Basketball @ Home, 4:00pm

11/30- 7th Grade Boys Basketball @ Pennfield, 4:00pm

11/30- 8th Grade Boys Basketball @ Home, 4:00pm

Order Your KMS Yearbook

CLICK HERE FOR THE STUDENT HANDBOOK

School officials will make the interpretation of what is acceptable dress. All students shall maintain the following minimum standard of dress at Northwest Community Schools.

• Tops must have straps or sleeves and must cover the student’s entire torso from armpit to armpit. Pants, shorts, and skirts must cover buttocks completely. Sleepwear, hats and hoods are not permitted. Coats and jackets are to be secured in the building’s designated area (i.e lockers). Clothing may not display material that:

• Is materially and substantially disruptive or that school officials can reasonably forecast will create a substantial disruption;

• Is obscene, sexually explicit, indecent, or lewd;

• Promotes the use of or advertises illegal substances, including but not limited to substances illegal for minors;

• Incites violence;

• Contains “fighting words”;

• Constitutes a true threat of violence;

• Demonstrates hate group association/affiliation or uses hate speech targeting groups based on their membership in a protected class, including, but not limited to, swastikas or Confederate flags; or

• Displays nipples, genitals, buttocks or undergarments.

• Students who represent the District at an official or school-sponsored function or public event (e.g., athletic teams, bands, choirs, and other groups) may be required to follow specific dress requirements as a condition of participation or attendance.

• Holes in clothing or sheer material exposing midriff/chest/upper thigh shall not be worn

• Shorts/skirts/dresses must cover the buttocks completely

• Appropriate footwear, suitable for the school environment, shall be worn. Slippers are not permitted

• Sleepwear may not be worn to school, including pajama pants, robes, and nightgowns, unless there is an approved special activity during which they are deemed appropriate

• Students are strongly encouraged not to bring hats or other head coverings to school. Hats, bandanas/scarves or hoods covering the head are not to be worn in the school buildings during the school day unless there is an approved special activity during which they are deemed appropriate. Requests to wear coverings in accordance with sincerely held cultural and/or religious belief will be addressed on a case by case basis
  
  

Clothing or ornamentation that does any of the following is prohibited

• Incites violence

• Contains "fighting words"

• Constitutes a true threat of violence

• Is obscene, sexually explicit, indecent, or lewd

• Is materially and substantially disruptive or that school officials can reasonably forecast will create a substantial disruption

• 
  

COSTUME ATTIRE AND/OR ACCESSORIES, including FUR TAILS, shall not be worn, unless there is an approved special activity during which they are deemed appropriate

Additional

• All backpacks, purses, stuffed animals etc. are to be secured in lockers

• Coats and jackets are to be secured in lockers

• Blankets shall not be brought to school unless there is an approved special activity during which they are deemed appropriate

2025-2026 Secondary Buildings

Full Day-7:30am-2:30pm

Half Day-7:30am-11am

Early Release-7:30am-1:30pm

Email: nw.media@nwschools.org
Website: nwschools.org
Location: 6700 Rives Junction Road, Jackson, MI, USA
Phone: (517)817-4703