Trail Guide
September 16th, 2024
October
October 19: No School Fall Break
October 22: PTO Meeting 9:00 AM @ NT
October 26: PRIDE Ticket Drawing
November
November 3: Band Concert 7:OO-8:0 PM @ FAC
November 9: Early Release (1:45 Dismissal)
November 19: PTO Meeting 6:30 PM
November 25-27: No School (Thanksgiving)
November 30: PRIDE Ticket Drawing
December
December 1: Optional Adolescent Health Parent Curriculum Review (More information to come)
December 1-3: Reading MAP Testing
December 2: Combined Band-Orchestra-Choir Rehearsal 9-10 am
December 3: Orchestra Concert FAC 7pm
December 8-10: Math MAP Testing
December 14: PRIDE Ticket Drawing
December 14: Winter Choir Concert FAC 7pm
December 15: NED Show (More info to follow)
December 16-18: 1/2 day - Dismissal at 11:55
December 16-18: Adolescent Health (More information to come)
December 21-January 3: Winter Break
How we used our time this week
During our recent Early Release on Thursday, teachers focused on our district and school improvement goals by reviewing outlined strategies, analyzing progress, and reflecting on the impact of our current work. This time allowed teachers to collaborate, identify growth areas, and use what we learned to plan meaningful next steps that support student learning and success.
On Friday, teachers engaged in professional learning focused on the mCLASS DIBELS 8th Edition assessment, designed to help educators better understand student literacy development and make data-informed instructional decisions. Teachers explored how to use assessment results to identify individual student needs, monitor growth over time, and adjust instruction and interventions to support continued literacy development.
You can learn more about mCLASS by visiting the mCLASS Caregiver Site.
Special area groups met to discuss pacing, unit collaboration, and district-wide alignment.
No Consent for Photos
You may have noticed a lack of pictures in our school communications this year. We've noticed a much higher volume of opt outs from the PowerSchool forms completed at the beginning of the year compared to usual (averaging 5 the past two years and at 78 requests this year). We always wish to honor your requests. However, if these were made in error, and you're okay with us sharing pictures of your students in our Trail Guide and teacher communications, please reach out to the office for how you can change that setting. We'll be sending out an email from the desk of the principal if you are on the opt-out list.
Thank you in advance for your support so we can honor family requests, while still capturing the amazing moments happening at Northern Trails that we'd love to share with you.
Thank you to NT PTO Sponsors
We want to take a minute to recognize and thank our amazing sponsors that supported us with Trails Trek, Book Fair, and Conference Meals. We could not have done last week’s activities without them!
Husky Partners:
Ada Garage Bar & Grille
Boer Insurance
Grand Rapids Grand Prix
Laura Campbell Realtor
Megan Tefft Real Estate
Paw Partners:
KC Orthodontics
Miller Orthodontics
Travec
Trails Partner:
SolHaven
Book Fair - Plumfield Book Store
Conference Staff Meal - Our NT Families & Nonla Burger
Our Northern Trails Book Fair ran during the conferences with our local partner, Plumfield Books! If you couldn’t stop by, below is a link to order books online to have them shipped to your home or pick them up at the Plumfield store. Scroll down to the Northern Trails Book Fair to order.
https://www.plumfieldbooks.com/book-fairs
Ongoing Volunteering Opportunities
PTO committees for Staff Appreciation & Talent Fair still need members! Please consider signing up HERE to join these committees so we can start planning for the spring.
Recess & Lunch Volunteer
Media Center Volunteer
Stay Connected
Checkout our communication avenues through the NT PTO WEBSITE or by joining our Facebook Group. We’re excited to partner with more families to make next year amazing! Questions, comments, or suggestions? You can also reach out via email at FHnortherntrailspto@gmail.com.
Cannonsburg School Punch Card Program
Cannonsburg School Punch Card Program
Punch cards offer discounted lift tickets for families with students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Parents can purchase cards for the whole family when purchasing one for their student. Punch cards also offer discounts on rentals and private lessons. If there is enough interest, we will hold Thursday after-school meet-ups at Cannonsburg.
Email info@cannonsburg.com with questions on punch cards. Email punch card sponsor, Kathryn von Maur, at kvonmaur@fhps.net with interest in Thursday meet-ups.
- 26-27 Northern Trails Welcome Handbook
- Home/School Communication Guide
- 25-26 FHPS Elementary Student/Family Handbook
- Tech Tips for Parents (Navigating FHPS and Parental Support)
- SORA (Our ebook and audiobook library)
- NT School-Wide Level Donation List
- NT PTO Volunteering
- Lunch/Recess Volunteer
- Media Center Volunteer
- 2026-27 Volunteer Consent Form
Hand2Hand!
Northern Trails is excited to offer Hand2Hand to our students! Hand2Hand provides free weekend food bags to students who could use a little extra food support at home. There is no cost to families to participate.
To sign your student up for Hand2Hand, complete the Digital Permission Slip here:
https://forms.gle/MkYnELfT8AvnmqNRA
To learn more about Hand2Hand, visit www.h2hkids.org.