Phoenix Community Update

• Monday- Period Four Phoenix Time
• Tuesday- Period Five Phoenix Time
• Wednesday- Period Six Phoenix Time
• Thursday- Period Seven Phoenix Time
• Friday- Early Release Day and Emergency Preparedness Drills in period one and period three. We will conduct a fire evacuation drill, parent reunification and review protocol for active assailant.

Check out our offerings using the link below and use the Google form on the “sign up” tab to register.

https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/nbms-eca/activity-offerings

Activity Buses are running. They will be available for students who are participating in extracurricular activities on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The buses leave campus at 4:30 p.m. and stop at central locations as opposed to individual student addresses. The routes for the buses are linked here.

NBMS Families,

Are you interested in challenging yourself with mathematics beyond the classroom? North Bethesda Middle School students have opportunities to participate in Math Team and a variety of local, regional, and national math competitions throughout the school year.

Complete this form to let us know which opportunities interest you. Completing this form does not commit you to participating in every competition you select. Additional information and registration forms will be sent as competition dates approach.

AMC 8 or AMC 10 Competitions

Please use this google form to register your child for the AMC 10 and/or AMC 8 competitions. (These are optional competitions. If you love Math and want to try something new...go for it!!)

The AMC 10 will be held on Thursday, November 5th, from 2:35 - 4:15. This test covers high school curriculum up to 10th grade. It is 25 questions, 75 minutes.

The AMC 8 will be held on Thursday, January 21st, from 3:15 - 4:15. This test covers typical middle school math curriculum up to 8th grade. It is 25 questions, 40 minutes. (Snow Date, Wednesday, January 27th)

More info about both competitions can be found here: https://maa.org/student-programs/amc/

Both tests will be held in person in the cafeteria (If less than 32 students, it will be held in C103). There is a $7 registration charge for AMC 10 and $4 for AMC 8, which includes all processing fees. The deadline to sign up is Friday, October 2, 2026 by 3:00 PM. The payment link will be sent to you after registration closes. You will have one week to submit your payment.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Amy Watkins at Amy_Watkins@mcpsmd.org

Fitness Club Intramural is starting September 17th and will meet on Thursdays after school until November 19th. Fitness Club is an Intramural club where you will be working on all areas of fitness and learning the fundamentals of weight lifting technique and safety. Permission slips can be found in the P.E. locker rooms, and can be turned in to Mr. Junghans.

We are looking for a parent/caregiver to sponsor our Math Team this school year!

When: Wednesdays, 3:00–4:30 PM

Dates: September 23–February 17

Stipend: $1,710

If you enjoy working with middle school students and have an interest in math, we would love to hear from you! Please let Amy Watkins know by Friday 9/11 if you are interested. Amy_Watkins@mcpsmd.org

The NBMS Counseling Department is here to support you and your student. Our website offers great resources for developing adolescents and their caregivers. We also update upcoming events in the Counseling Department and Community Mental Health workshops weekly. Bookmark our tab!

Did you miss Coffee With the Counselors, Meet the Team, on Friday, September 11th? Find the recording and slides here and on our website.

On Wednesday, October 14, 2026, all Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Grade 8 students will participate in the PSAT™ 8/9 and Grade 11 students will participate in the PSAT/NNMSQT during the regular school day at no cost to students or families. Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, MCPS is expanding the College Board suite of assessments to provide students with earlier access to nationally recognized college and career readiness resources. The PSAT 8/9 establishes an early academic benchmark to support instructional planning and high school course planning, provides students and families with early access to College Board college and career planning resources, establishes a baseline for measuring academic growth throughout high school, and provides one common academic measure that may be considered, alongside multiple indicators, as part of the comprehensive review process for criteria-based regional academic programs. Administering the assessment during the school day removes financial and scheduling barriers and ensures equitable access for all students.

More information regarding the PSAT will be sent directly to all eighth grade families.

Many students were having issues signing into their Chromebooks or with their passwords. As a parent/caregiver, you have the ability to reset your child's password. Please follow the instructions linked here.

• Be at your stop on time and wait safely away from the road.
• Wait for the bus to stop and the driver to signal before approaching or crossing.
• Board safely—no pushing, shoving or horseplay.
• Listen to the bus operator and follow directions just as you would from a teacher or school administrator.
• Stay seated, keep the aisle clear and keep hands, feet and belongings inside the bus.
• Be respectful of others—no bullying, harassment, fighting, inappropriate language or disruptive behavior.
• Respect neighborhoods and property around bus stops and help keep buses clean.
• Ride your assigned bus unless you have permission to do otherwise.
• Speak up about unsafe behavior and tell the bus operator or a trusted adult if there is a problem.
• Remember: Your choices matter. Safe, responsible behavior helps everyone get to and from school safely.

Ride by the Rules: Be Respectful. Be Responsible. Be Safe.

North Bethesda Middle School is continuing to embrace the appropriate use of technology for students throughout the school day to enhance students’ learning experience. Please review the information below as it relates to the NBMS use of personal mobile devices (PMD’s). PMD’s are defined as cell phones and personal listening devices, including earbuds, headsets, ear accessories, etc.

Cell Phones/ Personal Mobile Devices: If you choose to send your child to school with a personal mobile device to include smartwatches, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the device is turned off and locked away in their locker during the academic day. Moreover, students must turn off and refrain from using their phones once they enter the school building in the morning (this includes while they wait in the cafeteria, Media Center or gym for school to begin) until they exit out of the building to go home. Any cellphone seen by staff during the instructional day may be confiscated. NBMS is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen cell phones.

Please note: recording eyeglasses and smart glasses are also prohibited and unauthorized.

CONNECT WITH THE PTSA

📌 COMING UP — MARK YOUR CALENDAR

🏃 Run, Walk or Volunteer at the Kensington 8K — Sept. 19!

Did you know the Kensington 8K is a fundraiser for the NBMS PTSA? Last year, our community’s participation helped raise thousands of dollars for NBMS!

Join the fun on Saturday, Sept. 19 by running or walking the 8K, 2-mile or 1K race—or volunteer as a course marshal or with registration, setup, or parking. It’s a great community event and an easy way for the whole family to support our school.

Visit kensington8k.org to register, volunteer, or learn more.

⛸️ NBMS Skate Night — September 26!
Join us at Cabin John Ice Rink on Saturday, September 26, from 6:30–8:00 p.m. PTSA members get FREE student ticket! All other tickets are $11 and include admission and skate rental. Get your tickets by September 21.

🙋 Volunteers needed! Help with check-in — students can earn SSL hours. Sign up here.

FOR STUDENTS

🎓 Fall PTSA-Sponsored Clubs Are Open for Registration!

Looking for something fun and enriching after school? Registration is now open for our fall PTSA-sponsored clubs for grades 6–8!

Debate Club — Wednesdays, Sept. 23–Nov. 11, 3:15–4:15 PM
Students will build confidence and communication skills while learning to develop arguments, respond with rebuttals, and consider different points of view. Register for Debate Club

Read All About It — Thursdays, Sept. 24–Nov. 12, 3:15–4:15 PM
Students become the staff of their own newspaper, learning interviewing and writing skills while covering local news, writing opinion pieces, and managing a digital publication. Register for Read All About It

Chess Club — NEW this fall! — 3:10–4:10 PM
Whether your student is brand new to chess or an experienced player, Chess Club offers a fun environment to learn, practice, play, and build their skills with Chess Academy staff. Register for Chess Club

Find these and other after-school activities at the NBMS PTSA Activities page.

🍩 Help Us Kick Off the CARE Store — Sept. 25!

The first CARE Store of the year is Friday, Sept. 25, and we’re celebrating with Munchkin donuts! Help make the first store extra special by signing up to donate Munchkins. Donations should be dropped off at NBMS by 11 AM on Sept. 25.

You can also support the CARE Store by making a donation to the PTSA, shopping our Amazon Wish List, or dropping off items labeled “CARE” at the NBMS office. Student favorites include Push Pops, Ring Pops, Airheads, and chocolate candy. Thank you for helping us start the year strong!

GET INVOLVED

🙋 Help Make Our Favorite PTSA Events Happen!

Many of the events NBMS students look forward to each year are organized by parent volunteers—and we’re looking for families to help make them happen this year! We already have resources, information, and experience from past years to share, so you won’t be starting from scratch. Grab a friend and help with one event, or let us know where you’d like to pitch in!

We’re looking for volunteers to help with:

• 8th Grade Fall Social

• 7th Grade Fall Social

• 6th Grade Social

• 7th Grade Spring Social

• March Madness

• 6th Grade Spring Social

• Cupcake Wars (May)

• 8th Grade Celebration

Interested? Fill out this quick form and let us know how you’d like to help. These events are only possible because of our amazing parent community!

HAVE FUN & SUPPORT NBMS

🍔 Dine Out for NBMS at Shake Shack — Oct. 8!

Take a night off from cooking and support NBMS! Stop by Shake Shack at Cabin John on Thursday, Oct. 8, anytime from 10 AM–10 PM, and 25% of your meal purchase will be donated to NBMS.

Just mention Donation Day when ordering at the register, or use promo code DONATE when ordering through the Shake Shack app, website, or kiosk. Grab lunch, dinner, or an after-school treat and support our school at the same time!

Greetings 6th Grade Families,

We are so excited to share that our preparations for the NBMS Outdoor Education program have begun. Students will receive an information packet regarding the details of the trip during the first week of school. Below you will find the session dates. Students have been assigned their session based on the first letter of their LAST name.

• SESSION ONE (October 5-7) - A E H K Q T W Z

• SESSION TWO (October 7-9) - D G J M P S V Y

• SESSION THREE (October 12-14) - B C F I L N O R U X & All ARS Students

We need 16-20 parent chaperones per session! If you are interested in chaperoning, please first complete the interest form. The interest form also includes important information regarding the three major requirements parents must complete in order to attend. Once you have completed the requirements, you will then need to apply to show proof of completion. As our trip is very early in the school year, the sooner you begin this process, the greater likelihood that you can join us. We cannot do this without you - thank you so much for considering!

This is one of the most memorable events in 6th grade! We are so grateful for all of your support.

Sincerely,

Chris Pichola

Christopher_M_Pichola@mcpsmd.org

Outdoor Education Organizer