10/23/26 Life in the Middle

October 23, 2026

This week, we celebrated Unity Day at NHMS with a focus on kindness, inclusion, and standing up against bullying. We started the day with an assembly to talk about how each of us can help make our school a place where everyone feels welcome and valued. We also had fun at our Mix It Up lunch, giving students a chance to connect with classmates beyond their usual lunch groups. We want every student to know they belong here, and Unity Day gave us a chance to talk about how we can help each other feel that way.

David Simpson and Raeanne Hart

Do you have a veteran in your family? Our NHMS students would love to thank them for their service with a personalized card this Veterans Day!

As part of our annual tradition, students will learn about Veterans Day in social studies and create cards that we will mail to veterans connected to our school community.

Please share your veteran’s information and mailing address using the form below. You can also include details to help students personalize their card.

👉 https://forms.gle/KjuTm9dzkakXsw8q9

Thank you for helping us celebrate our Husky Heroes!

Halloween is around the corner, and students are welcome to join in the fun by wearing costumes to school. Participation is optional, so students can choose whether they’d like to dress up or come in regular attire. For those wearing costumes, please remember they should be school-appropriate and safe for a learning environment. Our costume guidelines are:

• Meets the school dress code

• Allows students to sit in seat comfortably

• No face coverings (masks, face paint, inflatables)

• Student costumes need to be respectful of body images and should not emphasize negative stereotypes of any person, gender, or ethnicity. Cultural sensitivity is required.

• No weapons

• Wigs and hats are fine as long as they are part of the costume

Students brought home their Fall NWEA Map scores this past week.

2027 is almost here, and five of our PTO board volunteers no longer have students in the building. They’ve stayed on so we can keep doing great things for our students, but it’s time to help them pass the torch!

We’re looking for current parents to join the board and learn the roles while these experienced volunteers are still available to help. You don’t need to have it all figured out. That’s what the transition is for!

We meet once a month, with both in-person and online options available.

Interested but want more details? Ready to jump in? Email Holly at hollykozminski@gmail.com. We’d love to hear from you!

A huge thank you to all the families who donated and volunteered to help provide two great meals for our staff during conferences last week! Your generosity allowed us to treat them to meals from Olga’s Kitchen and Noodles & Company.

We all know what those long workdays feel like. Having a meal ready to enjoy made their busy conference days a little easier, and it was so appreciated!

As part of our ongoing commitment to safety and security, FHPS is introducing a new visitor management system in all of our schools this November. The system keeps track of who is in our buildings at all times, so we can continue providing a safe and welcoming environment for students, staff, and families.

When you visit any FHPS school during the school day, there are two important things to remember:

1. Always enter through the main entrance and check in with the office staff.

2. If your visit will take you beyond the main office, for example, to volunteer or read to a class, bring a valid government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or state ID.

   
   

If you’ll be going beyond the office, here’s what to expect when you arrive:

• Enter the secure vestibule area inside the main school entrance. Press the security door buzzer, and proceed to the main office. Scan your ID using the designated iPad and follow the directions posted at each iPad kiosk. If you need assistance, an office member can help you.

• Scan your ID at the kiosk each time you visit.

• The system reads your name, photo, and date of birth from your ID. It then runs a brief background check against the sex offender registry and any flags or local alerts entered by school personnel.

• Once you’re cleared, the kiosk prints a visitor sticker. Visitors must wear their sticker where staff can easily see it throughout their visit, so staff knows you’re an approved visitor.

• Before you leave, return your sticker to the front office and quickly scan out.

  
  

The entire check-in process typically takes less than 30 seconds.

Not every visit requires scanning in. If you’re stopping by briefly to drop off or pick up a student, or to make a delivery, you won’t need to use the system. FHPS employees also won’t scan in, because all district staff are already required to wear their FHPS ID badge at all times, enter through the main office, and check in with office staff before going further into the building. Furthermore, for larger school events, the check-in process will be more streamlined and communicated to families prior to these events, such as class parties or school fundraising walks, to name a few.

Behind the scenes, the new system replaces paper sign-in sheets with a secure digital process. It keeps a real-time record of everyone on campus, including when each visitor arrives and leaves. It also connects with PowerSchool, our student information system, and can generate reports for building administrators. If a visitor is flagged, the system immediately alerts an administrator so they can respond quickly and discreetly.

Most importantly, remember to bring your government-issued ID every time you plan to go beyond the school office. Our front office staff is always willing to assist. Thank you for your partnership in keeping our schools safe and welcoming for everyone.

There will be a signup for MathCounts in the office next week. Students can sign up through Friday, Oct. 23. Interested students are welcome to attend an informational meeting on Wed, Oct. 28 during CREW in the cafeteria.

Monday, Oct. 26

• Boys Basketball Tryouts

  • 8th Grade: 3:00–4:30 p.m.

  • 7th Grade: 4:40–6:10 p.m.

    
    

Tuesday, Oct. 27

Wednesday, Oct. 28

• Math Counts Meeting during CREW
• Vocal Jazz Festival: 6:30 p.m. at the FAC

Thursday, Oct. 29

Friday, Oct. 30

• Halloween costumes are welcome at NHMS!

  
  

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, Nov. 3

• Student Council Meeting: 2:45–3:45 p.m. in Room 511

  
  

Wednesday, Nov. 4

• Boys Basketball vs. FHC

  • Away at FHC: 7A at 4:00 p.m.; 8A at 5:00 p.m.
    5810 Ada Dr. SE, Ada

  • Home at NHMS: 7B at 4:00 p.m.; 8B at 5:00 p.m.