NMS November Newsletter

• Coin Challenge-All monies raised will benefit the Honor Flights program. This program allows veterans the opportunity to fly to Washington DC to visit the WWII Memorial as well as other War memorials. This program is funded by donations from organizations, private citizens and schools across the nation. We are fortunate to have an honor flight program in Cleveland. This is where the help is needed. We will be collecting coins until November 12th. Please help us by giving your student any extra coins that you have so they can drop them in the buckets that come to the classroom each day. Let's support our War veterans by making this trip of a lifetime come true for one or more veterans.
• Wall of Honor-is displayed across from the Elementary office. Students are invited to fill out information about any veteran in their family or that is close to them. If possible, please send a picture of the veteran in uniform for us to display with the finished form. We are asking that all forms be turned in by November 7th. students are encouraged to color the border of the paper. The picture will be returned after Veterans Day.
• Roll Call-The days leading up to Veterans Day we will honor a different branch of the armed services. November 3rd-the Coast Guard. November 5th-the Navy. November 6th-the Army. November 7th-the Air Force and November 10th-the United States Marine Corps.

The tradition continues at Northwood with the Annual Veterans Day Car Parade.

• November 11th from 9:45-10 :15.
• All veterans are invited to join the parade.
• The parade will be led by an Elyria Police Department cruiser
• Lead car will start at the Rosealee Ave Entrance.
• The parade will go around the campus and then exit back on to Rosalee.

For questions please contact Carla Valles at vallescarla@elyriaschools.org or Sheila Bungard at BungardSheila@elyriaschools.org

October was Anti-Bullying Awareness Month, and we are beyond grateful for the incredible generosity of our parent community! 🧡

Your donation of Orange Bullying Awareness bands for Unity Day, inspirational pencils and art supplies that were used for our door decorating have helped us spread kindness, support awareness, and empower our students to stand up for one another. Together, we’re building a school culture rooted in respect, empathy, and inclusion.

Thank you for showing our kids what it means to lead with compassion and make a difference. 🧡

• Important Dates
• School Contacts / School Nurse Notes - Medical Forms
• SCHOOL CLINIC - Non-Urgent Visits
• Student and Family Focus - Horseplay and Language
• Pink Cookie Pop-Up!!
• While Out Walking
• PBIS Focus
• End of the year-Field Trip Central
• PowerSchool Parent Portal - Communicating Missing/Makeup work
• Stay Connected! - Download the REMIND app
• Student Activities
• Attire / Electronic Expectations
• Student Drop off / Entry Map
• Quick Links
• Help Guide / Questions-Concerns

• 11/3 - Tech E Club - 2:15-3:00pm (permission slip required)
• 11/3 - Mobile Dentist
• 11/4 - No School for Student - Staff Professional Development Day
• 11/5 - PINK COOKIE POP UP - more information below
• 11/17 - First Wrestling Practice
• 11/17 - Tech E Club - 2:15-3:00pm (permission slip required)
• 11/18 - Marcos Pizza Fundraiser - CLICK HERE - Winning homeroom earns a pizza party!
• 11/19 - Student Council Meeting - 2:30-3:00pm
• 11/20 - Parent Teacher Conferences - 2:30-7:00pm - Walk-in style
• 11/24 - 5-8 grade Band Concert at the PAC
• 11/26-11/28 - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
• Select Mondays/Thursdays - Digital Skills Club - 2:30-3:30pm
• Every Wednesday - Acapella - 2:15-4:00pm

• December 19th - End of 2nd Grading Period
• December 22nd - No School for Students - Records Day
• December 23rd-January 2nd - Schools Closed - Winter Break
• January 5th - School Resumes

MAIN OFFICE - phone: 440-284-8016 fax: 440-284-1546

Email: northwoodmiddleoffice@elyriaschools.org

For Attendance and General School related inquiries.

• Secretary - Mrs. Jennifer Roy - royjennifer@elyriaschools.org
• Receptionist - Ms. Alena Valles - alenavalles@elyriaschools.org
• Assistant Principal - Mrs. Elizabeth Andrachik - andrachikelizabeth@elyriaschools.org
• 5/6 Principal - Mr. Michael Basinski - basinskimichael@elyriaschools.org
• 7/8 Principal - Mr. Jean Capacetti - capacettijean@elyriaschools.org

SCHOOL COUNSELOR

Mrs. Jill Marzec-marzecjill@elyriaschools.org

For schedule changes, or inquires. 504’s, College Credit Plus, JVS and Ohio State Testing.

SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER - 440-284-8235

Chantille Jackson, MSW, LSW - JacksonChantille@elyriaschools.org

CLINIC - 440-284-8169

Nurse - Mrs. Tara DiFranco - difrancotara@elyriaschools.org

Health Aide - Ms. Megan Altheide - altheidemegan@elyriaschools.org

CLICK HERE for School Nurse Notes - Medical Forms

TRANSPORTATION: GGC BUS of Elyria - 440-284-8030

For any School Bus transportation questions or concerns.

ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT - 440-284-8260

For any student athlete questions or needs.

We’d like to address an important concern regarding the increasing number of student clinic visits. Our nurse and health aide support both the middle and elementary schools—responsible for just under 1,000 students daily—while managing timed medications, care plan development, education, conduct health screenings on over 500 students, urgent medical needs, etc.

Recently, there has been a noticeable rise in non-urgent visits. While we always want students to feel supported, frequent trips for minor issues—like slight headaches, stomachaches, or general fatigue—take time away from learning and strain clinic resources. We are asking families to talk with their students about when it’s appropriate to visit the clinic.

Moving forward, our staff will prioritize emergent medical needs, such as medication administration, injuries, allergic reactions, and fevers. Students with minor symptoms may be asked to remain in class when appropriate.

Thank you for your understanding and partnership as we continue to ensure the clinic is available for students who truly need immediate care.

Northwood Families,

An email was sent home earlier this week with full details from our recent 7th & 8th Grade Town Hall Meetings. Here’s a quick recap and our key goals moving forward:

Our Focus: We paused to reflect, celebrate strengths, and set goals for the quarter ahead.

Main Goals:

Attendance: Improve daily attendance—every day matters for learning success.

Behavior: Reduce classroom removals by showing respect and responsibility.

Academics: Fewer failing grades by staying focused, turning in work, and asking for help.

Focus Areas Moving Forward:

No Horseplay – Physical joking or roughhousing will not be tolerated.

Respectful Language – Words matter; all students are expected to speak respectfully to staff and peers.

Students have been reminded that these behaviors will result in more serious consequences moving forward.

Our goal remains clear: a safe, positive, and focused learning environment where every student can succeed.

DRIVE UP OR WALK UP STYLE - OUTSIDE AT THE CURB - AFTER DISMISSAL- MIDDLE SCHOOL SIDE - HELPERS WILL BE OUTSIDE ASSISTING WITH COLLECTING PAYMENT AND PROVIDING COOKIES - NO PRE-ORDER - CASH ONLY.

We love capturing the excitement of learning each day at Northwood! Here are a few snapshots of our students hard at work, collaborating with classmates, and engaging in their classrooms.

It’s that exciting time of year again—field trip season!

This is your go-to spot for all the details about our grade-level end-of-year trips. Each grade has its own special destination and trip advisor, who will be your main point of contact for any questions.

Below, you’ll find each grade’s trip information (as we get it), advisor contact details, and PDF attachments with all the important info. We’re looking forward to another great year of learning, laughter, and adventure on these annual trips!

5th - Firelands Scout Reservation -More info TBA - Advisors- Mrs.Duffner - Ms. Meyer

6th - COSI - more info TBA - Advisor - Mr.Basinski

7th - Henry Ford/Greenfield Village - Advisor - Mr. Capacetti

8th - Washington DC - Advisors - Mr. Black - Mr. McGeehen - Mrs. Yearley

• Check grades, assignments, and attendance anytime.

• Coordinate collecting missed work due to absences.

• Email teachers directly → Log in → Grades & Attendance → click the teacher’s name.

• This opens a direct line of communication about assignment details, due dates, and whether work is online or needs to be picked up from the office.

• Don’t forget: the Back to School Update (required every year) is also completed here.

Please note: If this information is not submitted, your student will not be allowed to attend field trips, participate in after-school activities, like dances or join clubs. This information is essential for ensuring student safety.

Thank you to the families who have already completed this step!

At Northwood Middle, we do our best to ensure that important information is shared with families through as many channels as possible. To help us maintain clear and consistent communication, we ask all parents and guardians to:

• Download the Remind app and join the grade-specific class for your student using the code provided below. This code will follow your student throughout their time at Northwood.

8th-(NMS Class of 2030) Code: @d93c97

7th-(NMS Class of 2031) Code: @278kfcd

6th-(NMS Class of 2032) Code: @bbg7c9

5th-(NMS Class of 2033) Code: @a2e6hdd

• Follow us on Facebook

• Sign up for text message updates for district school closures and urgent announcements. Send a text message saying "Yes" or "Y" to 67587.

• Keep your phone numbers and email addresses up to date in our system.

We understand that papers can get lost in backpacks or buried on kitchen counters, and emails can easily be missed. By using multiple platforms and encouraging families to opt in, we hope to minimize the chances of missing important updates about field trips, fundraisers, after-school activities, spirit weeks, and more.

Northwood offers a variety of clubs, extracurricular activities, and athletic opportunities throughout the school year! Be on the lookout for emails with sign-up dates, meeting times, and advisor contact information. Please note: Students must have their Back-to-School Update completed in order to participate in any club, sport or activity.

Clubs & Activities:

• Academic Challenge – Advisor: Mrs. VK

• Elyria Robotics – Advisor: Mrs. Chachko

• Spelling Bee – Advisors: Mrs. VK & Mrs. Kothe

• Student Council – Advisor: Mrs. Kothe

• Digital Skills Society - Advisor: Mrs. Kothe

• Tech E Club – Advisors: Mrs. Chachko & Mrs. Brillhart

• Theater/Play – Advisor: Mrs. Brown

• A-Capella – Advisor: Mrs. Brown

• WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) – Advisors: Ms. Geschke & Ms. Repas

Athletics (Grades 7 & 8 Only):

• Fall: Volleyball, Football, Cheerleading, Cross Country

• Winter: Boys & Girls Basketball, Wrestling, Cheerleading

• Spring: Track

For athletic-related questions, please contact our Middle School Athletic Director,

Matt Siwierka SiwierkaMathew@elyriaschools.org

-NO HEADGEAR - (hats, bonnets) as stated in the Student Code of Conduct.

-NO CROP TOPS - Shirts must touch top of pants

-Shorts must be of reasonable length (mid-thigh)

-NO SLIPPERS - Footwear must be school appropriate

-BLANKETS can not be used throughout the school day

VIOLATIONS

• Asked to change clothes by either calling home or wearing a donated item from Petey's Closet
• Arguing will not be tolerated and may result in disciplinary consequences

Students are not permitted to use outside electronic devices during the school day. This includes cell phones, earbuds, headphones, tablets, and gaming devices (e.g., Nintendo Switch). If these items are seen or used, they will be immediately confiscated and handled according to the same procedures as our Cell Phone Policy.

Please note: The school is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged electronics. These items should not be brought into the building. Thank you for your cooperation in maintaining a focused and respectful learning environment.