NORTH NEWS
NOVEMBER 2ND, 2026
2026/27 SCHOOL YEAR - ISSUE 14
MEET OUR STAFF!
NEW BUS CALL VIEWER!
Students who would like to follow bus call in real time can click the button below to view live bus updates as they are announced. This easy-to-use viewer helps everyone stay informed and makes dismissal run more smoothly.
SHOW CHOIR CAMP
"Does your child love to sing, perform, or work behind the scenes? Martinsburg Show Choirs invites students to join the Next Gen Show Choir Camp: Holiday Edition on December 4–5 at Martinsburg High School! Students in grades K–3 and 4–8 can join the performer groups, while students of all ages are welcome to help with the tech crew, including set pieces and props.
The $50 camp fee includes a performance shirt, lunch, and a fun goodie bag. Campers will showcase their hard work at a special performance on Wednesday, December 9, at 7:00 p.m. at Martinsburg High School.
Register and pay by November 1 to save $10! Registration closes November 21. Scan the QR code on the flyer to register and learn more about this festive opportunity!"
RED RIBBON SPIRIT WEEK
North Middle School had an amazing time celebrating Red Ribbon Spirit Week! Throughout the week, students and staff showed their school spirit by participating in themed dress-up days while learning the importance of making healthy, drug-free choices. The excitement, creativity, and positive energy displayed each day helped make this year's celebration both fun and meaningful. Thank you to all of our students, families, and staff members for your enthusiasm and participation. Together, we are building a school community that encourages healthy decisions and positive choices every day!
DAY 1: RED-Y TO BE DRUG FREE
DAY 2: BLAST FROM THE BAST, DRUG FREE FUTURE
DAY 3: ON WEDNESDAY WE WEAR PINK
DAY 4: SAY BOO TO DRUGS
DAY 5: FLIP THE SCRIPT, STAY DRUG FREE
WHO YOU GONNA CALL? 👻
Our staff had a ghostly good time during Spirit Week! Teachers really brought the boo-tiful fun by dressing up as a crew of friendly ghosts, creating plenty of laughs and smiles throughout the school. Their spirited participation helped make the week extra memorable for students and staff alike. We'd say their costumes were a real sheet hit and were definitely the spirit of the season! Thank you to our amazing teachers for making Spirit Week such a hauntingly good time!
HALLOWEEN DANCE & TRUNK OR TREAT 🎃🍬
A huge thank you to everyone who helped make our Halloween Dance and Trunk-or-Treat such a success! From decorating and volunteering to donating treats and supporting our students, your time and efforts helped create a fun, safe, and memorable experience for all. We appreciate our amazing staff, families, and community members who made these events possible.
🌟NORTH'S GOT TALENT🌟
We know how incredibly talented our students are, so why not give them a space to showcase what they can do?
Students are invited to submit any school-appropriate talent or creative work: including artwork, music, writing, special skills, performances, and more. This is a great opportunity to celebrate the unique talents and creativity within our school community!
Didn't make it this week? That's okay- you can submit again! We're encouraging students to submit their talents as many times as they want!
Submissions Deadline: Wednesdays @ 3:00pm - The student selected will be posted in the newsletter on the following week.
**You must have a parental consent form submitted before submitting anything**
We can’t wait to see what our talented students have to share!
please contact Ms. Tory: tory.bagent@k12.wv.us or room 2125 with questions.
🎨🎶WEEKLY TALENT HIGHLIGHT🎭🏅
This week's Talent Spotlight features an incredibly creative piece of artwork created by one of our talented 8th-grade students! Just in time for spooky season, this eerie painting showcases a haunting character emerging from a bold red background with striking details and a chilling message. The artist's use of color, contrast, and imagination creates a piece that is both eye-catching and perfect for Halloween. We are proud to celebrate the creativity and artistic talent of our students. Keep up the amazing work!
Our talented friend had this to say about the work of art: "This is Ms. Tory when she doesn't get her coffee in the morning" (editors note: WOOOOOOW)
2026-2027 YEARBOOK DESIGN WINNER
The votes are in, and we officially have a winner for this year’s North Middle School Yearbook Cover Contest!
Congratulations to Kira Kincaid for creating the winning design!
Your creativity and hard work stood out, and we are excited to feature your design as the 2026–2027 North Middle School Yearbook Cover!
A huge thank-you to everyone who submitted a design and to everyone who took the time to vote. We had some amazing entries, and choosing a winner was not easy!
Please help us congratulate Kira on this awesome accomplishment!
We can’t wait to see the finished yearbook—and your design on the cover!
CAREER ESSAY CHALLENGE
As part of College & Career Exploration Week, students are invited to participate in our Career Essay Challenge! Students will write a thoughtful one-page essay about their future goals, dreams, and career interests. Whether students envision attending college, joining the military, learning a trade, starting a business, or pursuing another path, this is an opportunity to explore the possibilities that lie ahead.
Essays should be submitted to students' TEAMS teachers by Thursday, November 5. Winners will be announced on Friday, and two students from each grade level will receive an Owala water bottle prize! We encourage all students to take some time to reflect on their future and share their vision through writing. Good luck, and we can't wait to read about your aspirations!
STUDENT OF THE MONTH🎉
6TH GRADE
Waylon Roy has shown tremendous growth this year, and we are incredibly proud of how far he has come. Each day, he brings a positive attitude, a kind heart, and a willingness to learn to the classroom. Waylon is one of the sweetest students, always ready with a smile and eager to brighten someone's day. Not only is Waylon hardworking, but he also keeps us laughing with his silly personality and great sense of humor. His joyful spirit makes our classroom a happier place, and he is truly a joy to have in class. It has been amazing to watch his confidence grow and see all the progress he has made throughout the year. We are so proud of you!
Ryleigh Timmons is a HARD worker! She is polite and sweet and would go out of her way to help anyone!
Jaxun Willor has been chosen for his continual smile and willingness to jump in and help out when he sees a need. He is kind to his peers and tries his best at all times! Jaxon, Thank you for leading the way in kindness!
7TH GRADE
Benjamin White
Benjamin White is a truly deserving kid for November’s Student of the Month. Ben is known for his exceptional work ethic; he tackles every assignment with care and precision, consistently setting a high standard for academic excellence. Beyond his own achievements, he is always quick to lend a hand to his classmates and has stepped up this year to help out with our Renaissance Program, as a 7th grader. As an outstanding role model in and outside of the classroom, Benjamin leads by example every single day, and we have no doubt he will continue to accomplish great things!
Adeline McCaffery is an amazing choice for November’s Student of the Month. Demonstrating an extraordinary work ethic day in and day out, Adeline consistently puts her best effort into everything she does and never hesitates to step up whenever help is needed! On top of her classroom dedication, she has taken on an active role in supporting our Renaissance Program this year at the Fall Festival. Known for her sense of humor and uplifting personality, Adeline is a wonderful role model whom her peers naturally look up to. We are so proud to celebrate her with this recognition!
8TH GRADE
Theresa Yagaka
Bailey Sanders
Theresa Yagaka is an outstanding leader who consistently demonstrates responsibility, dedication, and a positive attitude. As an active member of the REN Club, cross-country team, and girls' basketball team, she shows a strong commitment to both her school and extracurricular activities. She is a wonderful role model and a deserving of Student of the Month.
Bailey Sanders is a sweet, kind-hearted student who brightens everyone's day with her warm smile and thoughtful personality. Whether she is cheering, dancing (ballet, jazz, or tap), or creating beautiful diamond art, she brings joy and enthusiasm to everything she does. One of the things that makes her so special is that she takes the time each day to ask her teachers how they are doing, showing a level of kindness and thoughtfulness that makes her truly deserving of Student of the Month.
UA
Avery Mullin
Jayden Slevin is always showing a positive attitude no matter what type of day he is having. He is a hard worker and always helps when needed or even without being asked. He always makes sure everyone is included when at recess or in class.
Avery Mullin is an excellent choice for Student of the Month in Physical Education because of his outstanding attitude, effort, and participation. He consistently follows directions, listens carefully, and is always eager to participate in every activity. Whether we are learning a new skill, playing a game, or completing exercises, Avery approaches each activity with enthusiasm and a willingness to give his best effort. He demonstrates great sportsmanship, respects his classmates, and sets a positive example for others in the gym. His dedication, positive attitude, and willingness to participate make him truly deserving of this recognition. Congratulations, Avery!
HELP THE NORTH ELVES! 🎁
The holiday season is a time for giving, and our Martinsburg North Elves are busy spreading cheer throughout the community! We invite families, staff, and community members to help make the season brighter for local children and families in need.
There are several ways to support this effort:
- Make a monetary donation by clicking the link below
- Sponsor a child or family
- Donate wrapping paper, stocking stuffers, and/or self-care items
Donations will be accepted through December 14, and gifts will be distributed to families by December 17. Every contribution, big or small, helps bring joy to someone this holiday season. Thank you for helping our North family make a difference!
For more information, feel free to reach out to the following:
OFF SITE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES (6TH GRADE)
Sixth grade students who consistently demonstrate positive behavior are invited to participate in an exciting off-site learning opportunity this fall. Students will get the chance to travel to Shanksville, PA, on November 2 to experience the powerful Flight 93 National Memorial.
AFTERSCHOOL TUTORING BEGINS OCTOBER 5TH
Afterschool Tutoring will begin October 5 and will be held in Mrs. Landerkin’s classroom on the 7th-grade hall. Tutoring will take place from 3:15–4:15 p.m., beginning immediately after the last bus leaves.
Before attending, parents must complete the Afterschool Tutoring Form, and students must complete and return the Behavior Contract. Both forms must be turned in before a student can begin tutoring. At 4:15 p.m., parents should pick up students in the parking lot by the side double doors near the bike rack. We look forward to providing students with extra support and a great place to learn after school!
NMS IS NOW ON TIKTOK!
Martinsburg North Middle School is officially on TikTok! Follow our new page to stay connected and catch highlights from around our school, including special events, activities, celebrations, school spirit, and all the great things happening at North. Be sure to follow along, show your Blue Devil pride, and see what’s happening at NMS!
✨ STAFFULTY SUPERSTAR✨
Mrs. Robinson
Department: Secretary
Why this Blue Devil deserves to be recognized: This week’s Staffulty Superstar is being passed to one of our staff that helps make sure the entire building is running properly: one of our front office Secretaries, Mrs. Robinson! Officer Cox has the following to share about her:
Mrs. Robinson is truly an unsung hero of the school. On paper, she's responsible for maintaining registration records and documenting attendance for the entire school. Mrs. Robinson does so much more: she's the first person everyone interacts with upon arrival, she greets every student that arrives late, she checks out every student that leaves early, she answers telephone calls for the school, she helps students who come to the office, she cheers up students in distress, she celebrates with happy students, and she performs all of these tasks as they interrupt her assigned duties. Mrs. Robinson will stop whatever she's doing to assist any staff member with very little recognition. Mrs. Robinson is always happy, courteous, and caring with every interaction putting other before herself; no one ever knows if she's actually having a good day or a bad day as she's focused on making sure everyone else is taken care of. North would not be the same place without her. Simply put, Mrs. Robinson is the best.
LEARNING LUNCH SUCCESS
The 6th and 7th Grade Learning Lunches were a tremendous success! We were thrilled to welcome 43 parents and guardians to these special events, providing an opportunity for families to connect with teachers, learn more about classroom experiences, and celebrate student growth. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the Learning Lunches such a positive and engaging experience. We appreciate the strong partnership between our school and families and look forward to hosting more events like these in the future!
AAC AWARENESS MONTH
This month, we recognize AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Awareness Month and celebrate the many ways people communicate. AAC includes tools, strategies, and devices that help individuals express their thoughts, needs, and ideas when spoken language is difficult or unavailable.
Throughout October, students and staff are encouraged to learn more about AAC and discover how communication can look different for everyone. By increasing awareness and understanding, we can help create a more inclusive school community where every voice is valued and every student has the opportunity to be heard. Let's celebrate the many ways we communicate and support one another all year long!
THIS IS HOW IT'S DONE!
Mrs. French's class is celebrating the power of communication and friendship! Two friends have been working together using an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) device to share messages, make choices, and connect with one another. Through technology and teamwork, these students are building communication skills and showing that there are many ways to express ourselves and learn together. We are proud of their hard work and the meaningful connections they are making every day!
#AACAwarenessMonth
During AAC Awareness Month, we celebrate the many ways people communicate.
This week, two of our students used their AAC devices to participate in the morning announcements and help lead the Pledge of Allegiance. They shared their interests, introduced themselves, and taught our school community a little more about AAC.
Thank you to these students for helping us build a more inclusive school where every voice is valued.
💙 AAC is just another way people communicate. 💙
UPCOMING STUDENT COUNCIL EVENTS
Students interested in making a difference, serving the community, and helping with school events are invited to join Student Council. Members will have opportunities to participate in event planning, community service projects, holiday activities, and special school programs throughout the year. It's a great way to develop leadership skills, build friendships, and give back to the school and local community. Additional second-semester activities will be announced later!
Upcoming Student Council Dates:
- November 10 – In-School Veterans Day Program
- November 14, 9:00 a.m. – Kidz Power Pack Packing (Foxcroft Ave.)
- November 30 & December 7 – Crafts for Nursing Home Residents
- December 11, 6:00 p.m. – Christmas Caroling at Harmony Nursing Home
Stay tuned for more exciting opportunities during the second semester!
FALL FEST WAS A SUCCESS! 🍂
A huge thank you to everyone who attended this year's Fall Festival! The turnout was amazing, and it was wonderful to see so many students enjoying the games, dancing, concessions, prizes, and activities. Events like this help make Martinsburg North Middle School such a special place to learn, grow, and have fun together.
We would like to extend a special thank you to Mrs. Long, Mrs. Griffin, Mrs. Wolfgang, and the FACS students for providing and managing the concession stand. Their hard work helped keep everyone fueled and ready for a night of fun! A heartfelt thank you also goes to Mrs. Adams for ALLLLLL of her help with planning, setup, and organization. Her efforts behind the scenes helped make the event run smoothly from start to finish.
We are also incredibly grateful to our Renaissance Leadership students, along with several helpful 7th graders, who worked hard throughout the evening to manage activities and support students from all grade levels. Their leadership, responsibility, and willingness to help did not go unnoticed.
Last, but certainly not least, thank you to our custodial staff for all the extra work that went into preparing for and cleaning up after the event. Their dedication helps make events like the Fall Festival possible, and we truly appreciate everything they do for our school community.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this year's Fall Festival such a memorable success!
FROM BOOKWORMS TO MEALWORMS 🐛
Students in science class have been busy observing and collecting data during our exciting mealworm experiment! Through hands-on investigations, students are learning about life cycles, habitats, and scientific observation while tracking the growth and development of their mealworms. These engaging lab activities are helping students build critical thinking skills and gain a deeper understanding of the scientific process. It's been amazing to see their curiosity and enthusiasm in action as they explore science through real-world learning experiences!
MEASURING MATTER LAB
Mrs. Myers' class has been hard at work in the lab, exploring how matter is organized and classified. Through hands-on investigations, students are building their understanding of the properties and structure of matter while developing important scientific thinking skills!
VETERNS DAY AT NMS
North Middle School is proud to honor the men and women who have served our country. We invite all veterans to join us on Tuesday, November 10 at 8:00 AM for a special Veterans Day program recognizing their service and sacrifice. Following the program, guests are invited to enjoy a complimentary lunch. Veterans who would like to share their experiences with students are welcome to participate. To help us celebrate, families may also submit a photo of a veteran to be featured in our newsletter and social media. Thank you to all who have served!
Date: Tuesday, November 10
Time: 8:00 AM
Location: North Middle School
Photo Submissions: mupdike@k12.wv.us
OUR KIDS ARE AS SWEET AS APPLE PIE 🍎
Students in culinary class worked hard preparing for the Apple Harvest Festival pie competition, gaining valuable hands-on experience as they mixed, rolled, and baked homemade apple pies. While none of our students placed in the competition this year, they had a wonderful time learning new baking skills and working together throughout the process.
The real reward may have been bringing their delicious creations home to share with family and friends! We are proud of the effort, teamwork, and enthusiasm our students demonstrated, and we look forward to seeing what they accomplish in future culinary projects. Great job, bakers!
JAMMIN' WITH JAMMIES
The 7th grade class put their creativity and sewing skills on display as they worked on making their own pajama pants! Students selected fun fabric patterns and learned the steps of measuring, cutting, and assembling their projects. This hands-on activity combined creativity with practical life skills, and the finished pajama pants are looking fantastic!
EMOJIS PILLOWS TAKE SHAPE 😃
Students in 6th grade have officially begun their final projects, creating fun and expressive emoji pillows! Using their sewing and design skills, students are bringing their favorite emojis to life through fabric, stitching, and creativity. We can't wait to see the finished projects and the unique personalities they showcase. Great work, 6th grade!
NMS BOYS BASKETBALL TRYOUTS
Martinsburg North Middle School is excited to announce Boys Basketball Tryouts! Students interested in joining the Blue Devils basketball team must have a current sports physical on file and maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher to participate.
Tryout Dates
November 9
November 10
Sponsors
Filthy Fizz
Boost Mobile of Martinsburg
We look forward to seeing our student-athletes showcase their skills, sportsmanship, and Blue Devil pride. Good luck to all participants!
JOIN THE ESPORTS TEAM!
Love video games? Want to be part of a new team? Looking for a place to connect and belong? North Middle Esports may be the place for you! North Middle is starting a new Esports Team, and students of all grade levels and experience levels are welcome! Whether you're an experienced gamer or completely new to esports, we'd love to have you join us.
All grades and experience levels are welcome!
For more information please contact:
Coach Springer – nspringer@k12.wv.us
Coach JJ – jennifer.d.jones@k12.wv.us
CROSS COUNTY REPPING THIER NEW GEAR!
CROSS COUNTRY MEETS CONTINUE
BLUE DEVILS CHEER💫
Our North cheerleaders were excited to represent NMS and show their school spirit this week! Dressed in their blue cheer jerseys and ready for the day, these students proudly demonstrated what it means to be part of the North family. We love seeing our students shine both in and out of the classroom while supporting their school with pride!
BULLDOG BOOST: A LEARNING EVENT FOR FAMILIES
Parents, caregivers, and families are invited to attend Bulldog Boost, a special morning dedicated to learning, connection, and support at Martinsburg High School. This engaging event will feature informative workshops led by community organizations, MHS teachers, and counselors, along with snacks, giveaways, and valuable resources for families.
Attendees can choose any two sessions to attend, with topics including teen vaping and addiction awareness, SAT reading preparation, the importance of mathematics, and a counseling corner Q&A. Bulldog Boost is a great opportunity to gain helpful information, connect with school and community partners, and discover ways to support student success both in and out of the classroom.
We encourage all MHS families to take advantage of this exciting event and join us for a morning of learning and collaboration!
EVERY DAY COUNTS: PROMOTING STUDENT SUCCESS
Good attendance is one of the strongest predictors of student success. Berkeley County Schools encourages families to help students build healthy attendance habits by ensuring they are present, engaged, and ready to learn each day. Students who miss 10% or more of the school year, whether absences are excused or unexcused, are considered chronically absent and may miss valuable learning opportunities. Be sure to review attendance guidelines, submit absence notes promptly, and work with the school when attendance concerns arise. Together, we can help every student stay on track and achieve tomorrow's success!
✨BECOME A P.A.S.S. VOLUNTEER✨
Berkeley County Schools is looking for volunteers to become mentors through the P.A.S.S. Program!
A mentor can make a meaningful difference in a student’s life by offering encouragement, support, and a positive connection. The program is available to all students from Pre-K through 12th grade.
If you’re interested in giving your time and making a difference, volunteer today! Apply online through the link below if you are interested!
SIGN UP FOR WEEKLY PARENT EMAIL GRADE REPORTS FROM SCHOOLOGY
Parents and guardians can receive a weekly Schoology email digestwith information about their child’s current grades, assignments, attendance, overdue work, and recent Schoology activity. Follow these steps to turn on the weekly email report:
1. Go to Schoology on the web.
Open a web browser such as Chrome, Safari, or Edge and go to app.schoology.com. Use your parent account to log in. Do not use the Schoology app for these settings.
2. Select your child.
At the top of Schoology, click your name and select your child’s account.
3. Open Settings.
Once you are viewing your child’s account, click your child’s name at the top and then select Settings.
4. Click Notifications.
In the Settings menu, select the Notifications tab.
5. Turn on Email Digest.
Under Parent Email Digest, turn Email Summary to On.
6. Choose Weekly.
Select Weekly for the frequency, then choose the day of the week on which you would like to receive the email.
7. Save your changes.
Click Save Changes.
8. You’re all set!
You will now receive a weekly email with your child’s current grades, attendance, overdue work, and recent Schoology activity.
Optional: Parents can also turn on Overdue Submissions Email if they would like to receive an alert when their child misses a due date.
Remember:
- You must use a web browser, not the Schoology app.
- Make sure you select your child’s account before going to Settings.
- You can turn on Overdue Submissions Email if you want an alert when your child misses a due date.
SCHOOLOGY SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES
Families experiencing difficulty connecting to Schoology can access the resources available on the Schoology webpage. Teachers can also connect families with their school-based SYSOP or zone TSS for assistance. If your families would benefit from an in-person Schoology support session, please contact Family and Community Engagement Coordinator, Travis Williams