NMS September Newsletter

Did you know that good attendance is one of the biggest factors in student success? When students arrive on time and ready to learn each day, they build strong learning habits, stay engaged with their classmates, and don’t miss important instruction. This September, we encourage all families to make attendance a top priority—because every day counts!

Doors Open at 7:20am

Tardy Bell rings at 7:30am

Dismissal Bell rings at 2:15pm

• Important Dates
• School Contacts / School Nurse Notes - Medical Forms
• PowerSchool Parent Portal
• Stay Connected!
• School Bus Guidelines For All
• While Out Walking
• Apple Festival Art Contest
• Introducing: Digital Skills Society
• Student Activities
• Student Drop off / Entry Map
• Attire / Electronic Expectations
• Quick Links
• Help Guide / Questions-Concerns

• 9/1 - Labor Day - Schools Closed
• 9/16 - Marcos Pizza Fundraiser Night - CLICK HERE - Winning homeroom earns a pizza party!
• 9/18 - Picture Day CLICK HERE for more information
• 9/18- Parent Teacher Conferences - 2:30-7:00pm (More Info TBA)
• 9/22-9/23- Dental Sealant for 6th graders
• 9/23 - 8th Grade - Washington DC Parent Info Night- 5:30-6:30pm - (More Info TBA)
• 9/24 - Student Council Meeting - 2:30-3:00pm
• Every Monday/Thursday - Digital Skills Club - 2:30-3:30pm
• Every Wednesday - Acapella - 2:15-4:00pm

• October 10th - NEOEA Day-Schools Closed
• October 29th - Picture Retake Day (More Information TBA)
• November 11th - Parent Teacher Conferences -2:30-7:00pm (More Information TBA)

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 Testing.

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.

The PowerSchool Parent Portal is a valuable tool to help you stay connected to your child’s education. Through the portal, you can easily keep track of grades, assignments, and attendance, as well as complete important school forms. This includes the annual Back to School Update, which is required for every student each year.

Thank you to the families who have already completed this update—we appreciate your partnership! If you have not yet done so, please log in and complete it as soon as possible so we can ensure we have the most up-to-date information for your child.

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

At Northwood Middle, we do our best to ensure that important information is shared with families through as many channels as possible. From paper handouts to digital platforms, we aim to keep everyone informed and up to date.

To help us maintain clear and consistent communication, we ask all parents and guardians to:

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

• 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.

• 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

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.

Whether riding the bus or sharing the road, safety is everyone’s responsibility. We ask students to be respectful and follow bus rules so drivers can focus on the road. With ongoing construction in the city, please be patient as our drivers continue to adjust to routes and schedules.

For families driving, remember to always stop when buses display flashing red lights and the stop arm is extended—this keeps our students safe as they get on and off.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding transportation, please reach out directly to our bus company, GGC at 440-284-8030.

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.

We’re excited to share that our students have the opportunity to participate in the annual Apple Art Contest! Entry details have been announced at school, and we encourage all students to showcase their creativity by submitting their artwork.

We also invite families to join in the fun at the Apple Festival—it's a wonderful community event you won’t want to miss.

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.