North Windy News
After School Enrichment Schedule
- Watercolor has now ended
- Crochet has now ended
- Zumba - runs through Mon, May 4
- Soccer - runs through Mon, May 18
- Chess - runs through Tues, May 5
- Monday, April 27th
- 💰Penny War Begins! <-- link to flyer, info below, Sign up to Volunteer Here
- MAP Test - 6th ELA
- 🐶Brody - Therapy Dog Visit 10am-12pm
- Rising 5th Grade Transition Night 6-7pm
- Wednesday, April 29th
- "Choose Your Own Adventure Day" (5th graders learn options for 6th Grade Exploratory Choices) *More info below
- Thursday, April 30th
- 5th & 6th Math MAP
- Connexiones Event after school 5:00-6:00 pm (Flyers)
- Friday, May 1st
- Optional Teacher Work Day, No School for Students
- 🤍🖤🤍🖤Monday, May 4th - Friday, May 8th - Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week - Donate for PTO Sponsored Staff Appreciation
- Monday, May 4th
- 💰Penny War Ends!
- New Date! PBIS Reward - extra recess & sno cones Sign up to help with Sno Cones!
- Wednesday, May 6th
- PTO Meeting - 8-9 am
- 6th Grade Dance tickets on sale in lobby (opportunity to pay online coming soon!)
- Band/Strings Instrument Selection Night - 2 times available. This is for current 5th graders who choose Band for 6th Grade Exploratory
- 4-5pm
- 6-7pm
- Thursday, May 7th
- Special Olympics Games at TCR.
- Due Date for BCS Parent Survey: English, Spanish, Ukrainian, and Russian.
- Friday, May 8th
- 🕺💃6th Grade Dance after school *more info below (See flyer)
- Tuesday, May 12th
- 🚌6th grade Field Trip to NBMS - North minus Reece (Fleck, Wilde, Kesler, Cripps, Hesson) *Students need permission slips to attend
- Orchestra Concert @ NBMS - 6:30 pm (Students arrive at 5pm)
- Wednesday, May 13th
- 🚌6th Grade to NBMS - East + Tripp & Reece (Lawing, Smith, Kingsley, Tripp, Reece) *Students need permission slips to attend
- Tuesday, May 19th
- 6th and 7th grade Band concert at NBMS
- Thursday, May 21st
- Rising 7th Grade Parent Night @ NBMS (5:30 pm)
- Monday, May 25th
- OTWD - Memorial Day, No School for Students
- Wednesday, May 27th
- ELA EOG
- Thursday, May 28th
- ELA EOG. *Changed from 27th due to May 1st teacher work day revision
- Friday, May 29th
- Math EOG *Changed from 28th due to May 1st teacher work day revision
- Tuesday, June 2nd
- Science EOG
- Wednesday, June 3rd
- 5th Field Day
- 6th Pool Day
- Thursday, June 4th
- 6th Field Day
- 5th Pool Day
- Friday, June 5th
- Field Day Rain Date
- Greek Fest
*We are revising the last week of school due to the calendar changes. We will be in touch with dates for 5th and 6th grade awards.
Dear North Windy Ridge Families,
We want to extend a huge thank you to the parents and community members who dedicated their time and creativity to make Career Day a resounding success. We appreciate you more than words can say! Our students experienced something truly remarkable: seeing "grown-ups" turn dreams into reality. In every session, I heard our volunteers emphasizing why lifelong learning matters and highlighting the exact skills we teach here at NWR.
We want our students to understand that working hard today creates a world of choices tomorrow. While it’s hard for children to look that far ahead, we know that adulthood arrives in the blink of an eye. Thank you for helping us prepare them for the best future imaginable.A special shout-out to Ms. Jamerson for her incredible hard work and flawless execution of this event!
⭐⭐Earlier this week, families were e-mailed the annual parent/guardian survey to help make our school even better. Please take a few minutes to offer your feedback. The surveys are available in English, Spanish, Ukrainian, and Russian. They will be open through May 7.
You can read below for information about...
- Goodbye Penny War - PTO Fundraiser for Gaga Ball
- 6th Grade Dance Information (Flyer)
- 5th Grade "Choose Your Own Adventure" - Choosing Exploratories for 6th Grade *Read more below
- Teacher Prize Box Donations
- Connexiones Family Event - April 30th
- Rising 7th grade transition information.
- Lady Blackhawks Youth Basketball Camp
- Lady Blackhawks Youth Softball Camp
- Math Resources for Parents -
- 5th Grade Unit 6 - More Decimals and Fractions Operations
- 6th Grade Unit 6 - Expressions & Equations - https://im.kendallhunt.com/MS/families/1/6/index.html
- Students with Discretionary Admission (DAR) *Important, please read
You can see pictures & videos from events and activities at NWR on our NWR Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NorthWindyRidge
Always in Newsletter:
- Dress Code Reminder
- Cell Phone Reminder
- Get the Campus Parent App to Monitor Your Child's Grades
- Sign up for the NWR Spirit Rock! Many dates being reserved, so don't miss your special date to send a message to your NWR student!
Thank you for all the ways you support your child and our school,
Mrs. Nichols
Principal
North Windy Ridge Intermediate School
GOODBYE, PENNY WAR AT NWR NEXT WEEK!
This year marks the retirement of the U.S. penny. Before it disappears from our pockets forever, our 5th and 6th graders are giving it a proper send-off with a Goodbye, Penny War!
For one week, 5th grade and 6th grade will compete against each other to collect pennies (and silver and dollars!) to raise money for the PTO. Pennies earn points, silver coins can be used for friendly “sabotage,” and dollar bills give teams a powerful boost.
The winning grade level will get 3 days to sit with whoever they want at lunchtime!
All funds raised support PTO programs and activities for our school (we are trying to pay for a gaga ball pit rubber base, because the gaga ball pit sits on hard unforgiving concrete, which is $3,600 and extra money will go into the fund we use to help kids that can't afford field trips)
Key Details
Pennies = positive points
Silver coins = negative points (limited daily)
Dollar bills = BIG bonus points
We will also have an online platform for donations
Friendly competition encouraged!
Let’s help the penny go out with a bang—one last time.
we also need volunteers each morning from 730-800 (easy since you are dropping off your kid at school!) to help out, please click here!
Please check out our NWR PTO website to get involved, see upcoming events/meeting dates, and contribute!
Volunteer Events
- April 27th - Stay tuned for our upcoming Spring Fundraiser to help raise funds for a Gaga-Pit mat system!
- Monday, May 4th - Volunteer to help with sno-cones! Sign up has been revised because of the calendar change. This was originally May 1st, but is now May 4th.
Get Involved!
- Next year’s Board positions! We are currently looking for interested individuals to be nominated for:
- President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Communications! Come join this fabulous, school centric team! Please reach out at nwrpto@gmail.com to learn more!
- Voting will happen at the May 6 PTO mtg!
2026 Meeting dates!
- May 6, 8:00 am NWR Media Center
- June 3, 8:00 am NWR Media Center
Donate!
- North Windy Ridge PTO is a registered 501c(3) not-for-profit organization, so all donations are tax deductible! Contribute on line HERE!
Parents can make a meaningful difference in their child’s math learning by using the Illustrative Math parent resources available online (Links are below). These tools offer clear explanations of concepts students are learning, examples of strategies being taught in class, and guidance on how to talk through problems in supportive, confidence-building ways. Families can explore short overviews of each unit, see sample problems, and better understand the “why” behind today’s math approaches, helping students connect ideas rather than just memorize steps. Even spending a few minutes reviewing together can strengthen understanding, build problem-solving skills, and help students feel more successful and supported at home.
- 5th Grade Unit 6 - More Decimals and Fractions Operations
- 6th Grade Unit 6 - Expressions & Equations - https://im.kendallhunt.com/MS/families/1/6/index.html
- Here's a direct link to 6th grade math units. 6th Grade will be working through Unit 6 which is focused on integers.
I also want to remind parents about a few important rules at our school. I'll keep these in the newsletter for a few more weeks so that everyone can read these important reminders.
- If a student has a cell phone at school, it MUST be off and in a student's backpack. Students are not allowed to get their phone out, take it to the bathroom, and call parents. Students must talk to a grown-up if they are sick and need to call home. This is a safety concern. Please remind your child about this rule.
- Our dress code is always in the newsletter, but I want to remind families of a few important points below. If students choose clothes that do not meet the following expectations, we will ask them to either call home for a change of clothes or pick something out of our clothes closet.
- Students should not wear pajamas to school (the term "pajamas" has a wide range of interpretations, so it's easier to say "not pajamas."
- Please wear shirts that cover the mid-section.
- Dresses, tank tops and any straps must be at least 3 fingers wide.
North Windy Ridge School encourages students to dress in comfortable clothing that complements a positive school climate.
- No hats, hoods, bandanas or other head coverings are to be worn in the building. This includes headbands with ears or other costume-related head coverings.
- No "costume" attire, such as tails or paws.
- Students will refrain from wearing baggy pants that fall below the waist and shirts that expose the midriff.
- Attire should not include pajama wear.
- Shorts and skirts should be at least mid-thigh.
- Dresses, tank tops and any straps must be at least 3 fingers wide.
- Clothing must not advertise alcohol, drugs, or tobacco products or display inappropriate language or gestures. (This includes items that suggest inappropriate things as well).
- No bedroom slippers. Shoes should be of a type suitable for daily physical education and/or recess. Students must wear tennis shoes on days scheduled in the gym for physical education.
As our students start the second nine weeks of the school year, we have another resource to help you stay connected through "Campus Parent," the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. You can view this edition of BCS Parent University to learn more and see some of the app's features in action.
In August 2025, Buncombe County Schools launched Parent University. This series of short videos is intended to enhance communication with families of things happening in classrooms across Buncombe County. Watch for additions to the Parent University library throughout the school year. Click here to access the BCS Parent University.
Campus Parent App
The end of the grading period is drawing near, so if you haven't already signed up for the Campus Parent App to see your child's grades, now's the time! Here are the directions:
Setting Up Your Infinite Campus Parent Portal
Visit this link for NCSIS registration.
Select Buncombe County Schools from the drop down menu.
Enter your student's ID number (they may know it as their "lunch number"), their first name, last name, and date of birth.
Follow the instructions to verify your identity.
You should instantly receive an activation key and link to complete your parent portal setup.
Once your parent portal is established, use this link to sign in anytime with your user name and password. You may also want to download the Campus Parent mobile app for iPhone and Android devices.
Mr. Thompson is asking for Legos! We know they're out there, buried in your closet...it's time to donate them to a good cause! Our NWR STEM students will be using these throughout the year.
Use the bar code here (or click this link) to sign up to receive direct information about volunteer opportunities through PTO! You can also keep scrolling to see how you can donate and volunteer in the coming weeks. We are so GRATEFUL for how supportive our parent community is at NWR!
Please remember the following requests:
- If you need to check your child out early, please check them out BEFORE 2:15. We will not be checking students out the last 30 minutes of the day as this interrupts instruction.
- If you need to make a dismissal change for your student, please contact the front office before 1:15 pm. each day. All dismissal changes must be in writing.
- We have an email address for all attendance and transportation-related inquiries. You can reach us at: nwr.attendance@bcsemail.org This email address is monitored throughout the day!
- If you have a last-minute emergency transportation change at the last minute, please email & call the school to confirm the update.
Please review this information with your student.
Please be reminded that our school, in accordance with the new state law, has an updated cell phone policy this year. We have talked as a school staff about this policy and it will be enforced consistently school wide. Please refer to this video on the BCS Parent University website.
- Students ARE NOT allowed to use their cell phone while in the building. The only exceptions are for students who use it for medical purposes, such as a student with diabetes who use it for blood glucose monitoring.
- The cell phone should NOT be visible while in the building, meaning it needs to be in their backpack, turned off. It should not be seen in a student's pocket or hoodie.
- If a phone is caught, or seen, in violation of this policy the phone will be taken and returned to the student at the end of the school day.
- If a student violates this policy for a second time, the phone will be taken and given to the office. The parent or guardian may pick it up there at the end of the day.
- If a student violates this policy for a third time, the student will be asked to leave the phone at home or leave it in the school office each morning before school starts.
- Refusal to turn over a cell phone can result in additional consequences. Help us out by talking with your student ahead of time about these expectations and consequences.
As for smart watches, we will not be policing each student's watch. Our thoughts are that most student's watches don't have a data plan and are connected to the data plan on their cell phone. Therefore, if a student's phone is turned off as it should be, the smart watch is just a watch. But, if we see a student texting or accessing social media on their smart watch, it will be treated as a cellular device as described above.
This is a fairly big change for our school. Please talk with your child about this before the first day of school. A phone is always available in the school office if your child has an emergency and needs to contact you. I also know this will require families and students to make plans and discuss plans before the child leaves for school since adults should not be texting students during the school day.
We are grateful for your support this year!
Policy 4318: Therefore, students are permitted to possess such devices on school property so long as the devices are not turned on, used, displayed, visible, or otherwise creating a distraction during the instructional day. Wireless communication devices include, but are not limited to, cellular phones, smartwatches, earbuds, headphones, gaming devices, paging devices, two-way radios, tablet computers, laptop computers, electronic devices with internet capability, and other similar personal electronic devices.
Ms. Tara Conley, NWR Assistant Principal, will be your contact for all things Bus-related! Her email is tara.conley@bcsemail.org.
Please sign up for the EDULOG bus app below!
The Buncombe County Schools Transportation Department is excited to bring our families the Edulog Parent Portal App. This smartphone app allows parents to receive specific information about their child’s school bus ride. Parents will be able to:
Access designated bus stop times and locations for their child.
Monitor real-time information about the location of their child’s school bus.
Receive notifications when the bus is getting close to the assigned bus stop.
To Download the app search for Edulog Parent Portal in the app store for Apple or Google or Scan the QR code below.
Links to Parent Portal Information
Ms. Mandy Brewer, Head Secretary & Bookkeeper
Ms. Brewer is here to help with all the things! She supports the school administrators, manages all things money, and is a smiling face in our front office in the mornings.
Ms. Alisha Young, Data Manager & Student Information Specialist
Ms. Young is your go-to person for anything related to your child's information and records. She enrolls, unenrolls, and keeps all the records. She can also support with attendance matters.
Ms. Leah Erwin
Ms. Erwin is our receptionist, and will help with bus questions, attendance, transportation changes, and any questions related to the school.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided at no cost to all students this school year!
*You can add money to your child's account for extra purchases like snacks, ice cream, or additional items from the lunch menu. Use this link to add money.
We are pleased to inform you that Buncombe County Schools will be implementing a program available to schools participating in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Programs called the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).
What does this mean for you and your child(ren)?
Great news! All enrolled students at Buncombe County Schools are eligible to receive a healthy breakfast and lunch at school at no cost to your household each day of the school year. NWR Parents, there are no action steps for you to take at this time to participate in this program.
K-12 Prepayment will remain active allowing parents and guardians to place money on their students accounts to purchase a la carte items if they would like too. We look forward to serving your students during the 25-26 school year. If you have any questions about this letter, please contact us at Buncombe Schools Nutrition Office, 828 255-5932.
Participation matters! The more students who eat lunch and breakfast at our school increases the likelihood that this program will continue.
Don't forget that our students, staff, and visitors have access to masks all day long. We have regular 3-ply masks and KN95 masks available. Masks are available in the front office, and we have reminders at hand-sanitizing stations that you can get a mask in the front office.
If a student requests a KN95 mask, we must have parent permission since it is considered a respirator. Parents must complete the Voluntary Respirator Use Form and sign and return. Here is a link to the form. If a student requests a KN95 mask, and we do not already have the form on file, we will email it to parent/guardians for you to sign.
