NMS Parent Update

Check out what is happening at NMS!

As we reach the midpoint of our school year, it is our great pleasure to celebrate the hard work, dedication, and academic perseverance of our students. The second quarter is often one of the most demanding stretches of the year, yet so many of our students rose to the challenge and demonstrated a true commitment to their studies.

We are incredibly proud to announce the Honor Roll and High Honor Roll recipients for the second quarter. Achieving these milestones requires consistent effort, excellent time management, and a drive to succeed.

Please join us in congratulating the students who met the following rigorous criteria:

• High Honor Roll (93% – 100% Average): These students have demonstrated exceptional mastery of their subjects through tireless dedication and academic precision.

• Honor Roll (85% – 92.5% Average): These students have shown significant commitment to excellence and a strong work ethic across all their courses.

We also want to extend a sincere thank you to our families and teachers for the support and encouragement they provide our students every day. Success in the classroom is truly a team effort.

Congratulations once again to all our honorees!

The New York State Assessments are just around the corner, and we know you want your child to be fully prepared. While these tests are important, remember that they are just one snapshot of your child's academic progress. With the right support and encouragement, your child can approach these assessments with confidence! Here are our top 10 tips to help your child succeed:

1. Talk to the Teachers: Open communication with your child's teachers is key. They can provide specific insights into your child's strengths and areas for improvement, and offer tailored advice on how to best support their learning.

2. Focus on the Fundamentals: Ensure your child has a strong grasp of the basic concepts in ELA, math, and science. Review foundational skills, like reading comprehension, grammar, multiplication facts, and the scientific method.

3. Practice Makes Perfect: Utilize practice tests and sample questions available online or from your child's teacher. This helps familiarize your child with the format and types of questions they'll encounter.

4. Make Time for Reading: Encourage your child to read a variety of texts, including books, articles, and online resources. Reading regularly improves comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills essential for ELA success.

5. Problem-Solve Together: Incorporate math into everyday activities. Cook together, work on a budget, or play games that involve problem-solving and logical thinking.

6. Explore the World Around You: Foster a love for science by exploring nature, conducting simple experiments at home, or visiting museums and science centers.

7. Create a daily Study Schedule: Help your child create a realistic study plan that includes regular breaks and time for other activities. Consistency is key!

8. Ensure a Good Night's Sleep: Adequate rest is crucial for optimal focus and performance. Encourage your child to establish a regular sleep routine, especially in the days leading up to the assessments.

9. Provide a Nutritious Diet: Fuel your child's brain with healthy meals and snacks. A balanced diet supports concentration and overall well-being.

10. Stay Positive and Supportive: Above all, create a positive and encouraging environment. Let your child know that you believe in them and that their effort is what matters most.

Remember: The goal is not to ace the test, but to foster a love of learning that will last a lifetime. By working together, we can help our Norwich Middle School students approach the NYS Assessments with confidence and achieve their full potential!

Each Family CharacterDare offers families the opportunity to engage in challenges designed to increase connection and conversation at home. These CharacterDare challenges also provide students with more opportunities to practice habits discussed in class.

Use Available Math Resources:

• Review your math resources, class notes, and any handouts from your teacher.

• Explore online resources or visit your local library for extra practice.
• Ask your teacher for additional materials or strategies to strengthen your understanding.

Practice Math Every Day:

• Work on a mix of basic and challenging problems to build confidence.
• Basic problems help reinforce key skills like simplifying fractions, working with decimals, and understanding ratios.
• Challenging problems may require multiple steps and combining different skills, such as solving equations, using proportions, and applying statistics.

Approach Test Questions Strategically:

• Show all your work and double-check your answers when time allows.
• Stay positive and remember that practice helps improve your math skills over time!

Additional Resources can be found at: (https://www.schools.nyc.gov/learning/subjects/math)

February 2026

16-20 - No School - Mid-Winter Break

27 - End of Progress Period 3

March 2026

3 - Middle School Open House - 6:00

12 - 1/2 Day - PM Professional Development - 11:30 Dismissal

13 - No School - Professional Development Day

27 - 1/2 Day - PM Professional Development - 11:30 Dismissal

April 2026

2 - End of Quarter 3

3-9 - No School - Spring Break

13 - Back to School

15-16 - NYS ELA Assessment

17 - 1/2 Day - Parent-Teacher Conferences (11:30 Dismissal)

29-30 - NYS Math Assessment

Email: epowers@norwichcsd.org
Website: www.norwichcsd.org
Location: 89 Midland Drive, Norwich, NY, USA
Phone: 607-344-1600