KIDDER MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS

4/6- First Day Back From Spring Break

4/7- 8th Grade College and Career Field Trip

4/7- NO STUDY LAB

4/8- Early Release

4/9- STUDY LAB RESUMES

4/9- NW Band Boosters Meeting @ HS Band Room, 6:00pm

4/15- Early Release

4/18- MS Spring Choir Solo Ensemble

4/22- Early Release

4/22-4/25- 8th Grade Washington DC Trip

4/25- MS Solo & Ensemble @ Transcendence Performing Arts Center

4/27- No School

4/29- Early Release

Northwest Kidder Middle School Cell Phone Use

• Students may use an Electronic Communication Device (ECD: This includes devices such as smart watches, cell phones, radios, etc.) BEFORE entering the building and after leaving the building at the end of the school day.

• During the school day, students should place ECDs in their lockers and lock them up. If an ECD is in their pocket, they must be silenced to prevent distractions.

• ECD use in restrooms and locker rooms is prohibited at all times.

• Students may not exit the building during the school day in order to use an ECD. Phones are available in the office to contact parents.

• Students that participate in extracurricular activities must abide by the ECD use rules determined by the coach, advisor, or sponsor. Coaches, advisors, and sponsors will enforce the consequences involving misuse of these devices during practices, meetings, or competitions.

• The school district is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage to ECDs. Students are encouraged to leave the devices in secure locations. A school district employee that stores an ECD for a student is not responsible for its loss, theft, or damage.

• Violation of the policy will result in disciplinary action in accordance with the school building code of conduct.

Spring Testing Preparation Links

What Parents Can Do to Help Students Prepare

What Parents Should Know About Assessments

MSTEP Page

Scroll down to Content Specific Information Section and click the following link for practice items: Online Practice for M-STEP ELA, Math, Science and Social Studies

PSAT Student Guide

PSAT Page

What's on the PSAT?

PSAT Testing Rules

Grand Rapids Academic Summer Program, AKA: GRASP is back for Summer 2026

Do you want to help your child maintain reading and math skills over summer break? GRASP is an at-home program used by families throughout the U.S. for 50 years!

Children finishing Kindergarten to 8th grade receive a packet of materials with a booklet. This booklet has 9 units of review exercises to be completed each week. Each lesson takes about one hour to complete. You mail scan sheets to GRASP for scoring and we will email lesson results back. OR parents can score scan sheets with their cell phones instead of mailing them in! Parents will receive an email with more information after the registration is processed.

SUGGESTED RETURN DATE FOR FIRST LESSON IS JUNE 12TH

ALL LESSONS MUST BE POSTMARKED BY AUGUST 7TH

Children in grades 4 to 8 can choose to do GRASP online instead of using the book and scan sheets. The results of each question are shown immediately.

If your child successfully completes at least 7 units with 70% accuracy are awarded a certificate. Those successfully completing all 9 units with 70% accuracy receive a medal (one per child). Results will be shared with your school, and they will distribute certificates and medals.

The cost is $30 for one subject or $50 for both subjects for each child. Order the grade level they are just completing so they can review or order a different level if that is appropriate for your child. ONE enrollment form per student, BUT, if you are ordering for multiple children, you can submit ONE payment for the total sum of your orders.

To register, submit the enrollment form below with payment to your school no later April 17, 2026. All materials will be sent home with your child by the last week of school. Online logins will be emailed directly from the GRASP Office.

Click HERE to for the enrollment form & payment information.

Understanding Anxiety in Middle Schoolers: What Parents Should Know

It is normal for middle school students to experience worry and nervousness as they navigate academic expectations, social changes, and personal growth. However, for some students, anxiety can become overwhelming and begin to affect their daily life. Understanding the signs of anxiety and knowing how to support your child can make a meaningful difference.

Anxiety does not always look like obvious worry. It can show up in emotional, physical, and behavioral ways. You may notice:

• Frequent worries about school, friendships, or making mistakes

• Avoiding school or certain activities

• Complaints of headaches, stomach aches, or feeling sick (especially before school)

• Irritability, frustration, or emotional outbursts

• Trouble sleeping or difficulty concentrating

• Seeking constant reassurance

Sometimes anxiety is mistaken for defiance or lack of motivation, when in reality the student may feel overwhelmed or afraid.

Middle school is a time of significant change. Students are adjusting to increased academic demands, changing friendships, growing independence, and physical and emotional development. These changes can create uncertainty and increase feelings of anxiety.

How Parents Can Help at Home

• Listen and validate feelings: Let your child know you hear and understand them.

• Maintain routines: Consistent sleep, homework, and daily routines provide stability.

• Encourage facing challenges: Gentle encouragement builds confidence over time.

• Praise effort: Focus on hard work and progress rather than perfection.

• Stay calm and supportive: Your calm presence helps your child feel safe. Early support helps students build lifelong coping skills and confidence.

Warning Signs to Watch For

• Frequent physical complaints (stomach aches, headaches) without medical cause

• Avoiding school, activities, or social situations

• Excessive worry most days

• Changes in sleep, appetite, or mood

• Increased irritability or emotional reactions

• Withdrawal from friends or favorite activities

Simple Ways to Support Your Child

• Create predictable daily routines

• Encourage regular sleep (8–10 hours for middle schoolers)

• Teach simple calming strategies such as slow breathing

• Break large tasks into smaller, manageable steps

• Remind your child that mistakes are part of learning

• Stay connected with your child’s school staff

When to Reach Out

Please contact one of the counselors at KMS, your student’s doctor, or a mental health professional if anxiety begins to significantly impact school, friendships, or daily functioning. Early support can make a big difference. Mrs. Soles or Mr. Hesslau can offer recommendations for outside resources as well.

Alicia Soles

Marshall Hesslau

YEARBOOKS FOR SALE!

NEW!!!! NW Athletics Website

https://nwmountiesathletics.com/

To Register Athletes for School Year 2025/2026 Click on top right hand corner sports registration. or click this link:

https://studentcentral.bigteams.com/index.php?keyword=/user/signup&schoolID=43137

Here are HOW TO instructions for Parents/Gaurdians: https://bigteams.my.site.com/support/s/article/Parents-Create-Your-Students-Account

Attached is a blank MHSAA Form to take to the sports physical appointment. Current physical must be dated after 4/15/25 and submitted through the athlete registration site by the official fall sports start dates. 9th-12th Grade: Monday August 11th. / 7th-8th Grade Football: Monday August 18th / MS Cross Country & 7th-8th Girls Volleyball: Monday August 21st.

$20 sports physicals information:

https://nwmountiesathletics.com/main/adnews/id/58216988

NW Athletics sports summer workout schedules/information is on the website and Facebook. https://nwmountiesathletics.com/

Follow us on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/share/16K72kFGH8/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Questions, email Jessica Banister @ the Athletic Office: jessica.banister@nwschools.org.

4/8- Middle School Track @ Home, 4:00pm

4/13- Middle School Tennis @ Home, 4:00pm

4/15- Middle School Track @ Hastings, 4:00pm

4/15- Middle School Tennis @ Home, 4:00pm

4/20- Middle School Tennis @ Hastings, 4:00pm

4/22- Middle School Track @ Coldwater. 4:00pm

4/23- Middle School Tennis @ Coldwater, 4:00pm

4/27- Middle School Tennis @ Home, 4:00pm

4/30- Middle School Track @ Home, 4:00pm

4/30- Middle School Tennis @ Home, 4:00pm

CLICK HERE FOR THE STUDENT HANDBOOK

School officials will make the interpretation of what is acceptable dress. All students shall maintain the following minimum standard of dress at Northwest Community Schools.

• Tops must have straps or sleeves and must cover the student’s entire torso from armpit to armpit. Pants, shorts, and skirts must cover buttocks completely. Sleepwear, hats and hoods are not permitted. Coats and jackets are to be secured in the building’s designated area (i.e lockers). Clothing may not display material that:

• Is materially and substantially disruptive or that school officials can reasonably forecast will create a substantial disruption;

• Is obscene, sexually explicit, indecent, or lewd;

• Promotes the use of or advertises illegal substances, including but not limited to substances illegal for minors;

• Incites violence;

• Contains “fighting words”;

• Constitutes a true threat of violence;

• Demonstrates hate group association/affiliation or uses hate speech targeting groups based on their membership in a protected class, including, but not limited to, swastikas or Confederate flags; or

• Displays nipples, genitals, buttocks or undergarments.

• Students who represent the District at an official or school-sponsored function or public event (e.g., athletic teams, bands, choirs, and other groups) may be required to follow specific dress requirements as a condition of participation or attendance.

• Holes in clothing or sheer material exposing midriff/chest/upper thigh shall not be worn

• Shorts/skirts/dresses must cover the buttocks completely

• Appropriate footwear, suitable for the school environment, shall be worn. Slippers are not permitted

• Sleepwear may not be worn to school, including pajama pants, robes, and nightgowns, unless there is an approved special activity during which they are deemed appropriate

• Students are strongly encouraged not to bring hats or other head coverings to school. Hats, bandanas/scarves or hoods covering the head are not to be worn in the school buildings during the school day unless there is an approved special activity during which they are deemed appropriate. Requests to wear coverings in accordance with sincerely held cultural and/or religious belief will be addressed on a case by case basis
  
  

Clothing or ornamentation that does any of the following is prohibited

• Incites violence

• Contains "fighting words"

• Constitutes a true threat of violence

• Is obscene, sexually explicit, indecent, or lewd

• Is materially and substantially disruptive or that school officials can reasonably forecast will create a substantial disruption

COSTUME ATTIRE AND/OR ACCESSORIES, including FUR TAILS, shall not be worn, unless there is an approved special activity during which they are deemed appropriate

Additional

• All backpacks, purses, stuffed animals etc. are to be secured in lockers

• Coats and jackets are to be secured in lockers

• Blankets shall not be brought to school unless there is an approved special activity during which they are deemed appropriate

CHECK LIST

1. Create a Parent PowerSchool Portal and connect all your students to your parent account.
2. Update students information for all students. Instructions below
3. Complete Forms for all students in your Parent PowerSchool Portal- Instructions below.
4. Complete the District CEP form. Instructions below.

PleaselogintoyourParentPowerSchoolPortalviaawebbrowsertodothefollowing:

Update/ Review Student Information:

This must be completed on a web browser. This can not be completed from the PowerSchool app.

• Once logged in, student tabs are at the top of the Parent PowerSchool portal. As you click on each of your students associated with your account, you will see the banner that says, "STUDENT INFORMATION UPDATE NEEDED"
  

• Click on the banner to review/update all contact information. If there are no changes that are needed, please click the box at the top of the page indicating no changes and NEXT at the bottom of the page until you reach the end.

• This information will be submitted to the building offices and verified. If there is an address change you must follow the address change process that can be found HERE! Your address change will not be processed until the documentation has been presented to the building office

2025-2026 Secondary Buildings

Full Day-7:30am-2:30pm

Half Day-7:30am-11am

Early Release-7:30am-1:30pm

Email: nw.media@nwschools.org
Website: nwschools.org
Location: 6700 Rives Junction Road, Jackson, MI, USA
Phone: (517)817-4703