NMS October Newsletter

Bullying can happen anywhere—at school, online, or in the community—and it affects children both emotionally and academically. As parents, you play a key role in helping your child recognize bullying and know how to respond. Encourage your child to speak up if they see or experience bullying, and remind them that kindness and respect matter.

Together, we can build a safe, kind, and respectful community for all students.

• Talk Openly
• Ask your child about their day and listen closely. Encourage them to share feelings, worries, and successes.
• Teach Respect & Kindness
• Model kindness at home and discuss how words and actions affect others.
• Recognize the Signs
• Watch for changes in behavior—such as withdrawal, avoiding school, or unexplained injuries—that may signal bullying.
• Empower Your Child
• Remind them it’s always okay to speak up if they see or experience bullying.
• Partner With the School Reach out to teachers, counselors, or administrators if you have concerns. We’re here to help.

Let’s work as a team—parents, educators, and students—to stop bullying

and create a culture of kindness and inclusion.

October 22, 2025 - Unity Day

Wear Orange to support bullying prevention

For more resources, visit: stopbullying.gov

• Important Dates
• School Contacts / School Nurse Notes - Medical Forms
• PowerSchool Parent Portal - Communicating Missing/Makeup work
• Stay Connected! - Download the REMIND app
• Keeping Our School Safe: Talk With Your Student Today
• While Out Walking
• PBIS Focus
• Fall Dance
• Student Activities
• Attire / Electronic Expectations
• Student Drop off / Entry Map
• Quick Links
• Help Guide / Questions-Concerns

• 10/6 - Tech E Club - 2:15-3:00pm (permission slip required)
• 10/9 - Bible Club starts every Thursday (at Abbe Road Baptist Church (permission slip required)
• 10/10 - NEOEA Day - Schools Closed
• 10/16 - End of 1st grading period
• 10/16 - Fall Dance - 5-7:00pm - More info below
• 10/17 - Records Day - No School for Students
• 10/20 - Tech E Club - 2:15-3:00pm (permission slip required)
• 10/21 - Marcos Pizza Fundraiser - CLICK HERE - Winning homeroom earns a pizza party!
• 10/29 - Picture Re-Take Day - Order Form HERE or order online at mylifetouch.com
• 10/29 - Student Council Meeting - 2:30-3:00pm
• 10/31 - Mobile Dentist
• Select Mondays/Thursdays - Digital Skills Club - 2:30-3:30pm
• Every Wednesday - Acapella - 2:15-4:00pm

• November 3rd - Mobile Dentist
• November 4th - No School for Students - Staff Professional Development Day
• November 20th - Parent Teacher Conferences -2:30-7:00pm (More Information TBA)
• November 26th - Schools Closed - Conference Makeup Day
• November 27th-28th - Schools Closed - Fall Break

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.

• Check grades, assignments, and attendance anytime.

• Coordinate collecting missed work due to absences.

• Email teachers directly → Log in → Grades & Attendance → click the teacher’s name.

• This opens a direct line of communication about assignment details, due dates, and whether work is online or needs to be picked up from the office.

• Don’t forget: the Back to School Update (required every year) is also completed here.

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

Thank you to the families who have already completed this step!

At Northwood Middle, we do our best to ensure that important information is shared with families through as many channels as possible. To help us maintain clear and consistent communication, we ask all parents and guardians to:

• 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

• 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.

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

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.

Please take a moment to talk with your child about the very real harm caused by threats — even when they seem like “just a joke.” Imitating a weapon, suggesting violence, or making threatening comments is never safe or acceptable. What might feel funny in the moment can quickly cause fear, trigger disciplinary action, and even carry legal consequences. Most importantly, it makes our school community feel unsafe.

Why this matters:

• Words and gestures about violence are taken seriously by staff, students, and law enforcement.

• Even “joking” threats can cause fear, trauma, and emergency responses.

• Preventing harm starts with adults reinforcing that threats are never acceptable.

How you can help:

• Have a calm, direct conversation with your child about why threats aren’t jokes.

• Ask open questions: “Have you heard this at school? What would you do if you did?”

• Encourage safe alternatives for humor and walking away from conflict.

• Remind them to report any threats to a trusted adult.

• Monitor digital spaces — online threats are treated the same as in-person ones.

• Reach out if your child is struggling; we’re here to help.

What the school will do:

• Investigate all reports of threats immediately.

• Support affected students and involve counselors or outside agencies if needed.

• Focus on safety and corrective education while acting swiftly to protect everyone.

Thank you for partnering with us to keep our school safe. Together, we can ensure all students feel secure and ready to learn.

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.

Back-to School Update must be complete in order to attend.

UPDATE:TICKETS WILL GO ON SALE THE WEEK OF 10/13, BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL.

COST $5.

Any questions about the Dance, please email the Student Council Advisor Mrs. Kothe

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.