NORTH NEWS

The difference between try and triumph is a little umph." —Marvin Phillips

Students who would like to follow bus call in real time can click the button below to view live bus updates as they are announced. This easy-to-use viewer helps everyone stay informed and makes dismissal run more smoothly.

We still have MANY North Middle families who have NOT completed the online Parent Contact Annual Update Form. DEADLINE: September 30

If your family’s information has not been updated by the end of September, your student will lose iPad privileges until the form is completed. Even if your information has not changed, you still need to complete the form for EACH CHILD in your family. Please take a moment to complete the form today! Help us keep your family’s contact information accurate and ensure your student maintains access to their iPad."

Berkeley County Schools is continuing to implement the BCS Bullying Prevention Program in each of our PreK-12 schools. The program is designed to help prevent bullying and other negative behaviors within the school environment and ensure our schools continue to provide a safe and caring environment for students.

As part of the program, students in grades K-12 will participate in a developmentally appropriate annual survey. The survey will help BCS gather reliable information about bullying behaviors and attitudes in the school setting. The results will also provide important information for planning bullying prevention efforts and measuring progress in addressing and reducing bullying over time.

• The survey is completely voluntary.
• No student names are collected.
• The survey will be administered by the third week of November 2026.
• If you prefer that your child not participate, please notify your child's school in writing by Friday, October 30, 2026.

Parents and guardians may review a sample of the survey appropriate for their child's grade level. If you are unable to access the sample online survey, please contact your child's school office to review its contents.

Thank you for your support of the BCS Bullying Prevention Program.

If you prefer that your child not participate, please notify your child's school in writing by Friday, October 30, 2026.

Parents and guardians are invited to join us for our upcoming Learning Lunches at North Middle School! These special events provide an opportunity to learn more about middle school, hear important school updates, participate in our annual Title I meeting, learn about the Local School Improvement Council (LSIC), discuss the Parent and Family Engagement Policy and School/Parent Compact, and share feedback during an open forum focused on parent needs.

After the meeting, enjoy a free lunch with your student and connect with other North Middle families. Learning Lunch dates are October 12 for 8th grade families, October 19 for 7th grade families, and October 23 for 6th grade families. Be sure to RSVP by the listed deadlines. We look forward to partnering with you as we continue supporting the success of our Blue Devils!

We know how incredibly talented our students are, so why not give them a space to showcase what they can do?

Students are invited to submit any school-appropriate talent or creative work: including artwork, music, writing, special skills, performances, and more. This is a great opportunity to celebrate the unique talents and creativity within our school community!

Submissions Deadline: Wednesdays @ 3:00pm - The student selected will be posted in the newsletter on the following week.

submission deadline will be October 7th @ 3:00pm

shoutout will be posted in the October 12th newsletter!

**You must have a parental consent form submitted before submitting anything**

We can’t wait to see what our talented students have to share!

A huge thank you to all of the talented students who submitted entries for North's Got Talent this week! We are continually amazed by the courage, creativity, and dedication our students display when sharing their unique gifts with the school community.

This week's lucky featured performer is Alex Sabri, who wowed us with a heartfelt performance of "Burn" from the Hamilton soundtrack. Alex's submission showcased not only impressive vocal talent, but also confidence and passion that truly brought the song to life.

Thank you, Alex, for sharing your wonderful talent with us and for inspiring others to step outside their comfort zones and shine. We can't wait to see more incredible submissions from our talented North students in the weeks ahead!

The votes are in, and we officially have a winner for this year’s North Middle School Yearbook Cover Contest!

Congratulations to Kira Kincaid for creating the winning design!

Your creativity and hard work stood out, and we are excited to feature your design as the 2026–2027 North Middle School Yearbook Cover!

A huge thank-you to everyone who submitted a design and to everyone who took the time to vote. We had some amazing entries, and choosing a winner was not easy!

Please help us congratulate Kira on this awesome accomplishment!

We can’t wait to see the finished yearbook—and your design on the cover!

Kharma Richards was chosen because she participates well in class, has a great sense of humor, is helpful to all around her, and is an all-around pleasant student.

Blanden Trail is a good citizen, is helpful in the classroom, and tries his best. and that extends after school to cross country! Keep up the great work, Blanden!

Sawyer Pierce has adjusted well to this school year. Sawyer is always participating in class and is loving gym class this year. Sawyer is a great listener to our staff and follows his daily routine with ease. We are so proud of him.

Hans Adounsa was selected as student of the month for consistently demonstrating respect towards staff and classmates, as well as his desire to learn and help others. He shows respect to himself and teachers by arriving to class prepared; he displays patience when assisting other classmates, and participates extensively in class, regardless of the task. His positive attitude and character make him a great example of a Blue Devil for others to look to.

Courtney Perales is an amazing student to have in class! She is hardworking, respectful, and always comes to class ready to learn. Courtney consistently puts forth her best effort and takes pride in completing her work. She follows directions, stays focused, and is willing to ask questions when she needs help. She has a positive attitude and is a pleasure to have in the classroom. Courtney is kind to her classmates and contributes to a positive classroom environment. I truly appreciate her effort, responsibility, and dedication to her work.

Jachai Bullet is a polite, hardworking, and caring student who takes pride in doing his best. He is always pleasant to work with and brings a positive attitude to the classroom. Jachai also has a passion for drawing and is working toward entering this year’s yearbook cover competition. We are proud of his creativity, dedication, and commitment to success!

Hung Tran is a hardworking student who takes pride in his learning and excels in math. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys reading manga and watching anime, bringing his unique interests and personality to our school community. We are proud of Hung’s dedication, talents, and continued success!

Miracle Cole shows patience, kindness, and understanding toward all of the students in our classroom, cheering them on whether they are accomplishing something big or small. Her positive attitude and encouragement help make our classroom a welcoming and supportive place for everyone. Miracle goes above and beyond each and every day, helping wherever she is needed. She contributes to every aspect of our classroom, from serving as one of our student technology assistants to helping keep our classroom clean and organized. Miracle is an excellent example of what it means to be a supportive classmate and a valued member of our school community. Way to go, Miracle! We are so proud of you!

Ky'Asia Young is helpful, kind, motivated, caring, and determined. She has a beautiful voice, and ALWAYS participates during our classes! She exceeds any expectation she sets for herself and has added joyful noise & light to our choir! Even last year, before she was my student, she made it a point to talk to me during lunches and ask me how my day was going. She always showed me her INCREDIBLE stories and now shows me her AMAZING drawings! She's multi-faceted, multi-talented, and a fantastic student. Way to go, Ky'Asia!!! 💗 Ms. Pleva

Students are invited to celebrate the season at our Fall Festival on October 21! Eligible students can enjoy an afternoon filled with concessions, games, Just Dance, temporary tattoos, prizes, and more. Students can attend for 25 Renaissance points or redeem 35 Renaissance points for a special goodie bag.

Be sure to have your points earned by October 16 and remember: No OSS eligibility restrictions apply. Don't miss this fun-filled fall celebration!

North Middle School's Student-Led Renaissance Team is hosting a Trunk or Treat on October 29, 2026, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Families are invited to join the fun for an evening of treats, creative costumes, and community spirit. Parking spots for participating vehicles are free, but donations and candy contributions are welcome. Be sure to RSVP with Mrs. Alissa Adams or Mr. Jermaine Jackson to reserve a spot, and don't forget to wear your best costume!

Last Friday, North Middle School Band students had the exciting opportunity to join the Martinsburg High School Band on the field during the Homecoming festivities. Performing alongside the high school musicians gave students a firsthand look at the next step in their musical journey while showcasing their talents for the community. It was a memorable evening filled with school spirit, music, and Blue Devil pride!

Sixth grade students who consistently demonstrate positive behavior are invited to participate in two exciting off-site learning opportunities this fall. Students will visit the Apollo on October 22 to enjoy How to Train Your Dragon and will also have the opportunity to travel to Shanksville, PA, on November 2 to experience the powerful Flight 93 National Memorial. These enriching trips provide engaging, hands-on learning experiences that extend classroom learning and create lasting memories.

Afterschool Tutoring will begin October 5 and will be held in Mrs. Landerkin’s classroom on the 7th-grade hall. Tutoring will take place from 3:15–4:15 p.m., beginning immediately after the last bus leaves.

Before attending, parents must complete the Afterschool Tutoring Form, and students must complete and return the Behavior Contract. Both forms must be turned in before a student can begin tutoring. At 4:15 p.m., parents should pick up students in the parking lot by the side double doors near the bike rack. We look forward to providing students with extra support and a great place to learn after school!

Join us for a special evening celebrating Hispanic Heritage and Culture at Martinsburg North Middle School on Tuesday, October 13, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Families are invited to enjoy a variety of fun activities and cultural experiences, including music, lotería (BINGO), temporary tattoos, crafts, flag coloring, and a scavenger hunt. Guests will also have the opportunity to sample free food and drink tastings while learning about the rich traditions and contributions of Hispanic cultures.

This exciting event is generously sponsored by our Renaissance and Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) programs and is a wonderful opportunity for our school community to come together in celebration. We look forward to seeing you at 250 East Road, Martinsburg, WV 25404 for an evening of learning, culture, and fun for all ages!

Martinsburg North Middle School is officially on TikTok! Follow our new page to stay connected and catch highlights from around our school, including special events, activities, celebrations, school spirit, and all the great things happening at North. Be sure to follow along, show your Blue Devil pride, and see what’s happening at NMS!

Department: Technology Systems Specialist

Why this Blue Devil deserves to be recognized: Many don’t know this, but we actually share her with multiple other schools. What she does for us; she also does for them…and it’s a lot!

Mrs. Deavers is one of the most valuable staff members we have here at North, but she and her work often go unnoticed because it all happens "behind the scenes." She handles all the students' AND staff technology for the entire school, with very limited help. She handles student device set up and collection all on her own, and handles student device issues, staff device issues, and classroom device issues - all with an awesome attitude and a friendly disposition. She is truly the glue that holds all things technology together. Thank you for keeping us "online" and ready to get to work, Mrs. Deavers!

Students interested in making a difference, serving the community, and helping with school events are invited to join Student Council. Members will have opportunities to participate in event planning, community service projects, holiday activities, and special school programs throughout the year. It's a great way to develop leadership skills, build friendships, and give back to the school and local community. Additional second-semester activities will be announced later!

Upcoming Student Council Dates:

• October 19 & November 9 – Veterans Day Program Practice
• October 26 – Halloween Dance Decorating
• November 10 – In-School Veterans Day Program
• November 14, 9:00 a.m. – Kidz Power Pack Packing (Foxcroft Ave.)
• November 30 & December 7 – Crafts for Nursing Home Residents
• December 11, 6:00 p.m. – Christmas Caroling at Harmony Nursing Home

Stay tuned for more exciting opportunities during the second semester!

North Middle School is proud to honor the men and women who have served our country. We invite all veterans to join us on Tuesday, November 10 at 8:00 AM for a special Veterans Day program recognizing their service and sacrifice. Following the program, guests are invited to enjoy a complimentary lunch. Veterans who would like to share their experiences with students are welcome to participate. To help us celebrate, families may also submit a photo of a veteran to be featured in our newsletter and social media. Thank you to all who have served!

Date: Tuesday, November 10

Time: 8:00 AM

Location: North Middle School

Photo Submissions: mupdike@k12.wv.us

The halls of NMS smelled like fall this week as 8th grade FCS students put their culinary skills to work creating their own special blends of homemade applesauce! Students enjoyed experimenting with flavors and learning food preparation techniques. The sweetest part? Each student took home a container to share with family and friends. What a delicious way to celebrate the season!

Creativity was on full display as Mrs. Long’s students put their artistic talents to work creating posters for our Newlywed staff.

Congratulations Mr. Ericson, Mr. Jackson, and Mrs. Franzen! 🤍

Congratulations to Kharma Richards for earning 1st Place in the Neurographic Art Contest! Kharma's creativity, talent, and hard work truly stood out among the entries. As an added bonus, her entire class will celebrate with a special Pancake Art Party! We're so proud of Kharma's outstanding achievement and can't wait to celebrate this sweet success together!

Calling all aspiring Lady Blue Devils! Students interested in girls' basketball are invited to attend the Basketball Skills & Drills sessions throughout October. Open gym opportunities will be held from 5:00-6:30 p.m. on various dates, giving players a chance to sharpen their fundamentals, build confidence, and prepare for the upcoming season. Participants should bring water, wear appropriate basketball attire, arrive on time, and be ready to work hard. Tryouts will be held November 2-3 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. A completed BCS physical form is required with no exceptions. Let's get ready for an exciting Lady Blue Devils basketball season

UPCOMING DATES

Interested in joining Robotics Club? This is the last call for applications! Robotics Club will meet on Thursdays, and all students who applied will receive permission slips tomorrow. To secure your spot, please return signed permission slips as soon as possible. We can't wait to start building, creating, and problem-solving with our future robotics team!

for more information please contact Mrs. Burton.

Good attendance is one of the strongest predictors of student success. Berkeley County Schools encourages families to help students build healthy attendance habits by ensuring they are present, engaged, and ready to learn each day. Students who miss 10% or more of the school year, whether absences are excused or unexcused, are considered chronically absent and may miss valuable learning opportunities. Be sure to review attendance guidelines, submit absence notes promptly, and work with the school when attendance concerns arise. Together, we can help every student stay on track and achieve tomorrow's success!

North Middle School invites parents, guardians, students, staff, and community members to attend the next Local School Improvement Council (LSIC) Team Meeting on Wednesday, October 14th at 6:00 PM at The Clubhouse at Martin's Landing. The LSIC works collaboratively to provide input on school improvement, identify school needs and goals, share perspectives from the school community, and support positive change for student success. Your voice matters, and we encourage everyone to get involved and help shape the future of North Middle. Snacks will be provided!

School-Based Health Services will return to North Middle School beginning September 22, with the mobile clinic available from 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. on September 22 and October 19. The clinic, provided through Shenandoah Community Health, offers a variety of health services for students, including sports physicals, immunizations, and walk-in sick visits. Parents/guardians must complete the required forms and provide insurance information before a student can be seen. Please note that School-Based Health Services is not a free service; insurance is billed just as it would be at a regular medical provider's office. If your child needs a sports physical before basketball tryouts, please contact the North Middle School main office for the necessary forms. Contact Nurse Hutzler for more information.

Berkeley County Schools is looking for volunteers to become mentors through the P.A.S.S. Program!

A mentor can make a meaningful difference in a student’s life by offering encouragement, support, and a positive connection. The program is available to all students from Pre-K through 12th grade.

If you’re interested in giving your time and making a difference, volunteer today! Apply online through the link below if you are interested!

Parents and guardians can receive a weekly Schoology email digestwith information about their child’s current grades, assignments, attendance, overdue work, and recent Schoology activity. Follow these steps to turn on the weekly email report:

1. Go to Schoology on the web.

Open a web browser such as Chrome, Safari, or Edge and go to app.schoology.com. Use your parent account to log in. Do not use the Schoology app for these settings.

2. Select your child.

At the top of Schoology, click your name and select your child’s account.

3. Open Settings.

Once you are viewing your child’s account, click your child’s name at the top and then select Settings.

4. Click Notifications.

In the Settings menu, select the Notifications tab.

5. Turn on Email Digest.

Under Parent Email Digest, turn Email Summary to On.

6. Choose Weekly.

Select Weekly for the frequency, then choose the day of the week on which you would like to receive the email.

7. Save your changes.

Click Save Changes.

8. You’re all set!

You will now receive a weekly email with your child’s current grades, attendance, overdue work, and recent Schoology activity.

Optional: Parents can also turn on Overdue Submissions Email if they would like to receive an alert when their child misses a due date.

Remember:

• You must use a web browser, not the Schoology app.
• Make sure you select your child’s account before going to Settings.
• You can turn on Overdue Submissions Email if you want an alert when your child misses a due date.

Families experiencing difficulty connecting to Schoology can access the resources available on the Schoology webpage. Teachers can also connect families with their school-based SYSOP or zone TSS for assistance. If your families would benefit from an in-person Schoology support session, please contact Family and Community Engagement Coordinator, Travis Williams

(travis.williams@k12.wv.us)