KIDDER MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS

12/3- Early Release

12/6-FTC Robotics competition @ Mason

12/10- Early Release

12/11- KMS Winter Band Concert, 7:00pm

12/16- KMS Winter Choir Concert, 6:00pm (6th, 7th, Honors), 7:30pm (ESCHOIR, 8th, Honors)

12/17- Early Release

12/19- Half Day Students and Staff

12/22- Start of Christmas Break

1/5- Return From Break

WE ARE NOW MOVING TO 4 MIUNTES OF PASSING TIME. BELOW IS WHAT OUR DAILY SCHEDULE WILL LOOK LIKE STARTING NOVEMBER 24.

The menu uses our 4 new stations:

Line 1

Luigi's Eatery

Main (this station will rotate specials and could be pasta, Asian, traditional, or any number of other featured menus).

Line 2

Taco Street

Ballpark Classics

Hey KMS Family,

The counselors in the building went to the Michigan School Counselors Association conference this past week and one thing we thought would be useful to add would be a Counselor Corner segment in the monthly newsletter. This month we wanted to talk about the holiday season. While the holiday season is a great time for many, it can also be a tough time for others while it brings up feelings of sadness and grief. Many times we will notice those that have died and are no longer at the table to celebrate with us all. Sometimes it is a taboo subject that no one wants to talk about but it is important to acknowledge that these emotions are normal and make us human.

Some things you may notice with yourself or your child:

• Changes in mood or behavior

• Increased sadness or irritability

• Withdrawn behavior

• Trouble sleeping or concentrating

• A desire to avoid holiday activities

This kind of behavior is normal and expected. Grief is not linear, especially for children. This may be your first holiday season without someone special in your life. Feel free to verbalize this and bring them up. Breaking that ice will allow you and your family to acknowledge the death and loss you have all experienced.

How Parents/Caregivers Can Help:

Acknowledge the feelings. Let your child know that sadness, anger, and happiness can all exist at the same time.

Talk openly. Check in regularly and listen without trying to immediately fix the situation.

Keep routine, but allow flexibility. Stability helps, but so does space for tough moments.

Create meaningful remembrance. This could be a shared story, lighting a candle, making an ornament, or preparing a favorite food.

Know when to reach out for help. Our school counselors are available, and additional community supports exist for families who need them.

These are the types of topics we discuss with your children and we encourage you to do the same. The more we use common vocabulary or talking points, the more this will stick with them.

As always, if you need anything please feel free to reach out to us.

Mrs. Soles (Alicia.Soles@nwschools.org)

Mr. Hesslau (Marshall.Hesslau@nwschools.org)

Former KMS counselor, Doug Blume, came in to talk to some of Ms. Charles and Mrs. Stroede's students a couple of weeks ago! Our 7th graders were just starting a new book that had some hard topics throughout it. We asked Mr. Blume, as a mental health professional, if he would be willing to come in and talk our students through some of these topics. At no surprise, he did an amazing and authentic job sharing personal stories, advice, and making it known that kids in these similar situations are not alone. This is our second guest speaker this year that we have been able to connect to our reading. It is such a great way to compare real life to literacy and mix up the presentation of our material!

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.

12/1- 7th Grade Boys Basketball @ Home, 4:00pm

12/1- 8th Grade Boys Basketball @ Pennfield, 4:00pm

12/3- 7th Grade Boys Basketball @ Western, 4:00pm

12/3- 8th Grade Boys Basketball @ Home, 4:00pm

12/8- 7th Grade Boys Basketball @ Pennfield, 4:00pm

12/8- 8th Grade Boys Basketball @ Home, 4:00pm

12/10- 7th Grade Boys Basketball @ Home, 4:00pm

12/10- 8th Grade Boys Basketball @ Coldwater, 4:00pm

12/15- 7th Grade Boys Basketball @ Home, 4:00pm

12/15- 8th Grade Boys Basketball @ JCMS, 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

Effective beginning Wednesday, August 23, 2023, students will no longer be allowed to use their cell phones within the school premises during class hours, lunch breaks, and other school activities during the regular school day. We understand that cell phones have become an integral part of modern life, but we firmly believe that minimizing their presence during school hours will help promote better concentration, reduce distractions, and foster face-to-face interactions among students. Students may store their cell phones in their lockers for the duration of the school day and are welcome to use them after the conclusion of the school day.

To support this policy, we kindly request your cooperation in ensuring that your child is informed of this change. If there are specific reasons your child may need a cell phone for emergencies or other important matters, please contact the front office at (517) 817-4703 to discuss alternative arrangements.

We acknowledge this change may require an adjustment period for both students and parents. Therefore, our teachers and staff will be actively engaging with students to educate them about the rationale behind this policy and how it can positively impact their learning experience.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this policy, please do not hesitate to contact us at nw.media@nwschools.org. Your feedback is important as we strive to create the best environment for our students.

Thank you for your understanding and support. Together, we can ensure that our school remains a safe and productive place for students to thrive personally and academically. Please see a copy of the updated policy found in the Student Handbook at the bottom of this letter.

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.

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