Our Plan for Giving Back

Budgets are tight.  Expenses are up. Income is down.  Even those who have seen economic improvement are cautious in their spending these days.  The holidays are fast approaching and during this time we see an increased opportunity for giving. 

I have been blessed with a child who wants to give every time we pass a mitten tree, a red kettle or a food bank.  She gives as we all want to give, selflessly and freely.  However, in order to stay within our giving needs, our family sits down together and we list the different opportunities we have to give back:  we may choose one family from our church as part of an Adopt-A-Family program for the holidays, we could give one large monetary donation at the Salvation Army, or we might purchase a special bag of groceries to take to the schools for our food drive.  We then decide to pick one or prioritize our funds and do all three!  This focus helps us to concentrate on our values and our abilities.

I come to you today with Novi Middle School’s Plan for Giving.  In presenting this plan to you, we hope your family will feel empowered to focus your efforts and resources where you feel they reflect your family’s values and honor your ability to give back.  Some families will participate a little in each area; some will put all their resources in one particular direction.  Others may choose not to participate this year or may choose to look in another direction.  We understand and support whatever your decision!

November 1 – 18:  Bridgepointe Collection.  The Novi Community School District partners with Logan Elementary School in Detroit.  We are collecting children’s white gym socks, whole bars of soap, and full size bottles of children’s shampoo.  These items can be sent in with our students and dropped into the collection boxes in each team.

November 9 – 16.  Muscular Dystrophy Association – “Principal Goes to Jail!”  Students can participate in a “change/penny war” to either send the building principal to “jail” or to keep her out of jail in participation with the MDA.  Depending on the winner, Ms. Schriner may or may not be taken to “jail”, not to be released until her bond is posted!  Novi Middle School will sponsor an online collection as well.  This is all in good fun and for a good cause.

December 5 – January 16.  Operation Can-Do.  The Novi Community School District partners with local and state food banks to collect canned and boxed food items for distribution.  We will host a friendly competition within the building and against other NCSD schools to provide for those in need.

Thank you so much for any consideration you can give to these efforts, knowing that helping our students see the value of giving is truly a gift indeed.

Technology Working For All of Us

Beginning Thursday, October 20, 2011, Novi Middle School is piloting an automated calling system for students who are unexcused and absent from school.  This move will not only allow our office staff to do other, much-needed work, it can also be used in the event of a school or district emergency.  You can help in three ways:

• Be sure your child is at school each day.  While we do not want students to be at school if they are sick, being present is a crucial component of their education.  The high-level work that is happening in our classrooms each day cannot be duplicated with worksheets and make-up work.
• Call the absence line if your child is ill.  Please call 248-449-1601 if your child is sick. 
• Contact the Attendance Office if your phone number changes and/or you are not recieving calls at your primary number.  We are only as good as the information we have on file.
• Be sure your child is on-time each day.  Attendance is taken at 7:45.  Students who are walking into school at 7:45 are tardy.  They must be in their seats and ready to begin their academic day by 7:45.  If your child is late, he or she must sign in at the Attendance Office.  Taking the bus whenever possible is a sure way your child is on-time every day.

Thank you for your patience as we work with the new technology.  We are confident and we believe this will help Novi Middle School be an even better place to learn!

Parent/Teacher Conferences: Working Together

Middle school parent/teacher conferences have the same purpose as those at elementary and high school—a face-to-face opportunity for teacher and parent regarding the progress and potential of a child.  Three to five minutes does not seem like nearly enough time to cover the educational, social, and emotional growth of a child and I don’t imagine that teacher or parent believes it can be done in that time.  This is a check point, a marked opportunity, to touch base and open or strengthen the lines of communication. 

MS Conference Basics:  October 25^th & 27^th from 5 - 8 p.m.

1.       In an effort to keep numbers balanced, we ask that parents of students with last names A - K attend on Tuesday, October 25^th and those from L – Z attend on Thursday, October 27^th.  Of course this is only a guideline and those with conflicts are welcome to attend the alternate evening.

2.       Your child’s schedule is available in the following ways: 

a.       a copy will be sent home the Monday before conferences or

b.      parents can print their child’s schedule using the Parent Connect access through Zangle. https://zangle.oakland.k12.mi.us/novi/parentconnect/

3.       Maps and teacher/classroom lists will be available for your reference. 

4.       MS conferences do not meet by appointment.  Teachers are located in their classroom.  Parents report and, if necessary, can have a seat in “line” until the teacher is available for the next conference. 

5.       The conferences are intended to be brief.  The teacher will give a short summary of the student’s progress, highlighting strengths and weaknesses noted to date.

6.       If further conversation is necessary, make an appointment to speak at a convenient time for parents and teacher to address concerns and strategize with the child.

7.       Move on to the next teacher!

Counselors, social workers, caseload teachers and other resources are also on hand for brief conferences.  We look forward to seeing you then!

Err on the Side of Caution

Today’s rainstorm reminded me of the conversation I had with the Parent/Teacher Organization…. They raised the concern that the pick up/drop off area in front of the school gets extremely congested when the weather is bad.  I have asked many a teen-age driver to slow down in our parking lot; I ask that of our parents as well.  We are all so busy but the thought of an accident in our lot takes my breath away. 

The following suggestions are made with the idea that we must all be mindful of the safety of our students, parents, and staff when traveling in the parking lot in any weather. 

1.       Students should only exit the vehicle onto the sidewalk, not into the parking lot.  This may mean circling the lot into traffic but students darting between cars are braver than they should be and difficult to see.

2.       In order to keep traffic running smoothly, parents are asked to pull as far up the sidewalk as possible (such as the corner of the gymnasium) and let the students out.  I understand that our students are our most precious cargo but they can likely weather a few drops of rain.

3.       Plan ahead – have instruments, backpacks, and other items in hand, not in the trunk of the vehicle, so that exit is quick.  If you are lucky enough to have a “tween” that will still kiss you good-bye, well, more power to you – we simply hope that they are quick!

Thank you for considering these requests as your children are our purpose and we want them to be safe.