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.

Counseling Office Message: Welcome New 8th Graders!

36 new 8^th grade students (23 male, 13 female) completed a new student survey last week during lunch meetings with their counselor, Mrs. Mills.  The data once again proves what a welcoming school community we have at Novi Middle School. 

100% of the students reported feeling safe in our building, and 100% said they are happy on their teams.   They reported no bus issues and said they managed to find their classes without getting lost. 

While interviewing one another the new students mentioned they missed their friends but liked their teachers at Novi Middle School.  All but one student reported having a friend to eat lunch with everyday. 

We continue to strive to welcome new students and make Novi Middle School a great place to learn.

 

General Information, Resources and Other Opportunties

We hope you find the following information useful.  For your convenience, we will be sure to have this information on the webpage as well.

Novi Middle School General Information

Novi Middle School Office Hours

The Novi Middle School Main Office is open Monday - Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. During the school year, if you wish to reach a teacher during their conference hour please call the Main Office at 248-449-1600.

2011-2012 School Calendar

For upcoming activities, please refer to the new District Middle School calendar that allows you to mouse over a date and see the time and location for events that day.  Found on the webpage for the District, as well as on each of the building webpages, you can click on any day in the calendar and the entire month opens for you to view.  One tip:  if you enter the calendar from the District webpage, you get the district events.  If you enter the calendar from the Novi Middle School page, you get the middle school events. 

Free and Reduced Price Lunch

Applications for free and reduced price lunch are available on the Novi Community School District website at http://www.novi.k12.mi.us/. Under the District tab select Food Service and in the Links column you will find directions along with the application. Paper copies are also available in the Main Office or Counseling Office at the middle school.

Athletic Physicals for 2011-12

Physical exams (dated after April 15, 2011) are required and must be on file in the athletics office for anyone wishing to try out and participate in school sports for the 2011-12 school year. Physical examination forms are available online on the athletics webpage under documents and forms or at the middle school in the Main Office.

Information Resources

General Information

The district website (http://www.novi.k12.mi.us/) is a great place to start to search for information. The District homepage will highlight the most current events, news, school closings and upcoming dates. Select Novi Middle School from the Schools tab on the green bar at the top and the middle school homepage opens up.  The right hand column has links that will take you to a plethora of valuable information.  This resource provides a basis for all district and building contacts and documents. 

Zangle-Parent/Student Connect

Zangle-Parent/Student Connect is a tool that allows parents and students to check current grades and attendance at any time of the day or night. Found under Links on the middle school homepage, parents can click on Zangle-Parent Connect and enter their pin with their password to access information. If you have forgotten your pin or password, you can click on “Need your login information?”, enter an email address that is unique to you and the information will be sent to that email address. The email address cannot be a shared account. Students may view the same information using Zangle-Student Connect and entering their student identification number and password. If you encounter any problems, please call 248-449-1609 and ask for Tanya Vuichard for assistance.

Facebook and Twitter

Novi Middle School has a Facebook fan page (Novi Middle School) and a Twitter account (@novi_ms). The Facebook page is an announcement/informational fan page and allows kids and adults immediate access to day-to-day school information. The Twitter account is fed from the Facebook account so all announcements will be “pushed” from Facebook. You may access both Facebook and Twitter from the District webpage under Social Media.

Other Opportunities

Health Insurance for Children - MIChild/Healthy Kids

MIChild is a health insurance program for uninsured children of Michigan’s families. Many HMO’s and other health care plans throughout Michigan provide MIChild services. You can find out if you qualify by completing the online application at www.michigan.gov/michild or calling 1-888-988-6300 for assistance. There are brochures containing additional information available in the Counseling Office at the middle school.

Free Lecture Series - Teens Using Drugs: What To Know and What To Do

"Teens Using Drugs: What To Know and What To Do" is a FREE, ongoing, two-part lecture series on identifying and helping teens who may be harmfully involved with alcohol/other drugs. It is designed to provide education on how to understand, identify and address adolescent alcohol/other drug use and problems.

The programs are presented at the Saint Joseph Mercy Health System Education Center, 5305 Elliott Drive, Ypsilanti. They are held from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the1st (Part1) and 2nd (Part2) Tuesday evenings of October, November and January through June. Please refer to the website, http://www.teensusingdrugs.org , for confirmation of dates and additional information. Please phone 734-973-7892 or email teensusingdrugs@gmail.com, with any questions. All presentations are free and open to the public. Registration is not required.

You're Invited to Curriculum Night 2011!

I remember my first Open House with my kindergarten-aged son.  He held my hand as we went into the classroom and every thought for that half hour was about getting him acclimated to the classroom and teacher.  How different the middle school is from the elementary school!  Rather than that casual “meet and greet” atmosphere, Curriculum Night is set up to move parents from class to class to hear the description of each course and see a brief outline of the curriculum that will be covered through the year.  When it was my turn to attend Curriculum Night, my son completed the schedule sheet for me to follow as I passed from class to class.  He giggled to himself as he told me to, “Hurry from gym; it’s a long walk to get to world language,” and warned me not to be tardy.  Imagine my chagrin when I found myself rushing to class after stopping to greet a friend in the hall that evening!

Novi Middle School will host Curriculum Night for parents this Thursday, September 15^th from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.  On Thursday, your child will bring home a brief invitation along with a building map and a copy of his/her daily schedule.  Parents will report directly to their children’s first period class at 6:30 p.m. and will follow a schedule of ten minute classes with five minutes passing time between each class.  This will give parents first-hand experience in traveling the building and meeting teachers. 

Please note that teachers will give information to the entire class of parents and will not be able to discuss individual students.  If you have concerns that you would like to discuss with a teacher or the team, please make an appointment with them to meet or talk on the phone.  Another avenue to discuss concerns is to send a personal email to the teacher(s).      

During your child’s seventh period class, you will receive your Parent Connect PIN and password for Zangle/MIStar.  This unique parent login can be used to access your child’s attendance, academic progress and class information.  Your login will be different than your child’s as their access to the program is different than yours.  Directions will be provided along with your login information. Our recommendation is to login and then personalize your password; make a note of the change for future reference.  If you have questions regarding the use of Zangle/MIStar, contact your child’s counselor who can help you navigate the system.  

We look forward to seeing you this Thursday and hope that the evening goes smoothly for you!