News from the Principal Getting Through Winter Break December can be an exciting time of year for students and adults. The excitement of holi- day plans, family gatherings and a long break from school makes it hard to focus on due Dec. 2018 / Jan. 2019 Newsletter dates and daily assignments. We are also aware that long breaks are not always an exciting time for some of our students and families. Even though our students show their Greg Gelineau, Principal “Excellence” and we know they are “Dependable” they are still middle school students and [email protected] 507.663.0650 need a few extra reminders and check-ins during the winter months. Michael O’Keefe Assistant Principal I would encourage everyone to set aside some consistent time over the long break for stu- [email protected] 507.663.0650 dents to read or do something academic. Keeping good routines is possibly the best way to Attendance Office make sure the only sliding we see is on a sled, ski or snowboard. 507.663.0655 Activities Line This edition of our newsletter is packed with good information for families and opportuni- 507.645.3559 ties for students. Let us know if you have any questions or if clarification is needed. Student Support Services Office 507.663.0664 Finally, I would like to let everyone know how much your support of Northfield Middle School means to all of us. Teaching students can be a tough job, but knowing all of you are walking beside us is one of the many reasons we love working at the middle school. Enjoy your family and friends during winter break. We look forward to an amazing second half of the year. Greg Gelineau Northfield Middle School Principal Attendance Line 663-0655 Visit us on the web www.northfieldschools.org Safety Reminder for a safe AM drop off and PM pick up at NMS: Thank you to all families for pulling as far forward in the loop area before letting your students out in the morning and picking them up in the afternoon. We want to be sure that all of our stu- dents and staff are safe when entering/exiting vehicles, so please remember to drive slowly , Only use the inside lane around the loop if you are parking, and pull your vehicle all the way around before dropping off or picking up passengers. For our walking families, please stress the importance of staying in the crosswalks and not entering them until the crossing guard tells them it is safe. With winter in our future, a little extra time and patience will be needed to make sure we stay accident free. Student Council As of October 3, the NMS Student and watch Spy Kids 3 on the “Big cafeteria. All school rules apply through- Council welcomed twelve new students Screen” in the NMS auditorium. Stu- out this event. Students should be to our leadership team. Our new mem- dents were asked to bring a suggested picked up promptly at 5:00 pm. bers are: Kiara Artley, Olivia Ash, donation of $2.00 or a non-perishable Grayson Caron, Corrie Demas, Maya food item. We collected 6 boxes of food Frau Burkhead and Mrs. Kuehl Deschamp, Kate Gansen, Jackson and $117. All food and money dona- Student Council Advisors Hessian, Kennedy Larsen, Connor tions went to the local food shelf. Percy, Ashley Schaffer, Maylee Smith, Elizabeth Tracy. The first Student Council sponsored dance is Friday, December 7, from On Friday, October 26, we sponsored 3:00 to 5:00 pm. This dance is open to the first Films 4 the Food Shelf of the students who attend the Middle School 2018-19 school year. For this event, stu- at least halftime. The cost is $4.00, and dents were invited to join their friends there will be concessions for sale in the Geography Bee The Geography Bee is coming up soon. The format is similar to a spelling bee, but you answer Geography questions instead. If you have an interest in current events, maps, and the world in general consider signing up. There is a sign-up sheet on Mr. Sawyer's door, room 265. The Bee is December 10, in the Middle School auditorium at 7:00 pm. P.E. Swimming Unit It’s time to pull out those swimsuits again. Following winter break, we will be starting our swimming unit in P.E. It would be helpful if you would please put your name on your towel and swimsuit. Thank you, Physical Education Dept. 2 Volunteer VOLUNTEERING AT NORTHFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL If you would like to receive regular emails about volunteer opportunities at Northfield Middle School email [email protected] GiveMN: Northfield Middle School Give to the Max day is done but you can still donate to the GiveMN: Northfield Middle School site. Proceeds are used to support large grade level activities such as: 8th grade Fun Fest, 7 th grade Courage Retreat, 6 th grade Raider PRIDE t-shirts Mental Health Awareness Month Activities (Feb.) PRIDE Recognition Awards Visit https://www.givemn.org/organization/Northfield-Middle-School to donate. Tattered Pages Volunteers – Dec 13-18, 2018 Volunteers are needed to wrap gifts and help students shop for the Winter Tattered Pages event. Shifts are avail- able between 8 am and 3 pm on Dec. 13-18. Healthy Snacks/Goodies are also needed to raise funds for wrap- ping supplies. Please sign up using the link: http://signup.com/go/KTYxjed or email [email protected] Wrestling Home Meet Volunteers Needed Volunteers are needed to help with the Middle School Wrestling meets from 4-6 pm on Tuesday, December 11 and Tuesday, January 8. No experience needed, volunteers will be trained. Contact [email protected] to volunteer. Trash for Cash Fundraiser Thank you to our many families and volunteers that supported the Trash for Cash Contest at the Middle School. Special thanks to our “Trash” counters: Sara Ailabouni, Carol Myint, Melissa Pontow, Barb Rousseau and Bonnie Story. Please continue to collect the following for our next competition. Boxtops for Education Family Fare receipts Family Fare “Our Family” barcodes (start w/ #70253) Kwik Trip Milk Moola caps & strips MOM Brand Cereal Bags, Any Cereal Brand Box Liners Village Hearth Bread and Country Hearth Bread Proof of Purchase Holy Land Hummus coupons Tutors Needed If you would like to share your time and talent helping a NMS student or if you know of someone who would be a great tutor, please contact [email protected] for more information. THANK YOU to the Amazing volunteers and tutors at NMS! 3 Band News The Northfield High School and Middle 5th, 6th, and 7th grade bands will have For your new 2019 calendar: The School Jazz Bands had their first concert their concert on Tuesday, February 5, in Spring Band concert is on May 16 . of the year on Friday, November 30, at the Middle School auditorium. As we 7:00 pm in the High School auditorium. have in previous years, we will stagger Band lessons are going great! Many stu- This year, our featured guest artist was the performances with the 5th grade dents are practicing regularly and the pianist Laura Cavianni. playing at 6:30 pm, the 6th Grade playing effort can be heard in the musical pro- at 7:00 pm, and the 7th Grade Band play- gress being made every day! The next concert band concert is on ing at 7:30 pm. The Middle School Jazz Monday, February 4 , for the 8th grade Band will also play starting at 8:00 pm. Thank you for supporting the musical band and the High School Concert Students should report to the band room endeavors of your children. You will Bands at 7:00 pm in the Middle School 15 minutes before their scheduled per- never regret it and neither will they. See auditorium. Admission will be $3, $1 for formance time and plan to hear at least you at the concerts! students and seniors. one group play after they are done per- forming. Dress will be the same as the Ethan Freier Fall concert. Orchestra News The Middle School Orchestras are pre- Please be sure your orchestra player ar- As winter weather approaches, it is a paring for their upcoming Winter Con- rives by the specified call time so each good time to consider using a humidifier cert on Monday, December 17. Con- student has an opportunity to tune and to help prevent instrument cracks and cert start and call times for this perfor- warm-up before their performance. Con- open seams due to dry weather. During mance are different than in previous cert dress is black and white (please refer this season, tuning can also become diffi- years. Just like in October, there will be to the Orchestra Syllabus for more de- cult due to slipping pegs. Using a humid- two concerts on December 17 due to our tailed guidelines). ifier can help prevent these instrument expanding orchestra enrollment. Each problems, thus reducing needed repairs. orchestra ensemble will perform at one 6th Grade, 7 th Grade & HS Philharmonia A Dampit is one humidifier option. Or- of those times and is not required to at- Orchestras – 6:30 pm – MS Orchestra der forms are available in the orchestra tend both concerts. The evening will also students arrive by 6:00 pm room. feature the orchestras from Northfield High School. Food and monetary dona- MS Chamber, 8 th Grade & HS Symphony I look forward to seeing you tions are collected prior to the concert Orchestras – 7:30 pm – MS Orchestra soon! for the Northfield Food Shelf.