*NOVEMBER 7 & 8: Parent/Teachers Conference (No School)

*NOVEMBER 11: Veterans Day (No School)

*NOVEMBER 27-29: Thanksgiving Break (No School)

*DECEMBER 3: Choir Concert 6:30pm

*DECEMBER 5 & 6: Teacher Work Day (No School)

*DECEMBER 10: Winter Band Concert 7pm

*DECEMBER 18: NWMS PTA meeting 4pm

*DECEMBER 23--JANUARY 3: Winter Break (NO SCHOOL)

Pre-arranged or Extended Absences

In the case that a family knows of an absence ahead of time (travel, family celebration, etc.) that exceeds 2 school days and does not meet the criteria for an excused absence, parents can seek prior approval for an absence. Please be sure to send a note or email to the office at least 3 days before the absence to arrange for a contract. The principal reserves the right to not excuse an absence that will have a serious adverse effect on the student's educational progress. In the event of such an absence, teachers will gather assignments to be completed or communicate via google classroom, students are responsible for making up work missed during the absence.

Excused or Unexcused Absences

Parents must request that an absence be excused within 2 school days by calling, writing a note or sending an email (nwmsattendance@ohsd.net). The request must be a valid reason and must include a date of absence. Parents can also call 360-279-5503.

NWMS students are thinking about the future with Xello, a career and college exploration tool. Accessible anytime through Clever, Xello is not just a tool but a key part of your child's high school and beyond plan, a requirement for graduation.

Middle school is the perfect time for students to start thinking about their future paths. Early college and career exploration helps students to identify their interests and passions, helping them make informed decisions about their educational journey. Learning about post high school pathways early on can help students be motivated to succeed and to take steps towards their goals.

Starting in February, advisory classes will complete weekly Xello lessons together, delving into topics such as Time Management, Learning Styles, and Decision Making. These lessons are not only valuable for academic success but also for personal growth.

Xello provides an interactive space for students to explore a variety of careers and colleges tailored to their unique interests and skills. We encourage students to use Xello anytime, and encourage families to talk with their students about what they have learned and are interested in pursuing!

Ms. Butler: 8th Grade Counselor jbutler@ohsd.net

Ms. Codi: Military and Family Life Counselor (MFLC)

Ms. Deprey: 7th Grade Counselor jdeprey@ohsd.net

Ms. Vester: Child Mental Health Counselor

Ms. Sandie: Substance Use Prevention/Intervention Counselor 

NWMS will be using the SOS Signs of Suicide Program with all students this year. NWMS teaches this lesson to all students once a year. The classroom lessons for students begin this year the week of November 11th. This program teaches students about the difficult topics of suicide and depression and encourages students to seek appropriate help for themselves and their peers. 

Through these Signs of Suicide lessons, students will learn: 

• that depression is treatable, so they are encouraged to seek help 

• how to identify depression and potential suicide risk in themselves or a 

• friend 

• to ACT (Acknowledge, Care, and Tell a trusted adult) if concerned about themselves or a friend 

• who they can turn to at school for help, if they need it 

Students will watch age-appropriate video clips and participate in a guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are concerned about a friend. We will also provide an opportunity for any student who has additional concerns to meet with a counselor or administrator in the days following the lessons. 

School counselors are available to answer parent questions about the SOS lessons in advance of classroom sessions. Students and parents can choose to opt out of these lessons by letting the NWMS office know they would like to do so. We encourage all parents and guardians to visit www.sossignsofsuicide.org/parent for information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn.

Ms. Codi

The MFLC program supports service members (Active duty, Reserve, & National Guard), their families, and survivors with confidential non-medical counseling. The MFLC offers individual and group support. The group is typically 6-7 weeks and is held during school hours. This is a WONDERFUL opportunity for military students to meet and talk with others about deployment, get support and learn ways to deal with deployment. If you think your student would be interested in meeting with Ms. Codi, please feel free to stop by the front office or have your student stop by for a parental consent form.

Ms. Sandie

My Title is Student Assistant Professional (SAP)

What I do:

*support students, families, and the community in making healthy life choices that are proven to prevent and decrease substance use. 

*identify and reduce mental health contributors to substance use. 

*help students learn life skills that will improve their school performance, relationships, and general well being.

*I facilitate school-wide, small groups, and one to one education, awareness, and prevention activities.

*If parents would like me to meet with their child my contact is below.

sbelli@ohsd.net

360.279.5544

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) new “Talk. 

They Hear You.”® campaign mobile app helps parents and caregivers prepare for some

 of the most important conversations they may ever have with their kids. The app shows 

parents how to turn everyday

situations into opportunities to talk with their kids about alcohol and other drugs. It also equips

 them with the necessary skills, confidence, and knowledge to start and continue these

 conversations as their kids get older.

Features of the new app include:

• Sample conversation starters
• Ways to keep the conversation going
• An interactive practice simulation section
• The opportunity to earn badges for practicing and having real-life conversations
  

• A resource section with informative and useful videos, fact sheets, brochures,
•  info-graphics, guides/tool-kits, and more
  

  DOWNLOAD THE APP TODAY BY CLICKING THIS LINK

• 
  

October 22, 2024
Dear Parent/Guardian:
Last year North Whidbey Middle School implemented a program called Project SUCCESS. The
goal of Project SUCCESS is to support students, families, and the community in making healthy
life choices that are proven to prevent and decrease substance use. There is also an emphasis in
identifying and reducing mental health contributors to substance use.
I’m the Student Assistant Professional (SAP) responsible for implementing and coordinating this
amazing program once again. I’ll be helping students learn life skills that will improve their
school performance, relationships, and general well being. Students will have the opportunity to
participate in school-wide, small groups, and one to one education, awareness, and prevention
activities.
A little about me:
In 2020 I moved to the PNW from Colorado (where I grew up) and have been on “The Island”
for three years now. I love it here! My experience is a combination of education, work, and
parenting a child with special needs. I have a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a Minor in
Psychology. Over the years, Ive worked with children and families in Education, Mental Health,
and Developmental Disabilities, and have a passion for walking with those in need on their
journey to a better place. My husband and I have 3 children, 5 of the cutest granddaughters
ever, and two entertaining kitties.
I’d like to thank you all for helping make this program a huge success last year, and look
forward to another great year. If you have questions, or you’d like your child to meet with me,
my contact information is below.

Sincerely,
Sandie Belli, SAP
(Pronounced Bell Eye)
sbelli@ohsd.net
360.279.5544

Practice information and schedule changes.

All practice times and schedules will be communicated through your students coaches.
Students should also receive our school newsletter called The Daily Download which details their schedule for that current week.

If there are any changes that are made to any game/match, we do our best to communicate as quickly and effectively as possible, it is always recommended to follow us on Facebook at North Whidbey Middle School. Pictures will be November 15th.

The Book Fair Homepage is: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/nwms

Don't forget to set up your student's eWallet account for cashless, stress-less shopping. Friends and family can even contribute funds! Set one up here: [BOOK FAIR HOMEPAGE URL]. #ScholasticBookFairs

There are many volunteer opportunities available

Are you interested in being apart of our North Whidbey Middle School Parent Teacher Association??

Our students are not permitted to Door Dash any items during schools hours, athletic practice times, or during games.