Dave Stenersen - Principal OCTOBER 2014

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Husky Voice eNews

Dear Parents,

We have had a busy first quarter, with many successes and lots of new activities and opportunities just around the corner. There is also much activity and excitement surrounding the upcoming Mead School Bond and Levy.

It is my good fortune to have worked for the Mead School District since 1978, starting out in this facility, which was called “Mead Middle School.” At that time it contained all the district’s 6th and 7th graders. I have left and returned to this building several times. I have worked here as a teacher, vice principal and

principal. Although I know first-hand what a great school this is, I am often frustrated by the inadequacies of the building itself. After an in-depth study of the Mead School District’s facilities, our Board of Directors have made the rebuilding of Northwood Middle School a flagship project in the upcoming (February 2015) bond ballot measure. I am hopeful that future Northwood Huskies will attend a school in a modern building that supports learning at the highest level. They deserve it. This is an exciting time for Northwood! To learn more, click the Mead Bond and Levy Information link on our website. Thanks for taking time to read these articles, and for your consistent support.

Student-led Conferences

Just a reminder that during the week of May 19-22, students at the secondary schools in Mead will be dismissed early so that every student will be able to present a student-led conference to their parents or guardians. Our goal is to prepare students to do an outstanding job as they share information about themselves as a person, a learner, and a citizen. Each student has a facilitator that will sit in on the conference, but the presentation itself is totally in the hands of the student. Students have been selecting work samples and beginning to organize portfolios in their PE class.

Dave Stenersen - Principal OCTOBER 2014

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2014 Husky Fund Run a Huge Success

On Thursday, October 10th, the 26th annual Northwood Fund Run once again made history. This run has a rich tradition of raising funds for student activities as well raising Husky Spirit.

Over the last 26 years our community has contributed nearly $1,100,000 so that students have support for a variety of act ivi t ies , clubs, athletics and programs. This includes dozens of businesses donat ing many “rewards” to make the experience a lot of fun. Mr. Barnes, our athletic director, was one of the “fathers” of this idea, which is now copied throughout the state. Hundreds of Northwood Huskies logged many miles on a nice, sunny day, as a fire truck from District 9 hung around and encouraged students during the run.

The rest of the day saw an awards assembly where we gave away lots of prizes, and we ended the day with many activity choices including extreme dodge ball, bingo, foosball, and a great dance run by Northwood DJ’s Mr. Riggs and Mr. Gamon. It was quite a day, and a great example of how good our students can be, as well as, another example of how creative and flexible our staff is.

The parent volunteers who gave so much time during the fund run were able to share in some of the fun. Please check out the Husky Fund Run link on our webpage to see pictures of the run and activities. You will also find a list of students who earned recognition and won prizes, top homerooms, volunteers and businesses that helped make this effort a grand success. Our fund run took in over $47,000 to support student activities at Northwood. This is phenomenal support of our youth from our community. Visit our website to see more information. Thanks to the whole community for outstanding support.

Fall Sports End with a Bang

We had a total of over 200 students take part on a variety of cross country, softball and football teams. Most competitions ended last Friday, with several league championships, and many great contests. Congratulations to all athletes and coaches. Thanks to family and friends for your loyal support. Seventh and 8th grade volleyball and wrestling programs began Monday, October 20.

Friday, October 31 – Halloween

Students may dress in costume on this day. This has been fun in the past and with clear guidelines and parent “input.” our goal is that this day remains fun and appropriate. Costumes that depict violence, involve cross-dressing, or that would be considered in poor taste at the middle school level will not be allowed. This would be a day that our no-hat expectation would be lifted. Northwood students have a great deal of school spirit this year, and with your help, we would like to harness that energy and spirit on a day that everyone enjoys. Look for pictures on our website to view the fun.

Dave Stenersen - Principal OCTOBER 2014

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Whitworth Partnership - EighthGrade Monologues November 6th

On Thursday, November 6th, our entire 8th grade class will be part of a special assembly involving the Whitworth University Drama Department. Our 8th graders will spend time learning about and writing monologues. These will be shared in all English classes, and about 50 monologues selected and sent to drama department at Whitworth.

Whitworth students will select and memorize a monologue from those sent over. During this assembly, they will present these as individual acts. Our s t u d e n t s h a v e n o i d e a w h i c h monologues will be selected, so each performance will be a special surprise for the writer.

Last year, the monologues were excellent, and at the end, the student writers joined their “actors” in front of the enthusiastic applause of 400 peers. This is an excellent example of providing a forum to showcase the excellent writing our students can do. It was also a great partnership activity with Whitworth University. Soon, you will be able to visit our website and select the link to view the entire assembly.

Promoting a Supportive Environment

Several weeks ago our 7th graders had the opportunity to be a part of a Rachel’s Challenge assembly. Our students were a great audience, and the assembly was both moving and inspirational. We will be offering students an opportunity to make a positive difference at Northwood through a lunchtime club called FOR Club (Friends of Rachel). This assembly is one of the benefits of our successful fund run.

We have a different plan for 8th graders again this year. A highly acclaimed documentary called Bully will be shown to all of our 8th graders in their PE/Health class on November 24, 25 and 26 as part of a program called The Bully Project. The video is shown in parts, with class time for discussion and reflection. Last year our entire 8th grade class did this, and students reported that the documentary and the follow-up discussions were effective.

Bully is a 2011 documentary film about bullying in U.S schools. Directed by Lee Hirsch. The film follows the lives of five students who face bullying on a daily basis. Bully is a very real and difficult film to watch and shows the horrible impact bullying can have on kids. It includes suicide, gay students and some offensive language.

The Bully Project packet provides worksheets with questions that allow for reflection and discussion of the film. The movie Bully can be viewed on Netflix. We will also have a community viewing at 6:30 PM at Northwood on November 19 if there is interest. Please RSVP by November 19 at 465-7512 if you would like to come. We hope these two great programs will encourage meaningful family discussions and help all of our students think of the world beyond themselves. If you have questions or concerns, please call me (Dave Stenersen) at 465-7510. Thanks for your support.

Dave Stenersen - Principal OCTOBER 2014

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Friday, OCTOBER 31 – Mid-semester

We believe that the majority of parents and students regularly check academic progress on-line. We do NOT mail home a mid-semester Progress Report, which was a mid-semester snapshot of what is shown on PowerSchool. If you do not have access to do this, please call our counseling center at 465-7527 and they will set up a system to provide your son or daughter with a weekly PowerSchool grade report.

If you have internet access but do not know how to access PowerSchool, you can view as tutorial through a link “PowerSchool Support” on our website.

Please take the time to review this academic progress information regularly on-line. It is the second best uses of your “parenting time” available. Your follow-up encouragement, recognition or motivational visit with your son or daughter is the first. Thanks for being such great partners with us.

Friday, November 7 Veterans Day Assembly

This year, we are looking forward to having a very special Veterans Day Assembly for our entire school. The assembly will be at the start of the school day (8:15 - 9:15) on Friday, November 7. We are honored to have Chris Carver as our featured speaker. Chris is a two-tour Iraq War Veteran, Purple Heart recipient who earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees after serious injury. Joined by Colonel Darel Maxfield (Invisible Wounds), Chris will speak about his experiences facing daunting challenges.

Social s tudies teachers wil l begin discussions about the meaning behind Veterans Day, and encourage students to honor veterans in their own families. Prior to the assembly students will have a chance to identify and create “stars” with family veterans including name and branch of service, and even a picture. These stars will be hanging in our commons. Thanks for helping your student create a part of this chain.

This year we hope to have many veterans and spouses as our guests at this assembly, which will be followed with a reception for our guest veterans and family in our library. We are asking students to invite family members and neighbors that would like to be part of this, but especially veterans and active-duty military. Students will have i n v i t a t i o n s , w h i c h i n c l u d e R S V P information. Please help us invite and honor veterans and active duty service members on this day.

Let’s keep working together to make sure that your child’s middle school experience is the very best it can be.

Dave Stenersen

Dave Stenersen - Principal OCTOBER 2014

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Some Important Dates and Happenings

October 31 Halloween/ Mid-semester November 5 7:30 PM Fall Jazz Band Concert - Northwood Gym

November 6 7:00 PM Combined Band and Orchestra Concert - Northwood Gym

November 7 8:15 - 9:15 Veterans Day Assembly - Northwood Gym 9:15 - 10:00 Veterans Reception in the Northwood Library

November 10 No School

November 11 Veterans Day – No School (thanks you vets!)

November 24-26 8th graders take part in Bully Project in Health/PE Class