Embedded Files
Back to School 2026-2027
SCHOOL EVENTS:
July 31st New Student (6th-7th Grade) Orientation
August 5th First Day of School
September 1st (No School) Labor Day
September 8th : 8am: SCHOOL PICTURE DAY
September 15th: Lifewise Begins
October 6th End of 1st 9 weeks
October 14th P/T Conferences (No School) 11am-6pm
October 20-24 Fall Break
October 27-31 8th Grade Washington D.C. Trip
For All Athletic Events please visit the Northwestern Eventlink Page or click here for schedules.
Hello, fellow Purple Tigers!
I want to thank our staff and you for helping make this a great start to the school year. Click here for an additional copy of the back-to-school information that was sent before the start of school via Skyward. It contains links to information that you may find helpful throughout the year.
I'd like to introduce some of our new staff, beginning with administrative changes. Kathie Layden has joined us as our new Assistant Principal; she was previously at Howard Elementary. Former NMS Assistant Principal Ryan Ward has transitioned to the high school as its new assistant principal. Ashley Estes, Sara Kilgore, and Jacob Watkins are joining our instructional team. Additionally, we've added Kaitlyn McGinn, Kelli Mehring, and Tracy White as instructional assistants.
Lee Chamberlain (8th), Michelle Sinnamon (7th), and Lindsey Holt (6th) are team leaders for our grade levels this year. If you have grade level specfic questions or information you'd like teachers to know about your student please reach out to them. Their contact information is included in this newsletter as well.
Another change, will be our after-school tutoring will be on Monday and Wednesday from 2:45 pm - 3:30 pm in RM 311 of the HS. I encourage your student to take advantage of the extra help if needed.
One of the larger changes to education in Indiana this year is the anticipated return of school accountability grades. iLearn scores from last year have not been released as the IDOE is establishing how they will be utilized in school grades. School grades will have additional factors that affect them,and one metric that is shared will be school attendance. How well a school system is graded may also be heavily determined by the percentage of children in that school system who have 'good' attendance. Stay tuned, more information is expected about these accountably grades this school year.
May this be the best school year yet!
James Bishir
Principal, N.M.S.
Mrs. Estes
Mrs. Estes
Mrs. Estes joins our AG/FFA program after many years of experience in the HSE school district. She'll be instruction our middle school agriculture classes and will help run the FFA program.
Mrs. Kilgore
Mrs. Kilgore
Mrs. Kilgore is a Special Education teacher and prior to joining us worked for three years at NES. Prior to NES she worked as a teacher in Tennessee. We're excited to have her as part of our team.
Mr. Watkins
Mr. Watkins
Mr. Watkins is teaching 6/7 Grade Math this year. Prior to NMS he worked for MSD Wabash (Northfield) schools and has 6 years of prior teaching experience. He's excited to be here and hopes to also help coach MS Basketball this season.
Student Services:
Student Services:
As we kick off another school year, I am so excited to see our students return to the hallways and classrooms! There's something special about the energy and possibilities that come with a fresh start, and I'm looking forward to a wonderful year ahead.
As your middle school counselor, I'm here to support our students in many ways. Whether it's helping navigate academic challenges, providing guidance on course selection and planning for high school, offering support during difficult times, or simply being a listening ear, my door is always open. I also work closely with teachers and families to ensure every student has the resources and support they need to thrive both academically and personally.
Here's to a fantastic year of growth, learning, and success!
Ms. Echelbarger
Grade Level Leaders:
If you have specific questions about general grade level topics. Grades academics/grades/etc. please contact the team leader for that grade. This year we have the following Team Leaders:
roger.chamberlain@nwsc.k12.in.us (8th Grade)
michelle.sinnamon@nwsc.k12.in.us (7th Grade)
lindsey.holt@nwsc.k12.in.us (6th Grade)
Message from Assistant Principal Mrs. Layden
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I hope this message finds you and your family doing well! As we begin a new school year, I would like to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Kathie Layden, and I am honored to join the N.M.S. family as the new Assistant Principal. I am excited to partner with our students, families, and staff to help create a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment where every student can succeed. I look forward to getting to know each of you throughout the school year.
One of the most rewarding aspects of serving as an assistant principal is recognizing and celebrating the positive choices our students make each day. While my role does include addressing discipline when necessary, an even greater emphasis is placed on encouraging positive behaviors through our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program.
At N.M.S., we believe that fostering a climate of respect, responsibility, and encouragement is essential for every student's success. PBIS is an evidence-based framework that focuses on reinforcing positive behaviors, helping us create a safe, productive, and welcoming learning environment. We strive to maintain a positive-to-corrective interaction ratio of at least 4:1, meaning we intentionally recognize students for doing the right thing far more often than we redirect inappropriate behavior. This approach supports students' emotional, social, and academic growth while helping them feel valued and appreciated.
As part of our PBIS program, students earn Tiger Stripe Cards for demonstrating the character traits that define our school culture: Service, Thoughtfulness, Respect, Integrity, Positivity, and Excellence. These values were selected by our stakeholders—including parents, students, and staff—when the PBIS program was introduced five years ago. The Tiger Stripe serves as a symbol of these core values, and we are proud to recognize students who consistently demonstrate them in their daily actions.
These character traits help our students grow into responsible, compassionate, and successful individuals. Whether they are in the classroom, participating in extracurricular activities, competing on the athletic field, or interacting with others in the hallways, students who exemplify Service, Thoughtfulness, Respect, Integrity, Positivity, and Excellence are recognized and celebrated. This positive reinforcement encourages students to continue making choices that contribute to their own success and to a strong school community.
Your partnership is an essential part of our students' success. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of these values and the positive choices they can make each day. By working together, we can continue building a school culture where every student feels supported, respected, and inspired to do their best.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. I am excited to be part of the N.M.S. community and look forward to an outstanding school year together!!
Warm regards,
Kathie Layden
Assistant Principal
N.M.S.
Please feel free to reach out anytime with questions or concerns involving your child. I can be reached at kathie.layden@nwsc.k12.in.us or my ext.3104.
Tiger Stripes Recorded
Tiger Stripes Recorded
Students can either scan the front of their Tiger Stripe or choose a button on their iPad to 'register' their award.
Recognition
Recognition
Prizes are given out by random, but top receipients in each category also receive end of the year awards/medals.
Positive Traits
Positive Traits
The staff member selects the positive trait(s) and tells the student why they earned a Tiger Stripe
When a student records their Tiger Stripe they are asked to share why the attribute they were recognized for is important. Here are some of their responses: These are direct quotes:
To be good to each other don’t judge a book by its cover
To make us better adults
To make us better humans
It shows that someone cares.
If our school thrives for excellence so will the rest of our community.
Excellence is important for myself and the community because we need to all work to be great and to work hard. If we all work on being excellence, we can accomplish a lot more, and we can work to make the world better,
It is important for these to be a kind person in school
Service it’s important because it helps others out, and makes me feel helpful.
Respectfulness is important so that even if we lose in a game, people are still cheering for everyone.
Do the right thing even if you might be the only one doing it.
Because my Mom likes when I act this way.
ROCKY
ROCKY
Rocky, is one of our favorite staff members! He's here to help support students who are having a bad day. He has been extensively trained by the I.C.A.N. organization. Rocky has a few rules.
Please ask before you pet Rocky. The answer is almost always going to be Yes.
Please do not feed Rocky and keep food/wrappers/candy in their appropriate place. If not, Rocky WILL find it and he has a sensitive stomach.
NMS Comparison Data-2.pdf
Distance Learning/Elearning
Distance Learning/Elearning
Hopefully we're through the season for weather delays. Thank you for your help in making them as successful as possible this year. Just in case: Please review our distance learning page for more information in case of school closure.
The Nurse's Station
The Nurse's Station
Reminder
Contact our School Nurses if you have questions, immunization updates, medication to drop off: ext: 2320
jodi.galbraith@nwsc.k12.in.us ; elizabeth.smith@nwsc.k12.in.us or call the school.
TEXTING HOME SICK
TEXTING HOME SICK
We ask that if your child is not feeling well at school they should ask to see our school nurse. We've had multiple incidents where a parent has come to check out a student for illness and no one has known they weren't feeling well. Students who go home and are not sick will be unexcused. We appreciate your support and understanding.
Master Calendar
Master Calendar
Northwestern School Corporation/ Chartwells has transitioned to Meal Magic for their food service point of sale system. Meal Magic will be utilized for all your food service payments. To access lunch account balances and to make online payments please visit:
https://northwesternsc.familyportal.cloud
THINGS YOU CAN DO WITH THE 'Meal Magic' PORTAL
Free and Reduced Lunch Application
Check your account balance
See your child's purchase history
Freeze 'extra items' such as chips/cookies/ice cream from purchase.
Pay Online with credit/debit card.
There are automatic restrictions once your child's lunch balance is $-25.00. They will still receive a lunch.
Breakfast $1.80 Lunch $3.05
D.C. Trip Information
D.C. Trip Information
D.C. 2026 Information
Reminder: The trip dates are Monday, October, 26, through Friday, October 30, 2026.
Parents - If your eighth grader is going to D.C. in October, please make sure you are both signed up for the "D.C. SportsYou" to get updated reminders and information. If you need assistance with this or have not yet signed up, please contact Mrs. Miller at pamela.miller@nwsc.k12.in.us
Students will have hotel room sign-ups on Wednesday, August 12 during homeroom. Please make sure your eighth grader has talked to fellow classmates who are going on the trip and that he/she has a room plan in place. Students should plan on signing up for a room of four. Feel free to contact Mrs. Miller if you have questions.
INFORMATION FOR SWIM LESSONS THIS YEAR
Swim Lesson 2027 Dates.pdf
After-School Tutoring will be Monday and We
Wednesday 2:45-3:30 ROOM HS-311
Students who stay for tutoring must stay until 3:30 and be picked up at the HS
If your student does not know how to find it, they can stop by the MS office for help.
Sports
Sports
Check out our Athletics Page for more information about sports, schedules, etc. Make sure you and your athlete are registered on 'Final Forms' and have a physical submitted before your season starts. You can also select sports you're interested in on 'Final Forms' to be notified of try-outs etc..
Additionally: All Northwestern Teams are communicating team info via the SportsYou App.
SPORTS PASSES ON SALE NOW
Questions? Please contact the athletic office secretary:
Questions? Please contact the athletic office secretary:
Nichole.Davis@nwsc.k12.in.us
Nichole.Davis@nwsc.k12.in.us
CHRISTINA.KIDWELL@NWSC.K12.IN.US
(765) 457-8101 EXT. 2600
NMS FCA is starting soon!
FCA's first meetup is the first Friday of the school year (August 7th) from 7 am to 7:30. There will be donuts, fellowship, games, and a talk given by one of our middle school student leaders!
For more information, ask our student leaders: Skarlett Madrid, Natalie Rector, Parker Schaal, Grayson Weese, Claire Davenport, Lilly Boxell, Kate Mangan and Maximus Morgan.
Our FCA teacher sponsor is Whitley Brock, the 7th grade health and PE teacher.
Hope to see you there!
Add our SportsYou page for live information:
73Y7-KFL6
Follow our TikTok page:
https://www.tiktok.com/@nmsfca2026?_r=1&_t=ZT-98OBEIgHXmH
Sports Pass INFORMATION:
Sports Pass INFORMATION:
UPDATE: ELECTRONIC SPORT PASSES MAY BE SENT TO PARENT EMAIL IN SKYWARD. DUE TO SECURITY FILTERS LIMITING OUSIDE EMAILS TO STUDENT EMAIL.
Dear Tiger Nation,
As we begin preparing for the 2026-27 school year, we wanted to pass along that the All-Sports Passes are now available for purchase at https://websites.eventlink.com/s/northwesternathletics/Tickets/Passes
As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance student involvement in school events, Student All-Sports Passes will be available for students in 6th-12th Grades.
For the 2026-27 school year All-Sports Passes can be purchased starting 7/1/26 and will be as follows:
Individual All-Sports Pass (purchased online only): $100
HS Student (9th-12th Grades) All-Sports Pass: $40 (must be purchased in the athletic office by August 12th with cash or check made out to Northwestern Athletics)
MS Student (6th-8th Grades) All-Sports Pass: $40 (must be purchased in the athletic office by August 12th with cash or check made out to Northwestern Athletics)
Faculty & Staff All-Sports Pass: $70 (must be purchased in the Athletic office by August 12th with cash or check made out to Northwestern Athletics)
Family of 3 All-Sports Pass (purchased online only): $250
Family of 4 All-Sports Pass (purchased online only): $325
**Please note that the processing fee on the All-Sports pass will be waived until August 31, 2026. Any passes purchased after August will incur the processing fee.
For in-office pass purchases (MS Student, HS Student, Faculty/Staff) please contact Athletics to make sure we are in the office if you plan to purchase over the summer.
As a reminder, all passes are valid for all Northwestern High School and Middle School home contests, excluding IHSAA and Conference tournament events. Plus, for your convenience, all passes – including those purchased in the athletic office – will be digital and issued through Eventlink. You'll need a valid email address or the Eventlink app to access your passes.
If you're interested in purchasing a pass in person at the Athletic office, please give us a call in advance, as our office hours vary throughout the summer.
Thank you for your continued support!
Best Regards,
Michael Goodrich
Director of Athletics
Drop off and Pick up.pdfPIckup/Dropoff INformation (HS/MS)
PIckup/Dropoff INformation (HS/MS)
: Morning Car Riders need to utilize door 1 and 2 of the HS.
Afternoon car riders will use the parking lot across the crosswalk outside of Door 43.
All Bus traffic will now use the south parking lot in the morning and afternoon. DO NOT attempt to drop-off or pickup in the south parking lot during during dropoff/pickup hours.
Visitors to the MS office may still park and walk in Door 8.
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