Back to School Letter

Hello,

We’re excited to welcome you to Northwestern Middle School for the 2025-2026 school year and provide you with additional back to school information.  If you haven’t already checked out our BACK TO SCHOOL NEWSLETTER please do so.  First, I would like to introduce our staff list for this year since there are many changes: 

Middle School Staff List

Additionally,  I would like to address some frequently asked questions: 

•  Students new to the Middle School should attend orientation July 31st 1-3pm.  This is open to ALL 7th graders and any 8th grader who is attending our school for the first time.   This is not designed for returning 8th graders.  We will cover the remaining information at orientation as well.  Please enter via Door #36.

• School begins at 7:45 a.m. and ends at 2:35 p.m. Here is our Master Calendar.  

• Car Rider morning drop-off location is Door #1 and Door #2 of the HS starting at 7:30 a.m. Please do not drop off students where the buses park. A map of this information is in our BACK TO SCHOOL NEWSLETTER  

• Afternoon car rider pickup location is the parking lot (lot with Purple Band Tower) across the street from the High School Door #43 (HS Gym/Tiger Den Entrance).  Students must use the crosswalk.  (This is supervised immediately after release).  We will have a staff member walk students to learn that exit.  We have a room with supervision until 3:15 p.m. if needed. Those students will also exit Door #43.  

• Bookbags and phones MUST be kept in lockers during instructional time.  Students have 5 minutes between classes.  

• For Transportation questions please see the ‘25-24 Busing Information”’ email from Amber Collins.  Transportation requests will open back up in skyward when routing is complete. 

• Buses are only for those students that have been approved via transportation.  Students riding home with a friend will not be allowed.  

• See this link for school supplies  

• In the event of an “E-Learning Day” we offer live instruction.   Your student’s attendance is required. Please call the school if they are too sick to participate or they are having internet issues.  Otherwise, non-attendance will be marked as an unexcused absence.  

• Check your email for skyward notifications:  These will also include our periodic newsletter with more information.  Here is our Current Issue

• School Attendance is no more than 8 days EXCUSED per semester.  Days with a Physician’s note will not count towards the total.  Attendance is the #1 disqualifier for students attending Northwestern Schools. We would like to keep all of you in good standing at N.M.S.!  Students in HS classes can/will lose credits if they exceed their days.  This does not mean you cannot take a planned family trip or activity.  We have ‘Prearranged absence forms’ for those types of absences available in the office.   

• Cafeteria Meals:  If you pay for meals or want your students to have money in their accounts for ‘Extras’ please use MEAL MAGIC.    FREE or REDUCED lunch students must still pay for “EXTRAS’ such as cookies, chips, or ice-cream.  

• Please complete ‘final forms’ if your child is interested in athletics regardless of the season they play. Also select which sport in which they have ANY interest..  This can help ensure you get callout information.   If you have no idea what final forms are please contact the athletic department. 

•  Bookmark this page for all sports schedule/ticket information:

• Middle School staff and contact information is located on the staff page on our website. 

• School schedules and grades are available through Skyward. It is always best practice to double check schedules online the day before school in case of a last minute change.  Assistant Principal Ryan.Ward@nwsc.k12.in.us and/or ericka.ecklebarger@nwsc.k12.in.us will handle change requests before the first week of school ends.  We will help students find their classes and look for ‘lost’ students when school starts.

• Locker Decoration/ Building walkthrough is set for August 4th 9am-2pm.  Due to construction this is the only time available.  Thanks for understanding.   

• The ongoing construction project means doors and locations for events, locations, procedures may change.  I appreciate your patience and understanding.  We are getting closer to the finish line.  

• Thank you for trusting us with the education of your child.  We hope this is the best year of school yet!