Hello,
We’re excited to welcome you to Northwestern Middle School for the 2024-2025 school year and provide you with additional back to school information. First, I would like to introduce a new staff member:
Jennifer Sparling | 7th Grade Social Studies - Jennifer taught at Northwestern Elementary School last year and we’re excited she wants to be part of our team. She is taking Aaron Herrema’s role as he filled a role at our high school teaching History.
Our grade level leaders this year are Rachele.Temme@nwsc.k12.in.us (8th) and Michelle.Sinnamon@nwsc.k12.in.us (7th). Please contact them for grade specific information once the school year starts.
Additionally, I would like to address some frequently asked questions:
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 #9 of the MS starting at 7:30 a.m. Please do not drop off students where the buses park. Watch for any notices about changes due to construction.
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 ‘24-25 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.
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 are some past issues:
School Attendance is no more than 8 days EXCUSED per semester. Yes, that includes when you call in your child and family vacations. 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.
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 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.
Students new to the Middle School should attend orientation Aug 1st. This is open to ALL 7th graders and any 8th grader who is attending our school for the first time.
We have made changes to our student handbook regarding the new Indiana Law limiting cell phone use during instructional time.
The ongoing construction project means doors and locations for events, locations, procedures may change. I appreciate your patience and understanding.
Thank you for trusting us with the education of your child. We hope this is the best year of school yet!
James Bishir
Principal N.M.S.