Back to School 2025-2026
(Site is best viewed on a computer/ipad)
September 16th School Picture Day
September 22nd Start Homecoming Spirit Week (DISCO THEME)
September 26th DANCE!! Dropoff North side (Door 36) Fieldhouse Lobby 5-6:45pm
October 7th End of 1st Grading Period
October 15th P/T Conferences (No School) 11am-6pm
October 20-24 Fall Break
October 27 8th Graders D.C. Trip Begins
For All Athletic Events please visit the Northwestern Eventlink Page or click here for schedules.
Levi has earned Student of the Month for September because he consistently demonstrates kindness, respect, and an exceptional work ethic. His teachers describe him as a responsible young man who sets a positive example for others, both in and out of the classroom. Levi maintains outstanding grades, currently holding nothing less than an A+ in all of his classes, and his work is always completed with great effort and high ability. He is a quiet leader who shows respect and good manners, while also excelling in group settings where he takes on leadership roles. Whether in social studies, language arts, or science, Levi’s diligence and love for learning shine through as he goes the extra mile in everything he does. His peers respect him, and his teachers admire his strong character, responsibility, and determination—qualities that make him truly deserving of this recognition.
I'm sharing with you our student produced and student created school news broadcast. These students plan and make these in Mr. Wise's class and other students get to watch during homeroom. One of my favorite parts is how the students have innovated each episode. Follow the channel for past/future broadcasts: https://www.youtube.com/@NMSNEWSTIGERS
Dear Parents and Students,
I hope you’ve had a great start to the school year. I'd recommend you review the back to school newsletter if you didn't get a chance to read it the first time. If you attended orientation, you know we’ve come a long way with the building project, and our students are now utilizing most of the building. Due to the ongoing construction, recent changes to state education funding, and the elimination of many of the fees previously used to pay for curriculum materials, I sometimes use the analogy that we’re trying to build the plane as we’re flying it. Thanks to the amazing work of our teachers and staff, it’s been a strong start. It’s hard to believe that two-thirds of our students are experiencing their first year in middle school!
One new item that I’m excited to share is our MS Assignments Page (CLICK TO VISIT). Every N.M.S. student has a button on their iPad that links directly to this page, which provides a running list of assignments and homework. We designed the page as a tool to strengthen communication with families. I want to give special thanks to the teachers on our leadership team—Ms. Shrock, Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Miller, and Ms. Holt—for helping create a resource that makes it easier for students and parents to stay updated.
Warm regards,
James Bishir
Principal
N.M.S.
Did you know that your school counselor is here to support you in many ways? A school counselor is more than just someone who helps with scheduling classes. They are trained professionals who care about your success and well-being.
If you ever feel stressed, worried, or confused, your counselor can listen and offer advice. They help students manage emotions, solve problems, and make good decisions. Whether you’re struggling with friendships, schoolwork, or things at home, a counselor can guide you to find solutions.
Counselors also help with academic planning. They can suggest courses that match your interests and goals, and provide resources for extra help. If you’re thinking about your future career or college, they’re ready to assist you in exploring options.
Remember, talking to your school counselor is confidential and safe. They are here to help you thrive both in and out of school. Don’t hesitate to reach out—they want to see you succeed!
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
Ericka Echelbarger
Director of Student Services
Northwestern School Corporation
Message from Assistant Principal Mr. Ward:
This time of the school year is a good time to remind you of eligibility requirements for sports and event participation. To participate in school sports you must be considered in 'good standing' with your grades. To be considered for participation you must be passing five of your classes. If you are deemed 'ineligible' due to 9-weeks grades you may not play until the next qualifying event. In the case of grades, that would be mid-term.
Additionally, if you are not at school due to illness or suspension, you are not allowed to participate in same day athletic or extracurricular activities, including events like dances or concerts. Simply put, if you're too sick to attend school, you should stay home in the evening to rest and recover. We do understand that sometimes there are extraordinary circumstances and these do not include pre-arranged approved absences. If you have questions please contact me.
Warm regards,
Ryan Ward
Assistant Principal
N.M.S.
Please feel free to reach out anytime with questions or concerns involving your child. I can be reached at ryan.ward@nwsc.k12.in.us or my ext.3104.
Students can either scan the front of their Tiger Stripe or choose a button on their iPad to 'register' their award.
Prizes are given out in a ticket drawing each Friday, and top recipients in each category also receive end of the year awards/medals.
The staff member selects the positive trait(s) and tells the student why they earned a Tiger Stripe
If you would like to donate snacks, candy, or items to reward students who make a positive choice we will accept donations in the front office. All donated food items will need to be in their original packaging and unopened. Thank you!
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.
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:
pamela.miller@nwsc.k12.in.us (8th Grade)
Reminder the D.C. Trip is the week after fall break. It starts Oct. 27.
marissa.shrock@nwsc.k12.in.us (7th Grade)
Science just finished up a unit on biomechanics engineering where they focused on a need or problem then tested and analyzed models and prototypes that they created. Students created Lego wheelchairs adapted to plow snow, bird wing prosthetics, and designed shoes to help correct or prevent the most common foot problems.
lindsey.holt@nwsc.k12.in.us (6th Grade)
Here's a slideshow of six graders at Fun Fridays and PE.
6th Graders earned lunch karoke for having the most Tiger Stripes by grade. CLick the expand or download button if you have a problem viewing. (They're pretty loud so make sure volume is turned down lol)
Please keep Mrs. Graves and her family in your thoughts and prayers as she continues her battle against cancer. She has a tremendous passion for education and her fortitude and dedication to her students is a lesson for us all.
As mentioned in the Principal's letter, please check your student's iPad for an assignment button. Teacher have posted assigments and HR in a more convient place for you to follow/check. Please click and read this first if you have questions. Thanks!
The Northwestern Band had our first competition of the season Saturday at Westfield.
The Band came in FIRST PLACE out of some great competition. Maconaquah finished second place, Paoli (last year 3rd place at State Finals) finished third, and Taylor finished fourth.
Northwestern won awards for Best Visual, Best General Effect, and Best Percussion!
This weekend is the Northwestern Invitational right here at home! We will perform at the end of our competition this weekend at 9:20pm.
Video: The Tiger Band plays our fight song to start Friday with some school spirit! Video note: if it doesn't play click the pop-out(top-right) or download button.
Ms. Holt has started a Instagram/TikTok page for pictures from our sporting events. To view: Follow @ nms.Tigers
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.
Disco Theme: September 26th $10
Dropoff North side (Door 36) Fieldhouse Lobby
5:00pm-6:45pm. Students attending the football game will be escorted to the stadium.
Reminder
Students in all grades by law are required to meet the minimum immunization requirements before the start of school unless the school has received annually either a religious or medical exemption.
All documentation must be provided before the October 7,2025 exclusion deadline.
There are several students still missing required immunizations, especially sixth graders missing the required sixth grade immunizations Tdap and MCV4.
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.
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.
We are grateful for the strong support our families show at after-school sporting events. These games provide an opportunity for our students to build school spirit, make memories, and celebrate the hard work of our athletes. For the majority of our students, these events are a positive experience where they consistently make responsible choices.
Unfortunately, we have also seen an increase in discipline concerns among a small number of students who attend Friday night football games unsupervised. While some school districts have adopted a policy that would require all students to attend with a parent or guardian, we believe this would place unnecessary restrictions on the many students who conduct themselves appropriately.
Instead, we are asking for your partnership. Moving forward, students who demonstrates poor behavior at an event may face a minimum consequence of having to attend future games with a parent or adult chaperone. Again, this is only for those students who demonstrate poor behavior and after being contacted by a school administrator. Failure to follow this policy will result in their removal from the next sporting event without a refund and further school discipline. This approach allows us to hold students accountable for their choices while still trusting the majority of our students to show maturity and responsibility.
We appreciate your support in helping us create a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable environment at our school events. With your partnership, we are confident our students can continue to enjoy these experiences while representing our school with pride.
Thank you for working with us to uphold these expectations
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/energy-drinks-and-kids
Health and PE teachers have been discussing the consequences of students drinking energy drinks. We see energy drinks in students' hands daily and are sincerely concerned for the health and wellness of our student population. Aside from all of the unknown chemicals and unhealthy ingredients included in energy drinks, children 12-18 should only be having at MOST 100 mg of caffeine a day. Most energy drinks have more than that. Drinking energy drinks can literally be a matter of life and death to students 18 and under. Please research further by checking out this article and help us keep your students safe!
How good are your detective skills? The first 5 students to tell me the name of the city this photo was taken and the name of the monument will win a prize and a Tiger Stripe.
School Picture Day is the morning of September 16th. Ordering school pictures is easy: Visit https://inter-state.com/FlyerEntry/0081YGT to place your order and pay with credit/debit card. Makeups will be in November.
Please use your 6th Period/Homeroom for the teacher name.
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 $-5.00. They will still receive a lunch.
Breakfast $2.00 Lunch $3.25
After-School Tutoring will be Tuesdays and Thursdays
2:45-3:30 ROOM S-10
Students who stay for tutoring must stay until 3:30 and be picked up at the HS
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.
CHRISTINA.KIDWELL@NWSC.K12.IN.US
(765) 457-8101 EXT. 2600
Need FREE homework help or tutoring in math and science classes? Ask Rose! Check out this short video to see how it works:
Website: https://askrose.org/
We have an A.M.A.Z.I.N.G opportunity for travel coming up during Spring Break 2028 - to Germany, Switzerland, and Italy!!
We already have 9 registered travelers and we're looking to take 30-40! Help us fill up a private tour group :)
All the information about where, when, and how much can be found on the Slides attached to this message.
Get registered before SEPTEMBER 25th to keep the current cost - it'll only go up from here - lock your price in today!!
Questions?: Please contact rachel.windell@nwsc.k12.in.us
Interested in diving into the history, culture, and beauty of Spain?! You are invited to an informational meeting in Mrs. Dubbels' Room (HS-909) Wednesday, September 17 at 6:00 PM to learn how you can be a part of this amazing adventure. We'll visit museums, castles, cathedrals and more as we explore Madrid, Segovia, Toledo, Seville, Cordoba, and Granada over Spring Break 2027. Reach out to Mrs. Dubbels at heather.dubbels@nwsc.k12.in.us with any questions.
(THERE HAVE BEEN CHANGES SINCE LAST YEAR/PLEASE REVIEW)
Major change: Morning Car Riders will now need to utilize door 1 and 2 of the HS. Please pull all the way forward before dropping off to help prevent backups.
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 7.