Welcome!
Welcome to the 2008-09 Portage North Middle School (NMS) webpage and home of the Jr. Huskies serving a student population of close to 600 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Our learning community is committed to student success and we are proud to announce that we were awarded a three-year state grant, Michigan’s Integrated Behavior and Learning Support Initiative (MiBLSi). This initiative supports our school improvement plan, code of student conduct, and the Jr. Husky Way of Respect, Responsibility, and (positive) Relationships. Our focus is a Positive Behavior Support (PBS) where a “school culture” of positive behavior and improved learning for all students is the norm.
At North, students are offered a strong academic program: Math, ELA/ Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies, and a choice of three World Languages (French, German, and Spanish). Some of our Encore classes include Power Training, Service Learning, PE Plus, Water Sports, Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS), Computer Education, Art, and Woodworking/Technology Education. Our Music Department offers regular Choir, Band, and Orchestra performances at competitions, festivals, seasonal concerts, and a select choir.
Literacy initiatives such as Reading Counts, STAR (Success Together As Readers) mentoring program, and an after-school homework bus service support student learning and success, as well as the Croyden Autism Middle School Program, which serves cognitively impaired (CI) and physically and otherwise health impaired (POHI) middle school students in the area.
Our supportive parent group (PTSO) and a highly-qualified administrative, instructional, and support staff are committed to student achievement – all students.
School Improvement Plan
8th Grade Scheduling Letter to Parents
Big Brothers Big Sisters Program
State Farm employees partnered with North Middle School 6th graders for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program: BIGGS.
March is Reading Month
Stephanie Wagner's 6th grade advisory class celebrated March's Reading Month by creating "book covers" of their favorite novels. Many popular choices included Twitlight, The Westing Game, Diary of a Whimpy Kids, The Giving Tree, and Charlotte's Web. Students also wrote a summary of their novel on the back of their covers. The art work will be donated to a local nursing or retirement home where they will be enjoyed by the residents there.
2009 Black History Contest at North Middle School
North Middle School celebrates the 6th annual Black History Contest coordinated by the Student Leaders and sponsored by the Kalamazoo Graduate Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Students participated in the school-wide contest by responding to questions that recognized African Americans who were “firsts” in medicine, politics, government, education, and the arts. Weekly drawings were held and the winners received $25 and a certificate.
Internet Safety Seminar Is Successful Outreach
More than 60 people attended the Internet Safety Seminar hosted by Portage Schools and the Michigan Attorney General's Office on January 6 at the North Middle School Little Theatre.
Attendees learned about the dangers lurking online and how to safeguard their children from dangerous interactions while using the computer. During the day, student presentations were held at North Middle and Central Middle Schools.
Seen here, following the community presentation, are members of the Middle School Anti-Bullying Initiative team who coordinated the event (left to right), Denny Roehm, WMS Assistant Principal; PPS School Resource Officer Paul Sherfield; Lee DeTolve, the speaker from the Office of the Michigan Attorney General; Sarah Baker, District Instructional Services Coordinator; and Kim Kirshman, NMS Assistant Principal. Not pictured are Bonnie Neal, CMS Assistant Principal, and Chuck Haskin, District Technology Integration Specialist.
Internet safety resources are also available on Kim Kirshman’s e-board: http://www.kkirshman.portage.site.eboard.com under the “For Parents” tab/ “Resources” tab. The state Attorney General’s Office also has information at www.michigan.gov.ag.
Positive Behavior Support In Action at North Middle School
Toth Tokens (ToTo’s) are something a student can earn in Mrs. Toth’s classroom by showing the three R’s: Respect, Responsibility, and Relationships, in support of the Jr. Huskie Way. Once a week the students can redeem their ToTo’s by shopping in Mrs. Toth’s Cupboard; at the end of the marking period, any student who reaches the class goal in earned ToTo’s can attend a pizza party celebration.
Here’s what students have to say about ToTo’s:
“Toto’s are not just rewards, they are showing us that if we are ready everyday, it helps.” Logan
“Toto’s are earned by Respect, Responsibility, and Relationships, for example: by picking up trash or helping friends on homework, and getting your work done.” Nicholas
“They are awesome because you get rewarded for responsibility.” Derek
“Nobody has been late yet except two people.” Sarah
“I think that we’re getting ToTo’s because it’s like getting a paycheck.” Eric
“ToTo’s are kids’ rewards!” Keycia
“The ToTo’s are probably the most wonderful reward ever in school history.” Madison
“We do ToTo’s to improve our skill at getting to class on time and being prepared everyday.” Emily
Portage North Middle School Students Raise Money for KAR
Students at Portage North Middle School helped homeless cats and dogs in our community this year by donating all money from their recent Penny Wars to Kalamazoo Animal Rescue. Classes competed against one another by donating pennies in a race to see who could raise the most money. Students could also put silver coins or bills in the jars of competing classes, which counted against that classes’ total. This inspired more donations as classes worked to keep ahead.
Teacher Becky Dalecki was in charge of the fundraiser. She personally rolled all the coins, and attended a Kalamazoo Animal Rescue board meeting on May 14 to present the $545 dollars that the students donated.
We are very grateful to these caring students, their teachers and their school for so generously helping us in our mission to rescue homeless dogs and cats.