Northridge Middle School

Northridge Middle School 6th grade science classes hatched chicks as a part of their learning. What a great experience!!

May 10th is National School Nurse Day! Each of our schools is blessed with an awesome nurse who cares for students. Our nurses provide first aid to students after playground mishaps, help manage student medications, give comfort to students who are ill, communicate medical issues with parents, and take care of needs that extend to the families of students. They are truly servant-leaders in our school corporation. Thank you for everything that you do to help!!

With the upcoming retirement of Northridge Middle School principal Rachel Vallance and the recent promotion of Dave Gaskill to principal at Heritage Intermediate School, we will be welcoming a new principal and assistant principal to the middle school leadership team next school year. Tonight, the MCS board of trustees approved the administrative recommendations of Kristyn Martin as principal of Northridge Middle School and Rob Zook as assistant principal beginning next school year. Kristyn Martin has served in public education for 16 years. Early in her career, she worked as an English teacher and a Curriculum Coach. She enjoyed many years teaching at the middle school level before accepting an opportunity to serve as Freshman Academy Leader at Penn High School. In that role, she worked across multiple subject areas, leading teachers in creating a more rigorous and engaging school experience for students. In 2018, Mrs. Martin was hired as an assistant principal at Schmucker Middle School. She quickly became involved in the creation and implementation of professional development for middle school teachers and acted as a leader in creating successful systems related to instructional practices and positive student behaviors. Mrs. Martin is currently the principal at Schmucker Middle School where she has built strong working relationships with students, staff, parents, and community members by emphasizing the importance of honest, respectful communication. Kristyn Martin holds a bachelor’s degree in English Secondary Education from Western Michigan University, a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Olivet Nazarene University, and a second master's degree in Educational Administration from Ball State University. She is also a Certified Advanced School Safety Specialist. Those who have worked with Mrs. Martin describe her as a passionate leader who is solution oriented and focused on building and maintaining a positive, healthy school culture. Mrs. Martin’s husband, Kyle, is currently the principal at Orchard View Elementary School and she is looking forward to joining him as part of the MCS family. We have no doubt that Kristyn Martin will be a wonderful principal at Northridge Middle School. Rob Zook has served in public education for 26 years. He began his career in MCS as a middle school teacher. After five years, he was promoted to assistant principal and middle school athletic director. In 2006, Mr. Zook left MCS to accept an assistant principal position in Concord Community Schools. He was later promoted and spent many years as a principal at Concord Junior High. Mr. Zook left public education in 2019 to accept an opportunity with Five Star Life. We welcomed him back to MCS in 2021. For the last two years, he has been teaching middle school social studies at NMS, and recently expressed a desire to return to a leadership role. Mr. Zook is a product of Middlebury Community Schools, having graduated from Northridge High School. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Social Studies Education from IUSB, a master’s degree in Education from Indiana Wesleyan University, and school leadership certification from IPFW. Those who have worked with Rob Zook describe him as a person of integrity who is energetic and passionate about supporting all students. We are certain that Mr. Zook will be a great addition to the middle school leadership team.

May 1st is National School Principal's Day. We want to thank all of our principals for working hard every day to help students and staff. We appreciate you!

Academic Super Bowl Math: 1st, 2nd English: 2nd, 5th Science: 1st, 4th Social Studies: 1st, 3rd Interdisciplinary: 2nd, 3rd

The MCS Art Department would like to invite you to join us for the 2023 MCS Art Show at Northridge High School. We will be displaying the best artwork from our K-12 students and recognizing them for their outstanding talents on Friday, May 12th. The show will start at 5 pm and conclude at 7pm. An awards presentation will start at 6 pm in the auditorium to highlight the best artwork from each school. Entrance to the show will be through doors 21 & 15 at NHS. We are looking forward to the show and hope that you can make it!

April 25th is School Bus Drivers' Day. We wish to thank our wonderful bus drivers! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

50 students from NMS participated at St. Mary's College this past Saturday in the ICTM State Mathematics Contest. Scholar awards in Pre-Algebra went to Eli Reed, Alex Williams, Levi Byers, Lindsey Stoltzfus, and Emily Risser with Eli Reed placing first. Scholar awards in Algebra went to Silas Puckett, Jaylan Miller, Caleb Kreuter, Hayden Miller, Chase Cameron and Grant Kauffmann. with Grant placing first. Scholar awards in Geometry went to Jade Snyder, Jysen Besser, Brett Mast, and Braedan Crawford with Braedan placing first. Congratulations to all who participated.

It's that time of year again and NMS will start the ILearn tests this week. Please try to have your child get a good amount of sleep, a good breakfast and be relaxed. This is an opportunity to show what they have learned! Here are the testing dates for NMS: 4/18, 4/20, 4/21, 4/25, 4/27, (5/1 is 6th grade only).

Krider Gardens 8th grade clean up day!

Due to today's e-learning session, Raider Idol will be rescheduled. Details will be sent next week.

Northridge Middle School students are taking advantage of the sunshine to work on their art drawings outside.

Good evening, Raider families! Raider Idol has been rescheduled for this Friday, April 14th. If you prepurchased a wristband, you can still pick it up after school on Friday. If your child has already purchased a wristband, either prepurchased or bought one on March 24th, they can pick up another one on Friday at the concession stand before school or at lunch. Wristbands will be available on Friday for $7 if you or your student still needs to purchase one. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Amber Miller. Thank you!

We are going to reschedule Raider Idol for Friday, April 14th, which is the Friday right after Spring Break. If you or your student purchased a wristband, they can be picked up by students during the school day on April 14th, or by families after school at the information booths. If you would like to purchase a wristband, they will be available that Friday for $7 each. If your student was participating in Raider Idol or the basketball game, Mrs. Miller will be contacting them before Spring Break with more details. If you were planning to volunteer that night, Mrs. Miller will also be in contact with you through email. Thank you for helping us make this day a success!

Just a reminder, if you have an 8th grade student who wants to take Summer PE this year, the sign-ups open up tomorrow evening at 7:00pm.

NJHS Induction is at 7 p.m. tonight. Students will rehearse during RaFT today and should report to the auditorium no later than 6:45 p.m. for the Induction Ceremony.

Please consider supporting our instrumental music programs by attending the pancake breakfast this weekend.

Choir parents, final reminder for ISSMA times for Saturday's performance at Goshen Jr. High All students load bus at NMS door 1 6th grade boards at 2:45, perform at 3:45, return at 4:35 7th grade boards at 1:50 perform at 2:50 return at 3:45 8th grade boards at 3:30, perform at 4:30 and will return to NMS 5:25

Friendly reminder that Donation / Volunteer Forms are due tomorrow. Thank you for your support!

Raider Idol (March 24th) volunteer forms can be completed by following this link: https://forms.gle/XibeZMYZVjEYSvST8