NORTHWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL Today s Learners Tomorrow s Leaders

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1 Today s Learners Tomorrow s Leaders SE 184th Street Renton, WA Main Office Attendance Office Principal: Sherilyn Ulland Asst. Principal: Tracie Watson April, 2017 Dates To Remember April 4 I-Ready Testing 8:30-11:28 am 5 Spring Dance 3:10 5:00 pm 6 I-Ready Testing 8:30-11:28 am No School; Spring Break 19 Late Arrival; School 10:20 am Breakfast is not served on Late Arrival Days 19 PTSA 6:00 pm May SBA Testing Weeks of May 15 th & May 22 nd June Moving Up Day June 19 th social/emotional needs is my goal for Northwood. This month our students will be taking their spring I-Ready benchmark assessment and in May the State ELA and Math Assessment. I will be looking at this data to determine appropriate Math and ELA placements for next year. I will also use student input we gathered in March for determining elective offerings that enrich their educational experience and help prepare them for high school and beyond. Northwood is fortunate to have a strong professional staff that provide our students with the academic and social/emotional support they need to navigate their middle school years. I have great confidence in our staff and in their ability to teach the courses that will successfully prepare all students for their futures. Principal s Message This past month I had an opportunity to attend one of our school board meeting. During the meeting, the school board recognized March as Music in Schools month, along with Student Leadership, high school basketball championship teams, and more. I was very proud to see so many of our students and programs recognized at this meeting. Focusing on creating schedules that balance rigorous academic courses with classes that support developing their career-readiness skills and

2 Counseling Corner AVID - Advancement Via Individual Determination We can still accept a few AVID applications for next year s 8 th grade AVID class. For more information, please view the Northwood website. If you have further questions please contact one of the counselors. College Bound Scholarship It s never too early to think about college for your student. The state of Washington has the College Bound Scholarships available for students. To be eligible for College Bound Scholarship students must sign up in 7th or 8th grade and meet ONE of the requirements below: 1. Are eligible for free or reduced price lunch 2. Are a foster youth 3. Receive TANF benefits 4. Meet the family income requirements. (See school Counselor for more info.) Once a student has submitted a College Bound Scholarship application, the student must: Graduate from a Washington high school or home school Maintain a cumulative high school GPA of at least a 2.0 Be a good citizen and stay CRIME FREE Apply for admission to an eligible college in Washington Complete the free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in 12th Grade Meet the family income requirements at the time of graduation Be a resident of Washington For more information you can call or visit the website College Bound Scholarship is a great opportunity for students. We want 100% of our Northwood students who qualify to sign up. Please contact your student s counselor for further information. If you have any questions or you would like to signup, please ask your counselor for an application. Understanding Teen Cutting and Self-Injury Few images evoke the degree of shock and disgust that accompanies those of self-injury. When you think about cutting one form of self-injury what likely comes to your mind is an emotionally unstable teenage girl who cuts her forearms with razor blades. However, self-injurious behavior can be much more subtle, and in turn, much more difficult to detect and address. That s why it s so important to know how and why it happens and where you can find help. What is cutting and self-injury? Self-injury is intentionally harming oneself, oftentimes with the objective of alleviating suffering. Examples of self-injury include cutting the skin with objects, scratching the skin, picking wounds so they can t heal, biting or burning oneself, and more harmful instances that include hitting one s head or breaking bones. Of the many types of self-injury, cutting is the most common. It damages the skin or other tissues, it is rarely associated with suicide attempts, and it is socially unacceptable. People who cut themselves may attempt to hide the marks or scars, and they may give false explanations for how they occurred (e.g., being scratched by a pet). Teens use many different items to cut (e.g., razor blades, scissors, pens, bottle tops, etc.), and it occurs in a variety of body locations (e.g., arms, legs, genital area, abdomen, etc.). Who is most likely to cut? Young people of all ethnicities, ages, and income levels intentionally harm themselves. Cutting is most common among adolescent, Caucasian females who come from intact, middle- to upper-class families. Self-injurious behavior oftentimes begins during middle school, and young people are often introduced to it through peer groups and media outlets (e.g., music, television, internet, etc.).

3 How common is it? Approximately one out of every eight people engages in some form of self-injury, and currently, it s more widespread than it has been in prior decades. Among people who have mental illnesses, it is more common, affecting approximately one out of every four people. Why do people intentionally injure themselves? It is unclear why people cut themselves; some explanations include impulsivity, a way to distract from personal pain, feelings of control, and peer pressure. If a person is cutting or engaging in any other form of self-injury, a mental health professional should be consulted. Professionals will use interview techniques to identify reasons why it may be occurring and to provide interventions for effective treatment. What are the risk factors and signs to watch for? It is important to remember that each adolescent who cuts is different and not all start or continue for the same reason. In addition, some individuals who cut may not show any of the warning signs. If you believe or know that your child is cutting, it is important to seek professional assistance to assess the reasons why the cutting is occurring and to begin appropriate treatment. Here are some risk factors and signs that have been associated with cutting among adolescents: Risk Factors Knowledge that friends or acquaintances are cutting Negative body image Lack of coping skills Signs Wearing long sleeves during warm weather Wearing thick wristbands that are never removed Unexplained marks on body Secretive or elusive behavior Spending lengthy periods of time alone Items that could be used for cutting (knives, scissors, safety pins, razors) are missing What should you do? If you become aware that your child is engaging in self-injurious acts, remember that it is fairly common. Though it is often frightening for parents, the majority of teens who cut themselves do not intend to inflict serious injury or to cause death. If the injury appears to pose potential medical risks, contact emergency medical services immediately. If the injury doesn t appear to pose immediate medical risks, remain calm and nonjudgmental, contact your child s pediatrician to discuss the concerns, and ask for a referral to a trained mental health professional who has experience in this area. By: Kimberly DeRuyck, Ph.D. and Jennifer Resetar, Ph.D. Boys Town Behavioral Pediatrics & Family Services Clinic Difficulty expressing feelings Extreme emotional reactions to minor occurrences (anger or sorrow) Stressful family events (divorce, death, conflict) Loss of a friend, boyfriend/girlfriend, or social status

4 ASB Masquerade Dance NW Music Calendar Northwood ASB is hosting a Masquerade Dance on Wednesday, April 5 th from 3:10 5:00pm, right after school. Admission will be on sale at the ASB window, Friday March 31 to Tuesday April 4 th for $4 with ASB sticker and $6 without. Included in admission price is a mask provided by ASB at the dance. Students who have paid for the dance will need to get a bracelet at tables during lunch on April 5 th. This is their entrance ticket to the dance. After school they will exit the building and be checked in through the locker rooms (or other announcement location if weather is an issue). Dress is semi-formal and school dress code applies. 4/26 Choir Large Group Contest Concert Choir & Treble Choir All Day Field Trip Auburn High School 5/6 Band Solo & Ensemble Select Students MBMS Auburn 5/12 Pep Assembly 8 th Grade Band 1:45pm NW Gym 5/16 KR Jazz Night Jazz Band 7pm KR PAC School Year If you will be moving out of the Kent School District, or changing schools within the Kent School District next school year, please Michele Hoiland, NW Registrar at: Michele.Hoiland@Kent.K12.wa.us If you have recently moved or have a new contact number, please contact Michele as well. 5/17 7th Grade Band & Orchestra Seattle Symphony Open Rehearsal All Day Field Trip 5/23 8th Grade Band and Orchestra All Day Field Trip EMP/MO Pop

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6 Congratulations NW Singers Shine Congratulations to the following Northwood students for their participation in this years' Junior All-State Choir! Guthrie Bettinger Ashley Kent Emma Koenigs Jonah Ladish-Orlich Haley Storey These students performed in the All-State Concert during the All-Northwest Music Educators National Conference in February. The conference is part of the WMEA Junior All- State Groups and serves band, choir and orchestra students in seventh and eighth grade. Students audition for the opportunity to perform with the best seventh and eighth grade musicians in Washington. Congratulations to these singers for such an incredible honor! The following students competed in the Choir Solo and Ensemble Contest on Saturday March 18th. The student received fantastic scores and got the opportunity to work with fabulous adjudicators. They learned a lot from the entire experience and they did NW proud! Haley Storey Soprano Solo -I (Superior) Olivia Emerson Mezzo Soprano Solo - I (Superior) Elijah Blackwood and Alex Watts Small Ensemble, Duet- II (Excellent) Emma Koenigs Mezzo Soprano Solo- I (Superior) Ashley Kent Alto Solo- I (Superior) Emma Koenigs and Ashley Kent Small Ensemble, Duet- I (Superior) Jazz Choir Large Ensemble I (Superior)

7 Northwood Library Media Center Ms. Pirog, Teacher Librarian Ms. LaConte, Library Assistant Ms. Brayden, Library Assistant HOURS: Please note changes Daily: Open for scheduled classes 8:35-3:01 Before School: Mon/Tues/Thursday All Lunches Afterschool: No after school hours. MEDIA MOMENTS What s Happening and Upcoming Events: QUOTE Battle of the Books teams have just started their first official battle. Through March, teams will be battling their first round. At the end of the round, some teams will be eliminated from the competition, but not from the end of the year celebration. Good luck everyone! Library Helpers are starting to work on inventory issues. They have also been helping during classroom visits to the library. We value our volunteer students! The Read-a-Movie group is over for the year and working on a list of choices for next year s books and movies. Several students will be attending the Cavalcade of Authors Northwest in Tacoma on May 6 th. Congratulations to the winner of our writing contest, Abbey Hall, who won the entry fee to this event. Books are the perfect entertainment: no commercials, no batteries, hours of enjoyment for each dollar spent. What I wonder is why everybody doesn't carry a book around for those inevitable dead spots in life. Stephen King WATCHING THE WEB The King County resources that students have electronic access to thru their KSD laptop login will come in handy for the upcoming Classroom Based Assessments in both 7 th and 8 th grade. Research and original writing is important for CBA s. Ask your kids to share this with you. Kent Students can use any resource available with their KSD logins. KING COUNTY FAIRWOOD LIBRARY NEWS the Library Have fun playing chess at the library with family and friends (chess sets are provided). All skill levels are welcome! This event happens the first Friday of each monthour next one is Friday, April 7th 4-5 pm. Game On Play video games in the library. Snacks provided by Friends of the Library. Thursday, April 6, from 4-5:30 pm. Books and Bites Meet in the library to talk about your favorite books and more. Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Fairwood Library. Tuesday, April 11, 7-8 pm. Poetry/Music Multimedia Performance For all ages. Jazz and poetry blends in a Multimedia format. Sunday April 9 th from 3-4 pm. Yarnsmiths All ages, learn how to knit or share your knowledge with others! Materials provided or bring your own. Tuesday, April 4 th, from 6-8 pm.

8 Jaguar Sports The coaches at Northwood Middle School are looking forward to working with the athletes from last year and meeting all of our new athletes. We encourage each student to get involved at Northwood by joining clubs or giving athletics a try. Our athletic program consists of four seasons as follow: 1st Quarter Football and Girls Volleyball 2nd Quarter Boys Basketball, Girls Gymnastics and Girls Soccer 3rd Quarter Girls Basketball and Wrestling 4th Quarter Co-ed Track and Boys Soccer Teams practice Monday through Friday 3:15 to 5:15 pm. Teams have two contests per week. Parents or an arranged ride must pick up athletes after practice at 5:15 every day. If your student is interested in turning out for a sports season, they must first go through athletic clearance. Please follow the procedures listed below: Complete and turn in a Physical Form 7th grade Physical Forms must be signed by a doctor and dated after June 1, th grade Physical Forms must be signed by a doctor and dated after June 1, 2015 A complete KSD physical form is good for two years Complete On-line registration. On-line registration is available under the Athletic/Activity tab. Registration will be available 15 days prior to each sports season. Athletes must register on-line prior to each sports season. Purchase an ASB sticker. Once the athletic team has been established, all athletes must pay any outstanding fines and maintain a GPA of 2.00 or higher or be placed on academic probation. Jaguar Sports Schedules Track & Field Starting times: 3:30 Field Events, 4:00 Running Events Thursday, 5/4 NW vs. KR Thursday, 5/11 NW vs. Tahoma Tahoma JH Thursday, 5/18 NW vs. Tahoma Tahoma JH Wednesday, 5/24 Mill Creek vs. NW Wednesday, 5/31 Meridian vs. NW Tuesday, 6/6 Conference French Field Wednesday, 6/7 Conference French Field Boys Soccer 7th Grade Starting time: 3:45 Tuesday, 5/2 Cedar Heights vs. PETRO Thursday, 5/4 Mattson vs. Mattson MS Tuesday, 5/9 NW vs. Mill PETRO Thursday, 5/11 NW vs. PETRO Tuesday, 5/16 Meridian vs. PETRO Thursday, 5/18 NW vs. Cedar PETRO Tuesday, 5/23 NW vs. PETRO Thursday, 5/25 Mill Creek vs. PETRO Tuesday, 5/30 Meeker vs. PETRO Tuesday, 6/1 NW vs. PETRO Boys Soccer Varsity Starting time: 3:45 Tuesday, 5/2 NW vs. Cedar PETRO Thursday, 5/4 NW vs. KW Tuesday, 5/9 Mill Creek vs. PETRO Thursday, 5/11 Meeker vs. PETRO Tuesday, 5/16 NW vs. PETRO Thursday, 5/18 Cedar Heights vs. PETRO Tuesday, 5/23 Mattson vs. PETRO Thursday, 5/25 NW vs. Mill PETRO Tuesday, 5/30 NW vs. PETRO Tuesday, 6/1 Meridian vs PETRO

9 Northwood Jags Dance Team Tryouts Who is Eligible? Current 7 th graders attending Northwood & incoming 7 th graders attending Northwood September IMPORTANT This year for dance tryouts all athletes, 6 th or 7 th grade students will need to complete online athletic registration through the Northwood website. 6 th graders do not need to have a physical on file, but will need to register online prior to tryouts. 7 th graders will need to have a physical on file and register online. Northwood Cheerleading Tryouts!!! For all interested 6 th and 7 th grade girls! Mandatory Parent/Student Meeting: April 24 th, 7:00-8:00 PM Northwood Library Cheer Tryouts: May 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd, 6:00-8:00 PM Northwood Auxiliary Gym When & Where: Tryouts: Monday, April 3, to Wednesday, April 5, 2017, 5:30-8:00 pm in Northwood Gym. April 3-5, Attire: Black shorts, white short-sleeved t-shirt, tennis shoes or dance shoes required. Hair in ponytail. No jewelry Dance Experience: None required Questions?: Contact us at: northwooddrillteam@gmail.com Northwood Middle School 8th Graders You Are in 9th Grade PE Health During Semester 2 The full 24-High School credit requirement is place for the Class of 2019 and beyond. To assist students in meeting these requirements ALL 8th graders are enrolled in 9th Grade PE/Health in Semester 2. You will have the option of using this ½ credit if needed to meet the high school credit requirements. This means that if you choose to use this credit towards the graduation requirements the grade you earn in PE/Health during Semester 2 will go on your High School transcript and be included in your High School GPA. The Washington State Board s vision is of an education system that prepares all students for college, career and life. In Washington, high school students must meet credit and testing requirements. In support of this vision, the Board worked to create a 24-credit framework designed to be both rigorous and flexible.

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16 Please note that breakfast is not served on late arrival days.

17 DATES TO REMEMBER April 4 I-Ready Testing 8:30-11:28 am 5 Spring Dance 3:10 5:00 pm 6 I-Ready Testing 8:30-11:28 am No School; Spring Break 19 Late Arrival; School 10:20 am Breakfast is not served on Late Arrival Days 19 PTSA 6:00 pm May 6 PTSA 6:00 pm 10 Late Arrival; School 10:20 am Breakfast is not served on Late Arrival Days 12 Pep 2: SBA Testing Scholastic Book Fair SBA Testing 26 7th Grade Music 8:53 am 29 No School; Memorial Day June 19 Moving Up Day