Northridge Middle School
Weekly newsletter for August 5, 2022
A Jag is respectful, supportive, dedicated to community, and committed to excellence. I am proud to be a JAG!
From the Principal's Corner... Dr. Jami Rainey
The start of the school is already upon us and it becomes official next Wednesday, August 10, 2022 when the best year ever at NMS starts with all of our Jag students on campus! Teachers have been working hard this week connecting with each other, planning for the new year, and preparing their rooms. It was great to meet so many people at our returning student open house yesterday and we can't wait to meet all the new students on Monday at that open house.
This update is full of information. Please be sure to look over the times for the school day, the updated TCS Dress Code, safety reminders, and the updated cell phone policy. The meals section contains information about adding money to your child's account and the meal application.
We do ask for your patience with morning drop-off and afternoon dismissal as we start the year. The traffic flow will improve quickly as we get settled in. As a reminder, all morning drop-offs and afternoon pick-ups are at the front of the school. This is for safety reasons both for our students and traffic flow.
We are looking forward to this being the BEST YEAR EVER at NMS!!!! Our three big rocks to start the year are Safety, Discipline, and Procedures/Expectations. Thank you for your support of our students, teachers, and school!
#GoJags
Jami Rainey
Mark your calendars
- New school year celebration for all 6th graders and new 7th/8th graders will take place on Monday, August 8th from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
- First day of school for all students is Wednesday, August 10, 2022!!!
*The TCS Academic Calendar can be downloaded at the bottom.
Teachers spent time in PD on their first day back
Teachers getting to know each other
2022-2023 School Times and Bell Schedule
7:30 – Doors Open & Breakfast served
6th grade stadium seats
7th grade gym closest to lunchroom
8th grade gym closest to practice field
8:00 – Go to homeroom
8:10 – School day starts
3:10 – School day ends/afternoon dismissal
Please be patient with traffic to start the school year!
Car riders are front of school only. Please do not pick up behind the school.
Home Room 8:10-8:30
1st Period 8:34-9:21
2nd Period 9:25-10:12
3rd Period 10:16-11:03
4th Period & Lunch 11:07-12:33
5th Period 12:37-1:24
6th Period 1:28-2:16
7th Period 2:20-3:10
2022-2023 Meals (Lunch and Breakfast)
You may put money in your child's account in one of two ways...
- www.PayPams.com You can sign in (if you do not already have an account you can create one for your child) and deposit money online. This is the easiest way to add funds. There is a service fee for each transaction.
- Your child can deposit money in their account during the breakfast time before the start of school.
Universal "free" meals will not be an option this upcoming school year. Families of students will be required to pay for breakfast and lunch. The price remains the same at $1.50 for breakfast and $2.65 for lunch. Paper and online meal applications will be available soon.
Click here for direct access to the application: https://tuscaloosa.rocketscanapps.com/default.aspx
Visit the TCS CNP page by clicking here for more information and to apply.
New to NMS - Mary Glenn (MG) Agee
I am originally from Tuscaloosa and currently call Tuscaloosa home. The three words I would use to describe myself are: Energetic, encouraging, accepting
I have 1 year in education with this year being my first at NMS. I teach Math 6 and have a BA from Mississippi State University. Now I cheer for Mississippi State! HAIL STATE! GO DAWGS!!.
I’m most looking forward this year to getting to work with teachers who taught ME in middle school!
New to NMS - Deacon Medders
I am originally from Tuscaloosa and currently call Northport home. The three words I would use to describe myself are: competitive, confident, and outgoing.
This is my first year teaching 6-8 Physical Education. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Consumer Sciences and attended the University of Alabama.
I’m most excited to meet all the kids and hopefully help them improve in their respective sports and maybe introduce kids to a new sport they haven’t yet played..
New to NMS - Zach Wheeler
I am originally from Northport, Al and currently call Northport home. The three words I would use to describe myself are: Curious, witty, and competitive.
I have one year in education with this being my first at NMS (I completed my internship here). I teach English 7 and have a Bachelors Degree in History and Secondary Social Studies; Praxis certified in English and attended Shelton State Community College and The University of Alabama.
I’m most looking forward this year to teaching a new subject. I interned at Northridge for a semester in 2021. I am anxious to get back into the school that I had such a great experience in a year ago! I am also excited to get to know the students.
New to NMS - Lauren Blair
I am originally from Tuscaloosa and currently call Tuscaloosa home. The three words I would use to describe myself are: determined, passionate, and funny.
I have 4 years in education with this being my first at NMS where I will teach 8th Grade Math. I have a Masters of Secondary Education- Mathematics and attended the University of Montevallo, University of West Alabama, and the University of Alabama (currently). Now I cheer for Bama!!! (Roll Tide!)
I am excited to be at a new school and get to learn a new environment. I am also excited to get to teach a new grade level and learn with my students.
Included in this message you will find some important information regarding safety protocols, bus transportation, as well as recent updates made to the TCS Dress Code, as found in the 2022-23 Student Code of Conduct book.
Cell Phones for Middle Schools
Student use of cell phones will be limited to before school and after school. Please use the school office to relay messages to your child. 759-3578
DRESS CODE for 2022-23
The Tuscaloosa City School Board of Education recently approved a new dress code for the Tuscaloosa City Schools as part of its 2022-23 Code of Conduct. The new dress code was written after TCS gathered input from parents, students and school administrators. In addition to student and parent surveys, a parent committee helped draft the new dress code, and input was given by an advisory group of students from each high school. From the information gathered, there was an overall feeling that the previous dress code was outdated and was unfair to certain groups, especially girls. It is our hope that this updated code is fair and easier to follow.
The primary responsibility for a student’s attire resides with the student and parents or guardians. The following rules concerning dress and grooming are mandatory for all students attending Tuscaloosa City Schools. Students who fail to follow these rules will be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in Code of Conduct 1.13, “Non-conformity to Dress Code.”
Section 1: Students MUST Wear:
• Shirts: Must be opaque fabric. Must cover midriff and not be low cut in front or back.
• Bottoms: Pants, sweatpants, joggers, shorts, skirt, dress, leggings. Must be opaque fabric. Dresses and skirts must be fingertip length. Shorts, including athletic shorts, are allowed, but may not be less than a 3” inseam. Genitals and buttocks must be covered at all times.
• Shoes: Activity-specific shoes are permitted (for example for sports or TCTA classes.) Shoes that are secured to the foot and do not easily fall off are highly encouraged for safety reasons.
Section 2: Students May Wear:
• Hoodie sweatshirts, although hood cannot be worn over head.
• Fitted pants, including leggings, yoga pants and “skinny jeans” are allowed as long as it meets requirements in section 1.
• Ripped jeans, as long as underwear is not exposed, and rips are not above fingertip length.
• Tank tops, as long as underwear or midriff is not exposed.
• Athletic attire, as long as it meets requirements in Sections 1 and 3.
• Clothing with commercial or athletic logos provided they do not violate Section 3 below.
Section 3: Students May NOT Wear
• Garments that reflect violent language or images.
• Images or language depicting drugs or alcohol (or any illegal item or activity) or the use of same.
• Hate speech, profanity, pornography.
• Images or language that creates a hostile or intimidating environment based on any protected class.
• Clothing where underwear is exposed. Undershirts/camisoles cannot be worn alone as shirts.
• Spaghetti straps, or strapless tops, unless otherwise covered.
• Bathing suits.
• Hats or head coverings except as a religious observance or as allowed on special days or for certain athletic or class requirements.
• Pajamas, except when allowed on special days.
• House slippers or shoes intended for indoors only.
• Sunglasses (indoors.)
• Metal-spikes on shoes or metal-toed shoes, except for when needed for a class such as at TCTA.
School Safety
School safety is a top priority for the Tuscaloosa City Schools and we are constantly re-evaluating our plans and procedures, in conjunction with the Tuscaloosa Police Department, to make sure they are as up to date and that our facilities are as secure as possible.
We regularly conduct safety audits of our facilities, have regular safety meetings, and examine new technology that we might utilize to ensure our plans are the best possible in terms of keeping our schools safe.
Your child's school also has a set of prevention and response plans for school safety. Listed below are some of the school system actions that are in place in all of our schools. We ask that you discuss these safety processes with your child(ren) and send any specific questions to your principal. Communication is essential in our school safety efforts.
Safety Processes and Procedures
It is the goal of Tuscaloosa City Schools to create a safe teaching and learning environment for students and staff. For this reason, we have processes and procedures in place:
Drills - TCS conducts a variety of drills (lockdown, fire, weather) and searches with students and staff, which allows them to practice the steps they should take in emergency situations.
Searches - To try to alleviate students from bringing prohibited items to schools, TCS conducts searches in one or a combination of the following ways: mixed method approach, including searches of backpacks, hallways, classrooms, and use of metal detectors.
Visitor Management System - The TCS School Visitor Management System "Raptor" enhances school security by reading a visitor's drivers’ license (or other approved government issued ID), comparing information against a sex offender database to alert school administrators and district personnel if a match is found. Once cleared through the system, a visitor badge is produced that includes a photo, name of the visitor, date/time, and destination.
Employee ID Badges - ID badges for TCS employees provide a quick visual way to determine if a person belongs on our campuses. They are scanned at entry access points, which allows TCS to track who is in the building.
Cameras - School security cameras help us keep our campuses safe. There are cameras in all TCS schools and can be accessed from the Incident Command Center, located at the Central Office and the Tuscaloosa Police Department.
See Something, Say Something
See Something, Say Something is designed to empower our students and staff to protect our schools. Tuscaloosa City Schools has established three ways in which students can share concerns about school safety and the well-being of fellow students.
· SPEAK UP: Parents and students can share concerns about classmates and or school. One can easily report students in crisis, planned fights, weapons in school, threats or violence and/or other urgent situations.
· Call or Text: 1.662.368.2530
· Email: speakup@tuscaloosacityschools.com
· Report your concerns in person to a TCS employee
HALT - TCS’s HALT Program was created to help combat bullying in the school district. If your child is experiencing bullying, submit an online form or complete the age-appropriate bullying/harassment form and return it to your child's counselor. You can also report bullying in person to a TCS employee at your child’s school.
Student Code of Conduct - TCS provides an atmosphere in which high performance can be achieved within a framework of high expectations. Parents and students are urged to be supportive of this Student/Parent Resource Guide, Code of Student Conduct and Drug Screening Policy and committed to the concept of the “right to learn.”
Gaggle - Gaggle is a technology utility that runs in the background of all student TCS Google accounts. This service reveals potentially harmful content in email, documents, shared files, images, photos, and more which allows school leaders to be proactive in addressing student and school safety concerns.
Bus Safety - Our first and highest priority is the safe transporting of students to and from school. The safety of every student depends on the judgment and skill of the school bus driver. Drivers are required to obtain their CDL license with their passenger and school bus endorsements. Bus drivers attend a minimum of 40 hours of local training as well as a 3-day class taught by the State of Alabama Department of Education personnel.
For more information about the safety protocols in the Tuscaloosa City Schools, go to:
School Safety / School Safety (tuscaloosacityschools.com)
Bus Transportation
For students who have requested bus transportation this school year, a postcard will arrive in the mail soon that lists your assigned school bus number, bus stop location and pickup/drop off times. If you do not receive a postcard regarding bus assignment by Monday, and you have requested bus transportation, please contact your child's school for transportation information. During the first few days of school, we ask for your patience. We will do our best to be on schedule, but it may take a few days to adjust and get to the optimal route times.
Counselor Corner
NMS Athletics
All student athletes must have a current athletic physical and dragonfly max account to tryout and participate! https://www.dragonflymax.com
Contact Coach Hazelrig with any questions. jhazelri@tusc.k12.al.us (205)759-3578
Football and Volleyball Seasons will be starting soon!
Schedules to come...
NMS Fine Arts
Fine Arts
Any students who would like to join the NMS Beginner Band (incoming 6th graders) should attend instrument selection on either August 5 or 9. See the attached graphic for details. Feel free to reach out to Mrs. Underwood with any questions or concerns! We're looking forward to having you in the NMS Band Family!
Social Worker News
Hello, Northridge Middle School Parents! I am Mrs. Smith, the Social Worker at Northridge Middle School. I am including registration forms for backpacks/school supplies for the 2022-2023 school year. You can register online using the links below (one in Spanish and one in English). If you prefer to complete a paper copy, you can print the attached form, complete it, and return to me. I have attached a copy in English and Spanish. If you have questions about the form, please contact Mrs. Smith at 205-759-3578 ext. 2701.
- If you would like information regarding food assistance for the summer, please contact Mrs. Smith at 205-759-3579. A list of resources can be shared with you.
Northridge Middle School
Dr. Rainey - Principal
Ms. Blunt, Mr. Cameron, and Mrs. Franklin - Assistant Principals
Mrs. Moore and Mrs. Fox - Counselors
Mrs. Smith - Social Worker
Coach Hazelrig - Athletic Director
Mrs. Smith - Secretary/Registrar
Mrs. Nolen - Bookkeeper
Website: www.tuscaloosacityschools.com/nms
Location: 3811 Northridge Road, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
Phone: (205) 759-3578