Newberry Middle School

Due to the threat of winter weather and the resulting hazardous road conditions, the School District of Newberry County will have an eLearning day on Friday, January 10, 2025, with schools and offices closed. All activities are canceled for January 10. Teachers will post assignments for students to complete, but there will be no live Google Meets on this day. Students who do not have internet access will need to download assignments during school on Thursday. Students will have a five-school-day window of time to turn in eLearning assignments. Additional information regarding eLearning guidelines and expectations can be found at https://bit.ly/426hmBW.

SCDE responds to PowerSchool Data Breach Jan 8, 2025 Late Tuesday, the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) was informed by PowerSchool of a cybersecurity breach involving its PowerSource portal. This was an international incident over which the state and local districts had no control. This breach resulted in unauthorized access to certain customer data from PowerSchool’s Student Information Systems (SIS), including data from multiple states and school districts across the country. During a meeting with PowerSchool’s senior leadership, they confirmed that personally identifiable information (PII) was compromised. The SCDE is currently working to understand the full scope of the breach. PowerSchool has stated that this breach has been contained and has informed the SCDE that it has taken steps to secure its systems, engage cybersecurity experts, and is also coordinating with law enforcement to address the breach. The SCDE is actively communicating with PowerSchool, legal counsel, and local districts to assess the full impact on South Carolina schools, students, and educators and to determine next steps. The SCDE is also in direct communication with the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the Attorney General’s office and has notified the Governor and legislative leaders. Commenting on the seriousness of this incident, State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver said, “The protection of our South Carolina students’ and educators’ personal data is non-negotiable. We fully recognize the anxiety this raises for them and their families.” She continued, “While PowerSchool has taken accountability for this breach, our Department will take uncompromising action to ensure we uncover the complete extent of this incident. We will insist that PowerSchool not only notify affected individuals but also provide them with credit and identity monitoring services." The SCDE will continue to engage and support districts and schools throughout this process as more information becomes available. https://ed.sc.gov/newsroom/news-releases/scde-responds-to-powerschool-data-breach/

Subject: I-Ready Winter 2024 Challenge Winners Note: Matthew Alexander (8th Grader/Newberry Middle School) & Sheryln De Leon Perez (6th Grader/Newberry Middle School) both completed (16) I-Ready lessons over the Winter Holidays. Both students received (1) free homework pass. In addition, students will receive (1) free hat day of their choosing. They will also receive 1 ice cream, 1 bag of chips, and an additional entree in the cafeteria compliments of Mr. Reid. Kudos to these outstanding scholars for their hard work over the Winter Holiday. "Hard work pays off!" Note: Grade Levels with the Most I-Ready Lessons Completed over the Winter Holiday 6th Grade: 1st Place (WINNER) 8th Grade: 2nd Place 7th Grade: 3rd Place ***If weather permits, 6th Graders will earn an additional 2 minutes at recess for the remainder of the week.

Congrats. to Coach Troy White, WLTX Teacher of the Week (Date: Jan. 7th, 2025) Coach White is the history dept. lead at NMS. Coach White serves as the Head NMS Football Coach and is an Asst. Archery Coach. Coach White is a trained 4.0 Mentor/Observer. Please tune into the WLTX Jan. 7th 5PM Broadcast if you haven't already done so, or see on the WLTX Teacher of the Week page on their website. https://www.wltx.com/article/news/local/teacher-of-the-week/teacher-of-the-week-troy-white/101-cdf62ae6-6765-4189-9f22-5e430100df71

Track Announcement from Coach Hamilton-NHS Track Coach Questions: please contact Coach Hamilton at dhamilton@sdnc.org

Sixth grade parents, please check with your student. Documentation (invitations) from Mrs. Cantrell, NMS Junior beta sponsor were sent home with 6th grade students meeting Jr. Beta Academic Requirements today in regards to invitations to join Junior beta club. In order for students to join, they must turn in their letters (completed) and $30 by January 15th. Please contact Mrs. Cantrell, Jr. Beta Sponsor at mcantrell@sdnc.org Go Tigers!!!🐅

Quarter 2 Awards Day will be held on January 13th, 2025 (Monday) Time: 8:15am Location: Gym Grades: 6th, 7th, & 8th Students receiving an award will receive notification on 1/8/25 from Ms. Jennifer Brown. Please check with your student after school on this day. We are excited to celebrate student achievement on this day! Go Tigers!!!🐅

RE: Newberry Middle School E-Newsletter (January, 2025) Editor/Sponsor: Mrs. Geron Wiggins See Link Below https://www.canva.com/design/DAGbGPuFUa8/sYUTGbInrwLaMTRkyzyNsw/edit?utm_content=DAGbGPuFUa8&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

Please see Poster from Coach Redd, NHS Golf Coach if your student is interested in participating in Golf at NHS. Note: 7th & 8th Grade Only. Email: bredd@sdnc.org

ELA Academy Opportunity for students eligible and receiving invites. Invites will be mailed on 1/3/25. (Director: Geron Wiggins) gwiggins@sdnc.org

Information from Coach Pelton: Note to NMS Boys (7th & 8th Grade) interested in playing Soccer at Newberry High School in the Spring. See Schedule below. Contact Coach Pelton at dpelton@sdnc.org if you have questions.

NMS Faculty & Staff wish you and your family Happy Holidays. We want to encourage students to continue to work on their I-Ready (Reading & Math) lessons over the winter holidays to keep momentum going into 2025. NMS showed positive gains from Fall to Winter per the most recent diagnostic and we are on track to show significant gains moving toward Spring Diagnostic based on growth of each student. NMS I-Ready Winter Holiday Challenge Individual Challenge: The most reading and most completed math lessons over Winter Holidays will receive 1 free hat day, 1 free homework pass, and will receive snacks compliments of Mr. Reid in the cafeteria (1 ice cream, 1 bag of chips, and an an additional entree of your choosing in the cafeteria) Total Number of Math + Reading. Example: John Doe (6 Math/8 Reading)=Total: 14 Total NMS I-Ready Winter Class Challenge Class with the most I-Ready Completed Lessons will earn an Ice Cream Party compliments of Mr. Reid. (Note: Most completed Lessons) NMS I-Ready Winter Grade Level Challenge Grade Level with the most I-Ready Completed Lessons will earn additional recess minutes the week of Jan. 6th-10th. Note: Grade level with the fewest completed lessons will have minutes taken off of Recess week of Jan. 6th-Jan. 10th. Keep working toward your I-Ready Goals/GO TIGERS!

NMS Receives Another Grant! RE: Thank you, Katie Shaw! Newberry Middle School was awarded the AgSouth Farm Credit Growing Our Communities Grant for the school Science Through Agriculture program led by Mrs. Shaw. The objective of the grant is to build strong partnerships and alliances, leveraging the resources within the grant program to preserve and promote the farmer, the family, and our communities. This money will go support the Science Through Agriculture program by purchasing outdoor furniture for the garden and chicken coop area at Newberry Middle School. For more information, contact Katie Shaw at kshaw@sdnc.org

Congrats. to your NMS Girls & Boys Basketball Teams & Coaches for (2) More Wins versus White Knoll Middle School on 12/19/24 Girls Game: 27-13 Boys Game: 57-29 Notes: Girls win their 5th consecutive game in a row! Boys team remains Undefeated!

🎤 Lip Sync Battle: Show Us Your Moves! 🎤 The Student Council is hosting an exciting Lip Sync Battle on January 10, 2025, during lunch, and we want YOU to be a part of the action! Whether you want to perform solo or team up with friends, it's your time to shine! 🌟 Event Details: 📅 Date: January 10, 2025 🕛 Time: During Lunch 📍 Location: Cafeteria 🎤 You can perform as a group or individually! 🎶 All music must be school-appropriate. How to Sign Up: 👉 Sign up through the link sent to your email! Let’s make this event one to remember—bring your best lip sync game and energy! 🕺💃 #LipSyncBattle #StudentCouncil #TalentShow #GetInvolved #SchoolFun Link: https://forms.gle/Ct9GM74dZZUcCN6J8

FREE TO FOCUS Beginning January 6, 2025 The South Carolina Department of Education has released a policy that prohibits the use of personal electronic devices during the school day. The purpose of this policy is to create a phone-free school environment that fosters a positive learning experience free from electronic distractions. During the school day, students are prohibited from accessing their personal electronic devices. Students may not wear or access device accessories during the school day. This includes, but is not limited to, cell phones, smart watches, tablets, and gaming devices. MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON!

The NMS Student Body President has spoken. Note: Per Student Body President (Landyn Gray) he has convinced Mr. Reid (Principal) that 12/20 should be a "Pajama Day" for students, faculty, and staff. Please Note: 12/20/24 will be a "Pajama Day" for NMS Students, Faculty, & Staff! Thank you to Landyn Gray, NMS Student Body President!

Job Shadowing (2025) 8th Grade Students Only Lead NMS Sponsor: Job Shadowing 2025 (Jessica Wood) jwood@sdnc.org All forms will be distributed and collected through HR teachers: 1/3/25 – permission forms will be put in teacher’s boxes 1/6/25 – permission forms will be given to students + video explaining Job Shadow Month will be played in HR Q&A Stop-By: Mrs. Moore will be on campus 1/7 and 1/8 to assist with stopping by HRs for Q&A 1/7/25 – Wiggins/Singleton/Shaw Teams Q&A during HR (split between Wood/Moore) 1/8/25 – Leger/McMillen Teams Q&A during HR (split between Wood/Moore) 1/15/25: Permission forms due to Laurie Suber Completion of Job Shadow Day in February: Students will have to submit the following for their absence to be excused: Job Shadow Reflection sheet Worksite Attendance Signature form Thank You note (will give them a card/envelope when they turn in the above documents)

PLTW Dragster Champions-8th Grade: Teacher: Joy Kellogg Drag Race Winner Jordan Boateng, Cole Chilton, and Braxton Ware

December 2024- Newberry Middle School Students of the Month, Support Staff of the Month, and Teacher of the Month. December 2024 6th: Adileny Gomez 7th: Lilliana Fry 8th: Xavier Harding Teacher: Stacie Coleman Support Staff: Brittany Hazel