April 2016

Dear Incoming 6th Grade Parents,

Let me be the first to welcome you as the newest members of our
NEMS school community! We are excited to begin orienting you and
your child to our middle school!

Ryan Rich
Principal
Vicki Rardin
Assistant Principal
Robert Williamson
Assistant Principal
Lisa Lain
6th School Counselor
7th

Jenn Schott
School Counselor

Lizette Baumann
8th School Counselor
8th

Drinan George
School Counselor

Rick Fields
Athletic Director

1625 Field Dr.

Noblesville, IN 46060
Ph: 317-773-0782
Fax: 317-776-6261
Attendance:
317: 776-6258
www.noblesvilleschools.org

Miller Matters is the monthly newsletter that you will receive that
includes the most important information youll need to know to help
your family have a successful school year. This special edition is
specifically designed for parents of incoming 6th grade students, and
is filled with extremely important and timely information regarding
the transition to our middle school. Please be sure to read this
information carefully, and do not hesitate to contact our school with
any questions.
I would like to invite you to attend our annual incoming 6th
grade parent night on Thursday, May 19th from 6:30 8:00 pm.
We will begin our meeting in the cafeteria with a welcome and
general information. Youll then be invited to visit our 6th grade
classrooms and meet many of our 6th grade teachers, school
administrators, and guidance counselors. This is an extremely
important event for our incoming 6th grade parents. We will
review the 6th grade daily schedule, program, and services for
your child, including information on student iPads and
additional fall orientation plans for your family. You wont want
to miss this important meeting, which will be filled with
valuable information about the transition from 5th to 6th grade!
I hope you find the information below useful in your planning.
Please do not also hesitate to contact our school with any questions
you may have. I look forward to serving you as your school
principal!
Go Millers!
Ryan Rich, Principal
Be sure to follow me on Twitter @NEMSprincipal. You can also check
out my principals page at www.nemsprincipal.weebly.com. I use both
communications to share updates and happenings at NEMS,
Noblesville Schools, and in the world of education.

ORIENTATION TO NEMS
Orientation to our middle school is not a single event, but a series of carefully planned activities to help you feel
comfortable with your new school and excited for the new school year. These activities include the following:
6th Grade Canvas Welcome Page
As you may be aware, Canvas is Noblesville Schools online learning management system. As a parent or guardian,
you can register as a class observer to view all important class information. To help with your familys transition to
NEMS, weve created an online Canvas course loaded with a wealth of information related to our school. This
Canvas course includes information related to the daily schedule, sports and clubs, important orientation dates, and
key school information. Since your child is currently utilizing Canvas through their school iPad, they can now view
this additional class titled Incoming Students on their course list! We encourage you to enroll as a class observer
in this course. Instructions on accessing Canvas and enrolling as a class observer are attached at the end of this
newsletter.
5th Grade Student Tours May 18th
NEMS is excited to host a tour of our school with 5th graders and welcome them as soon-to-be members of NEMS on
Wednesday, May 18th. School buses will bring 5th graders to our building during the school day for about 1 hours.
Afterwards, 5th graders will return to their home elementary school before dismissal. During the tours your child
will learn more about what to expect in middle school, including opportunities to get involved in school activities, a
sample schedule, lockers, and classes.
Incoming 6th Grade Parent Night May 19th
Please plan to join us on Thursday, May 19th at 6:30 pm in the NEMS cafeteria for an overview of the middle school
experience. We will begin our meeting in the cafeteria with a welcome and general information. Youll then be
invited to visit our 6th grade classrooms and meet many of our 6th grade teachers, school administrators, and
guidance counselors. This is an extremely important event for our incoming 6th grade parents. We will review the
6th grade daily schedule, program, and services for your child, including information on student iPads and
additional fall orientation plans for your family. You wont want to miss this important meeting, which will be filled
with valuable information about the transition from 5th to 6th grade!
Meet @ the Middle Student and Parent Orientation July 26th
Meet @ the Middle is a required orientation session held for all incoming 6th graders. At least one parent must
attend with their child. Prior to this date in July, you will receive an email of your childs schedule and team
assignment. You and your child will attend one of two scheduled sessions, based upon this team assignment. The
schedule is as follows:
July 26, 2016
4:30 5:45 pm

July 26, 2016

6:30 7:45 pm

Team DePauw
Team Wisconsin

Team Stanford
Team West Point

During this session, we will provide students the opportunity to tour the school, try out their locker, and learn more
about all the different opportunities and programs at NEMS. Most important, students will meet their team teachers
and participate in some fun activities to help them get to know their new teammates.
While students are participating in these activities with their team teachers, parents will be participating in a
detailed and informative session on learning at NEMS and student iPads (iPads will be provided to 6th grade
students during the first week of school).

The First Three Days of School

The first three days of school at NEMS set the stage for an exciting and inspiring school year. During this time, all
teachers provide additional orientation and transition activities for our students. These include:
lessons about our Miller Way expectations, including how we Millers are always learning, responsible,
respectful, and safe.
tours of the school, meeting administrators and getting an opportunity to meet each other.
learning more about their academic team and learn their teams policies and procedures.
team building activities to create a network of support and to develop important social skills for middle
school.
activities including Learning Style surveys, self-empowerment activities and interest inventories.
iPad and digital citizenship lessons to teach student how to be responsible with technology.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN MIDDLE SCHOOL

New Teachers and Classmates
Each student will be placed on an academic team. The 6th Grade Teams are named: West Point, DePauw, Stanford,
and Wisconsin. Each team has its own section in the 6th grade hallway. Most students at NEMS will have 6 different
teachers (Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Performing Arts, Gym, Intervention Class and/or Diversified
Arts). The majority of the academic classes are located in the same hallway, often next door to each other. The
students leave the team hallway for two periods a day to take elective classes including Intervention, Performing
Arts, Gym and Diversified Arts. All 6th grade students eat lunch at the same time in their assigned cafeteria.
Activities and Athletic Programs
Sixth grade students can participate in a variety of student clubs and activities such as FCA, Student Council,
Student Ambassadors, Robotics, Drama Club, and Academic Team. Sixth grade students can participate in the
following sports at the Middle School level: Tennis, Cross-Country, Wrestling, Dance, and Track. Throughout the
year, the student clubs plan student dances, charity fundraisers, school-wide pep rallies and other fun and special
student events. As students progress into 7th and 8th grade, even more sports, clubs, and activities become
available!
Lockers 101
One of the biggest challenges in Middle School is taming your locker. Whether its learning your combination or
keeping your locker clean, it is understandable that your locker might cause some anxiety. Here are some simple
tips to open a combination lock:
1. Teach your child how to open a combination lock.
a. Turn the dial three times to the right (clockwise) and then stop turning when the arrow is pointing
to the first number of the combination.
b. Turn the dial to the left (counterclockwise) one full turn until you are back on the first number.
Then continue turning to the left until you reach the second number of the combination.
c. Upon reaching the second number, turn the dial to the right until the arrow is pointing to the third
number of your combination.
d. Pull up on the lock or locker handle to open.
2. It will ease your childs anxiety to practice with a combination lock over the summer. Many stores carry
combination locks that can be purchased.
3. Have your child attend Meet @ the Middle on July 26th. Students will be able to practice their locker
combinations!

Counseling Department
The Counselors at NEMS are excited to help you and your student throughout their time in middle school.
Counselors at NEMS work with students in individual sessions, groups, classroom counseling lessons and schoolwide activities and events. The Counseling Department at NEMS maintains a department webpage with resources
related to bullying, careers, colleges and study skills. If you would like to schedule an appointment with your childs
Counselor please call (317) 773-0782.
NEMS School Program Overview
Our school has committed itself to providing the most comprehensive, effective, high quality middle school
program possible. If you are interested in seeing a full description of this program, please visit this link to learn
more http://www.noblesvilleschools.org/domain/136

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Bridges Program Overview
If your child participates in the Language Arts or Math Focus program in 5th grade, they will automatically be
enrolled in the corresponding 6th grade Bridges program, which is the middle school program for academically
advanced students. In 6th grade, the Bridges program includes language arts and math. NEMS also reviews student
academic data at the end of the year to identify any other students who might be eligible for Bridges. If your child is
identified, you will receive a notice from our school. If you have questions regarding your childs current placement
in FOCUS, it can be verified through your elementary schools administrator, counselor or 5th grade teacher.

Incoming 6th grade parent meeting Thursday,

May 19 at 6:30 pm beginning in the cafeteria!