Northley Middle School

Weekly Newsletter

April 24th, 2026

Northley Families,


I wanted to share a few updates from this past week at Northley. It’s been a good week in the building. Our students have been working hard, staying focused, and continuing to make progress in and out of the classroom. I’m proud of the effort we’re seeing day in and day out.


Northley Shines at the Penn Relays

What a moment for our school. Royce, Tru, Warren, and Josiah brought home 1st place in the 4x100 at the Penn Relays. Competing on such at such a big event for track and field, they showed confidence, speed, and total team chemistry from start to finish. This is a huge accomplishment and something our entire Northley community can be proud of. We’re excited for them, proud of the work they put in, and grateful for how they represented our school.


Student of the Month – March

We held our Student of the Month breakfast this morning to celebrate our March honorees. This month’s focus was Sharpen the Saw—finding balance, taking care of yourself, and keeping a positive mindset.


Congratulations to Ollie F., Jack M., Mira H., Maeve L., Brayden S., Sophia G., Abby B., Peyton F., and Kathryn D. Proud of the way these students show up each day and represent our school.


PSSAs

We wrapped up ELA PSSA testing this week, and I want to commend our students for the effort they showed each day. They stayed focused, took their time, and gave it their best. That’s all we can ask.


Next up is Math on April 28 and 29, followed by Science for our 8th graders on April 30 and May 1. Testing will continue in the mornings, so please make sure Chromebooks are fully charged each day.


We believe in our students. This is just one measure, but it’s another chance for them to stay locked in and finish strong. Keeping routines steady at home really helps. A good night’s sleep, being on time, and a little encouragement go a long way.


PSSA Spirit Week


  • Tuesday 4/28- Rock the Test!: Wear a music tee
  • Wednesday 4/29 - Stay positive!: Wear an inspirational tee
  • Thursday 4/30 - Show grade level spirit!
  • 6th Grade – Wear White
  • 7th Grade – Wear Blue
  • 8th Grade – Wear Gold
  • Friday 5/1 - Your future is bright!: Wear a college or small business tee


Administrative Professionals Day

Administrative Professionals Day is a chance to recognize the people who keep Northley running every single day. Mrs. Godshall, Ms. Fallon, Mrs. Torres, and Mrs. Portugal are behind so much of what goes right in our building. They support our students, staff, and families in ways that often go unseen, but never unnoticed. We’re grateful for their consistency, care, and the way they keep everything moving.


Sun Valley Ice Hockey Club

If your child has any interest in hockey, this is a great opportunity to get involved. The Sun Valley Ice Hockey Club is open to boys and girls of all skill levels and focuses on building skills, teamwork, and confidence in a supportive environment. It’s a chance to try something new, meet other students, and be part of a team. You can learn more and sign up using the QR code on the flyer.


7th Grade Science in the Northley Garden

Our 7th grade science classes have been hard at work in the Northley Garden. Students are getting hands-on experience and seeing their learning come to life outside the classroom. They’ve put in the effort, and now we’re looking forward to the rain this weekend to help their plants grow. It’s been great to see their work take shape.


8th Grade Spring Formal

Our 8th Grade Spring Formal will be held on Friday, May 15 from 6:30–9:00 p.m. at the Ballroom at the Phoenix in Boothwyn.


This event, organized by our PTL, will include dinner and dancing for our 8th grade students. The cost is $25 per student, and permission slips with payment are due by May 8.


Students must be present in school the day of the event to attend, and all school rules will apply. Please also note that late ticket orders will not be accepted.


Summer Enrichment Opportunities

Registration for Penn-Delco’s 2026 Summer Enrichment Program is officially open! Students are invited to create, move, learn, and perform this summer through a wide variety of engaging courses offered in both half-day and full-day options. Session dates include June 22–25, July 6–9, July 13–16, and July 20–23. The registration deadline is May 31. Visit www.pdsd.org/enrich for course details and sign-up information.


Your Voice Matters: Leader in Me Family Survey

We are continuing our work with the Leader in Me program, which focuses on building leadership and life skills in our students. As part of this process, we are asking families to complete a short, anonymous survey to help us understand what is working well and where we can continue to improve. The survey takes about 12 minutes and we encourage one response per household.


Family Survey: https://www.leaderinme.com/s/northley-middle-school/families


Students will also complete the survey next month. If you prefer that your child does not participate, please complete the Leader in Me Survey Opt Out.


Yearbooks

Yearbook sale flyers went home with students this week. Yearbooks are $20 and must be purchased online by May 15. In-person cash purchases will only be available on the last day of school. If you have questions, please reach out to Mrs. Blaisse at dblaisse@pdsd.org.



You can purchase at this link: https://www.barksdalestorefront.com/shop/


Please save your receipt from Barksdale in case there are any questions.


Free YMCA Membership for 7th Graders

Great news for our 7th grade families. Local YMCA locations are offering free memberships for all 7th grade students for the entire year. This is a great opportunity for students to stay active, get involved in positive activities, and connect with their community. Signing up is simple. Students can bring their 7th grade roster, report card, or student ID along with a parent or guardian to any participating YMCA location to register.


Northley PTL Discount Card Fundraiser

Once again, Northley Middle School is selling discount cards valid April 2026 through March 2027.Our discount card program helps you save money while supporting local businesses and our school. Order one for yourself, family, or friends. Each card is $20, and 100% of the proceeds support Northley Middle School.

 

8th Grade Hershey Park Field Trip Reminder:

Permission slips have been distributed in class! Please return the signed slip and payment no later than Friday, May 1st. For full trip details, including itinerary and pricing, please visit the "Class of" Schoology page.


7th Grade Field Trip - Arrowhead

7th Grade will be attending Arrowhead Day Camp on Thursday, May 28th. Permission slips were given out on Thursday, March 19th and was due back by April 7th. The cost of the trip is $26.


6th Grade Field Trip – Treehouse World

Our 6th graders are heading to Treehouse World this June. Blue Team will attend on June 3, and Gold Team on June 4. The cost is $30. Permission slips were sent home February 27 and was due March 20. More details are available on the Class of 2032 page.


After-School Activities

We’ve updated our list of current clubs and activities happening after school. Northley offers a wide range of opportunities for students to get involved and explore new interests. For this dates of meeting please click here: Activity Schedule 

 

After-School Academic Support

This program offers students additional help with assignments, challenging concepts, and key skills in a supportive environment. Teachers and counselors will identify students who would benefit and contact families directly. If you have any concerns, please check with your grade level counselor

  

Safe2Say Something

The Safe2Say Something program remains an essential tool for maintaining school safety. It allows students to confidentially report concerns or seek help for others. Please remind your child that using Safe2Say shows leadership and care for their peers. [Safe2Say Link]


As we head into next week, we’ll keep that same focus and momentum. Thanks for your continued support. It makes a difference for our students and our school.



Justin Shivone

Principal

Northley Middle School 

Attendance Matters

We all want our kids to feel confident in school, and one of the biggest ways to help is simply making sure they’re here each day. Middle school moves quickly. When students miss class, even a day or two a month, they start to fall behind without realizing it.


Research shows that missing more than 10 percent of the school year (about two days a month) can lead to lower grades, gaps in learning, and a tougher transition into high school. Kids learn best when they’re in the room, hearing the lesson, asking questions, and staying connected with their classmates.


Regular attendance also helps with confidence. When students are here every day, they settle into routines, keep up with their work, and feel more comfortable walking into each class.


We know life happens. Kids get sick, families have appointments, and things pop up that can’t be avoided. All we ask is that, whenever possible, you help your child be in school every day. It really does make a difference.



If your family ever needs support with attendance, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Leader In Me

Leader in Me at Northley


Northley is proud to be a Leader in Me school—a program that helps students build confidence, develop leadership skills, and learn how to make a difference in their community. It’s not just about what happens in the classroom; it’s about shaping responsible, capable young leaders who understand that every choice they make matters.


Our staff continues to weave the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People into daily routines, lessons, and conversations. Whether it’s being proactive, setting goals, or working together, these habits are helping students take ownership of their learning and their behavior.


The 7 Habits and What They Look Like in Students

  1. Be Proactive: takes responsibility for actions, stays positive, and makes good choices without being told
  2. Begin with the End in Mind :Sets goals, plans ahead, and follows through.
  3. Put First Things First: Focuses on what’s most important and manages time  wisely.
  4. Think Win-Win: Looks for solutions where everyone benefits and treats others fairly.
  5. Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood: Listens carefully to others and communicates respectfully.
  6. Synergize: Works well in groups, values others’ strengths, and contributes to team  success.
  7. Sharpen the Saw: Balances work and well-being by taking care of body, mind, and heart.


Student Lighthouse Team

We’re proud to announce the members of Northley’s Student Lighthouse Team for the 2025–2026 school year. These students were selected for showing leadership, responsibility, and a commitment to improving our school community.


The team will meet throughout the year to share student perspectives, help plan schoolwide events, and support initiatives that strengthen our Viking Vision of being Ready, Respectful, and Responsible.


Congratulations to the following students:

Jolie Z., Kierra S., Jimmy W., Emily M., Nick L., Victoria G., Annika D., Madison H., Paislee K., Abby A., Connor S., Dominic P., Eryk W., Josiah J., Katie M., Peyton F., and Vincent V.


We’re excited to see their leadership in action this year!

PTL Updates

Our PTL continues to do an outstanding job supporting school events, activities, and staff appreciation efforts. This month, they’re hard at work planning several exciting upcoming events, including the 8th Grade Winter Formal, the 8th Grade Breakfast in December, Bingo Night, and the Spring Formal later this year.


If you have any questions or would like to get involved, please email northleymsptl@gmail.com and follow Northley PTL on Facebook (@Northley PTL) for updates, reminders, and volunteer opportunities.


8th Grade Events

  • The Spring Formal will be held on May 15 at The Phoenix Ballroom.
  • The 8th Grade Breakfast is scheduled for June 11 at The Phoenix Ballroom.
  • Details regarding the Moving Up Ceremony will be shared as plans are finalized, but save the date of June 11 at 1pm.

Noteworthy Dates

  • Tuesday April 28th - MATH PSSA
  • Wednesday April 29th - MATH PSSA
  • Thursday April 29th - 6th Grade Concert
  • Thursday April 30th - SCIENCE PSSA (8TH ONLY)
  • Friday May 1st - SCIENCE PSSA (8TH ONLY)
  • Tuesday May 5th - BMX Assembly
  • Tuesday May 5th - 7/8 Grade Concert
  • Monday May 11th - NHJS Ceremony
  • Tuesday May 12th - 5th Grade Tours
  • Friday May 15th - 8th Grade Formal

School Counselors

Join Team Penn-Delco

We Want YOU to Join Team Penn-Delco! The school district is hiring paraprofessionals (new rates!), bus drivers, bus aides, and more. Positions are listed on our job board by location.


Don't miss this opportunity to make a different in the lives of our students while enjoying competitive compensation.

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