North News | August 1, 2025

August 1, 2025

Welcome North Families,

Although there’s still plenty of summer to enjoy, we at North are already busy preparing for the 2025–2026 school year. Just as we’re planning here at school, we know your families are making preparations at home as well. We truly value the partnership we share in supporting your child’s education, and we’re grateful for everything you do to help set them up for success.

Clear communication between home and school is key to ensuring each child gets what they need to thrive. You can expect regular updates from us twice a month to help keep everyone informed and connected.

Right now, the most important information you’ll need involves the logistics for the start of the school year. We’ve worked to cover all the essentials, but if there’s anything you can’t find or need clarification on, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Kristin Higgins

Principal

North Middle School

Welcome 6th Grade Families to North Middle School!

The transition to middle school can bring a mix of excitement and anxiety—for both students and parents (and honestly, it's hard to say who feels it more!). It’s a visible step toward your child’s growing independence and a small, early milestone on the long road to adulthood. Don’t worry though—there’s still plenty of time before they’re truly out in the world, and they’ll need you every step of the way over the next three years.

What makes this transition challenging is all the unknowns. Please know that every educator at North is here to support you and your child through this important phase. Our experienced 6th grade team is well-prepared to help students adjust to the routines and expectations of middle school. In addition, our student services team is available to support students as they navigate shifting friendships and social dynamics.

We truly value strong communication and view ourselves as partners with you in your child’s development. We welcome and encourage two-way conversations about how we can best support your child’s success.

Many common worries for incoming 6th graders include:

Opening their lockers (this one’s a big deal!)

Finding their way around the building

Knowing who they’ll sit with at lunch

Figuring out where they can use the bathroom

Wondering if they can bring a water bottle (yes, they can!)

My best advice? Listen to your child’s specific worries—and then plan ahead with them. Some ways to help ease the transition:

Attend our open house together.

Spend time practicing their locker—locks will be placed on 6th grade lockers before school starts.

Introduce your child to the teacher closest to their locker—someone they can ask for help.

Walk through their schedule with them to get familiar with the building and find natural places to stop for water or a bathroom break.

Expect your child to compare schedules with friends—they’re eager to know who they’ll have lunch and classes with.

And above all, remind your child that every adult at North is here to help. No matter the challenge, there will always be someone nearby to support them.

We’re thrilled to welcome your family to North and can’t wait to meet you and your student soon!

Warmly,

Kristin Higgins

Don't miss out on North Sneak Peek: Transition to 6th Grade for your student – the perfect opportunity for students to familiarize themselves with the school building, boost study skills, and make new friends!

Secure their spot before August 8th at 8AM!

2025-2026 Returning Student Registration

Returning Student Registration for the 2025–2026 School Year opened on July 28th and will close on August 8th. Please check your inbox for an email from the Menomonee Falls School District with instructions and a direct link to the PowerSchool Parent Portal.

In the Portal you will be able to: update contact details, update student medical information, review the SDMF Handbook, agreements, and policies, and pay school registration fees (course fees will be assessed in November).

If you have not set up a PowerSchool Parent account, please contact Jen Mason, masojen@sdmfschools.org for assistance.

Back to School Fair

We’re excited to welcome all SDMF families to our districtwide Back-to-School Fair, held at Menomonee Falls High School in the grey gymnasium.

This one-stop event is designed to make back-to-school prep easy and convenient! Representatives from all schools will be onsite, and district departments will be available to answer questions and provide resources. We’re also excited to feature a Community Resource Fair and Exhibits during the event!

You’ll be able to complete key back-to-school tasks, including:

✅ School Pictures

✅ School Fee Payments

✅ Medication Drop-Off

✅ Add Funds to Lunch Accounts

Picture Ordering Information: Following picture day at the Back to School Fair, you’ll receive an email when your images are ready to view online. You can also search for them at www.vipis.com shortly after photos are taken. You’ll be able to select your image for your yearbook/composite (please remember to do so before it’s selected for you), and place your online order. All orders will be delivered to your home. If you need further assistance, contact VIP at support@vipis.com.

For full details and additional information about the 2025 Back-to-School Fair, please visit the link below.

Back to School Fair

First Day of School

Our first day of school is Tuesday, September 2nd. To help our 6th graders adjust to a new school, we will be having them arrive prior to the 7th & 8th graders.

All 6th grade students and 8th grade WEB Leaders will arrive at school by 7:15AM on September 2nd, the same as they would on a normal school day. 7th and 8th graders will arrive at 11:15 am with bus pick-ups running 4 hours later than the typical time.

This transition plan will allow 6th grade students to be welcomed to North and get acclimated to their school day prior to all students arriving.

Schedules will be emailed home by Tuesday, August 12th.

A/B Day Calendar

Bell Schedule

2025-2026 District Calendar

Locker assignments will be emailed home with student schedules by Tuesday, August 12th. We are targeting student lockers to be located near their last class of the day to maximize our transition time to bus dismissal.

Lockers for 6th grade students will

have locks on them. Returning 7th & 8th graders should bring back

their locks from last year.

Replacement locks are $7.

Please remember that students can only use magnets on the lockers as tape damages the paint.

For security purposes, student account passwords are reset every summer. Student passwords will be available in Powerschool on August 12th and provided to students on the first day of school.