|
Weekly Update
October 30, 2026
| | A Message from the Principal | |
Dear Northley Families,
It’s been a busy and fun stretch at Northley! We wrapped up Red Ribbon Week today with creative costumes and plenty of laughter. Seeing students and staff enjoy these moments together is one of my favorite parts of being a principal. Those connections matter, and I’m proud of the school community we’re building.
You’ll see plenty of that in this newsletter, from students putting their ideas to work in the STEM competition to practicing everyday skills in our student café. Our community also helped the Kick Cancer Classic reach its $3,000 fundraising goal for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. Thank you to Mr. Campbell, our PTL, and all the volunteers who give their time to make these experiences possible.
As we head into November, the first marking period ends Friday, November 6. Please review grades and missing assignments with your child and reach out to teachers with any concerns. Benchmark testing takes place November 4–6, so students should arrive rested with fully charged Chromebooks. There is no school for students on Tuesday, November 3.
Please take a few minutes to review the updates below, including information about November conferences and our Thanksgiving Food Drive. Thank you for supporting our students and being part of Northley. Have a great weekend!
Warmly,
Justin Shivone
Principal, Northley Middle School
| |
-
Tuesday, November 3: NO SCHOOL
-
Wednesday, November 4: PTL Meeting at 6:30
-
Wednesday, November 4: ELA Firefly
-
Thursday, November 5: Math Firefly
-
Friday, November 6: Science CDT
-
Friday, November 6: Marking Period 1 Ends
-
Tuesday, November 10: Student of the Month Breakfast
-
Wednesday, November 11: Advisory
-
Friday, November 13: Report Cards posted
-
Monday, November 16: Fall Book fair begins
-
Thursday, November 19: Advisory
-
Monday, November 23: Half Day & Conferences
-
Tuesday, November 24: Half Day & Conferences
-
Wednesday, November 25: NO SCHOOL
| |
End of Quarter Approaching
The first marking period ends Friday, November 6. Please take some time to review your child’s grades and missing assignments together. Ask what is going well and where they need support, then help them make a plan to finish the quarter strong. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to their teachers now so we have time to work together before grades close.
|
Save the Date: November Conferences
We look forward to welcoming families for conferences on November 23 and 24! Conferences will be held Monday afternoon and evening and Tuesday afternoon. Students will dismiss at 10:48 a.m. on both days.
All families are invited to a student-led conference, where your child will use their leadership portfolio to share their progress and goals with you. Their advisory teacher will support the conversation, so please plan for your child to attend alongside you.
Team leaders will first reach out to families they would like to meet with for a team conference. After those meetings are scheduled, advisory teachers will send student-led conference sign-up links to all families. Families invited to a team conference are welcome to attend both, but doing so is not required.
Please see the Student-Led Conference Parent Flyer for more about what to expect and questions to ask your child. Thank you for making time for these conversations and working with us to support your child!
|
Northley’s Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive
Northley’s annual Thanksgiving Food Drive runs November 2 through November 20! Students can bring donations to their homerooms. Requested items include instant mashed potatoes, instant stuffing, and canned cranberry sauce, corn, peas, green beans, turkey gravy, yams, and fruit cocktail. The homeroom with the most donations will receive a special prize on November 23. Thank you for supporting our food drive!
|
Northley Spirit Wear Sale
Our PTL’s fall and winter spirit wear sale is open through November 9 at 11:56 p.m.! Visit the Northley PTL Spirit Wear store to place your order. Credit card payment is required at checkout, and orders are expected to be completed around December 22. View the store flyer for more information or contact Katie Wiggins at northleymsptl@gmail.com with questions. Thank you for supporting our PTL!
|
Help Bring the Book Fair to Life!
Northley’s Fall Book Fair is coming the week of November 16, and we would love your help! Volunteering is a fun way to spend time at school and help students find books they’re excited to read. You’ll get to share in the excitement as students browse and discover new favorites.
Click the button below to sign up for a time that works for you. We look forward to having you join us!
| |
Skyward Family Access
Penn-Delco School District uses Skyward Family Access to keep families informed about their child’s progress. Parents and guardians should log in regularly to review grades, attendance, report cards, and other important student information. Staying current helps you recognize progress and address concerns before your child falls behind.
| |
No School Tuesday, November 3
There will be no school for students on Tuesday, November 3. Classes will resume on Wednesday, November 4.
| |
Welcome Future Vanguards: SV Information Night Set for November 12 | Current Northley 8th graders and their families are invited to Information Night on Thursday, November 12 at 6:30 p.m. Come see what makes our community special. You’ll learn about academics, athletics, the arts, and student life. | | | |
Kick Cancer Classic Reaches $3,000 Goal
The third annual Kick Cancer Classic reached its $3,000 fundraising goal for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, and donations continue to grow! Three anonymous donors even held their own lemonade stand and contributed the profits. The event helps students learn about giving back while supporting the fight against childhood cancer. A special thank-you to Mr. Campbell and all of our parent volunteers for the time and effort they put into making this event a success. Thank you to everyone who donated or came out to support!
| |
Firefly Benchmark Testing Next Week
Students will take the Firefly benchmark assessments on November 4, 5, and 6. The results help teachers plan instruction and identify where students need additional support. Please help your child get a good night’s sleep and arrive each day with a fully charged Chromebook. Encourage them to take their time and give their best effort so the results reflect what they know.
| |
Attendance Cup: October Winners Make a Splash!
Congratulations to this week’s Attendance Cup winners: Mrs. Ventura’s sixth-grade homeroom, Ms. Zimmerman’s and Ms. Sundquist’s seventh-grade homerooms, and Mr. Liberatore’s eighth-grade homeroom! Each winning homeroom will be presented with an Attendance Cup trophy.
October’s monthly competition ended in a tie, with Mrs. Place’s and Ms. Amicone’s homerooms each earning 101 points. Both homerooms earned the chance to throw water balloons at Mr. Shivone!
We also have schoolwide progress to celebrate. October’s total absence days dropped from 853.5 last year to 681 this year, a 20.2% decrease. Both months had 22 school days, with average daily absences falling from 38.8 to 31.0. Thank you to our students and families for making attendance a priority!
| |
Readers are Leaders
We want every Northley student to carry a book they enjoy reading. Students will have time to read during homeroom, and we’ll encourage them to pick up their book when they finish classwork early. A few minutes here and there add up, especially when reading becomes part of the school day.
Please help your child choose a book they want to read and remind them to bring it to school each day. If they’re having trouble finding one, their teacher or our library staff can help.
|
Positive Office Referrals
Teachers began submitting Positive Office Referrals to recognize the great things students were doing throughout the school day. We then contacted families to share the good news and celebrate those students at home. These messages were a great way to highlight the effort, kindness, leadership, and positive choices happening across Northley.
| |
Bring History to Life: Student Video Contest
Northley students are invited to enter the Daughters of the American Revolution’s 2026–2027 video contest!
The middle school topic asks students to imagine hearing the Declaration of Independence read in their community in 1776. How would they react? Who would they tell, and what would they do next? Students should explore how the news would affect their lives in a video lasting no more than three minutes.
The deadline is December 4, 2026. For contest details, contact Jane Schurman at schurmanjane@gmail.com or 610-529-6925.
We’d love to see our students use their creativity to bring this moment in history to life!
|
Americanism Essay Contest
The American Legion Auxiliary invites students to enter its 2026–2027 Americanism Essay Contest by answering, “How can you be a beacon of light for our veterans?”
Sixth-grade essays must be 250–300 words. Students in grades 7–8 should write 350–400 words. Division winners in each contest class receive $50, along with a $50 donation in their name to the Spirit of Youth Scholarship Fund.
Interested students should ask Mr. Shivone for more details.
| |
Safe2Say Something
Students should tell a trusted adult when they experience or become aware of an issue involving themselves or someone else. This includes bullying, threats, concerning behavior, or anything that does not feel right. Speaking up allows adults to respond and provide support. If a student does not feel comfortable talking with someone directly, Safe2Say Something offers an anonymous way to report the concern through its website, mobile app, or by calling 1-844-SAF2SAY.
| |
Ready to Volunteer? Check Your Clearances!
Whether you're chaperoning a field trip, helping in a classroom, or supporting a school event, make sure your clearances are up to date.
Pennsylvania law requires volunteer clearances to be renewed every 60 months (five years).
| | | |
Delco School Districts to Host Education Career Fair November 3 | Explore career opportunities with Penn-Delco, neighboring districts and the DCIU at the Education Career Fair. | | | |
|
Students are assigned to their counselors based on their grade. School counselors remain with their respective class of students for all three years.
-
Class of 2033 (6th Grade): Mrs. Julia Sullivan
-
Class of 2032 (7th Grade): Mrs. Jennifer Sterling
-
Class of 2031 (8th Grade): Mrs. Gina Crowley
| | | |
|
Students should bring their district-issued Chromebook fully charged daily. Please help your child keep it secure, use it only for schoolwork, and report damage or technical problems right away. Students should never share Chromebooks or District accounts. These devices remain District property and must be returned with the charger when requested. Activity on District devices, accounts, and networks may be monitored under Board Policy.
Stay updated with Schoology
Schoology allows parents to receive notifications when assignments become overdue, along with a weekly summary of their child’s activity. These updates make it easier to identify missing work early and help your child stay on track. Watch this short video to learn how to set up both features.
| | | | |
Northley is proud to be a Leader in Me school. Throughout the year, students will practice the 7 Habits in their classrooms and apply them in their daily choices:
- Be Proactive
- Begin With the End in Mind
- Put First Things First
- Think Win-Win
- Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
- Synergize
- Sharpen the Saw
Each student will develop a leadership portfolio to track goals, progress, and personal growth. We will also recognize students each month who demonstrate the 7 Habits through their actions and leadership. Our goal is to make these habits part of how we learn, work together, and lead at Northley every day.
|
Meet our Student Lighthouse Team
I’m excited to introduce our Student Lighthouse Team! These students will meet with me periodically to share what’s working at Northley and where we need to improve. They’ll represent their peers and work with us to turn ideas into action.
Through Leader in Me, we want students to take an active role in improving their school. This team will give them opportunities to speak honestly and take responsibility for projects that matter to them.
Congratulations to our team members!
London H., Eric K., Olivia B., Dylan A., Ethan C., Robbie V., Toomy M., Maeve L., Cooper S., Mason A-W., Madison H., Paislee K., Annika D., Victoria G., Josiah D., Skylar T., Nick L., Olivia A., Jolie Z., Emily M., Jimmy W., Riley B., Alexandra D., Hope G., Julian H., Ryan M., Scarlett T., Benjamin H., Nolan E., Gabriel W., Charlotte E., and Zaylee M.
| |
Leader in Me Student Leadership Portfolios
During advisory on October 27, students developed their Wildly Important Goals, or WIGs, building on their earlier work with Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind. They turned their reflections about the future into specific goals to work toward and track in their Leadership Portfolios.
Our next advisory sessions are November 11 and November 19. Students will review their first-quarter academic performance and begin preparing for student-led conferences.
Please talk with your child about their goals and progress. Ask, “What are you proud of from the first quarter, and what do you want to improve?”
| | Club, Committee and Class Announcements | |
Find Something That Interests You
Northley offers many ways for students to get involved outside of the classroom. Students can choose from seasonal sports and a wide range of clubs and activities. Getting involved allows students to meet new people and explore their interests. It also helps them feel more connected to Northley. Encourage your child to review the options below and find something they would like to try this year.
|
Northley Sports Schoology Page
Students and families can visit the Northley Sports Schoology page for schedules, announcements, and other important information about Northley athletics. Please check the page regularly for the latest updates from our coaches and athletic program.
|
Northley Clubs Schoology Page
Students can join the Northley Clubs Schoology page to find information and updates about clubs and activities offered at Northley. Use join code BXDW-X96F-FXTSZ to access the page.
|
Late Bus Information
A late bus is available for students who stay after school for approved clubs, athletics, or extra help. Late bus routes use designated stops and may differ from a student’s regular route. Current stops are posted on the district website below. Students should tell the driver their usual stop when boarding so they can be dropped off in that general area.
| |
Weekly Activities Calendar
Looking for a quick overview of what is happening at Northley? Check our Weekly Activities Calendar below for an at-a-glance look at each week’s activities, events, and important dates.
| |
Get Involved with the Northley PTL
The PTL helps create events and experiences that make your child’s time at Northley even better. We would love to have more families involved this year. Join a monthly meeting or volunteer when your schedule allows. Any time you give is appreciated.
Our eighth graders enjoyed their trip to Bates Motel on October 15, followed by the 6th Grade Haunted Hallway and 7th Grade Dance on Friday, October 23. Thank you to our PTL parents and volunteers for making these events possible!
Our next PTL meeting is Wednesday, November 4, at 6:30 p.m. in the NMS Library. All Northley families are welcome to attend.
The Fall Book Fair will take place during the week of November 16. Please see the volunteer sign-up in this newsletter to choose a time to help.
| |
Penn-Delco is committed to working in partnership with the surrounding community. Visit the Community Bulletin Board on pdsd.org to view upcoming programs, events, etc. offered by our approved community partners. | | | | |
Recreation & Leisure Fair for Students & Families
The Task Force brings together parents, caregivers, educators, and community members to advocate for students with special needs and strengthen collaboration between families and schools.
| | |
November Training: Helping Students Complete Homework
DCIU offers monthly parent trainings with practical tips for supporting your child’s learning at home. Join the November 12 session for strategies to build routines and make homework more successful.
| | | |
Keystone STEM Competition
Northley students put their creativity and problem-solving skills to work in the Keystone STEM Competition! Teams developed design plans and built models to share their ideas. Their projects gave students a chance to apply STEM skills while working together toward a common goal.
| | | |
Costume Day Brings Plenty of Smiles
Northley was full of creative costumes and plenty of laughter on Friday! Students and staff enjoyed seeing what everyone wore, from clever ideas to costumes that made everyone laugh. Days like this bring our school community together and give us a chance to have fun with one another. There were too many great pictures to choose from, but here is a great one!
| | | |
School Spirit and Healthy Choices: Red Ribbon Week
Students had fun celebrating Red Ribbon Week with themed outfits throughout the week, ending with Costume Day on Friday! From team jerseys to bright colors, students showed their school spirit while we reinforced the importance of healthy choices and staying drug-free.
| | | |
Fall Fun at Linvilla Orchards
Students from Mrs. Kikut’s and Mrs. Roche’s classes visited Linvilla Orchards, and our Environmental Club made a separate trip to enjoy the fall season. Both visits gave students time to explore the grounds and spend time together outside the classroom. Students also got a close look at the animals, with some offering carrots to the deer through the fence!
| | | |
Northley Artists Recognized in Poster Contest
Congratulations to our many Northley winners in Aston Township’s “Reflections of Honor” poster contest for The Wall That Heals exhibit! Their artwork honored those who served and reflected on how we remember their sacrifices. We’re proud of the creativity and thought our students put into their work.
| | | |
Learning Through Our Student Café
Mrs. Kikut’s and Mrs. Roche’s classes hosted another café, this time with a Halloween theme! Students practiced taking orders and serving customers while working together to keep the café running. The experience gave them a chance to build communication and everyday math skills through hands-on learning.
| |
Our Staff Joined the Costume Fun!
Our staff brought plenty of creativity and laughter to Costume Day! From Dalmatians and construction workers to Minions, characters from Up, and jellyfish, the costumes were amazing. Thank you to our staff for joining in and making the day so much fun for our students!
| |
Review the 2026-2027 Northley Handbook
Please take a few minutes to review the Northley Handbook. It includes important policies, procedures, and expectations for students and families.
| |
Arrival & Dismissal Procedures
Arrival
- Main Office along Concord Road is dedicated for buses only.
- All students enter through the Main Office Lobby.
- Parent drop off is in the main parking lot using two lines:
- Enter via Pancoast and exit onto Pancoast
- Enter via Concord and exit onto Concord
Dismissal
- All walkers and car riders dismiss from the rear G Wing doors. We ask that all parents wait in their cars for their students. Teachers are on duty to ensure safe crossing patterns.
- All bus riders are dismissed out the 8th grade hallway exit.
| | | | |
