Northley Families,

We’re hitting a busy and exciting stretch here at Northley. From student recognition to major events and upcoming PSSA testing, there’s a lot happening across the building. What stands out most is the effort our students continue to show every day, both in and out of the classroom.

Student of the Month – March

I’m proud to share our March Student of the Month honorees. This month’s focus was Sharpen the Saw, which centers on balance, self-care, and maintaining a positive attitude.

Congratulations to:

·      Ollie F.

·      John (Jack) M.

·      Mira H.

·      Maeve L.

·      Brayden S.

·      Sophia G.

·      Abby B.

·      Peyton F.

·      Kathryn D.

We will recognize these students at our Student of the Month breakfast on Friday, April 24 at 8:30 a.m. We’re proud of the way they represent our school each day.

PSSAs

PSSA testing is right around the corner for students in grades 6–8. This is an opportunity for our students to show what they’ve been working on all year.

Testing Dates:

·      ELA: April 21–23

·      Math: April 28–29

·      Science (Grade 8): April 30 – May 1

Students will test in the morning using their Chromebooks, so please make sure devices are fully charged each day.

We believe in our students and the effort they put in every day. The PSSA is just one measure, but it’s a chance for them to stay focused and give their best. That’s what being Penn-Delco Proud looks like.

Families can help by keeping routines strong. A good night’s sleep, arriving on time, and simple encouragement go a long way during this stretch.

PSSA Spirit Week

• Monday 4/20 - Flyers Spirit Day: Wear Flyers gear
• Tuesday 4/21- Rooting for Success!: Wear sports gear
• Wednesday 4/22- We got this!: Wear Northley Gear!
• Thursday 4/23 - Don’t sweat the test!: Wear sweats
• 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

Honor Roll Recognition

We’re excited to celebrate the academic success of our students for our Third Marking Period



·      236 students earned Honor Roll

·      145 students earned Distinguished Honor Roll

That’s a total of 381 students being recognized for their hard work and commitment in the classroom. A great accomplishment by our students and staff.

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.

Boys Track Shout Out

We are proud to celebrate Josiah J., Warren F., Tru C., and Royce W. for earning a spot at the Penn Relays as part of our 4x100 relay team. This is a major accomplishment and a great representation of Northley.

Best of luck to these boys as they compete on April 24.

Northley to the Zoo!

Mrs. Roche and Mrs. Kikut recently took a group of students on a trip to the zoo. Students had the opportunity to explore different exhibits, learn more about animals and habitats, and connect what they’ve been learning in class to real-world experiences.

It was a great day for our students and a chance to build relationships, create memories, and bring learning to life outside of the classroom.

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]

Thank you for your continued support of Northley Middle School. We are proud of the effort our students are showing each day and the way our staff continues to support and challenge them. As we move through a busy stretch, we look forward to finishing the year strong together.

Justin Shivone

Principal

Northley Middle School 

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 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!

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.

• Tuesday April 21st - ELA PSSA
• Wednesday April 22nd - ELA PSSA
• Thursday April 23rd - ELA PSSA
• Tuesday April 28th - MATH PSSA
• Wednesday April 29th - MATH PSSA
• Thursday April 30th - SCIENCE PSSA (8TH ONLY)
• Friday May 1st - SCIENCE PSSA (8TH ONLY)

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.