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Weekly Update
October 23, 2026
| | A Message from the Principal | |
Dear Northley Families,
There’s been plenty of school spirit at Northley this week! Our hallways went from orange for Unity Day to pink for breast cancer awareness as students showed support for one another and causes that matter to our families. Our Student Lighthouse Team also participated in training on turning their ideas into action plans and following through. I’m excited to see what they choose to work on!
The excitement continues tonight with our sixth-grade Haunted Hallway and seventh-grade dance. Our PTL parents have put a lot of time into preparing for both, and I appreciate everything they’ve done to give our students a fun evening together.
Next week brings Red Ribbon Week, with spirit days that encourage healthy choices and staying drug-free. We’ll finish the week with Costume Day on Friday, October 30, and look forward to seeing our students’ creativity! Please review the guidelines below as your child plans their costume.
With the first quarter ending November 6, this is a good time to talk with your child about how school is going and review their progress together. We’re also preparing to welcome you for conferences on November 23 and 24. Please watch your email over the coming weeks. Team leaders will contact families to arrange team conferences first, followed by student-led conference sign-up links from advisory teachers. We look forward to these conversations and the opportunity for students to share their work and goals with you.
There’s plenty of information below to help you stay up to date with what’s happening at Northley. Please take a few minutes to read through and find opportunities for your family to get involved.
Thank you for staying connected and supporting our students. Have a wonderful weekend!
Warmly,
Justin Shivone
Principal, Northley Middle School
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Monday, October 26: Red Ribbon Week Begins
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Tuesday, October 27: Advisory
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Wednesday, October 28: Kick Cancer Classic
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Friday, October 30: Fall Sports End
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Tuesday, November 3: NO SCHOOL
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Wednesday, November 4: PTL Meeting at 6:30
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Wednesday, November 4: ELA Firefly
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Thursday, November 5: Math Firefly
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Friday, November 6: Science CDT
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Friday, November 6: Marking Period 1 Ends
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Tuesday, November 10: Student of the Month Breakfast
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Wednesday, November 11: Advisory
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Friday, November 13: Report Cards posted
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Monday, November 16: Fall Book fair begins
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Thursday, November 19: Advisory
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Monday, November 23: Half Day & Conferences
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Tuesday, November 24: Half Day & Conferences
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Wednesday, November 25: NO SCHOOL
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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.
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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!
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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!
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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.
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Kick Cancer Classic
Join us at Sun Valley Stadium on Wednesday, October 28, as Northley’s boys’ and girls’ soccer teams take on Ridley Middle School, with our Viking cheerleaders there to cheer them on!
Over the past two years, Northley families and the Delco community have raised $10,000 for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. That support has helped fund more than 200 hours of pediatric cancer research, including work at the Nemours Center for Cancer Research.
Come cheer on our students and grab dinner or dessert from the food trucks. Raffle baskets will also be part of the fun! We’re proud of what our community has accomplished and look forward to another great evening together.
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Kick Cancer Classic: Raffle Basket Donations Needed
The Kick Cancer Classic has raised more than $10,000 over the last two events to support the fight against cancer. Families and community members have contributed through donations, raffle baskets, KCC T-shirt purchases and personalized scoreboard messages.
We are still looking for raffle baskets! If you have a connection with a local business willing to donate a gift card, product, service or basket, please reach out to the KCC Committee. See the attached flyer for event details and ways to participate. Thank you for helping make this event a success!
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Red Ribbon Week at Northley!
Northley will celebrate Red Ribbon Week October 26–30 with spirit days that encourage students to make healthy choices and stay drug-free. This year’s theme is “Make a Difference. Be a Hero. Stay Drug Free.”
Monday, October 26: Wear red!
Tuesday, October 27: Wear a sports jersey or team shirt.
Wednesday, October 28: Wear neon or bold colors.
Thursday, October 29: Wear your favorite outfit, color, or hobby shirt.
Friday, October 30: Wear a costume! No masks or props that promote violence.
Participation is optional, and students should use clothes they already own. All outfits must follow the school dress code. Please take time that week to talk with your child about handling peer pressure and making choices that protect their health and future.
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Costume Day: October 30
We look forward to seeing students’ creativity on Costume Day, Friday, October 30! Students are welcome to wear a costume that allows them to move safely through the hallways and on stairs and sit comfortably in classroom and cafeteria seats.
Please leave masks at home and check that costumes and accessories follow our student handbook expectations, including rules regarding drugs, alcohol and weapons. Thank you for helping your child choose a costume that works for a school day!
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Attendance Cup: Ties, Trophies and Water Balloons!
Congratulations to this week’s Attendance Cup winners: Ms. Kenney’s and Ms. Brindle’s homerooms in sixth grade, Ms. Weir’s homeroom in seventh grade, and Ms. York’s, Ms. Amicone’s, Ms. Place’s, and Ms. Tucker’s homerooms in eighth grade. A four-way tie has us running short on trophies in eighth grade!
Next week is the last week of October, and the homeroom with the best attendance for the month will get to throw water balloons at Mr. Shivone. Every day counts, and I suspect a few students are especially motivated to win this one!
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October is National Bullying Prevention Month
October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Throughout the month, we’ll share daily announcements and information in homeroom to help students recognize bullying, respond to it, and know where to turn for help.
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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.
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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.
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Veterans Day Essay Contest
Northley students are invited to enter the 2026 Middle School Veterans Day Essay Contest! This year’s theme is “Honoring 250 Years of Service & Sacrifice.” Students can research our nation’s history or speak with a veteran or a veteran’s family member to help tell their story.
Essays must be typed and no more than 200 words. Include a separate cover sheet with the student’s name, grade, phone number, email address, and school, along with the teacher’s name and email address. One entry is allowed per student.
Email submissions to VeteransDay@dciu.org by October 28 at 4:00 p.m. First, second, and third-place winners will receive cash prizes and be invited to read their essays at the November 11 Veterans Day Ceremony in Media. Winners will be notified by November 5.
We’d love to see Northley students share their writing and help honor those who served!
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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. | | | |
Every School Day is an Opportunity | Being in school matters, and so does being there for the full day! Every late arrival, early dismissal and absence adds up to missed opportunities in and out of the classroom. Help your child make the most of every day by arriving on time, staying all day and attending every day. | | | |
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Students are assigned to their counselors based on their grade. School counselors remain with their respective class of students for all three years.
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Class of 2033 (6th Grade): Mrs. Julia Sullivan
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Class of 2032 (7th Grade): Mrs. Jennifer Sterling
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Class of 2031 (8th Grade): Mrs. Gina Crowley
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Leader in Me Student Leadership Portfolios
During advisory on October 14, students explored Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind. They ranked what matters most to them for their future and considered how their choices today connect to the life they want to build. Students completed the “Vision for My Future” page in their Leadership Portfolio and identified one action to take that week.
Please talk with your child about what they chose and why it matters to them. Ask, “What future are you working toward, and what is one thing you can do now to move toward it?”
At our next advisory on October 27, students will develop their Wildly Important Goals, or WIGs. This will help them turn their reflections into specific goals they can work toward and track in their Leadership Portfolios.
| | 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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! PTL parents are now busy preparing for tonight’s 6th Grade Haunted Hallway and 7th Grade Dance. Thank you to everyone helping bring these events to life for our students.
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.
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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. | | | | | |
Student Lighthouse Team: Turning Ideas into Action
Our Student Lighthouse Team recently participated in training focused on student voice and turning ideas into action. Students learned how to develop action plans and follow through on their commitments. We look forward to seeing how they use these skills to help shape their school experience and contribute to Northley.
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Unity Day: A School Where Everyone Belongs
On October 21, Northley recognized Unity Day by wearing orange to promote kindness and acceptance. The day reinforced the importance of how we treat one another and the role each student plays in making our school a welcoming place. Whether it’s inviting someone to join a group or speaking up when a classmate needs support, everyday choices help every student feel that they belong.
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Northley Café: Sweet Treats for a Great Cause
Mrs. Kikut’s and Mrs. Roche’s classes are serving up donuts, pink lemonade and candy for staff at Northley Café in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Thank you to our students and their teachers for running the café and giving staff a sweet way to show their support.
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Northley Goes Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness
Northley students and staff wore pink on October 23 to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month and show support for those affected by breast cancer. Pink filled our classrooms and hallways as our school community came together for a cause that touches many families. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make our Pink Out a meaningful day.
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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.
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Northley Earns Statewide PBIS Recognition
Northley Middle School has been recognized by the Pennsylvania Positive Behavior Support Network for implementing School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports with fidelity during the 2025–2026 school year. Northley earned recognition for both Tier 1 and Tier 2 and will be honored at the 2026 PAPBS and MTSS Integrated Implementers’ Forum in November. This recognition reflects the work of our staff and students to maintain clear expectations while providing additional support when students need it.
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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.
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Universal Free Breakfast
Breakfast is available to all students daily. Students who would like breakfast should report directly to the cafeteria upon arrival, whether arriving by bus, car, or on foot.
Car riders and walkers: Please plan to arrive early enough to allow time for breakfast before the school day begins.
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