NMS Summer Update 2026
Dear NMS Families,
I hope you and your families are having a wonderful summer and finding time to relax, recharge, and enjoy the warm weather when we get it. Here at NMS, our administrative team and staff are already busy preparing for an exciting and successful start to the new school year.
We are looking forward to welcoming our students back and are committed to providing a safe, engaging, and enriching learning experience for everyone. Our custodial team has also been hard at work cleaning, organizing, and preparing the building so that NMS will be in great shape to welcome students and staff back in September.
The First Day of School for students is Wednesday, September 2nd.
Our start time is 8:30 a.m. dismissal is at 2:57 p.m. Students are allowed to enter the building starting at 8:20 a.m. During bad weather students can enter at 8:10 a.m.Student 2026/2027 Team and Homeroom Assignments:
The Final and Official Student Team and Homeroom assignments for the 2026/2027 school year will be posted on or about August 21, 2026. Students should check their school email as the year approaches for directions on how to access schedules. All teams at Norton Middle school have the same expectations and share the identical goals of offering a quality education with creative and engaging instruction. Our school wide motto is “Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow – Every Student Matters, Every Moment Counts”. We stress to children that “At NMS We do important things, You can do them and We will not give up on you”. We believe that this approach will improve student achievement and prepare them for the next steps in their education. So relax, enjoy the rest of the summer and know that we are looking forward to your child returning in September because we are all ONE team.
Grade Level Teaming
The academic structure at Norton Middle School revolves around a team-based philosophy, with each grade level divided into two balanced teams. These teams consist of students with a range of ability levels, and team placements are based primarily on academic and instructional considerations. Our teachers and administrators collaborate closely to provide students with opportunities to meet 21st-century learning expectations in a safe and nurturing environment.
In a public school setting, it is unrealistic to expect complete separation of students. Due to the limitations of programming and scheduling, there are occasions when students may need to cross teams. Coordinating the schedules for nearly 600 students involves careful consideration, especially given the legal parameters surrounding special education, which impact class assignments, teams, and staffing. We make it a priority to address any documented, substantiated bullying or conflict issues and work diligently to minimize interactions between affected students whenever possible.
We recognize that students' friendships evolve over time, however it is impossible for us to keep track of the full range of interpersonal dynamics among nearly 600 students. As such, we are unable to accommodate requests to place students with specific friends. Once we begin making exceptions, it leads to more requests and, ultimately, to the perception of "winning" and "losing" teams where some students end up on the team they wanted, while others do not. We are committed to breaking down cliques and cannot actively participate in their creation.
In today’s connected world, students have ample opportunities to maintain and expand their friendships through before and after school activities, sports, clubs, texting, FaceTime, and good old fashioned phone calls. I am confident that our students will continue to develop strong social connections and make new friends across different teams and settings.
As a parent myself I know it is often hard but we should strive to prepare our child for the path, not the path for our child. In my experience most things that seem like a very big deal two days before the start of school fade to something that is not a big deal at all after the first weekend back to school.
Questions or Concerns
Entering Grade 6 Mr. Christopher Maloof christophermaloof@norton.k12.ma.us
Entering Grade 7 Mrs. Alison Tosches atosches@norton.k12.ma.us
Entering Grade 8 Mrs. Norma Fowler normafowler@norton.k12.ma.us
Norton Middle School 2025/2026 Supply List:
NMS Supply List 2026/2027
For students entering:
Any student wishing to get breakfast should enter through the main doors regardless of bus or parent drop off.
Students arriving late after 8:35 will enter through the Main Entrance doors. Upon arrival students should report to their homerooms Once in homeroom students can read, draw, review classwork or independently study.
Lunch and Breakfast:
Massachusetts passed a universal free meals for all program.
Interstate Picture Day: Fall Picture Day is Monday September 14th. Flyers and information will be sent home with students.
Norton Middle School 2026/2027 Handbook: An additional email covering the key points and changes will follow soon.
Norton Middle School 2026/2027 Student Handbook
Meet the Teachers Night – Thursday September 24, 2026
Grade 6 – 5:30 - 6:15 p.m.
Grade 7 – 6:15 - 7:00 p.m.
Grade 8 - 7:00 - 7:45 p.m.
Specials - 6:30 - 7:15 p.m.
Course Offerings:
Norton offers our students a rigorous and engaging curriculum that is aligned to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.
Band and Chorus Program
Band and Chorus programs will take place during each student’s LLT (Lancer Learning Time) block — a full 58 minutes each day dedicated to Intervention, Correction, and Enrichment.
Students who choose to participate in Band or Chorus must make a commitment to remain dedicated to the program. I always look forward to seeing our students prepare for, and then shine during our Winter and Spring concerts.
More detailed information will be shared in the weeks leading up to school and during the first two weeks of classes.
Lunchroom seating and routines
During the first few weeks of school most students experience stress and worry when it comes to finding a lunch seat or table. To alleviate this concern and foster a positive lunchtime experience, we have implemented a structured approach:
Homeroom-Based Seating: Initially, all students will be seated by their respective homerooms during lunchtime. This provides a familiar and comfortable environment for them to start the school year.
Transition to Team Seating: As students become more accustomed to cafeteria routines and demonstrate good behavior, they will progress to sitting with their teams. This gradual transition allows for a smoother adjustment to larger group settings.
Individual Choice Seating: The final phase will introduce individual choice seating, but only once daily cafeteria routines are firmly established across all grade levels. This approach ensures that our cafeteria remains orderly and calm.
For many years NMS successfully implemented these procedures, leading to reduced anxiety and a greater sense of belonging among students during lunchtime. Our ultimate goal is to make the cafeteria a positive and comfortable place for all students. How long this process takes can vary. The transition to individual choice seating typically happens within the first three weeks of school.
Clubs and Activities for 2026 / 2027: Kids and parents will get info during the first few weeks of school. We make numerous announcements. We place flyers out at lunch and we send home detailed and specific emails through Parent Square. NMS has many activity clubs and a morning Intramural program. I encourage everyone to consider getting involved. We are in the process of updating information on the Website and will be posting things as we get closer to the start of school and as club specific information becomes available.
NMS Athletics: *** Very important for those interested, competitive teams and tryouts start up immediately and games begin the second week of school. ***
For select grade 8 students playing on NHS teams that date is even sooner. So be on the lookout for communications from The NHS Athletic Director Mr. Aaron Sumner.
Any student interested in trying out for a fall athletic team (Boys and Girls Soccer, Cross Country, Volleyball) must first register through the Family id system. All students must pass a physical examination within one year before participating in any sport. A copy of your child’s physical must be on file with the school nurse prior to tryouts.
Sports Registration Link: https://www.familyid.com/norton-high-school-and-norton-middle-school
All Students Must register prior to tryouts. Only those that make the teams will then go on to pay the athletics fee.
NMS Lancers LEAD:
Be Kind – Be Respectful – Be Responsible – Be Better
Lead Excel Achieve Dream
Everyone here is committed to constant improvement and is preparing for a great 2026/2027 school year. We routinely reflect on what we have done well and on areas where we can make improvements.
Norton Middle School 2026-2029 School Improvement Plan
The first day of school is Wednesday September 2, 2026.
It is a pleasure and an honor working with your children and serving as Principal of Norton Middle School.
Enjoy the rest of the summer - Be Well!
Thank you for your continued support!
Vincent M. Hayward
Principal - Norton Middle School