Start of the Year at NMS !
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 Support Services NMS Guidance Counselors
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:
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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.
It is helpful if drop offs pull all the way forward. However, once your car is stopped in the line and it is safe your child can exit the car and go to the sidewalk. There is no need for everyone to drop off at the front parking spot in the drop off lot. .
Lunch and Breakfast:
Massachusetts passed a universal free meals for all program.
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Interstate Picture Day: Fall Picture Day is Monday September 14th. Flyers and information will be sent home with students.
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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
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Meet the Teachers Night – Thursday September 24, 2026
More info to follow the second week of school.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
There will be an all Clubs information fair on Wednesday September 16th from 3-4 at NMS parents are welcomed to attend.
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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.
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NMS Lancers LEAD:
Be Kind – Be Respectful – Be Responsible – Be Better
Lead Excel Achieve Dream
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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.
Thank you for your continued support!
Vincent M. Hayward
Principal - Norton Middle School