NMS September 2026 Newsletter

NORTON MIDDLE SCHOOL The Lancers LEAD Story September 2026

Dear Norton Middle Families,

    As we near the final week of September, I want to extend a warm welcome to both our returning and new families at NMS. It has been a wonderful start to the school year filled with learning, growth, and a growing sense of community.
This month, our students are settling into routines, building new friendships, and taking on exciting academic challenges. The hallways are alive with energy as students explore all that middle school has to offer. Whether that’s joining clubs, participating in intramurals, cheering on our athletic teams, or competing as players themselves. It’s inspiring to see the enthusiasm of our students matched by the dedication of our teachers.
In this month’s newsletter, you’ll find important updates, highlights from the first few weeks, and a look ahead at upcoming events and activities. Our goal is to keep you well-informed and engaged in your child’s educational journey, and we are always here to answer questions or provide support. Future monthly editions of the newsletter will include team specific information and details.  

Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s education. Here’s to a fantastic year ahead!

Principal Hayward

Meet the Teachers / Curriculum Night 

Thursday September 24th 

Parents attending should report to their child's team/unit at the designated time 

Please note the specific grade level staggered start and end times

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Grade  6 =  5:30 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.  

Grade  7  = 6:15 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.    

Grade  8 =  7:00 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. 

Specialist Teachers All GRADES = 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.  Physical Education, Art, Music, Tech Ed, Creative Design 

Guidance Department All GRADES = 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.

Thanks and Be Well

Norton Middle School Late Bus

The late bus returned to NMS starting Wednesday September 21, 2026

The late bus is shared with Norton High School and will leave NMS around 4:15 pm

Because ridership changes each day and the number of stops and locations are unknown we are unable to give anyone exact drop off times. This one bus services the entire town so arrival times at homes may vary, but it will get you home!

The late bus runs Monday - Thursday

We are excited to share our Norton Middle School Club Schedule for the 2026–2027 school year. We have a wide variety of opportunities available, and we hope every student will take a look and find something that interests them.

A few things to know about NMS clubs:

• Not all clubs begin right away. Several will begin during the last week of September, while others will start later in the fall, winter, or spring. Our first general session window begins September 24, with additional sessions beginning throughout the school year.

• Students may participate in more than one club as long as the meeting schedules do not conflict.

• The schedule includes both morning and afternoon opportunities, with clubs running for different lengths of time throughout the year.

• All clubs require parent/guardian permission before a student may participate or attend meetings.

• Some clubs have participation caps because of space, materials, or the nature of the activity. Examples include Art Club, Woodworking, Rubik's Cube and Photography, so families interested in those opportunities are encouraged to register early.

• Club payments can be made through our online payment system:  UniPay system.

• Our NMS Drama Program will also have information available at the Club Fair. Drama operates a little differently from our regular clubs and will begin in December, with its own informational meeting held closer to the start of the program.

The club schedule includes opportunities such as Robotics, Video Production, Art Club, Photography, Yearbook, Student Council, Yoga and Mindfulness, Dungeons & Dragons, Drone Club, Anime Club, Environmental Club, Literary Magazine, Lego Club, Woodworking, and more.

Clubs are a great way for students to explore an interest, try something new, meet students with similar interests, and become more connected to the NMS community. We encourage students to stop by on September 16, ask some questions, and see what catches their interest.

• Please remember that club registration is limited and you are not considered registered until you have paid online. Formal registration is an online process and not simply returning the permission slip to attend the informational meeting.

Norton Middle School Daily Announcements

Every morning, our school broadcasts important announcements through the PA system. These announcements commence with a respectful moment of silence followed by the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. To enhance communication and keep parents well informed while ensuring students can access missed information, we have introduced an online link. The link can be found on our webpage about half you down using the icons in the purple bar. 

Norton Middle School 

Student Support “Extra Help” and Office Hours

Did you know that the teachers at NMS have scheduled Extra Help time?

Additional help and support individually or in a small group is a key intervention to increase understanding and improve student achievement. 

Check = Times are mostly stable but can change so we advise checking the day prior if your child plans on staying. There is a link to the schedule below. 

Plan = In order to make the most of the time it is beneficial and we strongly encourage that you email the teacher prior to staying. Prior notification can allow the teacher to  review records, gather any needed materials and/or missing assignments.  

NMS Staff Contact List 

Please follow this link to see when your child's teachers are scheduled and available to offer additional help and support beyond the regular school day. 

NMS Teachers' Student Support "Extra Help" and Office Hours

Ice Cream Fridays We are writing to share that Chartwells, our food services company, is excited to announce that ice cream will be available for purchase on Fridays. 1) Ice cream will be served AFTER the lunch line is completed. 2) Ice cream will cost $1. It will be cash only for now. Exact cash would be greatly appreciated. 3) Ice cream will be one per person at this time. Parents may purchase ice cream for the class for special occasions. Please remember that ice cream is only available on Fridays.  4) Peanut and tree nut free choices will be available as well as dairy free and gluten free options. If you have any other questions, please reach out to Mr. Mike Vacaro, Food Services Director, at mvacaro@norton.k12.ma.us NMS Picture Make up day is Tuesday November 3rd   NMS Student Arrival and Departure  To help keep traffic moving safely and efficiently during both morning arrival and afternoon dismissal, please follow the traffic pattern shown on the NMS arrival and departure map.  Front Circle — Restricted Access The front circle is reserved for: Students requiring handicap or temporary-injury access Minibuses and other designated student transportation Police, fire, and emergency vehicle access Please do not use the front circle for general student drop-off or pick-up. When vehicles enter and exit the front circle for regular drop-off, it effectively creates an additional four-way stop inside the campus entrance. This slows traffic leaving the school and can cause vehicles to back up onto Route 123/West Main Street. Please follow the traffic pattern shown on the map and use the designated gym-side student drop-off area. Thank you for helping us keep arrival safe and moving efficiently. General Drop Off  When arriving for morning drop-off, please pull forward as far as possible toward the gym before stopping. Once your vehicle is stopped along the sidewalk, students may exit from the passenger/right side of the vehicle. You do not need to wait until you are the first car in line before allowing your child to get out. PBIS Lancers LEAD  Rocco named to the Student Advisory Committee Congratulations to Rocco Croce for being named to the Superintendent's Student Advisory Committee. The committee is made up of a select group of students grades 6-12 that work with the Superintendent on a wide range of issues offering students' insight and perspective.   Perri and Declan recognized as Lancers that LEAD 3rd Annual NMS Police Academy This summer, our 3rd Annual Police Academy led by SRO Officer Marc Robichaud and NHS SRO Sgt. Jacob Dennett gave students a unique opportunity to learn, grow, and lead. With guidance from instructors Officer Christopher McCarthy and Elementary SRO Rachel Mallioux, student cadets built teamwork skills, tackled technical challenges, and deepened their appreciation for respect, integrity, and leadership. The week was both rewarding and fun an experience that many described as life-changing.  ​ Curriculum = Welcome to Middle School