🦉 Our First NDMS Newsletter of 2026–2027 is Here!
The new school year is right around the corner, and we’re excited to share our first NDMS family newsletter of the year!
Inside, you’ll find important back-to-school information, upcoming dates and events, reminders, and everything you need as we get ready to welcome our Owls back to North Dorchester Middle School.
📲 Check it out here:
https://app.smore.com/n/rwdz5
We can’t wait to see our students and families soon. Here’s to a great 2026–2027 school year!
RAP the Owl Way! 🦉
As families prepare for the new school year, we want to share a quick reminder about the NDMS Dress Code for 2026–2027.
A few key reminders:
-Shirts must have straps/sleeves at least 2 inches wide
-Bottoms and rips/tears must extend past fingertip length
-Undergarments should not be visible
-Shoes must be worn at all times — slippers are not permitted
-Pajamas are not permitted; sweatpants are acceptable
-Headgear is not permitted, and hoods must remain down inside the building
-Clothing and accessories must also meet school expectations for appropriate language, imagery, safety, and content
Students who arrive out of dress code will be asked to contact home for a change of clothing, and repeated violations will result in progressive consequences.
As you take advantage of Tax-Free Week and finish up back-to-school shopping, please keep these expectations in mind so every Owl is ready for a successful first day!
📅 6th Grade: Monday, August 24
📅 7th & 8th Grade: Tuesday, August 25
RAP the Owl Way — Be Respectful. Be Accountable. Be Prepared. 🦉❤️💙
📣 North Dorchester Middle School Families – Show Your Owl Pride! 🦉❤️💙
Looking to add some new NDMS gear to your closet before the school year begins? Our XGrain online spirit store is now open and will remain open through Thursday, August 20!
🛍️ Shop here: https://stores.inksoft.com/WS138635
XGrain consistently provides high-quality apparel and has been an incredible supporter of DCPS schools and athletics. Whether you're a student, parent, staff member, or alumni, now is a great time to stock up on your NDMS swag!
📅 A Few Important Back-to-School Reminders:
Popsicles with the Principals
Wednesday, August 12
🕔 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Back-to-School Open House
Thursday, August 20
🕑 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
First Day 6th Graders
Monday, August 24
Arrival 7:25am, Tardy Bell 7:40am
First Day 7th/8th Graders
Tuesday, August 25
Arrival 7:25am, Tardy Bell 7:40am
📚 We'll be sharing additional 2026-2027 Back-to-School information very soon, so keep an eye on our Facebook page for updates.
We can't wait to welcome everyone back for another fantastic school year. Go Owls! 🦉
Is your child entering 7th grade this school year? The Dorchester County Health Department will be at North Dorchester Middle School's Open House offering the required 7th grade immunizations at NO COST to families.
📅 Thursday, August 20
🕑 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 North Dorchester Middle School
Getting your child's vaccines during Open House is a convenient way to check one more item off your back-to-school list while you're already on campus meeting teachers and picking up schedules.
Required vaccines for incoming 7th graders include:
💉 MCV4 (Meningococcal Vaccine) – Protects against meningitis and is required for students entering 7th grade.
💉 Tdap – Protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) and is also required for students entering 7th grade.
Help your child start the school year healthy, prepared, and ready for success. We appreciate our partners at the Dorchester County Health Department for providing this convenient service to our families!
We look forward to seeing you at Open House on August 20! 🦉💙❤️
The countdown to the 2026-2027 school year is on, and we can't wait to welcome our Owl families back to campus!
🏫 Open House
📅 Thursday, August 20
🕑 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
During Open House, you'll have the opportunity to:
✅ Pick up your student's schedule
✅ Meet teachers and staff
✅ Find classrooms and get familiar with the building
✅ Start the school year feeling prepared and excited!
Whether you're joining us for the first time or returning for another great year, we look forward to seeing everyone on August 20.
💙❤️ Go Owls!
North Dorchester Middle School will host a summer soccer clinic for rising 6th–8th grade students enrolled at NDMS for the 2026–2027 school year.
📅 Dates: June 15, 16, 21, and 22
⏰ Time: 5:00–7:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Field behind the NDMS cafeteria
Beginners are welcome!
Students should bring:
✅ Water
✅ Shin guards
✅ Sneakers or cleats
✅ Athletic clothing
✅ Sunscreen
✅ Bug spray
Parents or guardians will need to complete an emergency contact form when dropping off their student.
Please note that the clinic will take place at the same time as the high school soccer practices.
For additional information, contact Coach Rachael Howard at 410-989-5797 or sasscer@gmail.com.
Join us on Wednesday, August 12 from 5:00–6:30 PM at North Dorchester Middle School for a quick, informal opportunity to meet our school leaders, enjoy a popsicle, and find out your student’s homeroom for the upcoming school year.
This is a short drop-in event, so families are welcome to stop by anytime during the event window.
We hope to see you there! 🦉
2026–2027 NDMS Supply Lists
North Dorchester Middle School families,
We are sharing our school supply lists early in case anyone is able to catch good deals this summer!
Maryland’s annual Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week runs from Sunday, August 9 through Saturday, August 15, 2026, which may be a great time to purchase eligible back-to-school items.
Please review the supply lists below.
6th and 7th Grade Supply List
Science
- 2 green composition books
- 1 green plastic folder with pockets
Social Studies
- 2 red composition notebooks
- 1 red plastic folder with pockets
Math
- 2 yellow composition books
- 1 yellow plastic folder with pockets
Language Arts
- 2 blue composition books
- 1 blue plastic folder with pockets
For All Classes
- 72 #2 wooden pencils — the more the merrier!
- 2 packs of loose-leaf paper
- 1 pack of colored pencils, 24 count
- Pencil bag with zipper
- 2 packs of fine-tip black dry erase markers
- 2 to 4 packs of fine-tip highlighters
- 4 packs of glue sticks
- Safety scissors
- Pencil erasers, either cap erasers or rubber erasers
- Earbuds or headphones that plug into a PC, not Bluetooth
- 4 boxes of tissues
- Clorox cleanup wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Clear plastic water bottle — no metal, tinted, or glass bottles allowed
- Clear bookbag
Other Notes for 6th and 7th Grade
- No Sharpies or markers.
- Please label your child’s folders and notebooks with their name and the subject.
- A wireless mouse is highly recommended, but not required.
- Clear bags and bottles must have contents that are easily visible.
- Toys and fidgets are not allowed without accommodations.
8th Grade Supply List 2026–2027
Language Arts
- 2 plastic folders with pockets
- 2 composition books
- 3-inch Post-it notes
Pre-AP English I
- Loose-leaf paper
- 5 different colored highlighters
- Post-it notes
Social Studies
- 2 plastic folders with pockets
Science
- 2 3-prong plastic folders with pockets
Math
- 3-subject spiral bound notebook
- 1 composition book
- 2 plastic folders with pockets
- Glue sticks
Algebra
- 3-subject spiral bound notebook
- 1 composition book
- 2 plastic folders with pockets
- Glue sticks
Spanish
- 1 college ruled composition book
- 1 plastic folder with pockets
For All Classes
- Blue and black ink pens
- #2 pencils
- 1 pack of colored pencils
- 2 plastic folders with pockets for UA and/or intervention classes
- 2 packs of fine-tip dry erase markers
- 2 packs of fine-tip highlighters
- Earbuds, not Bluetooth
- Pencil pouch with zipper
- Clear plastic water bottle, no metal, tinted, or glass bottles allowed
- Clear bookbag
To Leave in Homeroom
- 2 boxes of tissues
- Clorox wipes
- Hand sanitizer
Reminders
- No Sharpies or markers
- No binders
- Do not label folders or composition books
- Highly recommended, but not required: wireless mouse
Other Notes for 8th Grade
- No Sharpies or markers.
- No binders.
- Do not label folders or composition books.
- A wireless mouse is highly recommended, but not required.
- Toys and fidgets are not allowed without accommodations.
Thank you for helping our students begin the school year prepared, organized, and ready to learn!
Our School Improvement Team is meeting today to reflect, collaborate, and continue planning for the year ahead. We are grateful for the staff members who are giving their time this summer to help strengthen systems, support student success, and keep moving NDMS forward.
Great things are ahead for our Owl community! 💙
Please see the details below for upcoming family events, resources, activities, giveaways, registration information, and more.
FAMILY RESOURCE DAY
Tuesday, June 17
3:30 PM
Location: Hurlock Community Center / Old Library
220 Main Street
Hurlock, MD 21643
Come for:
⭐ Fun activities for kids
⭐ Resources and support for families
⭐ Pre-K registration
⭐ Community connections
⭐ Food giveaways and more
Willy Woo Woo will be there!
Partners include: Moving Dorchester Forward, Believe in Us, Judy Center Early Learning Hub, and Dorchester County Campaign for Grade-Level Reading.
FAMILY FUN RESOURCE DAY FOAM PARTY
Sunday, June 22
3:30 PM-6:30 PM
At Mace’s Lane Middle School
1101 Maces Lane
Cambridge, MD 21613
Join us for an afternoon of family fun, resources, and excitement!
Family information and resources begin at 3:30 PM. Connect with local organizations and learn about programs and services available for families in our community.
Door prizes available!
Pre-K and Kindergarten registration information will be available.
Activities include:
🫧 Foam Zone with Willy Woo Woo
🫧 Bubble stations
🎵 Kid-friendly dance music
🎨 Face painting
🎈 Balloon creations
🚚 Vouchers for food trucks while supplies last
This is a free family event.
Thank you to our partners: J2W Foundation, Judy Center Early Learning Hub, Moving Dorchester Forward Community Partnering for Children & Families Local Management Board, Believe in Us, and Dorchester County Campaign for Grade-Level Reading.
SUMMER KICKOFF
Thursday, June 26
4:30-7:00 PM
Corner of Race & Cedar Street
Cambridge, MD
Hosted by Minary’s Dream Alliance and Youth Action Council.
Food, music, games, bounce houses, and giveaways.
Contact:
Call or text 443-521-4828
Email: dchd.yac@maryland.gov
SUMMER PREPAREDNESS KICKOFF PARTY
Saturday, June 27
1:00-3:00 PM
Dorchester County Health Department
627 Race Street
Cambridge, MD 21613
Join us for a fun event serving the neurodivergent community!
Partnering with local organizations to provide resources, activities, and summer safety tips.
Activities include:
🎮 Games
ℹ️ Info booths
🍿 Snacks
🎁 Giveaways
Scan the flyer to sign up.
Funded by MDH and SAMHSA.
BACK TO SCHOOL COMMUNITY BASH
Friday, August 7
5:00-7:00 PM
On the corner of Cedar and Race Street
Free backpacks and school supplies
Free music, food, popcorn, and inflatables
A partnership of local churches and organizations.
Thank you to all of the community organizations helping support Dorchester County students and families this summer!
Judge Carole Boston Weatherford, acclaimed author and current Young People’s Poet Laureate, praised Savannah’s work, Where the World Slows Down, as “moody and evocative with a distinctive voice, strong narration, and good pacing.”
Savannah will receive a $100 cash prize to be distributed by the Academy Art Museum. Her official award presentation will take place during AAM’s Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 20, at approximately 12:45 PM. She was also awarded a gift card and certificate at NDMS.
The NDMS community is so proud of Savannah!!
Students won certificates and gifts for their outstanding accuracy on challenging English questions! We look forward to these friendly academic competitions to continue next year.
First Place: Cory Abbott, Jr. 2532 Questions Correct
Second Place: Lilliana Baker 2017 Questions Correct
Third Place: Allison Burton 1917 Questions Correct
Here is this week’s NDMS Newsletter: https://app.smore.com/n/ksweq
This is our last newsletter for the 2026–2027 school year. We will communicate updates throughout the summer as needed, but please do not hesitate to reach out or visit NDMS Monday–Thursday during summer hours with any questions, concerns, or needs.
8th grade is still accepting donations for end-of-year celebrations. Please send donations in an envelope labeled “8th Grade End of the Year Celebration.” Questions may be directed to Ms. Hunteman.
