North Branch Area Middle School

The Viking Newsletter - May/June 2025 is now available at this link: https://secure.smore.com/n/np82q Have a great summer!

NBAMS 6th grade Spanish students spent a week creating games to teach Kindergarten Spanish students basic conversation words. The 6th graders then visited the Ed Center and spent the class period teaching and playing their games with the younger students. Sounds like fun!

Today the Class of 2025 continued a NBAPS tradition of walking through all district sites. Graduates get to experience the congratulations of students for their incredible accomplishment while the graduates provide inspiration for younger students. Here are some photos from NBAMS and the Ed Center: https://www.facebook.com/nbapschools/posts/pfbid02fPPCwm6BPAB9fEMAwSc4Zjv8Wuks1WNRnpEqqyzeruiYFvzDrCPRwgyFutvPfGYRl

7th Grade Spanish students picked one of 21 Spanish speaking countries to become an expert on. They researched the food and culture of their country to create an authentic menu. When all the food trucks were complete, students took turns "selling" food from their trucks to food critics who wrote reviews based on what they learned about the different countries.

SUN Bucks helps eligible children get the nutrition they need when school is out. For more information, please click on this link: www.fns.usda.gov/summer/sunbucks

Coming up in Community Ed! Drivers Education Zoom Class Starts June 9 / 8 - 11:00 AM Drivers Education Zoom Class Starts June 9 / 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM Youth Pickleball Grades 3 - 9 Starts June 9 / 5 - 6:30 PM North Branch Varsity Football Team Camp Grades Entering 9-12 Starts June 9 / 10 AM - 12:00 PM Child and Babysitting Safety Grades 4-8 June 11 / 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Home Alone Grades 3-6 June 11 / 12:30 - 2:30 PM Registration here: https://northbranch.cr3.rschooltoday.com/public/getprogram/ or call 651-674-1025.

Community Service Day was amazing! Thanks to all our partners in North Branch, Harris, and Stacy, for helping NBAPS teach students about sacrifice and being a good neighbor! Students always represent their communities, families, and school district so positively and help with great enthusiasm. Thanks to students and staff who participate and make every CSD a memorable one! Check out the photos from the day here: https://www.facebook.com/nbapschools/posts/pfbid02h8qYPs3JeHGx4dufbjSU3fz781N8mSDZ18aqPW1RRiCPR8TPG2zf6DhqkU7d2Cw9l

🎶 Join Us for the Teddy Bear Band! 🎶 Hosted by North Branch Area Community Education 📅 Wednesday, May 28 🕡 6:30 PM – 7:15 PM 📍 North Branch Area Education Center 🧸 B.Y.O.T – Bring Your Own Teddy! Come dance and sing with the Teddy Bear Band at this FREE outdoor event on the playground! Enjoy music, fun, and friends as we celebrate the start of summer. Don’t forget to pack a picnic! ☔ Rain or shine – we’ll move indoors if needed. 🍕 Grandpa Mike’s Pizza Rig will be available for purchase ✨ Fun for the whole family – see you there!

Coming up in Community Ed! Teddy Bear Band Concert May 28 / 6:30 - 7:15 PM Loon Painting Class May 29 / 6:30 - 8:30 PM Instant Guitar for Hopelessly Busy People Vistual Class Ages 13 - Adult June 2 / 6:30 - 9:30 PM Avoid the Pitfalls of Perimenopause/Menopause Virtual Workshop June 2 / 6 - 7:30 PM Summer Wrestling Makes Winter Champions for Grades Entering 5 - 12 Starts June 2 / 6 - 7:30 PM Flag Football Camp Grades Entering 7-8 Starts June 3 / 4 - 5 :00 PM Instant Piano for Hopelessly Busy People Virtual Class Ages 13 - Adult June 3 / 6:30 - 9:30 PM Father's Day Toolbox Card with Kidcreate Studio (18 month - 6 years) June 3 / 4:30 - 5:30 PM Youth Football Camp Entering Grades 4-6 Starts June 3 / 3 - 4:00 PM Registration here: https://northbranch.cr3.rschooltoday.com/public/getprogram/ or call 651-674-1025.

NBAMS Plastic Cap Mosaic is Complete! Over 35 7th and 8th grade Art Club students and helpers just finished a HUGE project led by art teacher, Lee Ann Falen. It took thousands of plastic caps to fill this 4' by 8' framed board. This project is loosely based on a dragon's eye so it could incorporate the widest variety of colors possible. Students glued smaller caps inside of larger ones to create a great deal of depth, color variety, visual interest and balance. The caps come from a wide variety of sources and containers, including: pop bottles, condiments, Play Doh, markers, lotions, milk, spices, peanut butter, glue sticks, medicine vial lids from the ICU department at HCMC (Mrs. Falen's sister-in-law is a nurse there--thanks Hilary!) and even the nozzle of a garden hose. This project was truly a labor of love and the results are incredible!

8th graders in World Cultures finished up Foods Around the World with a taste test day. They experienced 12 different foods from 10 countries coming from 5 continents. Tostadas were the fan favorite and Vegemite was voted least likely to eat again. Overall, it was a fun experience and everyone had a great time!

Coming up in Community Ed! Posture and Osteoporosis Workshop: Building Better Bones Virtual Workshop May 19 / 6 - 7:30 PM Medicare 101 May 20 / 6:30 - 8 PM School of Fish Grades 3 and Older May 20 / 3 - 5:30 PM Vehicle Fair May 22 / 5:30 - 7:30 PM Registration here: https://northbranch.cr3.rschooltoday.com/public/getprogram/ or call 651-674-1025.

Eighth graders just completed a reverse self-portrait painting in art class. They recreated their likeness with Sharpie on a clear plastic sheet, then flipped it over to paint on the back. They chose 3 analogous colors (colors that touch on the color wheel) for their hair and clothing. The final step was using complementary colors to add texture and interest to the background. This bold and expressive project definitely pushed some students out of their comfort zone!

REMINDER: All are welcome to join us for the third Annual Drum and Dance! This year's event is May 16 at NBAHS, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. A meal will be provided to guests from 5:30 to 6 p.m. The Grand Entry and the honoring of graduates begins at 6 p.m. More details on the flier.

🚗 Join Us for a FREE Vehicle Fair! 🚒 Get ready for a hands-on adventure exploring awesome vehicles from around our community — fun for all ages! 📅 Thursday, May 22 🕠 5:30–7:30 PM 📍 North Branch Education Center – Bus Corral 38705 Grand Ave., North Branch, MN 55056 ✨ Explore: Emergency Vehicles 🚓 Construction Equipment 🚧 School & Garbage Trucks 🚌🚛 Semi Trucks 🚚 Food/Ice Cream Trucks available for purchase 🍦🍔 Hosted by North Branch Community Education & Early Childhood. Don’t miss this exciting community event!

Middle school students in AgMazing have been diving into animal science by incubating and hatching chicks in the classroom. This hands-on experience has sparked great discussions about animal care and sustainable agriculture. From monitoring temperature and humidity to handling the new chicks with care, students are gaining practical knowledge and a deeper appreciation for life sciences. These real-world learning moments go beyond the textbook and our students are rising to the challenge with curiosity and care!

Four high school adaptive bowlers qualified for the team competition and two middle schoolers qualified for the singles competition! They are: Team competition: Ben Elliott (second from right, back row) LeeAnn Otterson (third from left, front row) Madelyn Phillips (second from left, front row) Noah Bodsberg (Left most front row) Singles competition: Ian Gilkerson (Left most, back row) Danica Nelson (Second from left, back row) The state competition is today at Bowlero in Brooklyn Park. Go get 'em bowlers!!!!

All are welcome to join us for the third Annual Drum and Dance! This year's event is May 16 at NBAHS, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. A meal will be provided to guests from 5:30 to 6 p.m. The Grand Entry and the honoring of graduates begins at 6 p.m. More details on the flier.

Thanks to all who braved the construction to be with us for Walk and Roll this morning! The weather was almost as good as the company 😁. Thanks also to all those from the NBPD, NBFD, city staff along with the mayor, and Chisago County SHIP for being a part of the event. We'll see you again in the fall! Here's the photo album: https://www.facebook.com/nbapschools/posts/pfbid02j31yA4jnLeJAJhrYF725fKet9WP1h94kpKWKmFTaNWmxPZanHPYtPRbBAAMBDN47l

Mental Health Awareness Poster Contest Winners! Did you know that May is Mental Health Awareness Month? Chisago County Public Health organized a poster contest to promote mental health awareness amongst students and community members. Four students were chosen to earn recognition and three of the four students were North Branch Area Middle School students! Each student had a unique interpretation of the theme and their own way to portray the importance of this topic. The winners were: Daylynn Unrein--8th grade (butterfly) Sydelle Jasmer--7th grade (reaching hands) Abigail Autey--7th grade (pointing hands) Congratulations to these students and a huge THANKS to everyone who participated in this contest!