North Branch Area Middle School

Due to a power outage, North Branch Area Public Schools is closed today, Feb. 6. This includes early childhood programs, school age care, Community Education programs, and all activities. Staff should not report, all buildings will be closed. Thank you!

Excitement is growing for Joe Beckman's FREE community event on Thursday, Feb. 20. Join us and reclaim human connection! The event is sure to inspire and illuminate. We'll see you there!

Mark your calendars for the Feb. 15 pickleball tournament! Register by Feb. 7, see flier for additional details. Proceeds from the tournament will be donated to the Veterans Memorial. Sponsored by Community Ed and the North Branch Beautification Association.

Coming up in Community Ed! Galentine's Candle Making Class Ages 15 and older Feb 4 / 6-8 PM Winter Tennis Camp - Grades 2-5 Starts Feb 4 / 2:45-4:15 PM Winter Tennis Camp - Grade 6 Starts Feb 6 / 3-4:30 PM Learn the Sport of BMX Bike Racing Feb 6 / 5:30-7:30 PM Good Night Moon with Kidcreate Studio (18 months-6 years) Feb 5 / 5-6 PM Alcohol Ink Feb 5 / 6:30-8 PM Floral Design of the Month-Valentine Design Feb 12 / 6-7:30 PM Posture and Osteoporosis Workshop: Building Better Bones Virtual Workshop Feb 11 / 6-7:30 PM Social Security Facts and Strategies Feb 11 / 6:30-8 PM Pickleball Lessons Starts Feb 10 / 5-6:30 PM Come and learn how to play Pickleball in a fun event. Peiwu has 8 years of Pickleball experience and will coach you on how to play. At the end of each training period we will have a mini round robin tournament where you will be able to showcase your newly acquired skills against players of equivalent skill levels. Bring your own racket or use one of ours. Registration here: https://northbranch.cr3.rschooltoday.com/public/getprogram/ or call 651-674-1025.

Viking Newsletter - January 2025 is now available! Click the link to view: https://secure.smore.com/n/2ufxs

Next week is NBAEF's Restaurant Week! Visit restaurants on the days listed on the flier and a portion of the cost will be donated to the North Branch Area Education Foundation. See the flier for details specific to each restaurant and thanks to the restaurants and the NBAEF!

📣 One Week Away! 🎉 Parents of incoming kindergartners, join us for our Parent Information Night! 📅 When: Tuesday, Feb. 4 ⏰ Time: 6 – 7:30 PM 📍 Where: North Branch Area Education Center (38705 Grand Ave, North Branch, MN) 💡 What’s in it for you? Learn all about what North Branch Area Public Schools has to offer your future kindergartner! Get your questions answered and feel prepared for this exciting milestone. BONUS: Child care is available! Let's get ready to welcome the Class of 2038 and our newest Vikings! 🛡️🖤❤️ Tag your fellow parents and spread the word. We can't wait to see you there! 📞 Questions? Call us at 651-674-1220.

Coming up in Community Ed! Medicare 101 Jan 28 / 6:30-8:30 PM Abdominal Strengtheners That Won't Stress Your Back/Neck Virtual Workshop Jan 28 / 6-7:30 PM Breakfast Meal Prep Jan 28 / 6:30-8 PM T. Swift Era with Kidcreate Studio (Ages 5-12) Jan 29 / 3-4 PM Floral Design of the Month Jan 29 / 6-7:30 PM Chiropractic Care & Wellness For Infants and Toddlers Jan 30 / 7-8 PM Nautical Painting Jan 30 / 6:30-8:30 PM Registration here: https://northbranch.cr3.rschooltoday.com/public/getprogram/ or call 651-674-1025.

SKOL! and congratulations to NBAMS Math League! It completed its season earlier this month by taking first, second, and third in its final meet! The first photo is first, second, and third place (l to r: June Peterson, Lucas Meyer, Fisher Nigbor). The second photo is the first place team (June Peterson, Madisyn Gruetzman, Lucas Meyer, Fisher Nigbor, John Steffen and not pictured: Oliver Krosschell, Christian Sanders). The third photo is of the third place team (Ashtyn Haseltine, Keila Garcia-Velazquez, Logan Marthaler, Sophie Podoll, Joey Graupman and not pictured: Emmett Fritsch). The fourth photo is a Math League team photo.

🌟 Sibling Smarts: Raising Lifelong Friends and Occasional Rivals 🌟 📅 Date: Tuesday, Jan. 28 ⏰ Time: 5–6:30 PM 📍 Location: North Branch Area Education Center (38705 Grand Ave.) 💲 Cost: $10 per family (includes dinner!) Join us for an engaging class designed to help parents build positive sibling relationships and reduce conflict at home. Learn practical strategies to: ✅ Manage disputes ✅ Encourage cooperation ✅ Address jealousy ✅ Balance attention among siblings Parents will attend the session while children enjoy story time, activities, songs, and exploration in the Move & Learn room! Dinner will be served from 5–5:30 PM. 🎉 Register today at: www.nbaceonline.org or call 651.674.1220. Don't miss this chance to strengthen your family bonds! ❤️

Tired of winter? Let Chisago Age Well and our panel of local presenters brighten your day. Join us for food, fellowship, and loads of information on events, resources and activities that can help bring joy to your life not only in winter but year-round! Chisago County Public Health will provide a resource table at each event, and you’ll leave with a helpful list of community programs, activities and resources. The event is Feb. 13; see flier for additional details.

Save the date! SRC Robotics Team 3038 is hosting an open house and demo on Thursday, Feb. 20, 6 - 7:30 p.m. at Chisago Lakes High School. For further details, see the flier.

JOB OPENING: School Nurse (long-term substitute) Assignment is for 46 days, approximately April 3 through the end of the school year, June 9. Shadow days will be available before assignment begins and potentially extended days after the school year ends, if needed. This position will primarily serve students in grades 6-12, and also the Life Work Center (young adults with disabilities ages 18-21). Current School Nurse license issued through PELSB preferred; Registered Nurse (RN) license considered. Teacher Salary Schedule if licensed through PELSB, or $30.00 to $40.00 per hour. Apply here: https://www.applitrack.com/northbranch/onlineapp/jobpostings/view.asp?internaltransferform.Url=&category=Miscellaneous&AppliTrackJobId=1605&AppliTrackLayoutMode=detail&AppliTrackViewPosting=1

Joe Beckman brought his message of self-worth, resilience, confidence, joy, and strong connections to students and staff earlier this fall. Now it's your turn! Thursday, Feb. 20, 6 - 7:15 p.m., NBAHS auditorium. See flier for frequently asked questions.

SKOL! and thanks to the wonderful ladies at the NB American Legion Auxiliary who brought donated school supplies to the Middle School earlier this week!

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!

Last week, the AFJROTC program was at NBAMS to introduce 8th grade students to the exciting world of JROTC! Cadets led immersive activities, giving students a hands-on experience with leadership, teamwork, and life skills that help them succeed in high school and prepare for college and careers after graduation. See more photos at the AFJROTC Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KPE5JRzfr/

All are invited to join NBAPS for a FREE fun and inspiring talk about building self-worth, resilience, confidence, joy, and strong connections. Joe Beckman brought his message to students, now it's your turn! Thursday, Feb. 20, 6 - 7:15 p.m. See flier for more details.

📣 Attention Parents of Future Kindergartners! Join us for Incoming Kindergarten Parent Information Night at North Branch Area Education Center! 🗓 Date: Tuesday, February 4 🕕 Time: 6:00 – 7:30 PM 📍 Location: 38705 Grand Ave, North Branch, MN Come learn about our kindergarten program and all it has to offer your child. Plus, child care will be available! 🎉 Let’s give a warm welcome to the Class of 2038 – Future Vikings! For more information, call us at 📞 651-674-1220. We can't wait to meet you and your future kindergartner!

Mrs. Falen's 8th grade art students just finished their weaving unit while working on inkle looms. The word "inkle" means strap or band, so these looms are designed to create long, narrow weavings. We have 18 inkle looms and a plethora of colorful spools of cotton warp, thanks to a grant through the North Branch Area Education Foundation. Students worked with a team of 3-5 students per loom and learned weaving vocabulary, including: warp, weft, heddles, shuttle, tension bar, shed and fringe. Everyone took their turn "stringing up" their chosen color of warp on the loom, applying heddles to hold each of the top warp strands in place and weaving at least 3" of the team weaving. After the team weaving is complete, students can sign up to work on the loom on their own and choose their own length, width, colors and pattern if they'd like. Students were very excited and surprised when they cut their completed weavings off the loom!