North DeSoto Middle School

North DeSoto Middle School

 

Middle Griffins Monday Memo, 4/27/2026

Lyndsey Rhoads, Principal * Cora Saverino, Assistant Principal * Kevin Cornet, Assistant Principal North DeSoto Middle School serves to educate the hearts and minds of young people for a life time of learning, leadership, and service.

 

Real Talk with Rhoads..

Dear NDMS Families,

The time has arrived—LEAP Testing Week is here! While we know this can bring a mix of emotions for students and families, we want to start by sharing one important message: our students are ready.

Through classroom visits, daily life on campus, and the consistent hard work of both our students and staff, we have seen the growth, effort, and determination that have prepared them for this week. Our teachers have been intentional, our students have stayed engaged, and we are confident in what they are ready.

While LEAP testing is important, it is just one snapshot. It does not define your child, but it does allow them to show what they’ve learned and how much they’ve grown this year.

How Families Can Help This Week

Your support makes a huge difference! Here are a few simple ways to help your child feel confident and prepared each day:

Be Present: Attendance is critical during testing week. Please ensure your child is at school and on time each day.

Charged Chromebook: Make sure devices are fully charged each night.

Rest Well: A good night’s sleep helps students stay focused and calm.

Eat Breakfast: Whether at home or school, starting the day with a healthy meal fuels the brain for success.

As we move through this week, we will continue to encourage students to stay calm, take their time, and give their best effort. We are proud of how far they’ve come and we know they will represent NDMS well.

At the heart of everything we do is our mission to help students lead, learn, and serve. This week is an opportunity for them to lead with confidence, apply what they have learned, and serve as examples of perseverance and dedication.

Thank you for your continued support. Let’s have a great week, NDMS!

~Mrs. Rhoads

Save the Date: 

25-26 LEAP testing schedule -

Monday, April 27  - ELA sessions 1 & 2

Tuesday, April 28 - math session 1, ELA session 3

Wednesday, April 29 - math sessions 2 & 3

Thursday, April 30 - science sessions 1 & 2

Monday, May 4 - science session 1, social studies session 1

Tuesday, May 5 -  social studies sessions 2 & 3

Make ups will be Friday, May 1 and Wednesday, May 6 - Friday, May 8

NDMS NEWS:

Middle Griffin parents: reminder that NEEDOHS are not allowed at NDMS.

Helpful hints for each day after testing: 

 * Encourage students to wind down by going outside to get fresh air  

* Possible activities students can do to release stress and tension are: riding a bike, taking a walk, or sitting outside 

*Provide a nutritious after school snack and dinner 

Preparation and Routine Before Each Day of Testing:

* Establish a Routine - Maintain normal routines and encourage students to get at least 8 hours of sleep 

* Provide a high protein breakfast each morning and try to avoid  very sugary food that will result in energy crashes

* Encourage students to study in short, consistent sessions instead of “cramming”

* Encourage students to lay out clothing, charger/chromebook and snacks the night before to reduce morning anxiety and stress

 Parents, stay connected with your child’s success—anytime, anywhere!

DeSoto Parish Schools encourages all families to download the free JCampus Student app for quick, easy access to important student information .

Simply scan the QR code or visit www.edgear.com/app to get started

Staying informed has never been easier—download today and stay connected all year long!

The app is available for download in the App Store and Google Play Store.

Our NDMS 2025-2026 yearbooks are available to preorder. Use the QR code along with the school ID code to order yours today. #yearbookmemorieslastforever #GriffinPride #GriffinStrong #GriffinFamily #NDMSGriffinsAreBest

NDMS

NDMS RECOGNITIONS:

Shout out to April 13th's NDMS High Flyers! These students demonstrate hard work and follow school rules. They make good decisions, manage priorities, are kind to others, and exemplify what it means to be a true Griffin! Way to go, Griffins! April's Griffins have the quality of being resilient;  they have the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties. Representing 6th grade are Galvin and Mckinlee. 7th grade representatives are Kamri and Michael while 8th grade is being represented by Kyran and Jayne. Congratulations to each of you! You are proof we are #winningtogether!

#EveryDayCounts #AttendanceMatters #FinishStrong

Did you know that 1 in 6 students in grades K–12 nationwide are chronically absent?

 

At DeSoto Parish Schools, we are committed to finishing the school year strong—and student attendance plays a critical role in that success. Every day in class matters for learning, growth, and achievement.

 

We appreciate your partnership in this effort. If you need support with attendance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s school. Together, we can ensure every student is present, on time, and ready to learn each day.


Let’s work together to #FinishStrong and make every day count!

#AttendanceMatters