Weekly Email 10/9/16

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Upcoming Dates (All dates are listed on our NMS website)

8th Grade Rotational Schedule – Week B Schedule

All Fridays in October are PINK OUT FRIDAYS!
10/10 BASD American Education Week; 10/12 School Closed Yom Kippur; 10/14 NMS Alumni Day 9am; 10/15 NMS Marching Band Nazareth Halloween Parade; 10/19 NIMAS Meeting 7:30pm;  10/20 Deadline for Registering for Quebec;10/23 NMS Marching Band Saucon Valley Spirit Parade;  10/25 NMS Walk-A-Thon;  10/28 City of Bethlehem Trick or Treat6-8pm; 10/29 Liberty vs. Freedom Football Game; 10/30 City of Bethlehem Halloween Parade; 10/31-11/4 NMS Spirit Week; 11/1 End of 1st Quarterl 11/3 Night Middle School Football Game vs. EHMS; 11/7 Faculty Meeting; 11/8 Teacher In-Service/Election Day; 11/10 Picture Retake Day; 11/16 NIMAS Meeting 7:30pm; 11/18-22 Book Fair; 11/21 Student-Led Conferences (Evening); 11/22 Student-Led Conferences (Afternoon); 11/23-28 School Closed/Fall Break

Student Council Walk-A-Thon! -It’s time for our NMS Walk-a-Thon! Student Council has planned a fun and fit activity for the Nitschmann students. Your Nitschmann lion will walk around the magnificent Rose Garden Park during school hours on Tuesday, October 25th.  We need everyone’s help in achieving our goal of $10,000. The funds we raise will help student council offset the cost of grade level field trips, assembly programs, grade-level and school wide activities, as well as recognition and rewards programs.  These funds are critical to provide the “Nitschmann experience” to each child!  Your child will bring home information regarding the walk and incentive prizes this week.  Your participation in obtaining sponsors for this event is crucial to our success.

NMS Wears Pink on Fridays in October – Every October, Nitschmann turns pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We strongly encourage all students & staff to wear pink on Fridays in October and join our fundraising activities to make a school donation for breast cancer research.

American Education Week (10/10-10/15) – Each fall, the Bethlehem Area School District makes a special effort to recognize the special part that public education has in our community. Please review the schedule and join us for special activities & visitations during the week of American Education Week. A flyer will be distributed later this week. A reminder please do not bring younger children to Classroom Visitations, as classes are going on during this time.

NMS Classroom Visitation Schedule for American Education Week

Monday, 10/10 Day 5 – Periods 4-5-6

Grade 6 Periods 5 & 6 (11:32am-1:16pm)

Grade 7 Period 4 & 6 (11:02am-11:54am; 12:24pm-1:16pm)

Grade 8 Periods 4 & 5 (11:02am-12:46pm)

Tuesday, 10/11 Day 6 – Periods 1-2-3 (8:30am to 11:02am)

Wednesday, 10/12 School & Offices Closed, Yom Kippur

Thursday, 10/13 Day 1 – Periods 7-8 ( 1:26pm-3:00pm)

Friday, 10/14 Nitschmann Alumni Day, Nitschmann Junior High & Nitschmann Middle School Alumni welcome & school tour at 9am in the Auditorium

Nitschmann Parent Group: The NMS Parent Group is having a “Box Tops for Education” contest. The homeroom in each grade level that brings in the most Box Tops will win an ice cream party.  The homeroom that brings in the most in the entire school will reward their teacher with a $50 gift card for Target to buy classroom supplies.

#BASD Magnets –The BASD has decided to display BASD spirit across the Lehigh Valley with #BASDproud car magnets.  Our goal is for parents, students, teachers and staff to make a visible statement of support by displaying the magnets on their cars.  Magnets can be purchased for $2 at the main office of each of our schools as well as at the Ed Center. All proceeds will benefit the Foundation for the Bethlehem Area School District. By joining together, we can send a powerful message in support of our district and public education.

Trip to Quebec in June 2017 – Attention possible and definite Quebec Travelers:

The deadline to register your child for Nitschmann’s trip to Quebec in June of 2017 is Thursday, October 20.  Registrations are made directly to Jumpstreet Tour Company. The initial financial deposit won’t be taken until after the registration deadline. Interested students have been given  paperwork about the trip and how to register on line. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Lare at alare@basdschools.org.

Bethlehem Area Public Library is offering free mobile hotspots that will allow library card holders to access unlimited, high-speed Internet service anywhere in the United States.  These units can be borrowed for one week and  are perfect for homework and research. http://bapl.org/

After School Clubs & Activities – Is your child involved in a club or activity? Make sure you take a look at the growing list below, including the kick-off meeting for our Ski Club this week!

Anime Club (Advisors Mrs. Getz/Mrs. Wallach) Our first meeting is Monday, October 17 from 3:10-4:00pm in room 214.

Art Club (Advisors Mrs. Kozero/Mrs. Lund)  None at this time

BSmart/Banana Factory (Advisor – Mrs. Nonnemacher) We continue to meet every Tuesday and Thursday. The students are getting use to the routine and are enjoying the wonderful art classes. The classes run through Thursday, December 8th. Thank you for picking your child up promptly at 6:00 PM

Cheerleading (Advisor Mrs. Guerrieri) Sat., 10/15 – next NMS football game vs Broughal but at East Hills MS. Game time11:30; cheerleaders should be @ field by 11:00 am. no cheer practice this coming Wed., 10/12

Chess & Strategy Club (Advisor Mr. Kehler)Strategy Club continues to meet after school on Tuesdays in room 100.  All are invited to enjoy and learn.  Students that have played Pokemon (card game, not the app) are invited to bring decks this Tuesday.  If there are any parents that happen to out and about on weekends looking over various yard and garage sales, please sent me a quick email if you come across someone selling board games as I am looking for replacements/parts to further our inventory and enjoyment.

Drama Club (Advisor Mrs. Hriniak) Monday Ensemble 3:05-4:30, Tuesday Winkies & Winged Monkeys 3:05-4:30,Wednesday No School, Thursday Crew 3:05-5:00, Friday Jitterbugs & Dorothy/Toto/Scarecrow/Tin Man/Lion 3:05-4:30

German Club (Advisor Mrs. Spaihts) Students pursue ingots on Duolingo. Remember, extra credit for level attainment and skill attainment, and keeping a streak.

French Club (Advisor Mrs. Lare)  Attention possible and definite Quebec Travelers:

The deadline to register your child for Nitschmann’s trip to Quebec in June of 2017 is Thursday, October 20.  Registrations are made directly to Jumpstreet Tour Company. The initial financial deposit won’t be taken until after the registration deadline. Interested students have been given  paperwork about the trip and how to register on line. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Lare at alare@basdschools.org.

International Travelers! – Yes, That’s right!  We will be visiting the Harry Potter studios on the last day of the trip.  There are still a few spaces left on the Capitals of the British Isles 10 day trip set to depart in June of 2018.  Join up now and get the price while its at its lowest.  Here’s what you get: Airfare, Hotels, local cuisine breakfast and dinner, transportation, event tickets, tour guides, insurance, and on-line support and personal sites for Fundraising and Learning.  Travelers will come away with a greater appreciation for the world we live in, a confidence in themselves and improved self-awareness, an experience the memories of which will last a lifetime, And a documentable international experience for applications…. all for what amounts to just over $360 a day.  Parents, Family, and Alumni are welcome to come along and share in the adventure.  Visit the enrollment site at:

Intramurals (Advisor Mr. Ortwein) None at this time

History Day (Advisor Mrs. Mendez) History Day students will meet Day 1 or Wednesday after school, as schedules permit, in room 122.

Majorettes/Band Front (Advisor Mrs. Hriniak) Regular rehearsals Monday and Thursday this week.  Remember to practice your routines at home!

Mathcounts (Advisor Ms. Novatnak)  MathCounts is going really well.  We have a lot of great kids this year!  Students have been asked to have their parents fill out a google form to collect contact information, but not everyone has done that yet.  Please follow this link:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScktJYHLRDjFdUhbu7lSNl7hch5hCnd2STftbVhPGS8whNQ4w/viewform?usp=send_form Students and parents may also sign up to receive occasional text message updates by sending the code @missnovat to 81010.  I sent out the first text this week, moments after I learned the date of this year’s Chapter Competition.  It will be held on Saturday, February 11th at Southern Lehigh High School.  Please mark your calendars.  Our top students will be attending to represent Nitschmann, but we will not know who they are until the school competition is held in early January.  In the meantime, we will continue to meet on Wednesday mornings at 7:35 and Thursdays after school until 3:50.  If you have any questions, please email Miss Novatnak, nnovatnak@basdschools.org.

National Junior Honor Society  (Advisors Mrs. Wallach/Mrs. Lanzetta) (Twitter  @nms_njhs ) Keep checking emails and listening to announcements for upcoming dates and events. I will keep everyone posted on the Holiday Extravaganza as I find out more information. Also, look for pictures on Twitter of the sidewalk clean-up!

Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) (Advisor Mr. Durante)  PJAS (Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science) will have their first informational meeting in room 224 on Thursday, October 13th at 3:05PM.  All 7th and 8th grade students with a strong interest in Science are welcome to attend.  See Mr. Durante with any questions.

Reading Olympics (Advisor – Mrs. Nonnemacher) We had our first meeting on Wednesday, October 5th! We have a great group of students and are looking forward to an awesome year! We sent home  papers in a manilla folder for you to look at with your child. The green form needs to be signed and returned asap to Mrs. Nonnemacher, Mr. Pearson, Mrs. Rutkowski  or a folder on the library counter. The competition has been changed from May 4, 2017 to Tuesday, March 28, 2017. We will be meeting all Wednesdays of February and March from 3:05 to 5:00 PM to prepare. The green form is to acknowledge that you have read this and it is still alright for your child to compete. There is also a calendar for the next 3 months, a book summary sheet and a list of the 2017 Reading Olympics books that need to be read. We do not have Reading Olympics on Wednesday, October 12.

Ski Club (Advisors Mr. Downey/Mr. Durante) Parents and siblings are welcome to participate in our ski club.  Nitschmann does not provide a bus to Blue Mountain.    Mr. Durante and Mr. Downey are at the Mountain by 4:15. We have the students sign in twice each evening in order to meet up and ski together.  We gather tables together in the Lower Lodge and often provide hot chocolate and snacks.  We begin the second Monday in January.  As a club, Nitschmann receives adeep discount for skiing, rentals and lessons on our group web site.  http://bit.ly/2dz9QsL For text message updates text @skiclubni to 81010 If Monday does not work for your family, you can still take advantage of the discounts and ski at your convenience during the week.

Spanish Club (Advisor Ms. Bouhana) Will be meeting after school on Monday 10/10/16 from 3:05 till 4pm. All members must be present.

Step Team (Advisor Ms. Sierra) New member practice tryout Start Oct. 11! (10/11, 10/13: 3-5pm;…. 10/18, 10/20: 3-4pm)- tryout 10/25, 10/26, 10/27. STUDENTS MUST WEAR SNEAKERS ALL PRACTICE AND TRYOUT DAYS.

Yearbook (Advisor Mrs. Ellis)None at this time

Student Council (Advisors Mrs. Ellis)It’s time for our NMS Walk-a-Thon! Student Council has planned a fun and fit activity for the Nitschmann students. Your Nitschmann lion will walk around the magnificent Rose Garden Park during school hours on Tuesday, October 25th.  We need everyone’s help in achieving our goal of $10,000. The funds we raise will help student council offset the cost of grade level field trips, assembly programs, grade-level and school wide activities, as well as recognition and rewards programs.  These funds are critical to provide the “Nitschmann experience” to each child!  Your child will bring home information regarding the walk and incentive prizes this week.  Your participation in obtaining sponsors for this event is crucial to our success.

George Samuelson – President  geosamuelson@gmail.com

Donna Young – Vice President

Rita Smith – Treasurer

Suzanne Bezas – Secretary

Kimberly Marcantonio

Erin Coughlin

George Samuelson (alternate)

Nitschmann Parent Group: The NMS Parent Group is having a “Box Tops for Education” contest. The homeroom in each grade level that brings in the most Box Tops will win an ice cream party.  The homeroom that brings in the most in the entire school will reward their teacher with a $50 gift card for Target to buy classroom supplies.

10/10  Monday – Band

10/11  Tuesday – Orchestra

10/12   Wednesday – NO SCHOOL

10/13   Thursday – Band

             – DAY 1 Jazz Band 8:30 – 9:00 AM

10/14   Friday – Orchestra

Team Moravian (6th) – (Twitter @NMSTeam Moravian) Our Moravian Kickoff went well on Friday.  The students got to meet students, athletes, and administrators from Moravian.  They talked about going to college and how it is different from middle school/high school.  This Friday we will be walking to Moravian for a tour of the campus and lunch.  Students can pack a lunch or bring $5 to buy lunch at the All You Can Eat buffet. In addition to our tour, the Athletic Department has graciously given us free passes for this weekend’s football game against  Susquehanna for each child entering with a paying adult. Thanks to Mr. Daignault (coach/parent) for making this happen! Mrs. Evancho will be offering 2 extra credit points for any students that see her at the game.

Team Lehigh (6th) (Twitter @NMSTeamLehigh) On Monday, there will be a calculator check in math class.  Every student MUST have a scientific calculator.  They will continue to use this calculator throughout their entire math career.  You can purchase one on sale for about $10.  Please make sure your child has one on Monday.  Thank you! REMINDER: We are still looking for donations for our next Random Act of Kindness.  Cookies, candy, and any other snacks/treats are welcome!  If anyone is baking, please send it in with your child on Thursday, October 13th.

Team Lafayette (6th) (Twitter @NMSLafayette) There is a lot going on with Team Lafayette!  We will be taking a field trip to Lafayette College on October 18.  Please have your child bring in $5 for a lunch in the college cafeteria. Students are beginning to gather their information for Student Led Conferences. These will be held November 21 and 22. Friday Team Time was spent informing students about Team Lafayette’s Community Project-Holiday Hope Chests. Pink papers were sent home today with information about this project to help the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley give to children in need. Lastly, our annual Walkathon will be held on October 25.

Team Kutztown (7th) (Twitter @TeamKutztown) We are looking forward to American Education Week, and the students are anticipating Wednesday’s day off. By now you should have seen your son or daughter’s mid-quarter grades.  If you have any questions, you may contact the team. Students should remember to bring their homeroom teacher boxtops as well as any pledges or donations for the Walk-a-Thon. This fundraiser will make it possible for students to attend worthwhile, educational field trips. Science (Mr. Pearson): Students will continue to learn how to conduct experiments like a scientist using a procedure called the scientific method.  This week we will focus on how to formulate a hypothesis, design an experiment, organize data using tables, and analyze data using graphs. English (Mr. Falteich): The Literature Unit/ Author Study continues with Saki’s, “The Interlopers” and “The Open Window.”

Team Penn State (7th) (Twitter @NMSPennState)  This week in science, students will begin designing their own investigation on which exercise increases their heart rate the most. They will carry out their procedure and document all results in a formal lab report. Literacy- Students in reading class will investigate Columbus day and continue analyzing the book The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.

Team East Stroudsburg (8th) (Twitter @NMSTeamESU) ) Reminder: every Friday in October is a Pink Out to support Breast Cancer Awareness and finding a cure. Our Twitter following continues to grow.  Sign up to see many of the cool things going on daily with Team ESU. All math classes are learning about the properties of exponents. History class will take a Explorer’s pre-test on Monday before discussing Columbus Day. Tuesday will be a research day for student’s real world problem assignment. In ELA this week, we will finish our novel and begin to prepare for our test, which will be Monday, Oct. 17.  We will also finalize our narrative brainstorms and begin researching our time period late in the week. We will continue to work on our word crime, which is correctly punctuating introductory elements.  Reading classes will continue reading Chasing Lincoln’s Killer and Manhunt.  Students will be creating maps of Booth’s escape route. Science class will continue learning about sub-atomic particles and how to model varying atoms.

Team Villanova (8th) Next week in ELA we will be exploring a variety of non-fiction writing skills and techniques in our Writer’s Notebooks.  This week the science team has been exploring the different states of matter and how matter can change to the different phases. Next week, classes will be starting the introduction to atoms.  Students in Literacy classes will be introduced to the Lincoln Artifact Museum Project.  They will also be researching primary sources and artifacts in preparation for the Museum Project. All MATH classes will have a UNIT test within the next ten days. History classes will explore totem poles in the NW Native American Culture.   Congrats to our Scientist of the Month:  Keegan Thompson. A HUGE shout out to ALL our students who got in the PINK SPIRIT this past Friday.

Lions/Lady Lions Athletics Updates (Twitter @NMS_Athletics)

Coach: Mr. Burzynski

Email: bburzynski@basdschools.org

Website: www.tinyurl.com/nitschmannfieldhockey

Schedule: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-GsW8mhyYaKVEZyUklhellIczh0VURraHhrcW9TRWwtakhj/view?usp=sharing

Practice location:

Coach: Mr. Villani

Email: mvillani@basdschools.org

Practice location:

King’s Mansion Park

Behind 2123 Allwood Dr.

Bethlehem, PA 18018

Twitter @basd_nmsVball

Coach: Mrs. Van Woert

Email: lvanwoert@basdschools.org

Practice location: Nitschmann Middle School Gym

Coach: Mrs. Frank

Email: coachfranknms@gmail.com

All team schedules, video, photos, documents, weekly running education for youth runners by youth runners and all other information can be found at any time on our Team Snap site.  https://go.teamsnap.com/2035723/home

Post-race drinks and snacks: We still have slots available for our last two races of the season. We especially need drinks for Monday’s meet at Freedom. Please sign up at:  www.SignUpGenius.com/go/4090F4AACAC28A6FE3-2016. 

·  Monday, October 10th @ Freedom Invitational

·  Tuesday, October 11th @3:15 to 5pm at Nitschmann Middle School

·  Wednesday, October 12th- NO TEAM PRACTICE/REST DAY 

·  Thursday, October 13th @ 3:15 to 5pm at Nitschmann Middle School

·  Friday, October 14th- NO TEAM PRACTICE. RUN ON YOUR OWN 1-2 MILES.

·  Saturday, October 15th @ 10:00am to Noon at Bicentennial Park East, 5450 Loberto Lane, Bethlehem, PA 18017.

Nitschmann Cross Country Race Schedule/Important Dates: Please come support your Nitschmann XC Lions at their upcoming races:

·  Monday, October 10^th: Freedom Invitational – 4:15pm.

·  Thursday, October 20^th: Tentative Hurricane Invitational at Home 4pm. *Please note this is a date change!

·  Monday, November 7^th: Team Awards/Pizza Party – Coach Lanzetta’s Room right after school until 5pm.

Quote of the Week:  “They can conquer who believe they can.” – Virgil

Video of the Week: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjZ0KbJcav0 Believe in Yourself.

We’ve been working hard to push the kids out of their comfort zones and we are seeing some amazing performances. But to truly get the best out of the kids, we have to get them to believe that they can. They have trained, they have worked and all that is left is for them to believe. Every race, we huddle up for team mantras right before they run. It is no accident that those team mantras end with the kids shouting “I will”. I know their best performances are yet to come in our last meets of the season because I have started to see that mental shift from “I can’t” to “I will.” And it is a beautiful site to see.

·  Cole Frank won his fourth league meet of the season taking 1st overall in a time of 11:34 with a minute per mile pace of 5:30.

·  Graham Philips placed 2nd in 12:03 with a 5:44 pace.

·  Philip Bezas placed 4th in 12:14 with a pace of 5:50.

·  Brandyn D’Amico placed 6th in 12:15 with a pace of 5:50.

·  Nick Fritz placed 8th in 12:58 with a pace of 6:10.

·  Caden Hosfeld placed 10th in 13:07 with a pace of 6:15.

·  Ben Service placed 11th in 13:19 with a pace of 6:20.

·  Onur Alici, Liam Burke, and Chris Matz placed 12th, 14th and 15th respectively.

·  Kristen Rommens placed 6th in a time of 14:51 with a pace of 7:04.

·  Madi Drager placed 7th in a time of 15:10 with a pace of 7:13.

·  Kayla Lazorik placed 8th in a time of 15:59 with a pace of 7:37

·  Sarah Neiman placed 13th in a time of 16:48 with a pace of 8:00

·  Jin Kussmaul, Angela Rhee and Madelyn Pham placed 16th, 17th and 19th respectively.

The top 7th grade finishers were: JoseIgnacio Rozas, Jacob Orrico, Hayden Shiban, Kayla Lazorik, Sarah Neiman, and Jin Kussmaul.

Runner First Name Runner Last Name Freedom 9/22/16 to Freedom 10/6/16 Minute per Mile Decrease

Benjamin Service 1 minutes 27 seconds

Patrick Gilhool 1 minute 43 seconds

Madelyn Pham 1 minute 42 seconds

Jin Kussmaul 1 minute 25 seconds

Sarah Neiman 1 minute 18 seconds

Clarisse Iramapye 1 minute 15 seconds

Anushri Shankar 1 minute 13 seconds

Liam Burke 1 minute

Scotty Trauger 59 seconds

Angela Rhee 59 seconds

Katherine Schray 57 seconds

Jiaming Wang 57 seconds

Jack Donchez 52 seconds

McKenna Valencia 52 seconds

Anthony Ribau 50 seconds

Kristen Rommens 44 seconds

Hemani Patel 43 seconds

Kevin Conklin 43 seconds

Ethan Sowinski 41 seconds

Caden Hosfeld 32 seconds

Matt Schlegel 31 seconds

Graham Phillips 30 seconds

Philip Bezas 30 seconds

Jacob Orrico 29 seconds

Brandyn D’Amico 28 seconds

Chris Matz 27 seconds

John Fuehrer 27 seconds

Jordan Carlin 27 seconds

Jesse Kolb 27 seconds

Onur Alici 26 seconds

Cole Frank 23 seconds

Madison Drager 19 seconds

Kayla Lazorik 16 seconds

Zuri Foell 13 seconds

Nick Fritz 11 seconds

This is minute per mile improvements. Unbelieveable! And many of these runners are already running ridiculous fast times:)