Home / News / Sunday, April 14, 2019 Parent & Guardian Weekly Email Information

 

Dear Parents & Guardians,

Attached is our Weekly Sunday Update, which can be found at the link or text below.

Thank you.

Mr. Mayes & Mr. Horlick

2019_4_14_Parent Weekly Email (1)

This Week’s Major Headlines

 

  • Due to snow make up days, we have full days of school this week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and a 11:30am Dismissal on Thursday.

 

  • There is no school on Friday, April 19.
  • There is school next Monday, April 27.
  • Our PSSA exams begin NEXT WEEK on Tuesday, April 23, unlike many of the elementary schools. See information below about PSSA exams.

 

 

Parent & Student Weekly Email

Nitschmann Middle School Weekly Update

Sunday, April 13, 2019, to Sunday, April 21, 2019

Home of the Nitschmann Nation!

All of this information can be viewed at our

Nitschmann Middle School Website  under Weekly Announcements (Click Here!)

Attachments to Review

None

Upcoming Dates to Be Proactive!

(All dates are listed from our NMS Website, BASD Event Calendar, & BASD Academic Calendar)

4/18 Teacher In-Service 11:30 Dismissal; 4/19-4/21 Spring & Easter Break – Schools Closed; 4/22 Dr. Roy Visit to NMS/NPG Meeting; 4/23-24-25 PSSA ELA Exams; 4/29-30 PSSA Math Exams; 5/2-3 PSSA Science Exams; 5/15-16 Keystone Exams; 5/27 Memorial Day – Schools Closed; 5/30 8th Grade Track Meet @ LHS; 5/31 8th Grade Dance @ Ice House; 6/3 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony 6pm; 6/4 8th Grade Trip to Hershey Park; 6/7 Last Day of School & End of 4th Quarter

Weekly Schedule & Highlights

Monday, 4/15/19 Day 2

Tuesday, 4/16/19 Day 3 NJHS Induction 6pm

Wednesday, 4/17/19 Day 4 8th Grade NYC Music Trip to Broadway

Thursday, 4/18/19 Day 5 11:30 Dismissal/Teacher In-Service

Friday, 4/19/19 No School Spring Break

Saturday, 4/20/19 No School Spring Break

Sunday, 4/21/19 No School Spring Break

 

Upcoming Weekly Schedule & Highlights

Monday, 4/22/19 Day 6 Earth Day NPG Meeting (2019-2020 Budget & Dr. Roy Visit)

Tuesday, 4/23/19 Day 1 PSSA ELA EXAM SCHEDULE

Wednesday, 4/24/19 Day 2 PSSA ELA EXAM SCHEDULE

Thursday, 4/25/19 Day 3 PSSA ELA EXAM SCHEDULE

Friday, 4/26/19 Day 4 Private/Parochial/Charter 5th Grader Visit 10am-2pm, Notable Moves Showcase

Saturday, 4/27/19

Sunday, 4/28/19

 

BASD Dining Services Menu & Website https://bethlehemareasd.sodexomyway.com/landing/mid

PE/Health Schedule (Villani, Long, Weinert) Weinert and Villani in the gym Monday through Thursday while Long is in Health. Now that the weather is getting warmer, make sure all students are changing their entire outfits for PE class as we start to go outside on the turf. Due to health concerns, students who are not changed for class will not be able to participate and their grades will be impacted.

ALL CLASSES will be in gym during PSSA week. 4/23-4/30 due to the modified schedule.

 

Recent Nitschmann News! (Always posted on our Social Media sites too!)

Twitter @NitschmannMS; Facebook @NitschmannMiddleSchool; Instagram@BASDNitschmannMS; NMS School Website; YouTube

 

Is your child sick?  You can submit your child’s sick note by email to ni-attendance@basdschools.org, as long as the email on your child’s account matches the email address. Please note: If you are submitting a written or doctor’s note do not submit an email.  It should be one or the other. Please keep your email address up-to-date by emailing our Student Services Guidance Secretary Mrs. Scott at sscott@basdschools.org! Please note that this is ONLY for sick notes, not for early release or any other questions!

****************************************************************************

School-wide Announcements

BASD E-News (Dr. Roy)  The BASD e-News is designed to highlight BASD student and staff achievements and share events and activities going on in the BASD and the Lehigh Valley. It is our hope that you find it informative. The latest edition, which spotlights how Clearview Elementary School showed their support for Autism Awareness Month, is available at April 12, 2019, edition of the BASD e-News.  

 

PSSA Exams (Mayes) Please review the information that was sent home with all students last week about the upcoming PSSA Exams. This information was also posted online at https://bit.ly/2CrZp4f. Exams begin on April 23, 2019.

 

7th Grade Accelerated Math Students (Mayes) All 7th grade Accelerated Math students will be taking the Orleans-Hannah Algebraic Readiness Exam on April 16, 2019 to assist school administration with student placement for Algebra 1 for the 2019-2020 school year.

Nitschmann Parent Group (NPG) -Follow us on Twitter!@NitschmannPG

nitschmannparentgroup@gmail.com

Executive Committee

Pres. – Erin Coughlin ecogs76@gmail.com

VP – Deb Clark clark70g@msn.com

Treasurer –

Secretary / Volunteer Coordinator – Kimberly Marcantonio JK0359@HOTMAIL.com

PAC Representatives

1) Amy Wuertele

2) Therese Gyauch

 

Academic Team Updates

Team Lafayette (6th) (Twitter @NMSLafayette) Congratulations to Ben Blum, Katie Bruno, Ethan Caine, and Anthony Chen who were a part of the The Reading Olympics on Thursday! They made Team Lafayette proud.  Our Peaceable Kingdom donation drive is currently going on through Tuesday April 16th. We have attached their wishlist to this notice.  Thank you to those of you that have already sent in donations.

 

Team Lehigh (6th) (Twitter @NMSTeamLehigh)    Report cards were mailed home this week. During lead  we had the students look at their grades for the 1st three marking periods and  make a plan for for what they need in the 4th marking period to achieve a desired end of the year average.  Please be proactive and talk to your child about their goal and encourage them to finish strong. Current 4th quarter grades are on the Home Access Center so you can see how they are progressing.

Team Moravian (6th) – (Twitter @NMSTeam Moravian and Facebook@NMSTeamMoravian) THE MAGIC NUMBER IS 280!!!!!!!!!! You need a minimum of 280 points in each academic class to pass the year! Stay on top of your grades by visiting Home Access Center regularly!  Make sure you are following your math checklist and keeping up with due dates. In Social Studies, students are exploring Greece through stations. All stations have been added to HAC and are due on April 30th. Please check HAC to see the assignments that still need to be completed. Next day 4 Team Moravian will be going outside to help beautify our Nitschmann campus. Please dress accordingly.

 

Team Kutztown (7th) (Twitter @TeamKutztown) Science (Mr. Pearson) – To begin the week, students will complete their lab on osmosis and finish learning about how materials are moved in and out of a cell through the cell membrane.  Then, later in the week, they will be reviewing and preparing for a test on cell transport, which will be on Monday, April 22nd. Study guides for the test were handed out on Friday.

Team Penn State (7th) Follow us on social media!! (Twitter @NMSPennState) (Facebook @NMSTeamPennState) (Instagram pennstatenms) The 4th marking period has started! Students need to be proactive and make sure all work is handed in on time. ELA – Periods 1, 2 & 5 are reading the novel, Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie. Periods 7 & 8 have started their argumentative presentation project based on an occupation of their choice. All classes have a vocabulary quiz on Tuesday, April 9th.  SCIENCE-All classes have a quiz on viruses on Tuesday, 4/16 and a pathogen wanted poster (digital version on schoology)due Wednesday (4/17) evening.The students had 2 days of class time to gather research about the pathogen and begin designing their presentation of the information.  READING- We will be spending a few days discussing strategies for the PSSA.   MATH – Students in periods 1,2,5 and 7 are nearing the end of their probability unit.  Period 8 is continuing to work on geometry and will have a quiz on Wednesday, 4/3.  SOCIAL STUDIES- The South America webquest days 2,3 and 4 are all due Monday 4/8.

Team East Stroudsburg (8th) (Twitter @NMSTeamESU) Remember to get your Hershey money and forms turned in.  All money and permission forms need to be handed in by May 3.  Period 3 and 7 reading classes will begin building background knowledge in preparation for reading Fahrenheit 451.  Period 1 and 5 classes will begin reading The Contender. Period 8 will continue reading Curveball. In Social Studies students will be finishing the presidency of George Washington and moving into Adams’ and Jefferson’s terms in office.

 

Team Northampton (8th) (Twitter @TeamSpartanNMS) –   History classes will be investigating the impact of the Indian Removal Act policies of the 1830’s and the impact Manifest Destiny had on the growth and development in the United States. Students are required to have their HEADPHONES daily.    Reading classes are continuing our unit on fiction. In periods 1,5,7 we have finished reading The Contender and have a major project due on Monday. Students have been working on their projects all week. My period 3 class is continuing to read and analyze Fahrenheit 451. We have finished Part Two and students have a comic strip project due on Monday.  Students in period 8 are working on their Contender projects in class; these will be due next week. Algebra 1 classes will continue to work on Quadratic Function properties and PSSA review.   Math 8th students will continue to work on PSSA review (Volume, Surface Area, Ratios, Proportions and Probability.. In ELA classes, we will be drafting our argumentative essays next week.  Rough drafts for Periods 1, 3, 5, and 8 will be due on Monday, April 22. Students are encouraged to have their draft completed before they leave for the holiday weekend. A SHOUT OUT to Northampton Community College for hosting our students for a day of career exploration, a large group hands-on activity, and lunch and a tour of the campus!  We are EXTREMELY THANKFUL for the community relationship our team has with NCC. HERSHEY Park forms and money are NOW BEING COLLECTED – ONLY 14 more school days to get it in!      

 

Counseling Corner (Kehler, Litak, Hipp) Pinebrook Family Answers will be hosting a FREE support group for Grandparents parenting grandchildren called Second Time Around. This group will allow grandparent caregivers to have an opportunity to gain valuable information while building peer support and exchanging ideas and information. Weekly, 90 minute meeting will begin shortly.  402 North Fulton Street, Allentown PA, 18102.

Call Now to reserve your spot. (610) 432-3919  ext. 4040.

Student Services Updates None at this time.

****************************************************************************

Extracurricular Activities

Is your child interested in an after-school club or activity? Email the advisor for more information!

AM Basketball Open Gym (Mayes) Basketball each Tuesday & Thursday morning at 7:15am. Don’t be late!

Anime Club (Advisors Ms. Fehr/Mrs. Wallach)  Our next meeting is April 15 in room 104. Bring your drawing/art supplies.

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

Band front/Color Guard – Information can be found under Performing Arts Department Updates

Artsmart @ Banana Factory (Advisor Mrs. Lare)  Thursday afternoon Art Smart classes have ended. There is one remaining class next Tuesday, April 9. (NOTE Correction: originally there was no class on 4/9 due to a half-day for students, but since the district converted this to a full day, the final Tuesday Art Smart will be on the 9th and not 4/16.)  

Cheerleading (Advisor Mrs. Long) Any 6th and 7th graders interested in trying out for the 2019-2020 cheerleading squad should attend a meeting in the health room (012) on Wednesday 4/17 after school. The meeting should be about 30 minutes. If you cannot attend see Mrs. Long for the informational packet.

Dance Team (Advisor Ms. Sierra) Practice Wednesday until 5:30 pm.    Be sure to be on remind.

 

  • NMS (Notable Moves Showcase) Night April 26 (Friday)!!!! Tickets: $9 online (with fees) 7pm

 

 

German Club (Advisor Ms. Schwartz) None at this time

Heart & Sole Club (Advisor Mrs. Fehr/Ms. Weinert) None at this time.

 

Fitness Club ( Advisor Mrs. Oliver)  Come get fit after school in the Fitness Lab from 3:05-3:45 Monday thru Thursday.  Mondays and Wednesdays we focus on Core workouts and Tuesday and Thursday we focus on Cardio.

FCS/DIY Club (Advisor Mrs. Hoffman) None at this time.

French Club (Advisor Mrs. Lare)  Students and parents: please consider contributing French baked items for International Night on April 11.  In addition to French food, the night will feature a 7 minute video of our recent trip to Quebec, inukshuk making, mask decorating, virtual tours, and more!

French Trip to Quebec (Advisor Mr.s Lare) –  Madame Lare has a couple items that were left behind. If your child is missing something from the trip, please contact Madame Lare at alare@basdschools.org

 

Intramurals (Advisor Mr. Ortwein) None at this time

Leadership Council (Advisor Mrs. Ellis) Leadership Council is sponsoring a canned food drive. Send in your donations by February 13th!

Lion Service Club (Advisor Mrs. McLaughlin) None at this time.

Lion’s Pride (online school newspaper)  (Advisor Ms. Bouhana/Ms. Dentith) We will have our weekly after school meeting this upcoming Wednesday in room 201, and will meet in Ms. Bouhana’s room during activity period on Day 1. We will be working on our third and last edition. Most articles have been assigned already, but we still have some to discuss. All members MUST attend. If you are interested in joining the Newspaper team, speak to Ms. Bouhana or Ms. Dentith about applying. Lion’s Pride Second Edition can be viewed by clicking the link below. Lion’s Pride Second Edition

 

Mathcounts (Advisor Ms. Novatnak)  Congratulations on a great year.  See everyone in the fall!

National Junior Honor Society  (Advisors Mrs. Wallach/Mrs. Druckenmiller) (Twitter-@Njhs_Nistchmann; Instagram- @Njhs_Nistchmann ) Our next meeting is April 4 after school only. Terri Dressler from LLS will be here to report our final donation amount. Induction is April 16 at 6:00pm and all members are expected to attend and donate in some way. Please sign up on Schoology for donations.

Nitschmann Dramatics (Advisor Mrs. Hriniak)  The 8th grade music/drama trip to Broadway is Wednesday.  NO after-school cleaning day Wednesday.. DVDs have arrived!  You can get one from Mrs. Hriniak during homeroom. Watch your email for special spring opportunities: Cops n Kids is April 27.  Rose Garden event in June.

Nitschmann Stage Crew (Advisor Mr. Kehler) Help us replace some of the items that were damaged by donating and spreading this link around. ONLY $183.00 LEFT TO RAISE!!!

https://www.donorschoose.org/B.Kehler

Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) (Advisor Mr. Amen)   None at this time.

 

Reading Olympics (Advisor – Mrs. Nonnemacher)  Our next meeting is Wednesday, April 10  2018, from 3:05 till 5:00 P.M. in the library.  It is our last meeting as teams before the competition the next day! The competition is on April 11, 2019 at 3:00 P.M.  at Easton High School. We love having parents come and support their child! Information was sent home with the students if you would like to attend. T-shirts were sent home this past week. Make sure students are wearing them on Thursday, April 11 for the competition!  If you have any questions, let Mrs. Nonnemacher or Mr. Pearson know. The students have been working so hard and we are looking forward to a great competition!

Riding for Focus (Advisors Mr. Miller & Mr. Hess) None at this time.

The Lion’s Den School Store  (Advisors Ms. Roufakis & Mrs. Evancho) Come to visit the Lion’s Den for your Nitschmann hoodies, t-shirts, and beanies! This year we are also stocking the NMS school approved calculator for $10.  Be sure to stop and browse on your way to lunch!

Online order form….click here.  Orders will not be processed until payment is received.

Ski Club (Advisors Mr. Downey)  

 

Spain Trip (Advisor Ms. Bouhana) This is the last chance to sign up for our 8-Day trip to Spain in June. Trip dates are June 14 to June 21st. We will begin our journey in Barcelona and work our way to Madrid. We will get to experience an authentic flamenco lesson, as well as one of the oldest cities in the world, Toledo. All Nitschmann students and their families are welcome to join. For more trip details, or to enroll click on the following link. Spain June 2019

Spanish Club (Advisor Ms. Bouhana)  We are not meeting this Tuesday after school.

Step Team (Advisor Ms. Sierra) Practice  **Every Tuesday and Thursday until 5:30 pm.  Be sure to be on remind.

 

  • NMS (Notable Moves Showcase) Night April 26 (Friday)!!!! Tickets: $9 online (with fees) 7pm

 

 

Strategy Club (Advisor Mr. Kehler) eSports…  It’s coming, it’s a thing. Will your students be ready to compete?!

Need some info – https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/27/us/esports-what-is-video-game-professional-league-madden-trnd/index.html

So yeah, turns out you CAN make a living (a very comfortable one) playing games.  Universities are offering scholarships even. There are plenty of reasons to support a program and get involved, and opportunities to network, learn skills and explore careers.  Interest/Informational meeting will be after school 11:30 to 11:45, Thursday, April 18, in the Auditorium

Interested students, Please See Mr. Kehler to become a founder.  

Donate for other things here: https://www.donorschoose.org/B.Kehler .

Yearbook (Advisor Mrs. Ellis)

Nitschmann Middle School Performing Arts Department Updates

Nitschmann Middle School Instrumental Music Website (Click Here!)

Mr. Zettlemoyer, Instrumental Music dzettlemoyer@basdschools.org

1) REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

4/15    Monday – Early morning band 7:15 AM

                          Brass & Woodwind Ensemble 3:05-4pm

4/16    Tuesday – Early morning orchestra 7:15 AM

                          String Ensemble 3:05-4pm

4/17    Wednesday – No Early Morning – NO LESSONS                     

4/18    Thursday – Early morning jazz band 7:15 AM

4/19    Friday – No School

 

2) LESSON SCHEDULE

 – Link to website: http://www.nmsim.org/lessons/

3) SPRING BAND TRIP PAYMENT

 – Everyone should have $300 in their fair share account at this time.  If you do not you need to get your payments in.

 – Check your fair share total here: https://tinyurl.com/NIMASFAIRSHARE2018

 – The mandatory trip meeting is April 24, 7:00 PM.  Students going on the trip and a parent must attend.

4 WASHINGTON, D.C. MEMORIAL DAY PARADE BUS TICKETS

– There are still 30 seats available for this trip.  I will take ticket requests until all the seats are sold.

– Parents and family member who would like to travel to the band’s performance at the Washington, D.C. Memorial Day Parade can purchase bus seats here, BUS SEAT REQUEST, for $40 per person.

 

5) MANDATORY SPRING TRIP MEETING

 

  • Wednesday, April 24 at 7 PM

 

  • ALL students going on the DC trip, a parent or guardian, and chaperones MUST attend.
  • NO EXCEPTIONS!

 

 

6) SPRING BAND TRIP FORMS- Due April 24.

 

7)  NIMAS GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES for 3-19-19

 

 

8)  2019 NIMAS CALENDAR AT A GLANCE

April 17         8th Grade Music & Drama Trip to NYC                          7:00 AM – 9:00 PM

April 24         NIMAS Meeting & Mandatory spring trip meeting  7:00 PM

April 27      Jazz Band Cafe’                                                           7:00 PM

May 7        Any Given Child Bethlehem                         9:00 AM

May 8             Orchestra/Jazz Spring Concert                                     7:00 PM

May 14*      TUESDAY NIMAS Meeting at Nitschmann                   7:30 PM

May 14        Band Uniform Refit Night                                           6:00 PM

May 18       Hanover Armed Forces Day Performance (WW & Brass Ens) 10:00 AM

May 20       Spring Band Concert                                                      7:00 PM

May 23        Band uniform drop off for trip & Band uniform return   5:00 – 7:00PM

May 26 & 27 SUNDAY & MONDAY Spring Band Trip

June 3              Moving up ceremony – String Ensemble                    6:00 PM

June 6               NIMAS Meeting at Nitschmann 7:30 PM

 

 

COLOR GUARD (formerly BANDFRONT) – (Advisor Mrs. Hriniak) Regular rehearsals Monday and Thursday.  Rehearsals for the spring season have begun. If you are in BOTH guard and band, your concert band day is Monday and your guard day is Thursday.   See email updates for more information. Thank you for your hard work and dedication!

Choral Music (Twitter @ldevriesmusic)

Mrs. de Vries, Choral Music Director ldevries@basdschools.org

Mrs. Parris, Choral Music Director jparris@basdschools.org

 

Thank you for supporting International Night! Some merchandise (small chocolate bunnies and fish, emoji keychains and bracelets) is still available for purchase. All things are $2 or less. Profits help us buy music and fund activities. Interested students should see Mrs. de Vries.

 

There are several changes to the usual rehearsal schedule this week. Wed. morning Glee and Thursday Singers rehearsals are cancelled. All Singers not in jazz band should report to Thursday morning Glee for this week.

 

Do you have a special talent? Audition for the Lions’ Got Pride Show! Auditions will be held from 3-5 on April 22, 24 and 26. Chosen acts will compete for prizes at 7:00 PM on May 15 in front of a panel of expert judges. Sign up for an audition day in room 141. Details and rules of the competition can be found at this link:

Lion’s Got Pride Talent Show

Weekly Choral Rehearsal Schedule:

4/15 Monday-No rehearsal

4/16 Tuesday-7:15 AM Rehearsal for Glee members not in orchestra

                     3:05-4:00 PM Nitschmann Singers rehearsal

4/17 Wednesday-No Glee rehearsal due to 8th grade music & drama trip

4/18 Thursday-7:15 AM Rehearsal for all Glee and Singers not in jazz band

                       No Nitschmann Singers rehearsal due to early dismissal

4/19 Friday-No rehearsal

 

2018-2019 Important Choral Performance Dates:  

April 22    Talent Show auditions 3-5:00 in room 141

April 24    Talent Show auditions 3-5:00 in room 141

April 26    Talent Show auditions 3-5:00 in room 141

April 27    Cops N Kids performance at Fowler Arts Center (Inside stage, 6th floor at 12:30-1:00)

May 6       Spring Choral Concert at Nitschmann 7PM

May 15     Nitschmann Talent Show performance for all Glee and Singers 7PM

May 16     Performance at Liberty’s Evening of the Arts for all Glee and Singers 7PM

May 20    Nitschmann Singers sing at the Nitschmann Band Concert 7PM

June 3      8th grade moving up ceremony performance for all Glee and Singers 6PM

Lions/Lady Lions Athletics Updates (Twitter @NMS_Athletics)

Mr. Jon Ortwein, NMS Athletic Director jortwein@basdschools.org

*******************

Field Hockey (Advisor Mr. Burzynski)  Intramural practices, 3:05-5:05, Every Thursday in May; 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th.  Find out all the details at: (Originally had one Wednesday, but now all Thursdays) https://sites.google.com/s/0B-GsW8mhyYaKcGNnWWV1VmJhaFU/p/0B-GsW8mhyYaKRllzVnl0c2psakE/edit

Intersession Intramurals

Lacrosse Intramurals

Coordinator Ms. Weinert

Volleyball, Boys Intramurals

Coordinator Mr. Kocon

Winter Sports

Basketball, Boys

Head Coach Mr. Wills

Basketball, Girls

Head Coach Mr. Ortwein

Wrestling @ Liberty High School

Head Coach Mr. Klingborn (noahklingborg@gmail.com)

Spring Sports

Soccer, Boys & Girls Co-Ed

Head Coach Mr. Rodenbach

Monday at Harrison-Morton

Tuesday home vs Whitehall

Softball, Girls- Home games are played at NWLL off Kaywin Ave.

Monday- Dieruff-home

Tues. -Practice

Wed. -BECA-home

Head Coach Mr. Downey & Mr. Kocon

**************************************

Mr. Peter Mayes

Principal

Nitschmann Middle School

A LEAD School, partnering with The Leader in Me

“Lions Lead the Way!”

Our Collective Vision Nitschmann Middle School is committed to cultivating a respectful community of innovative learners who are socially competent citizens ready to meet the challenges of their future.

Twitter @NitschmannMS

Facebook @NitschmannMiddleSchool

Instagram @BASDNitschmannMS,

Google+ @NitschmannMiddleSchool

Web http://basdwpweb.beth.k12.pa.us/nitschmann/

1002 West Union Blvd

Bethlehem, Pa 18018

Main Office (610) 866-5781

IMPORTANT/CONFIDENTIAL: This communication is intended solely for the confidential use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and the privileges are not waived by virtue of this having been sent by electronic mail.  If the reader of this email is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this email is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please notify me immediately & permanently delete this message including all attachments.  Thank you.