Dear Parents & Guardians,
Attached is our Weekly Sunday Update, which can be found at the link or text below.
Thank you.
Dr. Mayes & Mr. Horlick
This Week’s Major Headlines:
- Please see the updated school closure information throughout this document in purple.
- CLOSURE: The Bethlehem Area School District is closed from Saturday, March 14, 2020, through Sunday, March 29, 2020. All school activities, sports, classes, & programs are canceled during this window. Please review the BASD Tiered Mitigation Plan Link
- OFFICES: The Nitschmann Middle School office will be open on Monday, March 16, 2020. If your contact information is not correct, please email (do not call!) your child’s name and the updated information to Mrs. Scott at sscott@basdschools.org. Having the correct phone and email contact information is critical during this time for emergency messaging.
- SCHOOLWORK: Information regarding continuing academic schoolwork during the mandated school closure will be posted to Schoology, email, BASD app, and social media sites this week. Schoolwork will not just continue as normal, however, students need to immediately go back through Schoology and make sure all assignments prior to Friday, March 13, 2020, are complete. Please watch for this academic update later this week.
- APPS: If you have not downloaded the BASD app, please download it to your smartphone for updates from Nitschmann Middle School and the BASD.
- STUDENT MEDICATION: Parents who need to pick up medication from the school nurse may pick medication up at the Student Services office on Monday, March 16, 2020, from 9 am to 3 pm. This will be the only time to pick these medications up from school. STATE IDENTIFICATION IS REQUIRED TO PICK UP MEDICATION!
- 6th & 7th GRADE CHROMEBOOK DISTRIBUTION: Parents/guardians who need to pick up your child’s Chromebook due to absence on Friday, March 13, 2020, may pick the Chromebook up at the Auditorium Entrance on Monday, March 16, 2020, from 9 am to 3 pm. This will be the only time to pick these Chromebooks up from school. All 6th & 7th Grade parents should review the BASD Empower Chromebook Distribution letter at this link.
- FOOD DISTRIBUTION: Information will be posted regarding food distribution for students through the BASD app, website, social media, and direct email/phone call. This will be managed by the Bethlehem Area School District Dining Services. There will be several sites around the city to assist families with this.
- GO GUARDIAN: All 6th, 7th, & 8th students should remember that our web filtering & Go Guardian systems are still working on all BASD accounts and Chromebooks during this school closure period, even when used at home. If there are any concerns, Dr. Mayes & Mr. Horlick will email students and parents directly.
- ROUTINES: Establishing a routine for adolescent middle schoolers is critical during this school closure period. Establishing reasonable limits on social media, video games, & television, providing clear time for school routines & independent reading, providing time to exercise outside, maintain social contact through phone calls to friends & family, and assisting with home chores are all reasonable things to expect children from 11-14 to do during this time. Do not treat this school closure time like summertime because we will eventually go back to school!
Parent & Student Weekly Email
Nitschmann Middle School Weekly Update, Home of the Nitschmann Nation!
Sunday, March 15, 2020, to Sunday, March 22, 2020
All of this information can be viewed at our
Nitschmann Middle School Website under Weekly Announcements (Click Here!)
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Links to Review
Schoology Directions for Parents
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Upcoming Dates to Be Proactive!
All dates are listed from our NMS Website, BASD Event Calendar, & BASD Academic Calendar
All dates are tentative contingent on the updated 2019-2020 BASD Academic Calendar. Our Nitschmann Middle School Google Calendar has been updated on our website.
3/27 End of 3rd Quarter; 4/7 11:30 Dismissal/Teacher In-Service; 4/8 11:30 Dismissal/Teacher In-Service;4/9-4/13 Easter/Spring Break/No School; 4/28 Primary Election Day/No School 5/7 Tom Kersting Talk re. Social Media 7pm; 5/25 Memorial Day/No School; 5/29 8th Grade Dance 6pm @ Ice House; 6/4 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony 6pm; 6/9 Last Day of School/End of 4th Quarter
PSSA Exam Dates (See Parent PSSA Letter for Information)
All dates are tentative contingent on updated 2019-2020 BASD Academic Calendar.
ELA (April 21, 22, 23); Math (April 29, 30); and Science (May 5, 6)
Weekly Schedule & Highlights
Monday, 3/16/20 School Closed, Medication & BASD Chromebook Final Distribution 9am-3pm
Tuesday 3/17/20 School Closed, BASD Child Care Closed
Wednesday, 3/18/20 School Closed, BASD Food Distribution Begins
Thursday, 3/19/20 School Closed
Friday, 3/20/20 School Closed
Saturday, 3/21/20 School Closed
Sunday, 3/22/20 School Closed
Upcoming Weekly Schedules & Highlights
Monday, 3/23/20 School Closed
Tuesday 3/24/20 School Closed
Wednesday, 3/25/20 School Closed
Thursday, 3/26/20 School Closed
Friday, 3/27/20 School Closed Last Day of the 3rd Quarter
Saturday, 3/28/20 School Closed
Sunday, 3/29/20 School Closed
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Coronavirus Shut Down Information
BASD Tiered Mitigation Plan Link
Most Recent BASD Dr. Roy Superintendent Video Message Link (3/13/2020)
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Important Links
BASD Dining Services Menu & Website
Recent Nitschmann News! (Always posted on our Social Media sites too!)
Twitter @NitschmannMS; Facebook @NitschmannMiddleSchool; Instagram@BASDNitschmannMS; NMS School Website; YouTube
Absences prior to the school closure still require a parent note. Send one ASAP by email!
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 email Mrs. Falcone at mfalcone@basdschools.org with any questions or concerns. Please note that this is ONLY for sick notes, not for early release or any other questions!
All BASD Transportation is not available during the school closure.
Do you need help with BASD Transportation? Call 610-861-0360!
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Transition Information
8th Grade (NMS to LHS)
Liberty High School Website Link
Liberty High School Program of Studies
All dates are tentative contingent on updated of 2019-2020 BASD Academic Calendar
3/16/20 Student Circle Groups with Mr. Bailey (@ Nitschmann Middle School) – Postponed until further notice.
3/16/20 Small Group Parent Meeting with Mr. Bailey (@ Nitschmann Middle School NPG Meeting 6:30pm) – Postponed until further notice.
3/24/20 Shadow Visit to Liberty High School – Postponed until further notice.
5/29/20 8th Grade Dance 6pm @ Ice House
6/4/20 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony 6pm
8th Grade T-Shirts & Flower Pre Orders Website
6/8/20 8th Grade Hershey Park Trip – Cancelled, money for the trip will be returned to students.
5th Grade (Elementary Schools to NMS)
All dates are tentative contingent on updated of 2019-2020 BASD Academic Calendar
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School-wide Announcements
BASD E-News (Dr. Roy) Happy Friday. We hope you enjoy this week’s edition of the BASD e-News from Dr. Roy that includes a video from St. Luke’s Health Network that was just recently released. It is a Wellness 101 Video featuring Mr. Wellness called “Stop Touching Your Face.” It is a quick, funny video with some super helpful tips. We would also like to congratulate Jane Miller – BASD Employee of the Month. Watch the video when Dr. Roy surprised her with the award! You can view these videos in this week’s edition along with additional information and events in our community. BASD e-News March 13, 2020, Edition.
Yearbook Survey (Getz) Students, would you like to be quoted in this year’s yearbook? Fill out the appropriate form for a chance to see your quote!
Got Yearbook Pictures? Students, do you have pictures from school events that you’d like to see included in the 2020 yearbook? Email them to Mrs. Getz at jgetz@basdschools.org . Include your grade and team in the email. Thank you!
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Counseling Corner (Stewart, Kehler, Hipp)
Contact your child’s counselor by email: 6th Grade Mrs. Stewart; 7th Grade Mr. Kehler (Sub Mrs. Cenci) ; 8th Grade Mrs. Hipp
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Student Services Updates (Mr. Horlick)
Contact Members of the Student Services Team by email: Mr. Horlick, Assistant Principal; Mrs. Scott, SSC Guidance Secretary; Mrs. Falcone, SSC Attendance Secretary
Schoology Directions for Parents
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nitschmannparentgroup@gmail.com
Executive Committee President Erin Coughlin
PAC Representatives (Erin Coughlin, Therese Gyauch, Amy Wuertel, Cara Pyle)
Monday, March 16, 2020 NPG Meeting is Cancelled.
Due to the recent school closure, our next meeting on Monday, March 16th at 6:30 PM in the Library that included the administration from Liberty High School discussing the transition from 8th grade at Nitschmann to 9th grade at Liberty has been CANCELLED. A make-up date has not been set as of yet. If you have any questions, please contact Erin Coughlin (President) at the email above or Bob Pearson (faculty representative) at rpearson@basdschools.org. Thank you.
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Academic Team Updates
Information regarding continuing academic schoolwork during the mandated school closure will be posted to Schoology, email, BASD app, and social media sites this week.
Team Lafayette (6th) (Twitter @NMSLafayette Team Leader Mrs. Hackman) Team Lafayette hopes everyone is staying safe and healthy! Watch your emails & Schoology for updates. Get to work on any outstanding assignments from last week! Chromebooks went home with students on Friday. Please make sure they stay charged and have students check their email and Schoology daily for communications and to complete any missing assignments. Thank you!
Team Lehigh (6th) (Twitter @NMSTeamLehigh Team Leader Mrs. Oliver) First of all we want to wish everyone good health. Please read recommendations from the CDC and the WHO on how best to fend off illness. Chromebooks went home with students on Friday. Please make sure they stay charged and have students check their email and Schoology daily for communications and to complete any missing assignments. Thank you!
Team Moravian (6th) – (Twitter @NMSTeam Moravian/Facebook@NMSTeamMoravian Team Leader Mrs. Roufakis)
Team Moravian hopes everyone is staying safe and healthy! Watch your emails & Schoology for updates. Get to work on any outstanding assignments from last week! Chromebooks went home with students on Friday. Please make sure they stay charged and have students check their email and Schoology daily for communications and to complete any missing assignments. Thank you!
Team Kutztown (7th) (Twitter @TeamKutztown Team Leader Mr. Hess) Team Kutztown hopes everyone is staying safe and healthy! Watch your emails & Schoology for updates. Get to work on any outstanding assignments from last week! Chromebooks went home with students on Friday. Please make sure they stay charged and have students check their email and Schoology daily for communications and to complete any missing assignments. Thank you!
Team Penn State (7th) (Twitter @NMSPennState/Facebook @NMSTeamPennState/ Instagram pennstatenms Team Leader Mrs. Miller) Team Penn State hopes everyone is staying safe and healthy! Watch your emails & Schoology for updates. Get to work on any outstanding assignments from last week! Chromebooks went home with students on Friday. Please make sure they stay charged and have students check their email and Schoology daily for communications and to complete any missing assignments. Thank you!
Team East Stroudsburg (8th) (Twitter @@nmsteamesu Team Leader Mr. Amen Instagram @nmsteamesu8) Team ESU hopes everyone is staying safe and healthy! Watch your emails & Schoology for updates. Get to work on any outstanding assignments from last week!
Team Northampton (8th) (Twitter @TeamSpartanNMS Team Leader Mrs. Hood) Team NCC hopes everyone is staying safe and healthy! Watch your emails & Schoology for updates. Get to work on any outstanding assignments from last week!
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Team Pitt (Health and PE/FCS) (Twitter @NMSTeamPitt )
Health and PE-
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Extracurricular Activities
Is your child interested in an after-school club or activity? Email the advisor for more information!
AM Basketball (Mayes) None at this time.
Anime Club (Advisors Ms. Fehr/Mrs. Wallach) None at this time.
Art Club (Advisors Mrs. Kozero/Mrs. Lund) None at this time.
Artsmart @ Banana Factory (Advisor Mrs. Lare) None at this time.
Dance Team (Advisor Dr. Sierra) None at this time.
French Club – (Advisor Mrs. Lare) None at this time.
German Club (Advisor Mrs. Sofka) None at this time.
Fitness Club ( Advisor Mrs. Oliver) None at this time.
FCS/DIY Club (Advisor Mrs. Hoffman) None at this time.
Intramurals (Advisor Mr. Ortwein) None at this time.
Leadership Council (Advisor Mr. Kocon) None at this time.
Lion Service Club (Advisor Mrs. McLaughlin) None at this time.
Lion’s Pride (online school newspaper) (Advisor Ms. Bouhana) None at this time.
Mathcounts (Advisor Mrs. Novatnak Lafey) None at this time.
National Junior Honor Society (Advisors Mrs. Wallach/Mrs. Druckenmiller) (Twitter-@Njhs_Nitschmann; Instagram- @Njhs_Nistchmann ) Applications should be held by students until we return to school.
Nitschmann Dramatics (Advisor Mrs. Hriniak) None at this time.
Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) (Advisor Mr. Amen) None at this time.
Reading Olympics (Advisor – Mrs. Nonnemacher) None at this time.
Riding for Focus (Advisors Mr. Miller & Mr. Hess) None at this time.
The Lion’s Den School Store (Advisors Ms. Roufakis & Mrs. Evancho)
Application for 6th graders
Online order form….click here. Orders will not be processed until payment is received!
Save the Sea Turtles Club (Advisor Mrs. Oliver) None at this time.
Ski & Snowboard Club (Advisors Mr. Downey and Mrs. Druckenmiller) None at this time.
Spanish Club (Advisor Ms. Bouhana) None at this time.
Step Team (Advisor Dr. Sierra) None at this time.
Strategy Club (Advisor Mr. Kehler) None at this time.
Yearbook (Advisor Mrs.Getz) Got Pictures? Students, do you have pictures from school events that you’d like to see included in the 2020 yearbook? Email them to Mrs. Getz at jgetz@basdschools.org . Include your grade and team in the email. Thank you!
Nitschmann Middle School Performing Arts Department Updates
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Nitschmann Middle School Instrumental Music Website (Click Here!)
Mr. Daniel Zettlemoyer, Instrumental Music
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Dear Parents and Students,
Due to the school closure, the following additional changes have been made to the performance and event schedule.
- The NIMAS meeting for Wednesday, March 18 is canceled.
- The Jazz Band Festival scheduled for Friday, March 20 is canceled and will not be rescheduled.
- The NIMAS bingo on Friday, April 3 is canceled and will not be rescheduled.
- The Barnes & Noble bookfair on April 4, is canceled and will not be rescheduled.
- The Jazz Cafe’ scheduled for April 18 is being postponed, due to the considerable loss of rehearsal time. I am working on rescheduling this event for a future date in May.
8th GRADE MUSIC AND DRAMA TRIP UPDATE
I started working on an alternate plan for this trip three weeks ago. At that time, everything was status quo with Broadway to not offer exchanges or refunds. Two weeks ago, Broadway began offering exchanges and plans were made to potentially move the trip to another date. This past week Broadway closed from March 12 – April 12. I anticipate, based on the information I have read, and information received from our travel agent that refunds are now potentially an option. I have requested a refund as of March 12. When I hear back you will be contacted with more information with where we stand. I am taking every step possible to ensure that we get as much back as we can.
Please keep in mind that the money you have fundraised cannot be returned to you as cash. It will be put back into your fair share account. Payments you have made in cash or check are available to be returned to you. We will issue refunds to you, if available when NIMAS has received a refund from the vendor.
Complete details of the trip are on the website at http://www.nmsim.org/8th-grade-trip/
SPRING TRIP TO BOSTON
No decisions have been made, as of yet, to move or cancel the spring trip to Boston. I have been working on this for the last three weeks as well. Since the trip is in May, decisions regarding changes to cancellation policies have not been implemented. I will disseminate information as it becomes available. We are depositing all payments that were sent in as of Friday, March 13. We will hold off on future payments until future notice.
Please keep in mind that the money you have fundraised cannot be returned to you as cash. It will be put back into your fair share account. Payments you have made in cash or check are available to be returned to you. We will issue refunds to you, if available when NIMAS has received a refund from the vendor.
Complete details of the trip are on the website at http://www.nmsim.org/spring-trip/
FUNDRAISERS
- NEW Fun Pasta – March 7 – April 25 (Click here for information)
- Spring Flower Sale – suspended ( We are looking at moving the dates of the sale)
- Gertrude Hawk Candy Boxes – suspended
- Wawa Shortie Hoagie Coupons
- Weis gift cards
- ShopRite gift cards
- Giant gift cards
- The Nitschmann Instrumental Music Association is now part of the Amazon Smile program. Now you can shop at Amazon, get great deals and support the Nitschmann Instrumental Music Association all at the same time. Please share this with your friends and family. Go here for more information: http://www.nmsim.org/nimas/fundraising/
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
March 15-29 School Closed
COLOR GUARD:
March 15-29 School Closed
INSTRUMENTAL LESSON INFORMATION
- Practice at home!
- Check the group list to make sure you know what group you are in.
- Find your group on the chart for the week as your day may have changed.
The lesson groups and schedule information is located HERE.
NEWS OF NOTE:
- LHS bagpipe information – If you are interested in receiving information regarding playing the bagpipes at Liberty text @piping2020 to the number 81010.
- LHS Majorette tryouts will be on APRIL 20 beginning at 3:30 pm in the LHS band room.
As usual – LHS will teach you 64 counts of routine. Each person who auditions should prepare a 64 count LHS/traditional style routine with music accompaniment.
Our sound system can accommodate iPhones, computers, etc.
All candidates need to bring their “most current” report card that contains their “current” GPA.
If there are any questions please contact me. klong@basdschools.org
See the email updates from Mr. Z for specific details and reminders.
- Stay up to date on the latest by following the instrumental music groups on Twitter. @NMSBandOrch
Do not forget to check the Instrumental Music Website www.nmsim.org for everything dealing with instrumental music.
CALENDAR AT A GLANCE:
April 15 PMEA Intermediate Band & Orchestra Festival All Day
April 20 LHS Majorette tryouts (LHS band room) 3:30pm
April 22 Mandatory Boston Trip Meeting 7 PM
April 29 NIMAS General Membership meeting 7:30 PM
May 4 Orchestra & Jazz Spring Concert 7 PM *This might be moved to later in May
May 8 & 9 Spring Trip to Boston
May 12 NIMAS General Membership meeting 7:30 PM
May 20 Spring Band Concert 7 PM
June 3 NIMAS General Membership meeting 7:30 PM
June 4 Moving up ceremony 6 PM
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Choral Music (Twitter @ldevriesmusic) Mrs. Linda de Vries, Choral Music Director
Mrs. Jody Parris, Choral Music Director
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Lions/Lady Lions Athletics Updates (Twitter @NMS_Athletics)
Mr. Jon Ortwein, NMS Athletic Director
A reminder for all students who participate in athletics that keeping your grades up is a requirement of participating at Nitschmann Middle School and Liberty High School. Grades are check bi-weekly by Student Services.
Year-long
Cheerleading (Head Coach Mrs. Long kllong@basdschools.org)
All practices & competitions on hold until further notice
Spring
Girls MS Softball (Head Coach Mr. Kocon ekocon@basdschools.org)
All practices & competitions on hold until further notice
Co-Ed MS Soccer (Head Coach Mr. Rodenbach srodenbach@basdschools.org )
All practices & competitions on hold until further notice
Winter
Boys MS Basketball (Head Coach Mr. Wills)
Girls MS Basketball (Head Coach Mr. Ortwein jortwein@basdschools.org)
Boys & Girls LHS HS Wrestling (Head Coach Mr. Hall)
Fall
Boys Football (Head Coach Mr. Villiani mvillani@basdschools.org)
Co-Ed Cross Country (Head Coach Miss Schwartz lschwartz@basdschools.org)
Girls Volleyball (Head Coach Mrs. Hinkel ahinkel@basdschools.org)
Girls Field Hockey (Mr. Burzynski bburzynski@basdschools.org)
Intramurals
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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,
Web http://basdwpweb.beth.k12.pa.us/nitschmann/
1002 West Union Blvd
Bethlehem, Pa 18018
Main Office (610) 866-5781
Fax (610) 866-1435
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.