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

2020_8_23_Parent Weekly Email

 

This Week’s Major Headlines:

 

• FAQ: Please review this linked Start of School FAQ! Chances are that your question about the start of school is in this link. If it is not answered in the FAQ, email Dr. Mayes to have it added!

• 2020-2021 Tentative Schedules: You should have received your child’s schedule by US Mail on Friday/Saturday. Final schedules will be handed to hybrid students during the homeroom period on their first day of school.

• BASD Login & Passwords: Parents & Guardians should have received their BASD Login & Password on Saturday by US Mail. You can use this information to log into the Home Access Center for Transportation information now and Schoology for student information on August 31. Click on this link for links to these systems. If you have multiple children and received multiple letters, it means your children are not correctly linked in our database. Contact the school of your oldest child to correct this. For NMS, it is Mrs. Scott (sscott@basdschools.org) in our Student Services Guidance office. 

• 6th Grade Orientation: 6th Grade Orientation will be held on Monday, August 31, 2020. Information has been emailed directly to 6th grade parents & is posted at our NMS Website at this link. Hybrid & e-Classroom students are welcome to attend!

• Chromebook Exchange & Distribution: Information is posted below on dates & times. This week, Friday is only for e-Classroom & BASD cyber students. Hybrid will get them during 6th grade orientation on 8/31 or when your child reports for their first day of school. If they have an old BASD Chromebook, it will be exchanged. 

• BASD Dining Services: Cash will no longer be accepted as payment at the registers in the cafeteria. Please review the information below or on the BASD website at this link. Students will receive their new BASD ID cards in homeroom during the first week of school, linking them to their accounts. 

• 6th Grade e-Classroom Parent/Guardian Webinar on Wednesday: Dr. Mayes will be meeting with parents/guardians of students enrolled in  e-Classroom this Wednesday, August 26, 2020 at 7pm to review questions about the start of school for the 2020-2021 school year. He will be reviewing the start of the year.. We are limited with only 100 participants, but will also be live streaming to our YouTube site. You can register at this link. 

• Sunday Email (Mayes): Please note there are new sections in our Sunday email for all students & separate ones for Hybrid and e-Classroom groups. Make sure to check announcements every week!

 

Parent & Student Weekly Email

Nitschmann Middle School Weekly Update, Home of the Nitschmann Nation!

Sunday, August 23, 2020, to Sunday, August 30, 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

BASD Parent Portals Link (Schoology, Home Access Center, SchoolCafe, etc.)

 

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Upcoming Dates to Be Proactive!

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

 

Weekly Schedule & Highlights

 

Day	Date	Cycle Day	Notes	Hybrid A-L	Hybrid M-Z	e-Classroom
Monday	8/24	N/A		N/A	N/A	N/A
Tuesday	8/25	N/A		N/A	N/A	N/A
Wednesday	8/26	N/A	First Day of School for Teachers; Teacher In-Service e-Classroom Webinar 7pm	N/A	N/A	N/A
Thursday	8/27	N/A	Teacher In-Service	N/A	N/A	N/A
Friday	8/28	N/A	Teacher-In Service; e-Classroom Chromebook Distribution 12pm-3pm	N/A	N/A	N/A

 

Day	Date	Cycle Day	Notes	Hybrid A-L	Hybrid M-Z	e-Classroom
Monday	8/31	None	6th Grade Orientation Day (Schedule: 6th Graders A-L 8:05am-10:05am; M-Z 1:05pm-3:05pm)	@ Home No HR	@ Home No HR	@ Home No HR
Tuesday	9/1	Day 1/Odd Day	First Day of School, Hybrid A-L Chromebook Distribution & Exchange	@ School	@ Home HR 8:15am	@ Home HR 8:15am
Wednesday	9/2	Day 1/Odd Day	First Day of School, Hybrid M-Z Chromebook Distribution & Exchange	@ Home HR 8:15am	@ School	@ Home HR 8:15am
Thursday	9/3	Day 2/Even Day		@ School	@ Home HR 8:15am	@ Home HR 8:15am
Friday	9/4	Day 2/Even Day		@ Home HR 8:15am	@ School	@ Home HR 8:15am

 

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School-wide Announcements (All Hybrid & e-Classroom Students)

 

School Supply List (Mayes) Please see the 2020-2021 NMS School Supply List at this link.  Please contact your child’s guidance counselor if you have a specific need!

 

BASD Chromebook (Mayes) The BASD Chromebook for 2020-2021 is the 11.6″ Lenovo 500E series 2-in-1 Chromebook Laptop, 2nd generation. Students may purchase a hard Chromebook case to protect it themselves. When a case is used, a student may put stickers, etc, on the case. Nothing may be placed on the actual Chromebook without a case. A soft case will be provided for all students. 

 

BASD Chromebooks (Mayes) Please see the chart below for pickup or exchange. If your child already has a Chromebook (6th grade from elementary or 7th/8th from last school year), it MUST be exchanged with the BASD Chromebook & charger. 

 

2020-2021 BASD Chromebook Pickup or Exchange @ Nitschmann Middle School
Day	Date	Hybrid A-L	Hybrid M-Z	e-Classroom/BASD Cyber
		6th Grade	7th & 8th Grade	6th Grade	7th & 8th Grade
Friday	8/28	No	No	Yes. Pickup/Exchange between 12-3pm in Bus Lane	Yes. Pickup/Exchange between 12-3pm in Bus Lane
Monday	8/31	Yes. Pickup/Exchange at Orientation	Yes. Pickup/Exchange at Orientation	Yes. Pickup at Orientation	No
Tuesday	9/1	Yes. Pickup or Exchange during school.	No	No	No
Wednesday	9/2	No	Yes. Pickup or Exchange during school.	No	No

 

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Hybrid Only Announcements

 

Monday, August 31 (Mayes): There will be no requirements for any hybrid students A-Z on this day.   

 

First Day of School Tuesday, September 1 (Mayes): A-L students will report at 8:05am to school to begin the day & bring their BASD Chromebook from last year to exchange for a new one.. M-Z should be on the Zoom Homeroom link in Schoology & complete the Homeroom Attendance Assignment for the day. 

 

First Day of School Wednesday, September 2 (Mayes):  M-Z students will report at 8:05am to school to begin the day & bring their BASD Chromebook from last year to exchange for a new one.. A-L should be on the Zoom Homeroom link in Schoology & complete the Homeroom Attendance Assignment for the day. 

 

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e-Classroom Only Announcements

 

6th Grade e-Classroom Parent/Guardian Webinar on Wednesday (Mayes): Dr. Mayes will be meeting with parents/guardians of students enrolled in  e-Classroom this Wednesday, August 26, 2020 at 7pm to review questions about the start of school for the 2020-2021 school year. He will be reviewing the start of the year.. We are limited with only 100 participants, but will also be live streaming to our YouTube site. You can register at this link. 

 

Chromebook Pickup/Exchanges (Mayes): Parents/guardians/students MUST pick up new Chromebooks on Friday, August 28, 2020 from 12pm to 3pm. If your child has a BASD Chromebook & charger, they must exchange it or you will be charged for the device. Please pull into the NMS Bus Lane and follow the directions from the staff. Do not exit your vehicle. 

 

First Day of School – Monday, August 31 (Mayes): Your child will have their first check-in with teachers on Monday, August 31, 2020. Zoom links will be posted on Schoology in their courses & emailed to their BASD emails.  

 

e-Classroom Zoom Meeting Schedule on Monday, August 31, 2020
	6th Grade	7th Grade	8th Grade
10:15am-10:30am	Core Team Teachers	Encore Phys Ed	Encore World Language
10:30am-10:45am	Encore World Language	Encore Rotations	Encore Phys Ed
10:45am-11:00am	Encore Phys Ed	Core Team Teachers	Encore Rotations
11:00am-11:15am	Encore Rotations	Encore World Language	Core Team Teachers

 

Office Hours (Mayes): Office Hours will be posted by teachers in their Schoology courses. Please confirm with teachers, as office hours may be postponed if teachers are required to cover other classes. 

 

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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

https://www.safe2saypa.org/ 

If you have a concern, or you or someone you know is experiencing cyberbullying, please make a SAFE2SAY referral. If it is an immediate safety matter, please contact the Police first. 

 

 

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BASD Dining Services  

 

For the safety of students and staff, and to prevent the spread of COVID-19, BASD is implementing touchless and cashless transactions for Dining Services for the 2020-2021 school year as part of the reopening plan. Touchless Transaction means that students will be required to scan their BASD Student ID card at the register to access their account. Pin pads will no longer be used to access student accounts. Immediate deposits (cash and checks) will not be accepted by the lunch cashier. Funds may be added to cafeteria accounts in the following ways: 

• Online at schoolcafe.com 
• Mail a check (include student name and ID) payable to “BASD Dining Services” to: BASD Dining Services 1170 Fernwood Street Bethlehem, PA 18018 
• Place cash or check payable to “BASD Dining Services” in an envelope clearly labeled with student first name, last name and ID number. The labeled envelope may then be handed to a Dining Services team member at breakfast. Elementary students may hand the envelope to their teacher. Cash or check that is not in a labeled envelope will not be accepted.

For questions regarding student accounts, visit us online at https://www.basdschools.org/dining or contact us at crosado@basdschools.org or (610) 861-8135. 

 

**************************************************************************** Nitschmann Parent Group (NPG) (Twitter!@NitschmannPG)

nitschmannparentgroup@gmail.com

Executive Committee President 

PAC Representatives 

 

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Core & Encore Team Updates 

Team Lafayette (6th) (Twitter @NMSLafayette Team Leader Mrs. Hackman) None at this time.

 

Team Lehigh (6th) (Twitter @NMSTeamLehigh Team Leader Mrs. Oliver)   None at this time.

 

Team Moravian (6th) – (Twitter @NMSTeam Moravian/Facebook@NMSTeamMoravian Team Leader Mrs. Roufakis)  None at this time.

 

Team Kutztown (7th) (Twitter @TeamKutztown Team Leader Mr. Falteich)  None at this time.

 

Team Penn State (7th) (Twitter @NMSPennState/Facebook @NMSTeamPennState/ Instagram pennstatenms Team Leader Mrs. Getz)  Team Penn State teachers are gearing up for the start of school. We are anxious to meet the students and get the year underway. 

 

Team DeSales (8th) (Team Leader Mrs. Pogue): Our newly established team is so excited to meet our new students. We welcome new teachers, Mrs Alison Tannou and , Ms. Nicoletta Napoli. We also welcome Mrs VanWoert who is coming to us from 7th grade. Get ready for a great year and some exciting team challenges! Please begin to follow developments in the upcoming Presidential election, find reliable and unbiased  sources of information. The National Constitution Center website has unbiased and nonpartisan information. 

 

Team Northampton (8th) (Twitter @TeamSpartanNMS Team Leader Mrs. Hood)   Team Northampton is ready to meet our newest leaders of the school!  Make sure you have all your regular school and personal supplies, and that your laptop is charged and ready to go for the first day of school!!!  We will be planning to navigate Schoology, online Techbooks, and other TECH tips right from the get go!  Make the most of the last week of summer vacation – get outside and exercise everyday, spend time with family and friends, send a thank you video to anyone who has inspired you over the summer months, read a great book, cook/bake a favorite recip, binge watch your favorite show, the list is truly endless:) 

 

Team Pitt (Encore) (Twitter @NMSTeamPitt ) None at this time.

 

Team Bloomsburg (Encore World Language and Library) (Twitter @NMSBloomsburg)- Hello!  Bonjour!  Guten Tag! ¡Hola! We hope you have received your schedule and looked to see what language and teacher you will have.  We are excited to meet you and look forward to a great year.

 

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Extracurricular Activities

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

 

Activities will begin in mid-September, 2020. 

 

AM Basketball (Mayes) 

 

Anime Club (Advisors Ms. Fehr/Mrs. Wallach)  None at this time. 

 

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

  

Artsmart @ Banana Factory (Advisor Mrs. Lare) None at this time. 

 

Dance Team (Advisor Dr. Sierra) Will not begin until the end of Sep/ beginning of Oct.  Announcements will be made.  Contact me w/ any questions. 

 

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 ) None at this time. 

 

Nitschmann Dramatics (Advisor Mrs. Hriniak)  Great job to our Dramatics students who have been participating in virtual Young Playwrights’ Lab!

 

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

 

Reading Olympics (Advisor – Mrs. Nonnemacher) None at this time. 

 

Riding for Focus (Advisors Mr. Miller & Mr. Bellucci) 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) Will not begin until the end of Sep/ beginning of Oct.  Announcements will be made.  Contact me w/ any questions.  

 

Strategy Club (Advisor Mr. Kehler) None at this time. 

 

Yearbook (Advisor TBA) None at this time. 

 

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Nitschmann Middle School Performing Arts Department Updates

Nitschmann Middle School Instrumental Music Website (Click Here!)

Mr. Daniel Zettlemoyer, Instrumental Music 

 

NIMAS General Membership Meeting – Thursday, August 27, 7pm. 

(Zoom link is on the Cut Time Calendar)

Parents– Check your Cut Time profile for the weekly news.

 

Color Guard Updates: Great job with our first week of virtual band camp!  You should be working on the following at home on your non-Zoom days:

1. March for at least 10 minutes (your choice of music)
2. Review basic skills, spins, and routines (YouTube playlist is here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMBPh7pCik7MnNmg7B44KMw)
3. Check for updates on Cut Time

 

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

 

2020-2021 Interscholastic Sports (Ortwein) The Eastern Pennsylvania Conference (EPC) has delayed practices until September 14, 2020. Practices and games will be delayed until then.  BASD Physical Forms must be completed. Please submit completed forms to the Student Services Office.  The forms are available at this link. 

 

Year-long

Cheerleading (Head Coach Mrs. Long kllong@basdschools.org)

 

Fall

Boys Football (Head Coach Mr. Shemanski  mshemanski@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)

 

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)

 

Spring

Girls MS Softball (Head Coach Mr. Kocon ekocon@basdschools.org)

 

Co-Ed MS Soccer (Head Coach Mr. Rodenbach srodenbach@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.