Home / News / NMS_August 30 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.

Dr. Mayes & Mr. Horlick

2020_8_30_Parent Weekly Email (1)

Link to .pdf of Sunday Email: https://bit.ly/3hMAL0Q

 

This Week’s Major Headlines:

guardians! 


  • 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! See the schedule below in the calendar. Students should bring their bookbag to bring their Chromebook home!


  • Student Chromebooks: All students should charge their laptops and check them for updates daily, especially once getting their new ones this week.


  • 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 days of school, linking them to their accounts. 

 

Parent & Student Weekly Email

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

Sunday, August 30, 2020, to Sunday, September 6, 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 8/31 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

AM Zooms (See Schedule)

Tuesday 9/1 Day 1/Odd Day First Day of School, Hybrid A-L

Chromebook Distribution 

@ 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  @ 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

 

Day Date Cycle Day Notes Hybrid A-L Hybrid M-Z e-Classroom
Monday 9/7 None No School for Students or Staff (No Zoom Mtgs for e-Classroom)

Labor Day Holiday

Tuesday 9/8 Day 3/Odd Day @ School @ Home

HR 8:15am

@ Home

HR 8:15am

Wednesday 9/9 Day 3/Odd Day @ Home

HR 8:15am

@ School @ Home

HR 8:15am

Thursday 9/10 Day 4/Even Day @ School @ Home

HR 8:15am

@ Home

HR 8:15am

Friday 9/11 Day 4/Even Day NMS Patriot Day

Wear Red/White/& Blue

@ Home

HR 8:15am

@ School @ Home

HR 8:15am

 

Day Date Cycle Day Notes Hybrid A-L Hybrid M-Z e-Classroom
Monday 9/14 None @ Home

No HR

@ Home

No HR

@ Home

No HR

PM Zooms

Tuesday 9/15 Day 5/Odd Day Tentative Date for Start of Fall Sports @ School @ Home

HR 8:15am

@ Home

HR 8:15am

Wednesday 9/16 Day 5/Odd Day @ Home

HR 8:15am

@ School @ Home

HR 8:15am

Thursday 9/17 Day 6/Even Day @ School @ Home

HR 8:15am

@ Home

HR 8:15am

Friday 9/18 Day 6/Even Day @ Home

HR 8:15am

@ School @ Home

HR 8:15am

 

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

 

PPE (Mayes) Students must have a form-fitting mask (cloth or gaiter ok) to enter school. Bandanas are not permitted. Students may have personal sanitizer and water bottles with them. 

 

Bookbags (Mayes) Please make sure students are prepared with a good backpack to carry on their back. Lockers will not be in use for the first few weeks. Bring your supplies Tuesday-Friday. 

 

Arrival (Mayes) Reminder that 6th grade students gather at the gym entrance, 7th grade at the Main Entrance, and 8th grade on the bleachers. 

 

Dismissal (Mayes) Reminder that walker/rider/bikers will be dismissed at 3:00pm. Busses will be dismissed at 3:05pm. This schedule will be tentative until we can observe the dismissal procedure for all students. 

 

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Hybrid Only Announcements

ALL Students MUST complete their attendance assignments daily M-F in their Schoology Citizenship Course!

@ Home Students MAY attend Homeroom on Zoom daily Tuesday-Friday to check in with their homeroom teacher!

Students have assignments every day to compete in Schoology Monday-Friday. 

 

Monday, August 31 (Mayes): Students must complete their Daily Attendance Assignment on Schoology. Students should check each class for announcements and any posted assignments. 

 

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. See Dr. Mayes’ Video at this link. 

 

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. See Dr. Mayes’ Video at this link. 

 

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e-Classroom Only Announcements

ALL Students MUST complete their attendance assignments daily M-F in their Schoology Citizenship Course!

@ Home Students MAY attend Homeroom on Zoom daily Tuesday-Friday to check in with their homeroom teacher!

Students have assignments every day to compete in Schoology Monday-Friday. 

 

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 student BASD emails.  Students should review Dr. Mayes’ Video at this link. 

 

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) Team Lafayette is excited to meet our students. We are looking forward to helping you make Nitschmann your new home. See you on Monday!

 

Team Lehigh (6th) (Twitter @NMSTeamLehigh/ Facebook @NitschmannTeamLehigh Team Leader Mrs. Oliver)  Welcome to Team Lehigh!  We are so excited to meet each and everyone of you!  We hope that you will make it to our 6th Grade Orientation on Monday!  Students A-L we will see from 8:05-10:05 and those in group M-Z we will see from 1:05-3:05.  E-classroom students, please check your school email to check for a link to our zoom meeting on Monday 8/31 at 10:15am.  Looking forward to a great school year!  Go Mountain Hawks!

 

Team Moravian (6th) – (Twitter @NMSTeam Moravian/Facebook@NMSTeamMoravian Team Leader Mrs. Roufakis)  Team Moravian is excited to meet our students. We are looking forward to helping you make Nitschmann your new home. See you on Monday!

 

Team Kutztown (7th) (Twitter @TeamKutztown Team Leader Mr. Falteich)  Welcome to Seventh Grade!

We have TWO VERY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR MONDAY!

  1. All students must answer the daily attendance question on Monday, August 31, 2020, by 3:00 p.m. It does not take long, but it will let us know that you have checked-in for the day. You will have to answer the morning attendance check-in question any days that you will be working at home.
  2. E-CLASSROOM STUDENTS ONLY – THERE WILL BE A ZOOM MEETING TO MEET TEAM KUTZTOWN’S TEACHERS at 10:45 on Monday, August 31, 2020. ALL E-CLASSROOM STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND! PLEASE CHECK YOUR SCHOOL EMAIL FOR THE LINK TO THIS IMPORTANT ZOOM MEETING.

 

Team Penn State (7th) (Twitter @NMSPennState/Facebook @NMSTeamPennState/ Instagram pennstatenms Team Leader Mrs. Getz)  Team Penn State teachers have been meeting and getting prepared for this school year. It will certainly be different than our “normal”, but we are confident that we will all work together and make it a successful year. We look forward to meeting our e-classroom students on Monday, and our hybrid students on Tuesday or Wednesday. Please make sure you are checking your email for all of the updates from Dr. Mayes. We would also like to officially welcome Mr. Khalife to Team Penn State. He joins us as a graduate of Kutztown University, and he will be our science teacher this year. He is eager to meet the students and get started with our school year. 

E-Classroom Students: Zoom Meeting Monday 10:45-11:00 Julie Getz is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Click here for E-Classroom Zoom Meeting Link Passcode: V3CkAC

Hybrid A-L – There are no assignments for Monday. However, use that time to organize your backpack. For Tuesday, you should have hand sanitizer, a mask, a water bottle labeled with your full name, your Chromebook and charger, and your school supplies. Get a good night rest and we look forward to meeting you on Tuesday. 

Hybrid M-Z – There are no assignments for Monday. However, use that time to organize your backpack. For Tuesday, you should be checking into your homeroom Zoom meeting. The link will be posted in your homeroom Schoology folder. Secondly, you need to complete the attendance check in before 3pm. This will also be posted in your homeroom Schoology folder. For Wednesday, you should have hand sanitizer, a mask, a water bottle labeled with your full name, your Chromebook and charger, and your school supplies. Get a good night rest and we look forward to meeting you on Wednesday.

 

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 Tannous 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(headphones, folders, planner, hand sanitizer, wipes, water bottle, laptop charger and case, bookbag, etc), and that your laptop is charged and ready to go for the first day of school!!!  Don’t forget NO PLANNERS this year once again, so make sure you have a system in place to keep track of assignments and stay organized.  We will be planning to navigate Schoology, online Techbooks, and other TECH tips right from the get go! 

    • To our E-Classroom students only – be sure to tune in Monday, August 31st from 11:00 – 11:15 using the E-Classroom Zoom Link posted in Mrs. Hood’s Schoology Class in the Course Headquarters Folder. 
  • ALL Team NCC students (Hybrid and E-Classroom) need to complete the daily attendance question on Monday.  This question will be posted in your Homeroom Teacher’s Schoology Page..  This accounts for your being “present” for the day.  We will review attendance procedures on Tuesday/Wednesday again.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Team Leader, Mrs. Hood @ thood@basdschools.org

 

Team Pitt (Encore) (Twitter @NMSTeamPitt Team Leader Mrs. Hoffman) We are excited to see everyone, please make sure to wear your gym clothes to school. 

 

Team Bloomsburg (Encore World Language and Library) (Twitter @NMSBloomsburg / Team Leader Dr. Sierra)- Hello!  Bonjour!  Guten Tag! ¡Hola! We hope you have looked to see what language and teacher you will have this year.  Please welcome Mrs. Werkheiser, our librarian to NMS and Team Bloomsburg.  The library is getting ready for you to check out books and read, read, read.  We are excited to meet you and look forward to a great year.  E-class students you will get an email regarding the zoom meeting on Monday.  All students should look at their schoology announcements and updates.  Some classes will have videos and assignments that you can begin regardless if you are in e-class or are in hybrid.

 

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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)  Nitschmann Dramatics is proud to announce this year’s show is Hairspray Jr.!  As we get used to our new year and our new schedule, watch for more updates and announcements about video tutorials, virtual rehearsals, and other information as it becomes available to us.

 

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 

 

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

 

Jazz band audition recordings are due on September 7 at 9pm.  

AMAZON SMILE

The Nitschmann Instrumental Music Association is 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.

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  • Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice.
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DIRECTIONS:

  • If you can search for a charity from your home page type in:  Nitschmann Instrumental Music Association.
  • If you cannot search from the home page click on YOUR ACCOUNT.
  • Under Settings, look for Change your Charity.
  • Click on Change your Charity.
  • In the search box type Nitschmann Instrumental Music Association.
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Color Guard Updates:  You should be working on the following at home every day:

  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 @ldevriesmusicMrs. 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)

Mrs. Hinkel and Mrs. Van Woert are looking forward to meeting our future Lady Lions later this month.  Please make sure you have a completed physical form prior to the start of practice and continue getting in shape.  As we start school, please check your email and listen to the morning announcements for details about tryout times and locations.

 

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.