NMS_September 13 Parent & Guardian Weekly Email Information

September 13, 2020 in News

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_9_15_Parent Weekly Email

Dear Parents & Guardians,

As we begin our third week of school with activities restarting, I would like to just remind everyone about a few items I have seen developing over the past two weeks:

1. Thank you to all students & families for supporting our 100% mask plan. Our hybrid students have performed admirably over the past two weeks, which is what is triggering our restart of sports & activities. Let’s keep up the good work and follow the rules!

2. There seems to be a misunderstanding among lots of students & parents/guardians that @ Home days are off days. They certainly are not. Assignments are posted every day, which is unlike the spring semester. I am very concerned by the number of missing assignments and F’s in core subjects/N in encore subjects already for non-work completion. If your child is saying nothing is posted in Schoology for @ Home days, that is not true. Use your Schoology login & password to double-check for incomplete or missing assignments on the right side of the screen. Grades will be reported at the mid-quarter, in about three weeks. Grades will be reported as normal, no matter if your child is in hybrid or e-Classroom as letter grades. Let’s not start off the quarter with poor grades!

3. As activities restart, it is critical that parents/guardians double-check students for COVID symptoms before school. Students who may have symptoms should not attend school. A link is on our NMS website to enter absence notes rather than sending paper ones in.

4. Remind your child to complete their attendance assignment in Schoology daily. When students are @ Home, this is how they are marked present by their homeroom teacher. I have directed homeroom teachers to not change this if the assignment is not complete, even if your child submits work on Schoology for other assignments.

As always, please reach out with questions or concerns. I look forward to “virtually” meeting with you next Monday, 9/21 for Back to School night online!

Dr. Mayes, Principal

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Parent & Student Weekly Email

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

Sunday, September 13, 2020, to Sunday, September 20, 2020

NMS Back to School Night: Nitschmann’s Back to School Night will be held virtually this year on Monday, September 21, 2020 from 6pm-8pm. Zoom links will be posted in next Sunday’s Email.

NMS School Picture Days: Nitschmann’s School Picture Days will be held next week on Tuesday 9/22 & Wednesday 9/23. Hybrid students will be photographed on their regular day of school. e-Classroom & BASD Cyber students will be photographed on Wednesday 9/23 between 3:30pm-5:30pm.

Instrumental Music & Sports Start: Please review the sections below for the start of orchestra, honor guard, jazz band, and fall interscholastic sports (football, field hockey, volleyball, cross country, cheerleading). Physicals will be offered at school on Thursday & Friday (see below).

Core & Encore Assignments: A reminder for all students that all assignments in core and encore classes are required & graded as normal. We’ve noticed a lot of skipped assignments on @ Home days (these are not OFF DAYS!) Please make sure your child is completing assignments daily in Schoology. Also, students MUST complete the attendance assignment in Citizenship Monday-Friday by 3pm daily to be marked present when @ Home!

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Links to Review

Schoology Directions for Parents

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

BASD Dashboard & Internet Provider Resources at this link.

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Upcoming Dates to Be Proactive! Weekly Schedule & Highlights

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

Day	Date	Cycle Day	Notes	Hybrid A-L	Hybrid M-Z	e-Classroom
Monday	9/14	None	@ Home learning day – see Schoology for assignments!	@ Home No HR	@ Home No HR	@ Home No HR PM Zooms
Tuesday	9/15	Day 5/Odd Day		@ School	@ Home HR 8:15am	@ Home HR 8:15am
Wednesday	9/16	Day 5/Odd Day	Full Day of School Interscholastic Sports Begin (Physicals Required – see below)	@ Home HR 8:15am	@ School	@ Home HR 8:15am
Thursday	9/17	Day 6/Even Day	Founders Day -Birthday of David Nitschmann Wear Blue & White! Sports Physicals 12pm-2pm	@ School	@ Home HR 8:15am	@ Home HR 8:15am
Friday	9/18	Day 6/Even Day	Founders Day -Birthday of David Nitschmann Wear Blue & White! Sports Physicals 12pm-2pm	@ Home HR 8:15am	@ School	@ Home HR 8:15am

Day	Date	Cycle Day	Notes	Hybrid A-L	Hybrid M-Z	e-Classroom
Monday	9/21	None	@ Home learning day – see Schoology for assignments! NMS Back to School Night (Virtual – Watch for Information) 6pm-8pm	@ Home No HR	@ Home No HR	@ Home No HR PM Zooms
Tuesday	9/22	Day 1/Odd Day	Early Morning Rehearsal Begins Orchestra (A-L) 7:15am School Picture Day A-L Hybrid – During School	@ School	@ Home HR 8:15am	@ Home HR 8:15am
Wednesday	9/23	Day 1/Odd Day	Early Morning Rehearsal Begins Orchestra (M-Z) 7:15am School Picture Day M-Z Hybrid – During School E-Classroom/BASD Cyber 3:30pm-5:30pm	@ Home HR 8:15am	@ School	@ Home HR 8:15am
Thursday	9/24	Day 2/Even Day	Early Morning Rehearsal Begins Percussion/Color Guard (A-L) 7:15am	@ School	@ Home HR 8:15am	@ Home HR 8:15am
Friday	9/25	Day 2/Even Day	Early Morning Rehearsal Begins Percussion/Color Guard (M-Z) 7:15am	@ Home HR 8:15am	@ School	@ Home HR 8:15am

Day	Date	Cycle Day	Notes	Hybrid A-L	Hybrid M-Z	e-Classroom
Monday	9/28	None	No School for Students or Staff (No Zoom Mtgs for e-Classroom) Yom Kippur
Tuesday	9/29	Day 3/Odd Day		@ School	@ Home HR 8:15am	@ Home HR 8:15am
Wednesday	10/1	Day 3/Odd Day		@ Home HR 8:15am	@ School	@ Home HR 8:15am
Thursday	10/2	Day 4/Even Day		@ School	@ Home HR 8:15am	@ Home HR 8:15am
Friday	10/3	Day 4/Even Day	National Custodian Day	@ Home HR 8:15am	@ School	@ Home HR 8:15am

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

Dr. Roy’s Weekly Message:This week’s edition of the BASD e-News contains some super healthy after school snack ideas, the 2020-2021 School Calendar – with a reminder that September 16, 2020 has now be converted to a full-day of instruction. Did you miss the end of year Retiree video? It is included in this week’s edition. Also included is the First Week of School Photo video.I hope you enjoy it. BASD e-News – September 11, 2020 Edition

St. Lukes Partnership for COVID Testing (BASD) This week’s editStudents and staff with symptoms associated with COVID that have an existing St. Luke’s or Star Wellness primary care provider should contact their provider’s office to be evaluated by a video visit to see if testing is indicated. Students and staff with symptoms associated with COVID that do not have an existing St. Luke’s or Star Wellness primary care provider can call the St. Luke’s COVID hotline at 1-866-STLUKES (1-866-785-8537) option 7 to be evaluated over the phone by a trained nursing professional to see if further evaluation or testing is indicated.

NMS Back to School Night: Nitschmann’s Back to School Night will be held virtually this year on Monday, September 21, 2020. Please watch the Sunday Email for Zoom links next Sunday 9/20.

Issues with BASD Chromebooks (Mayes) Students should report any Chromebook issues at the link on our NMS website.

Schoolwide Library Services (Werkheiser)

Email Mrs. Werkheiser at lwerkheiser@basdschools.org for help with books or services!

Library Services will open this week with appointments by English teachers. Students – please check with your English teachers for your time to borrow library books!

Want to search for a book through the online catalog? Looking for a good e-book to read? Excited to get a head start on Reading Olympics and need the book list? You can find all of these and A LOT MORE at the Nitschmann Libguides website! Check it out at https://beth.libguides.com/NitschmannMiddleSchool

Stay tuned for information about our next Scholastic Book Fair, coming in October!

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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.

School Picture Days (Mayes) School picture days will be held on Tuesday 9/22 and Wednesday 9/23 during the school day. Students will wear their mask, except when their photo is taken. Picture order forms will not be handed out. All parents should go to orders.christmascitystudio.com & enter School Code NMS20 to place an order.

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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.

Office Hours will be posted by teachers in their Schoology courses.

Reminder About Zoom Meetings on Mondays! (Mayes) A reminder to all e-Classroom students that Monday Zoom meetings are REQUIRED for all e-Classroom students. Check your student schedule to match up the times with the courses below. Teachers will post the Zoom meeting information in each course in Schoology. Note that the Encore Rotations would be for Art, Music, Integrated Ar/Music, Engineering, FCS, or Technology. Please note Seminar students should check Schoology for the time they are meeting with Mr. Sukanic.

Nitschmann Middle School Synchronous Courses on Mondays for e-Classroom @ Home
Time Period	6th Grade Course	7th Grade Course	8th Grade Course
8:00-11:30	Complete Assignments in Schoology
11:30-12:00	Lunch
12:00-12:20	Encore Rotations	Academic Period 2	Academic Period 3
12:25-12:45	Encore (Health/PE 6)	Academic Period 3	Academic Period 4
12:50-1:10	Encore (World Language/ Lit Dev.)	Encore (Health/PE 7)	Academic Period 6
1:15-1:35	Academic Period 2	Encore Rotations	Academic Period 8
1:40-2:00	Academic Period 3	Encore (Language/Lit Dev.)	Academic Period 9
2:05-2:25	Academic Period 4	Academic Period 6	Encore (Health/PE 8)
2:30-2:50	Academic Period 7	Academic Period 8	Encore Rotations
2:55-3:15	Office Hours if Needed	Academic Period 9	Encore (Language/Lit Dev.)
3:15-3:25	Office Hours if Needed	Office Hours if Needed	Office Hours if Needed

e-Classroom Guidance Office Hours on Mondays! (e-Classroom ONLY!)

6th Grade: 11:00am- 12:00pm (Mrs. Hipp)

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83839691637?pwd=VkZNM0hqZUhINm9EUjZhTVhEMkJyZz09

Meeting ID: 838 3969 1637; Passcode: HG0cPA

7th Grade: 9:30am to 10:30am (Mrs. Stewart)

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86785937713?pwd=ZUg4VVV4S1p5elZ1MjdJeEZncllPUT09

Meeting ID: 867 8593 7713; Passcode: 5LitUi

8th Grade (Mr. Kehler)

https://zoom.us/j/93407284919?pwd=L1lyUTVsWnh5bUlCRFgrMjE0M25rdz09

Meeting ID: 934 0728 4919; Passcode: 639948

School Picture Days (Mayes) School picture day will be held on Wednesday 9/23 from 3:30pm-5:30pm in the Auditorium. Only students may enter and must wear a mask, except when their photo is taken. Picture order forms will not be handed out. All parents should go to orders.christmascitystudio.com & enter School Code NMS20 to place an order.

Schoolwide Library Services (Werkheiser)

GREAT NEWS!!

While you are learning at home, Nitschmann Middle School Library books are available for you to check out and read!

It’s easy!

Step 1: Browse through the NMS Library collection on OPAC in my Libguides website.

https://beth.libguides.com/NitschmannMiddleSchool

Step 2: Email me the titles of one or two books that you would like to check out at

lwerkheiser@basdschools.org

Step 3: Wait for a return email from me, letting you know that your books can be picked up from the cart between the front doors at Nitschmann.

Can’t wait to hear from you!!

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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.

6th Grade Counseling Google Site for Students

https://sites.google.com/basdschools.org/hippcounselingcorner/home

7th Grade Counseling Google Site for Students

https://sites.google.com/basdschools.org/stewartscounselingcorner/home

8th Grade Counseling Google Site for Students

TBA

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BASD Dining Services

https://www.basdschools.org/dining

**************************************************************************** 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) We had a great start last week. It was great meeting everyone. Make sure you are completing your daily attendance on Schoology every day. Also, make sure you are checking for new assignments in every class on Schoology. An email was sent to e-Classroom students with information on future zoom check-ins. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us through email.

Team Lehigh (6th) (Twitter @NMSTeamLehigh/ Facebook @NitschmannTeamLehigh Team Leader Mrs. Oliver)

Hopefully everyone has settled into a good routine of work for when they are at home. We would like to send out a big “Way To Go” to all our students who are working hard to make this work and are up to date on their assignments. For those who may be struggling with this, it is a very good idea to get up in the morning, attend the homeroom zoom, get the attendance log completed, and start working. Please try to keep in mind that at home days are still school days. Our school day runs from 8:30 to 3:00 and although you do not have to spend those specific hours on school work, your day is expected to be about that long. We have many students who are starting to fall behind. We know part of this is getting used to a routine, and part is on learning how to use Schoology, Savvas, Study Sync, Discovery Ed. etc. We are here to help. Email us questions if you have any and we will get back to you. We also have office hours every Friday from 1:40 to 2:20 if you need to check in. For our E-Classroom kids, we have Zoom Check-ins Monday afternoons. We will post our schedule and the link in Schoology. We hope to see you there.

Team Moravian (6th) – (Twitter @NMSTeam Moravian/Facebook@NMSTeamMoravian Team Leader Mrs. Roufakis) Students, please remember that at home days are school days. We are finding that assignments are not being completed.

There are folders in Schoology with daily assignments. You should also be looking at your Grade Report in Schoology to see if you are missing any assignments. e-Classroom students we are looking forward to meeting with you on Monday. Please check the calendar in Schoology for the times. You will be using the links attached to the calendar or the link found in your class under Class Headquarters.

Team Kutztown (7th)(Twitter @TeamKutztown Team Leader Mr. Falteich) Yes, we are adjusting to our Hybrid and E-Classroom Learning schedules. We need to continue our open communication to make this transition more manageable.

E-Classroom Students – For MONDAY, September 14 – AFTERNOON ZOOM MEETINGS FOR E-CLASSROOM STUDENTS – THESE ARE MANDATORY! – (You will have 20 minute ZOOM sessions with each of your academic teachers.) Please check your class folders for the ZOOM links. (Period 2 E-Class 12:00-12:20) (Period 3 E-Class 12:25-12:45) (Period 6 E-Class 2:05-2:25) (Period 8 E-Class 2:30-2:50) (Period 9 E-Class 2:55-3:15)

Hybrid Students – Please be sure to complete all assignments on the days you are assigned to work from home. Remember, these are not days off. Your assignments for each subject are posted on Schoology.

Social Studies: Next week we will continue studying the 5 Themes of Geography and how they relate to major cities in the USA. Monday will begin the weekly current events activity for all students to complete at home.

Math: Next week we will work on adding and subtracting integers.

Science (Mr. Pearson): This week students will be given an assessment on lab equipment and safety. On Tuesday, September 15th A- L Students will take their test in class; Wednesday, September 16th M – Z Students will take their test in class; and E-Classroom Students will have their assessment due on Wednesday, September 16th. Study guides for the test and the format for the E-Classroom assessment have been posted to Schoology and will be discussed with E-Classroom students during our required Zoom sessions on Monday. Later in the week, students will start learning about the metric system, specifically, how it is structured.

English – Mr Falteich – Mondays are vocabulary building days in my class. You will receive a vocabulary building assignment. You must define the 7 new words each Monday and write an original sentence for each one. (The new words and more specific directions will be posted on Schoology.) The rest of the week we will continue our study of Punctuation.

Team Penn State (7th) (Twitter @NMSPennState/Facebook @NMSTeamPennState/ Instagram pennstatenms Team Leader Mrs. Getz) Please make sure that you are checking grades and being proactive.

English (Getz) – students will be reading the Drama, “The Monsters are Due on Maple Street” and learning about elements of drama. They will also be completing a mini project based on the story. (Downey) Students will be finishing their Literacy Histories this week. This writing assignment answers the question, “What has made you the reader and writer that you are today.” Literacy Histories will be due 9/21.

Social Studies: Next week we will continue studying the 5 Themes of Geography and how they relate to major cities in the USA. Monday will begin the weekly current events activity for all students to complete at home.

Math: Make sure your IXL Diagnostic has been completed to a single score by Monday. Students are working on integer operations, it is important to keep up with your assignments at home. All classes will have their first quizzes on Thursday and Friday. Periods 3,6 and 9 will have a quiz on Adding Integers and Periods 2 and 8 will have a quiz on Adding and Subtracting Integers.

E-Classroom Students: Make sure you are checking into your mandatory Zoom meetings. Follow the schedule that Dr. Mayes provided. Zoom office hours with teachers are on Friday afternoon. Check Schoology courses for times. Make sure you are doing the attendance every school day between 8:00am – 3:00pm.

Hybrid Students – Check Schoology courses every @ home day and complete your daily attendance each @ home day. Make sure your laptops are charged each day when you come to school.

Team DeSales (8th) (Team Leader Mrs. Pogue):

All students MUST log on to Schoology daily to record attendance. You will be marked absent if you do not complete the daily attendance quiz by 3:05PM. English: Students are beginning the “Everyone Loves a Mystery” unit with Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale” Heart. They also have an ongoing “Passion Project” that requires them to do at-home reading. Encourage your student to share what they are reading! Social Studies: Please begin to follow developments in the upcoming Presidential election, find reliable and unbiased sources of information. Parents please join the conversation, ask your student about discussions in history class. The National Constitution Center website has unbiased and nonpartisan information. Math: Be sure to stay on track with your weekly work. Bring questions to class (or zoom sessions for e-class) so we can work through them. Science: Students learned about the 3-phases of matter this week in Science class. Ask your student about solid Carbon Dioxide. I am sure they will have lots to share! Hybrid Students:Spend some time this week establishing routines for virtual (at home) days. It is incredibly important to complete your work on virtual days so that you are prepared for in-person days. Don’t fall behind. Please reach out to your teachers if you need help.E-Classroom: For MONDAY, September 14 – AFTERNOON ZOOM MEETINGS FOR E-CLASSROOM STUDENTS – THESE ARE MANDATORY!

Team Northampton (8th) (Twitter @TeamSpartanNMS Team Leader Mrs. Hood) Hybrid students: If you are absent, you need to reach out to your teachers, as well as look at the updates/assignments posted in Schoology. You are still expected to work from home. In History, we will be focusing on the essential question: How the unique experiences of the colonists shaped the future political and social ideas in the New World? We will be analyzing primary source documents from Jamestown, Virginia and tie those into the The 1619 Project on enslavement and contributions by African Americans. Iconic Image Google Slide Project is due Friday, the 18th by 8:00pm. This Monday’s “Hot Topic” will revolve around “What’s At Stake” in November’s Presidential Election. In ELA (Wallach) we are starting our mystery fiction unit. Students received a StudySync workbook and will need to bring this with them to class each day. Communication is KEY! Reach out to your teachers if you have any questions with assignments. Stay on track when working from home, this will reduce stress and anxiety. E-Classroom student ONLY – be sure you attend your mandatory Monday Zoom meeting with your teachers. See schedule in Course Headquarters for each teacher. Attendance will be taken. Reminder to ALL students: CHECK SCHOOLOGY tomorrow for your Monday Virtual Assignment in all core classes!

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; athletic clothes and sneakers that tie! Make sure to complete your online assignments. All assignments due every Friday at 11:59pm.

Team Bloomsburg (Encore World Language and Library) (Twitter @NMSBloomsburg / Team Leader Dr. Sierra)- Continue to complete your online assignments by the due dates as noted on Schoology. If you have any questions, email your teacher. Office hours (zoom) are noted on Schoology. You will be able to visit the library soon~ listen for announcements. Monday zoom meetings for e-class students are noted in schoology.

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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) Announcement was posted on Schoology- We will start Sep. 22 and 23 for veterans (hybrid only). New member tryouts will be announced in October.

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) We will begin meetings at the end of the month with current members. Check our Schoology group page for updates and listen to morning announcements as we get closer.

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.! Information is available on Mrs. Hriniak’s website. We will update information as we receive more details. https://sites.google.com/a/basdschools.org/mrs-hriniak/dramatics

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

Reading Olympics (Advisor – Mrs. Nonnemacher) The 2020-2021 Reading Olympics book list is available online on Nitschmann’s website under the library. They are also available in the library. Information coming soon on when and how we will begin meeting. T-shirts from last year will be coming this week or next. We will make sure that all students from last year’s Reading Olympics receive them.

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) We will begin meetings at the end of the month with current members. Check our Schoology group page for updates and listen to morning announcements as we get closer.

Step Team (Advisor Dr. Sierra) Announcement was posted on Schoology- We will start Sep. 22 and 23 for veterans (hybrid only). New member tryouts will be announced in October.

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

Yearbook (Advisor TBA) Did you miss purchasing a yearbook in craziness of last school year? There are a few remaining 2019-2020 yearbooks! $40 – cash or check made to Nitschmann Middle School. See Mrs. Getz in room 214 to purchase your yearbook!

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Nitschmann Middle School Performing Arts Department Updates

Nitschmann Middle School Instrumental Music Website (Click Here!)

Mr. Daniel Zettlemoyer, Instrumental Music

SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK

NO early morning rehearsal this week.

School instrument lessons have begun. Click here for the schedule. Students will attend their lesson on the same day and same time each week. Please look at the schedule for your child’s day and time. Zoom lesson links are posted on the Cut Time calendar and your child’s Schoology calendar under the Activity 1-10 Class.

Color Guard Updates:You should be working on the following at home on your non-Zoom days:

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

EARLY MORNING REHEARSAL INFORMATION:

Early morning rehearsals will begin on September 22 for color guard members, string and percussion musicians. Rehearsals will follow the schedule below.

Flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and baritone students WILL NOT have early morning rehearsal at this time.

- Orchestra A Hybrid – these are violin, viola, cello , bass and piano students who attend school on Tuesday and Thursday. On Tuesday mornings, these students will have early morning string orchestra rehearsal beginning at 7:15am. Violin, and viola students will need to bring their instrument to school on Tuesdays.

Orchestra Z Hybrid – these are violin, viola, cello , bass and piano students who attend school on Wednesday and Friday. On Wednesday mornings, these students will have early morning string orchestra rehearsal beginning at 7:15am. Violin, and viola students will need to bring their instrument to school on Wednesdays.

Percussion A Hybrid – these are the drum students in band who attend school on the A Hybrid schedule. These students will have early morning rehearsal on Thursday mornings beginning at 7:15am. Students will need to bring their drumsticks to school for rehearsal.

Percussion Z Hybrid – these are the drum students in band who attend school on the Z Hybrid schedule. These students will have early morning rehearsal on Friday mornings beginning at 7:15am. Students will need to bring their drumsticks to school for rehearsal.
Color guard A-Hybrid – these are the students in color guard who attend school on the A Hybrid schedule. These students will have early morning rehearsal on Thursday mornings beginning at 7:15am. Majorettes will need to bring their batons to school. We will have equipment available for flags and rifles to use.
Color guard Z Hybrid – these are the students in color guard who attend school on the Z Hybrid schedule. These students will have early morning rehearsal on Friday mornings beginning at 7:15am. Majorettes will need to bring their batons to school. We will have equipment available for flags and rifles to use.
E-classroom students: these students may attend early morning rehearsal until 8:05 at which time they must leave the building and return home. E-classroom students who play violin, viola, cello, bass, piano, drums, or are in color guard should attend the Hybrid day that matches the first letter of their last name. (A Hybrid – letters A-L / Z Hybrid – letters M-Z)

SCHEDULE	9/21	9/22	9/23	9/24	9/25
	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
7:00 AM	NONE	Students arrive	Students arrive	Students arrive	Students arrive
7:15 AM	NONE	Orchestra A Hybrid (e-classroom)	Orchestra Z Hybrid (e-classroom)	Percussion & Color guard A Hybrid (e-classroom)	Percussion & Color Guard Z Hybrid (e-classroom)
8:05 AM	NONE	Students dismissed	Students dismissed	Students dismissed	Students dismissed

STUDENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

All students need to be able to log into Cut Time and SmartMusic. If your child has not done this yet, it needs to be completed immediately! If you experience any log in issues email Mr. Zettlemoyer.
Color guard members: Mrs. Hriniak will communicate with you, through Cut Time, what you are to be working on at home until we are able to hold in-person rehearsals.
School lessons: Students will continue to use SmartMusic for band, orchestra, and jazz band assignments. You have been assigned specific instrument groups in SmartMusic for your school lessons. Check your school email account (Not Schoology) for an email sent on September 3. This email has the SmartMusic code for your lessons. Click here for the lesson schedule. Your lesson will be on the same day and at same time each week. Students only attend the lesson on the day and time they are scheduled each week. Zoom lesson links are posted on the Cut Time and Schoology calendars.

PARENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

-School lessons –

Students will receive their small group school lessons, virtually, on one of the days they are at home during the hybrid schedule. Students who are participating in e-classroom will also receive virtual instrumental lessons one day during the week.
Students were sent a SmartMusic class code for their instrumental lessons. Students need to use that code to join their lesson group class in SmartMusic before their first lesson. Click here for the schedule. Your child’s lesson will be on the same day and at the same time each week. Zoom lesson links will be posted on the Cut Time and Schoology calendars.

NIMAS ANNOUNCEMENTS

NIMAS general membership this Wednesday, September 16 at 7:30pm.
Minutes from the general membership meeting on August 27 are available under the Files/Docs tab on your Cut Time profile.
Parents need to be able to log into Cut Time. This is where all the information you need to know for the instrumental music program will be located. You will also have access to your child’s profile where you will be able to view their assignments and schedules.
Dine to Donate Event: Our first dine to donate event of the year will be at Pat’s Pizza & Bistro on October 14, 15, 16. Proceeds from this event will go to the general fund. Got to http://www.nmsim.org/announcements/dine-to-donate-at-pats-pizza-bistro/ for more details.

Amazon smile – Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. Go to http://www.nmsim.org/announcements/amazon-smile/ for more information.

FUNDRAISING

October 14, 15, 16 – Dine to donate at Pat’s Pizza & Bistro. Help support small business and NIMAS all at the same time. DETAILS

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.

You shop. Amazon gives.

Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice.
AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.
Support your charitable organization by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com
Questions? Learn more about AmazonSmile

DIRECTIONS:

Log on to Amazon Smile. https://smile.amazon.com/
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.
Click on the select button to the right of NIMA.
Create a bookmark and shop away.

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 Sports Physicals (Ortwein) BASD Physicals will be offered at school this Thursday & Friday. Students who need them MUST bring the paperwork completed by their parents, only requiring the physical information by the physician. BASD Physical Forms must be completed. Please submit completed forms to the Student Services Office. The forms are available at this link.

Overall Information (Ortwein) 4 Fall teams (XC, FH, FB, VB) will begin on Wednesday for 7th and 8th graders. Dr. Mayes outlined the schedule in his email this past week. Anyone interested should contact the coaches (emails below), if you haven’t already, and let them know to expect you. We will be starting cheer at a later date. Questions around the cheer squad can be directed toward Mrs. Long. Send her an email, or speak to her in GYM class.

Dear Parents & Guardians of Nitschmann 7th & 8th-grade students,

We are happy to announce that we will be restarting our fall season of middle-level interscholastic sports! We will be playing all three in-district schools (Broughal, East Hills, and Northeast) in competitions in October for the fall season. We are excited to welcome our students back to interscholastic sports by following our established BASD Return to Play procedures and safety guidelines.

Our 2020-2021 teams in football, field hockey, girls volleyball, & cross country will be starting practices next Wednesday, September 16, 2020. Please see each specific sport heading below for more specific sport information.

Reminders for all students (FB, XC, FH, VB)

Only 7th & 8th-grade students at Nitschmann Middle School may participate, as per PIAA rules.
Nitschmann Middle School students in BASD hybrid, e-Classroom, & BASD Cyber may try out & participate. Students at local charter or cyber schools may participate, with Dr. Mayes’ approval. All students may participate when practice occurs, even if they are not in school that day. Attendance at all practices is expected unless your child is sick or quarantining.
All students who participate MUST have the 2020-2021 BASD physical complete before starting practice next week. Forms are available on our NMS website. If you already submitted one or had it done @ Coca Cola Park over the summer, we already have it on file.
Interscholastic sports in an extracurricular activity. If you are not completing your assignments, not attending school, or have poor behavior, Dr. Mayes will not permit you to participate in these activities. He is closely monitoring the work that is assigned for the @ home days.
Tryouts will be held from Wednesday, 9/16 to Friday, 9/18. Parent meetings will be scheduled during the second week of practice once teams are established.

Health & Safety Rules

A secure “practice zone” will be established where only players may enter. The entrance will be at the Lion Statue near the gymnasium. Players will be checked & cleared by our NMS trainer before entering the “practice zone” for sports.
Masks are required for practice, and each head coach will review rules for wearing them. We encourage “gaiter-style” for athletic practices, as it is easier to pull down and up when needed. Students must have them on until directed by their coach to remove them in safe situations.
If there is poor weather (ex. Thunderstorms, etc.), outdoor practices will be canceled and announced through the BASD app & NMS social media sites.
All players must bring and only use their water bottle.
Football players should come dressed for practice. Only volleyball players will be permitted inside the school.
Only players are permitted to be on-site for practices. The field & gym bleachers will be closed.
If your child is not feeling well, your child should email their coach and not attend practice.
Information about rules for competitions will come later at the end of the month as we approach the start of the competition season in October, especially in regards to spectators for games.

Year-long

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

Fall

Boys Football (Head Coach Mr. Shemanski mshemanski@basdschools.org)

Week 1 Practice Schedule
Wednesday, 9/16	NMS Turf Field	4:30 pm-6:00 pm
Thursday, 9/17	NMS Turf Field	4:30 pm-6:00 pm
Friday, 9/18	NMS Turf Field	4:30 pm-6:00 pm

Players should come dressed for practice in athletic shorts & t-shirt, with their own water bottle filled & a mask. No specialized equipment is required for tryouts.

Co-Ed Cross Country (Head Coach Miss Schwartz lschwartz@basdschools.org)

Week 1 Practice Schedule
Wednesday, 9/16	NMS Grass Field (next to turf)	3:15pm – 4:15pm
Thursday, 9/17	NMS Grass Field (next to turf)	3:15pm – 4:15pm
Friday, 9/18	NMS Grass Field (next to turf)	3:15pm – 4:15pm

Players should come dressed for practice in athletic shorts, t-shirt, and comfortable running shoes, with their own water bottle filled and a mask.

Girls Volleyball (Head Coach Mrs. Hinkel ahinkel@basdschools.org)

Week 1 Practice Schedule
Wednesday, 9/16	NMS Gymnasium	3:15pm – 4:45pm
Thursday, 9/17	NMS Gymnasium	3:15pm – 4:45pm
Friday, 9/18	NMS Gymnasium	3:15pm – 4:45pm

Players should come dressed for practice in athletic shorts & t-shirt, with their own water bottle filled & a mask. No specialized equipment is required for tryouts.

Girls Field Hockey (Mr. Burzynski bburzynski@basdschools.org)

Week 1 Practice Schedule
Wednesday, 9/16	NMS Turf Field	3:15pm – 4:45pm
Thursday, 9/17	NMS Turf Field	3:15pm – 4:45pm
Friday, 9/18	NMS Turf Field	3:15pm – 4:45pm

Finally… Field Hockey has returned to Nitschmann Middle School! We will be starting our 3-day try-out on Wednesday, September 16th at 3:15 to 4:45 On Friday, team member selections will be made and our workout schedule will follow; Monday through Friday, 3:15 to 4:45 PM. Although competitions are being scheduled, our current focus is on starting and maintaining our practice schedule.

You must have a completed PIAA physical form to participate.

All practices will be for ALL 7th and 8th grade students (A-Z) even if you don’t normally come to school that day. Please prepare arrangements for travel to and from practice ahead of time.

There will be a COVID health screening, performed by the St. Luke’s trainer, at the statue of the lion in front of the stadium before entering the field. A MASK IS REQUIRED (a neck gaiter is suggested.) You will be required to be using your mask when within 6 FT from anyone.

If you are coming to practice from home, come fully ready to play and report to the health screening before entering the field.
If you are coming to practice from school, you will leave the building and report to the health screening. Then you can use the outside restroom attached to the field to change one person at a time.
Please refer to Dr. Mayes Memo for more information.

Checklist for the first day:

Mask or gaiter
Workout clothes
Cleats, turf shoes, or aggressive-tread sneakers
Mouth guard
Shin guards
Stick
Goggles
Water bottle
Miscellaneous: hair ties, braces, gloves, etc.

I look forward to starting this season and can’t wait to see you! If you have questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact me.

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.