Parent & Student Weekly Email
Nitschmann Middle School Weekly Update
100 Years of Learning @ Home of the Nitschmann Nation
Sunday, September 5, 2021, to Sunday, September 12, 2021
Download the BASD App and select “Nitschmann” to receive all alerts to your phone.
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- Registration Gateway Back-To-School Portal – The Back-To-School Portal(link) is now open for all parents to complete. All parents must complete the Back-To-School Portal even if they do not have changes to their child’s information. There are a number of items parents need to review related to information from the district on the portal. Please use the directions provided to you in the mail from the district.
- Grading Rx Survey – The district is preparing for a change in the way we approach grading. Please participate in our BASD district-wide survey about your opinions about grading & homework. Click the link! GradingRx survey
- Picture Days are scheduled for SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 Go to orders.christmascitystudio.com & enter School Code NMS21 to place an order
- Back to School Night is Monday 9/20 – We are finalizing plans for Back to School night with students with last names A-L from 6-7pm and students with last names M-Z from 7pm-8pm. We are also planning a virtual option – please take our quick survey so we can plan accordingly! Link to Back to School Survey
- Help Needed! We need assistance to sew our 100th Anniversary patches onto our sports uniforms. If you are able to help with some sewing at home, please email Mr. Sukanic at psukanick@basdschools.org to help!
***Links to Review ******************************************************************************
BASD Parent Portals Link (Schoology, Home Access Center, SchoolCafe, etc.)
***Weekly Schedule & Highlights @ BASD NMS Event Calendar*****************************************
See all long-term events on our BASD NMS Event Calendar on the BASD Website
| Day | Date | Cycle Day | Notes |
| Monday | 9/6 | None | Labor Day – School Closed |
| Tuesday | 9/7 | 6 | Instrumental Lessons Begin |
| Wednesday | 9/8 | 1 | |
| Thursday | 9/9 | 2 | |
| Friday | 9/10 | 3 | Patriot Day – Please wear red, white, & blue! |
***School-wide Announcements ************************************************************************
Schoolwide Library Services (Werkheiser) lwerkheiser@basdschools.org for help with books or services.
The library website is full of resources for students.
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming! It will be set up in the library during the week of September 20. Online shopping will also be available starting September 19. Students may bring cash, or parents can set up an ewallet for easy shopping.
Check out an interactive flyer for the fair here : https://www.scholastic.com/bf/nitschmannmiddleschool1
Nitschmann Dramatics is pleased to announce this year’s show is The Music Man Jr.! We will be having optional workshops Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday after school in the Nitschmann Auditorium until 4:30pm to help you prepare for your auditions…mark your calendar! This is your chance to sign up for Nitschmann Dramatics and find out how to audition. Click here for Nitschmann Dramatics Information…it’s a big document, so read through it with your grown-up! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nFy-p0w_grZO1yQdoJ-1h4dtpVQiCTE0nxeiRyZMg3c/edit?usp=sharing
Click here to register and sign up for Nitschmann Dramatics and The Music Man Jr.! https://forms.gle/ViZDqSRNJdU1aFkP8
***Student Services Updates ************************************************************************
Contact Members of the Student Services Team by email: Mrs. Woodson, Assistant Principal; Mrs. Scott, SSC Guidance Secretary; Mrs. Falcone, SSC Attendance Secretary
6th Grade: Mr. Kehler’s Counseling Google Site for Students Donate Now!! Library Equity , A Quiet Place
7th Grade: Mrs. Hipp’s Counseling Google Site for Students
8th Grade: Ms. Stewart’s Counseling Google Site for Students
***Core & Encore Team Updates *********************************************************************
Team Lafayette (6th) (Twitter @NMSLafayette Team Leader Mrs. Hackman) See our welcome letter on the NMS Website! Team Lafayette had a great start to the new school year. All kids have opened their locker, found their way around the school, and have adjusted well to the middle school environment! Rest up this holiday weekend, because we will be focusing on our curriculum topics beginning next week.
Team Lehigh (6th) (Twitter @NMSTeamLehigh/ Facebook @NitschmannTeamLehigh Team Leader Mrs. Oliver) See our welcome letter on the NMS Website! Great first week of school. It was nice to meet all of you and we are looking forward to a fantastic school year. Please get in the habit of checking schoology for assignments and checking your emails regularly. This is our primary means of communication. Also note that we are available after school for extra help. If you are struggling with your classes or just navigating through schoology and your online textbook please reach out to us to set up a day to come in for help. See everyone Tuesday!
Team Moravian (6th) – (Twitter @NMSTeam Moravian/Facebook@NMSTeamMoravian Team Leader Mrs. Roufakis) See our welcome letter on the NMS Website! We had a great first week! It was so nice to see everyone. Students have learned to open their lockers and to navigate the school. Please make sure that students have their school supplies for all subjects. We will see everyone on Tuesday, a day 6. Have a great weekend.
Team Kutztown (7th)(Twitter @TeamKutztown Team Leader Mr. Falteich) See our welcome letter on the NMS Website!
English (Mr. Falteich) – In order to prepare for this year’s required writing assignments, this week we will begin a unit on some important rules for proper punctuation. Science (Mr. Pearson) – This week students will be starting the first chapter on lab equipment and safety. Social Studies (Mr. Danyi) – We will continue studying the introduction to Geography Chapter in the Discovery Ed Techbook. Our focus will be on location. Latitude, longitude, relative location, and exact location will be our focus. Math (Mrs. Evancho) – We are currently working on the Beginning of the Year IXL Diagnostic test so that we have a baseline. English (Mrs. Gómez) –We started off wonderfully. It was great having a classroom full of students. Students in my class are required to have an SSR book by Tuesday. We will continue to discuss story PLOT, and read our first short story.
Team Penn State (7th) (Twitter @NMSPennState/Facebook @NMSTeamPennState/ Instagram pennstatenms Team Leader Mrs. Getz) See our welcome letter on the NMS Website! Team Penn State had a great first week! We bonded early as a team through Partner Match, This or That, Teacher Trivia, and a team picture! Check out our social media site listed above for pictures! Social Studies (Mrs. Markovic) – We will continue studying the introduction to Geography Chapter in the Discovery Ed Techbook. Our focus will be on location. Latitude, longitude, relative location, and exact location will be our focus.)Mr. Downey (ELA) -Students will be reflecting on their literacy. They will write a literacy history. If you can give your child insight into early literacy experiences, please do so. Mrs. Getz (ELA)– Students will begin their first story called “Seventh Grade” by Gary Soto. We will learn about the plot diagram, setting, and conflict. We will also work on finishing our Get to Know Me WeVideo project. Mrs Lafey (Math) – Students in all classes will be working with integers this week, as well as completing their baseline IXL Diagnostic test.
Team DeSales (8th) (Team Leader Mrs. Pogue): Instagram @NMSTeamDSU8 See our welcome letter on the NMS Website! History: we will be learning about and applying the 4 C’s of history: Context, Change, Cause and Complexity.
Team Northampton (8th) (Twitter @TeamSpartanNMS Team Leader Mrs. Hood) See our welcome letter on the NMS Website! In Mrs. Wallach’s ELA class, we completed some get to know you activities and introductory lessons. We are starting our unit on mysterious fiction and reading several short stories related to this theme. We will be reading and writing every day so be sure to have all your required materials for class and check Schoology for any updates and assignments. In Mrs. Hinkel’s ELA class, we will complete our last introductory activity centered around the book The Word Collector. We will also begin our year long grammar unit with a review of our parts of speech. Finally, we will begin our mysterious writing unit with brainstorming activities. All students (Math 8, Advanced Math and Algebra 1) will continue to explore/learn about the Real Number System, evaluate square / cube roots, and compare / order real numbers.
Students will also complete their baseline round of the IXL Diagnostic. In History, the essential question is why people move? Also, we will be starting our Iconic Image project in connection with the events of September 11th.
Team Pitt: (Encore Health and PE, and All 30 day rotation classes) (Team Leader Mrs. Long) (Twitter @NMSTeamPitt) See our welcome letter on the NMS Website!
All groups, please be prepared for PE this week: appropriate footwear (sneakers that tie) and wear clothing for the weather!
Team Bloomsburg (Encore World Language and Library) (Twitter @NMSBloomsburg / Team Leader Dr. Sierra)-See our welcome letter on the NMS Website!
***Extracurricular Activities************************************************************************
Is your child interested in an after-school club or activity? Email the advisor for more information!
AM Basketball (Advisor Dr. Mayes) None at this time.
Anime Club (Advisors Ms. Fehr/Mrs. Wallach) Listen for announcements as we will be having our first meeting within a week or two.
Art Club (Advisor Mrs. Lund) If you are interested in joining Art Club please pick up an application in room 011 during Activity period on Wednesday Sept. 8 or see Mrs. Lund in room 011. Art Club will be held afterschool on Mondays from 3:05-4:05 starting October 4.
Artsmart @ Banana Factory (Advisor Mrs. Lare) Still awaiting news from the Banana Factory about the fall program. Announcements will be made in the Lion’s Roar and during Morning Announcements.
Environmental Club (Advisor Ms. Stewart) None at this time.
French Club – (Advisor Mrs. Lare) French Club is back and will start on Friday, September 24 during the morning activity period. Each Day One we’ll explore French and francophone cultures through films, festivals, special projects, and food. Space is limited. If interested, send an email to Madame Lare at alare@basdschools or sign up in Room 317. A bientôt!
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.
Lacrosse Intramurals: (Advisor Ms. Weinert ) 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. Lafey) MathCounts is a nationwide mathematics enrichment and competition program. Students in grades 6,7, and 8 are welcome to participate. Students involved in MathCounts will have the opportunity to work both independently and with other students on challenging problems. Our top students will earn the right to represent Nitschmann at the chapter competition in February where we face off against lots of other schools in the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos and have the opportunity to win awards like college scholarships. Our first meeting is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, September 23rd after school.
National Junior Honor Society (Advisors Mrs. Wallach/Mrs. Druckenmiller) (Twitter-@Njhs_Nitschmann; Instagram- @Njhs_Nistchmann ) Welcome back! We are so excited to start another year with the NJHS members. We will have our first meeting after school on September 8, 2021. If you can’t make the after school meeting due to an after school activity, please come see Mrs. Wallach in room 104 for information. Please remember to turn in your service hours too!
See you then!
Nitschmann Dramatics (Advisor Mrs. Hriniak) Nitschmann Dramatics is pleased to announce this year’s show is The Music Man Jr.! We will be having optional workshops Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday after school in the Nitschmann Auditorium until 4:30pm to help you prepare for your auditions…mark your calendar! This is your chance to sign up for Nitschmann Dramatics and find out how to audition. Click here for Nitschmann Dramatics Information…it’s a big document, so read through it with your grown-up! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nFy-p0w_grZO1yQdoJ-1h4dtpVQiCTE0nxeiRyZMg3c/edit?usp=sharing
Click here to register and sign up for Nitschmann Dramatics and The Music Man Jr.! https://forms.gle/ViZDqSRNJdU1aFkP8
Nitschmann Singers (Advisor Mrs. de Vries) Both Glee Club and Nitschmann Singers start this week! Our first Glee Club rehearsal (including all Nitschmann Singers) will be on Wednesday, September 8 during Lion’s Pride time. Interested students are welcome to check us out then in room 141. The final chance to audition for Nitschmann Singers will be Tuesday, September 7 at 3:05. No preparation is necessary. The 2021-2022 Nitschmann Singers list will be posted by the end of the day on Wednesday, September 8. The first Nitschmann Singers rehearsal will also be in room 141 on Thursday, September 9 from 3-4PM. Want to see what makes our choral groups so special? Click here to see us in action!
Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) (Advisor TBA) None at this time.
Photography Club (Advisor Ms. Krause) Open to 7th and 8th Grade only! Photography Club will have their first meeting after school from 3:05-4:05pm on Monday, October 4th. If you are a 7th or 8th grader interested in joining, please email Ms. Krause.
Reading Olympics (Advisor – Mrs. Nonnemacher ) Welcome back students! If you love to read and love a friendly reading competition in the Spring about the books you have read, then Reading Olympics is for you! Information, Permission forms and the books for the 20201-2022 competition are in the library! You can begin reading the books now, and write summaries about what you read. We will begin meeting as a group on Wednesdays, beginning October 13th! We will meet after school until 4:00 P.M. in the library. See Mrs. Nonnemacher, Mr. Pearson or Mrs Wekheiser in the library if you have any questions.
Riding for Focus (Advisors Mr. Miller, Mr. Bellucci, and Mrs. Getz ) None at this time.
The Lion’s Den School Store (Advisors Ms. Roufakis & Mrs. Evancho)
**Ski & Snowboard Club (Advisors Mr. Downey and Mrs. Druckenmiller)
Spanish Club (Advisor Dra. Sierra)- If you are interested in joining the Spanish club, please sign up in room 201 (my room). We will meet during activity periods on Day 1. There may be some after school meetings- We will discuss meetings after the club begins. *YOU DON’T HAVE TO SPEAK SPANISH TO JOIN. We will be discussing/engaging/ promoting Spanish culture, customs and events throughout the year.
Student Lighthouse ( Advisors Mr. Kocon / Mrs. McLaughlin / Miss Bouhana).
Step Team (Advisor Dra. Sierra) – If you are interested in joining the Step Team, sign up in room 201. Practice for tryouts will be announced soon. We will be meeting after school 3-4 on Mondays and Tuesdays this year. More information will be posted and announced soon.
Strategy Club (Advisor Mr. Kehler) Strategy Club will begin Mondays after school in the Large Group room by the Cafeteria on starting Monday, September 20th. Join us for Play and/or Discussions of Board Games both Classic and New, RPG, Card, and any other other games. Teachers, you are welcome to join us.
Yearbook (Advisor Mrs. Markovic & Mrs. Gomez) None at this time.
***Lions/Lady Lions Athletics Updates (Twitter @NMS_Athletics)*****************************************
Year-long
Cheerleading (Head Coach Mrs. Long kllong@basdschools.org)
Practice Tuesday and Wednesday 3:05-4:30.
Fall
Boys Football (Head Coach Mr. Shemanski mshemanski@basdschools.org; Asst. Coach Mr. Villani, mvillani@basdschools.org)
Co-Ed Cross Country (Head Coach Miss Schwartz lschwartz@basdschools.org)
Girls Volleyball (Head Coach Mrs. Hinkel ahinkel@basdschools.org)
- There will be NO practice Monday, Sept. 6 as schools are closed. Enjoy the long weekend!
- Our first GAME is Tuesday, Sept. 7. The varsity game starts at 4:00 pm. JV will play immediately after.
- ALL spectators are required to wear a MASK.
- Please make sure to have a NAVY pair of spandex prior to our first game on Tuesday, Sept. 7. If you have any concerns and/or issues with purchasing a pair of spandex, please see Mrs. Hinkel or Mrs. VanWoert
- Our SPIRIT WEAR store is open. Please use the following link from Sports Center USA to purchase spirit wear for the season. Purchases are completely optional. https://sportscenterusa.net/product-category/nitschmann-volleyball-2021/
- Please make sure to ask your player for the sign up information for our REMIND app and our game schedule.
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 )
***Nitschmann Middle School Performing Arts Department Updates**************************************
Nitschmann Middle School Instrumental Music Website (Click Here!)
Mr. Daniel Zettlemoyer, Instrumental Music
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Monday, September 6
No instrumental music events
Tuesday, September 7
Early morning orchestra 7:15am (All violin, viola, cello, bass and selected piano players)
Wednesday, September 8
Early morning jazz band 7:15am
Lion’s Pride jazz rehearsal 8:30am
School instrumental music lessons begin (Check your email for details)
Thursday, September 8
Early morning band 7:15am (ALL marching band students)
*Students need their bell covers and playing masks
Friday, September 10
Early morning orchestra 7:15am (All violin, viola, cello, bass and selected piano players)
UPCOMING EVENTS
Monday, September 20 – Mum flower delivery 4:30-6PM
Wednesday, September 22 – 7:30pm NIMAS general membership meeting
Saturday, October 16 – Nazareth Parade
Thursday, October 21 – NMS night football game (Game begins at 5pm)
Sunday, October 24 – Saucon Valley Parade
Wednesday, October 27 – FHS/LHS performance rehearsal (Raindate – Thursday, Oct. 28 7:30am)
Saturday, October 30 – FHS/LHS football game performance
Sunday, October 31 – Bethlehem Halloween Parade (Raindate – November 7)
NIMAS INFORMATION
The general membership meeting minutes from August 18 have been posted to your Cut Time profile under the FILES/DOCS tab, NIMAS General Membership Meeting Minutes, and then find the month you are looking for.
FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES
FALL MUM FLOWER SALE
We will be working with Lehigh Valley Home and Garden Center for our plant fundraiser. We are offering a wonderful variety of fall mums. If you’ve ordered from LVHGC before, you know their products are BEAUTIFUL!
A $2.75 profit is made on each plant sold and will be added to your student’s fair share account.
Pick-up will be Monday, September 20th from 4:30-6 PM at NMS. It is VERY important you remember to pick up your order. Please be prompt. We cannot “save” plants.
If you have any questions, please contact us. Thank you for supporting NMS Band students.
Stephanie Cramer
717-360-8675
scramer90@gmail.com
GERTRUDE HAWK CANDY
GIANT GIFT CARDS
– Sold in $100 increments
– $4.00 of every $100 purchased goes to your fair share account
WEIS GIFT CARDS
– Sold in $100 increments
– $4.00 of every $100 purchased goes to your fair share account
AMAZON SMILE
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.
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, CTRL D, and shop away.
Nitschmann Middle School Choral Music Mrs. de Vries, Glee Club and Nitschmann Singers director
Linda de Vries (@ldevriesmusic) | Twitter
Do you or someone you know love to sing? Would you like to learn how to become a better singer to participate in things like Nitschmann dramatics? Would you like to make new friends? Then join the Nitschmann Glee Club! Click here to see our choral groups in action! Glee Club rehearses every Tues.,Wed. and Thurs.morning at 7:15 AM in room 141. Instrumental students are excused to attend their rehearsals. We also rehearse during Lion’s Pride time, every day 1. Nitschmann Singers is our smaller, auditioned ensemble that sings more challenging repertoire. All Nitschmann Singers are also Glee Club members. Nitschmann Singers attend Glee Club rehearsal every Wednesday morning at 7:15 AM and also during Lion’s Pride on day 1. They have their own rehearsals every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:00-4:00 PM. See this week’s schedule below.
Weekly Choral Schedule
Monday 9/6: No school
Tuesday, 9/7: 3:05-4:00 PM Last chance to audition for Nitschman Singers in room 141. No prep necessary.
Wednesday, 9/8: 8:30-9:05 AM Glee Club/Nitschmann Singers rehearsal in 141. New members welcome.
Thursday, 9/9: 3:05-4:00 PM Nitschmann Singers rehearsal in room 141.
Friday, 9/10: No rehearsals