Parent & Student Weekly Email
Nitschmann Middle School Weekly Update
100 Years of Learning @ Home of the Nitschmann Nation
Sunday, September 26, 2021, to Sunday, October 3, 2021
Download the BASD App and select “Nitschmann” to receive all alerts to your phone.
- Fall Sports Photos will take place Tuesday, 9/28, at 3:30pm in the main gym. Students should ask their coach which time slot their team is assigned. Please use this link for information on ordering photos: 2021 Fall Sports Photo Information
- 1st Q IPR Grade Cut-Off Grades for 1st Quarter Interim Progress Reports (IPR) are cut off this Friday, October 1. Make sure your child has all of their assignments complete for the first half of the 1st Quarter by this Friday. Double check Schoology for current grades & incomplete assignments. IPRs will be mailed home to you on Thursday, October 7 & available on the Home Access Center. IPRs are distributed to parents to give you a mid-quarter update on student progress throughout the quarter.
- Outdoor Picnic Tables – We are expanding our outdoor seating for students at lunch with 20 new picnic tables & umbrellas and could use your help! Due to the costs, we are reaching out for donations to make this a success. If you are interested in donating, please use the form at this link. We will be honoring our donors with a small plaque on tables with donations over $50. Thank you and we appreciate your support!
***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 | 9/27 | 1 | |
| Tuesday | 9/28 | 2 | Sports Photo Day (See information above for ordering) |
| Wednesday | 9/29 | 3 | |
| Thursday | 9/30 | 4 | |
| Friday | 10/1 | 5 |
***School-wide Announcements ************************************************************************
BASD eNews from Dr. Roy – This week’s BASD eNews features:
-#BASDproud section – This week we are highlighting a Hanover Elementary Student
-BASD Employees Receive a Bonus for a Referral for a new staff member to the Child Care Department
-Join us for the LHS Walkathon on October 9, 2021
-Reminder that October 5, 2021 is Early Release for ALL Students
-Event on October 9, 2021 – AAUW’s Equitable Funding for Fair Funding Discussion with BASD School Board President Mike Faccinetto
BASD FAMILIES – The BASD eNews features a new section with Student/Family Thank You to Teachers/Staff Members. See our first one in this edition. To send your entry, please email bclymer@basdschools.org.
BASD eNews – September 24, 2021 Edition
Schoolwide Library Services (Werkheiser) lwerkheiser@basdschools.org for help with books or services.
The library website is full of resources for students.
THANK YOU to everyone who sent their students with money to make purchases at our Scholastic Book Fair. Our school is able to buy new books and other items for our library with the funds we raise by having the fair.
Book suggestions for the coming week
👴👵Choose a history book for Ancestor Appreciation Day (Monday)👵👴
💜💚World Heart Day is Wednesday. Fall in love with a good book!💚💜
🏈⚽🎾⚾Celebrate WORLD SOFTBALL DAY by checking out a sports book this week.⚾🎾⚽🏈
***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:Library Equity, A Quiet Place, Hanging around
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! Thank you to so many of you who either came in or “Zoomed” with us for Open House. Lots of books (and stuff) were purchased at the Book Fair. Next week we will have quizzes in Science, Social Studies, and English, so parents… look out for questions about meteorology, continents and oceans, and figurative language! We continue to see progress with so many students when it comes to competence using all the learning platforms they are being asked to maneuver. Lastly, be sure to charge computers as part of being prepared for school.
Team Lehigh (6th) (Twitter @NMSTeamLehigh/ Facebook @NitschmannTeamLehigh Team Leader Mrs. Oliver) See our welcome letter on the NMS Website! It was nice to see many of you at our Back To School Night. Mid-Quarter is coming very soon. Please go on to your child’s schoology grade reports, check current grades and for missing assignments and/or assignments that can be re-done or remediate and get these done as soon as possible. We are all here for extra help if your child needs it.
Try to set up a routine at home for Homework and Study. Students will receive a half hour to an hour of homework each night. It will be to their benefit and yours to have a specific time set aside for this on a daily basis. Thank you in advance for your support!!
Team Moravian (6th) – (Twitter @NMSTeam Moravian/Facebook@NMSTeamMoravian Team Leader Mrs. Roufakis) See our welcome letter on the NMS Website! Please make sure that your child has all school supplies. Mrs. Conley would like a composition notebook, spiral notebook, scissors, glue sticks, and a scientific calculator. Students have gone through one entire rotation of their schedule. All students have been given a locker that works. If they continue to have issues, students should see the homeroom teacher. Make sure that computers are being fully charged at night and that the charger is being brought to school.
Team Kutztown (7th)(Twitter @TeamKutztown) – English (Mr. Falteich) – This week students will continue working on PROJECT #1 for my class – (4 Paragraph RESPONSE TO LITERATURE) – Due on Wednesday. The students must interpret the theme of the Japanese folktale, “The Wise Old Woman.” Science (Mr. Pearson) – Students will be learning about the structure of the Metric System and how to convert between units. Social Studies (Mr. Danyi) – We will begin Unit 2 and our study of the United States and Canada. The students will complete a map of the USA that they must be able to correctly complete from memory by the end of the unit (approximately 6 weeks). Students should be studying the States locations by region on a daily basis. Math (Mrs. Evancho) – Students will be working on multiplication and division of integers this week. English (Mrs. Gómez) –Students will be introduced to graphic novels this week. They will get an overview of how to read a graphic novel, and we will begin to read an excerpt from a graphic novel.
Team Penn State (7th) (Twitter @NMSPennState/Facebook @NMSTeamPennState/ Instagram pennstatenms Team Leader Mrs. Getz) See our welcome letter on the NMS Website! Mrs. Markovic (social studies) – We will begin Unit 2 and our study of the United States and Canada. The students will complete a map of the USA that they must be able to correctly complete from memory by the end of the unit (approximately 6 weeks). Students should be studying the States locations by region on a daily basis. Mr. Downey (ELA) -Students are analyzing characters and setting purpose utilizing the story Rikki Tikki Tavi. Mrs. Getz (ELA)– We will have a quiz on Tuesday (9/28) on the basic parts of speech. Students will also focus on writing a solid answer using textual evidence. Mrs Lafey (Math) – Students in periods 3,6 and 9 are adding and subtracting rational numbers and have a quiz Tuesday on the material from sections 1-1 – 1-5 and then we’ll be moving on to multiplying and dividing integers. Students in Periods 2 and 8 will be learning to multiply and divide rational numbers. They have a quiz Wednesday on all 4 operations with integers and a unit test early next week. Mr. Khalife (Science) – This will be our last week of the first unit. We will review lab safety and equipment on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. The unit exam will be taken on Thursday 9/30 in class.
Team DeSales (8th) (Team Leader Mrs. Pogue): Instagram @NMSTeamDSU8 See our welcome letter on the NMS Website! History: We continue our study of the Jamestown colony and the birth of English America, this week we will focus on the pivotal year of 1619. ELA: Analysis paragraphs about “The Tell Tale Heart” are due by Monday morning! Mini-stories were due Friday. This week, we will dive into our close reading of “The Lottery” and discuss the real world issues that the story presents: How do social pressures and traditions impact individuals? If time allows, we will prepare to read “10 Days in a Madhouse” by examining the period in which story was written. Students will have a quiz in SCIENCE class on Tuesday, Sep 21, 2021on The 3 states of matter and phase changes. A study guide has been provided to students on Friday and will be reviewed on Monday.
Team Northampton (8th) (Twitter @TeamSpartanNMS Team Leader Mrs. Hood) See our welcome letter on the NMS Website! THANK YOU to all those who attended the Open House in person and virtually! If you have any gift cards/monetary donations for our next team celebration, please forward them to Mrs. Hood. In Mrs. Wallach’s ELA class, we just finished our writing our TDA paragraph, reviewed POV in a small group activity, and we are now starting to look at the historical background for our next short story “The Lottery.” 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 finalize our characterizations for our mysterious narratives and will begin to discuss setting and plot. A quiz on our new grammar concept is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 1. Advanced Math / Math 8 students will continue learning about Laws of Exponents and take a quiz on Friday. Algebra 1 students will continue our work on solving equations / inequalities / absolute value. In History, students will finish analyzing primary and secondary sources related to the leadership at Jamestown. Students will also learn how the foundations of a representative government started in the Jamestown colony. There will be an assessment on Monday, October 4th – study guides will be handed out this week. In Science, the students have started exploring Elements, Compounds and Mixtures. We will have a review of the material on Weds and Quiz on Thursday 9/30
.
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! Health classes will begin October 5th. Students will be notified of their health teacher this week in PE.
If your child is in Mrs. Woodring’s 6th or 7th grade FCS class, please remember to send in $7 ASAP for the sewing project. Grade 6 students will make a patchwork pillow. Grade 7 students will make a pillowcase.
Team Bloomsburg (Encore World Language and Library) (Twitter @NMSBloomsburg / Team Leader Dr. Sierra)- Remember to check Schoology for any missing assignments and to email your teacher w/ any questions.
***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) Our next club meeting will be Monday, October 11, in room 104 after school from 3:05-4:00. New members are always welcome!
Art Club (Advisor Mrs. Lund) If you are interested in joining Art Club please pick up an application in room 011 during Activity period 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) We were just informed that Art Smart classes at the Banana Factory are being cancelled for this fall. We will reach out individually to those students/parents who have already registered. Thank you.
Environmental Club (Advisor Ms. Stewart) The Environmental Club will host its first meeting of the year on Monday, September 27 after school in room 013. Anyone interested is welcome to attend. We hope to see you there!
French Club – (Advisor Mrs. Lare) French Club starts this MONDAY, September 27 during the Lions’ Pride activity period. Each Day One we’ll explore French and francophone cultures through films, art, festivals, special projects, games, and food. French Club is open to all 6th graders as well as 7th and 8th graders in French. Space is limited. If interested, send an email to Madame Lare at alare@basdschools.org or sign up in Room 317.
German Club (Advisor Mrs. Sofka) Willkommen Zurück! (Welcome Back!) German club will meet every other Day 1 during Lion’s Pride. All are welcome, but space is limited! Please see Frau Sofka in room 313 to sign-up or message me on Schoology. Our first meeting will be on Monday, September 27.
Fitness Club ( Advisor Mrs. Oliver) None at this time.
FCS/DIY Club (Advisor Mrs. Hoffman) None at this time.
Glee Club (Advisor Mrs. de Vries) (@ldevriesmusic) | Twitter Now accepting new members! No audition needed. Contact Mrs. de Vries. Please scroll down to the very bottom of the newsletter for more information and current schedules. Click here to see our choral groups in action!
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 TBA)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.
It was great to be back together with everyone in person on Thursday. This is the link to the information form (it can also be submitted on the paper students brought home). https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBcDyBIlx9O4QlCOTgOXQB798KU8j_yrv-xLFHjU6NITE_sw/viewform?usp=sf_link
Our next meeting will be this Thursday, 9/30 after school until 4:00 in room 213. New students are welcome to attend!
National Junior Honor Society (Advisors Mrs. Wallach/Mrs. Druckenmiller) (Twitter-@Njhs_Nitschmann; Instagram- @Njhs_Nistchmann ) We are so excited to start another year with the NJHS members. Students should have joined our Schoology group and continue to look for updates. Our elections for officers will take place on 9/30 during period 1 in the library. Members who are running for an elected position should be prepared with a short speech for this day. If you are interested in running for an officer position, please respond to the group discussion board on Schoology.
Nitschmann Dramatics (Advisor Mrs. Hriniak) Rehearsals are until 5:00 this week. Monday Scenes 6, 3, 4, 7, 9. Tuesday no rehearsal. Wednesday Scene 1. Thursday Crew. Friday Scene5. Check your email for details and updates!
Nitschmann Singers (Advisor Mrs. de Vries) (@ldevriesmusic) | Twitter Please scroll down to the very bottom of the newsletter for more information and current schedules.
Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) (Advisor TBA) None at this time.
Photography Club (Advisor Ms. Krause) Candidates have been selected and emailed! Photography Club will have their first meeting after school from 3:05-4:05pm on Monday, October 4th. We need 4 photography club members to volunteer to help photograph the 100th Bethlehem Halloween Parade with NMS. Parent permission is required. Contact Ms. Krause for details.
Reading Olympics (Advisor – Mrs. Nonnemacher ) 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! There is still time to sign up! Information, permission forms and the books for the 2021-2022 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) –You can register for your group and purchase passes until October 31st at the link below. Lessons may be purchased throughout the season, but must be purchased at least 48 hours in advance. **Please note that All Access Season Passes will have special rates through 9/30 only**
https://group.shopskibluemt.com/group/register/0336ea6b-d3b3-4107-9f31-2fbd8de6a66e
Spanish Club (Advisor Dra. Sierra)- We will meet during activity periods on Day 1 and Wednesdays until 4:15 pm.
Student Lighthouse ( Advisors Mr. Kocon / Mrs. McLaughlin / Miss Bouhana).
Step Team (Advisor Dra. Sierra) – Tryouts are Monday and Tuesday in front of the Auditorium from 3:05- 4:15.
Strategy Club (Advisor Mr. Kehler) Strategy Club has started!! We meet Mondays after school in the Large Group room by the Cafeteria. Join us for Play and/or Discussions of Board Games both Classic and New; RPG, Card, and any other games. Teachers, you are welcome to join us to enjoy a level playing field interaction with your students.
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)
- Athletic Pictures are Tuesday, Sept. 28 after school. Please refer to Dr. Mayes’ email about how to order pictures. Ordering pictures is completely optional.
- FYI: On Tuesday, Oct. 5, all students are dismissed from school at 11:30 for a teacher inservice day. The girls will be coming home. However, we have an away game, and the girls will need to come back. Please plan to have your player back to school by 2:35 pm. The bus will leave at NMS promptly at 2:45 pm,.
- Just a friendly reminder: ALL spectators for games are required to wear a MASK while indoors.
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 27
Early morning band 7:15am – *Students need their bell covers and playing masks
Day 1 Jazz band 8:30am – *Students need their bell covers and playing masks
Tuesday, September 28
Early morning orchestra 7:15am
Wednesday, September 29
Early morning jazz band 7:15am *Students need their bell covers and playing masks
Thursday, September 30
Early morning band 7:15am – *Students need their bell covers and playing masks
Friday, October 2
Early morning orchestra 7:15am
UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday, October 16 – Nazareth Parade
Wednesday, October 20 – 7:30pm NIMAS general membership meeting
Thursday, October 21 – NMS night football game (Game begins at 5pm)
Fri. – Sun., October 22 – 24 – Pat’s Bistro Dine to Donate Fundraiser
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)
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC LESSONS
SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK
NIMAS INFORMATION
The general membership meeting minutes from September 22 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
GERTRUDE HAWK CANDY
Grocery Store Gift Cards
Stores available:
Giant
Weis
ShopRite
Gift cards are sold in $100 increments. $4 of every $100 purchased goes to your child’s fair share account. Contact Jennifer Roan at 610-509-9776 or jenlroan15@gmail.com
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 on how to sign up can be found at http://www.nmsim.org/nimas/fundraising/
Nitschmann Choral Music Mrs. de Vries, Glee Club & Nitschmann Singers director (@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 .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.They have their own rehearsals every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:00-4:00 PM. 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. See this week’s schedule below.
WEEKLY CHORAL SCHEDULE
Monday, September 27
Lion’s Pride Glee Club 8:30 (ALL Nitschmann Singers AND Glee members) New members welcome!
Tuesday, September 28
Glee Club 7:15am (All Glee members unless in orchestra)
Nitschmann Singers 3-4pm
Wednesday, September 29
Glee Club 7:15am (All Nitschmann Singers and Glee members unless in jazz)
Thursday, September 30
Glee Club 7:15am (All Glee members unless in band)
Nitschmann Singers 3-4pm
Friday, October 1
No rehearsals