Parent & Student Weekly Email
Nitschmann Middle School Weekly Update
100 Years of Learning @ Home of the Nitschmann Nation
Sunday, October 3, 2021, to Sunday, October 10, 2021
Download the BASD App and select “Nitschmann” to receive all alerts to your phone.
- Kick off of our 2021 Walk-A-Thon! Our annual Walk-A-Thon raises nearly all of the money for student activities & trips throughout the year. Register your child at www.getmovinfundhub.com with the School Identifier code 5f885baf4d3fa and make a donation, then spread the word to families and friends. That’s all it takes to get started to help us reach our school goal to support our Student Activities Fund for activities & trips! See the information here! Students will be provided a free t-shirt for Walk-A-Thon day on Friday, 10/22!
- 1st Quarter Interim Progress Reports (IPR) – 1st Q IPRs will be mailed to your homes on Wednesday. They are always accessible through the Home Access Center on the BASD website at https://www.basdschools.org/parentportals. If you can’t access the system, there are directions on this link!
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- Student Appointments/Early Dismissals- if your child has an appointment in the middle of the school day or an early pick-up, help make the process go quickly by sending a note with your child for an early dismissal slip. They pick it up during homeroom and will be in Student Services waiting for you, rather than causing you to wait outside until we get them from class. Please help our secretaries keep this process moving quickly!
- Student Chromebooks Not Charged/Lost Chargers – We’ve seen a dramatic increase in students not charging their Chromebooks for school. Please remind your child to charge it every night! We do not provide an additional charger when your child loses it. Is your child missing their charger? Amazon ordering information is here at this link.
- Additional Filtering Enabled – The BASD has increased the level of internet filtering to student Chromebooks, including new limits on newer websites, ex. games. Students will notice these changes immediately.
- American Education Week – Open visitations will not be held district-wide during BASD American Education Week next week.
- Boys Volleyball – Students who are interested in playing boys volleyball intramural inbetween the fall & sports seasons should email Mr. Rodenbach at srodenbach@basdschools.org this week to get on the list & prepare for the November 4th tournament at Liberty High School.
***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 | 10/5 | 6 | Computer Check & Lockers in Homeroom |
| Tuesday | 10/6 | 1 | 11:30am Dismissal (Teacher In-Service in Afternoon) |
| Wednesday | 10/7 | 2 | 1st Quarter IPR Available on Home Access Center/Mailed Home to Families |
| Thursday | 10/8 | 3 | |
| Friday | 10/9 | 4 | Friday “Pink-Out” for students & staff
October Pride of the Lions |
***School-wide Announcements ************************************************************************
BASD eNews from Dr. Roy – This edition of the BASD eNews highlights -Early Release for all Students – Tuesday, October 5, 2021-BASD Substitute Teacher Hiring Event – Wednesday, October 6, 2021 -#BASDProud Student from Thomas Jefferson Elementary School-Food Pantry Program available at the Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley BASD eNews October 1, 2021 Edition
Schoolwide Library Services (Werkheiser) lwerkheiser@basdschools.org for help with books or services.
The library website is full of resources for students.
Book suggestions for the coming week
Choose a book about golf for NATIONAL GOLF DAY on October 4.🏌🏌
🍎WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY is Tuesday, October 5. Show your teacher what book you are reading!
The Lion’s Den School Store (Roufakis & Evancho) – The school store is selling 100th Birthday shirts to celebrate Nitschmann’s birthday. They are $10. Be sure to get yours and your child’s to wear to all of this year’s special events. Help us celebrate 100 years of Lion’s pride!
***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! We competed a “work hard, play hard” week by taking tests in all of our classes… and finishing the week off with a reward day on Friday. Mid-quarter reports will be finalized this week, and be available to students and families soon. This week we have a half-day and will continue improving in all or classes! Finally, 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! This week we had our first Team Celebration. We recognized October birthdays, and our September Decent Human Beings: Abigail Georges, Elianni Benitez, Ava Tomac, Alexis Flores, Quinn Pfeffer, Brogan Perreault, Austin, Andreas, and Davian Medina. Congratulations to all of them.
It is hard to believe, but we are half way through the first quarter already. Building on what we have just learned in math; ½ of ¼ means we are ⅛ of the way through the year. 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.
Team Moravian (6th) – (Twitter @NMSTeam Moravian/Facebook@NMSTeamMoravian Team Leader Mrs. Roufakis) See our welcome letter on the NMS Website! Mid-Quarter is coming very soon. Please go on to your child’s schoology grade reports to check current grades and for missing assignments. We are available for extra help before and after school. Please talk to your teacher about availability. Lastly, please make sure computers are being charged every night and the chargers are being brought to school.
Team Kutztown (7th)(Twitter @TeamKutztown) – English (Mr. Falteich) – This week we will continue our author study unit. Students will be reading 7 stories by H.H. Munro and discussing the following literary terms: foreshadowing, theme. situational irony, conflict, and setting.” Science (Mr. Pearson) – This week we will finish up our discussion on the Metric System and students will have a quiz on the structure of the Metric System and how to convert between units on
Friday, October 8th. Social Studies (Mr. Danyi) – We will begin Unit 2 section 2.2 and focus on the Human-Environment Interactions in the USA and Canada. Students should be studying the States locations by region on a daily basis. The Geography of the USA and Canada assignments are due Monday morning. Math (Mrs. Evancho) – Students will be wrapping up Unit 1 and our basic introduction to integers this week. English (Mrs. Gómez)~We will be discussing “mob mentality” in class before reading a teleplay in class. Students will be journaling, researching, and reading articles about this particular topic.
Team Penn State (7th) (Twitter @NMSPennState/Facebook @NMSTeamPennState/ Instagram pennstatenms Team Leader Mrs. Getz) We had our first team celebration on Friday….ask your son or daughter about their “Minute to Win It” challenge, walking with their friends, or their fierce kickball game! Mrs. Markovic (social studies) – We will begin Unit 2 section 2.2 and focus on the Human-Environment Interactions in the USA and Canada. 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 have started the drama, “The Monsters are Due on Maple Street” and we’ve been discussing “herd mentality”. There will be a vocabulary quiz on Thursday (10/7). Mrs Lafey (Math) – Students in periods 3,6 and 9 are working on multiplying and dividing rational numbers. They will have a short quiz on Thursday on all 4 operations with integers. Students in periods 2 and 8 are wrapping up the unit and have their test scheduled on Thursday. Our next unit will be about proportional relationships. Mr. Khalife (Science) – We will begin talking about the metric system this week an get into how to do metric conversions.
Team DeSales (8th) (Team Leader Mrs. Pogue): Instagram @NMSTeamDSU8 See our welcome letter on the NMS Website! History: We will conclude our study of Jamestown, the foundation of America. Colonization moves north with Plimoth and Massachusetts. 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 finished reading “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson. Students are focusing on elements of fiction writing as well as irony, allusion, symbolism, and foreshadowing. Continue to check Schoology for any updates and assignments. In Mrs. Hinkel’s ELA class, we will finalize the setting of our narratives and begin to develop the plots of our stories. We will also start learning about the uses of the noun this week.. Advanced Math / Math 8 students will continue learning about Scientific Notation. Algebra 1 students will learn how to solve absolute value equations and inequalities, and start solving distance word problems . In History, students will study the pivotal year of 1619 and connect it to the effects on our nation over the last 400 years. Students will then take a look at the Early New England colonies of Plymouth and Salem. 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
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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!
Weinert will start Health classes on Tuesday October 5th. Students who have Weinert for health should go to the health classroom 012 instead of reporting to the gym. Students were notified of their health teacher via email or schoology message. IT IS NOT NECESSARILY THE TEACHER ON THEIR SCHEDULE.
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). Art Club will be held afterschool on Mondays from 3:05-4:05 starting October 4. If you have returned your application last week please report to room 011 on Monday at 3:05 for our first meeting. No more applications will be accepted …the spaces are full !!!
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) ALL Students need to Register for the Walk-A-Thon!!! (See flyer above)
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 ) Our election results are in! Congratulations to the following elected officers: President: Morgan Hughes; Vice-President: Julianna Zumas; Secretary: Violet Mitchell; Treasurer: Alayna Issa. Our sidewalk clean-up is scheduled for 10/16 and we will need members and parent volunteers to help out. Check Schoology for updates.
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) If you are interested in working at the school store, please fill in this application https://forms.gle/47drkQ2612wpD6CE8 We will be opening the store soon.
**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. Congrats to Giada (Gigi)- Communications officer, Jayliana- Secretary, Andrea- Vice President
Student Lighthouse ( Advisors Mr. Kocon / Mrs. McLaughlin / Mrs Markovitz)-.
Step Team (Advisor Dra. Sierra) – Practices are Monday and Tuesday in front of the Auditorium from 3:05- 4:15. Congratulations to the 2021-2022 Step Team. Students were notified through school email. Special congrats to Griffen (Captain) and Hendrix (Co-Captain).
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)
- Schedule Updates:
- 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,.
- Our match scheduled against Harrison Morton on Oct. 7 has been CANCELLED! The team will have a regular practice.
- Our game against East Hills on Oct. 12 is AT EAST HILLS, not Easton. It was a printing error.
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
Sunday, October 3
Special color guard performance (check your Cut Time calendar for details)
Monday, October 4
Early morning band 7:15am – *Students need their bell covers and playing masks
Tuesday, October 5
Early morning orchestra 7:15am
NO Day 1 jazz due to early dismissal
Wednesday, October 6
Early morning jazz band 7:15am *Students need their bell covers and playing masks
Thursday, October 7
Early morning band 7:15am – *Students need their bell covers and playing masks
Friday, October 8
Early morning orchestra 7:15am
UPCOMING EVENTS
Monday, October 4 Band jacket pick up 6:30-8pm
Tuesday, October 5 Band jacket pick up 6:30-8pm
Saturday, October 16 – Nazareth Parade (Click for more details)
Wednesday, October 20 – 7:30pm NIMAS general membership meeting
Thursday, October 21 – NMS night football game (Click for more details)
Fri. – Sun., October 22 – 24 – Pat’s Bistro Dine to Donate Fundraiser
Sunday, October 24 – Saucon Valley Parade (Click for more details)
Wednesday, October 27 – FHS/LHS performance rehearsal
(Thursday, Oct. 28 7:30am – Raindate for FHS/LHS rehearsal)
Saturday, October 30 – FHS/LHS football game performance
Sunday, October 31 – Bethlehem Halloween Parade (Raindate – November 7) (Click for more details)
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC LESSONS
SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK
NIMAS INFORMATION
Parent Volunteers:
Parents, we are in need of volunteers for upcoming events during October and the remainder of the year. YOU MUST HAVE YOUR BACKGROUND CHECKS on file in the Nitschmann office in order to volunteer.
Click on the following link to find information on what clearances you need and how to apply for them.
https://www.basdschools.org/volunteering
Band Jacket distribution will take place ONLY during the following times.
Monday, October 4 from 6:30-8:00 PM
Tuesday, October 5 from 6:30-8:00 PM
DIRECTIONS
You will pull into the bus channel at the stadium end of the channel and follow the channel toward the flagpole. Items will be distributed by the auditorium entrance of the channel. You will not need to get out of your car. You will tell the handler your name and they will give you your items. It will only take a minute to hand you your items and then you can be on your way.
Parents and Guardians of students in the instrumental music program and Nitschmann Singers were sent a survey regarding the annual music department spring trip. Your survey responses are due by October 18. You can access the survey at the link below:
https://forms.gle/29WdtmY7hoDKdzpu6
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
Wawa shorti coupons
$4 each
$1 of each coupon goes to your child’s fair share account.
Contact Jennifer Roan at 610-509-9776 or jenlroan15@gmail.com
AMAZON SMILE PROGRAM
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