Parent & Student Weekly Email
Nitschmann Middle School Weekly Update
100 Years of Learning @ Home of the Nitschmann Nation
Sunday, November 21, 2021, to Sunday, November 28, 2021
Download the BASD App and select “Nitschmann” to receive all alerts to your phone.
- No School for Students 11/22 through 11/29 – There will be no school for students the week of Thanksgiving. Teachers will be participating in Teacher In-Service and Conferences will be held as scheduled, along with the 11/22 COVID Vaccine Clinic. Offices will be open as normal.
- Students Attend Conferences! Don’t forget to have your child attend your virtual or in-person conference! Your child is the critical person who needs to be present!!!
- Vaccination Information to Nurse- if your child has completed their COVID vaccination, please share the completed card/information by emailing it to Mrs. Valvik (jvalvik@basdschools.org) & Mrs. Fritz (bfritz@basdschools.org). This will be the only place Dr. Mayes will check with for vaccination status for winter sports.
- Schedule your child’s COVID Vaccine at our BASD Vaccine Clinic at https://www.basdschools.org/covid19
- The Giving Tree is back for 2021!!!! Please look for the giving tree in the main lobby during conferences and consider choosing a tag and sponsoring a child by buying gifts for them. Nitschmann students may also choose tags in school but will need to have the permission form filled out before choosing a tag without their parents. Permission forms are available in the Library or from Mr. Kocon in room 004.
- The Annual Nitschmann Thanksgiving Food Drive: Thank you to all of our students & families for making this year’s annual food drive the largest one ever!
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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 | 11/22 | School Closed – No School for Students/Teacher In-ServiceOffices Open 8am-3pm12:30pm-3:30pm Virtual ConferencesBASD Covid Vaccines @ Nitschmann 4pm-7pm Sign Up Here! | |
| Tuesday | 11/23 | School Closed – No School for Students/Teacher In-ServiceOffices Open 8am-3pm4:30pm-7:30pm In-Person Student Conferences | |
| Wednesday | 11/24 | School Closed – Thanksgiving Break | |
| Thursday | 11/25 | School Closed – Thanksgiving Break | |
| Friday | 11/26 | School Closed – Thanksgiving Break |
| Day | Date | Cycle Day | Notes |
| Monday | 11/29 | School Closed – Thanksgiving Break | |
| Tuesday | 11/30 | 4 | Schools Reopen |
| Wednesday | 12/1 | 5 | |
| Thursday | 12/2 | 6 | |
| Friday | 12/3 | 1 | December Pride of the Lions Breakfast & Award Ceremony |
***School-wide Announcements ************************************************************************
BASD eNews from Dr. Roy –This week’s BASD eNews contains:
Friday, November 19 – Bethlehem’s Tree Lighting Ceremony Information
Highlighted BASD Staff and Students
-BASD Student of the Week from Broughal Middle School
-BASD Staff of the Week from East Hills Middle School
-Built by Bethlehem Graduate of Liberty High School Class of 2007
I hope you enjoy the BASD eNews – November 19, 2021 Edition.
Schoolwide Library Services (Werkheiser) lwerkheiser@basdschools.org for help with books or services.
The library website is full of resources for students.
Did you forget to check out a library book before break? No need to worry! Go to the library website and check out an ebook to read on your Chromebook in Overdrive. There are so many great books available!
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
Tutoring Opportunity through Bethlehem Area Public Library
***Core & Encore Team Updates *********************************************************************
Team Lafayette (6th) (Twitter @NMSLafayette Team Leader Mrs. Hackman) See our welcome letter on the NMS Website! This holiday break will be a great time to catch up on anything that may have gotten past you. Take this time also to refresh, reenergize, and refocus on being your healthiest and happiest self. We are THANKFUL for our Team Lafayette Families!
Team Lehigh (6th) (Twitter @NMSTeamLehigh/ Facebook @NitschmannTeamLehigh Team Leader Mrs. Oliver) See our welcome letter on the NMS Website! On Friday we had our monthly team celebration in which the students were treated to a traditional Charlie Brown Thanksgiving dinner of toast, popcorn, pretzel sticks and jellybeans!! Kids really seemed to enjoy that. We also celebrated our December Birthdays, November Decent Human Beings, Classroom Spelling Bee winners, and all the hard work our band and band front members put in during the Fall parade season. Way to go Team Lehigh!!
Conference time is here. Every student should be prepared to have a conference with their parents/guardian. This could occur in a variety of ways. If you signed up for a virtual conference on Monday afternoon, you and your child will receive an email with a link to join the zoom session and your designated time. Your child was sent home with a folder and guide sheet to use during the conference and both you and your child should attend the zoom conference. . If you signed up for a live conference on Tuesday evening, you and your child should report to room 307 (Mrs. Oliver’s room) at time you signed up for. Please be sure to have your charged chromebook with you for the conference, you will receive your folder and guide sheet when you arrive. Finally if you were unable to attend either day, your child has the folder and guide sheet with them. At some point over the next week, please sit down with them so they can have their required conference with you. At the conclusion of the conference, please sign the guide sheet and have them turn that in upon returning to school on Tuesday, November 30th.
Lastly, we are in the middle of a lengthy break from school. Grades have all been updated. Please look at the grade report and use this time to get caught up on any missing work and/or work that needs to be re-done.
Team Moravian (6th) – (Twitter @NMSTeam Moravian/Facebook@NMSTeamMoravian Team Leader Mrs. Roufakis) See our welcome letter on the NMS Website! We hope that everyone enjoys the break and has a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Let’s stay on top of our work this quarter! Make sure you are checking Schoology Grade Reports often to see if all work has been completed. Should you need any extra help, just check with one of your teachers to make arrangements to either come before school or stay after.
Team Kutztown (7th)(Twitter @TeamKutztown) -***IMPORTANT …Reminder to all of our Team Kutztown students*** If your parents signed up for a Monday Virtual Zoom Conference, please use the link sent to your school email account for this Zoom Conference. **** ALSO, please have your student-led conference script completed and with you for the conference. If your parents signed up for an IN-PERSON conference on Tuesday, please remember to bring your completed student-led conference script and your fully charged Chromebook with you for the conference. English (Mr. Falteich) – Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy the time with your family. There are no new assignments, but please make up any missing assignments on Schoology. Social Studies (Mr. Danyi) -Study the maps of South America and Central Americaon Schoology. Math (Mrs. Evancho) – All work was due by Friday 11/19. Have a happy and healthy holiday! English (Mrs. Gómez)~Student’s next Novel Overview Form will be due on Wednesday, 11/17. We are currently reading a story titled, “Museum Indians.” Students have researched Native American tribes. We will be moving onto our next story, “The Walking Dance” later this week. Students will take a lead and teach classmates about terms pertaining to the story.
Science (Mr. Pearson) – This week students will start learning about the scientific method. We will be discussing skills that scientists use like observing, inferring, and predicting and how scientists use the scientific method to solve problems.
Team Penn State (7th) (Twitter @NMSPennState/Facebook @NMSTeamPennState/ Instagram pennstatenms Team Leader Mrs. Getz) Team Penn State hopes that all families have a happy, healthy, and safe Thanksgiving. Directions for washing the Team Penn State Tie Dye shirts were sent home with all students. EXTRA CREDIT – All students were given an extra credit packet to complete over the break if they choose. The packets are due 11/30. No extra credit assignments will be accepted late. ELA (GETZ) – Novel overviews are due 12/1.
Team DeSales (8th) (Team Leader Mrs. Pogue): Instagram @NMSTeamDSU8
****We look forward to seeing our students with their families during their scheduled conference times. Students should be preparing you for what you will hear****
SUPPLIES: Please check with your student to see that they have necessary supplies: writing tool, notebooks, glue sticks, ear buds, extra mask. We’re starting to notice a lot of students do not have these items with them!
History: Students have an open book Unit test that is due on Tuesday, Oral History projects are due on December 16th at the start of class, everything that is needed lives in the Oral History folder. Mrs. Tannous and Mrs. Pogue’s ELA classes: Happy Thanksgiving! We are so thankful for our fabulous students and their love of our classroom read alouds of Monster. Families, ask your child to see their reenactment of a book’s scene. They did a fabulous job! When we return, look forward to more Monster reading and analysis, more practice with apostrophes, and an analytical writing assignment. Science: We will continue our study of atoms; there will be a quiz midweek. Math: Algebra- working on linear equations. Math 8: introduction to Algebra.
Team Northampton (8th) (Twitter @TeamSpartanNMS Team Leader Mrs. Hood) See our welcome letter on the NMS Website! Zoom conference links for Monday, November 21st will be sent to both student and parent Monday morning. Please be sure your child is present so they can share their progress and growth with you.
The Bethlehem Public Library offers FREE tutoring Monday through Friday from 4:00-6:00pm. This AWESOME opportunity is put on by Moravian University students! You can drop off your child for any length of time to get any help in any subject they may need! Please email Mrs Hood or call the BAPL if you would like more information. In Mrs. Wallach’s ELA class, we just started reading our new novel The Outsiders. Students have read chapter one and are working on character development and plot. Continue to check Schoology for grades and updates. In Mrs. Hinkel’s ELA class, we will continue reading our new mystery, “The Speckled Band,” focusing on close reading and literary analysis. Our final analysis assignment will be due on Friday, Nov. 12. We will also continue working on our new comma rule. We have a quiz scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 9. Advanced Math / Math 8 students will learn about proportional relationships and linear functions . Algebra 1 students will finalize our discussion / practice on writing / graphing linear equations (three different forms) focusing on Keystone type of questioning. History, upon return from Thanksgiving break, we will be learning about what it takes to be a Revolutionary – 250 years ago and today! In Science, the students will be having a Unit 2 Test on 12/2. The test will be covering Atoms and the Periodic Table/Reactivity.
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!
Mr. Villani will be in health beginning Friday 12/3.
Family Consumer Science (FCS) – Students switched rooms on Friday. Mrs. Woodring’s students should bring in $7 for fabric ASAP. Please contact her if you have any questions about fabric money OR purchasing fabric independently.
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. Six grade students do not switch languages until Dec. Grade 7 and 8 are in their language for 2 years (all year long).
***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 is Monday, December 13, in room 104 after school from 3:05-4:00. We will vote for our drawing contest. 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. No more applications will be accepted …the spaces are filled ! Art Club will NOT meet on Monday Nov. 1, Nov. 22 and Nov. 29.
Artsmart @ Banana Factory (Advisor Mrs. Lare) No program this semester.
Environmental Club (Advisor Ms. Stewart) The Environmental Club will host its next meeting on Monday, October 25th after school in room 013. Anyone interested is welcome to attend. We hope to see you there!
French Club – (Advisor Mrs. Lare) In honor of Halloween, French Club learned about The Paris Catacombs and Cities of the Dead in New Orleans. Fun but not for the faint of heart! – French Club is filled.
German Club (Advisor Mrs. Sofka) German club will meet on Day 1 during Lion’s Pride. German club is full. Last meeting we celebrated Oktoberfest! Our next meeting is Tuesday, November 9 and we will be celebrating Skt. Martins Tag by decorating lanterns!!!
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 )
We had a great few weeks of Lacrosse! There were about 55 students who participated which is a GREAT turnout. If your student would like to purchase a shirt because they missed the clothing order link, they may see Ms. Weinert to retrieve a shirt. The shirts will be sold for $12.
In a few months, I will gain more information about travel lacrosse teams in the area and will send that information out to the students. If you would like to purchase a stick for the next season or in general, DSG has some great sticks to purchase at an affordable price. If you would like more information about purchasing a lacrosse stick, feel free to reach out.
Leadership Council (Advisor Mr. Kocon) Please consider participating in The Giving Tree this year, and help support less fourutnate families in our community my assisting them with the purchasing of holiday gifts.
Lion Service Club (Advisor Mrs. McLaughlin) Lion Service Club started this past week. We had a great kick off. Students still interested in joining the Lion Service Club should pick up a permission slip and information sheet in Mrs. McLaughlin’s room 209. Lion Service Club will be after school the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month until 3:45.We will be working on activities such as organizing our 2nd Annual Blood Drive, The Clothing Closet, cards for the elderly for the holidays, etc. Hope to see you there.
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.
We meet on Thursdays after school in room 213 until 4:00. New students are welcome!
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
National Junior Honor Society (Advisors Mrs. Wallach/Mrs. Druckenmiller) (Twitter-@Njhs_Nitschmann; Instagram- @Njhs_Nistchmann ) The members are planning our next service project based on collection of items for the animal shelter. Listen for announcements and please donate! Please check Schoology for updates from the group.
Nitschmann Dramatics (Advisor Mrs. Hriniak) You are doing a great job at rehearsals! Over the break you should read through your script, sing your songs, practice your choreography, review your show responsibilities, work on any design projects, and rest up so you’re ready for December rehearsals. Please check your email for the December rehearsal schedule.
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) Photography Club will meet after school every Monday from 3:05- 4:05. 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. We will not meet November 1st, 22nd or 29th.
Reading Olympics (Advisor – Mrs. Nonnemacher ) We have an awesome group of students from all three grade levels! We will continue meeting Wednesdays after school until 4:00 P.M. in the library. We had a treat of soft pretzels and apple cider to celebrate Thanksgiving this past week during Reading Olympics. We are holding a WaWa box lunch fundraiser for Staff on Monday, November 22! Thank you to all of the staff who ordered. We continue to sell Nitschmann masks for $5.00 each as a fundraiser as well. 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 ) Day 1 / Period 1 meetings for new riders
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) -As soon as I pick up the passes, I will call a meeting to hand them out with other information.
Spanish Club (Advisor Dra. Sierra)- We will meet during activity periods on Day 1 and Wednesdays until 4:15 pm. Feliz Día de Acción de Gracias.
Student Lighthouse ( Advisors Mr. Kocon / Mrs. McLaughlin / Mrs Markovitz)-.
Step Team (Advisor Dra. Sierra) – I will be ordering the shirts after Thanksgiving break. They will be $10. LHS and 8th grade the hoodies are $20,sweatshirts are 15, jackets are $45. *name on back is more, (I think $5). If you didn’t give me the papers with your shirt size, I need them ASAP. I WILL BE ORDERING THEM RIGHT AFTER THANKSGIVING BREAK..
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)-Love to draw? Show off your artistic ability and creativity by entering the 2021-22 yearbook cover contest. Please include our theme of 100 years of Nitschmann in your artwork.
~The winner will not only see their artwork on the cover of this year’s book, but also win a free yearbook.
~Please submit your artwork to Mrs. Gómez or Mrs. Markovic in rooms 204 or 215.
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***Lions/Lady Lions Athletics Updates (Twitter @NMS_Athletics)*****************************************
Year-long
Cheerleading (Head Coach Mrs. Long kllong@basdschools.org)
If you are new to the team, please make sure that a physical packet gets completed over the Thanksgiving break! I will be sending the links for ordering bodysuits, bloomers and bows. Please contact me if you have any questions.
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)
Girls Field Hockey (Mr. Burzynski bburzynski@basdschools.org)
Winter
Dates below will be adjusted due to the changes on Monday 11/22 & 11/23. An updated list will be provided next Sunday or as soon as it is available.
Boys MS Basketball (Head Coach Mr. Wills)
Tryouts will be held on:
Mon. Nov. 22nd from 3:15 to 5:00
Tues. Nov. 23rd from 12:15 to 2:15
Cuts made after Nov. 23rd tryout.
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
Masks are required to enter any BASD building at this time. There is a growing number of music students arriving for rehearsal without a mask for school.
Band and jazz band students MUST have their blue performance mask for rehearsal. A replacement mask costs $12.
ALL wind players must have their instrument bell cover for rehearsal. Replacement costs for bell covers are listed below.
Replacement Bell Cover
- 3” (Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon) $11.25
- 5” (Trumpet, Alto Sax, Bass Clarinet) $11.75
- 6” (Tenor Sax) $14.25
- 8” (Trombone, Baritone Sax) $12.25
- 10” (Mellophone, Baritone, Euphonium, Bass Trombone) $16.25
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Monday, November 22
No School
Tuesday, November 16
No School
Wednesday, November 17
No School
Thursday, November 18
No School
Friday, November 19
No School
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday, December 1 – Winter Flower Sale Delivery 4:30-6pm
Friday, December 3 – Carl’s Corner hoagie coupon orders are due
Wednesday, December 8 – Winter Jazz band & orchestra concert
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC LESSONS
NONE
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.
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES
The general membership meeting minutes from November 17 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
Winter flower and wreath sale – Click for details. Delivery is December 1
- Orders are due December 3.
- $5.50 each
- Good for a 7 inch regular hoagie (No cheesesteaks. Sorry)
- Delivery of coupons will occur by December 17.
Gertrude Hawk Candy Fundraiser – Click for details (OFFERED ALL YEAR)
Grocery store gift cards – GIANT, WEIS, SHOPRITE – Click for details (OFFERED ALL YEAR)
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 Hoagie Coupons – Click for details (OFFERED ALL YEAR)
$4 for each coupon
$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.