Parent & Student Weekly Email
Nitschmann Middle School Weekly Update
100 Years of Learning @ Home of the Nitschmann Nation
Sunday, November 28, 2021, to Sunday, December 5, 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 on Monday, November 29. Offices will be open as normal. School reopens for all students on Tuesday, November 30.
- Charged Chromebooks – Students should update and charge their Chromebooks before returning to school on Tuesday.
- 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.
- Encore Rotations Change – Students should be aware their encore rotations will change on Thursday, 12/2.
- Lion’s Pride 1st Period Changes – Beginning on Thursday, our Day 3 & 6 1st Period time will convert to online & in-person tutoring & support for students. Students may be involved in online tutoring programs and/or team-based support activities. This is designed to support students’ individual skill growth. This will expand throughout the 2nd Quarter and the remainder of the year.
***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 | 11/29 | School Closed – Thanksgiving BreakHanukkah Begins (Sunday @ Sundown) | |
| Tuesday | 11/30 | 4Team | Schools Reopen |
| Wednesday | 12/1 | 5LEAD | Last Day of Encore Rotation 2No Afterschool Clubs/Activities/Extra Help – December Faculty Meeting |
| Thursday | 12/2 | 6Lion’s Pride | First Day of Encore Rotation 3No Seminar Classes Today due to Rotation ChangeLion’s Pride Tutoring Begins |
| Friday | 12/3 | 1Activity | December Pride of the Lions Breakfast & Award Ceremony |
| Day | Date | Cycle Day | Notes |
| Monday | 12/6 | 2LEAD | Hanukkah Ends (Monday @ Sundown) |
| Tuesday | 12/7 | 3Lion’s Pride | |
| Wednesday | 12/8 | 4Team | Winter Orchestra and Jazz Concert 7:00 p.m. Auditorium |
| Thursday | 12/9 | 5LEAD | |
| Friday | 12/10 | 6Lion’s Pride |
| Day | Date | Cycle Day | Notes |
| Monday | 12/13 | 1Activity | |
| Tuesday | 12/14 | 2LEAD | |
| Wednesday | 12/15 | 3Lion’s Pride | Nitschmann Winter Choral Concert 7:00 PM Auditorium |
| Thursday | 12/16 | 4Team | |
| Friday | 12/17 | 5LEAD |
| Day | Date | Cycle Day | Notes |
| Monday | 12/20 | 6Lion’s Pride | |
| Tuesday | 12/21 | 1Activity | |
| Wednesday | 12/22 | 2None | Elf Day11:30am Dismissal for Students/Afternoon Teacher In-Service |
| Thursday | 12/23 | No School for Students – Winter/Christmas Holiday | |
| Friday | 12/24 | No School for Students – Winter/Christmas Holiday |
***School-wide Announcements ************************************************************************
BASD eNews from Dr. Roy – None at this time.
Schoolwide Library Services (Werkheiser) lwerkheiser@basdschools.org for help with books or services.
The library website is full of resources for students.
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! None at this time.
Team Lehigh (6th) (Twitter @NMSTeamLehigh/ Facebook @NitschmannTeamLehigh Team Leader Mrs. Oliver) See our welcome letter on the NMS Website! None at this time.
Team Moravian (6th) – (Twitter @NMSTeam Moravian/Facebook@NMSTeamMoravian Team Leader Mrs. Roufakis) See our welcome letter on the NMS Website! Congratulations to our October Pride of the Lions: Mia Barket and Megan Shook! We are proud of you!
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) -***Reminder to all of our Team Kutztown students*** Please come to school each day with your Chromebook fully charged! None at this time.
Team Penn State (7th) (Twitter @NMSPennState/Facebook @NMSTeamPennState/ Instagram pennstatenms Team Leader Mrs. Getz) ALL EXTRA CREDIT PACKETS ARE DUE 11/30. No late extra credit assignments will be accepted. Mrs. Markovic (social studies) – Mr. Downey (ELA) – Mrs. Getz (ELA) – This week, students will receive their new vocabulary lists. We will begin the story “Museum Indians” and discuss cultural traditions. Novel overviews are due 12/1. Mrs Lafey (Math) – Periods 3,6 and 9 will be working with the percent equation this week. Periods 2 & 8 will be learning about markups and markdowns and have a short quiz on Friday covering everything from Sections 4-4 and 4-5. Mr. Khalife (Science) –
Team DeSales (8th) (Team Leader Mrs. Pogue): Instagram @NMSTeamDSU8
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: Your student should be well underway with their Oral History project. This project will have students interview a person at least 63 years old. The assignment is posted in schoology with the grading rubric. Mrs. Tannous and Mrs. Pogue’s ELA classes: We will continue our study of Monster with special focus on how Steve is developing as a character. We will also start a scene reenactment 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! 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 start our first readings, “So Where are you from? and “Commencement Address to the Santa Fe Indian School,” in our new StudyStudy unit We will also start a new grammar unit on pronoun uses. Advanced Math / Math 8 students will prepare / review for their Unit 2 Part 1 Test . Algebra 1 students will continue our discussion / practice on writing / graphing linear equations (three different forms). In History, students will learn about what impact the French and Indian War had on the beliefs and attitudes of the British and the colonists. . 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. We will be reviewing on Tuesday and Wednesday.
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!
Long will be in health until Tuesday 11/16. The rest of the week, all classes will be in the gym. Mr. Villani will begin health after the Thanksgiving break
Family Consumer Science (FCS) – It’s hard to believe, but Wednesday, December 1 is the last day of Rotation 2. Mrs. Woodring’s students will be finishing up sewing projects in 6th and 7th grades on Tuesday and Wednesday. I will be available after school if your son or daughter needs to stay after school to finish up their project.
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, December 6th after school in room 013. Anyone interested is welcome to attend. Our club is also hosting a holiday fundraiser with Boon Supply! 40% of all proceeds will fund our club initiatives. Please consider supporting our fundraiser by making a purchase via the following link: https://www.boonsupply.com/1194566 Thank you!
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 meetings we celebrated Skt. Martin’s Tag and brushed up on our German vocabulary skills through a Film in German! Our next meeting is Friday, December 3rd and we will be celebrating Skt. Nikolaus Tag by decorating shoes!!!
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 ) Please make sure to look at the calendar for practices since they are not every day. This week: No practice Monday or Tuesday. Practice 3:15-5pm Wednesday Nov 10th, Thursday Nov 11th and Friday Nov 12th
Lacrosse Intramurals 2021IMG_9164.JPG
Leadership Council (Advisor Mr. Kocon) ALL Students need to Register for the Walk-A-Thon!!! (See flyer above)
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) Monday no rehearsal. Tuesday all Cast. Wednesday no rehearsal (faculty meeting). Thursday Crew & House. Friday all Cast. Check your email for schedule, 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) Photography Club will meet after school every other Monday from 3:05- 4:05.
Have a great Thanksgiving break! Next meeting is December 6th.
Reading Olympics (Advisor – Mrs. Nonnemacher ) We have an awesome group of students from all three grade levels and are looking forward to a great year!! We will continue meeting Wednesdays 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 ) 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) -I hope to pick up the passes soon. I will hold a meeting to hand out the passes with more information. Think snow!
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 / 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.
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.
.
***Lions/Lady Lions Athletics Updates (Twitter @NMS_Athletics)*****************************************
Year-long
Cheerleading (Head Coach Mrs. Long kllong@basdschools.org)
Cheerleading tryouts for 7th and 8th graders for the winter sports season will be held Monday-Wednesday next week Nov. 15-17th from 3:05-4:30. Any cheerleader who makes the team will need to obtain a physical or get a recertification form signed by December 1st.
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)
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, November 29
NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, November 30
Early morning orchestra 7:15am
Wednesday, December 1
Early morning jazz band 7:15am *Students need their bell covers and playing masks
Thursday, December 2
Early morning band 7:15am – *Students need their bell covers and playing masks
Friday, December 3
Early morning orchestra 7:15am
Day 1 jazz band during Lion’s Pride
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday, December 1 – Winter Flower Sale Delivery
Friday, December 3 – Carl’s Corner hoagie coupon orders are due
Wednesday, December 8 – Winter Jazz band & orchestra concert (For specific details for performers go to
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC LESSONS
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.
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
FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES
Winter flower and wreath sale – Click for details. Delivery is December 1
Carl’s Corner Hoagie Coupons Orders are due December 3.
- Delivery of coupons will occur by December 17.
- $5.50 each
- Good for a 7 inch regular hoagie (No cheesesteaks. Sorry)
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.
WEEKLY CHORAL SCHEDULE
Monday, October 4
No rehearsal
Tuesday, October 5
Glee Club 7:15am (All Glee members unless in orchestra)
No Nitschmann Singers due to early dismissal
Wednesday, October 6
Glee Club 7:15am (All Nitschmann Singers and Glee members unless in jazz)
Thursday, October 7
Glee Club 7:15am (All Glee members unless in band)
Nitschmann Singers 3-4pm
Friday, October 1
No rehearsals