Update from Norwin School District
Superintendent Dr. Jeff Taylor
April 2, 2020
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Dear Norwin School District Families and Members of the Community,
I hope this message finds you well.
During this challenging time for all of us, I was reminded recently of how important it is to try to maintain a positive outlook. This occurred when someone sent me an article titled, "
The Power of Positivity: How to Overcome Challenges in Your Life.
" It provides 10 steps that, I believe, have something to offer to us all. Some of the advice particularly resonated with me as an educational leader, such as
Be Kind to Others
,
Learn from Your Experiences
,
Positive Affirmations
and
Don't Dwell on Small Mistakes
. If you have time to read the article, I hope you find it as insightful as I did.
Regarding the public health concerns surrounding COVID-19, I feel it is important to share an insight from a local emergency room physician who is encouraging us to continue social distancing during this pandemic. Today, Westmoreland County superintendents were briefed by Dr.
William Jenkins, an emergency medicine physician with Excela Health. He spoke during the superintendents' daily Zoom video call.
Dr. Jenkins informed the superintendents that:
"The next two weeks are critical to our public health efforts to control the spread of COVID- 19. Community cooperation is essential to eliminating disease spread. As the weather gets nicer, please continue social distancing and resist the urge to congregate outside in groups. It is essential that all families do their part to help us through the difficult and potential dangerous time. It will take the efforts of everyone to eliminate this disease threat from our communities. PLEASE continue to maintain social distancing during essential travel outdoors and stay at home when at all possible."
To underscore his point, I encourage everyone to continue social distancing so that we may return to school, and normalcy, sooner rather than later.
Finally, please find below a list of local restaurants offering free meals to students during our District's shutdown. This information is available below under "
Norwin Businesses Support Students During Shutdown"
in the Resources section of this email. I am pleased to report that Sheetz is now included among these establishments.
Thank you and your families for remaining
#NorwinStrong
.
Best regards,
Dr. Jeff Taylor,
Superintendent
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Report Cards Available
As of this afternoon (April 2, 2020), student grades for the third nine weeks have been posted.
Report cards are now available for families to check in Skyward.
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13th-Annual World Autism Day
Today is the 13th-annual observance of World Autism Awareness Day.
This international event recognizes people with autism and those who love and support them towards the goal of a
kinder, more inclusive world.
Please click here
to read more about World Autism Awareness Day 2020, courtesy of Autism Speaks.
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Online Learning and Where to Direct Your Technology Questions
We are requesting every family's cooperation in directing questions to the proper department so that families receive the most timely resolution possible.
- Google Classroom: If you are having trouble logging into Google Classroom, please refer to the Google Guide.
- Resources/Links: If at any time your child has trouble accessing a link provided by their teacher, please contact that teacher directly for assistance. Email would be the best option.
- Internet: If you are having trouble connecting to the internet, a possible solution is to reset your in-home router or call your internet provider for assistance.
- District Device: If you are having issues with a device loaned to you by the Norwin School District, please (1) refer to the information sheet you received upon device pick-up (2) reach out to your child's teacher (3) email techsupport@norwinsd.org.
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Internet Options
The Norwin School District realizes that not every family has access to the Internet at home, though some may wish to. Below is a curated collection of resources for families to obtain broadband Internet at their home at low or no cost.
Cell Phone Hotspots
Many smart phones can be turned into a "hotspot" for use by other devices. Depending on your provider and plan, this may be either free or a small additional charge to your service. If you are unsure about your plan, contact your provider for details.
Comcast Internet Essentials
Comcast announced it will be increasing speeds for the Internet Essentials program, and making the program free to new low-income customers for two months, amid the coronavirus outbreak.
In a letter, Comcast President of Consumer Services Dana Strong said that the change is for the millions of low-income Americans who don't have internet service during this uncertain time.
To sign up, applicants can simply visit
www.internetessentials.com.
The accessible website also includes the option to video chat with customer service agents in American Sign Language. There are also two dedicated phone numbers 1-855-846-8376 for English and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish.
USAC
Verizon Lifeline
Verizon offers Verizon Lifeline plans for home phone service or broadband (internet) service. The broadband discount is limited to Fios internet service at a speed of 18 megabits per second or above.
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Updates on School Calendar
Provided there are no other unexpected loss of school days, Norwin will observe the following dates for our school calendar.
- April 10: Spring Break – No school for students or teachers
- April 13: Act 80 Day – No school for students
- April 14: Act 80 Day – No school for students
- May 8: Act 80 Day – No school for students
- May 22: Last day of instruction for students
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May Activities and Special Events
Please note that no decision has been made yet regarding whether the District will cancel special activities and events in May, such as prom and graduation. I am maintaining hope and cautious optimism that we can resume normal school operations in May. However, I will continue to update you as decisions are made.
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Norwin's Reflections Results for Regionals and States
Due to the fact that the Regional Reflections ceremony was recently cancelled, we wanted to celebrate the hard work and creativity of Norwin students who participated in this long-running arts program, which is sponsored locallly by the Norwin Council of PTAs.
Each year, the Reflections program invites students to submit original works of art in the areas of dance, choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts.
We are pleased to report that six Norwin students placed at the state level. They are:
- Landon Gribar, Hahntown Elementary School, 2nd place at States (Film)
- Alexander Utz, Sheridan Terrace Elemenary School, 2nd place at States (Music)
- Nathaniel Carelli, Hahntown Elementary School, 3rd place at States (Literature)
- Olivia Lane, Norwin Middle School, 3rd place at States (Dance)
- Justin McNelly, Norwin Middle School, 4th place at States (Literature)
- Marilyn Weber, Hahntown Elementary School, 5th place at States (Dance)
This year’s theme was “Look Within.”
Please click here
for a list of all Norwin students listed by schools and how they performed at the Regional contest. It lists their places and category. The top three places were then sent to the state Reflections contest.
We want these Norwin students to have their accomplishments recognized and celebrated! Thank you for your help in recognizing these students who have represented Norwin so well. Next year’s theme is “
I Matter Because…
”
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Resources
Preparing for Online Instruction
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Norwin School District Daily Attendance Form
- Beginning on March 30, 2020, and continuing each day during online instruction, families will be asked to complete a daily attendance form for each child in the family. The link to the attendance form will be included on the STREAM on each Google Classroom and can also be found here. We appreciate your assistance in completing this form for each child one time daily so that attendance can be entered and maintained into Skyward.
Norwin Lunches for Students in the Free and Reduced Lunch Program
- Every Monday and Wednesday through the shutdown, the District will serve a bagged lunch from 11am - 1pm from the Norwin High School Auditorium doors (Door No. 6). The lunch program on Mondays will supply enough food for Monday and Tuesday, and the lunch program on Wednesdays will supply enough food for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Norwin Businesses Support Students During Shutdown
- Please click here to view a Google Doc with information from some of our community partners regarding no-cost meals for students. The latest addition to the list is Sheetz.
Screen-Free Activities for Families
Public Utility Commission Urges Financially Stressed Consumers to Explore Options
- The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) urges financially-stressed households across the state to explore the many options available to help keep their monthly utility bills affordable – whether their concerns are related to the current COVID-19 crisis or other economic issues.
- Please click here to learn more.
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April 6th Webinar on "Vaping: 2020 and Beyond"
In the spirit of community partnership, we are pleased to share
this flyer
for an upcoming webinar regarding the dangers of vaping and trends to prepare for during the rest of 2020.
The webinar is scheduled for
Monday, April 6, 2020 at 10 a.m.,
and registration details are included with the flyer.
The webinar is sponsored by Saint Vincent College Prevention Projects and the Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission.
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COVID-19 Information for Families
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Norwin School District
281 McMahon Drive
North Huntingdon, PA 15642
724.861.3000
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