Teacher Appreciation Week, Two Students Selected for PMEA All-State Band, Together We Can Yard Signs and More

Teacher Appreciation Week

This week, May 4 - 8, 2020, America is recognizing and thanking educators during National Teacher Appreciation Week.

Since 1984, the National PTA has designated one week in May as a special time to honor the men and women who lend their passion and skills to educating our children.

During this challenging time of COVID-19, we appreciate even more the pivotal role that Norwin teachers are playing in our students’ lives. They have clearly demonstrated a “Together We Can” attitude by transitioning successfully to online education and providing a continuity of education during the statewide school shutdown.

Please help the District celebrate Norwin teachers by sharing a memory of how a Norwin teacher has positively influenced your life, or that of your child's, at Norwin's Twitter or Facebook pages. Use the hashtag #NorwinTeacherAppreciation .

For example, you can tell a teacher how much you:

Love ( ❤️ ) how they encourage you in special ways.
Like (👍) what’s happening in their virtual classroom.
Celebrate (🎉) their achievements with students.
Care about (😍) their commitment to students and families.

Thank you, Norwin teachers!

Two Norwin High School Students Selected for All-State Concert Band

Congratulations to High School students Victoria Hua and Evan Murray , who successfully auditioned into the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) All-State Concert Band.

Victoria Hua is a sophomore who plays clarinet. Evan Murray is a senior who plays French horn.

The All-State ensembles are selected by a rigorous process requiring multiple auditions and hours of practice time. Making an All-State ensemble is the top honor a music student can achieve within PMEA. Congratulations to these two students who were selected to the All-State Concert Band.

The PMEA has been conducting auditions for All-State Band virtually due to the school closures. While they won't be able to participate in a live ensemble experience, it is still a significant accomplishment for these students!

Victoria Hua

Evan Murray

"Together We Can" Yard Signs Support Norwin Backpack Program

Looking for a great way to support Norwin students AND provide some inspiration for your neighborhood?

If yes, please consider purchasing a double-sided "Together We Can" yard sign for $14.99 from the UPS store in White Oak. $3 from each sale will be donated to the Norwin Lions Club to help with its food backpack program, which directly benefits Norwin students.

The Lions' Club “Cubcake Wars,” which is the Lions Club’s biggest fundraiser for the program, had to be canceled this year.

The yard signs can be ordered by calling (412) 664-1482 or by emailing store5985@theupsstore.com . These signs are a great way to show support for our school community while also supporting the community as well.

Online Web Chats Available to Help Parents

During the month of May, join the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit’s Training and Consultation team for hints and tips to help your child in an online learning environment.

Intermediate Unit team members will lead each Zoom session, slated for 2 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays.

Please click here for more information about the chats and a web link for joining the sessions.

The Training and Consultation (TaC) chats were developed based on input from educators at multiple Westmoreland school districts.

‘A Sense Of Connection:’ Norwin Bus Driver Creates Heartfelt Video Saying Goodbye To Students

Norwin teachers make face shields for ambulance service, school nurse sews masks

Masked man who police say planned to rob North Huntingdon bank gets prison sentence

Resources

TED / Voluntary Educational Resources: The TEDEd program has started putting out a daily newsletter to support the millions of students, parents and teachers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The TED-Ed@Home daily newsletter provides people with high-quality, interactive, video-based lessons spanning all age groups and subjects, for free. Please click here for information.

As a reminder, please remember that Norwin School District has collected a variety of Voluntary Educational Resources for Student Education that are available through its Google site for online learning.

Spirit Night Benefit May 6 for Norwin Council of PTAs
Please click here to learn more about a fund-raiser planned for Wednesday, May 6, from 4 to 10 p.m. through Inferno Pizza.

2020 Contingency Plan for Spring and Summer Activities and Events

Article: "How Flipping the Switch Leads to Resilience"

Online Learning Resources for Families, a Google site, has been created as a comprehensive site to help Norwin families prepare for online learning.

NEW Norwin School District Daily Attendance Form

Please click here to complete the daily attendance form beginning May 4, 2020, and continuing each day through Friday, May 8, 2020. Families are asked to complete a daily attendance form for each child in the family. The link to the attendance form will also be included on the STREAM on each Google Classroom. 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.

New Site for Parents, Staff Promotes Mental & Behavioral Health during Pandemic

Click here to see the resources assembled by Norwin psychologists, social worker and behavioral consultant.

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.

Do-It-Yourself Cleaning Supplies

Please click here for more information from East Coast Risk Management.

Screen-Free Activities for Families

Please consider these screen-free activities for families.

Public Utility Commission Urges Financially Stressed Consumers to Explore Options

Please click here to learn more.

Kids Activity Sheet

Click here for a Kids Activity Sheet.

Internet Options

The Norwin School District realizes that not every family has access to the Internet at home, though some may wish to. Please click here for a collection of resources for families to obtain broadband Internet at their home at low or no cost.