Update from Norwin School District
Superintendent Dr. Jeff Taylor
March 23, 2020
Dear Norwin School District Families and Members of the Community,
 
This afternoon, Governor Wolf and the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) announced that all schools in the commonwealth will remain closed through at least April 6 as a result of the COVID-19 response efforts. The closure order could be extended beyond April 6 if necessary to save lives and stop the spread of COVID-19.
 
Under the new timeline, school buildings would reopen on April 7 for two days to allow school administrators, teachers, and other staff time to prepare classrooms, set up cafeterias, schedule transportation and arrange other business operations. Students would return to school on April 9, unless extending the closure is needed in response to the situation with the virus at that time.
 
Information is changing daily and I sincerely appreciate your ongoing support and cooperation. I am confident that  “Together We Can”  get through this health crisis. Stay safe, healthy and  #NorwinStrong!
 
Best regards,
 
Dr. Jeff Taylor
Superintendent
Online Instruction at Norwin
We have recently been given permission to offer online, or remote instruction, instead of traditional face to-face instruction until the closure is lifted by the Governor. Therefore, because the current shutdown has been extended, the District’s goal is to begin providing online instruction to students beginning on Monday, March 30, 2020.  

We plan to offer this through Google Classroom. We have recently concluded a survey of all Norwin families' technology capabilities, and have a plan in place to provide technology to those families who answered that they did not have an Internet-capable device at home.

We will share more details in the very near future about how to prepare for a successful transition to online instruction.
High School Theatre Company is #NorwinStrong

Today, I would like to highlight a heartwarming example of  #NorwinStrong  that comes from our Norwin Theatre Company. Unfortunately, the theater students had to cancel their musical production of Disney's  The Little Mermaid  due to the shutdown.
 
This past Saturday night, which would have been one of their performances, the students put together a  special virtual performance  of the song, “Under The Sea.” I would like to encourage you to watch their video and experience the same level of pride that I feel for our students.
 
From their terrific video, we can all draw some much-needed inspiration. They show us the power of collaboration, comradery, and persistence in times of hardship. It also demonstrates the value of the performing arts to touch our souls. I am hopeful that they will be able to perform  The Little Mermaid  before the end of the school year. They exemplify  #NorwinStrong!
Virtual Spirit Week
Also, remember that our Virtual Spirit Week continues on our Twitter Page ( @NorwinSD ) all week long.

We are encouraging students to dress up each day and for parents to take and upload pictures of their children participating. Details are available at http://www.norwinsd.org/virtualspiritweek/ .
Norwin Lunch Program for Students

  • On Wednesday, March 25th,the District will again serve a bagged lunch of a Smuckers Uncrustable, cheese stick, MJM snack crackers, milk, fruit, and juice for students enrolled in our free and reduced lunch program. We will be serving from 11am - 1pm from the Norwin High School Auditorium doors (Door No. 6). People will not need to get out of their vehicles in order to retrieve the meals as our food service employees will walk the bagged lunches to the cars.
  • The lunch program on Wednesday, March 25th will supply enough food for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Community Resources

Free 60-Day Internet Access:

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. We will do our best to update this listing as new information is received.

Voluntary Educational Resources for Student Education
Norwin School District
281 McMahon Drive
North Huntingdon, PA 15642
724.861.3000