Update from Norwin School District
Superintendent Dr. Jeff Taylor
May 6, 2020
Dear Norwin Families and Community Members,

After much review and careful consideration, including input from Norwin teachers, I am announcing changes to our grading procedures for the 2019-2020 school year.

As part of the District’s Continuity of Education Plan, we have modified our grading procedures for both term 4 grades and final grades for the 2019-2020 school year. We recognize that students, families, and District personnel have worked incredibly hard to transition to an online learning environment. Therefore, I would like to announce that all grades for the 4th nine weeks, with only some minor exceptions, will be Pass or Fail for the 2019-2020 school year. Additionally, students may still earn a grade of Incomplete if warranted. Please note that this practice is consistent with the majority of school districts in southwestern Pennsylvania right now.

The District’s plan takes into consideration how the COVID-19 Pandemic has impacted our students and families, as well as how it has impacted teaching and learning. Our main priority is to ensure that student grades are not negatively impacted. 

From a grading perspective, we are unable to treat the 4 th nine weeks the same as the 1 st , 2 nd , or 3 rd nine weeks. The 4 th nine weeks is a minimum of two weeks shorter than the other nine-week grading periods. Additionally, whereas 100% of the curriculum was being taught in the first three nine-week grading periods, teachers were directed to only present a maximum of 60% of the curriculum in the 4 th nine weeks in order to ensure students (and parents) were not overwhelmed with the transition to online learning. Also taken into consideration was the fact that there was a change in instructional delivery that has limited teacher interaction, or synchronous instruction. With these factors in mind, we believe it is important for our grading practices to change in order to reflect the realities associated with the transition to online learning.   Please click here to review a detailed description of the changes in our grading procedures for the 2019-2020 school year.

High school students and families will receive a follow-up email from Dr. Choby this week that contains building-specific information such as class rank and transcripts, along with some limited flexibility in grading for students in upper-level AP and College in the High School courses. 
 
Please know that I empathize with students' interests in receiving a percentage or letter grade for the 4 th nine weeks. I certainly admire and appreciate their commitment to learning during this time of uncertainty.
 
The administration has been working very closely with our teachers in order to make a decision that ensures we “do no harm” to our students' grades during the mandatory shutdown. Making these kinds of decisions are very difficult as I know that we will never have 100% of our families in agreement with any decision. However, I always try my best to make decisions that are in the best interest of all of our students.

As always, we appreciate your hard work and dedication. Please continue to stay safe, healthy and #NorwinStrong !
 
Best regards,
 
Dr. Jeff Taylor
Superintendent
Norwin Show Choir Members Perform "We're All In This Together" from High School Musical

We are pleased the share an uplifting video from the Norwin Show Choir.

High School students of the Show Choir worked on a project this semester for their grade. Each member created a video of themselves singing and dancing to ‘We’re All in This Together’ from Disney's High School Musical .

The spirited videos included people in their families, a wide variety of pets, and clips of family from around the world. Sam Crowe, the Show Choir's technical director, put together this mashup of all the videos.

"I am proud of these kids, and this video is sure to put a smile on your face," said Mrs. Bridget Faulk, Show Choir director. "I think this is a great representation of the #togetherwecan message."

Please click here or on the photo to view the video.
Hours Changing for Food Service Pickup Beginning May 25

Beginning on Monday May 25, 2020 (Memorial Day), and through the month of June, the Norwin Food and Nutrition Services Department will be serving lunches from 11am-12pm every Monday and Wednesday. Monday’s distribution will continue to contain two meals and Wednesday’s distribution will contain three meals. Pickup is outside the Norwin High School Auditorium doors (Door No. 6).

Every Monday and Wednesday through the shutdown, the Norwin Food and Nutrition Services Department has been serving a bagged lunch. Tentatively, the Department plans to continue serving these lunches through June 30, 2020, but will re-evaluate that decision in mid-June.
Class of 2020 Being Honored on Local Borough & Township Billboards

This week, the District reached out to the three municipalities that make up Norwin School District, and they have graciously agreed to add messages of congratulations to the Class of 2020.

  • Beginning today through the end of June, please (carefully) see the North Huntingdon Township electronic billboard along Route 30 for our special message to the Class of 2020.

  • Irwin Borough also plans to add a message of congratulations, possibly as soon as tomorrow, on their sign along Pennsylvania Avenue / Main Street near Irwin Park.

  • North Irwin Borough has been also contacted regarding their municipal sign, and it is hoped that they, too, will be able to join in this honor.

Thank you, Irwin Borough, North Huntingdon Township, and North Irwin Borough!
May 8th: Blue and Gold Day
  • We are encouraging the entire Norwin Community to join with us as we celebrate the Class of 2020. 

  • Please decorate your homes, decorate your vehicles, and wear your Blue & Gold! Take a picture and share your Knight Pride with us on social media using @NorwinSD and #NorwinStrong.

  • Attention Local Businesses: We respectfully request that Norwin Businesses add #NorwinStrong to their advertising, marquees, and signage in order to show support for the Class of 2020.

May 8th: "Speedy Delivery" to the Class of 2020
  • Between 11am - 1pm, the Norwin High School faculty and staff are excited to visit each Senior’s primary residence in order to deliver:

  • #NorwinStrong Yard Signs to all members of the Class of 2020.

  • Purchased Jostens Orders (Announcements and Caps/Gowns).

  • Commemorative Drawstring Bags from the Norwin High School Student Council including any student parking reimbursements.
May 8th: Light Up Knight!
  • We will honor the Class of 2020 by lighting up Norwin at 8:20pm (20:20 military time). 
  • We will turn on the lights at Norwin High School and Norwin Knights Stadium and invite you to light up your porches, yards, and homes as a sign of your love and support for these amazing students.
May 13th: Senior Art Show
  • This annual event will be held virtually and shared with all Norwin Families and Students.
  • Please plan to join us remotely on Wednesday, May 13th at 7:00 pm (details will be forthcoming).
May 15th: Senior Honors and Awards Ceremony

This event will be held virtually and shared with all Norwin Families and Students.
  • 
Please join us remotely on Friday, May 15th at 7:00 pm (details will be forthcoming).
May 20th: Vespers Ceremony
  • This event will be held virtually and shared with all Norwin Families and Students.
  • Please join us remotely on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 @ 7:00 pm (details will be forthcoming).
Norwin School District
281 McMahon Drive
North Huntingdon, PA 15642
724.861.3000