NACA News
Week of October 12-16, 2020
Weekly Schedule for Middle & High School Students

Monday - A
Tuesday - B
Wednesday - A 
Thursday - A
Friday - B
Quarter 2 Re-Enrollment

On Monday, October 5, the North Allegheny Board of School Directors approved modifications to the instructional learning phase for the second quarter during a special voting meeting. 
 
Approved items include:
  • A recommendation to change the In-Person Instruction phase (currently Hybrid) for grades K-5 to be Full-time In-Person Instruction beginning on Wednesday, November 4.
  • A recommendation to change the In-Person Instruction phase (currently Hybrid) phase for grades 6-8 to be Full-time In-Person Instruction beginning on Monday, November 16.
 
Students in grades 9-12 will remain in the Hybrid phase of the In-Person instruction option while the District explores ways to bring those students back to school full-time.
 
The end of the first quarter for grades 6-12 will move from November 10 to November 11, and the second quarter begins on Monday, November 16, 2020.
 
North Allegheny Cyber Academy will continue to be an option for those who desire a fully remote learning experience.
 
On Tuesday, October 6, parents/guardians received an email with a link to enroll students in an instruction option for the second quarter. Parents/guardians can choose between In-Person Instruction or remote learning through NA Cyber Academy. The deadline to complete this enrollment selection is Sunday, October 11.
  • Parents/guardians received an individual email and link for each student currently enrolled in North Allegheny School District buildings, including NACA. 
  • The enrollment deadline is Sunday, October 11. 
  • A response is required for all students, even if you are electing to remain in your current school.
  • Once enrolled, students will not be able to choose another instructional option until re-registration opens for the 3rd quarter on December 10.
NACA Middle School Open House

Open House will be virtual in a live/synchronous format beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, October 12th. Parents will follow their child’s schedule virtually from home and attend each period by using Blackboard Collaborate. The link below will guide you through the process.
Student Absence Excuses

Parents of students enrolled in the NA Cyber Academy should begin to submit student absence excuses electronically through the Tyler SIS Parent Portal. Please review the directions below to submit an electronic absence excuse. Questions regarding electronic absence excuses can be directed to Mrs. Gaertner (bgaertner@northallegheny.org) or Mrs. Wetzel (swetzel@northallegheny.org).

In the event parents need to report an early dismissal or tardy excuse, please select Other Urgent Reason, and list the time in the comments section.

Written directions to submit an electronic student absence excuse can be found here, or an instructional video can be viewed here.
NACA Grades 11-12 Picture Make-Ups

If students were unable to attend school in person during the original photo dates in September, they will be able to attend the make-up photos for both juniors and seniors. 

Picture Make-Up Days: NACA students may come to the front vestibule area of NASH between the allotted time of 6:30-9:30 AM on either Tuesday, October 27th, or Friday, October 30th. Seniors that still need a photo for the 2021 yearbook are able to utilize the free makeup session at NASH.

Picture forms for juniors will not be distributed this year. Students are required to print their own picture form. Remember to bring this form on the day of school photos. The Madia Photography picture form can be found on the NASH Yearbook website.  

Seniors: Seniors will not need a photo form. In addition, Madia Photography will not provide any clothing. Students must dress appropriately for their senior photo to be included in the NASH yearbook. Photos from outside photographers will not be accepted. 

Senior Males – Wear a white dress shirt and tie with a black or dark colored blazer.

Senior Females – Wear a black or dark blouse. Wear a top that will cover the arms.
Student Profile Pictures on Blackboard Collaborate

When students are in their live classes via Blackboard collaborate, their cameras should be on when requested by teachers. When the cameras are not on, students’ profile pictures should be either a picture of the student or a bitmoji created in the likeness of the student. Please remind your student to update their profile picture to reflect one of the two options.
Materials for Middle School Students

Middle school students who did not pick up their class materials on September 30th can retrieve their items from the Central Administration Offices on Tuesday, October 13th or Thursday, October 15th by signing up for a time slot in the link below.
Materials for High School Students

Any high school student (9-12) who did not pick up their class materials on September 30th, can retrieve the items from the NASH on any week day from 7:00AM-2:30PM. Items will be available in the NASH entrance vestibule until Friday, October 16th.
School Picture Days

NACA secondary students have the opportunity for their school picture to be taken at their home school for the 2020-2021 school year. The following dates have been tentatively scheduled for each building. Specific times will be communicated for each grade level in the coming weeks.

Ingomar Middle School - October 20 & 23
Marshall Middle School - October 21
North Allegheny Intermediate High - November 17 & 20
Elementary School Pictures

Remaining elementary school pictures are scheduled for the following dates:

Bradford Woods Elementary - October 21
Hosack Elementary - October 21

School pictures will be taken by Lifetouch at each student’s home elementary school. Each picture date is a Wednesday, when no other students will be in the building to promote social distancing. Parents should plan to remain at the location of their child’s picture and not drop them off then leave the premises. The goal will be to quickly have each child’s picture taken, then for the child to return home to continue with their studies through the NA Cyber Academy. Pictures can be ordered via the Lifetouch website utilizing the specific building ID’s below:

BWE – EVTRBGNF9
FES – EVTDTCXBH
HES – EVTGK3N8X
IES – EVTXWV7WZ
MCK – EVTMX4P8S
MES – EVTDK74V4
PES – EVT83SN6G
Instructional Technology & Support

Students enrolled in the NA Cyber Academy will utilize technology throughout every school day to complete academic activities. Please refer to the link below for information related to educational technology, online textbook resources, and BlackBoard. All issues regarding usernames, passwords, hardware, software, or any other technology needs related to NA Cyber Academy should be submitted to Technology Services at the link below.
Important Dates
October 12 - NACA Open House Grades 6:30PM-8:30PM
October 20- NACA High School Parent Coffee 9:00AM-10:00AM
October 22-NACA Middle School Parent Coffee 9:00AM-10:00AM
District Updates
Trick or Trot
Run Around NA

Step up to the challenge and walk, bike, or run together around all North Allegheny schools to support the mission of the North Allegheny Foundation! Our mission is to enhance and enrich the educational experience of North Allegheny Students. Together we can fund programs that benefit all our students!


  • STEP 2 - GET READY - Set-up your devices (Fitbit, Garmin, Apple Watch, Google Fit, Misfit & Strava), enter your miles online or download our iOS or Android apps.

  • STEP 3 – CELEBRATE - Receive your medal and event shirt. Participants are invited to cross the finish line in their Halloween costume and collect their Trick or Trot treats!

North Allegheny Foundation (NAF) is dedicated to enhancing and enriching the educational experiences at North Allegheny. We do this by providing grants to teachers and schools, support for NA Families facing homelessness and financial hardship, and scholarships to graduating seniors.
All Alumni Virtual Reunion

Join the NA Alumni Association for the first Virtual NA Alumni Reunion! Compete in a NA History Trivia game, enjoy a musical performance by the NASH Chorus, and celebrate with your NA Alumni pint glass only available through this event.
North Allegheny Special Education Parent Networking Group

The North Allegheny Special Education Parent Networking Group (NASEPNG - or PNG for short) holds monthly meetings for parents of children with IEPs, 504 plans, and other learning differences. All are welcome to join PNG for their online meeting! Our next meeting will be held on Friday, October 16 at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom.
NASD Offers Free Meals for All Students Every Day

The USDA has recently approved school districts to offer free meals to all students for in-person and remote instruction. Breakfast and lunch (in-person or pickup) is free for all students
 
Details about meal ordering and pickup were sent to all families via email.
 
Meal pickup for consumption on remote learning days will be every Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Meals can be picked up at HES, MES, IMS, NAI, or NASH (pickup location will be selected on the order form linked in your email). The deadline to order pickup meals will be every Friday.
 
If you have any questions, please email DiningServices@northallegheny.org.
Student Absences

This school year North Allegheny School District will be accepting student absence excuses electronically, through the Tyler SIS Parent Portal.

Student excuses will be submitted through an "E-Form," creating a touchless submission option for parents/guardians. This will reduce the amount of paper transmissions between parents/guardians, students, and our staff. Please review the directions to submit an electronic student excuse below and contact your student's building secretary with any questions. 
Resources
Missed a Newsletter?

All building newsletters are archived weekly on the North Allegheny website. This designated webpage will be updated with links to the previous week’s newsletters at the beginning of each school week by 11:30 a.m. A link to the archive is accessible on the District’s homepage and on each building’s homepage.
Community Flyers
The North Allegheny School District often receives requests for the distribution of athletics and approved non-profit community organization digital flyers. All requests for community flyers to be included in this newsletter must be submitted via email only at flyers@northallegheny.org. Flyers will only be posted and removed from the District website on Friday. Visit our website for details on how to submit flyers.
NACA Contacts
Main Office - 724-934-7200
Nurse's Office - 724-934-7239
Counseling Office - 724-934-7224
Attendance Office - 724-934-7228