The Principal's Office

Email: jhutchinson@nasd.k12.pa.us
Website: https://www.nasd.k12.pa.us/enms
Location: 330 Roland Drive, East Norriton, PA, USA
Phone: 610-275-6520
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Middle-School/East-Norriton-Middle-School-121770504834624/
Twitter: @EastNorritonMS

March

15th Early Dismissal

20th NAHS to visit 8th grade students at ENMS

21st Early Dismissal and Parent Conferences 12:30-3:30

22nd Early Dismissal and Parent Conferences 12:30-3:30

25-29th Spring Break (No School)

Please see the letters below regarding PSSA testing for the 2023-2024 school year.

There are usually some questions that parents have about the length of the PSSA assessment. There is always a lot of misinformation about PSSA tests and the length of time and number of questions. I wanted to clarify some basic information.

Is this test really long?

Traditionally, we place the school in testing mode for about 2.5 hours for students to complete each day of the assessment. So, as you can see students have about 2.5 hours to do roughly 20-25 questions and an open-ended math problem or essay. Students can also have extended time as there is no time limit on this test.

Are these tests taken on a computer?

Yes, students use their chromebooks to complete the assessment. It is vital they charge their chromebooks each night and bring them to school on the test date.

Do these tests determine if my child repeats a grade?

No, the PSSA test scores do not determine if a child passes to the next grade. However, it is a serious concern when a student scores below proficient AND does not show a year of growth. However, some students might not score proficient, but still show a year of growth.

Do you recommend all students take these tests?

I recommend that all students take this assessment. It is not too long, and our students are regularly prepared for these types of tests. Additionally, it is important for parents to know if their child has mastered the standards of each grade. Students will take a lot of assessments in their lifetime and the more exposure they have to standardized assessments the better it can help them be prepared for college or career licensure exams etc.

Can I opt my student out of this test?

You cannot opt your student out of this assessment except for religious reasons. I have included language from the Department of Education below. If your child is in school during the testing window we must assess them. Our school must have 95% participation or we suffer sanctions from the Department of Education.

Can I compare ENMS test scores to other schools?

I think the biggest misuse of these assessments is the type of comparisons the media likes to make between schools and school districts. Every school district is different and trying to use PSSA exams to compare schools is not the purpose of these exams. The purpose of this test is for parents to see if their child has met the standards of a grade, and if they have show a year's worth of growth.

Does NASD get money because kids take this test?

NASD funding is not tied to PSSA testing participation or test scores. Many parents have been confused and have asked me this questions many times. No state funding is tied to student test scores or participation rates.

How does the school use this test data?

As a school, we focus on both growth and proficiency. All students must show one year of growth from the start of the year to the end of the year. Our teachers receive individual teacher growth and proficiency scores based upon the number of kids that score proficient or advanced and the number of students that show a year's worth of growth. We receive the same score as a school.

Do you think attendance impacts test scores?

Attendance Matters....when students are absent from school they miss opportunities to be prepared for this assessment. This year I am going to really look at our growth and proficiency scores along with the student's attendance. I have noticed that students who missed more than 10% of school are often not proficient or show a year of growth, due largely to factors beyond the school's control. We then suffer in our school score because these students who are absent do not show the growth and proficiency the state expects. As parents, make sure you send your students to school each day, attendance matters... and it matters quite a bit.

If you have any additional questions about PSSA please reach out to me.

ELA Test

Day #1 20-25 questions (no essay)

Day #2 20-25 questions plus one essay

Day #3 20-25 questions plus one essay

Math Test

Day #1 20-25 questions plus one open-ended problem

Day #2 20-25 questions plus one open-ended problem

8th Grade Science

Day #1 20-25 questions

Day #2 20-25 questions

PENNSYLVANIA SYSTEM OF SCHOOL ASSESSMENT (PSSA) AND KEYSTONE EXAMS REVIEW AND OPT-OUT PROCEDURES

Section 4.4 of Title 22, Chapter 4 provides for the rights of any parent or guardian to excuse his or her child from the state assessment if, upon inspection of the testing materials, they find the assessment to be in conflict with their religious beliefs.

This is the only basis for a parent or guardian to excuse his or her child from the statewide assessments.

A parent/guardian may only request a secure assessment review if they believe that they may have an objection to content based upon their religious beliefs.

The opt-out request is only in effect for religious reasons and not moral or ethical reasons. If opt-out not for religious reasons, test must be marked as parent refusal.

If you have questions around exemptions or other questions related to the PSSA assessment please email or give me a call.

It's time to gear up for spring sports! Here's what you need to know:

Sports available: Baseball, softball, lacrosse, and track

📝 Sign-Ups This Week: Missed sign-ups? No worries! If you couldn't sign up this week, please reach out to Mr. Stem as soon as possible to secure your spot.

🗓️ Physicals Day: Scheduled for Tuesday, February 27th. Remember, if you've already tried out for a fall or winter sport, you do not need to undergo another physical – you're all set! Students staying for physicals must have the form signed by a parent/guardian before the day of physicals to be permitted to see the doctor.

🚌 Transportation Home: We will provide late bus transportation after physicals. However, arranging your own ride home is highly encouraged for convenience.

📱 Big Teams Forms: All students must complete their necessary forms on Big Teams.

• For returning athletes: Parents/guardians must complete the Section 7: Re-certification by Parent/Guardian form on BigTeams.

• New to sports this year? Follow the instructions using the link provided: https://sites.google.com/view/nasdmsathletics/physicals?authuser=0

We’re looking forward to getting the Spring season started! Any questions please reach out to Mr. Stem: LStem@nasd.k12.pa.us

Follow us on Instagram for the most up-to-date information: @NasdMSAthletics

The Pennsylvania Department of Education mandates that every school district creates a Comprehensive Plan every three (3) years and that they make its comprehensive plan, professional education plan, and induction plan available for public inspection and comment for a minimum of 28 days prior to approval of the plan by the school entity's governing board and submission of the plan to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

The plans are available on the NASD Website on the District Comprehensive Plan Page.

Before its Vote for Board Approval, the plan is open to public review. Comments on the proposed plan can be made at the Work Session on March 11, 2024 or emailed to the Superintendent before March 18, 2024.

The Vote for Board Approval will take place March 18, 2024 at the scheduled March Regular Voting Meeting.

Please note, because these are long and very technical documents, we are still working with our Community Liaisons to translate these documents into Spanish. They will be vetted thoroughly for accuracy and accessibility for our Hispanic community members.

Sincerely,

Mr. Dormer, Superintendent

Join us for a Designer Bag Bingo benefiting the East Norriton Middle School Parent Faculty Club.

• Date & Time: Friday, March 8th. Doors open at 6:30pm, Games begin at 7pm.
• Location: Charity Lodge - - 465 Burnside Ave, Norristown, PA 19403
• Cost: $35 per ticket. $40 per ticket at the door. Ticket includes 10 rounds and a chance to win a DOOR PRIZE. If you have a Table Captains, please be sure to update it below in the form.
• Additional Info: Water, soda and desserts will be available for purchase.
• Raffles, 50/50, Door prizes will be available throughout the night.

Complete the link here to reserve your tickets!

Our PFC is looking for ideas to spend some of the funds they raised this school year. Below is a link to vote for how you think they should spend this money on the school.

PFC Fundraiser Google Form

Order your 2023-2024 school yearbook

All orders must be placed online by visiting www.barksdalephoto.com/onlineorders.php and entering the access code 16633YB.

For additional questions please contact PFC and the email is on the flyer below.

Here is the informational flyer for the six family literacy workshops being offered this spring at Hancock and Davenport Elementary Schools. They are open to all NASD families with elementary school students.

We will be mailing fee letters to the parents of students with outstanding fees associated with Chromebook damage. If you receive a letter please make every effort to pay your fee. Students with outstanding fees may miss out of opportunities as we near the end of the school year. It is important we teach students to take care of their Chromebooks, and also understand fees associated with damage to the devices. We spend a lot of taxpayer dollars on these devices and we cannot simply just replace hundreds of devices that become damaged. Our students have been doing an excellent job, but we do have a few families with fees and we need those paid as soon as possible.

If you have questions or disputes regarding fees please contact our main office at 610-275-6520.

All parents notes that are not written on paper need to be submitted through the Infinite Campus parent portal. You can download it here or search the Google Play or Apple Store.

You will create an account and then choose Norristown Area School District using the credentials sent by the district. You can also just enter your student's credentials.

Caregivers of 8th graders! The 8th grade dance will be held in June and a committee is forming now. Please contact Amy Bligh at AmyBligh1@yahoo.com if you are interested in participating.

You can reach us on our FB page or through gmail eastnorritonmspfc@gmail.com

Follow us on Facebook at East Norriton Middle School Parents Page. For more about the PFC find us on the NASD website

Amy Bligh Daniels PFC President

Nicole Echevarria Vice President

Shannon Mieski Vice President

Heather Garman Treasurer/School Store

Jenny Rosen Treasurer

Ronette Jones Administrator/Yearbook

I would like to share this resource with families. Tutor.com has private (real people) virtual tutoring available for all students in NASD 24 hours a day 7 days a week. I can tell you, this is a tremendous resource for families and would really like to encourage you to access this. I promise you, it will be helpful. I also receive a report from the tutor with the skills and questions that were covered which I can pass along to teachers so they are aware of something the student was struggling with. Think about checking out this free and helpful resource.

Students can access it directly in the Classlink on their Chromebook (ask them to show you Classlink and you will see the icon).

I would love to see families using this because I can tell you that it will be worth your time. I'll be tracking numbers to see how many families are taking advantage of this resource. I cannot say this enough... this will be helpful to you.

If possible, I would like to recommend that parents drive their students to school on the day of field trips. The main reason for this ask is that it will avoid the potential of First Student buses arriving late, after the field trip has already left. I know this may be a big inconvenience, but wanted to share in case it is an option for some families.

Unfortunately we cannot wait for all First Student buses to arrive at ENMS before we leave ENMS to go on our field trips. Our field trips have to leave ENMS by 8:45/9:00am in order to make it to their destination in time for students to enjoy the events. Our field trip buses are covered by Metz, which is a different bussing company. In many instances, we are taking students to Philadelphia and other places that are out of the Norristown area. For example, our 6th grade is going to the Franklin Institute. These trips require us to leave those locations by 1:00-1:30 in order to meet the deadline of all field trips returning to school by 2:15. In order to give our students enough time at the trip destination we need to leave before 9am so we can arrive with enough time to enjoy the experience.

I do understand this may be difficult. I wanted to pass along this information because we will need to leave probably before all of the buses arrive. There is no logistical way for us to wait for all buses to arrive before we leave.

If any student misses the trip due to a late First Student bus, we will refund the cost of the trip to those families.

We have two counselors at ENMS. These individuals should be one of your first points of contact if you need guidance related to any issue or problem your student may be facing during the school year. We can usually resolve issues quickly when parents contact their child's counselor. If you need to speak to your child's counselor their contact information is found below.

5th and 6th grade School Counselor: Ms. Gena Bussell gbussell@nasd.k12.pa.us

7th and 8th grade School Counselor: Ms. Sarah Raimondi sraimondi@nasd.k12.pa.us

All students must have their cellphones turned off and placed in their lockers. Below are the consequences for cellphone violations.

1st-3rd offenses: Teachers will ask the students to turn their phone off and place it in their locker, or ask the student to give it to the teacher. It will be returned to the student at the end of the school day.

4th offense: Students will give their cell phone to a teacher and the teachers will give it to the main office. The parent or guardian must report to the school to pick up the device. Cell phones are placed in a locked safe in the main office until parents arrive. A one-hour office detention will be assigned for each violation.

Chronic cellphone offenses: It is the policy of ENMS that students who chronically violate the cellphone policy despite warnings, parents picking up the phone etc. will not be permitted to bring their cell phone to school. This is not negotiable and even if a parent disagrees with this policy it is still our policy and it will be enforced regardless of parental agreement. I am asking parents to please discuss these rules with your student.

All classrooms and office have telephones inside them. If there is an emergency we have plenty of phones to handle any emergency situation.

ENMS does not have a dress code for our students. Many of our students choose to wear hooded sweatshirts. The only rule we have around hoodies is that students must have their hoods off. We need to see students faces and when students wear hoodies, combined with masks it makes it extremely difficult to recognize a student from a distance. Therefore, students who choose to wear hoodies must leave their hoods pulled down.

If we run into situations where students do not remove their hood they will receive consequences ranging from a simple discussion all the way to a suspension for chronic offenders. This is usually not an issue for us, but I like to remind parents at the start of the year of this policy.

Lastly, students also cannot wear "slides." All students must have shoes that have a back on them. Croc style shoes are fine as long as students wear the strap along the back of them. The biggest issue with slides is the tripping hazard they pose on stairs. Therefore, students cannot wear slides to school. Again, this is not a big issue here at school, but I like to remind parents of those two simple rules around our dress policy.

Here are the first and last days for the 2023-2024 school year. Below is a pdf file of the calendar for next year. Plan those trips now :-)

First Day for Students - Monday, August 28, 2023
Last Day for Students - Thursday, June 6, 2024

Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something” BEFORE it is too late. With Safe2Say Something, it’s easy and confidential to report safety concerns to help prevent violence and tragedies.

Here’s how it works:

• Submit an anonymous tip report through the Safe2SaySomething system
• Crisis center reviews, assesses and processes all submissions
• Crisis center sends all submissions to school administration and/or law enforcement for intervention
• If needed, crisis center may contact tipster anonymously through the app