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

October

13th 8th grade field trip to Longwood Gardens

13th 5th and 6th grade dance 6-8pm

16th 6th grade field trip to Franklin Institute

19th 8th grade field trip to Longwood Gardens

20th Early Dismissal

Red Ribbon Week 23-27th

Did you know, we issued/averaged over 575 hall passes per day through our ehall pass system during the past week?

The most used locations for the past 7 days were:

1. 6th grade boys bathroom 440 passes
2. 5th grade boys bathroom 337 passes (most passes occur during lunches and all grades use 5th grade bathrooms during lunch due to their proximity to the Dining Hall.)
3. 7th grade boys bathroom 332 passes
4. 6th grade girls bathroom 299 passes

I am only sharing to give a glimpse of different types of data sources we gather and analyze as an administrative team. We use this data to help us make decisions and understand traffic patterns within the school.

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.

Attached is the field trip form we sent home with students last week. Please be sure to make sure it is turned in by October 25th. This will be an exciting trip for the students and should be a ton of fun!

Red Ribbon Week takes place each year from October 23 through 31st. It is a nationwide effort to keep children safe and drug free. We will be raising awareness at ENMS by having a Red Ribbon Week Theme Week! Please see the calendar below for each day.

Every year the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) at East Norriton Middle School takes on the challenge of raising funds to be donated to Breast Cancer research. NJHS members sell “pink” items that range in cost from $0.50 up to $8 per item during our homeroom period each morning. This is a tradition dating back to before 2010 and has raised over $3000! The proceeds are donated to the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Event; this event raises millions of dollars each year to help find a cure so that one day, no has to lose the fight to this horrible disease.

Items are available for purchase now through October 31st. Stay tuned for our “Pink” Friday photos. Items available purchase include pencils, ribbons, headbands, sweatbands, cheer bows, soccer socks, a variety of bracelets and keychains and many other items. Please note that items cannot be returned or exchanged once purchased. Any questions please email Mrs. DiVirgilio at adivirgilio@nasd.k12.pa.us

We would also like to thank the East Norriton Police Department for allowing our members to sign the “Pink Cop Car.”

We are going to slowly transition away from the Google Form we use to enter your parent notes for absences or early releases. The last day for entering notes on the Google Form that I created will be October 31, 2023. After this date, all notes should be entered using the Infinite Campus parent app, or a traditional handwritten excuse can be give to the student to turn in.

Infinite Campus allows parents to submit your notes and reasons why your student was not at school. Download the Infinite Campus app to your smartphone and use the attendance feature to send us notes. 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.

Students have the ability to scan into our attendance system when they arrive late to school via a late bus or parent drop off. Please encourage your child to download the Infinite Campus app, sign in with the credentials. This will allow them to simply open it, scan their id card and they will be send directly to class. This helps speed up the arrival process for students who arrive on late buses.

This will also them to check grades, attendance etc. It is a wonderful app. You can find the free download in the Google Play or Apple store.

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 want to encourage all students to wear red on the day of the Phillies playoff games to support them in their quest for a World Championship.

The Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) is a statewide survey conducted to gather information from students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12. It aims to assess various aspects of students' lives. Our 6th and 8th graders will be taking the survey on October 26th in either their science or social studies classes. The letter linked below provides more details. If you wish to opt your student out please follow the directions in the letter.

It was another great day with our newcomers. We reviewed community expectations, learning the words and phrases in English; safe, fun, comfortable, respect everyone, ask questions, be kind…

Our hands on activity was building structures. We added flags of Mexico and Columbia. And we learned some more English words playing Pictionary.

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.

All students attending home varsity football games must be accompanied by an adult/parent or guardian. An adult must be over the age of 18 (graduated from high school) and cannot be an older sibling or family member.

Students who do not attend the game with an adult will not be permitted entrance into the game.

ENMS will have a staff member at every high school football game and any instances of inappropriate behavior by ENMS students will be reported to the staff member on duty at the game. Disciplinary consequences will be given to students when they return to school on Monday. We have never had an incident involving an ENMS student at a football game so let's make sure we keep our streak going.

We want to encourage all teachers, parents, and students to follow our Middle School sports Instagram page @nasdMSathletics to stay up-to-date on upcoming events and team spotlights.

This is a great way for 5th & 6th-grade students and parents to get connected with the programs and receive important information as they get closer to participation.

We will be hosting our first dance of the year for our 5th and 6th graders on Friday October 13th from 6-8pm. Permission slips were given to students this week. All money and permission slips are due by October 10th.

This dance is sponsored by your PFC and they can always use help chaperoning dances.

Below is a flyer with important attendance information. One of our school goals is to eliminate the number of students that miss more than 10% of school for any reason. When students miss school, leave early, or arrive late they are missing critical teaching lessons to help them master the grade level content. Please do your best to eliminate the need for early pick ups, or late drop offs. If you have a question about attendance etc. please contact your student's counselor.

We are off to a great start this year! Thank you to everyone who donated to our Envelope Drive in the month of September! We will continue to accept donations through our Venmo account at EastNorriton-MiddleSchool, cash or check payable to ENMS PFC.

ENMS custodians Fran, Corwin, Dave and Brian want to thank our parents for the lunch and all the treats for Custodian Appreciation Day on October 2.

Volunteers Needed!

We love working and seeing families and their students, but we need your help! We have some upcoming dates we need volunteers for:

-School Store- shifts are during lunches 10:15-1:15.

-Yearbook Committee-Help with organizing and meeting deadlines

-Music Boosters-Help with concessions at music events

10/13 5th and 6th grade Dance

Please see our Sign Up Genius for details

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0D45A5AC28A1F94-enms

All volunteers must have their clearances on file with the district.

Links to the required clearances can be found on the district website https://www.nasd.k12.pa.us

https://epatch.state.pa.us/

https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home

https://5il.co/1r3ea

https://www.identogo.com/locations/pennsylvania

Check out the new Flux Space and Book Vending Machine at the October meeting!

Our next PFC meeting is on Wednesday, 10/11 @7pm in the ENMS library. This is a great time to get to know our Principal,Mr. Hutchinson, and hear of all the things happening at ENMS, and meet other parents.

Follow us on Facebook at East Norriton Middle School Parents Page

For more about the PFC find us on the NASD website

Executive board and chair lead information here

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