ESTLA Monthly Newsletter
March 1, 2021
Mary Ann Shadd Cary – Activist, Teacher, & Writer
From The Desk of Ms. Taylor and Mr. Rodriguez
Eisenhower Science & Technology Leadership Academy
1601Markley Street|Norristown, PA 19401
Office: 610-277-8720|Web: www.nasd.k12.pa.us
Good Morning ESTLA Families,
Welcome to the Month of March! This month we begin to look at the potential transition to Hybrid, and celebrating Women's History, Read Across America and National Nutrition.
Transition to Hybrid
First, our priority remains the health and safety of our students and staff. The current guideline (per the Montgomery County Office of Public Health (OPH), the CDC, and NASD Health & Safety plan) regarding social distancing is to maintain;
- Physical Distancing--Six Feet
- Universal and correct wearing of Masks
- Handwashing
March presents many learning opportunities as we recognize and celebrate a variety of events, including Women's History Month, National Read Across America Day (March 2nd), National Nutrition Month (more information located under our CATCH Tab below), Daylight Saving Time (March 14th), St. Patrick's Day (opportunity to introduce culture-March 17th), First Day of Spring, (March 20th), Music in our Schools, and Honor Society Awareness Month (opportunity to acknowledge our ESTLA NJHS students and to learn more about our chapter-contact Dr. Weikert-bweikert@nasd.k12.pa.us).
The next Monthly newsletter will be out on Monday, April 5th, the day we return from Spring Break. If we need to communicate updates that are time-sensitive, you will receive a notice via text, email, and shared on all of our social media platforms.
As always, contact us if you have any questions or concerns, we are here to serve! Moving forward, you can also reach us at building Monday through Friday, 8:30am - 3:30pm. We request you all first and please be prepared to follow CoVid protocols, mask and social distancing.
Sincerely,
Ms. Taylor, Principal
610-270-2981
Mr. Rodriguez, Assistant Principal
484-270-2111
REMINDER:
a. Absence notes are still required when a student is absent from a class or for a day. Notes can be submitted via email or Talking Points to your teacher(s). Please ensure students are keeping their cameras on during live class sessions.
b. Tenga en cuenta que si necesita traducir este documento, haga clic en el botón traducir o haga clic en la figura humana de dibujos animados y haga clic en traducir boletín. If you need this document translated please click the translate button or click on the cartoon human figure and click translate newsletter.
Answer will be revealed at the end of the newsletter!-Think very carefully before you scroll down!
Message from Superintendent Dormer
Please click on the link below to view a video message regarding the approved revised plans to implement our phased return to in-person instruction:
En Espanol - https://youtu.be/AEAOZJLSqmw
Sincerely,
Christopher T. Dormer
Superintendent of Schools
District Information and Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
3/3 8:00AM -10:00AM Meal Distribution @Gotwals
3:00PM - 6:00PM Meal Distribution @NAHS
3/9 Early Dismissal
3/25 Half Day for Students/ Afternoon Conferences
3/26 Half Day for Students/ Afternoon Conferences
3/29-4/2 Spring Break (Schools Closed)
MARCH is Music in Our Schools Month! Each week we will have exciting activities to celebrate!
- March 3rd students have been invited to participate in A Bite of Bollywood: An exploration of Indian Music, Culture, and Cuisine" Special guests Swati Chaturvedi (Musicopia) and Teri Wassel, MS, RD (Montgomery County Health and Human Services) will share their knowledge with students engaging them in a Bollywood experience (Indian Dance, Music, and Culture) and Indian Cooking Demonstration. This exciting program is sponsored by Musicopia and the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services. The event is graciously funded by the Pa. Department of Health’s Preventative Health and Health Services Block Grant.
- March 10th - A special Ukulele Workshop will take place sponsored by the Montgomery County Community College
- March 17th - Select students will participate in a special guitar residency and songwriting residency with mentors from Expressive Path. This program will last throughout April (we can't just keep Music in Our Schools Month to ONE month).
Wednesday Yoga: We are still continuing yoga weekly too - and it is great to see families participating in Yoga together with children on Wednesday Mornings at 8:15am -- all are welcome!
But wait....there's more! We will have MORE music this month, with opportunities to see and hear students create and share as we Spring Into Music!
Barbara S. Weikert, Ed.D.
Music and Choral Director
Eisenhower Science and Technology Leadership Academy
Norristown Area School District Music Liaison
2019-2020 Fulbright TGC Participant
Expressive Path Presents: Frank & Jane Martin Memorial Scholarship and Painting Workshop
Frank & Jane Martin Memorial Scholarships
These scholarships were developed in honor of our Founder's parents, who both loved music. Frank Martin played the trumpet in the U.S. Army and in concert bands. Jane loved to sing and dance. The Martin household was always filled with music and art.
Amount: $500
Awarded: Annually
Category: The Arts
Information Attached
Painting Workshop to Kick Off April 28, 2021
Expressive Path
CATCH Healthy Corner
March is National Nutrition Month- a time to celebrate and focus on making healthy and informed choices about food.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition and health. We are all unique with different bodies, goals, backgrounds and tastes! To learn more about National Nutrition Month and how to keep you and your family healthy, visit: https://www.eatright.org/food/resources/national-nutrition-month
Variety is helpful in finding and making healthy snack and meal choices; it keeps things interesting! During the month of March, here are some ideas to try:
- Aim to try a new fruit or vegetable
- Try a new recipe
- Sample different spices or food from another culture
- Use a different method of preparation, such as roasting or stir-frying
- Add fruit into a salad or serve with a main meal
- Ask family members for new food ideas
Why is nutrition important? Along with physical activity, what we eat can affect our health and longevity. A healthy diet can prevent or reduce our risk of disease and help us feel well in the moment- providing energy to focus and complete our daily activities. Healthy food choices can also improve our mental health and help us maintain a healthy weight.
Visit this link to learn more about dietary guidelines, eating well as a family, and even cooking tips: Food (eatright.org)
“CATCH” stands for Coordinated Approach to Child Health and is proven to prevent childhood obesity. CATCH schools are committed to helping kids eat foods that are more nutritious and increase physical activity, as both behaviors are important to their health and wellness today and in years to come.
For more information about CATCH, visit www.catch.org.
Norristown SD Gear Up
Resources from our Norristown Gear UP staff
GEAR UP is extending an opportunity for all students to participate in Victory Church's Big Day of Service. Due to Covid, they have taken a new approach with their annual event and are doing a virtual Career and Wellness Day. It will be held on Saturday, March 20th for students and families to hear from various job sites and apprenticeship providers, interview etiquette workshops facilitated by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and a spiritual wellness component. More information will be forthcoming.
GEAR UP evening mentoring and tutoring workshops resumed. Every Tuesday through Thursday, from 7PM to 8PM, students can GEAR UP for success by receiving tutoring on Tuesdays, mentoring on Wednesdays, and college tours/career exploration on Thursdays. They can access the Zoom link in the GEAR UP virtual classroom, the morning announcements, or https://zoom.us/j/96353469220?pwd=d29Ya01EVzRZRVNBanVSSXRmUnNhdz09.
Real Essentials Program
GEAR UP is working with Hakim Jones to provide the Real Essentials program for boys. It focuses on healthy relationships and leadership skills. Sessions are remote only for one hour per week. Please contact Hakim Jones 484-744-9040 for more information.
Stacey Sandle, Site Facilitator, GEAR UP
GEAR UP is a college and career program that provides 8th and 9th-grade students with free programs and services to encourage post-secondary education.
NASD Website (NASD GearUp)
Instagram (Norristown GEAR UP)
Facebook Norristown GEAR UP)
Twitter (@nGearup)
EXTERNAL WEBSITES WITH CORONAVIRUS/ HEALTH DATA
Centers for Disease Control; https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
PA Department of Health;
https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx
Montgomery County Office of Public Health;
https://data-montcopa.opendata.arcgis.com/pages/covid-19
World Health Organization;
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
Emergency Numbers in Town
Information for Limited-English-Proficient Populations
CDC created this communication toolkit to help public health professionals, health departments, community organizations, and healthcare systems and providers reach populations who may need COVID-19 prevention messaging in their native languages.
This toolkit provides:
- Current messaging from a trusted source.
- Information in plain language available for downloading and sharing.
- Translated materials to help communities disseminate messages to a wider audience.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/communication-toolkit.html
Vehicle theft prevention tips
The theft of a vehicle or theft of items from vehicles are almost always crimes of opportunity for thieves that walk along neighborhood streets, usually in the dark, to prey on unsuspecting or unprepared vehicle owners. Most of the time, these aren’t professional criminals (who will get in no matter what precautions are taken) and are motivated only by the ease of entering an unlocked vehicle quickly and taking what they can.
Cold winter mornings and evenings, when someone wants to warm their car up before driving, are more often resulting in a stolen vehicle report, which is one of the most preventable crimes under these circumstances. To prevent your vehicle from being stolen, the following tips should be adhered to:
- Never leave your vehicle unattended and unlocked with keys inside, even for just a couple minutes-it may not be there when you come back;
- Only start your car and warm it up if you are either inside the vehicle or can lock the doors while you are away;
- Running into a convenience store and leaving a car running is an invitation for a criminal to take it;
- Always lock your car doors when you leave it for any length of time-it only takes a minute for someone to go inside and take whatever they can find;
- Never leave a spare or valet key for your car inside the vehicle-instead of loose change missing, the entire vehicle can be taken;
- Park your vehicle in well-lit areas if possible; light is the thief’s enemy, and night is the thief’s time of operating;
- Never leave items of value inside your vehicle where they can be seen by someone walking by-it is an invitation for someone to try to take the items;
- Do not have charger cords visible or loose change/bills-this is the biggest draw for thieves to go after.
MCIUEF awards summer camp scholarships
The MCIUEF awards summer camp scholarships to children with special needs to give them an opportunity to continue their learning through recreational experience. Families can select the camp of their choice. Average scholarship amounts are up to $200.00. Notification of awards will be
around the week of April 12-16, 2021.
IS YOUR CHILD ELIGIBLE?
The Foundation invites Montgomery County public school parents of school-age students with special needs to apply. Eligible applicants are children (grades K-12) with special needs with an active special education individualized educational plan (IEP) who are eligible for “free or reduced price meals” from the resident school district.
Application attached to this newsletter.
GED and ESL classes available
I. EARN A HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY DIPLOMA
GED/HiSET Test Preparation Classes
- Free classes for Montgomery County residents and Bucks County residents along the county line. ∙ Twelve weeks of class January through March ∙ AM and PM classes available
- Secure online classroom-study from the comfort of your home OR face to face classes available in Souderton
- Strengthen your academic skills
- Earn credentials
- Prepare for college or build work readiness skills If you are interested, please call 267-663-1001 or email bschwartz@keystoneopp.org
II. FREE English Class In Norristown
- Where: Reformed Church of the Ascension, 1700 W. Main Street
- When: January through March, Monday and Wednesday from 9- 11:30 a.m. in person
Learn English to:
- Increase your English reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills
- improve your employment opportunities
- be able to speak to your child’s teachers
- prepare for US Citizenship
Safe social distancing measures in place in our classroom. Please call 267-663-1001 with any questions and to schedule an appointment for registration. Classes are open to Montgomery County residents.
Immigration Assistance
DO YOU NEED HELP WITH AN IMMIGRATION CASE?
PROJECT LIBERTAD OFFERS LOW COST LEGAL SERVICES TO CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH IMMIGRATION CASES.
TO SCHEDULE A CONSULT, PLEASE CALL OR TEXT:
484-302-8551
Mission: Empowering newcomer immigrant youth and their families by providing essential, youth-led and youth-centered legal and social services. We envision a world where all newcomer immigrant youth have access to the legal services, social services, academic support, and leadership opportunities needed to thrive.
Resources
Counselor’s Corner
Resources
- Mobile Crisis 855-634-4673
- Mindfulness-informative page, article, videos and image https://www.mindful.org/mindfulness-for-kids/#parenting https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/mindfulness.html http://mindfulnessforteens.com/resources/videos-mindfulness/
12 Fun Things To Do With Friends And Family Members Over Video Chat https://indywithkids.com/kid-video-chat-activities/
SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES https://www.k12.wa.us/sites/default/files/public/studentsupport/sel/pubdocs/SEL%20Parent%20and%20Educator%20Activities.pdf
Website for local food pantries www.advocatesagainsthunger.org
133 Mental Health and Learning Resources for Kids and Teens https://onlinecounselingprograms.com/become-a-counselor/resources/ultimate-guide-to-mental-health-and-education-resources/
And as always, please reach out to us,
Mr. Ernest "Tre" Hadrick, thadrick@nasd.k12.pa.us, 7th & 8th Grades
Ms. Kim Weber, kweber@nasd.k12.pa.us, 5th & 6th Grades
Mrs. Geena Spady, gspady@nasd.k12.pa.us
Centered around working with students who have individual or group counseling in their Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
Curriculum Corner
Additional Digital Resources for parents and students;
Has reading passages in Spanish
Multimedia site to help elementary students improve their reading comprehension, as well as their ability to think and learn across the curriculum - available in English and Spanish
https://www.storylineonline.net/ This website records free videos of narrators, and sometimes well-known actors like Eva Longoria, reading children’s books aloud. Students develop their literacy skills by following along with text as the literature comes alive.
Instructional Support Team
Kathleen Shallow, M.ED
Instructional Support Teacher-Reading
Jason Ryan
Instructional Support Teacher-Math
HEALTH
Vision Van
The vision van is back and will be open for appointments on Mondays in April! Please contact me at smelso@nasd.k12.pa.us if you think your child may need glasses. This is a free service BUT requires an appointment.
The Office of Public Health
The offices will NOT be accepting any appointments for student required vaccines currently. Please schedule an appointment for required immunizations with your child’s doctor. I will update you as soon as the Department of Health resumes their vaccine clinics.
Although this service is unavailable, all 7th grade students continue to be required to receive Tdap and Menactra by age 12. Students can receive these vaccines starting at age 11. Do not forget to send me a picture of your child’s vaccine record to smelsonasd.k12.pa.us or through Talking Points.
If you have CHIP or MA you may be eligible to receive medical care and immunizations from: Norristown Regional, 1401 Dekalb St. Norristown, PA 19401, 610-278-7787.
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
The Montgomery County Office of Public Health is working closely with the Pennsylvania Department of Health in supplying COVID-19 vaccine. The goal is for everyone to be able to easily get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as large quantities are available. The initial roll-out of the vaccine will be in limited supply and vaccination efforts will focus on those at highest risk for contracting COVID-19 or developing serious illness from COVID-19.
COVID-19 Testing Information
Please use the link below to access COVID-19 testing sites!
Most sites are open to anyone who wants to be tested!
https://data-montcopa.opendata.arcgis.com/pages/covid-testing-page -Scroll to the bottom of the page and simply click your closest site!
Lastly, although we are experiencing pandemic fatigue, please continue to:
- Wear your mask.
- Stay 6 feet apart.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap & water or hand sanitizer.
- Stay up to date on other vaccines.
- Avoid large gatherings.
I am available Monday-Friday 8;00am-3:30pm by email at smelso@nasd.k12.pa.us. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions concerning your child’s health. I am always happy to help you!
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any health-related questions!
Stay Well,
Nurse Melso
Phone: 610-277-8720
Fax: 484-831-1232
Bilingual Community Liaison/Enlace Bilingüe
This list of resources was created to provide information to parents/families of ELLs in supporting the social emotional needs of their children during and after the COVID-19 crisis. https://www.fordham.edu/info/21065/nysnyc_regional_bilingual_education_resource_network/11496/social_emotional_learning_parents_resources
Here is an additional resource for our Spanish Speaking Families - https://instagram.com/commonsenselatino?igshid=1mng9p7wsplwn
Ms. Vanessa Rivera, vrivera@nasd.k12.pa.us
Tel. (484) 270-2175
ESTLA ext.13799
Online Learning for Parents
NASD Technical Support Desk 610-270-2923
Click here for online resources...https://www.nasd.k12.pa.us/domain/589
District Home and School Office-Housing Support
2) The Pennsylvania Department of Education has compiled a “Resources for Families” web page that includes a repository of information that could be particularly helpful for students and families. The repository includes topics such as: Applying for Benefits, Child Abuse, Child Care, CHIP, Equity and Inclusion, KinConnector, Mental Health and Well-Being, National School Lunch Program, and more.
Here is the link to the web page:
https://www.education.pa.gov/about/Resources/ResourcesFamilies/Pages/default.aspx
Meghann Radick, M.A.
Home and School Visitor/Homeless Liaison
Norristown Area School District
Family Support Center - Roosevelt Campus
1161 Markley Street
Norristown, PA 19401
610-630-5149 - Office
484-681-1932 - Cell
PLEASE NOTE
II. During LIVE Lessons...
1. Cameras MUST be on!
2. Our students are to remain LIVE the entire time.
3. Live lessons are just like being in the classroom, participation is necessary for learning.
We are taking roll during each class. If students log on and keep their camera off or leave the session they will be marked absent for the session. If a student is having connectivity issues or gets kicked out, email the teacher and we will help you out.
III. Absence notes are still required when a student is absent from a class or for a day.
Notes can be submitted via email or Talking Points to your teacher(s). Please include Ms. Thompson, sthompson@nasd.k12.pa.us
IV. Please ensure students are keeping their cameras on during live class sessions.
We mask up for our safety and the safety of others
ESTLA Community practices social distancing
Washing our hands while singing our favorite tune
Online Expections
Be Responsible
Be Kind
During LIVE Lessons...
1. Cameras MUST be on!
2. Our students are to remain LIVE the entire time.
3. Live lessons are just like being in the classroom, participation is necessary for learning.
We are taking roll during each class. If students log on and keep their camera off or leave the session they will be marked absent for the session. If a student is having connectivity issues or gets kicked out, email the teacher and we will help you out.
Eighth Grade Team Contacts
Seventh Grade Team Contacts
Sixth Grade Team Contacts
5th Grade Team contacts
Special Area Team Contacts
English Language Development Team
Riddle reveal--The LETTER "R"
ESTLA is on social media. Find us online and get updates:
Facebook - Eisenhower Science & Technology Leadership Academy
Twitter - @estlapanthers https://twitter.com/estlaPanthers
Instagram - @estlapanthers https://www.instagram.com/estlapanthers/
YouTube - ESTLA NASD https://rb.gy/yl55bo
Website: https://www.nasd.k12.pa.us/
Location: 1601 Markley Street, Norristown, PA, USA
Phone: (610) 277-8720
Facebook: facebook.com/EisenhowerScience&TechonolgyLeadershipAcademy
Twitter: @estlapanthers