About this column:
The Norristown Area School District's weekly column of news, information and highlights from Norristown's many schools.As part of National Library Week in April, Pa. Senator Daylin Leach honored outstanding librarians from the 17th district during the annual Librarian of the Year awards ceremony at the American Reading Company in King of Prussia. The program is intended to honor community and school librarians who have shown exemplary service in special programs, knowledge of her/his facility and resources, and commitment to helping the public. From Norristown Area High School, Mr. Robert Schmalbach was among the librarians who received an absolutely glowing review for the work he does every day for the …
Norristown Area High School Principal Jeff Smith proudly shared some very exciting information about the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program at the high school with the Norristown Area Board of School Directors and community members during the April 22 school board Meeting. “On Saturday, March 22, the JROTC Eagle Battalion Drill Team under the leadership of team captain Jordan Allen travelled to the Valley Forge Military Academy and College and won the 2013 Philadelphia/Delaware Valley League Drill Competition." said Principal Smith. "After 5 years of finishing a strong …
The East Norriton Middle School Idea Garden is in the planning stages of some exciting new activities for the spring of 2013. In addition to adding to and improving upon the wildlife gardens, the certified Monarch butterfly weigh station, and the herb gardens, there will be a whole new feature incorporated into Idea Garden this year. Mr. Taylor, a 5th grade science teacher at ENMS, along with students from his Science Club, will be collaborating on the design and construction of a ‘Shoe Garden.’ A ‘Shoe Garden’ is essentially an exercise in reusing our non-recyclables in a creative and …
On Feb. 13, at 6 p.m. the music and art departments of the Norristown Area School District will be presenting the 7th annual "Evening with the Arts" to the school district and community at the Norristown Area High School. The event is free of charge and open to the public. This unique experience allows teachers to display their artistic and musical talents as a way of promoting the arts in Norristown while giving local families an opportunity to enjoy music and art in an open setting at no cost. In the lobby of the high school, art teachers will display their own personal works as well as …
Norristown Area School District can proudly announce that for the 2012-13 school year, the Pennsylvania Department of Education – Division of Federal Programs has named Gotwals Elementary School a Title 1 Distinguished School. The school has secured this honor by achieving Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for two or more consecutive years and realizing outstanding academic gains in science. "We are extremely proud of Gotwals and their accomplishment," said Superintendent Dr. Janet Samuels. "We look forward to our students continuing to succeed and excel." This is not the first time that …
On Friday, April 20, East Norriton Middle School (ENMS) Family Consumer Sciences teacher Pat West assisted students in planting the herb garden section of the ENMS Idea Garden. All of the herbs planted were graciously donated by Whole Foods Markets, and will be used as part of the Family Consumer Sciences curriculum at ENMS.
Norristown Area High School (NAHS) is hosting the 2012 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 11 Choir Festival – a three-day event culminating with a concert on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 2 p.m. in the high school's auditorium. Choir students from Bucks and Montgomery Counties were given the opportunity to audition for this prestigious event and more than 800 students auditioned for the 160 available spots at the initial audition in November. For the first time in five years, two Norristown students were accepted in to the choir. Elijah and Sean Carter, twin brothers from West …
The newsletter is designed to showcase artwork, events and information pertaining to fine arts education throughout the Norristown Area School District.
Cole Manor Elementary School held a “Writing with your Child” parent workshop on Thursday, Dec. 15. The school had a full house with over 150 participants. Students and parents wrote together, shared their writing and had an assignment. Everyone was very excited to participate and the writing pieces were awesome!
On Dec. 5, Suzanne S. Ryan, PECO’s manager of External Affairs for Montgomery County, presented members of the Norristown Area School District (NASD) and Norristown Area Education Foundation (NAEF) a check for $2000 to help fund pre-engineering curricula for secondary school students. The money will be used to purchase supplies for the middle and high school robotics clubs in the Norristown Area School District. A First Team Challenge Robotics Club is currently running in Norristown Area High School and a new team formed this year at Eisenhower Science, Technology, and Leadership Academy, …
Eisenhower Science and Technology Leadership Academy has received a Dream Up Career Exploration Grant from USA Today and Office Depot. The grant amounts to more than $2,000 in materials, including 150 student career planning workbooks and 20 daily copies of USA Today delivered to the school for four months. The newspapers are being used to advance students’ understanding of emerging careers, advances in science and technology and world cultures and events.
Supporters of education in Norristown are willing to weather any storm to ensure the success of the students of Norristown Area School District. “Even a storm the magnitude of the October 29 Nor’easter could not diminish the festivities of the Mardi Gras Dinner Dance or dampen the spirits of a 'Community Celebrating Education,'” said Event Chairperson Renee Golden. Shortly after 6pm on Saturday, Oct. 29, the ball room of the Plymouth Country Club filled with over 200 guests of the Norristown Area Education Foundation (NAEF), dressed in festive apparel and ready to share their time and …
Paul V. Fly Elementary School counselor, Kristie M. Cupples, was excited to report that Greater Philadelphia Cares, a volunteer organization, has selected Norristown Area School District for its October community service project. On Saturday, Oct. 22, sixty corporate volunteers from across the greater Philadelphia area came to Paul V. Fly Elementary prepared to undertake a variety of projects in the school and on the campus, including a total make-over of the faculty room. They not only supplied the workforce and paint, but all new furniture was donated as well, Ms. Cupples said. And of …
The teachers of the Marshall Street Elementary School Technology Committee are prepared to equip every classroom in Marshall Street Elementary School with SmartBoards and they are asking for the help of parents and business leaders to ensure success. The teachers have scheduled a “TECHNOLOGY FUND” Bingo night tonight, Oct. 14, to raise awareness about the SmartBoard project and have fun alongside the families and business owners from our area. Bingo will be held in the All Purpose Room at Marshall Street Elementary from 6 to 9 p.m. Please come prepared to shout "B-I-N-G-O" and support the …
Eisenhower: Reading to Achieve THE FALL BOOK FAIR WAS A HUGE SUCCESS! Eisenhower Science and Technology Leadership Academy kicked off the school year READING TO ACHIEVE! Students previewed and bought hundreds of books during our Back to School Fall Book Fair. Fiction, nonfiction, biographies, graphic novels and even cookbooks were some of the most popular books sold. As a result of the fall fair, all profit went directly toward purchasing books for classroom libraries. Our next fair will be in February and then in late May to promote summer reading. Come check it out. Day Made Better: Teacher…
Below is a very important message to everyone who believes that our children are the future and that a quality education is the best gift we can give to them to ensure a bright tomorrow. Please join the Norristown Area Education Foundation during A Community Celebrating Education fundraiser to support our children’s education in the Norristown area. Our Mardi Gras dinner dance will be held at the Chateau Granieri, 2522 West Main St. in Jeffersonville, Saturday, Oct. 29, from 6 to 11 p.m. Business casual is perfect, and Mardi Gras accessories are optional. All proceeds will be used to …
Norristown Area High School Athletic Director Chuck Knowles is happy to report on the post-season successes of the NAHS boys’ and girls’ outdoor track teams and varsity softball team. The NAHS boys and girls track teams qualified for and competed in the PIAA State Track Championships at Shippensburg University, May 26 to 28, and the varsity softball team qualified for the District 1 playoffs. The track team had outstanding success at the PIAA State Championships—two state champions and a fourth-place medalist. Coaches Miles Burrell and Jennifer Coursey and their staff of Milton Williams, Ed …
Norristown Area School District would like to thank the following teachers for their years of service: Name Title School Retirement Date Years Karen Anderson English Teacher East Norriton Middle School June 30, 2011 32 Roseanne Baranowski Benefits Administrator Administration September 30, 2010 5 John Bednar Music Teacher Marshall Street Elementary June 18, 2010 34 Dolores Bernstiel Lead Teacher Whitehall Elementary June 30, 2011 35 Susan Zindel Bisbing PRISM Teacher Cole Manor Elementary June 30, 2011 38 Levi Blaylock Home & School Visitor Administration June 30, 2011 37 Susan E. Blue …
According to Norristown Area High School, junior Catalina Stevenson has recently completed a noteworthy endeavor in personal growth and development called “Life Skills for Students.” Stevenson voluntarily engaged in a rigorous career mentoring curriculum. She researched engineering and advanced-technology careers by interviewing three mentors in the field and completing hands-on assignments tracking closely with Gardiner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences Students enrolled in the mentoring program are held to very high expectations, and significant research is required. Stevenson’s portfolio …
Here's a sampling of the some of the great news about the honors and awards going to Norristown students. Profiles in Excellence: Linette Armas, Matt Jennis and Kelly Williams From April 4 through 6, Norristown Area High School students Linette Armas and Matt Jennis represented Central Montco Technical High School in the Skills USA State Conference in Hershey, PA. Jennis’ Quiz Bowl performance in the Engineering program earned him the Silver Medal, while Armas won Gold for Chapter Business Procedure in the Culinary Arts program. Armas is now eligible to compete in Nationals in Kansas City in …
