Norristown Area High School

Eagles Newsletter

Continuing progress and growth, meeting the needs of each and every student, through transforming obstacles into opportunities.

The Final Stretch of Semester 1

As we step into 2025, we hope everyone had a joyful and restful holiday season. January marks the beginning of new opportunities, fresh goals, and the continuation of our commitment to excellence in education and community involvement.

Academic Highlights

This month, we are gearing up for the end of the second marking period, which closes on January 21. Students are encouraged to stay focused, complete assignments, and prepare for any upcoming assessments.

Parents and guardians, this is a great time to check in on your student's progress through the Parent Portal and communicate with teachers if needed.

Semester 1 closes on January 21, 2025

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MTSS With a Focus on Attendance

Starting in the second semester, Norristown Area High School will be implementing the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to monitor and improve student attendance. MTSS is a framework designed to provide targeted support to students based on their individual needs.

How It Works:

Tier 1: School-wide strategies to promote attendance for all students, such as regular communication about the importance of attendance and incentives for consistent attendance.

Tier 2: Targeted interventions for students who exhibit early signs of attendance issues. This includes check-ins with counselors, small group meetings, and personalized action plans.

Tier 3: Intensive support for students with chronic absenteeism, including one-on-one mentoring, home visits, and collaboration with external agencies.

By utilizing data from attendance records, teachers and staff can identify patterns and intervene early to support students. Parents will also be involved in the process to ensure a team approach to improving attendance

Please note that there are also punitive consequences for chronic attendance issues such as Detention, Saturday Detention, Suspension and Social Exclusion from Extracurricular Activities and Events.

Flight Time: Empowering Students at Norristown Area High School

Norristown Area High School (NAHS) has introduced an innovative program called Flight Time, designed to support student growth and success through personalized learning opportunities. This unique initiative ensures that every student receives the guidance, support, and enrichment they need to soar academically, socially, and emotionally.

What Is Flight Time?

Flight Time is a weekly scheduled period where students focus on their individual needs. Whether it's academic intervention, enrichment activities, or wellness support, Flight Time provides a flexible framework for students to thrive.

Key components of Flight Time include:

  • Academic Support: Teachers are available to help students with coursework, homework, or test preparation.

  • Enrichment Opportunities: Students can explore areas of interest, such as clubs, STEM activities, or creative arts.

  • Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Dedicated time for discussions, mindfulness practices, and building peer connections.

How It Works

During Flight Time, students have access to a variety of resources and opportunities:

  1. Teacher-Led Sessions: Teachers offer targeted assistance in specific subjects, helping students master challenging concepts or catch up on missed lessons.

Why It Matters

Flight Time is more than just a break in the school day—it's a commitment to holistic education. The program acknowledges that each student has unique needs and empowers them to take ownership of their learning journey. Driven by the data from our MTSS framework, stakeholders are provided a balance of academic rigor and personal development, Flight Time prepares students for success in school and beyond.

PFC Meeting Virtual January 13 @ 7 PM (Mon)

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WIDA Testing at Norristown Area High School

We would like to inform you about the upcoming WIDA (World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment) testing, which will take place at NAHS in January. This important assessment is designed to measure the English language proficiency of students identified as English Learners (ELs) in grades 9–12.

What is WIDA Testing?

The WIDA test assesses students’ skills in four key areas of language development:

  • Listening

  • Reading

  • Speaking

  • Writing

The results of this assessment provide valuable insights into students’ progress in English proficiency, helping us tailor instruction to meet their individual needs.

Testing Schedule and Details

  • Dates: January 7, 2025 to February 21, 2025

  • Location: Norristown Area High School

  • Participants: Students identified as English Learners

During the testing period, students will be provided with all the necessary tools and support to ensure a comfortable and successful experience. Attendance is critical for all students required to participate.

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Change In Attendance Protocol

Parents will be asked to use the Infinite Campus Portal

Students arriving after 7:25 am are considered tardy.

Please check in with the attendance secretary if you are tardy due to an appointment.

We are strongly encouraging parents to submit absent notices by completing the steps outlined below.

Option #1: Report the absence directly through Campus Parent. Use the attached directions. This is the easiest and quickest way for parents to report student absences. 

Click here for Campus Parent English directions.

Click here for Campus Parent Spanish directions. 

 An absence of three or more consecutive days requires a doctor’s note.  

Absence Notes must be submitted within three days to be changed to excused.

Further questions can be directed to Ronette Jones at to: nahsattendance@nasd.k12.pa.us

Community Bulletin Board

https://www.nasd.k12.pa.us/page/community-bulletin-board

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Meet Dr. McGriff

Dr. Detrick McGriff has been Principal of the Norristown Area High School since September, 2021.

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