Dear Norristown Area High School Students, Parents, and Families,

We hope this message finds you enjoying a safe, relaxing, and joyful summer! As we reach the midpoint of the season, we want to share some important updates and exciting happenings taking place across Norristown Area High School and the district.

Building Improvements: Our facilities team is busy with cleaning and building upgrades throughout the high school. These improvements are all designed to create a more welcoming, efficient, and student-friendly environment when we return in the fall.

Curriculum & Staff Development: Even during summer, learning and planning continue! Many of our dedicated staff members are engaged in curriculum writing and professional development focused on literacy, explicit instruction, and updated course content to better serve our students.

Summer Programs: Students across the district are participating in credit recovery, the Extended School Year (ESY) program, and enrichment activities. We’re proud of their continued commitment to growth and grateful to the educators supporting these summer learning opportunities.

Back-to-School Countdown: Mark your calendars!

First day for teachers: Monday, August 18
First day for students: Monday, August 25

More details about schedules, homerooms, and back-to-school events will be shared in early August.

As always, we encourage all of our students and families to take time to rest, recharge, and reconnect. Whether you're traveling, working, reading, or simply enjoying a quiet summer day—we are thinking of you and appreciate your continued partnership.

We’re excited about the school year ahead and can’t wait to welcome everyone back with purpose, pride, and Eagle spirit.

Wishing you continued wellness and summer fun!

Warm regards,
Dr. McGriff and the NAHS Leadership Team
Norristown Area High School

Bright Summers, Brighter Futures: NAEF Supports Student Growth

This summer, the Norristown Area Education Foundation (NAEF) kicked off the Are You Experienced? Extracurricular Experiences Initiative for NAHS students. All programs are developed and led by our esteemed NAHS faculty. Check out what we’ve been up to!

First-Gen College-Bound Program — led by Jill Rivera and Misty Cincotti — supports first-generation college-bound students by building experiential knowledge, sparking curiosity, and promoting a culture of intellectualism and post-secondary aspirations. NAHS students visited Chestnut Hill College and Villanova University, enjoyed lunch by the Wissahickon, and reflected through a creative journaling project.

Reaching New Heights — led by Lydia Villalba and Alan Chen — introduces NAHS students to indoor rock climbing, increasing access to a sport where Title I students are often underrepresented. At Philadelphia Rock Gym, students developed teamwork, decision-making skills, and had fun “hanging” together.

S Cubed Club and Crochet Plushies Animal Science and Art Program

Crochet Plushies at the Zoo — led by Rachel Knopf — introduced students to crochet as a creative, calming, and screen-free activity. Held at Elmwood Park Zoo, students observed animals and crafted their own plushie inspired by what they saw.

Orchestra Mini-Camp — led by Jemma Malkasian — helps students sharpen their skills and ends with a performance.

AP Course Prep — led by Dave Fazzini — prepares students for success in their AP classes and combats the summer slide.

Fuel to Flourish — a two-week fitness and nutrition camp for ages 10–14, led by NAEF, NYAA, Blayne Pierce, and CHOP. Students enjoy healthy meals, fitness sessions, and wellness lessons. The program ends July 31 with a family dinner and grocery giveaway.

Lunch at CB — Best Buddies and Collegeville Bakery

Stay Connected: Update Your Parent Portal Access Today!

As we prepare for the new school year, we want to encourage all parents and guardians to ensure they can access the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. This is a vital tool for staying informed about your student's grades, attendance, and school updates.

If you are unable to access your account, please email nasddata@nasd.k12.pa.us with the following information:

Your full name and date of birth
Your student’s full name and date of birth

(We collect parent dates of birth to help prevent duplicate records in our system.)

For more details, visit the Infinite Campus page on the district’s website. Thank you for staying connected and informed!

https://www.nasd.k12.pa.us/page/infinite-campus

Gateway to Information

Stepping Into High School: 9th Grade Orientation Preview

We’re excited to welcome the Class of 2029 to Norristown Area High School! Freshman Orientation will take place on Thursday, August 21st, from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

This important event helps students get comfortable with their new school, meet teachers and staff, explore the building, and learn what it means to be an NAHS Eagle. Students will also receive important information to prepare for the first day of school.

A mailed update will arrive at your home soon. Transportation details will be shared closer to the event date.

We look forward to seeing our newest Eagles soar!

Summer Reading 2025 – Keep Growing, Keep Reading!

Dear Norristown Area High School Families,

The teachers at both the Main Campus and Roosevelt Campus of NAHS believe that reading over the summer is essential—not only to maintain academic skills but to inspire a lifelong love of literature.

All students entering grades 9–12 are expected to choose a book (from our suggested list or another grade-level text of 200+ pages) and complete the Summer Reading Assignment within the first two weeks of the school year. The reading lists and assignment forms are available on the NAHS and Roosevelt websites.

Al the Summer Reading Information can be found https://www.nasd.k12.pa.us/o/nahs/page/summer-reading

Some titles are available for checkout in the NAHS Library. Links to assignments and reading lists are also provided in English and Spanish.

Remember: Saving the reading for the fall means falling behind in reading.
Stay sharp, stay curious, and enjoy a great book this summer!

With Eagle Pride,
Dr. McGriff and the NAHS Leadership Team

Norristown Students Shine as Leaders at NCCEP Youth Leadership Summit

From July 13–16, 2025, Norristown Area High School students joined their GEAR UP peers at the NCCEP Youth Leadership Summit, held as part of the NCCEP/GEAR UP Annual Conference in San Francisco, CA. This prestigious gathering empowers rising high school leaders through hands-on training, public speaking opportunities, and peer-led sessions designed to strengthen leadership, confidence, and advocacy skills.

The students dedicated long hours to their development—pushing through the West Coast time difference to learn, collaborate, and grow together. With strong support from their parents, guardians, GEAR UP staff, and the Norristown Area High School administration, the conference was a resounding success for all involved.

Community Supports During the Summer

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

The 2025–2026 School Year Will Be Filled with Positive Change!

Here’s what’s coming:

Yearlong A/B Block Schedule:
Courses will meet on alternating days to allow for deeper learning and more consistent engagement throughout the year.
Daily Flight Period:
A dedicated time each day to provide targeted interventions, enrichment, and academic support.
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS):
A data-driven approach to meet the diverse academic, social, and emotional needs of our students.

More details will be shared through newsletters, in-person assemblies, and virtual webinars in the coming weeks.

Stay tuned—great things are ahead!

NAHS Newsletter Mid-Summer Edition

Bright Summers, Brighter Futures: NAEF Supports Student Growth

Stay Connected: Update Your Parent Portal Access Today!

Gateway to Information

Community Supports During the Summer