Laying The Foundation For A Great School Year

Preparation for the 2024-2025 School Year began in the summer with students engaging in various programs and activities.

Kudos to our 9th grade students who participated in a pilot program entitled SOAR. Several weeks before the school year started, students invested in themselves and each other. This is one of many ways the NAHS is working to ensure a smooth transition into high school. With guest speakers, instructional life-lessons and a college visit, a small group of students are on the right track to high school.

In addition, our Annual 9th Grade Orientation featured hundreds from our Freshman students and an equal number of parents. While students toured classrooms and engaged in a scavenger hunt to explore the building, parents were onboarded to the school year and new features of Norristown Area High School

The energy was extremely positive as students entered their new NAHS space for the first time. These programs and events are critical to the success of the 9th grade year.

We all understand the importance a great ninth grade year. Research shows that ninth grade is crucial for graduation and sets the foundation for entry into college, trade schools, and other post-high school education programs.

First Day of School

Parents can locate their child's information and follow their bus route real time. Log in to the parent application.

The first day of school was filled with several successes. Our school buses had one of the most timely starts to a school year. Even with the growing pains of students figuring out where to go, the buses and parents delivered their students on time.

We are grateful to all the parents using the student drop off area by the gym. We are even more appreciative of both students and parents moving cautiously through the student parking lot

As the day progressed we were able to get all of our students into the classroom before the end of first block. A huge accomplishment for a building with almost 2300 students.

A meal waiting for them in their classroom. Norristown Area High School prides itself on being able to feed the entire school daily. Presently, over 70 % of students routinely take advantage of our breakfast options each day.

Towards the end of that morning, I shared a message with the school to frame the start of their school year. The 2024-2025 Virtual Assembly was part of our daily news series entitled Eagle News. Throughout the day, teachers reinforced the expectations found in the N-Book with mini-lessons for all of our students.

First Week of School

Students quickly adjusted to the building and classroom routines. Each day we were able to start all class instruction in a timely fashion. Training thousands of students to navigate the halls and each other is no easy task.

Once in the classroom, teachers worked closely with students to learn the norms of our building and getting to know one another. There was particular focus to onboard our students and understand the pillars of our community.

The pillars of our PBIS system align with our district core values. Creating an environment of respect and pride will continue to be a priority.

The Snack Line Is Back!

The road to our theme of Progress 2.0 has already started. Beginning in September the snack line in our cafeteria has reopened (after being closed since the pandemic!) The variety of snacks are favorites of our students. Snacks are sold once all lunches have been served for a specific Block.

Snacks can be purchased using cash or parents/guardians can prepay for a la carte items with a Visa or MasterCard credit card or check/debit card using this service. The online prepayment service also allows you to check student meal history, receive low balance notifications, and set spending limits. You will need to know your student's ID number at the time you sign-up. Please call the kitchen in your student's school for their ID if you do not know it. The service is provided at the following website.

Please note, there is a transaction fee per transaction that will be charged to the parent/guardian for every prepayment made regardless of the transaction size. Additionally, a fee will be charged to the parent/guardian for each disputed credit or debit card sale that is returned money stored on students accounts. Student accounts can be filled by using the website

NASD featured in a CNN Special

The CNN article "For newly arrived immigrant children, this lawyer’s help extends far beyond the courtroom" highlights the work of immigration lawyer Megan Stuart, who not only represents children in legal matters but also provides them with comprehensive support. Stuart helps young immigrants navigate complex legal processes while addressing their emotional, educational, and social needs. Her dedication underscores the challenges these children face and the importance of holistic support systems for immigrant families.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/30/us/rachel-rutter-project-libertad-cnnheroes

A New Way of Looking At Our School Systems

What is MTSS?

Multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) is a framework that helps educators or staff within the district to provide academic and behavioral strategies for students with various needs. MTSS grew out of the integration of two other intervention-based frameworks which included Response to Intervention (RTI) and Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS).

MTSS takes a proactive approach to identifying students with academic or behavioral needs. Early assessment and intervention for these students can help them catch up with their peers sooner. The key components of MTSS include:

Universal screenings
Tiers of interventions that can be amplified in response to levels of need
Ongoing data collection and continual assessment
Schoolwide approach to expectations and supports
Parent involvement

What is PBIS?

Positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) is a school-wide systems approach geared to establishing positive student culture and individualized behavior support necessary to create a safe and effective learning environment for all students

PBIS is an ongoing commitment to supporting students, educators, and families through systems change. PBIS helps students experience improved behavioral, social, emotional, and academic outcomes; schools and programs reduce their use of exclusionary discipline practices and improve their overall climate.

Progress 2.0

Moving from Obstacles to Opportunities

2023-2024 Accomplishments

Failure rates in English and Math courses have decreased from SY22-23 to SY23-24.

Implementing STAR reduces over-testing and provides a consistent measure across grade levels.

Aimsweb provides a clear picture of student strengths and needs for students with IEP's, and is used by case managers and regular education teachers alike to properly plan for and differentiate instruction within the classroom.

The number of science electives offered to students that have cross-curricular topics which are tested by the Biology Keystone.

Norristown Area High School has developed a menu of options for satisfying Act 158 graduation pathways, reflective of the diverse array of post-graduation plans for our students.

Graduation rates among Multi-Lingual Learners ( MLL) and some minority student sub-groups have increased.

Attendance rates showed significant increases from the previous school year.

2024-2025 Intentions

*Continued focus on data

* Frameworks to respond to proactively respond to information

* Data to reveal nexus of our obstacles

By the end of the 24-25 SY, 90% of NAHS students will have growth rates for the STAR Reading & Mathematics assessments of at least 10% compared to the beginning of the year.

By the end of the 24-25 SY, a minimum of 85% of NAHS students will have passed all their assigned core classes for both semesters. (Baseline: 83% pass rate during the 23-24 SY).

By the end of each semester of the 24-25 SY, the attendance rate for high school students for Keystone Assessments (aligned to the course(s) taken that semester) will be at a rate of at least 90%.

By the end of 24-25 SY, NAHS overall student regular attendance rate will have increased by 10% as compared to the 23-24 SY.

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