Norwin highlights student projects, performances and upcoming homecoming at Sept. 15 board meeting

The Norwin School District Board of Education on Sept. 15 heard staff presentations showcasing student projects, arts performances and athletic results, and received a report from the district's student representatives on upcoming homecoming events and recent student fundraising.

Staff presented the district's "Excellence in Norwin" highlights. At Sheridan Terrace, elementary students converted spring plantings into an outdoor classroom, harvesting flowers, herbs and vegetables and using the produce in a student-run farmers market and cooking activities. Another elementary program, described as the "Royal Stew Crew" at Stewartsville, grouped students into houses to build community and reinforce district core values including respect, responsibility and perseverance.

Elementary librarians hosted a "book tasting" event that allowed students to sample more than 100 new titles; those books were made available for checkout after the visits. Staff also noted Patriot Day activities on Sept. 11, when students and staff wore red, white and blue and took part in classroom learning about the day.

In the arts, the high school band performed at a competition at Kiski Area and is scheduled to take part in the Norwin Band Festival at Knight Stadium on Sept. 20; the presentation said Norwin performs in the prelims at 2:15 p.m. Hillcrest student singers are scheduled to perform Sept. 21 at the Lamp Theatre in Irwin for a veterans ceremony.

Athletics and student activities highlights included a student-organized blood drive that collected 40 units of blood and a tennis singles qualifier, Bailey Village, who qualified at the individual level and was described as the No. 4 player in the 3A section. Coaches and student leaders reported a range of team records: varsity football 3–1 (the first game was a 31–34 loss to Penn-Trafford), boys soccer 2–3–1, girls soccer 5–2–0, cross-country placings at regional meets, boys golf results and volleyball at 2–3.

Student representatives Ella Reese and Lena Din gave a joint report on student council activities and upcoming events. They said a car wash held Aug. 9 raised $1,105 for a scholarship to be awarded to a senior student council member in the spring. They previewed homecoming activities: a spirit week leading to a homecoming carnival on Oct. 3 starting at 3:30 p.m., a homecoming football game Oct. 3 with a 7:00 p.m. kickoff against Hempfield and coronation at halftime, and a homecoming parade in downtown Irwin on Oct. 4 at 10 a.m. They also described a student homecoming dance on Oct. 3 from 7 to 10 p.m. with food, a DJ and lantern-decorating activities.

The student representatives said their goals for the year include improving school aesthetics and growing overall school spirit.

Board members did not take action on the program reports; the presentations were given as informational updates.