Northampton Area School District will be closed for winter break Dec. 23-Jan. 3, 2020.

Classes will resume Jan. 6, 2020.

Have a happy and safe holiday with friends and family!

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Northampton Area Middle School has started a food pantry for its students. Meaningful learning can only happen if the basic need of food is met. Nutritious and easy-to-prepare food will be given to students to take home on weekends and school vacations.

Each Friday, students who were previously identified as being in need will take home a backpack of nonperishable food items for the weekend. The meals are packed by students in the autistic support class. NAMS is currently feeding 24 students, and the program is continuing to grow.

For more information, contact Jessica Boandl at boandlj@nasdschools.org.

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Kutztown University is offering a day of graphic arts to Northampton Area High School students. A one-day, hands-on design camp at Kutztown will introduce sophomores, juniors and seniors to design as a career and raise awareness of design possibilities.

For details, the schedule and registration information, email traylor@kutztown.edu.

Deadline to register is Dec. 31.

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Parents/guardians, be sure to bring photo identification with you every time you visit any NASD buildings, pick up your child, meet with a staff member or leave the main office for any reason. The district does not want to inconvenience you if you arrive without the proper identification.

Thank you for helping keep a safe environment for all students at the schools.

Also, for the safety of students, make sure to follow traffic guidelines during arrival and dismissals throughout the district.

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In order to avoid an unlawful absence, don’t forget to fill out an excuse form on the Sapphire portal or send in an excuse with your child within three days of his or her absence.

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All medicine - inhalers, EpiPens or medications of any kind - for students must be delivered to the health room by a parent/guardian. Medications should not be sent to school with your child.

This is for safety reasons.

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Make sure to regularly visit the district’s website, nasdschools.org. There are many helpful forms and important links for both students and parents.

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Do you have any school news? This column is a compilation of upcoming school events in the NASD. Teachers, administrators, parents, students, coaches, PTAs, club advisers and any other community members are invited to share their upcoming activities. Email me at jamb87@hotmail.com with “Northampton School News” in the subject line at least a week before an event.