Northwestern School District • 100 Harthan Way, Albion PA 16401 • 814.756.9400
Home of the Wildcats • Mr. Greg Lehman, Superintendent
Northwestern High School • Northwestern Middle School • Northwestern Elementary • Springfield Elementary
Per our 2024-2025 district calendar, the designated snow makeup days will be used for the weather cancellations called in December (12/5 and 12/6). School will be in session on Monday, February 17, 2025 and Friday, March 14, 2025. Thank you.
The Northwestern School District is operating on a 2-hour delay on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.
NWSD Board Meetings
Reminders to the public:
All agendas for study session and voting meetings are available for viewing on BoardDocs (click icon to the left), the Friday before the scheduled meetings, typically posted around 4pm.
Minutes are posted in BoardDocs once approved at the next month's voting meeting.
When joining meetings via the Zoom link below for view & listen only access, technology issues may arise that may be beyond the district's control, or the Board may be in an executive session.
Recordings of the study session and voting meetings are always available the following day via BoardDocs. The recordings remain posted until the following month's meeting.
ZOOM Information for VIEW only:
If you wish to address the Board as a scheduled visitor, please contact the Superintendent's office by 1:30pm on the day of the meeting at 814-756-9400. Unscheduled visitors may sign in upon arrival at the meeting and will be called on by the Board President at the appropriate time. Anyone wishing to address the Board is asked to attend in-person.
The agendas are available the Friday afternoon (by 4pm) before each meeting and can be viewed by clicking on the BoardDocs link to the left or in the Quick Access Links below (red section).
The Northwestern School District Board of Directors will hold the following meetings in January.
-Tuesday, January 21, 2025 Board Voting Meeting at 7:00pm in the District Office Conference Room
Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android:
https://nwsd.zoom.us/j/83420294359?pwd=Qn6GinyO65ZVkU2olO4xyNDJwc9JwT.1
Passcode:239182
Phone one-tap:
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Join via audio:
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Webinar ID: 834 2029 4359
Passcode: 239182
International numbers available: https://nwsd.zoom.us/u/keJ3NudizB
Here's a sneak peek of the proposed Outdoor Events Facility. Thank you to all of the community who attended in-person on January 16th! We appreciate your support and feedback. More information will be shared as the Board progresses in the decision-making process.
High School Announces January's PAWSForward Recipients
We are happy to announce this month's PAWSForward winners:
9th grader Ayden Corbitt who exhibits the "active" trait for someone who is active in clubs and activities
10th grader Aaliyah Blank who exhibits the "willing" trait for someone who is willing to go above and beyond to help others
11th grader Courtney Eddy who exhibits the "strong" trait for someone who is strong in mind and motivation
12th grader Brennan Saxton who exhibits the "positive" trait for someone who is respectful to teachers and classmates
These students were selected by the student-led Principal's Cabinet, teachers and administration. All four students will be awarded a free breakfast of their choice at a local restaurant. Congratulations to January's winners!
The Springfield Elementary Winter Concert has been rescheduled to Thursday, January 23 at 7pm.
The AP Seminar students will be writing a seven-page, evidence-based argument in the coming weeks, and their writing must cite one of the AP's challenging 'stimulus sources.' With that in mind, the Seminar class attended a field trip to Gannon University with Seminar students from Fairview, General McLane, and McDowell. Our students collaborated with 100 of their peers to deeply analyze these sources and generate topics for research.
Middle School Chess Tournament
Thirty-two students recently competed in the Middle School Chess Tournament. We wish congratulations to the finalists: In second place, winning a $15 gift card to Valenza was Dylan Zappitella (L). In third place, winning home-baked cookies was Lucian Ogorkiewicz (C). And this year's chess champion, winning a beautiful new chess set, is Roland Howells (R).
And a huge thank you to Valenza Restaurant for donating a gift card!
Mark your calendars!
Attention ALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FAMILIES!
Please join us for our very first Make and Take Elementary School Art Night on January 30th from 6:00 - 7:30. The event will take place in the NW Elementary School multi-purpose room. Please see the attached flyer for more information.
Kindergarten Registration
Do you have a child or know of a child who will turn five (5) years old on or before July 1, 2025? If so, it's time to think about kindergarten registration, which is scheduled for Tuesday, March 18th. Please complete the questionnaire so we can follow up and share more details. Thank you!
Middle School Geography Bee
Congratulations to the finalists of this year's Middle School Geography Bee! From left to right: Benny Zimmer (2nd), Vivian Baumgardner (1st), and Trevor Start (3rd). And a HUGE thank you to Big Irene's Little Diner for donating a $20 gift card!
Our Northwestern Elementary 1st Graders entertained fellow students and their families on Thursday afternoon with their annual Christmas show. A shout out to Mrs. Jeffery, Mrs. Porter, Mrs. Doutt, and Ms. Thorpe for working with the students on this uplifting holiday program.
Shop with a Hero
Some of our Springfield Elementary students participated in the Shop with a Hero event. What a great opportunity for them and it looks as though some wonderful memories were made!
Northwestern Elementary
Second Graders sing turkey song
NWE 2nd Grade Turkeys.mp4Springfield Elementary
Kindergarten students share their thanks
Middle School Holds Mock Election
Our middle school students exercised their right to vote today in a mock election. Thanks to social studies teachers, Mr. Swick, Mrs. Nieder, Mrs. Denham, Mr. Williams, our librarian Mr. Canfield, and poll workers-Mrs. Krahe, Mrs. Iskula and Miss Howells for spearheading this activity for our students.
Students voted for President and the US Senate, Mr. Donald Trump and Mr. Dave McCormick were victorious in the middle school mock election.
The Landscape Construction & Greenhouse Management classes have been hard at work here on the high school campus. Mr. Mattocks is helping his students learn the process of laying pavers the proper way. This activity involves real-world mathematical applicability, as well as service to the school. The front entrance is looking better every day. We are proud to be "paving the way" in Agricultural education within our region. Nice work Mr. Mattocks and students!
Northwestern Elementary Kicks Off One Book, One School.mp4One Book, One School Kickoff
Northwestern Elementary kicked off another One School, One Book event on Friday. Students gathered together and received clues about their next book. They saw farm animals, a barn, a spider, a silly rat at the county fair, and a real live pig! After getting all the clues, the students unwrapped their books and the title was revealed: Charlotte's Web! The students were so excited, some of them even opened their books and wanted to start reading right there in the assembly! We can't wait to experience this book together as a whole school.
Thank you to every teacher and parent that helped put this all together!
Watershed 2024 (1).mp4Watershed 2024-7th Grade Science
Tradition is a cornerstone of our district and one of our middle school teachers, Mr. Mihalak continues to share his passion for science and exploration with his 7th grade students. For the 23rd year, he and his students enjoyed a day of local hands-on discovery in the Conneaut Creek.
Springfield Elementary kindergarteners enjoyed a special visit from WQLN’s STREAM Machine on Monday, September 23rd. Our guests spoke to students about technology then and now with the help of PBS character Ruff Ruffman!
Students explored technology and tools used by our grandparents and parents “back in the day” including a rotary phone, a phone book, a VHS tape, a record, and more! Students even played a funny game of ‘telephone’ together! Thanks to WQLN for such a great lesson!!
The Northwestern Chapter of the National Honor Society is being recognized for their dedication to service during the 2023-2024 school year alongside other schools around the country.
This award celebrates their significant contributions to the community and their spirit of service.
Last year our goal was to reach not only our school and local community through various service projects but also to extend that outreach into the rest of Erie County and even globally.
These amazing kids selflessly helped clean up the streets of Albion, volunteered and organized blood drives at school with the Community Blood Bank, packaged groceries for families in need with the Second Harvest Food Bank, wrote letters from Santa to elementary students in our district, and raised money for/participated in the Walk for Women 6K which helps women in Uganda have access to clean water and other resources.
We are proud of you, Wildcats!
The quill pen activity/lesson in Mr. Swick's 8th grade social studies class has become a unique tradition. Students got a chance to write with quill pens with the help of Mrs. Iskula, during class yesterday. They also learned several facts about the importance of this invention and the impact it has had on the world.
2024-2025 School Calendar
REVISION 2 Approved 7.15.2024-REVISED 2024-2025 Calendar Board Revised 4.15.2024.pdfReminder-Indoor Walking Permitted
From November 5th through spring, residents are permitted to walk in the hallways of the middle/high school.
Approved Comprehensive Plan (10.16.2023)
Below are several links to the various components of the proposed NWSD Comprehensive Plan. The plan as presented below was Board approved on October 16, 2023.
Northwestern is excited to announce that we have been selected as a recipient of grant funding to support our dual credit program. Read all about it here, https://www.media.pa.gov/pages/education-details.aspx?newsid=1381
Menus are available via this link.
NW At A Glance
For more information on COVID, please click on the COVID Information tab above.
Check out the latest Facebook post from NWSD
Mission
The Northwestern School District, in partnership with its parents, seeks to instill in its students, high standards for academic scholarship, integrity, leadership, and responsible citizenship.
Vision
Northwestern School District, in partnership with parents and community, will empower students to be successful, responsible citizens whose work ethic and academic skills will prepare them for a continually changing global society.
Shared Values
We believe
...all students can learn, given the appropriate amount of time and instruction.
...a safe and secure environment must be provided for our students and staff.
...lifelong learning is crucial for success.
...students, parents, community, and staff are partners in the educational process.
...students benefit from diverse learning opportunities.
...the Northwestern School District is a community of learners that values every individual.
...utilizing current technology is fundamental and an integral part of learning.
...a comprehensive curriculum is vital for meeting the needs of all students.
...students learn best when they are actively engaged in learning.
...open communication between all members of the Northwestern community is essential.