Northwest News
Dear NW Families,
As we welcome the fall season, our school is filled with energy, excitement, and meaningful learning. Our students are settling into their routines, building positive relationships, and continuing to grow each day. Please continue to support your child by ensuring they arrive at school on time each day and are prepared to do their very best!
We believe that the partnership between home and school is one of the most powerful tools for student success, and we're grateful to have you as part of our team. Inside this newsletter, you'll find helpful resources to support a smooth start to the school year, along with information you can reference along the way. Together, let's make this school year one filled with curiosity, kindness, and countless moments of achievement.
With Unity and Northwest Pride,
NW Administration
Principal, Mrs. Jennifer Nordall, jnordall@lebanon.k12.pa.us
Assistant Principal, Mrs. Jill Becker, jbecker@lebanon.k12.pa.us
K4+ 🎊 Reward
K4+ earned a movie day 🎬 complete with popcorn 🍿!
K4+ 🎊 Reward
Great job on showing safe, respectful, and responsible behaviors in and out of the classroom!
K5 - Architects 🏛️
After listening to the text, The Three Little Pigs, students worked in collaborative groups to build structures that could withstand the “huffing and puffing” from the big bad wolf.
K5 - Architects 🏛️
Mrs. Wickenheiser's class discussed which features made the structures strongest and how we could alter our builds to make them even better.
K5 - Architects 🏛️
Throughout the activity, students focused on the four Cs - communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity!
Grade 2 - Habitat Project 🐾
2nd grade has been working hard learning all about the diversity of animals and their habitats! Mrs. Miller’s class created mini habitats highlighting different habitats and the animals that live there! 🌎 🐻
Grade 2 - Good Manner Tree 🍁
Each class has their very own “Good Manner Tree” that spotlights good manners and playing fair. When a student notices a peer showing these qualities, the class gets to hang a leaf on their tree! Shown in the photo is Mrs. Miller’s growing Manner Tree! 🍁
Grade 2 - Custodian Day 🧹
National Custodian Day is approaching in October, and 2nd grade worked hard creating a helping hand to thank our amazing custodians for all their hard work keeping Northwest clean, safe, and ready for learning! We are so thankful for everything they do for our school! 💙❤️
Grades 3 + K5 - Book Buddies 📚
Mrs. Palmer's 3rd grade class
Mrs. Wickenheiser's K5 class
Grades 3 + K5 - Book Buddies 📚
Students paired up to make "be kind" bracelets.
Grades 3 + K5 - Book Buddies 📚
After completion of their bracelets, students read books together.
Grade 4 - 9/11 🇺🇸
On September 11, Mrs. Woodson read 30,000 Stitches by Amanda Davis. It's about a 30-foot American flag that hung near Ground Zero after the September 11 attacks, which was later restored by thousands of Americans across all 50 states. Students colored and "stitched" together their own flag in remembrance of 9/11.
Grade 4 - Structures 👷🏽👷🏽♀️
Students worked in groups to build “structures” bridges.
Grade 4 - Structures 👷🏽👷🏽♀️
Specialized Classes 🎒
Mrs. Snook's K5 students have been working extremely hard on letter names and sounds during ECRI.
Specialized Classes 🎒
Students are doing an incredible job writing their letters as well!
Specialized Classes 🎒
Related Arts 👟🎨📖🎶
There is lots of fun and salsa dance learning during 2nd grade music classes!
Related Arts 👟🎨📖🎶
3rd Grade celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a Mexican Folk Dance!
Related Arts 👟🎨📖🎶
4th grade is learning new rhythms!
😊 Smile Squad 😊
Congratulations to our Positive Office Referral recipients! Will your child be the next one caught being respectful, responsible, and/or safe?
😊 Smile Squad 😊
Students receive a personalized note from our principals and add their name to our Smile Squad Spotlight board for a chance at winning a larger reward!
😊 Smile Squad 😊
Once an entire row or column is filled on the 200 board, all students in the winning row or column will be called to the office to select a special reward!
OCTOBER 12 - School is CLOSED for students 🚫
OCTOBER 14 - 👪 Family Night Out at LHS 5:00PM-7:00PM
OCTOBER 15 - Lebanon mini-THON Fall Festival at LHS 5:30PM-9:00PM 🍁
OCTOBER 20 - Northwest Family BINGO Night at 5:00PM in the Northwest Cafetorium 📚
OCTOBER 23 - 🍂 LHS Fall Vendor and Craft Show 9:00AM
OCTOBER 26-29 - Red Ribbon Week - Click the flyer below ⬇️ to participate!
OCTOBER 29 - End of Marking Period 1 📝
OCTOBER 30 - School is CLOSED for students 🚫
NOVEMBER 2 - 📸 Barksdale School Picture Retake Day
Penn State Health is generously offering FREE flu shots again this year!
Date: October 3, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Lebanon High School Parking Lot
Details:
- Open to ages 3 and older
- No ID or insurance required
- Please wear loose-fitting clothing for easy access to the upper arm
- Rain or shine! In case of bad weather, the clinic will move indoors to the high school atrium.
- Reservations are free and recommended to reduce wait time, though not required.
Protect yourself and your family—stop by for your free flu shot!
Register in advance here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-drive-thru-flu-shots-lebanon-high-school-october-3-tickets-1992943644088?aff=oddtdtcreator
🔋Charge Into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home 🔋
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Fire Prevention Week is October 4–10.
NFPA has created educational materials and lessons that can be used with students throughout the week. Resources include information about safe charging, fire escape planning, home fire safety, and other age-appropriate fire prevention topics.Additional classroom materials, activities, and videos can be found on the NFPA Fire Prevention Week website https://www.nfpa.org/events/fire-prevention-week Please feel free to use and share these lessons and resources with your students during Fire Prevention Week!
If your family is dealing with any of the topics listed below, please reach out to NW school counselor, Mrs. Courchesne. She can provide book suggestions along with potential school or community supports to help you and your family process the tough times you are going through.
Mrs. Steph Courchesne
(717)270-6800 x5518
Book Topic List:
Moving
Incarcerated Family Member
Deployed Parent
Divorce and Family Changes
Dementia and Memory Loss
Trauma & Traumatic Events
Grief & Loss
Death of a Pet
Chronically Ill Family Member
Cancer
Death of a Family Member
Miscarriage and Infant Loss
Depression and Sadness
Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders
Get ready for an afternoon of BINGO, big prizes, special games, raffle baskets, food, drinks & more!
Sunday, November 8th
BINGO: 12:00–4:00 PM
Doors open at 11:00 AM
Northwest Elementary Cafeteria
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW:
Pre-purchase: $30
At the door: $35
Pre-purchase your tickets here: https://www.zeffy.com/.../northwest-elementary-school-bingo or by scanning the QR code on our event flyer.
We highly recommend purchasing your tickets ahead of time! Seats are limited and we don’t want you to miss out!
Planning on attending with a group? Groups of 6-10 guests may reserve a table in advance by emailing kjohnson@lebanon.k12.pa.us to request your reservation.
Food & drinks will be available for purchase while you play!
And of course, a huge THANK YOU to our amazing community donors! Your generosity and support of Northwest Elementary make events like this possible, and we truly couldn’t do it without you!
Grab your tickets, bring your luck charms, and join us for an afternoon of BINGO fun! Thank you for supporting our school and our students at Northwest Elementary!
We can’t wait to see you there!
· 8:30 AM - 8:45 AM – Breakfast doors open (Students enter through Door D)
· 9:00 AM – Student drop-off begins
· 9:10 AM – School day begins
· 2:30 PM – Student dismissal for K4 (Door A)
· 3:30 PM – Student dismissal for K5 (Door O)
· 3:30 PM – Student dismissal for 1st through 4th Grades (Doors C/D)
Please arrange for student pick up by 3:40 PM.
To help keep everyone safe and ensure traffic flows smoothly:
· ✅ Enter through the main parking lot entrance.
· ✅ Follow the arrows to the drop-off and pick-up lane.
· ✅ If you are walking your child into school, please park in a parking space.
· ❌ Do not park along the main road.
Morning Drop-Off Locations (Beginning at 9:00 AM):
· K4 + Vans: Door A
· K5: Door O
· Grade 1, 2, 3 + 4: Door D
For the safety of all students, please remain with your child until breakfast or morning drop-off begins.
If your child is absent:
· Please send an excuse note within three (3) school days of the absence.
· You may email absence excuses, doctor’s notes, and early dismissal requests to: NW-Attendance@lebanon.k12.pa.us
Sign up now! Power Packs distribution started September 16. Enroll now to get weekly weekend meals and easy recipes, ingredients, and nutrition tips for your family.
Scan the QR or sign up at www.powerpacksproject.org
Students in grades 1–12 are eligible to participate. Programs are offered Monday through Thursday at every Lebanon School District school building throughout the school year.
Students enjoy a variety of enriching activities, including:
- Hands-on STEM projects
- Arts and crafts
- Outdoor recreation
- Homework help and tutoring
- Team-building activities
- And much more!
Best of all, the 21st Century program is completely free for participating families. Enrollment will open soon, and we look forward to another year of learning, growing, and having fun together!
Keep in mind, there is no 21st Century Program on Fridays. Please make arrangements for your child(ren) to be picked up at regular dismissal time (3:30 PM) every Friday.
This year, 21st Century plans to begin on Monday, September 14th, 2026.
Visit the Community Bulletin Board on our website!
The bulletin board is a free tool that is available to our community members to promote activities, events, and resources that may be of interest or beneficial to our students and families. In addition to bulletin board posts, this page also hosts quick links to a variety of event calendars for the Lebanon, PA area.
Please note that posts on the Community Bulletin Board are not sponsored or endorsed by the Lebanon School District and are subject to rejection or removal at any time.
Looking for a fun, team-first activity for your 1st–6th grader? Join the Lebanon Cedars! Registration runs Sept 5 → Nov 7. Fee: $25 (due at first practice).
Scan the QR on the flyer or register online now: https://www.lebanonboysbiddybasketball.com/
📢 Click the link ⬇️ to view opportunities to join our Lebanon School District team! 📢
Website: https://www.lebanon.k12.pa.us/northwest/
Location: 1315 Old Forge Road, Lebanon, PA, USA
Phone: (717) 270-6800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NorthwestES