Norwin School District funds a year-round recreation program that enables students who do not participate in school-related athletics to develop and maintain life-long physical skills. Throughout the summer months, the recreation program operates the playgrounds at the buildings in the district.
In an attempt to provide a variety of opportunity for students throughout the educational spectrum, the Norwin School District promotes numerous special programs and services. Included among these are programs for gifted support students (SEAL and SOAR), for remedial students (Title 1), for students with extended illness who are unable to attend school (Homebound Instruction) and for students who have shown themselves in need of special academic and disciplinary help (Alternative Learning Center and Career Development Programs).
Students who meet the necessary eligibility requirements may be admitted to Norwin's gifted program at the elementary level, SEAL (Seminar for Early Advance Learning) or at the secondary level, SOAR (Secondary Options Are Realized). Two full-time coordinators enrich opportunities for elementary students. One middle school coordinator and one high school coordinator work with the instructional activities to challenge those gifted students to reach their full potential.
Federally funded Title 1 remediation in reading is offered in eligible buildings to qualifying students in grades 1-5. Certified reading specialists conduct the Title 1 reading instruction. Title 1 remedial instruction meets all federal guidelines and supplements instruction which occurs in the regular classroom. Norwin Title 1 faculty also serves eligible Title 1 reading students who attend eligible non-public schools who wish the service. The instruction follows the guidelines established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the federal government.
The District is one of nine (9) local districts that participate in an alternative education program. The consortium of districts, working with the Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center which houses the program and the Private Industry Council which assists in funding, began the program for the ninth graders in 1991-1992. It is designed to educate students to the existing educational system. It provides ninth graders with the opportunity to explore vocational programs and to raise their basic skills to a level that will enable them to succeed.
The Alternative Learning Center was designed to answer the need for an alternative to out-of-school suspension for students with special disciplinary needs. The Center, currently housed in the High School, is for secondary students who have committed suspendable offenses under the district's discipline code. The goal of the Center is to aid learning and improve the self-esteem of the students so that future disciplinary measures will be unnecessary. Directed by a certified teacher who is assisted by a certified aide, the Center emphasizes academics and counseling in an "in-school," though isolated, environment.
An articulation agreement exists with Westmoreland County Community College (W.C.C.C.) in three (3) curricular areas:
Drafting and Design Technology
Office Administration
Early Childhood Education
This agreement will enable Norwin students to enroll in these programs at W.C.C.C. without duplication of the coursework because they have met the basic requirements while at Norwin.
An articulation agreement has also been approved with the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. The agreement enables Norwin students who achieve a final grade of 82% or better, in selected Norwin courses, to earn college level credit at the Art Institute.
Students who have prolonged illnesses and who are unable to attend school, are eligible for Homebound Instruction provided by the district. Coordinated through the Home and School Visitor, such instruction requires an excuse from the attending physician indicating the illness and the extent of absence from school. Homebound instruction is tutoring, it is not designed to be an alternative to in-school education.
Golden Age passes are available to all senior citizens in the Norwin School District who are 65 years of age or older. The pass grants these senior citizens free and reduced rate admission to athletic and other school events held at Norwin. The pass does not need to be renewed; it is in effect indefinitely.
Updated 4/10/2008