Norwalk Public Schools News & Information
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Columbus Shares Input with Architects
Progress continues on our Modern Schools for a Growing City school building program! Last week, architects from JCJ Architecture spent the day at Columbus Magnet School to hear directly from students about what they would like in a new school building. Concept drawings were posted around the library for every grade to review; students posted green stickers on ideas they liked best and purple stickers on ones that were second best. Students also had the opportunity to draw their ideas for a new school, producing creative options for the gym, cafeteria, library and more. Columbus parents also met with the architects that evening. Work is also underway on designs for the expansion of the Ponus Ridge campus. Much more to come!
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New Online Registration For Kindergarteners & Incoming Students
In the coming weeks, parents of incoming Kindergarteners and other new students will have the ability to register their child for school online through InfoSnap. InfoSnap allows parents to easily and securely enter their child’s information, and upload appropriate registration documentation.
When it is time to fill out the online form, NPS will provide an email with instructions on how to access the system for your student. The email will contain a link and a secure “snapcode” that links directly to your student’s information. Kiosks will be available in school lobbies for parents who prefer to register at school or do not have internet access.
For questions on materials needed to register a student at NPS, please visit the NPS
website
. Kindergarten registration officially begins March 15.
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High School Program of Study Scheduled for March 6 Board of Ed Workshop Meeting
The Board of Education Workshop scheduled for March 6 will focus on the redesign of the High School Program of Study, in alignment with the NPS Priority Implementation Steps of 2017-18. Specific topics will include course selection, increasing high school graduation requirements, and options for high school pathways.
Parents are welcome to attend
.
The meeting will take place at Norwalk High School and begins promptly at 7pm.
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Carver Center Anniversary Celebration
The Carver Center kicked off its yearlong anniversary celebration last week to honor 80 years of service, collaboration and community support in Norwalk. To help mark the occasion, a Carver alumnus sang Carver’s new official song “WeR1,” written by a recipient of Carver’s annual Child of American award. NPS Chief of Technology, Innovation and Partnerships Ralph Valenzisi spoke to guests about the value of Carver to Norwalk students. Mayor Harry Rilling was also on hand, offering advice to children on how to “pay it forward.”
The Carver Center recently received $850,000 in federal aid over the next five years, which will be used to create a new transition program for fifth-grade students at two Norwalk elementary schools. The expansion, set to take place at Brookside and Tracey, marks the first time Carver will offer programs for elementary students.
Carver is the largest provider of after-school programs for middle and high school students in Norwalk. Carver’s college-prep Youth Development Program is conducted in the Carver Community Center, in Norwalk’s four middle and two comprehensive high schools. Programming led by certified teachers within each participating school compliments the school day curriculum with project-based and personalized learning.
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School Climate Survey Is Now Live
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For the third year, students, staff and parents are being asked to participate in the Comprehensive School Climate Inventory (CSCI) survey.
The CSCI, which was developed by the National School Climate Center, measures the dimensions of a school’s climate including safety, relationships, teaching and learning, and environment. Schools will provide parents, students and staff with the survey link, or the link can be found on individual school websites. Links are available in both English and Spanish. The survey closes March 23.
The CSCI is designed to help a school collect responses from the entire school community. All students, parents, teachers, and staff members at the school are asked to fill out surveys. The report shows how the three groups perceive school climate.
The CSCI also helps schools to evaluate strengths and weaknesses, and provides a platform on which to build an action plan for improving school climate.
A customized report is provided to each school. The survey results are completely anonymous—no names are recorded and no identifying information will ever be attached to specific responses.
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Middle-Of-The-Year Testing Results
Middle-of-the-year (MOY) ELA and math testing for grades 3 through 10 across the district will wrap up on February 13. Individual scores
from the NWEA Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment will
be sent directly to parents via email the week of February 26. If you have any questions, or do not receive test scores electronically by the end of that week, please contact your child’s school directly. Copies will be available during school conferences. Please make sure your primary email address is up-to-date to ensure that you will receive your child’s test results.
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Boot Camp Grant Gets Tracey Kids Going
Congratulations to Tracey School Nurse Meghan Pennington! Ms. Pennington wanted to inspire her kids to get moving while having fun, so she submitted a grant request to Walmart for a kids’ boot camp program. Walmart issued two grants totaling $3,600, and the program kicked off in late January. The boot camp group consists of 40 grade 2 and 3 students who meet on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8am to 8:45am. Students then receive breakfast. The class is so popular that there is currently a waitlist. The program will end May 31.
Tracey PE Instructor Mr. Smoragiewicz and Assistant Lisa Jimenez run the program. Mr. S sets up obstacle courses or stations and has the children work in teams while music is playing. The children have a blast while working out and staying fit!
Ms. Pennington will compare student health after the conclusion of boot camp to a prior assessment. While this is not the first time boot camp has been offered at Tracey, the program now has the funds to continue.
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NPS And Fairfield University Expand Dyslexia Center Partnership
NPS partnered with Fairfield University last summer to launch the Norwalk Center for Specialized Learning in Literacy, a comprehensive dyslexia training and intervention program. Now, NPS and Fairfield University are continuing to build on that partnership.
Last week, a group of NPS students from Columbus, West Rocks and Roton attended an after-school reading intervention clinic led by Fairfield University certified teachers, who are working to receive their Advanced Reading Certification. The clinic takes place onsite at the newly renovated Center on 350 Main Ave. From February 1 through May 10, these students will meet at the Center twice a week.
A cohort of NPS educators will continue to work toward their Classroom Educator Certification through the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators. They will also earn their Dyslexia Practitioner Certification through the International Dyslexia Association’s affiliate, the Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI). These educators are also currently providing reading instruction to identified students at their home schools.
NPS cohort 2 has also begun their Structure Literacy training. They have completed three of five days of training with Literacy How, and will be completing the training in the Center. These educators are scheduled to provide instruction this summer in the Center, which is funded by the Special Education Development Fund.
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Successful NECC Open House
Parents and kids spent a fun and informative evening at the Norwalk Early Childhood Center (NECC) open house on Wednesday, January 31. Parents met NECC educators, learned about open enrollment, and heard about the learning philosophy and educational programs available. Children enjoyed music and activities. Registration is currently
available
for the 2018-2019 school year.
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Every Kid, Every Day: A Conversation With Ralph Valenzisi
Ralph Valenzisi wears many different hats as NPS chief of technology, innovation and partnerships. Valenzisi’s position not only encompasses bringing the latest technologies to the classroom, but also the task of creating strategic partnerships and high school pathways. To learn more about Valenzisi’s role, please read this
Q/A
prepared by NPS partner Norwalk ACTS.
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Tracey Students Strive To Leave "PRINT" On The Community As Character Ambassadors
From dance routines to videos, plays, and books, Tracey Elementary School students are teaching each other life lessons on building good character. Each week, classes from PreK to grade 5 alternate to present a character inspired lesson to the rest of the school. Community meeting themes are based on the Tracey acronym of PRINT: Problem solving, Respect, Integrity, Neighborly, and Take responsibility.
Some students have taken the concept of PRINT to the next level by giving back to the community. Earlier in the school year, a group of second grade Tracey students visited the local food bank as part of a character building exercise. Inspired by this experience, they led a successful food drive, working with volunteers to load a truck that delivered goods to the food bank. Next year, each grade will choose a larger cause to help bring the concept of character building to life.
“We want to infuse this sense of a moral compass into students so that they know that this a way to live, and that anything is possible. We are seeing the impact that this curriculum is having both inside and outside of the schools. For us our PRINT is more than just an acronym, it allows students to develop socially and emotionally in a world where these skills are needed more than ever. Our PRINT provides students a common language that they can use to persevere within their academic and personal endeavors,” says Tracey Principal Theresa Rangel. “At Tracey, we focus on whole child development. We want our students to learn and feel emotionally connected to our school; we want them to know that they have the ability to leave their print on the world.”
While students are busy building character, educators are working to better student/staff relationships by joining their classes for lunch in the recently refreshed cafeteria. Earlier in the year, students created artwork to hang on family- painted cafeteria walls.
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Thursday, February 15
, Professional Development Day, All Schools Closed
Friday, February 16 - Monday, February 19
, President's Day Recess, All Schools & Central Offices Closed
Tuesday, February 20,
Curriculum Committee Meeting, 6-7pm, Room 322
Tuesday, February 20,
Board Business Meeting, 7-9pm, Common Council Chambers
Monday, February 26
, Facilities Committee Meeting, 6:30-8pm, Room A300
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Norwalk Public Schools
125 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06852
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This newsletter is compiled & published by the NPS Communications Department.
Have a question about our school district or an item to share?
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