Norwalk Public Schools News & Information
|
|
Proposed Budget Cuts
Last week the Mayor and Common Council, in a pre-determined decision, set the city’s spending cap for the 2018-19 operating budget. We are disappointed with the Council’s decision to leave the school district at 4.4 million less than what is necessary to maintain current services and continue to improve student achievement. Due to these circumstances, we now have some difficult decisions to make.
Earlier this week, the Board of Education discussed
proposed budget cuts
at the workshop meeting. Recommendations from this meeting will be presented to the BOE on March 20.
The Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET), which serves as the city’s fiscal authority and budget-setting body, will hold a public hearing on the operating budget on March 21, 7-9pm in the Concert Hall at Norwalk City Hall. Parents are encouraged to attend and share their concerns.
|
|
March 14 Remembrance Day
As we near the one month anniversary of the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on March 14, NPS secondary students have expressed a desire to stand together to remember, support and connect with students in Parkland. We are respectful of these wishes to acknowledge this important time in a safe and meaningful way. Therefore, each NPS middle school and high school is
working with their students to organize a school day observance that fits the needs and of their community.
|
|
New Student Registration Is Now Live Online
Registration of Kindergarteners and other new students is now live online through
PowerSchool
Registration. This platform allows parents to easily and securely enter their child’s information, and upload appropriate registration documentation. Instructions on how to access the system for your student will be available on your individual school website or on the district
website
. If you do not know which school your child is assigned to,
click here
to check your address.
New families to the district should provide contact information to the school where you plan to enroll. After this is completed, an email will be sent to parents containing a link and a brief description of how to register your child.
Please note: parents will still need to supply the original documentation
(proof of residency, birth certificate/passport, parent ID, medical forms, etc.)
to their schools for verification to complete the registration process.
Click here
for a complete checklist of documents needed.
Parents who prefer to register at school or do not have internet access may register online at their school via designated Chromebooks. Or, parents may stop by in person at a Kindergarten registration event. Check the district website for dates and locations. Principals will be on hand at these events to answer any questions pertaining to their schools.
For questions on materials needed to register a student at NPS, please visit the NPS
website
. For help with registration please contact the NPS IT department at
powerschool@ norwalkps.org
|
|
School Choice Kindergarten Placement Session
On March 19 families of unassigned students entering kindergarten for the 2018-2019 school year will be able to select from a menu of available neighborhood and intra-district magnet school choice options that best fit their interest and educational needs. The session will take place at Nathaniel Ely, 11 Ingalls Ave. in South Norwalk, starting at 5:30pm. Principals will be on hand to answer any questions pertaining to their schools. Those who reside at an address falling within the unassigned boundaries of NPS, whose child turned 5 years old on or before January 1, 2018 may attend. Please visit the
school assignment page
and look under the district placed streets/addresses section to confirm if your child is an unassigned student.
|
|
Summer Time Fun Is Just Around The Corner
Summer camp provides children with the opportunity to gain self-confidence, create bonds through friendship, and learn important life skills. Norwalk Public Schools will once again offer a variety of summer programs for students including Athletic Camp and PF Camp.
Sports Camp
: For those in elementary and middle school, this program offers something to meet every child’s athletic interests. Sessions include baseball, basketball, field hockey and more. Click
here
for the registration form.
PF Camp
: From arts and crafts to archery, kite building, cooking, computers and more, the Personal Fulfillment program is designed to provide small group instruction with an emphasis on allowing elementary and middle school-age children to choose activities that interest them. All PF counselors are certified teachers in Norwalk. ave-the-date! Registration will be available soon for sessions taking place June 25 - July 27.
|
|
McMahon Healthcare Academy Lottery Applications Now Available
The lottery application for the McMahon Healthcare Academy is now live. The program, which offers students the ability to earn health certifications through a partnership with Norwalk Community College (NCC) and Norwalk Hospital, is now accepting 50 grade 9 students, including 10 from across the district. Entrance into the McMahon Healthcare Academy is by lottery
application
only. The deadline to apply is March 31. For more information on the program
click here
.
|
|
NPS Celebrates Read Across America Day
NPS schools across the district celebrated national Read Across America Day last Friday with special guest readers sharing their love of books with students. Norwalk community members including NPS Superintendent Dr. Adamowski, Chief of School Operations Dr. Costanzo, members of the NPS Board of Education, Mayor Harry Rilling, the Norwalk Police Department and Norwalk Fire Department, parents and grandparents visited schools to read to students. At Tracey Elementary School Kindergarten students also spent time with the NPD K-9 unit and watched a demonstration by the NFD.
It was a great day for reading across all Norwalk elementary schools!
|
|
NPS Launches Pilot To Minimize The Summer Slide In Literacy
Norwalk Public Schools has partnered with nonprofit Springboard Collaborative to pilot a six-week summer program to close the literacy gap among students, and encourage parent engagement. The free program, which was approved by the Norwalk Board of Education during last week’s board meeting, will kick off this summer at Jefferson Science Magnet and Kendall Elementary schools. For more information
click here
.
|
STEM Expo T-Shirt Design Winner Chosen
Congrats to Jefferson student Lorenzo Luna, whose design was chosen to be featured on the 2018 NPS STEM Expo t-shirt! Classmates from Mr. Guerra's Grade 3 class celebrated in their new t-shirts.
|
|
NPS Elementary Schools Celebrate National School Breakfast Week
|
National School Breakfast Week kicked off across the country earlier this week. This year’s theme is “I Heart School Breakfast.” To celebrate the most important meal of the day, NPS Superintendent Dr. Steven Adamowski joined elementary school students and parents for breakfast. For more information,
click here
.
According to research, consuming breakfast improves children’s performance on mathematical tasks, vocabulary tests, demanding mental tasks, and reaction to frustration.
|
|
STEM Expo Planning In Full Swing
Catapults will be launching, eggs will be dropping and structures designed to withstand earthquakes will be swaying at the NPS STEM Expo on Saturday, March 24. The second annual citywide event will take place at BMHS from 10am to 2:45pm. For a full list of the day’s events click here.
Individual STEM Expos and judging throughout the district will wrap up next week. Each K-8 classroom designed a class project focused on STEM with grades 9-12 presenting individual projects. Two classroom projects from grades K-2 and 3-5 from each elementary school, and one group per grade, per house from each middle school will move on to present at the citywide Expo on March 24. Individual projects from Norwalk High School and Brien McMahon High School will also be selected to participate in the Expo.
External judges including city officials, representatives from local agencies, honored dignitaries and community partners will rate all school winners at the Expo, and award the district “STEM Championship” trophy in all divisions.
|
|
Early Childhood Strategy Plan
Preparing Norwalk’s youngest students for future success in kindergarten and beyond is an important focus of the 2016-2019 NPS Strategic Operating Plan. During a recent Board of Ed workshop, the Norwalk Early Childhood Council Planning Committee, which includes representatives from NPS, the city of Norwalk, and local agencies, presented an overview on early childhood programs, positive developments, and future development plans. To listen to the complete presentation click
here
.
NPS offers an early childhood program at Norwalk Early Childhood Center (NECC), an innovative Pre-Kindergarten program for both typical and special needs children. For more information on the program and registration visit
http://necc.norwalkps.org/home
.
|
|
Congratulations To Ivette Ellis
NPS wishes all the best to Silvermine Dual Language Magnet School long time Principal Ivette Ellis as she moves on to an exciting new chapter of her life. Ms. Ellis joined NPS in 2008, after having served as a principal in California. She also spent time as principal in schools in Texas and New York. Ms. Ellis’ passion for students, ability to transition forward with changing times, and adaptability toward technology has been integral to her success at Silvermine. It is these characteristics that will continue to lead her to thrive in any future endeavors. Congratulations to Ms. Ellis!
|
|
West Rocks Middle School Drama Club Presents Annie Jr.
The West Rocks Drama Club will present “Annie Jr
.”
on Thursday, March 22 at 7pm, Friday, March 23
at 7pm, and Saturday, March 24 at 2pm. All tickets are $10 and can be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com. There is no dress code, but the cast reminds you that you are “never fully dressed without a smile.”
The production features 50 students in grades 6-8. The story follows the plot of the beloved Broadway Musical that features young orphan Annie in a quest to find the true meaning of family.
|
|
Thursday, March 15
, Elementary Conference Night - 90 Minute Early Dismissal
Thursday, March 15
, Ad-Hoc SPED Committee Meeting, 7-9pm, Room 322
Tuesday, March 20
, Curriculum Committee Meeting, 5:30-6:30pm, Room 322
Tuesday, March 20
, Board Business Meeting, 7-9pm, Common Council Chambers
Wednesday, March 21,
BET Operating Budget Public Hearing, 7-9pm, Concert Hall
|
|
Norwalk Public Schools
125 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06852
|
|
|
This newsletter is compiled & published by the NPS Communications Department.
Have a question about our school district or an item to share?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
