Norwalk Public Schools News & Information
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Superintendent's Recommended Operating Budget
The Superintendent’s recommended operating budget for the 2018-19 school year for Norwalk Public Schools was reviewed at the Board of Education workshop meeting on January 9 at City Hall. The recommended budget is designed to fund the priority implementation steps needed for FY 2018-19, in alignment with the Board of Education’s Strategic Operating Plan. The Board of Education will vote on the proposed budget at its next meeting on Tuesday, January 16 at 7 pm.
The recommended budget supports the development of the District’s Choice Programs, eliminates study halls at NPS high schools, begins a phase in implementation of an additional 30 minutes to the elementary school day, funds a pilot program to introduce musical instruments to younger students, utilizes grant money appropriately to support students, and funds services for our growing population of English Language Learners.
The FY 2018-19-budget request is comprised of three distinct components:
- A foundation budget increase of $4.6 million or 2.5% to cover the cost of labor contract settlements, health insurance increase, transportation, staffing and other contractual increases, including technology-related items;
- A program improvement appropriation of $5.2 million or 2.8% necessary to implement high-priority educational initiatives outlined in the Strategic Operating Plan;
- SPED Development Fund initiatives for Year 3 totaling $1.2 million or .65%, anticipated to be funded from a separate, special City appropriation.
The FY 2018-19 budget process will be a two-stage process. The first stage defines the overall level of resources that the District will be requesting from the City for FY 2018-19. The second stage of the budget process will begin in February. During this process, individual schools and their respective School Governance Councils will determine the allocation of resources that best meets the needs of their students.
This proposed budget serves to continue to help NPS raise the bar and close the gaps, positioning the district to meet the goal of being the most successful City school system in Connecticut. For Dr. Adamowski’s full message about the budget recommendations,
click here
.
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Opt-In From Your Mobile Device To Receive NPS Text Messages
NPS shares important information about weather related news, school closings, safety alerts, events and more via text messages utilizing the School Messenger system. You can participate in this free service by sending a text message from your mobile device of “
Y
” or “
Yes
” to the NPS code number
67587.
You can also opt-out of these messages at any time by simply replying to an NPS message with the word “
Stop.
” For additional details,
please see attached.
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Research shows students
who eat breakfast
perform better academically, but getting food to students in a convenient, timely manner can be challenging. Last year, a grab and go breakfast pilot was successfully rolled out at Brookside Elementary School. Over the next few months, breakfast carts will be available at Jefferson, Tracey, Silvermine, West Rocks, Marvin, Columbus, Wolfpit, Ponus, Cranbury, Rowayton and Naramake. The program will expand to Brien McMahon High School, Norwalk High School, Nathan Hale Middle School and Roton Middle School during the 2018-2019 school year.
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Midterms at Norwalk High School and Brien McMahon High School will begin next week. Exams will take place January 18 through 23. For additional details on your particular school’s schedule, visit your school’s website.
Should there be a snow day, the schedule will be pushed back to the next day. If there is a delayed opening, exams will still be held and school will end at 2:15pm, with lunch in between the two exams.
Busses will run on a half-day schedule.
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Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 15, NPS schools will be closed. Celebrations of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life will take place throughout the city on Monday including an event at West Rocks Middle School from 10:30am to 12:30pm. NPS students participate at the annual ceremony, which brings students, educators, families and community members together. This year’s event is themed “Renewing the Dream: Hope in Today’s Times.”
Click here for more information.
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Shoveling Out: A Snow Removal Reminder
Now that Winter is here to stay for a while, a friendly reminder about snow removal in the City. The Department of Public Works currently plows all City streets, City owned and school parking lots and six miles of sidewalks. The Recreation and Parks Department is responsible for plowing the public parks, shoveling City sidewalks, and 11 miles of school sidewalks. To keep students and neighbors safe, residents are responsible for clearing snow from their own sidewalks, including bus stops on private property. Sidewalks are required to be shoveled within 24 hours of a storm. We're grateful to residents who help out neighbors who may not be capable of shoveling, so that all our students have a safe path to school!
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NPS Veggie of the Week: Butternut Squash
The NPS vegetable of the month for January is Butternut Squash. Students tasted Farro and Kale Salad with Butternut Squash as part of a Whitsons Chef Trek Program, which took place on January 9th at Silvermine.
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Monday, January 15,
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day - All Schools & Central Offices Closed
Tuesday, January 16,
Board Business Meeting, 7-9pm, Common Council Chambers
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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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