Norwalk Public Schools News & Information
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“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss
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National Read Across America Day is March 1, 2019
On Dr. Seuss' birthday, every child is encouraged to develop an awareness and appreciation for reading. On March 1 across the district, government officials, families, community members, high school students, and NPS staff will visit our schools to participate in Read Across America day to encourage reading excitement.
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Summer Academy Supports Student Learning
Norwalk Public Schools is pleased to offer Summer Academy for current K-6 students who need more support over the summer to be better prepared for the next school year. Grade 6 has been added this summer to continue to close the gap. Those who meet the requirements for Summer Academy will attend beginning July 8 through August 9.
The program will be held five days a week over the course of five weeks. Summer Academy hours will range depending on the location. K-4 will be held at the elementary schools. Grades 5-6 will be at the middle schools. For specific details on Summer Academy
click here
.
Teachers will be in contact with parents over the next few months if their child is required to attend the Summer Academy. In these cases, attendance will be required for promotion to the next grade. Note: ELL and SPED students will not be retained.
There is no cost for Summer Academy students. Transportation, breakfast, and lunch are included. There will be after-school camps set up for K-4 families who need full-time care after Summer Academy (After the Summer Bell). Students will be bused to those camp locations at the schools. The cost is $75.00 per week. Grades 5-6 students can remain at the middle school locations for the Carver Enrichment Program until 3:30 at a cost of $60.00 per week.
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NPS Discipline Practices Revamped
Mr. Schede’s grade 9 English students often form a circle to begin class.The practice encourages students to share opinions, feeling and issues in order to promote positive feelings and inclusiveness in the classroom. This proactive strategy is a result of updated discipline practices being applied throughout the district.
I
n response to an uptick in suspensions and expulsions over the past four years, the Norwalk Board of Education approved a new strategy for discipline through Restorative Practices. In alignment with the Strategic Operating Plan, the goal of the updated policy is to provide students with a school environment that is positive, safe, welcoming, and inclusive.
Restorative Practices help students remain in the classroom rather than utilizing punitive measures such as suspension or expulsion. This is accomplished by promoting participatory learning and decision-making.
To watch a YouTube video about Restorative Practices
click here
.
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Recruiting Parents For NPS Customer Service Focus Group
NPS is looking for a small group of 12 to 15 parents to participate in a focus group on customer service. The focus group will be held on March 13 from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. If you are interested, please RSVP to
communications@norwalkps.org
and include your name, contact information and your child’s school. The RSVP deadline is March 6. We will be in touch to confirm participation and location details.
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Support NPS On Giving Day, February 28
Fairfield County’s Giving Day is a 24-hour online fundraising competition that promotes local giving. The Norwalk Education Foundation (NEF) and other NPS partners including Carver, Courage to Speak Foundation, Family & Children’s Agency, and Human Services Council are participating in this year’s program to raise money. Funds raised will help continued efforts to support student-learning experiences and enrich teacher practices in Norwalk.
The NEF collaborates with community partners to fund programs that enhance student learning, promote student well-being, and expand teacher resources and innovation. To support NEF, or any of these partners, please visit the
Giving Day website
.
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School Building Update
As part of the “Modern Schools for a Growing City” program, school building and renovation work is underway to add more space for increased student enrollment, and to repair and renovate existing school buildings.
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Ponus Ridge K-8 Campus
At Ponus Ridge
,
portable classrooms have been removed from their current location, an erosion control silt fence has been installed, and site excavation is underway. The official ground breaking will take place at the end of the winter. Ponus Ridge will be expanded into a full PreK to Grade 8 intra-district magnet campus with a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program theme. For more,
click here
:
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Jefferson Renovation
Design work is underway for renovating Jefferson Elementary “as new.” Jefferson families had an opportunity last month to meet with Principal Nick Brophy, and Facilities Committee and Board of Ed Chair Mike Barbis, to talk about the project and review preliminary design concepts. To see the concepts that were presented,
click here
:
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2019-20 Kindergarten Registration Coming Soon!
In the coming weeks, parents of incoming Kindergarteners and other new students will have the ability to register their child for school online through PowerSchool Registration. PowerSchool Registration allows parents to easily and securely enter their child’s information.
A link will be available on the NPS website in early March. Additionally, each school will have a Chromebook available for those who need access. The ELL Welcome Center is also available by appointment to assist with the online registration process for those that need language assistance.
For questions on materials needed to register a student at NPS, please contact your specific school.
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New NPS High School Program of Studies
The Norwalk BOE approved an updated high school Program of Studies to be implemented during the 2019-2020 school year. The revised program lays out a four-year series of course options that allows incoming students, working with guidance counselors and their families, to develop specific pathways to graduation. Pathways provide a framework to help students grasp what the next part of their academic life will look like. To read more BOE comments on the updates
click here
.
Students enrolled in the Norwalk High School Digital Media & Communications Academy designed the new Program of Studies cover. A partnership with Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network and NPS, students enter college or career with a mastery of industry standard computer programs.
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Congrats To Roton GeoBee Winner
Sixth grader Alexandria Adam placed third in the school GeoBee contest that took place at Roton Middle School. Congrats to Alexandria on this accomplishment! Alexandria’s name was not listed for Roton in a previous story.
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Middle-Of-The-Year MAP Testing Results
Middle-of-the-year (MOY) ELA and math MAP testing for grades K through 8 across the district wrapped up on February 13. Individual scores 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. Hard 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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FoodCorps Positions Available: Work Toward A Healthier Future For NPS Students
Are you passionate about a healthier future for children? Do you have experience volunteering in education? FoodCorps is looking to hire two Service Members to serve in the district beginning in August. Working with schools and community members, Service Members will have the opportunity to teach nutrition to students, work on food growing projects, create a positive cafeteria experience and more.
FoodCorps is a nationwide team of AmeriCorps leaders that connects kids to real food and helps them grow up healthy. For additional information on this position
click here
.
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You’re Invited: Increasing Emotional Resilience Workshop – February 28
Please join us next Thursday evening for a lecture on
Increasing Emotional Resilience in our Students: Bringing DBT to Schools.
This topic will be presented by NPS consultant and licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Alec L. Miller. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based therapy. DBT skills are widely taught in general mental health programs in community mental health, inpatient, acute care, forensic, and many other settings.
Co-Founder and Clinical Director of Cognitive and Behavioral Consultants, LLP., Dr. Miller is well established in his work with anxiety and mood disorders, stress management, and borderline personality disorder. We are excited for Dr. Miller to share his knowledge with our families and community!
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Looking to improve gardening results? Our students have found a way to enhance photosynthesis. Need to filter water? NPS students have invented storage devices by applying the engineering process.
Join us to celebrate Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), and see the shift in science education in Norwalk with your own eyes at the annual
NPS STEM Expo
. The STEM Expo will take place on March 16 at BMHS. All ages are welcome.
NEW this year: a Maker Space area presented by Library Media Specialists. Students and parents will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on engineering and computer science tasks utilizing Legos, game-based and coding applications.
Local businesses and student-led high school teams, such as First Robotics and The Walk Bridge Project will be returning to the event this year. Attendees will get the opportunity to engage with robots and virtual reality experiences.
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Learn More About STEM at NPS From NPS Director of STEM Education Tina Henckel
NPS: What is your vision for STEM education in Norwalk?
TH:
The beauty of STEM education is that from an early age, even prior to the preschool years, kids are naturally inquisitive and constantly asking questions. We want to encourage our children, especially as they get older, to ask questions and seek out answers to their thoughts and ideas. Questions are the foundation for solutions. Some of the biggest inventions and problems are solved just because someone needed to solve a problem and asked “What if…?”
As simple as this may sound, every time I see or use a paperclip, it fascinates me. The historical progression and development of the paperclip is something we take for granted. A simple idea or thought can amount to something bigger and greater than we ever imagined.
NPS: What is the next step in Norwalk in regards to the Next Generation Science Standards?
TH:
Norwalk educators are hardworking and creative. They are always looking for ways to give their students a voice in solving actual problems at both a local and global level. Our staff is working diligently to implement the newly adopted science curriculum that is aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards. They are ensuring that our curriculum is state-of-the-art, and that students are engaged in higher level learning through the engineering design process. We want to make sure students are engaged in the learning process and apply what they are learning to think beyond the walls of the classroom.
The shift in science instruction has been to focus students using a real-world phenomenon. This lesson design and strategy encourages students to ask questions and engage in peer discourse and exploration. We will be providing on-going support to our staff and students through this shift. During every unit, students continuously solve problems; wonder and think about why certain things exist and happen, explore through investigations and revise their original ideas.
NPS: How can parents support STEM learning at home?
TH:
Encourage kids to ask questions and solve their own problems. We do not always encourage them to ask questions and wonder. As a parent, and I am guilty of this too at times, our first reaction is to answer and solve problems for them. It is ok to say to “I’m not sure, let’s figure it out!” This response fosters independence and encourages children to persevere and build their critical thinking skills over time.
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Monday, February 25
, Facilities Committee Meeting, 6-8pm, Room A300
Thursday, February 28
, Increasing Emotional Resilience Workshop, 6pm, Center for Global Studies @ BMHS
Tuesday, March 5
, Policy Committee Meeting, 5:45-7pm, Room 333
Tuesday, March 5
, Board Workshop, 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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