Norwalk Public Schools News & Information
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Students Honored By Scholastic For Artwork
Congrats to the NPS high school students who were recognized by the Connecticut Regional Scholastic Art Awards for their work in photography, drawing and illustration, sculpture and painting. Winners were celebrated at a ceremony at the University of Hartford where their artwork was displayed. For more information
click here
.
Congratulations To All Scholastic Art Award winners:
Brien McMahon High School
- Olive Fengel, Grade 12, Silver Key Award and Honorable Mention, Sculpture and Painting, “Snapshot” and “Ash and Fly”
Norwalk High School
- Jacob Timchak, Grade 12, Gold Key Award, Photography, “Elena”
- Hannah Coleman, Grade 12, Silver Key Award, Drawing and Illustration, “Fall From Grace”
- Grace Long, Grade 12, Silver Key Award, Drawing and Illustration, “Farmhouse”
- Felicity Lagomarsino, Grade 12, Honorable Mention, Drawing and Illustration, “Drowning in Fear”
- Natalie Hernandez, Grade 11, Honorable Mention, Photograph, “My School in Winter”
NHS Senior Jacob Timchak received a Gold Key Award for his photography piece. A blue ribbon panel of judges will review his work in March. Select winners will have their artwork exhibited in New York City.
Norwalk Public Schools has one of the highest rates for participation in the arts of any school district in Connecticut.
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School Start Time Survey & Rescheduled Parent Focus Group
As a reminder, the School Start Time survey is now available for parent input. If you did not receive an email containing the link, please contact
Communications
. The survey will be available through February 13. The survey covers a variety of areas including after-school sports and activities, student employment, transportation and childcare, and school bus ride length. We encourage all parents to participate in this important survey.
The parent school start time focus group that was canceled due to weather has been rescheduled for February 12. The focus group will take place at Brien McMahon High School at 6:30pm. All parents are welcome to attend.
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Cranbury Amps Up Learning Fun With Zany Xylophones & More
As part of the redesigned Gifted & Talented program, all Cranbury students meet once a week to explore topics based on their interests. These six to eight week long enrichment clusters offer everything from belly dancing to boxing, baseball braniacs, zany xylophones and virtual travel. The program is currently being piloted at Cranbury and Tracey with plans to expand to other NPS schools next year.
“Some students went into this thinking that they were going to play, but they came out having had a unique experience that they were all excited about. This model brings joy to learning and the kids have a choice in driving that excitement,” said Cranbury Principal Kristin Goldstein.
To celebrate the conclusion of the most recent cluster session, Cranbury students will participate in a gallery walk in the next few weeks. Students will have the opportunity to visit tables with video and photos explaining the enrichment. A new series of enrichments will begin next month.
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Middle School Students Compete In National Geographic GeoBee
Middle school students from across the district showed off their geography expertise in school-based National Geographic GeoBee competitions in January. First place GeoBee school champions then completed an online test to determine whether they will move on to the upcoming state competition. Results will be available in a few weeks.
Congrats To The 2019 NPS GeoBee Winners:
Nathan Hale Middle School
- First Place: John Bova
- Second Place: Sean Tagariello
- Third Place: Natalia Mandujano
Roton Middle School
- First Place: Joe DiChiaro
- Second Place: Robbie Gatt
Ponus Ridge Middle School
- First Place: Alex Perisanidis
- Second Place: Gavin Volpe
- Third Place: Emily Gonzales
As part of the 2018-2019 Priority Outcomes under the
NPS Strategic Operating Plan
, students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of academic competitions. Engaging in competitive arenas provides students with an opportunity to be recognized and rewarded for their intellectual expertise, skill and talent.
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You're Invited: Understanding Sensory Processing
Have you heard of the eighth sense otherwise known as Interoception? This sense helps you understand what is going on in your body! Join us for a creative, fun, and engaging presentation designed by experienced Occupational Therapist Rae Suba. This
free event
is guaranteed to help you become more thoughtfully engaged, complete executive functioning tasks and learn! You will leave this presentation empowered with a broader understanding of sensory processing, and strategies to begin helping support your child with sensory processing challenges.
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Silvermine Showcases Dual Language Model To Community Leaders
Representatives of ConnCAN, Hispanic community leaders, clergy and members of the Norwalk Board of Ed visited Silvermine Dual Language Magnet School last week. The goal of the visit was to learn more about the dual language model and advocate for high-quality choice programs available throughout the state.
Guests were given a crash course in how language and academic subjects are incorporated into the classroom each day. They learned how cognates, or words that have a common origin, along with body language, help provide students with learning clues. The group also toured classrooms in action to see how the dual language model could potentially be part of their own communities.
There are less than 10 dual language schools in the state of Connecticut. Silvermine is one of several robust school choices available to Norwalk students. The lottery-based program gives neighborhood students and siblings first priority. After first grade, interested applicants must test in to the program.
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A Message From Silvermine About Lottery Applications
We wanted to inform you that we had a glitch on the Silvermine Dual Language Magnet School website and some of the online applications to the Dual Language Program were not received.
The problem has been fixed and the online application is available. Please
click here for the application.
Please call the school at (203)899-2950 and confirm that your application was received.
Paper applications are also available in our main office. We apologize for any inconvenience.
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McMahon Healthcare Academy Lottery Applications Now Available
Does your eighth grader show an interest in the medical field? The McMahon Healthcare Academy is a lottery-based pathway for incoming ninth graders from across the district. This pathway gives students the opportunity to access authentic healthcare field work and experiences. Healthcare Academy students also earn certifications through a partnership with Norwalk Community College and Norwalk Hospital.
To apply now
click here
.
The application deadline is March 1.
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BMHS Student Wins MLK Jr. Essay Challenge
Congratulations to Brien McMahon student Natalie Ochoa for being named a winner of the Martin Luther King, Jr., essay challenge.
Natalie’s essay focused on the current state of politics, her diverse school community, and solidarity events such as March for Our Lives. “My dream is that during these times of political division, my fellow citizens can transform their anger into a strong love for each other. We have already come so far to achieve King's dream, and I have hope that people can be courageous and work together for justice for all,” wrote Natalie in the closing of her essay. To read Natalie’s essay
click here
.
This is the third year that the contest has been held by U.S. Senator Chris Murphy. He received over 1,000 essays submitted from students in Connecticut reflecting on Dr. King’s dream and their own aspirations.
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School Climate Survey Coming Soon To An Inbox Near You
The Comprehensive School Climate Inventory (CSCI) survey will be available to all students, parents, teachers and staff members in the coming weeks. Each school will share the survey information prior to March 28. Please call your child’s school directly if you have questions.
This survey measures a variety of factors, which contribute to school climate including safety, relationships, teaching and learning, and environment. Surveys are completely anonymous.
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February Is African American History Month
The Norwalk Board of Education recognized February as African American History Month during the last workshop meeting.
Throughout this month, we encourage members of our community, schools, educators and students to honor the accomplishments of black Americans, and to recognize the substantial role of African Americans throughout history.
This year’s theme, determined by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, is
Black Migrations
. To learn more about the history of African American History Month
click here.
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Tuesday, February 12
, High School Start Time Focus Group, 6:30-8pm, Brien McMahon High School Center for Global Studies
Thursday, February 14 - Monday, February 18
, President's Day Recess, All Schools Closed
Tuesday, February 19
, Curriculum Committee Meeting 5:30-7pm, Room 322
Tuesday, February 19
, Board Business Meeting, 7-9pm, Common Council Chambers
Thursday, February 21
, Ad-Hoc SPED Committee Meeting, 7-9pm, Room 322
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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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