Norwalk Public Schools News & Information
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Breakfast Is The Most Important Meal Of The Day At NPS!
Pictured to the left: Jefferson Elementary School students take advantage of the "grab and go" breakfast cart. The district continues to expand this breakfast program as part of the 2016-2019 Strategic Operating Plan goal to increase student participation and ensure all students start their day ready to learn and succeed. In May, Whitsons Resident District Manager George Kirby will present on the success of the NPS "grab and go" program at a national conference for The American Association of School Administrators.
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Middle School Student-Led Conferences
Starting earlier this year, grade 6 teachers and students have been preparing and participating in student-led conferences (SLCs). Student-Led Conferences encourage students to take ownership of their learning, open a dialogue with parents and educators, and highlight positive accomplishments. The conferences are one of several middle school redesign initiatives in line with the
Strategic Operating Plan
.
Leading up to the conferences, students roll played with peers to practice good communication skills. They also learned the importance of making introductions, using language correctly, speaking in an appropriate manner to adults, and identifying the purpose and goals of a meeting. During the conference, each student is required to show three pieces of work from their portfolios to demonstrate skills acquired, areas in need of improvement and insight on overall progress.
Student-led conferences are planned to be extended to grade 7 and 8 next year.
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Deadline Is Approaching For Required Student Health Forms
Periodic health assessments are required of all students in Norwalk Public Schools. Here is a list of requirements needed for varying grade levels:
Incoming Pre-K, Kindergarteners and Students New to NPS for the 2018/2019 School Year:
- A complete health assessment must be on file in the school nurse's office before students may attend school. This includes a TB risk assessment and hemoglobin as well as an up-to-date vaccines record.
All Students Entering Grade 7 for the 2018/2019 School Year:
- An updated physical must be on file with their school nurse. Note: a physical done last summer AFTER July 1, 2017 will meet the requirements.
- The information from the physical must be on the blue State of Connecticut Department of Education Health Assessment Record form, which has been sent home, and must be received before the end of this school year, or the student may NOT enter grade 7.
- A student must have received two vaccines: meningococcal and TDAP. By state law, if a student does not receive these vaccines and does not get a physical exam during the grade 6 school year, they will not be allowed to enter grade 7.
Students Entering Grade 10 for the 2018/2019 School Year:
- Students entering Grade 10 require a current physical. For current students in grade 9, we accept a physical done by your provider any time after July 1, 2017 (during the student’s grade 9 year). Without this requirement completed and the CT State blue form, your child will not be allowed to return to grade 10.
Sports Physicals:
- All sports physicals are due prior to try-outs. Sports physicals are good for thirteen months from the date of the physical and must include a hemoglobin. This is a yearly requirement when your child participates in school sports.
Please call the school nurse with any questions about the needed physical and shots, or contact your child’s health care provider for an appointment, or to ask that the blue form be completed.
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We Want To Hear From You: Calendar 2019-2020
To stay with our practice of publishing school calendars two years in advance, NPS proposed a draft calendar for the 2019-2020 school year. While there are many factors that determine the school year schedule, the proposed version allows NPS students to get as many instructional days as possible into the earlier part of the year, when students are most ready to learn. The Board of Education will vote on the calendar in an upcoming meeting.
In the meantime, NPS is interested in feedback from families. Please send any suggestions and comments regarding the 2019-20 calendar to
communications@norwalkps.org.
We thank you for your time and feedback.
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US Poet Laureate Tracy Smith to Visit Norwalk
NPS high school students will channel their inner poet on May 3 as nationally acclaimed US Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith visits Norwalk High School and Brien McMahon to share her work. Additionally, an “open to the public” event will be held on the evening of May 3 at Norwalk Community College (NCC). Ms. Smith’s visit is being presented by Norwalk Education Foundation (NEF), Norwalk Public Library, NCC and the Norwalk Arts Commission.
Click here
for additional information on the event, which is being sponsored by Newman’s Own.
In 2017, Smith was appointed Poet Laureate of the United States. Her other awards and honors include a Wallace Stegner Fellowship at Stanford University, a 2004 Rona Jaffe Writers Award, a 2008 Essence Literary Award, a grant from the Ludwig Vogelstein Foundation, a fellowship from the Breadloaf Writers’ Conference, and a 2005 Whiting Award. She is the director of Princeton University’s creative writing program and lives in New Jersey.
The Poet Laureate is the nation’s official poet and consultant to the Library of Congress. This individual seeks to raise the national consciousness to a greater appreciation of the reading and writing of poetry. Robert Frost was a past Poet Laureate.
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Visitor Management System To Roll Out Across NPS
The Raptor Visitor Management System will roll out across all NPS schools beginning April 23. Raptor is a web-based software application that provides an effective and efficient manner in which to track visitors in and out of the schools, helping to better control campus security. With the Raptor system in place, visitors will now present a valid government issued Identification such as a driver’s license, or state ID, to be scanned electronically. Click
here
for additional details.
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Norwalk High School Music Department Presents The Addams Family
They're creepy and they're kooky, mysterious and spooky, they're all together ooky, The Addams Family! The Norwalk High School Music Department is pleased to present “The Addams Family.” Join Wednesday, Gomez, Morticia and the rest of the Addams crew as they recreate a timeless classic. Performances will take place on April 27 at 7pm, April 28 at 2pm and 7pm, May 4 at 7pm and May 5 at 2pm and 7pm. Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance
online.
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Brien McMahon High School Presents Hairspray
It is 1962 and Tracy Turnblad can think of nothing more than dancing on The Corny Collins Show. This high-haired teen with all the right moves will have you dancing in your seat during Brien McMahon Music Department’s production of musical romantic comedy “Hairspray.” Opening Night is April 27 at 7:30pm followed by performances on April 28 at 7:30 PM, May 5 at 2:00pm and 7:30pm. Tickets can be purchased at the door one hour before show time, or in advance
online.
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Excellence In Education Tickets Still Available
Join the Norwalk Education Foundation (NEF), Norwalk Federation of Teachers and Norwalk Public Schools to support educators and support staff during the annual Excellence in Education and Educational Support awards on April 26. The event will be held at the Doubletree in Norwalk. Families are welcome to purchase tickets to support honorees. Event tickets are available on a first come, first served basis through
Eventbrite
for a cost of $45 per ticket. Tickets will be available at the door for $50. Last year’s event was a sell out, so we recommend purchasing tickets in advance. For a full list of honorees
click here
.
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NPS Launches After The Summer Bell
Norwalk Public Schools is proud to announce the continuation of our Summer Enrichment Program for students attending the Norwalk Summer Academy (NSA). Based on your feedback from our 2018 Summer Program, we will continue with an extended day option called After The Summer Bell.
Students enrolled in the Norwalk Summer Academy will have the option to participate in a program that runs until 5:00pm at Kendall, Rowayton, and Wolfpit. For pricing, location information and online registration click
here
.
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Inspire A Love Of Music This Summer With NPS Music Camp
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The Norwalk Public Schools Music Department is again offering a Summer Music Instrumental Program for grades 3 through 12. Instruction will be given on all orchestral and band instruments. The summer program is designed to start new students, as well as continue the musical growth of those who are already in the school program.
Lessons will be offered at Norwalk High School, West Rocks Middle School, Ponus Ridge Middle School, and Roton Middle School, between 8am to 1pm, Monday through Friday, from June 25 through July 27.
For pricing, registration and additional information click
here
.
If you have further questions about the Summer Music Instrumental Program, please contact either your school’s band or orchestra teacher, or Mr. Skelton at
skeltonj@norwalkps.org
.
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Thursday, April 19
, Ad-Hoc SPED Committee Meeting, 7-9pm, Room 322
Monday, April 23
, Facilities Committee Meeting, 6-8pm, Room A300
Tuesday, April 24
, SAT Day, Grade 11, Norwalk High & Brien McMahon. Check with your school for schedule changes.
Thursday, April 26
, Excellence In Education & Educational Support, 5:30-7:30pm, DoubleTree Hotel, Norwalk
Tuesday, May 1
, Policy Committee Meeting, 5:45-7pm, Room 333
Tuesday, May 1
, 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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