Norwalk Public Schools News & Information
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School Start Time Committee Kicks Off
The Centers for Disease Control and American Academy of Pediatrics are in agreement: later school start times are better for the physical, emotional and educational needs of adolescent students. Biologically, teens are simply programmed to wake later and go to bed later.
With research about adolescent health and sleep habits in mind, the Board of Education agreed to examine and develop plans to address the expert findings on later high school start times. Superintendent Dr. Steven Adamowski has formed a School Start Time Committee that will begin to examine the best way to implement later start times for high school students. The committee consists of representatives from a variety of areas including health, sports, school operations, transportation, and communications, as well as parents, a sleep expert, teachers, principals and administrators.
While the scientific research is clear, we know there are many logistical challenges to modifying school schedules. The impact on afterschool sports and activities, student employment, childcare, bus schedules, and much more will be part of the discussion. More about this important topic will be shared over the coming weeks and months as the committee develops its recommendations. A survey of students and parents, as well as several focus groups, are also planned.
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NPS Bus Tracking App Launching
Track your child’s bus in real time through the FirstView app! Using a GPS tracking system, FirstView gives parents peace of mind, including estimated bus arrival time, customizable alerts for when the bus is at a chosen distance or number of minutes away, secure password protection and customer support.
The new bus-tracking app for your smartphone or desktop will be available for download on
December 3.
Download the app on your smartphone or desktop and follow the prompts to get started. When you sign into the app, you will need to enter your child’s individual student ID. This ID can be found on the top corner of your child’s report card. Or, call your student's school directly.
App Download Instructions can be found
here
.
For questions, concerns or additional information contact FirstView customer support team Monday through Friday from 7am to 5pm at 888-889-8920. You can also email customer support at support@firstviewapp.com; or use the in-app
“!”
button to provide feedback.
Please note: FirstView customer service will not be able to provide you with your child’s student ID number for security reasons.
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NPS Weather Procedures
The first snowfall of the school year is under our belts, and there is sure to be more to come. We know that school closings, delays and early dismissals can be a challenge for families and staff; however, the safety of our students and staff is a priority.
NPS Chief of School Operations Frank Costanzo makes weather decisions. Dr. Costanzo consults with a variety of resources including a meteorologist, Department of Public Works and NPS transportation provider First Student. Recreation and Parks and NPS Facilities are also consulted.
If possible, decisions on the school day will be made by 5:30am. If a large storm is predicted with little doubt in the forecast, there may be a decision made the night before.
Click here
for a letter from Dr. Costanzo detailing weather policy and procedures.
In the case of inclement weather, we encourage all families to rely on official sources for accurate information. School closures, delays or early dismissals are communicated in the following places:
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December Early Dismissals
The December school calendar has two 90-minute early dismissal days:
Thursday, December 6
and
Thursday, December 13.
The early dismissals allow teachers time to prepare for parent-teacher conferences and for the elementary conference night on December 13. The early dismissals apply to all schools.
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Board Officer Elections
At last week's Board of Education meeting, the Board nominated officers for the upcoming year. Mike Barbis was re-elected chairman and Bryan Meek returns as secretary. Sarah Lemieux was elected as vice chair for the Board.
Members cited mutual respect as a hallmark of this Board, enabling all to work together with one goal in mind, to develop the best public school district for Norwalk students.
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Save-the-Date For STEM EXPO Fun
A fourth pig has come to town and there are no bricks to be found to build the pig’s new home! Never fear, NPS second graders to the rescue at the
3rd Annual STEM Expo on March 16
. From saving penguins to jet packs and drinking water survival devices, K-8 students from across the district will be working on STEM activities to shape and impact the future.
All are invited to this exciting Expo, which has something for everyone. Our high school students, local scientists, organizations, municipalities and companies will lead STEM-based activities and interactive exhibits.
The STEM Expo begins with a preliminary round of “competitions” at the school level. Then, selected teams are provided with the opportunity to “complete” at the Norwalk STEM Expo.
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An Invitation To Celebrate Our First International Baccalaureate (IB) Class
On Wednesday, December 19 at 6:30 pm, 25 Brien McMahon seniors in the IB diploma program will be presenting their work on the Extended Essay, a "learning through experience" program requirement. The Extended Essay is a 4,000 word independent research paper that focuses on CAS: Creativity, Activity, Service. It's one of two outside of class requirements they have been working on since the start of the program last year.
The students have put in a lot of extra work and have some amazing accomplishments to report. The evening will also give everyone who attends an inside look at the IB program at McMahon. All are welcome to attend the event, which will take place at the Center for Global Studies Community Room at Brien McMahon. We are very proud of our IB students!
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Rep. Himes Visits Nathan Hale Middle School
As part of a national initiative for legislators to learn more about schools, operations, and the roles of principals, Congressman Jim Himes visited Nathan Hale Middle School in mid-November. Shadowing Principal Dr. Sackey, the U.S. Representative visited classrooms and experienced a Teach to One classroom in action. Representative Himes also visited with students during lunchtime.
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The NPS Campus Café Is Open
The NPS Campus Café at City Hall is open for business! Norwalk Public School students, Superintendent Dr. Adamowski, Chief of Specialized Learning and Student Services Yvette Goorevitch, Mayor Rilling and members of the community recently celebrated the grand opening with a ribbon cutting.
The Café offers a range of fresh items from coffee to breakfast sandwiches, salads and soups prepared by JB’s Deli. A collaborative effort between Norwalk Public Schools and the City of Norwalk, the Café is part of a longstanding community-based worksite program.
With the support of a job coach, this initiative provides Norwalk students with the opportunity to learn the importance of customer service, resilience, teamwork, and verbal communication skills. Students proudly cater to café visitors, while gaining job skills necessary for competitive and supportive employment.
The café is open between 8am and 2pm and follows the school day calendar. Stop by the café for a coffee, or grab a quick and tasty lunch! We thank you for your patronage and support.
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Ponus Ridge STEM School Construction Update
Families and neighbors joined us at Ponus Ridge Middle School this week for an exciting update on construction plans for the expanded K-8 STEM campus. Board of Ed and Facilities Chair Mike Barbis reviewed the history behind the project, which included the district’s growing enrollment and the findings from a comprehensive school facilities study. Architects and construction managers from Perkins Eastman and Newfield Construction previewed the layout, design and construction schedule for the new K-5 addition and existing building.
Construction work is expected to begin starting in February 2019. The target date for completion is August 2020. Regular updates and information on the project will be available at
www.PonusRidgeSTEMSchool.org
.
Specific details on curriculum, lottery applications, staffing and more will be available over the next school year.
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Rescheduled Best Buddies Info Session Tonight
Best Buddies is expanding to Norwalk middle schools! If your middle school or high student is interested in being part of Best Buddies or is currently enrolled in the program, please join us this evening, November 29, for
"Best Buddies Family Night.”
The event will begin at 6pm at Norwalk City Hall in room A300. Norwalk school advisors and members of the Best Buddies Connecticut team will be present to answer questions and discuss the program.
The Norwalk Public Schools Best Buddies program provides socialization opportunities to help erase the invisible line that often separates students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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Be In The Know On Vaping And Dabbing
With catchy names and candy flavors, electronic cigarettes are attracting the attention of underage students. Both vaping and dabbing are on the rise not just in Norwalk, but also throughout the country. Both are harmful to children and in some cases can cause increased heart rate and blood pressure, stroke and seizures, violent behavior and event heart attack and death.
Pen Or Vaping Device? That Is The Question
- Commonly referred to as vaping, a battery-operated device is used to inhale an aerosol containing nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals.
- Vaping devices can resemble traditional cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or everyday items like pens or USB memory sticks.
- With various styles of e-cigarettes available, students can easily smoke at home or other places without adults knowing.
When Dabbing Isn’t A Dance
- While most parents are familiar with dabbing as a popular dance move, dabbing now has another meaning.
- Dabbing is the act of vaping marijuana and other synthetic drugs through a vape or dab pen.
- A recent study shows that students who had used e-cigarettes by the time they started 9th grade were more likely than others to start smoking cigarettes and other smokable tobacco products within the next year.
Earlier in the month, representatives from the Norwalk Police Department and the Norwalk Health Department spoke to middle school students and their families at Ponus Ridge Middle School about the dangers of drugs including vaping and dabbing. Vaping was also part of the topics covered at the annual Courage to Speak night held in November.
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Curriculum Resources For Parents
Parents of students in grades K-8 can find snapshots of each Math and ELA curriculum map on the NPS website. Curriculum mapping is a process that prioritizes the Common Core standards, identifies the skills and concepts embedded in the standards, and aligns assessments and resources for each unit.
New K-8 Parent ELA Curriculum Snapshot
New K-8 Parent Math Curriculum Snapshot
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New Gifted And Talented Newsletter
It's an exciting time in the Gifted and Talented program! The GT department has developed a quarterly newsletter designed to keep you in the loop regarding the newly designed program. One of the main goals is to keep NPS families informed about how the program is taking shape in our 16 schools across the district. To read the latest newsletter visit the district newsletter on the NPS
website
.
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Congrats To NHS Marching Band Champs!
With a score of 95.575 out of a total 100 possible points, the Norwalk High School Marching Band paraded to victory, placing first in the U.S. Bands National Championships at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. More than 180 students competed against other schools, including Southington and Trumbull to win the Class VI Open title. The Marching Band also placed first in the U.S. Bands New England States and New England Regional competitions this year.
Congrats to all of the marching band students, staff, and parents for all of the hard work and dedication this season!
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Saturday, December 1
, Annual Norwalk River Fun Run,
10am, Seaview Avenue @ Vets Park
Tuesday, December 4
, Policy Committee Meeting, 5:45-7pm, Room 333
Tuesday, December 4
, Board Workshop, 7-9pm, Common Council Chambers
Thursday, December 6
, 90 Minute Early Dismissal, All Schools
Thursday, December 13,
90 Minute Early Dismissal, All Schools
Thursday, December 13
, Finance Committee Meeting, 6-7pm, Room 333
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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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