Norwin SD Update - "Look for the Helpers:" Positive Stories from Our Schools

Update from Norwin School District

Superintendent Dr. Jeff Taylor

March 27, 2020

Dear Norwin Families and Community Members,

Fred Rogers once said, "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me. ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ "

In today's eBlast, I am pleased to share several positive examples of how Norwin’s faculty, staff -- and the greater community – have served as helpers during this challenging time. I hope that you will be inspired by these stories as much as I am.

Also, if you have not already done so, please familiarize yourself with the Google Site created by our Norwin teachers and administrators that was designed to help students and families prepare for online instruction beginning Monday, March 30 ^th . Together We Can!

Stay safe, healthy, and #NorwinStrong.

Best regards,

Dr. Jeff Taylor

Superintendent

Sunset Valley Teacher Parade

To boost morale in the community, Sunset Valley Elementary School teachers decided to hold a parade through the neighborhoods of their students this afternoon. The teachers shared signs, waved to families, and honked their horns to let students and families know how much they are missed. The parade was a tremendous success. Please click the photo to see a video of the parade . Thanks for the boost, Sunset Valley teachers!

Technology Staff and Volunteers Distribute Devices

The Norwin Technology Department coordinated a large-scale project to provide Chromebooks and iPads to Norwin families who indicated that they did not have sufficient technology in their homes to allow for effective online instruction.

The department organized distribution of equipment on Thursday and Friday at Norwin Middle School. The Norwin School District Information Technology Department prepared more than 160 devices for the two-day distribution period.

Special thanks to volunteers from Norwin Christian Church and Calvary Irwin Church, who helped distribute Chromebooks and iPads to students in need. Additionally, a special thank you goes out to the leaders of the Calvary Irwin Church, who provided brand new bags to hold the equipment and paperwork that was distributed. The Department is considering scheduling another distribution day next week.

If you did not complete the survey that was distributed earlier this week and need technology for your child to complete online work, please submit a request to techsupport@norwinsd.org .

Band Instrument Distribution to Students

Several Norwin High School teachers and principals organized a musical instrument distribution Friday to help students to maintain their practicing routines during the extended shutdown.

Because of the shutdown, many students did not have the opportunity to take their instruments home with them, especially large instruments like tubas and cellos. N orwin staff provided a bout three dozen instruments to orchestra and band students, along with music folders of the music they will need to practice .

Hometown High Q Saturday

Seniors Emily Jumba and Tegan Lochner along with junior Lily Jarosz have advanced to the next round of the Hometown High Q competition. Please tune in to watch our students participate in the Hometown High Q at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 28th on KDKA-TV.

Zoom Meetings: A New Fact of Life for Norwin Employees

Norwin teachers, administrators, and other staff have been adjusting to a new reality, and much of that new reality includes working from home and collaborating online to adhere to social distancing.

To show an example of this in practice, here is a Sheridan Terrace Elementary School first grade team collaborating on a Zoom videoconferencing call earlier this week. Thanks to our Norwin teachers and staff who have worked hard to adjust to this transition to online collaboration, and thank you, parents and families, for your patience and flexibility as well during this challenging time.

Upcoming Events

Monday, March 30

First day of online instruction for students (Cycle Day 1)

Tuesday, March 31

Second day of online instruction for students (Cycle Day 2)

Wednesday, April 1

Third day of online instruction for students (Cycle Day 3)

Thursday, April 2

Fourth day of online instruction for students (Cycle Day 4)

Friday, April 3

Fifth day of online instruction for students (Cycle Day 5)

Monday, April 6

Sixth day of online instruction for students (Cycle Day 6)

EVENT Cancellations

Egg Hunt Cancelled

Due to the shutdown, the Norwin Student Council had to cancel its second-annual egg hunt event. There is no make up date and refunds have been issued. Details can be found by clicking here .

Senior Citizens Dinner Cancelled

The 34th-Annual Norwin Student Council Senior Citizen's Dinner has been cancelled. In order to protect everyone involved, no make-up date will be scheduled. Donations that were submitted to the Norwin Student Council for the event will be returned at some point when normal school operations resume.

We know that this is disappointing news, and the Norwin Student Council was looking forward to serving the Norwin Community in the Senior Citizen's Dinner, but we hope to provide even better opportunities when things return to a sense of normalcy. We thank you for your support, and know that we can all come together #ForTheCastle!

Details can be found on the Student Council webpage .

Resources

Preparing for Online Instruction

Online Learning Resources for Families, a new Google site, has been created as a comprehensive site to help Norwin families prepare for online learning.

Norwin School District Daily Attendance Form

Beginning on March 30, 2020, and continuing each day during online instruction, families will be asked to complete a daily attendance form for each child in the family. The link to the attendance form will be included on the STREAM on each Google Classroom and can also be found here. We appreciate your assistance in completing this form for each child daily so that attendance can be entered and maintained into Skyward.

Norwin Lunches for Students in the Free and Reduced Lunch Program

Every Monday and Wednesday through the shutdown, the District will serve a bagged lunch from 11am - 1pm from the Norwin High School Auditorium doors (Door No. 6). The lunch program on Mondays will supply enough food for Monday and Tuesday, and the lunch program on Wednesdays will supply enough food for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Screen-Free Activities for Families