Advanced level art students at NHS have an opportunity to develop an Advanced Placement Portfolio in three art areas of Drawing, 2D Design or 3D Design. Students work in this year-long class creating artwork that reflect their own ideas and skills in a chosen media. Students complete a portfolio with images of their artworks with a written artist statement. The college board receives and scores their submitted portfolio for AP Credit. Students also have the benefit of having a portfolio of artwork that can be used for college admissions and scholarships at the end of the year.

Check out this amazing student work on Twitter @NorwalkArt!

The Student Assistance Program (SAP) offered through  Employee & Family Resource (EFR)  is designed to help students, families, and schools manage the impact a wide variety of personal and family problems can have on student behavior and achievement. Free and confidential services, accessible 24/7 by calling 515.244.6090, include:

• Telephonic consultation for assistance on challenges you or your family may be facing

• Six (6) sessions of In-person counseling at an EFR office location

• Referrals to community resources, if needed

All services can be interpreted to non-English-speaking clients at no additional cost.

When should I call the SAP?

The SAP helps students and their household family members with issues that interfere with your daily activities, happiness, family stability, or overall well-being. Some concerns an SAP counselor can help with include:

• Alcohol and other substance abuse issues

• Conflict, bullying, or violence

• Dating and relationship issues

• Depression and anxiety

• Eating disorders

• Family concerns

• School performance

• Stress

• Trouble with peers

• Anything else that keeps you from reaching your full potential

Who is eligible?

All Norwalk CSD students have free, confidential access to the SAP. All household family members of students are also eligible for services.

Norwalk Families: If your total household income is within the limits listed in the table below, your children may be eligible for either free or reduced-price school meals. If your child/children qualify for free or reduced-price meals, you may also be eligible for food assistance benefits from the State of Iowa, Department of Human Services (DHS). To apply for meal assistance online go to www.schoolcafe.com or you may obtain a paper application by contacting the Nutrition Department at 515-981-9876. You will need your child’s Student ID number to apply.

Once the Nutrition Department has received your application, please allow up to 10 business days for approval of the application. A confirmation letter of approval or denial will be e-mailed or mailed once the application has been reviewed. Families in the Norwalk Community School District, who have already been approved for meal assistance this school year, do NOT need to re-apply at this time to continue receiving meal benefits. If you have questions, please call the Nutrition Department at 515- 981-9876.

The Leader In Me program was instituted to help develop our students into leaders and use the Seven Habits into their daily life. One way of building this student leadership is by teaching the students to give back to their community. A year ago, Edencrest graciously opened their arms to Lakewood allowing classes to visit them on a weekly basis. Students have interacted with the seniors in a variety of activities such as math and reading games, poetry reading, sharing their writings, interviewing, singing, band solos, hands-on crafts, and coloring. Not only has this partnership taught students how to give back to the community, but it’s also taught them to be patient, have empathy, and compassion for our elderly. It has brought many smiles to the seniors at Edencrest as well as our students. The most rewarding part of this experience is when the students say, “When can we go back?”