Norwalk Public Schools News & Information
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GPA & Class Rank Parent & Student Focus Groups
School districts across the country have been rethinking their approach to traditional class ranks and Grade Point Averages (GPAs). As NPS continues to evolve academic programs to offer greater choice and more rigor, the Board of Education is considering recommendations on how GPAs are calculated and whether class ranks are still relevant.
NPS invites Norwalk parents and students to attend focus groups on high school GPA and class rank on October 16 at Norwalk High School and October 17 at Brien McMahon High School from 6-7:30pm. To
RSVP
for these events
click here
.
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High School Specialized Programs Hold Open Houses
The Center for Global Studies (CGS) at Brien McMahon High School, International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program at Brien McMahon High School, and Norwalk Early College Academy (NECA) at Norwalk High School will each hold separate open houses for prospective students and families interested in learning more about specialized NPS programs. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet currently enrolled students and ask them questions, listen to an overview, learn about each program’s unique curriculum and take a tour.
The Center for Global Studies
is an interdistrict magnet school committed to preparing students to become citizens of our global society. Students learn Arabic, Chinese, or Japanese, study the cultures and history of Asia or the Middle East, read literature from around the world, and travel on study tours to broaden their understanding of the world. To view the CGS open house flyer
click here
.
The Brien McMahon High School International Baccalaureate (IB) program is a rigorous and comprehensive two-year pre-university course of study based on curriculum used in schools around the world. IB diplomas often have a positive impact on college acceptance rates. In coming years, students will have the opportunity to graduate with IB diplomas. To view the IB open house flyer
click here
.
NECA
, the state’s first grade 9-14 early college program, was established in 2014 by IBM, Norwalk Community College and Norwalk Public Schools. NECA students simultaneously earn a high school diploma from Norwalk High School and a tuition-free associate degree from Norwalk Community College. They finish college without debt and with the skills to compete in well-paying technology fields or to continue their education. To view the NECA open house flyer
click here
.
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Q&A with Lori Leibowitz, NPS Gifted & Talented Coordinator
Please share a little bit about your background.
I earned a bachelor’s degree in history from George Washington University in D.C., and received my master’s degree in education and administrative certificate through Sacred Heart University. For the past 20 years I have worked at Greenwich Public Schools, having started as a classroom teacher. I became the advanced learning program teacher and coordinator at the building level and was an administrator for the Greenwich ESY summer school program.
What led you to join NPS?
I heard about the Gifted & Talented (GT) redesign efforts at NPS and loved the partnership with the University of Connecticut. NPS is piloting a school enrichment model designed around a program developed by the
Renzulli Center for Creativity, Gifted Education, and Talent Development
through the University of Connecticut NEAG School of Education. The Renzulli model is a talent development model where we provide children with enrichment opportunities to help grow gifted potential. I am passionate and excited to see SEM at work in the NPS.
How are students chosen for GT?
There is not one data point that we look at for identification, this is a multi-level approach. We want to be more inclusive, and not just look at achievement, but at potential as well.
During June of 2017, we transitioned to the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT3) for re-assessment of selected students in grades 4-8. In September we screened all of our third graders and now we will begin the process of collecting other data so that we can look at each child’s learning portfolio. Students currently in the GT program will continue to receive pull out services by the GT teacher with a more student-centered approach. The students are driving the learning. They are asking questions like “why are we learning this?” and “what do we want to do with this now?”
Starting this spring, we will screen all second grade students with the NNAT3. Teachers will complete gifted characteristic rating scales and we will look at student portfolios. A committee of GT specialists will help identify our student talent pool. We are looking at the whole child; we are not looking just at test scores. In the spring, parents may nominate their child by completing a parent questionnaire. Teacher nominations will be accepted twice yearly.
Tell us about the Gifted & Talented pilots that are being implemented this year.
We have two elementary pilot schools this year, Tracey and Cranbury. Students are clustered within the general education classroom so that the GT teacher can co-teach with the general education teachers, differentiate lessons, and assure access to enrichment in the curriculum. In addition, the GT teacher may work with small groups of students, typically referred to as a GT pull-out enrichment, providing coaching for students to complete passion projects based on their interests. If students are interested in architecture, they will look at the history and background while engaging research skills. Students then have the opportunity to develop a project for an authentic audience. In this case, students might present their findings to an architecture board or the Planning and Zoning Board for the City of Norwalk. This is a way of looking at real world problems and providing solutions.
Another component of the Renzulli model is enrichment clusters. Every child at the school will have the opportunity to participate in two to three cycles of enrichment clusters. The students get to choose their preferred topics and are guided to explore their interests during the school day. Tracey is rolling out enrichment clusters across the school including topics such as “Nature in Norwalk,” “Fantastic Fitness Friends,” “Neighborly In Action,” “Growing Green Thumbs,” “Meditation And Mindfulness,” and “Love Your Selfie.” We are giving students the opportunities to creatively problem-solve while developing skills and talent.
NPS has included national competitions as one of its strategic goals for the year. What is the role that the GT department plays in this?
Throughout the year, NPS students participate in a variety of academic competitions. The GT department is excited to coordinate the school-based Invention Convention this year. In 2017-2018, 57 students competed in the regional competition, 31 students went on to the state competition and 5 elementary students advanced to the Nationals. We are looking to increase participation this year through a district-wide effort. In the middle schools, we are also coordinating Connecticut History Day in the spring. We are looking to also bring more of a coordinated effort regarding Odyssey of the Mind, a creative problem-solving program, to Norwalk. We are looking for parents to volunteer and coach. If anyone is interested, please contact me!
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NPS Honored At CT Dual Language Education Symposium
The first annual CT Dual Language Education Symposium was held at the UConn School of Law campus in Hartford this past summer. It was a half-day symposium designed to celebrate the successes of existing dual language programs, brainstorm challenges and solutions for expanding dual language education in the state, and promote awareness of resources to support dual language program implementation. NPS Superintendent Dr. Adamowski was an invited guest and was awarded for his leadership and advocacy of dual language programming in the district. Elizabeth Chahine, Silvermine
Dual Language Magnet School
principal, served on a panel alongside several superintendents and school leaders from the New Haven, New London, and Windham Public Schools to discuss the problems and promises of two-way immersion programs in a Q&A format.
Silvermine provides a high quality academic program that challenges students to reach their full potential, while creating a unique opportunity for students to realize the benefits of being bilingual, biliterate and bicultural through a robust dual language program. Congrats to Dr. Adamowski and the Silvermine team!
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Improving Educational Outcomes For All NPS Students
In spring of 2017, NPS formed a Scientific Research-Based Interventions (SRBI) committee made up of representatives from a variety of roles including classroom teachers, school leaders, district leaders, and specialists. SRBI emphasizes that all students receive good core instruction as well as research-based instructional interventions, when appropriate.
There are three tiers of support, which help identify the type of instruction needed based on academic and social/emotional needs:
- Tier 1: Students learn at roughly grade level or above, and are least likely to fall behind or need intervention.
- Tier 2: Students lag behind their peers, demonstrate inadequate progress on screening measures, and require some form of intervention.
- Tier 3: Students lag well behind their peers and demonstrate insufficient progress on screening measures, and require intensive intervention.
In alignment with the
NPS Strategic Operating Plan
, the team is working to develop a well-rounded SRBI handbook outlining the goals and strategies of an effective system. The handbook draft, which was presented during last week’s Board of Education meeting, provides guidance on the district's multi-tiered system of support to address academic, social and emotional needs. The overall goal of SRBI is to increase student success through an effective general education program and to monitor student growth more closely in order for data-driven decision making to be most effective.
The home-school partnership is critical to student success.
Families will be provided with ongoing communication about their child’s progress.
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Norwalk PD To Provide Drug Awareness Information To Middle School Parents
Schools across the country are dealing with a national need to educate students and their families on the effects of illicit drug use, and more recently, vaping. Ponus Ridge Middle School is taking a stand against drugs on November 7 by inviting Norwalk families across the district to an evening event presented by the Norwalk PD and a representative from the Norwalk Health Department. The free one hour presentation will begin at 6pm in the Ponus auditorium. Speakers will talk to attendees about the dangers of drugs, consequences and prevention. Parents and students are encouraged to attend together.
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Curious Cub Lab
Tracey students eagerly worked to build the tallest structure in the room during the grand opening of the brand new Tracey Curious Cub Lab. This design challenge is just one example of the exciting hands-on learning projects that will take place in the new space. Led by Math and Science Instructional Coach John Sincerbeaux and Tracey Principal Theresa Rangel, school officials, parents, teachers and members of the public helped transform the space, which was formerly used as a storage room.
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Parents Explore Enrichment Program By Way Of Marshmallows And Pasta
Tracey and Cranbury parents participated in a Gifted & Talented (GT) orientation, which was held at Cranbury Elementary School last week. Students in Tracey and Cranbury are part of the piloted Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM) where all students have access to Enrichment Clusters as part of the district initiative move to a talent development model. Parents worked as teams to build the tallest free-standing structure using only marshmallows and pasta in an exploratory simulation. The new model encourages students to explore their passions and interests while engaged in real-world problem solving with authentic audiences in mind. Follow NPS Gifted on Twitter for GT updates.
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Norwalk Education Foundation Taste For Education Event
Norwalk Education Foundation is hosting the 11th annual “Taste for Education” fundraiser on Thursday, November 1 from 6-8pm. You are invited to attend an adult evening out to support Norwalk Public Schools. Mingle with friends and neighbors while sampling food from several local restaurants along with wine and beer tastings. Don't forget to stop by the Silent Auction! Proceeds from Taste will fund ongoing Teacher Mini Grants, College and Career Readiness, Classroom Innovation and the third Annual Excellence in Education Dinner. To order tickets
click
here
.
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Fight The Flu This Fall
Influenza viruses typically circulate in the United States annually, most commonly from late fall through early spring. However, there are already diagnosed cases across Connecticut. The Centers for Disease Control recommends annual influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months of age and older every season. Please check with your provider regarding flu shots for your family.
In addition, the Health Department will be open for walk-in hours every Thursday from 1 pm – 3 pm, beginning October 18. These flu shots are covered by most insurances.
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Thursday, October 11
, Facilities Committee Special Meeting, 5:30-6pm, Room 333
Thursday, October 11
, Finance Committee Meeting, 6-7pm, Room 333
Tuesday, October 16
, Curriculum Committee Meeting, 5:30-7pm, Room 322
Tuesday, October 16
, High School GPA & Class Rank Focus Group, 6-7:30pm, Norwalk High School
Wednesday, October 17
, High School GPA & Class Rank Focus Group, 6-7:30pm, Brien McMahon High School
Thursday, October 18
, 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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