Design Credit: Nichole Carroll and Bowen Designs of Norwalk, IA |
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World Class Schools for Our Students |
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Reliable Avenues of Communication
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As we dive into the second month of our 20-21 school year, we continue to find ways to keep our students, parents, families and staff in the know on daily and weekly updates with Norwalk Schools. The Norwalk CSD identifies that good communication is critical, and in this new season of virtual and in-person learning, relaying valuable and timely information is key.
As we know that many families are working through their "new" normal, we realize that navigating through waves of information and communication platforms can be challenging at times. The District would like to highlight some of the specific things we are doing to help identify where the most valuable and accurate information can be found.
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We will continue to use Parent Messenger as our first means of communication when sending critical or important information. Sometimes these messages can have a slight delay in delivery so updates are immediately shared when they apply to our social media feeds on Facebook @norwalkcsd and Twitter @NorwalkSchools.
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Updates are also posted to our website at norwalkschools.org in our News section.
- We utilize Parent Messenger text and voicemail communications for urgent/emergency and time-sensitive information only.
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Any local social media sites not associated with the Norwalk Community School District are not validated forms of accurate information pertaining to Norwalk Schools. We are happy to answer your questions when you contact us directly at the District Office.
Additionally, we know that COVID-19 is impacting our community and district on a daily basis. We will continue to send via email a weekly NCSD COVID-19 Case Counts Communication every Friday to keep parents and families updated on the current COVID case data impacting our District. This information can also be found at norwalkschools.org on our COVID-19 Updates Resources page.
As always, if you feel that you aren't finding the answers to your questions through any of our channels of communication or you have a concern, I invite you to reach out to our District office directly at 515-981-0676 or via email [email protected].
Yours in service,
D.T. Magee,
Superintendent
#WARRIORSTRONG #ONE
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Staff Work Days and Virtual Parent Teacher
Conferences Update
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The Norwalk CSD Board of Directors met Monday evening and made two decisions that NCSD families need to be aware of as the months of October, November, December, and January approach.
On October 12th the Board will be holding a public hearing to hear comments about a proposal to revise the district calendar for this school year. District administrators have asked the Board to approve 4 work days for staff members on October 14, November 11, December 9, and January 15 (View Proposed Calendar Changes for Increased Planning Time For Remote Learning). These additional work days will allow NCSD staff members some additional time to prepare, deep clean facilities, and complete important trainings in order to continue serving students and families at a high level during these extraordinary times. These days will be non-attendance days for all students. Please see the attached documents in order to learn more about the rationale for the work days request and to review the revised calendar proposal. Please direct any questions you may have to Superintendent Magee at [email protected].
The Board also approved a request to hold all first semester parent/teacher conferences in a remote (virtual) environment. More information regarding the process for registering for and participating in these remote parent/teacher conferences will be distributed by each building at a later date.
Please direct any questions you may have about either of these Board decisions to Superintendent Magee at [email protected].
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Norwalk Student English Learners (EL)
by Eric Neessen, Director of Student Services
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Currently, there are 44 EL students enrolled in the district who represent seven different world languages. The district has one designated teacher, Mrs. Kanost, who serves these students. Such services include instruction in English speaking, listening, reading and writing for our students and providing more professional development in this area for our staff.
The ongoing challenge in serving our EL students is not knowing how many EL students will be moving into the district and who may need mild services to much more intensive services. We are continuing to take steps to reduce the educational barriers our English Learners (EL) face each day.
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In the past we have gone on numerous field trips as well as have community visitors. We are trying to find ways to continue to build relationships with community members and especially with Art Force.
We have received numerous donations from Women of Norwalk, the AMOS group, and the Rotary club. We are so thankful for their help during this difficult time when providing food, water bottles, jackets, and gloves for our students.
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Here's a quick look back at Homecoming 2020
From dress up days, to senior nights, to activities and athletic events, and a special community pep rally...Warriors found ways to celebrate HOCO 2020 in style!
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NHS Students Selected as National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists |
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Congratulations to Emma Soukup and Adam Serck for being named as National Merit Semifinalists! These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $30 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition.
For more information about the National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists, CLICK HERE
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NHS Student Receives ProStart Certificate of Achievement |
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Congratulations to Jada Castillo for being the first NHS student to receive the ProStart Certificate of Achievement! Students who have completed the requirements of the ProStart program are awarded an industry-recognized certificate, the ProStart National Certificate of Achievement.
Students who receive the certificate are eligible for NRAEF scholarship opportunities and course credits at some of the country's leading hospitality and culinary arts colleges and universities.
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Nutrition & Wellness Update |
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Flu Shot Clinics
A drive through flu shot clinic will be available Wednesday, Oct. 7th for staff, students, and parents from 2pm-5pm at the Orchard Hills Elementary parking lot.
Please note the following details for the drive through clinic. You will have the option of staying in your car for the immunization or to get out of your car if needed for younger children.
- For younger children there will be chairs set up under a tent so parents and the child can get out of the car for easier access to the immunization site.
- Please have your children wear short sleeves under their coats and/or sweatpants for younger children.
- All families will stay in their vehicles while waiting.
- Masks are required except for children 2 yrs of age and younger.
NOTE: Participants will need to have flu shot consent forms filled out ahead of time. We recommend filling these forms out before arriving at the clinic. Having a copy of your insurance card will also be helpful.
On Friday, Oct. 16th, there will be a flu shot clinic for secondary staff and students 2pm-5pm @ the HS library (pre-reserved scheduled times to reduce people waiting and ensure social distancing)
NOTE: THIS IS ONLY FOR SECONDARY STAFF AND STUDENTS NOT FAMILY MEMBERS OF STAFF. STUDENTS MUST HAVE ALL FORMS FILLED OUT (ATTACHED) AND SIGNED BY PARENTS AHEAD OF TIME. THEY WILL BE CALLED TO THE OFFICE AND ESCORTED TO THE CLINIC BY THE SCHOOL NURSE OR MEET THE SCHOOL NURSE AT THE CLINIC.
NOTE: Participants will need to have flu shot consent forms filled out ahead of time. We recommend filling these forms out before arriving at the clinic. Having a copy of your insurance card will also be helpful.
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NCSD Social Media Survey - RESULTS ARE IN!
by Tiffany Redman, Communications Coordinator
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Hello Warriors!
Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete last month's Social Media Survey! Your input and feedback is critical to the District's communication efforts and helps us better understand what methods are most effective and timely with our distribution of information.
Linked below are snapshots of the survey generated chart results that we received. Additionally, we received many comments and recommendations that we are currently going through now in more detail. We will use this information to tweak our upcoming communication efforts as we navigate the remainder of the school year. Below are some of the key items we pulled from our survey results:
- First and foremost, email is the preferred way to communicate critical information to parents and families with social media being the secondary means of communication.
- Social media is very popular amongst our parents and students when finding information. Out of 256 participants, all but 11 of our participants had at least one social media platform that they use.
- Facebook overall is the preferred social media platform among our participants.
- Instagram was selected as the least used platform which holds true as we use this platform only for celebratory or community event information.
- Women were 85% of our survey participants.
- Adults ages 35-44 made up 50% of our survey participants.
If you have any specific questions about these survey results, please reach out to [email protected].
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NCSD Career Opportunities
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Wifi Access Available for Chromebooks
The Norwalk Community School District is offering free wifi availability for school Chromebooks only, in the NHS west parking lot, stadium, and Middle School parking lot. Wifi access is also available in the McAninch parking lot, the Norwalk Easter Public Library parking lot, Billy O. Phillips Park, and the public swimming pool.
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Upcoming Events & Activities |
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District Calendar
View Upcoming Student Programs:
Family & Community Resources:
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The Women of Norwalk (WON) are collecting individually wrapped, nonperishable, healthy snacks to provide to the Norwalk schools. For more information, visit the Women of Norwalk Facebook page! facebook.com/WomenofNorwalk/
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