Norwin Update - Who Do You Want to Be During COVID-19? Norwin Music Department Earns National Recognition & More

Update from Norwin School District

Superintendent Dr. Jeff Taylor

April 9, 2020

Dear Norwin Families and Community Members,

As we head into the holiday weekend, and as we adjust to news of the Governor's announcement that all schools will be closed for the remainder of the school year, I want to pose this question to us all:

"Norwin...Who Do You Want to Be During COVID-19?"

It is a challenging question.

Regarding this, below is a graphic that dramatically illustrates that we can choose the focal point of our minds during COVID-19: Fear , Learning , or Growth . Each zone has corresponding attitudes and behaviors. Please click here or click on the graphic below to enlarge.

I hope that you strive each day to dwell in the Growth Zone. Admittedly, it is not easy, with all the change and challenges that we've been dealt lately. However, perhaps there is some comfort knowing that we are all in this together, struggling and striving with our friends, neighbors, families, and colleagues.

Please stay safe, healthy and #NorwinStrong! We'll be in touch next week.

Best regards,

Dr. Jeff Taylor

Superintendent

Norwin Music Education Program Receives National Recognition for Second Straight Year

For the second straight year, Norwin School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation.

“This recognition speaks of the pride and tradition that has guided the Norwin music department for decades,” said Dr. Jeff Taylor, Superintendent.

Mr. Brandon Kandrack, incoming Music Department Chair, said the Best Communities for Music Education Award is a point of pride for Norwin students, many of whom put in long hours at rehearsals to hone their craft and perform throughout our community, he said.

Click here to read the announcement.

Norwin Technology Department Distributes More Than 500 Devices for Online Instruction

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

Volunteers from Norwin Christian Church and Calvary Church helped distribute Chromebooks and iPads during several of the days, and Norwin paraprofessionals assisted with the final distribution on Friday, April 3, 2020. The District is grateful for their contributions.

Click here to read an article about this coordinated effort.

Kids' Activity Sheet (Includes Ideas for Teens, Too)

We know this can be a difficult time for employees working remotely with children at home. Please see the enclosed Kids Activity Sheet, courtesy of HUB International, which has links embedded that can take parents to different games and resources.

There are even ideas for teenagers!

Click here for the Kids Activity Sheet.

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.

NEW 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 one time 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.

New Site for Parents, Staff Promotes Mental & Behavioral Health during Pandemic

Click here to see the resources assembled by Norwin psychologists, social worker and behavioral consultant.

Norwin Businesses Support Students During Shutdown

Please click here to view a Google Doc with information from some of our community partners regarding no-cost meals for students.

Do-It-Yourself Cleaning Supplies

Please click here for more information from East Coast Risk Management.

Screen-Free Activities for Families

Please consider these screen-free activities for families.

Public Utility Commission Urges Financially Stressed Consumers to Explore Options

Please click here to learn more.

Internet Options

The Norwin School District realizes that not every family has access to the Internet at home, though some may wish to. Please click here for a collection of resources for families to obtain broadband Internet at their home at low or no cost.