Normandy Park School

I hope that everyone is doing well. Please see the attached letter regarding a COVID 19 Update at Normandy Park School.

This week, we will be building on the Week Respect with a school-wide focus on race, equity, and inclusion. The theme for the week will be Accepting Me, Accepting You, Accepting All of Us. This is a part of our continued effort as a community to have conversations around race, equity, and inclusion (additional details listed below).

In addition, this week, we will be hosting NPS pumpkin picking. Please see below for additional details/information.

Please note, that MSD will continue to share important information on the Coronavirus Update Center and on our MSD Forward pages.

Please know that I am here to help and support in any way that I can. Feel free to reach out to me directly at christopher.miller@msdk12.net.

This part of the newsletter will have a question or a topic for you to discuss with your child(ren). This can be done on the way to school, on the way to sports practice, before dinner, at bedtime, etc.

Each week there will be a “something to think about” question and a “something to talk about” question. The “something to think about question” is for you as a parent to reflect on for yourself. The “something to talk about” question is for you to discuss with your child. These exercises are meant to stimulate a conversation on race, equity and inclusion in America.

Week Six

Parent Reflection Question: Consider your social network. Do you have a diverse group of friends or do you tend to associate with people who look like you? If you don’t have a diverse group of friends, why do you think this is so?

Sixth Question For Child: Why do you think some people don’t like people who look differently from them? For instance, some people don’t like others whose skin color is different than theirs or who have different religious beliefs or speak a different language.

This week we will be building on the Week Respect with a school-wide focus on race, equity, and inclusion. The theme for the week will be Accepting Me, Accepting You, Accepting All of Us. This is a part of our continued effort as a community to have conversations around race, equity, and inclusion. The activities for the week were designed by a committee of NPS teachers and the school counselor. Each day teachers will facilitate a lesson and/or discussion within the classroom.

Throughout the year, our teachers will continue to foster acceptance and inclusion for all within their instruction. In addition, Ms. Cohen will be following up with monthly lessons to continue and build upon these conversations and topics.

Please reach out to me with any questions at christopher.miller@msdk12.net

Revised 10/15/2020

After further consideration as well as feedback provided from our families, K-5 principals have decided that students can wear Halloween costumes to school if they choose on Friday, October 30th. Students may also wear their school spirit colors. To ensure the health and well being of our school community we ask you to adhere to the following costume guidelines:

1. Students choosing to dress up must wear their costumes to school. Students will not be able to change at any time.

2. No weapons, swords or handheld accessories. Students have enough items to carry.

3. No Halloween masks. Students are required to wear CDC guideline masks as stated in our district's Reopening Plan.

We will continue as planned with our instructional day with fall or Halloween activities embedded in classroom instruction.

NPS will have pumpkins delivered to the school to simulate a pumpkin picking field trip for students. Each student (K-5) will get to bring their own pumpkin home with them! Thank you to the HSA for sponsoring this event, and purchasing pumpkins!

Safety measures will be in place to ensure social distancing. Classes will take turns going outside. While picking pumpkins, students will be wearing masks. Once a pumpkin is selected and picked up by a child, that is his/her pumpkin to take home.

We are planning to do this on October 22nd (Rain date: October 23rd). Currently, the weather looks good for October 22nd!

The NPS School Spirit Store is Officially Open!

Order your NPS spirit wear between now and Friday, October 30th.

All orders will be distributed by the 1st week of December. Great opportunity to shop for holiday gifts! So much to choose from so make sure that you scroll all the way down.

We even have NPS masks and car magnets this year!

Items available include:

Masks • Long Sleeved T-shirts • Tie-Dye T-shirts • Hoodies • Sweatpants • PJ Pants • Shorts • Glitter Hoodies • Magnets

VISIT THE ONLINE STORE TODAY!

https://www.elainesteamwear.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=575

Message from Ms. Cohen:

Dear parents and guardians,

Thank you and your children for your support during the week of respect. It was great to see your children enjoying the daily themes. They did some amazing work!

I will be continuing to host the drop in, optional lunch meetings for students who are attending school virtually. It continues to be a great way for children to connect with each other socially. The schedule is as follows:

Mondays; 4th and 5th grade

Tuesdays: Kindergarten

Wednesdays: 1st grade

Thursdays: 2nd grade

Fridays:3rd grade

On another note, If you feel your child is feeling worried about anything, having difficulty dealing with a parental separation or divorce , feeling lonely, or depressed, please don't hesitate to reach out to me, I can provide individual or small group support. Remember: These are some challenging times but you are not alone. We are all in this together!

Cheryl

cheryl.cohen@msdk12.net

Are you ready to request a library book? Please follow the instructions below:

Log onto the Normandy Park Library catalog:

https://nps-msd.narvi.opalsinfo.net/bin/home

1. Login on the top right hand corner where it says Login

2. Your user name is your six digit code

3. The password is blank

4. Search using title, author or anywhere.

5. Look for the orange request button and then click on it.

6. Put in your email address

Remember if a book is marked as lost, checked out or damaged it is not available! I will bring and pick up books from your classrooms.

In-person students will have books delivered to their classroom. They will return to their teacher upon completion. Virtual learners will pick up their books on the table by the front door. For our remote learners, there will be a table by the front door. Families will have 5 days to pick up their books. There will be a bin for them to put returned books in.

Upon return, books will sit in a bin for 5 days before being shelved or circulated.

Parents are welcome to email me at wendy.gilson@msdk12.net if they have any questions or concerns.

Happy Reading! Mrs. Gilson

Grab & Go meals will be available for all students, who wish to receive them. The Federal Department of Agriculture has extended waivers that will allow MSD to serve ALL students meals for FREE through December 31, 2020.

PreK-5 homeroom teachers will take an account each day of who would like to order a meal; meals will be delivered to classrooms and distributed to students just prior to dismissal.

More information about School Breakfast & Lunch is available on the MSD Forward homepage under "Back to School Resources for Families."

Please see the menu below for meals offered each day:

• If there are changes in your child's dismissal plans (e.g. you are going to pick them up that day, instead of taking the bus), please use the attached form or call the main office.
• For written communication between you and your child's teacher, please utilize Class Dojo and/or e-mail, rather than hand-written letters (when possible).

• November 3rd: No School / Election Day

• November 5th-6th: No School / Teacher Convention