Normandy Park School
Week of April 4th
I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! We started the weekend off on Friday with the HSA NPS Movie Night! The students had a great time being with each other and their families.
Monday (4/4) is an D Day.
This is the fourth week of the annual HSA NPS Reading Challenge. Additional reading logs are available online or in the library (additional information below). Reading logs must be submitted by Wednesday (4/6).
This week, we are to be happy to be holding the NPS lottery to welcome new Kindergarten families for the 2022-2023 school year!
School will be closed next week for Spring Break (4/11 to 4/15). For those who celebrate Ramadan, Passover or Easter, I wish you a happy holiday. I hope that everyone has a wonderful and relaxing Spring Break!
Please continue answering the following the questions on the Daily Student Screening before your child leaves for school each morning. Please inform our school nurse (marybeth.supple@msdk12.net) if your child tested positive for COVID-19, has been in close contact with anyone who tested positive for COVID-19, or exhibits any symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
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.
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.
4/3/22 Helping your child problem solve
When your child struggles to do something or has big emotions do you rush in to help? Given how difficult these last couple of years have been, it is not uncommon for parents to want to step in and fix everything. Most parents, including me as a parent, don’t want to see our children struggle too much and often try to come to our children’s rescue. However, rescuing them often creates a dependence and does not allow them to learn confidence and problem solving skills that will carry them through their life.
The Family Institute at Northwestern University produced a video that has great concrete examples of how one mother responds to her son’s situation so that he feels seen and heard (although the narrator might sound a bit dry). With her guidance, he eventually comes up with some problem solving ideas on his own . One important idea is taking a breath and collecting your thoughts so you can craft a response to a demand your child might ask of you. Let me know what you think of this video!
Here’s a cute video for the younger children on problem solving from Sesame Street:
For those who celebrate Ramadan, Passover or Easter, wishing you a happy holiday and for everyone I wish you peace, joy and good week.
Do you have a topic you would like to see addressed here in the Counselor Corner? If so please email me at cheryl.cohen@msdk12.net
Stay Awesome!
MPAC Reader's Theater Cultural Arts Residency (for Intermediate 2/3 students)
During March, NPS is hosting the MPAC Readers Theater program for our Intermediate (2/3) students. They meet approximately 2 time per week. Thus far, student have been having a great time!
2/3 Classrooms will be performing for their families on April 20th at NPS! Time of performance will vary by classroom. More information to come soon!
Sessions are lead by a professional instructor. Students will focus on reader’s theatre shared storytelling that is aligned with school curriculum.
The residency focuses on:
- Storytelling thru:
- Reading Comprehension-Students will use their reading and speaking skills to understand a short story, characters, relationships & objectives
- Movement & Interpretation- Focusing on movements & gestures student will learn to speak with their entire bodies.
- Speaking Out Loud: Learning to project their voices, students will bring characters from stories to life using different emotions and speaking with confidence in front of others.
Message from the HSA:
MONTHLY NPS FAMILY WALKS
- April 10th 11:30am - Giralda Farms
- May 7th - 9am - Morristown Blue Trail Outer Loop
For this upcoming walk, the start location will come out on this Wednesday’s HSA newsletter or you can email Sara at NPSHSAVolunteering@gmail.com.
We hope you’ll join us to get outdoors, exercise, and spend time with our Community!
The primary goals of the walk are:
To gain physical and mental health benefits from exercising and being outdoors.
To safely connect with and chat with other members of our school community.
NPS School students & parents will meet once a month for a fun walk exploring different parts of our community (attend one or attend all). From there we will walk (or scooter) the intended path and you can stop and talk with friends along the way. Each trail is about 1 hour to 1.5 hours. More details on the exact path will be sent out closer to the date. No rain date.
Feel free to bring a blanket and snacks!
Any questions please feel free to contact Sara at npshsavolunteering@gmail.com
NPS Color Run- Save the Date!
Normandy Park School: 5th Annual Reading Challenge
We are excited to announce our 5th Annual Reading Challenge. We hope that all students will participate in this fun activity designed to have everyone “Shoot for the Stars” in reading this year!
How to Participate!
- READ!! Children’s eligible reading will begin on Wednesday, March 16th and end on Wednesday, April 6th. Your child’s reading should be appropriate for reading ability, grade level and length. Books may be fiction or non-fiction but should be books that your child reads within the program dates and has not read before. Books being read for a class assignment count! Your child may read independently or be read to. Books from home, school or public libraries or any other source are fine for the program.
- LOG! Children will receive tally sheets to keep track of their reading. They will need to complete 2 logs to successfully complete the challenge. Return the tally sheets to the library or you can submit forms online here. IF YOU SUBMIT ONLINE – YOU DO NOT NEED TO SEND IN THE PAPER COPY! Students can pick up new log sheets at the library or at the front office.
Remember:
- ENJOY THE JOURNEY! Each participating student will have a shooting star on our big hallway display near the front office.
- EVERYBODY WINS! Any student that successfully completes the challenge will receive “Scholastic Bucks” to buy something at the NPS Scholastic Book Fair at the end of April.
- QUESTIONS? Any questions, please reach out to Angela Finlay at akfinlay13@gmail.com.
“Reach for the stars, you just might become one!”
FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT AT NPS
Volunteers Still Needed
Join us to create a massive mural that will transform our school from April 11 to April 27! There will be something for everyone!
NO ARTISTIC SKILLS NEEDED! - Our artist, Caren Frost Olmsted, will be essentially drawing out a huge coloring book—and we get to paint it in!
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SIGN UP FOR MULTIPLE SLOTS! -
We need all hands-on deck! If you cannot make an entire morning or afternoon
slot, but can make part, please come! CLICK TO SIGN UP - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F45AFAA28A5F8C25-march
Thank you so much for your time and willingness to volunteer!
¡ NO HABILIDADES ARTÍSTICAS NECESARIAS! - Nuestra artista, Caren Frost Olmsted, estará básicamente dibujando un libro de colorear enorme — ¡y podremos pintarlo!
POR FAVOR SIENTANSE EN LIBERTAD DE INSCRIBIRSE EN LOS MÚLTIPLE HORARIOS DISPONIBLES! - ¡Necesitamos todas las manos a la obra! Si no pueden participar una horario disponible entero en mañana o en la tarde, pero pueden participar parte, ¡por favor venagan!Haga clic para registrarse - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F45AFAA28A5F8C25-march
¡Muchas gracias por su tiempo y su interés de ser voluntario!
Parent Volunteers (Updated Guidelines)
Morris School District has been in contact with our Local Health Department with regards to guidance on volunteers within our buildings. Due to a reduction in the number of COVID cases in our area, we have been advised that we can change our volunteer procedures.
MSD will allow volunteers as long as they meet one of the following clearance criteria:
The volunteer is willing to disclose their vaccination status to the school. As a reminder, an individual is considered vaccinated two weeks or more after they have received the second dose of a two-dose series, or two weeks or more after a single-dose series vaccine. For volunteering purposes the booster is not required.
If the volunteer is not willing to disclose their vaccination status to the school building, the volunteer is required to show proof of a lab confirmed PCR negative COVID test 48 hours prior to the time they are scheduled to volunteer within the building.
As a reminder continue to monitor your symptoms and if you develop symptoms please stay home and alert the school you will not be coming in.
Please submit proof of vaccination or negative PCR test results to christopher.miller@msdk12.net prior to showing up to volunteer. Thank you!
School Store
Spring Break Ideas
Here are few ideas for students and families over the break:
- Plan a family game night. Whether it's their favorite board game or something from your childhood, spending the evening playing games is always fun!
- Read outdoors. This can be either outside at home, a park, or your favorite outdoor location. You can put down a blanket in the grass and take turns reading to each other. Wherever you are, it's always good to share your love of reading with your children!
- Take a hike. You can join the NPS HSA on April 10th at Giralda Farms or plan your own family hike! For additional information on hiking in Morris County, you can visit the Morris Tourism website by clicking here. Also, consider visiting Loantaka Brook Reservation for hiking or family bike-riding!
- Plan a day trip. There are many exciting places nearby to visit. You can go fishing, play mini-golf, visit a zoo, or take a drive to a scenic park!
There are many things to do over the break! Most importantly, we encourage students to relax, recharge, and spend time with family and friends!
MSD Guidelines: Virtual Instruction for Quarantined Students
Virtual learning will be arranged within two school days (may be provided earlier if possible) of the onset of quarantine. This time frame is necessary for information to be distributed to all the necessary teachers and staff, and then for the teachers to set up Google Meet links and coordinate academic support. However, students can access their Google Classroom or Canvas accounts to check for assignments at any time.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Snacks!
Students will be having snack time during the school day, with all necessary safety measures in place. Please send your child in with a healthy snack.
Breakfast and lunch will be served daily at school. All students will have access to school provided breakfast and lunch (if they choose to receive it).
As students enter the building, they will be able to grab-and-go breakfast if they choose to..
Click here for the MSD March breakfast menu.
Click here for the MSD April breakfast menu.
For lunch, students will be asked at the beginning of the day if they would like to order (providing their choice of either the hot/cold option). Teachers will present the menu choices for the day.
Click here for the MSD March lunch menu.
Click here for the MSD April lunch menu.
Where will students eat lunch?
Students will eat lunch at 6 ft apart (seats facing the same direction). We will utilize classrooms, cafeteria, and lab to accommodate all students at 6ft apart.
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Arrival Procedures: Students are permitted into the building at 8:40 a.m. Students bussed to school will be dropped off in the front of the building.
Drop Offs: Students being dropped off in the morning may enter through the back doors. Please use the drop-off/pick-up line in the back of the building. There is no supervision before 8:40, and children who arrive before that time, will not be permitted to enter the building. A staff member will be at the door between 8:40 and 8:55 a.m. to welcome students. Any student arriving after 8:55 must enter the front of the building and report to the nurse’s office with a parent or guardian to obtain a late pass.
Dismissal Procedures: Dismissal begins at the conclusion of our last period, 3:05 p.m.
All students are encouraged to ride the bus to and from school.
At dismissal, students will be dismissed from the back of the building. When picking up your child, please use the pick-up line. Stay in your vehicle. Teachers will accompany your child to your car.
Pick-Up During the Day:
If a situation arises that requires you to pick your child up during the school day, please use the attached form or call the main office. Students being picked up early are asked to be picked up before 3 p.m. Before leaving, you must sign your child out in the notebook provided in the office. Unless an emergency arises, please refrain from calling the office after 1:30 to make changes to your child’s dismissal.
Communication Between Home and School
- 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).
MSD Preschool
Look Ahead
- March 7th to March 28th: Intermediate Cultural Arts Residency (Reader's Theater with MPAC)
- March 31st: Report Cards Sent Home
- April 1st: HSA Movie Night
- April 11th to April 15th: Spring Break
- May 2nd to May 6th: Health and Wellness Week
- May 4th and 5th: STEAM Day (Tentative)
- May 6th: HSA Color Run
- June 1st: Outdoor Music Concert (K-3 in Morning; 4-5 in Afternoon); Rain Date June 2nd
- June 7th: Primary and Intermediate Field Day
- June 8th: Senior Field Day
- June 9th: Field Day Rain Date
- June 10th: Moving Up Ceremony for 5th Graders and Families
- June 15th: Fifth Grade Fun Day
Tentative Dates for NJSLA State Testing:
ELA and Math:
- May 9th to May 16th: 3rd Grade
- May 17th to May 23rd: 4th and 5th Grade
Science (5th Grade Only)
- April 28th and 29th