Normandy Park School

Monday, November 7th, is an A Day.

I hope that everyone had a great weekend!

In lieu of parent teacher conferences, I would like to take the time to thank both our teachers and families for their continued hard work and support in promoting student academic and social emotional growth.

Parent teacher conferences will be held this week on November 7th and 9th (early dismissal days). Virtual conferences are available upon request.

Please note that there will be no school on November 8th, 10th, and 11th.

Sincerely,

Christopher Miller

Principal of Normandy Park School

Parent Teacher conferences are a great opportunity to meet with your child's teacher to discuss his/her progress.

During the conference:

• Teacher will share strengths and areas of growth of your child
• Offer your perspective
• Don't be afraid to ask questions (if there is an educational term used that you do not know what it means, feel free to ask)
• Feel free to share additional information about your child (e.g. learning styles, interests outside of school)

If you would like to meet with a specialist teacher (e.g. Art, Music, PE, Science, or Computers/Library), please feel free to reach out to them directly prior to coming into the school. You can also request a virtual conference with a specialist during conference times. Their contact information is listed below:

Art and Enrichment:
maryann.summa@msdk12.net

Science:
robert.russell@msdk12.net

PE:
suzanne.echevarria@msdk12.net

Music:
ariella.schwam@msdk12.net

Library/Computers:
wendy.gilson@msdk12.net

NPS will host 3 concerts this year, one for each grade/unit level. We are excited to invite families in to attend the performance. Additional information listed below:

Date: December 16th

Times:

• 9:15am for Primary Unit (K/1)
• 10:15am for Intermediate Unit (2/3)

• 12:45pm for Senior Unit (4/5)

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me directly at christopher.miller@msdk12.net. Thank you!

November is often seen as a month of gratitude as we look towards Thanksgiving. For many Thanksgiving represents a time to celebrate with families and remind one another what we are grateful for. With that said, it is important to mention that the history of Thanksgiving is often seen as a painful one to the Native American Community. (https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/informational/rethinking-thanksgiving). Conversations around all holidays and what they mean to some and why others may feel differently are all important to have with your child(ren). They become more respectful, understanding citizens of the world.

Which is why it is important to teach gratitude. Gratitude is about showing appreciation. It helps people feel more positive, builds strong relationships and builds empathy. Have your child(ren) notice the reaction they get when they thank someone or do something that is helpful to someone. We often call this “Filling a bucket” or “filling one’s heart”. When you compliment, thank or help someone, they feel good which makes you feel good. They then pass that good feeling along to others. And in today's world who couldn’t use a little extra thanks and positivity?

Here are a couple of things you can do with your child around gratitude: Remind them to say “thank you” wherever you go from the checkout line at the grocery store to the cashier at the clothing store, have them donate clothes they grow out of or toys they no longer use. I used to tell my children that their stuffed animals had a lot of love at home and it’s now time for another child to have that love.

The Big Life Journal has a free 21 day of gratitude challenge. You can check it out at:

https://biglifejournal.com

For young children here is a Sesame Street video about Gratitude: Gratitude

And for older children check out the Rocket Kids Video on Gratitude

Practicing Gratitude (and 10 things I'm grateful for)

And this oldie but really fun video from Kid President: Kid President’s 25 Reasons To Be Thankful!

As always, please review the videos first and be prepared to discuss them with your child(ren).

There are a ton of great books on gratitude available at our local libraries. Here are just a few.

-Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson

-Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig

-The Thank You Book by Mo Willems

-The Grateful Ninja by Mary Nhin

-Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts

Parenting is wonderful but not always easy. If you have any parenting questions or if your children is having any social or emotional struggles, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at cheryl.cohen@msdk12.net

Ms. Cheryl Cohen

School Counselor

973-889-7960 x6115

Click here for November Breakfast and Lunch Menus.

For additional information on MSD Breakfast and Lunch, please click here to visit the district's website.

Students can bring and/or purchase lunch. Free and reduced meals are provided to families who qualify for support. To fill out the Free and Reduced Meals application, please click here.

In November, we will be hosting Normandy Park School’s Kindergarten Information Session for prospective 2023-2024 families. Feel free to invite friends (Morristown or Morris Township residents) to learn more about our multiage program and community.

Date: November 17th, 2022
Time: 6:30pm to 7:30pm

*The session will be conducted virtually. To sign up for the session, please click here.

Click here to visit our Home and School Association website!

Save the Date for Upcoming HSA Events (additional information to be shared):

-Bingo Night on 11/18

-World Cup Watch Party on 11/30

-Share the Magic Raffle Drawing on 12/9

Help us Share the Magic!

Once again, the NPS HSA is looking to our school community to repeat the success of last year's raffle fundraiser. If you have any new, unopened items to donate, services or experiences to offer, please fill out the linked form.

Save the date for the raffle drawing Friday, December 9th. All students will be included in the drawing, regardless of donation!

https://bit.ly/3CgWTMl

Show your NPS pride! Purchase NPS school gear directly from Redbubble with shipment right to your doorstep! A small percentage of profits will be returned to NPS with your purchase!

Create a profile on our NPS HSA Membership Toolkit to enable your participation in the school directory (grade/teacher), sign up to receive the Home and School Association's weekly newsletter, submit club forms, volunteer and more!

Please use the digital blue note form for any dismissal changes. The main office will notify the homeroom teachers of the dismissal change. For absences, continue to contact the school nurse.

If a situation arises that requires you to pick your child up during the school day, a note must be sent to the office specifying the pick-up time. Students being picked up early are asked to be picked up before 2:30 p.m.

• If you know that you child will be tardy or absent from school, it is requested that you notify the nurse in advance. This can be done by phone at 973-889-7960 x 6152. Voicemail is operational 24 hours daily.

• You may also contact her office by email at: marybeth.supple@msdk12.net

• Students who arrive tardy (after 8:55am) must report immediately to the Health Office upon arrival to school for a late pass

• November 15th: Beyond Mariachi Assembly
• November 18th: HSA Bingo Night
• November 23rd: Early Dismissal for Students
• November 24th-25th: School Closed for Thanksgiving
• November 30th: HSA World Cup Watch Party
• December 16th: School Concert (Times vary for each grade/unit)
• December 23rd: Early Dismissal for Students

2022-2023 District Calendar

· Parent Handbook

· District Calendar

· Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

· Free and Reduced Meal Application

· Adding Money to Breakfast/Lunch Account

· Sunset and Sunrise

The Morris Educational Foundation (MEF) is proud to continue its mission of generating and distributing resources to enhance the education of the 5,700 students and 1,000 educators in the Morris School District’s 10 schools. For 30 years, the MEF has and will continue to support our District through vibrant grants, supportive tutoring, enlightening parent education and life-changing scholarship programs. Learn more about how the MEF works to enrich and inspire the academic pursuits of all our students by clicking here. With you, our community, we make exceptional education extraordinary.

Click on this link to view a video about what the MEF does for you!

Any questions, email info@morrisedfoundation.org.