
Normandy Park School
Week of January 27th
January 27th is an F Day.
I hope that everyone had a wonderful weekend!
Starting this week from January 28th to February 6th, we will be having a “Souper Bowl” food drive to benefit the Interfaith Food Pantry, which in turn helps feed our hungry community. We will have bins inside the school by the front door. Each bin will be labeled as one of the two Super Bowl teams. Vote for your favorite Super Bowl team by dropping off non perishable items in either of the boxes. All donated food will be counted on February 6th. We will compare which team brought in the most food. Either way it’s a win-win for all! We look forward to seeing what teams our NPS families will be rooting for!!
Lovey's Pizza & Grill and HSA are Partnering for a Fundraiser on Tuesday, 1/28
Put a reminder on your calendar NOT to make dinner (or lunch) on Tuesday, 1/28! Lovey's will donate 10% of all sales to our school-- online, walk-in, phone, delivery, pick-up... it's totally your choice! No special codes, no need to mention NPS HSA; every purchase during the day will automatically be applied to our total sales!
Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions at christopher.miller@msdk12.net. Have a great week!
Christopher Miller
Principal, Normandy Park School
Upcoming MPAC Cultural Arts Residency
This month a professional artist/instructor from the Mayo Performing Arts Center will lead students through a 10-session historical drama program culminating in a final stage performance.
These residencies offer a fantastic opportunity for students to explore American history and folktales through theater, develop performance skills, and build confidence!
Final Performance Dates (REVISED TIMES):
February 5th- Intermediate
- 11:15am (Doors open at 11am)
February 7th- Seniors
- 11:15am (Doors open at 11am)
February 11th- Primary
- 10:45am (Doors open at 10:30)
*If dates change due to inclement weather, you will be notified as soon as possible
Thank you to the NPS Home and School Association (HSA) and Morris Educational Foundation (MEF) for their support in funding this cultural arts program.
This cultural arts residency program was partially funded from a 3,000 dollar cultural arts grant from the Morris Educational Foundation (MEF). Thank you for your ongoing support!
The MEF's consistent dedication to funding for high quality cultural art programming helps provide NPS students with access to amazing cultural arts experiences!
iReady Diagnostic
This week, we will continue to adminster the i-Ready® Diagnostic assessment. i-Ready Diagnostic helps teachers to effectively assess their students and then provide individualized instruction based on each student’s unique needs. i-Ready Diagnostic assesses the following skill areas:
Reading
• Phonological Awareness
• Phonics
• High-Frequency Words
• Vocabulary
• Comprehension
Math
• Number and Operations
• Algebra and Algebraic Thinking
• Measurement and Data
• Geometry
i-Ready Diagnostic begins by giving students an adaptive assessment in reading and math. An adaptive assessment is a test that automatically adjusts the difficulty of the questions according to each student’s performance in order to determine his or her abilities in reading or math. i-Ready is a very different kind of test that presents students with questions that can be both too easy and too hard. It is designed to do this until the assessment finds exactly the level at which the student is performing. Therefore, your child will certainly see some items above his or her level. Your child will be encouraged to independently complete the test to the best of his or her ability, and know that it is okay to get questions wrong.
Each time a student gets an item incorrect, he or she will be presented with a simpler question until the diagnostic finds the grade level at which the student is performing. The assessment efficiently assesses students across multiple grade levels, allowing for identification of root causes of students’ struggles or for identification of areas where a student is ready for further challenge. This information will then provide the teacher with a “road map” to instructional remediation.
Once your child completes the test, he or she will be assigned online instruction to support his or her progress in mastering each skill. i-Ready Diagnostic supports the teachers and administrators at your child’s school. The program provides a series of comprehensive reports designed to make classroom instruction more effective. These reports include data about student performance as well as detailed teaching suggestions. They help educators make informed decisions about the instruction that is right for your child.
Should you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or your child’s teacher. For more information on i-Ready Diagnostic, please visit the Morris School District website: www.morrisschooldistrict.org
Student Spotlight
NPS Student William Blanche qualified to swim in the State Championships for backstroke next month in Ocean County. Congratulations William!
If you have any great news about a student that you would like to share, please e-mail me directly at christopher.miller@msdk12.net & we can feature them in the next Student Spotlight!
Healthy Habits: Start the New Year Strong!
Wash Your Hands
The best way to stop the spread of germs is to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Don’t forget to wash after using the restroom, before eating, and after coughing or sneezing!Drink Water, Stay Hydrated!
Water helps your body stay energized and focused. Be sure to carry a reusable water bottle and drink water throughout the day.Get Enough Sleep
Keep screens out of the bedrooms. Elementary school students need 9-12 hours of sleep each night. Rest helps your brain stay sharp and your body stay strong.Eat Healthy Snacks and Meals
Healthy snacks, like fruit, veggies, and proteins, keep your energy levels up. Let's try to avoid too many sugary treats that can cause energy crashes.
Flu Season Tips
Flu season is just around the corner. Here are some tips to help protect yourself:
Get Your Flu Shot: The flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and those around you.
Cover Your Cough or Sneeze: Use a tissue or the inside of your elbow to cover your mouth and nose.
Stay Home if You’re Sick: If you have a fever or feel sick, stay home to rest and recover. It's also important to avoid spreading germs to your friends.
Important Health Office Information
- Reminder for 5th graders:: Make sure you have submitted documentation of Menactra and Tdap Vaccinations, it is required to receive a schedule for fall classes at Frelinghuysen.
- Medications: The nurse cannot give any medication, (even Tylenol) to a student without a doctor's order. Students cannot carry medications, self-administration of medication is a privilege granted to students whose parents and physicians have authorized it.
- When to keep your child home: Fever: Children should be fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications (Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, etc.) before being sent back to school. If sent home from school with a fever, the 24 hour rule applies. Diarrhea/Vomiting: The child should remain home until there are no further episodes of diarrhea/vomiting x 24 hrs. Drainage from nose/ears/eyes: It is not uncommon for children to have runny noses but if the discharge is thick, yellow, green, excessive or uncontrollable the child should be examined by their physician.
- Any absence longer than 3 days requires a doctor's note
Health & Wellness Week Coming Soon!
Mark your calendars! Our annual Health & Wellness Week is just around the corner. We'll be having fun activities to teach everyone about staying healthy, including:
Yoga and stretching sessions
Healthy snack challenges
Fun fitness exercises
Stay tuned for more details—let’s get moving!
Nurse's Corner: Fun Facts!
Did you know?
Your body has more than 650 muscles! That’s a lot to keep you moving and grooving!
Your heart beats about 100,000 times a day! That’s some serious work!
A sneeze can travel up to 100 miles per hour! Be sure to cover your mouth!
Get in Touch!
Have a health-related question or concern? Feel free to reach out to the nurse’s office
Nurse’s Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:40 AM - 3:20 PM
Phone: 973-889-7960 x 6152
Email: Francesca Ecker
We’re always happy to help keep your child safe, healthy, and ready to learn!
Stay healthy, Normandy Park!
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!
HSA Clubs Start This Week!
HSA Winter Clubs continue this week!
For more information click here!
Save the Date:
Lovey's Pizza & Grill and HSA are Partnering for a Fundraiser on Tuesday, 1/28
Put a reminder on your calendar NOT to make dinner (or lunch) on Tuesday, 1/28! Lovey's will donate 10% of all sales to our school-- online, walk-in, phone, delivery, pick-up... it's totally your choice! No special codes, no need to mention NPS HSA; every purchase during the day will automatically be applied to our total sales!
Today I’d like to address the topic of empathy. Empathy is a way of understanding how someone else is feeling. We often use the phrase “walking in someone else’s shoes”. Empathy is being aware of a person’s body language and tone of voice to understand what they might be thinking or feeling. Our students received a lesson this week from our Counseling team on Conflict Resolution and understanding the point of view of another. Asking a person how they are feeling is another way to understand what is going on.
As parents, when our children are sad or hurt, we often try to jump in and fix the problem.
Instead of using phrases like: “what you need to do is....”, try reflective phrases like “It sounds like you...”, “I hear that you....”, or “you look…..” . Sometimes all we need is to be heard and accepted.
Here is a great video for adults on understanding the difference between empathy and sympathy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZBTYViDPlQ
I love Brene Brown!
Here’s a great video on empathy to share with your children. As always I encourage you to review the video first and be prepared to answer any questions your child(ren) might have.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Itp21tly8nM
So many exciting events are happening at Normandy Park School this month!
Our students created doggie toys for the shelter. Thank you to Mrs. Tulli for putting it together! Some students were cutting the clothes, others sorting and finally others braiding it. It was beautiful to watch our school come together to help create an activity of giving back in honor of Martin Luther King.
This week and the following week, January 28- February 6th, we will be having a “Souper Bowl” food drive to benefit the Interfaith Food Pantry, which in turn helps feed our hungry community. We will have bins inside the school by the front door. Vote for your favorite super bowl team by dropping off non perishable items in either of the boxes. All donated food will be counted on Feb 6th and we will compare which team brought in the most food.
Either way it’s a win-win for all!
We look forward to seeing what teams our NPS families will be rooting for!!
__________________________________________________________
Have a question or concern you want to see featured in the Counselor Corner?
Your School Counselor,
Gloria Hunt
973-889-7960 x6115
And Social Work Interns,
Miss Paige
Miss Hayley
Miss Sarah
Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is fast approaching (2/14/25).
As in past years, students can bring in Valentine's card but no candy treats (per MSD guidelines). Cards must be every child in the classroom.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out!
Breakfast and Lunch
For interactive menus, as well as nutrition and allergen information, please click here.
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.
In addition to meals, students can purchase snacks with money on their card and/or cash. If you would not like your child to purchase snacks or have a limit on what days they can purchase snacks, please contact the Food Services director, Shannon Burton <shannon.burton@msdk12.net>, and they can indicate this information on your child's account.
APPLYING FOR FREE & REDUCED LUNCH
Applications are available through PaySchools. Once you create your account, the Free & Reduced Application will be available to complete online. Students who qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch, also qualify for free/reduced breakfast.
Please note that you do not have to print out the application if you complete it online; it will be electronically sent to the Board Office once completed. You may also complete an application using a computer in the main office of your child's school or request a paper application.
Applications are available through PaySchools. Click the link to create your PaySchool account (ENG or ESP)
If you do not qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch, please follow these procedures for purchasing school breakfast or lunch:
- Backpack an envelope with your child's name on it, marked "Food Services.
- Include your child's name in the memo line of your check.
- You may prepay for multiple breakfasts or lunches with one check or lump sum of money, which will then be deposited onto your child's food services account.
- Payment may also be made online ( (ENG or ESP); a small fee will be charged with each transaction. This is a secure and convenient way to make payments and keep your account up to date.
- Payment may be made in cash or check (payable to "Morris School District"
MEAL PRICING:
***Meal Prices for School Year 2024-2025***
Elementary Breakfast
$1.75
Elementary Lunch
$3.25
Reduced Price Breakfast
$0.00
Reduced Price Lunch
$0.00
Milk
$0.75
Find Out What’s Happening in The District Newsletter Fall 2024 Edition
As families and staff prepare for the new school year, the Morris Educational Foundation invites you to take a look back at all the amazing highlights from the 2023-2024 school year in The District Newsletter.
The joint publication from the Morris School District, Morris Educational Foundation and Colonial Nation features:
- District athletic highlights
- Extracurricular achievements across all schools
- The MEF’s impact on academic, enrichment, and social-emotional wellness initiatives
- Plus a save-the-date for Morristown ONSTAGE 2025
The Fall 2024 edition is hot off the press and Morristown, Morris Plains and Morris Township residents can expect to receive their copy in their mailbox this week. View the digital version here>>>
Help Make it a Great Year for All 5,700 Morris School District Students
Welcome to the 2024-25 school year! The Morris Educational Foundation is proud to Support Every Student Every Day. While the Morris School District provides the essential tools for quality classroom learning, the MEF supports the extras that elevate learning. From cutting-edge instructional resources to enriching curricular activities, the MEF is committed to helping students not just succeed but excel.
We invite you, our community, to kick off the 2024-25 school year with a gift to launch our students’ education above and beyond the standard curriculum. $1 a day for 180 days adds up to a year of exceptional learning for one student.
Please help us make it the best year yet for each of the 5,700 students in the Morris School District! Let's Support Every Student Every Day and empower them to achieve their fullest potential.
Donate today by clicking here. Together, we can make a difference!
Dismissal Changes
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.
Daily Attendance
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: francesca.ecker@msdk12.net
Students who arrive tardy (after 8:55am) must report immediately to the Health Office upon arrival to school for a late pass
Look Ahead:
February 5th- Intermediate MPAC Residency
February 7th- Senior MPAC Residency
February 10th- 100th Day (Tentative)
February 11th- Primary MPAC Residency
- February 12th- NAEP for Selected 4th Graders
- February 18th- ACCESS Testing Starts for ELLs (K-5)
Click here to view Morris School District (MSD) 2024-2025 School calendar.
NJSLA
NJSLA State Testing for Grades 3-5 will begin at the end of April. The tentative schedule is as follows (*if there are changes in the schedule, they will be communicated/posted as soon as they are made on this document):
Dates for NJSLA State Testing:
ELA:
- April 29th, April 30th: 4th and 5th Grade
- May 5th, May 6th: 3rd Grade
Math:
- May 13th to May 15th: 4th and 5th Grade
- May 7th to May 9th: 3rd Grade
Science (5th Grade Only)
- May 19th, 20th
Additional Resources
This theme was made possible thanks to a grant from the Morris Educational Foundation (MEF)!