Normandy Park School
Week of May 16th
I hope that everyone had a wonderful weekend!
Monday (5/16) is an E Day.
Last week, 3rd grade students began NJSLA testing. I commend their hard work, perseverance and effort. 3rd grade NJSLA testing (with the exception of make-up testing) will conclude on Monday (5/16).
4th and 5th grade students will begin testing Tuesday, May 17th, 2022. This week, all 4th and 5th grade students will begin NJSLA-ELA. Next week, 4th/5th grade students will participate in NJSLA-Math (additional information below). If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me directly. Thank you!
On Friday, NPS will host the Color Run! For Color Run FAQ, please click here. We encourage each child to bring a towel with them the day of the event. If you plan to attend, please click here to RSVP.
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.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
In 1978, President Jimmy Carter passed a bill to make the first 10 days of May to be Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Week. In 1992, a bill signed earlier by President George H.W. Bush extended the week to the span the month of May. During May, we celebrate the contributions, influence, and achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Island Americans. We will begin each morning by highlighting the accomplishments and impact of influential Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
Highlight the accomplishments of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders throughout our country's history. Visit the following websites for kid-friendly information to help foster discussions:
Spring Concert- Save the Date!
Update:
Please join us for the Spring Concert! The students have been working extremely hard all year. We are looking forward to showcasing their artistic and musical accomplishments! We will be hosting the concert in our gym. To ensure we can accommodate all families and follow COVID protocols, each student can have 2 guests (i.e. 2 guests per family). K/1 and 2/3 students will perform at both the K/1 and 2/3 concert. If you have a child in both K/1 and 2/3, you can choose which performance to attend.
To RSVP for the concert, please click here.
Date: June 1st
Time:
K-1 at 9:30am
2-3 at 11am
4/5 at 1:30pm
The other day I had two students in my office. Each one blamed the other for the problem and each one denied they had a role in the problem. As I’ve mentioned in previous Counselor Corner news, the adult trying to mediate a siutation (parent/teacher/counselor) want children to own up to their role in a problem. On the surface it sounds easy but think about a time when you as an adult made a mistake or got into an argument with someone and realized you were wrong. Were you quick to say “I’m sorry, I made a mistake”, did you try to change the topic, or did you avoid the person…. Few grown ups find it easy to admit they made a mistake or hurt someone, so how can we expect our little ones, whose brains are still developing, to admit theirs. When confronted about a behavior often children will say they didn’t do it, or shut down and say nothing. I often use the phrase “is it possible….?” “Is it possible you hit your classmate because you were angry they took your things without asking?”. Another question I often ask is “Do you think your behavior (on the bus, in the class, at recess…) was the best it could be?” These kinds of questions allow for productive conversation and allow us to move to the problem solving and restorative piece more quickly.
If you make a mistake, tell your child about it and how you tried to make it better. At home, continue to teach them the coping skills they need to go through life. Instead of saying “did you do this?” or “why did you do this?” help them identify the feelings they might have been having. For example: “It seems like you were really angry that your sister broke your Legos that you worked so hard to build. Instead of screaming at her, what's something else you could have done?” If they don’t have an answer, help them with ideas. Continue to be the amazing role model I know you are all trying to be!
Stay awesome!
--
Cheryl L. Cohen, MSW
School Counselor
NJSLA for Grades 3-5
This week, Grade 3 will complete the last day of Math testing. Grades 4/5 will begin ELA testing on Tuesday. Grades 4/5 will begin Math testing next Monday.
This year, Morris School District is participating in the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA) for grades 3-5 Language Arts and Mathematics (formerly known as PARCC). In addition, students in grade 5 will participate in the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment - Science (NJSLA-S).
The NJSLA is aligned completely with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards and NJSLA-S is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). In the Morris School District, we have been committed to implementing the New Jersey Student Learning Standards and NGSS through our updated curriculum and outstanding instructional techniques. We are confident that Morris School District students have the tools to be successful on the NJSLA and the NJSLA-S.
Test schedules vary from school to school in order to meet the needs of the students and to create as little disruption to the regular school schedule as possible. Normandy Park School students will take the NJSLA and the NJSLA-S according to the following schedule.
ELA and Math:
- May 9th to May 16th: 3rd Grade
- May 17th to May 25th: 4th and 5th Grade
Science (5th Grade Only)
- April 28th and 29th
*Make-up testing will be provided throughout the testing window upon the student's return to school.
The principals and central office staff have been working together in order to make this test administration period as comfortable and successful as possible for your child. We ask that you join us in supporting a relaxed testing environment by doing the following:
Please make sure your child is in school and on time each day. Testing sessions will begin in the morning and we can not allow students to enter the classrooms after the start time.
Taking any test takes energy! We recommend that your child get plenty of sleep and eat a nourishing breakfast on test days.
Encourage your child to do his/her best! Remind your child that there’s nothing to be nervous about. Please remember to ask about the test and congratulate your child on a job well done on each day of testing.
In the Morris School District, we view formal assessment as a “snapshot” of your child’s achievement. State assessments are only one measure of your child’s progress. Teacher observation, results of class assessments and class participation are also measures of your child’s progress and achievement.
Do you want to know what taking the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) is like?
A practice test for each grade and subject is available at NJ Assessments Resource Center.
NPS Color Run- Donate Now!
NEW DATE- Friday, May 20th, 2022
COLOR RUN - DONATE HERE!
Show your support for our students by helping us reach our fundraising goal.
To donate directly online, click here.
If you would like to print out a fundraising sheet and send in a donation (not online) click here.
On May 20th, students will participate in a fun and exciting color run at school to raise money for the HSA to continue providing community events, enriching arts experiences and administrative support for Normandy Park School.
Donations will be accepted through May 18th.
Haga clic aquí para donar a la recaudación de fondos de la NPS Color Run 2022. Muestre su apoyo a nuestros estudiantes ayudándonos a alcanzar nuestra meta de recaudación de fondos. El 6 de mayo participarán en una divertida y emocionante carrera de colores en la escuela para recaudar dinero para que la HSA siga proporcionando eventos comunitarios, experiencias artísticas enriquecedoras y apoyo administrativo para la escuela Normandy Park.
Message from the HSA:
A dance teaching artist from BOLD Arts will take us through the latest trending/internet-inspired dance moves from TikTok and beyond-- and classic moves/dances that have endured -- teaching kid-appropriate routines for kids to dance along with. Come dance and have fun with us!
RSVP required please RSVP HERE: Dance Challenge RSVP
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdw2jrZpG71i30sayumLvrrqK-WRIekR9iTfNTmuvfE2Uy8oQ/viewform
*This event will be rescheduled due to weather. It will now be held on May 31st (after school). Additional details to follow.
School Store
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!
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). Menus are now available directly from the Whitson's site. This will allow for any changes/updates to reflected in the menu (as changes are made).
For the most updated menus, please click here!
- Make sure to click on Normandy Park School!
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).
Look Ahead
- May 26th: 5th Grade Visit to FMS (Updated Date)
- June 1st: Music Concert (K-3 in Morning; 4-5 in Afternoon)
- June 6th: 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
Dates for NJSLA State Testing (revised):
ELA and Math:
- May 9th to May 16th: 3rd Grade
- May 17th to May 25th: 4th and 5th Grade