Norris News
January 2024
What's Happening at Norris?
Well, 2024 is a wrap, and as we move into 2025, we’ve got some exciting things on the horizon! But before we dive in, let’s take a moment to reflect on all the amazing things that happened in December...
'Tis the season for giving, and our learners participated in the December Week of Service by making candles for senior residents at LindenGrove.
The Norris School District hosted our 2nd Annual Winter Art Gala at the Mukwonago Community Library. This event gave learners the opportunity to showcase their artistic talents and have their hard work displayed for the community to enjoy. We are incredibly grateful for our ongoing partnership with the Mukwonago Community Library and their continued support of our youth. The library is also offering interactive workshops in their MetaSpace for our younger learners, where they’ll explore creative tools like the Cricut and more.
Looking ahead, we’re thrilled for our upcoming Pinewood Derby! Learners will design, build, and race their own cars, and we can’t wait to see the creativity and competition unfold.
At the end of the month, staff and learners are gearing up for our SUPER AMAZING CHILI COOK-OFF! Teams are already forming, and we’re gathering our ingredients for the perfect chili recipe. Stay tuned to see who will be crowned this year’s champion!
As you can see, we’ve been busy with some exciting, hands-on activities, and we’re eager to tap into even more of our learners' curiosity as we continue to explore new areas of interest in the coming year.
June's Journal
Reminder of Security Protocols and New Policy Update
Metal Detector Screening: All learners will be scanned with a metal detector upon arrival. Any learners who refuses the scan will not be permitted to enter the building, and parents/guardians will be contacted to pick up their child.
Backpacks and Personal Items: We discourage learners from bringing backpacks and personal items to school. If your child must bring a backpack, it will be searched and securely stored in a locked room for the day.
Beverages: No open beverages are allowed on school premises. If you send a drink with your child, please ensure it is sealed.
Money and Trading: Learners should not bring money to school for any reason. We do not permit the buying, selling, or trading of goods.
New Policy on Property Damage:
Due to a significant increase in property damage, particularly the breaking of glass, we are implementing the following policy:
If your child intentionally breaks any glass or causes significant property damage, they will not be allowed to return to school until a restorative conference with a parent takes place. Parents will also receive a bill for any damage caused. We kindly ask that you take a moment to talk with your child about the importance of respecting school property. While we understand that this may be an inconvenience to you as a parent, please know that we have no other option in order to maintain a safe and respectful environment for all learners.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and respectful environment.
A New Adventure Begins: Welcome Our Corn Snake!
As we step into the New Year, we’re excited to kick off some new and thrilling experiences at Norris Academy—including the arrival of our very own pet corn snake on Thursday, January 9th! We wanted to take a moment to share the journey that’s led to this exciting adventure, and what our learners can look forward to as we embark on this hands-on learning opportunity.
Why are we doing this?
This project aims to boost learner engagement in the science space, with a particular focus on igniting interest in zoology and veterinary science. Many of our learners thrive when they can interact with tangible, hands-on experiences, rather than traditional classroom activities. Having live animals in the classroom also fosters the development of important skills such as empathy, responsibility, and attention to care. Plus, let’s be honest—it's fun! Engaging with animals helps bring the science we’re learning to life in an exciting and memorable way.
How did this idea come about?
The idea for this project started after noticing a significant increase in learner engagement whenever live animals were part of the classroom. Over the past two years, we’ve successfully hatched chickens in the spring, and the learners' interest soared when the chicks arrived. The presence of the animals helped me build stronger relationships with the learners, sparking their curiosity about science. This, in turn, led to more active participation in class, which lasted throughout the year. I realized that having live animals could be a great way to sustain that level of engagement.
What’s the plan?
We’ve already purchased all the necessary supplies to create the perfect habitat for our new corn snake. The learners have been involved in setting up the enclosure and checking the temperature and humidity to ensure it’s just right for the snake. This Thursday, we will visit the pet store to bring our new reptilian friend home! Once the snake has settled in, we’ll start handling it regularly to help it get used to human contact. As it grows, we will measure it regularly to track its development and growth.
Feeding Schedule & Recurring ELO Opportunities
Every Tuesday from noon to 1:00 PM, a small group of learners will join me to visit the local pet store, Animal House Pets & Supplies, and purchase a frozen mouse to feed our snake. Interested learners will be scheduled on a rotating basis, giving everyone a chance to participate. Then, each Wednesday around noon, we’ll feed the snake, and any learners who want to watch the feeding process are welcome to join. It's a unique learning opportunity that brings science to life, and we hope it generates even more interest from the learners!
Stay tuned as our new adventure unfolds....
Lab Gab
ELA
ELA learners took time to reflect on the past year, celebrating their favorite moments, key lessons learned, and the challenges they’ve overcome. Looking ahead, they set bold goals for the upcoming year—highlighting what they’re excited to accomplish, what they’ll continue to build on, and what they plan to do differently. View some inspiring samples of learners' reflections below in the section: Through a Leaner's Lens.
Mathematics
Get ready for an exciting adventure in math and Social Studies! We’re kicking off a thrilling unit on ancient Egypt, where we’ll explore the mysteries of the pyramids. We’ll be taking measurements and building our own scale models, all while discovering the fascinating Egyptian methods of calculation! Plus, we’ll dive into the world of hieroglyphics and learn how the ancient Egyptians used symbols to represent numbers.
Science
During the month of December science learners participated in a short unit on Chemistry. Learners investigated different types of matter (elements, compounds, & mixtures) and different types of particles (atoms & molecules). We also investigated trends in the periodic table and performed several different chemical reactions. Moving forward as we start our new framework learners will be exploring human body systems (anatomy & physiology) and the different diseases & disorders that affect body systems. Also, learners have been working hard on preparing our snake habitat. This week we will be going to a local reptile shop and purchasing our new class pet. Stay tuned for exciting developments . . .
Social Studies
In Social Studies, we are currently studying ancient Egyptian culture, agriculture, and landmarks. The learners will be creating models of the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx, as well as writing their names in hieroglyphics. They will also explore the process of mummification.
In the coming weeks, the learners will shift focus to studying the stock market and will have the exciting opportunity to participate in an online stock game.
Orientation
We’re excited to welcome a new group of learners who joined us after the break! It’s been great getting to know them. We’re easing back into things with "Who Am I" interviews and diving deeper into the employability skills portion of the program this month. It’s inspiring to watch learners build relationships and collaborate together.
Library
Our new scheduling framework has provided more access to library resources and has given me the opportunity to spend additional time supporting the work happening in core lab spaces. I’m excited to see how this collaboration and inquiry will evolve in this new iteration.
The Kids Choice Awards, organized by the Bridges Library System, are still underway! If your learner is in grades 4-6 and reads at least three Kids Choice books, they’ll be eligible to vote for their favorite. These books are available at your local library. One of our growth goals for next year is to add the Kids Choice books to our own collection.
Don’t forget to explore our library catalog and digital resources on Destiny Discover!
Pursuit Lab
This month, learners participated in several exciting ELOs (Experiential Learning Opportunities). One of the highlights was a trip to the Mukwonago Public Library. There, learners had the chance to explore the library's many resources, check out books for their ELA labs, and get a sneak peek at the MetaSpace—a creative space we'll be returning to in January.
Another memorable ELO took learners to Valley View Tree Farm, where they discovered the different types of trees used as Christmas trees. They even had the chance to cut down their own tree to bring back to school! Additionally, learners rolled up their sleeves and learned how to create festive wreaths from pine boughs they gathered on the farm.
It was a month full of hands-on learning and fun experiences!
IBL
While December was a short month, there were still lots of engaging IBL activities that learners were able to participate in.
Two learners completed Externships and presented to authentic audiences:
Michael B. completed his Finance Externship at the River's Edge Admin Building. For his culminating project, he investigated whether it would be financially feasible for the Learning Center to merge its food program with the River's Edge lunch program. He then presented his findings to the Norris Board of Education during their monthly board meeting.
Bryson completed his Science Externship at Yerkes Observatory. He presented to an audience of scientists, family members, and Amber and Robert at the observatory. His presentation covered his process of building an intricate solar system model, which included a variety of pieces, gears, and the ability to light up the sun. He also reflected on his successes and the challenges he would need to overcome in future iterations of the model.
In addition, we had sessions of PeaceTracks, D&D character creation, and many other holiday-themed activities.
🟧 The Navigator's Corner
The heat in the auditorium is fixed, allowing us to fully utilize the space with eager learners seeking positive musical interactions. In the coming weeks, I will be offering guitar lessons. We also have a pinewood derby and a chili cook-off on the horizon, as well as an exciting opportunity to make our own snowshoes. I'm thrilled about the new schedule, as it will provide me with more flexibility to work one-on-one with learners and help them dive deeper into their ideas and interests.
Norris Academy Virtual School (NAVS)
As we navigate changes in education, it's important to understand the differences between learning in a conventional classroom and learning online. In a classroom, learners have a set space that is intentionally designed to help them work together, stay engaged, and interact directly with content. Classrooms have tools like smartboards, projectors, supplies and resources for creating a lively and focused place for learning.
On the other hand, online learning can happen anywhere with an internet connection. This flexibility can allow learners to create their own learning environments, or utilize spaces in other locations. If a space is not intentionally designed for learning it can also lead to distractions and the need for greater self-control. Having a well-organized intentional space can help learners focus and be more productive. It’s important for learners to set up a special area that reduces interruptions and is comfortable. The linked article shares tips and ideas for making a good learning space to promote focus, endurance, and success in online learning.
How to Create the Perfect Study Environment - Purdue Global
https://www.purdueglobal.edu/blog/online-learning/create-perfect-study-environment-online-learning/
Bakari Learner
Did you know that Bakari learners are earning competencies even while they are at Bakari? They actively participate in DBT groups, job readiness programs, and other enriching learning opportunities. Over winter break, learners had the chance to travel off-site to visit the Milwaukee Public Museum, attend the Snow Globe Winter Fest, and experience a Marquette University basketball game.
The Bakari liaison collaborates with Bakari staff to connect these events to learning opportunities, allowing learners to earn competencies in the process. Who knew learning could be so much fun?
Through a Learner's Lens
The best movie of 2024 is Red One and the best song is Changes by Lil Durk. The best book is Harry Potter and my favorite lab is ELA (reading and writing). One thing I want to accomplish in the new year is to finish school and something I'd like to improve is my math skills. One thing I'm looking forward to is rapping better and to continue rapping in my future.
-Kahlil
My favorite movie of 2024 is Lights Out and my favorite song is Juicy Ahh. My favorite lab is Stephanie's Pursuit space. One of my best memories of last year is going to the State Fair. Some things I'm looking forward to in the new year are going to Sky Zone and Urban Air. I really want to climb the rock wall! One of the things I did well this year is going to every lab.
-Julian
The best movie of 2024 is Sonic 3 and the best song is Right or Wrong by Lil 90. A book I read last year is How to Kill a Mockingbird and I also learned more about math and soccer. In 2025, I hope to get my license back and learn how to ski on water. I look forward to school, especially math. I want to do my life differently by cussing less and taking better care of myself.
-TJ
The best movie of 2024 would have to be Deadpool Wolverine. My favorite song is Enough for You by Anees and my favorite lab is Ryan’s space. One of my best memories from last year would have to be seeing a very important friend of mine for the first time in five years. This year I would like to take my ACT’s and score at least a 28 or 30 composite, and I would also like to get my GPA up to at least a 3.0. I look forward to discharging from the Norris Residential Center and going back home. I can’t wait to begin boxing lessons, practicing for hockey, and start tennis when I go back home!
-Michael B
Mindful Minute
Artventure
December was a month full of creative holiday cheer! Here's a look at what we've been up to:
🎨 Button Frames & Door Decorations
Learners got crafty with festive button frames and adorned our classroom door with vibrant stockings they personally decorated.
🎄 Art Gala at the Mukwonago Community Library
From December 16-20, we showcased learners' incredible creations at our Art Gala. Thank you to everyone who visited and supported our young artists!
💌 Week of Service: Cards & Candles
In the spirit of giving, learners made heartfelt cards and delightful, fragrant candles. These thoughtful gifts were delivered to the residents of LindenGrove in Mukwonago, spreading warmth and joy.
Thank you for being part of this creative journey. We wish you a joyful and inspiring start to the New Year!
Learn MKE
Things are progressing well at Learn MKE, North Campus! Learners at Learn MKE work at their own pace through the Norris Academy Virtual Campus (NAVS) program. Learn MKE provides a physical space where learners can access their virtual education.
I’m based at Learn MKE North, located at 3732 W. Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. My role is to assist learners with parts of the curriculum they may not yet understand or be able to perform. I also provide hands-on experiences to help deepen their understanding and support their navigation of the curriculum and the NAVS program as a whole.
If you know of a high school learner who could benefit from this hybrid model—combining virtual learning, in-person instruction, and community engagement—please have them reach out to Amber Ehrmann at aehrmann@norrisacademywi.org to learn more about Learn MKE. We are always accepting open enrollment for new learners throughout the school year.
Joe Dominic, Learner Support Specialist
Norris Cares
Norris Academy is introducing a new program called, Norris Cares. Norris Cares will accept monetary and physical donations in support of those of our learners who may be experiencing food, housing, or other basic need insecurities. We have noticed a great need within our community that we would like to help support but we cannot do it alone. All donations to Norris Cares will be used only for this purpose and delivered equitably on a needs determined basis.
Please contact Amber Ehrmann, the Community Liaison at aehrmann@norrisacademywi.org for questions or donations.
Thank you.
Reminders
As the new school year begins, we want to remind families about items that should not be brought to school. Including items such as pillows, blankets, open beverage containers, money, and backpacks. These items can be distracting and potentially harmful, so they will not be allowed in school. For more details on our policies, please visit our website at https://norrisacademywi.org/.
Online Absence Form
Click Here: https://tinyurl.com/onlineabsenceform
Norris School District
Email: hello@norrisacademywi.org
Website: https://norrisacademywi.org/
Location: W247 S10395 Center Drive Mukwonago, WI 53149
Phone: (262) 662-5911
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/norrisacademywi/
Twitter: @NorrisAcademyWi
