Panther Pride Newsletter

This October, we will be implementing a new mode of communication with our families: texting. All NCS families will have the opportunity to receive text messages through our School Messenger alert system. Please mark your calendars for Monday, October 7th, at 7 p.m. At that time, you will receive an opt-in message. If you would like to continue receiving these messages, you will need to respond with a “Y” or “YES”. Please note that not all district messages will be sent via text; this will be at the discretion of the school administrator sending the message.

Congratulations to the following students for their excellence inside and outside of the classroom as they have been chosen as our September Students of the Month. They truly exemplify what it means to be a Norton Panther. Panther Pride!

• Primary - Hunter Saintenoy
• Elementary - Caeden Jones
• Middle School- Jett Somerville
• High School - Katarina Jovanovic
• HS Compact - Ajay Bulgrin

Due to a change in requirements from the State of Ohio and the Department of Education and Workforce, the district has had to make adjustments to our calendar. We have added an additional Professional Development Day for staff on October 15, 2024. Our staff will be completing state-required training on that day. Students will have the day off.

Friday, October 11, 2024 (No School Students and Staff)

Monday, October 14, 2024 (No School Students)

Tuesday, October 15, 2024 (No School Students)

• Teach That Learning Takes Time: Help students understand that mastery comes with time and practice.
• Gamification: Incorporate game elements like challenges, points, and rewards to make learning more interactive.
• Real-World Applications: Show students how what they are learning connects to real-world situations. This can increase relevance and motivation to learn.
• Celebrate Achievements: Celebrate when students achieve their goals, even the small ones, to build confidence.
• Emphasize Effort Over Ability: Encourage students to view challenges as opportunities to grow rather than failures. Praise effort, resilience, and persistence.

As part of our expanded P.B.I.S. (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support) program, NHS has included Departmental Students of the Month! All of the eight departments (math, ELA, science, social studies, career tech, fine arts, PE/Health, world languages) will choose a student each month who best represents the foundations of The Panther Way and these students can be any grade 9-12. This is an opportunity to honor seventy-two different students throughout the school year and display their picture by the commons. If you're at NHS make sure you check out our Departmental Students of the Month!

Our Norton Instrumental Music Program is celebrating 100 years in 2024. Starting in 1924 as a small orchestra, it eventually expanded to add a band, marching band, and other ensembles. Rapid growth in the baby boom era of the 1960’s saw the band become nearly 200 students that performed at NFL games from Los Angeles to New Orleans, Detroit, Cleveland and Buffalo. The late 70’s to today the band has been an active competition band, performing at a high level on both state and national events.

The Band Program has teamed up with the Norton Historical Society and will kick off a year of celebrations starting with a Historical talk and video presentation by Rodger Ramsthaler, Historical Society member and Norton Band alumnus on September 19, at 6 pm in the HS PAC. The Grand Celebration will be on Friday, September 27, at the NHS Homecoming Game with a combined performance by the NHS Band and Alumni Band. The Celebration continues on Saturday, as the band alumni come together for a Reunion Picnic at Columbia Woods Park.

Alumni will be invited back on October 5th, to march with the NHS Band in the Cider Fest Parade. The band has been named the Grand Marshals of the parade.

Other events focusing on Colorguard and Percussion groups are tentatively scheduled for April of 2025. In May, the NHS Concert Band along with alumni and community musicians will come together to debut a newly commissioned piece by nationally published composer Jason Nitsch.

Norton Middle School underwent several exciting changes over the summer! One of the most notable updates was relocating the fifth-grade hallway. Our fifth graders have been moved downstairs, giving them a chance to adjust to middle school life in a more supportive and focused environment. Teachers have been diligently working on procedures to help students transition smoothly into middle school life. Staff members have already noted that the hallways feel more balanced, and our fifth graders have experienced a smoother start to the school year.

In addition to this change, we are thrilled that our 6th-8th grade halls have received a fresh look with newly painted lockers, thanks to the hard work of our maintenance staff.

Lastly, a special thank you to the high school volleyball team for setting up NMS's very own book room, providing students with a wonderful space to borrow books and enjoy their favorite literature.

• Daily Goals: Help students set small goals, like reading for 15-20 minutes a day or completing a certain number of chapters. Celebrate these milestones to keep motivation high.
• Shared Reading: Reading aloud to students, even if they are old enough to read on their own, can spark interest. Use animated voices and act out parts to make the story come alive.
• E-Books and Audiobooks: If a student enjoys technology, introduce them to e-books or audiobooks. Many students find reading on tablets or listening to books more engaging.
• Comfortable Space: Set up a comfortable reading nook with good lighting and minimal distractions. A cozy space makes reading time more enjoyable.
• Personal Interests: Help students find books that reflect their hobbies, favorite subjects, or even video games and movies they love. If they enjoy a specific topic, they are more likely to stay engaged.

Norton Elementary students are off to a great start for the year. During the first few weeks, students have been learning about behavior expectations in the classrooms, restrooms, hallways, and buses. Students also have practiced safety drills such as fire drills, lockdown procedures, and bus evacuations. Students have been taking the beginning of the year MAP assessments in reading and math and students in grades 1-3 have completed literacy screeners. Teachers use this information to provide specific reading intervention through our daily intervention time known as WIN time or "What I need" time. It has been a busy start to the year and we are all set to continue providing quality instruction in a positive environment.

Introducing our new window decals that spotlight The Panther Way and the essential competencies for Norton students! These eye-catching decals were designed to create a vibrant and engaging learning environment, ensuring that key values and skills are always in focus. The Panther Way principles and core competencies are now prominently displayed, making it easier for students to connect with their educational goals while enhancing school spirit and reinforcing important lessons, these decals are a great addition to this common area.

Kindergarten students participated in the Bus Safety Assembly with two of our outstanding Norton Bus Drivers. Students reviewed the rules of the bus, standing at our designated place of safety, and ways to safely exit the bus. We would like to thank Linda Lynden and Sandy Lowe for their very important visit this week.

• Ask Open-Ended Questions: Instead of lecturing, ask questions like, "What social media platforms do you use?" or "How do you feel about the things you see online?" This can lead to a meaningful conversation.
• Benefits of Social Media: Acknowledge the positive aspects of social media, such as staying connected with friends, learning new things, and expressing creativity.
• Avoid Sharing Personal Information: Teach students not to share personal information like their full name, address, school, or location online. Explain the risks of oversharing.
• Mindful Use: Teach students to be mindful of how they feel after using social media. Encourage them to take breaks if they notice it negatively affecting their mood or self-esteem.
• Respect and Kindness: Encourage students to always be respectful and kind when posting or commenting online. Teach them the "Golden Rule" of treating others the way they want to be treated, even on social media.
  
• Ongoing Dialogue: Keep the conversation going. Social media evolves rapidly, so having regular check-ins ensures that students feel supported and can ask questions when they encounter new challenges or platforms.
  

• Sept 27 - Homecoming Game (Streetsboro)
• Oct. 4 - 6 Cider Fest
• Oct. 11 - No School
• Oct. 14 - 15 - No School for Students / PD Day for Staff
• Oct. 18 - End of Nine Weeks
• Oct. 29 - NHS Spooktacular
• Oct. 31 - Halloween
• Nov. 3 - Daylight Savings
• Nov. 5 - Election Day (Vote!)
• Nov. 8 - Conferences K-4 (No School @ Primary or NES)
• Nov. 11 - Veterans Day
• Nov. 27 - No School for Students / PD Day for Staff
• Nov. 28 - Dec. 2 - No School - Thanksgiving Break
• Dec. 3 - School Resumes
• Dec. 19 - End of Nine Weeks

4128 S. Cleveland Massillon Road

Norton, OH 44203

Phone: 330.825.0863

Website: nortonschools.org

High School

Grades 9-12

330.825.7300

Middle School

Grades 5-8

330.825.5607

Elementary School

Grades 1-4

330.825.3828

Primary School

Pre-K thru Kindergarten

330.825.5133

Attendance Hotline

330.706.2760