Normandy Park School
Week of May 10th
I hope that everyone had a great weekend!
I would like to thank our parents and teachers for a successful round of Parent Teacher Conferences. We truly value the home and school partnership, and its' role in supporting academic and social emotional growth for all students!
Last week, NPS hosted a virtual author visit with author, Daniel Jude Miller. He spoke to students about his books and his journey to becoming an author and illustrator. Students had the opportunity to participate in live read alouds, followed by a question and answer session. To learn more about him you can visit his website by clicking here!
This week, NPS will host a virtual assembly with Troy Kryzalka, the Number Drummer! Students will engage in an interactive experience involving math and music. To learn more about the Number Drummer, you can visit his website by clicking here!
Thank you to the HSA for providing our teachers last Friday with acai bowls and smoothies. We truly appreciate the support!
MSD will continue to share important information on the Coronavirus Update Center and on our MSD Forward pages. 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.
Happy Mother's Day
Please know that you are greatly valued and appreciated for all that you do!
Asian-Pacific American 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.
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:
Number Drummer
The Number Drummer will host two sessions. One tailored towards grade K-2, and the other towards grades 3-5. Students will interact by exploring math concepts and participating in guided percussion performances.
To learn more about the Number Drummer, you can visit his website by clicking here!
iReady Spring Testing (Window Open May 17th)
Beginning May 17th, our school will begin administering the Spring 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
What can I do to help?
To help prepare your child for the i-Ready Diagnostic, encourage them to:
Get a good night’s sleep and eat a full breakfast the day of the assessment.
Try their best on each question and try not to rush.
Try not to worry about questions they do not know—remind them that it is expected they will only get about half of the questions correct.
Be respectful of other students who take longer to finish
This is the third iReady diagnostic assessment of the year for Gr. 1st through 5th. This is the second iReady diagnostic assessment of the year for our Kindergarten students.
Reading Challenge
NPS Mini-Walk-a-thon for Spring 2021
Additional information to be shared this week!
NPS HSA Board Members for Upcoming School Year
The NPS HSA is looking for Board members for the upcoming school year!
Do you want to help shape the events and programs the HSA contributes to the Normandy Park community? Join the HSA Board!
- CO-PRESIDENT
- TREASURER
- VP of COMMUNICATIONS
- CO-CHAIR FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE
- COMMUNITY EVENTS & OUTREACH COORDINATOR (NEW FOR ’21- ’22 SCHOOL YEAR!)
- ENLACE HISPANOHABLANTE
- RECORDING SECRETARY
If you are interested in any of these positions, please send an email to NPSHSAPRESIDENT@GMAIL.COM!
The temperature dropped this weekend and I saw some snow in my town on Saturday (yes, snow!). I was reminded of how much children’s behavior is like the weather. It can change at a moment’s notice. As adults we have learned to regulate our behavior and we have to remember that our children are still learning. Many parents have been noticing that as their child(ren) are starting to have more social interactions, they are having trouble playing well with others. Keep in mind that many of them are out of practice socializing with others. When your child(ren) has a peer to play with, make sure to sit with them and model how to take turns and play. Stay within earshot of the children and guide them when conflicts arise. Use conflicts as teachable moments. You will be amazed by the results!
As always, feel free to reach out to me if I can be of any assistance.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Cheryl Cohen
973-889-7960 x6116
May is Better Hearing and Speech Month
The American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) recognizes the month of May as Better Speech & Hearing Month.
Better Hearing & Speech Month (BHSM) raises awareness about communication disorders and the role of ASHA members in providing treatments and support. To learn more, feel free to visit the ASHA Better Hearing & Speech Month.
Summer Plus
Access to Virtual Instruction for Student Enrolled for In-Person Instruction
My child has to quarantine. Can they stream into class?
For students attending in person classes, access to virtual instruction is for absences over an extended period of time due to quarantining or an extenuating circumstance. In this case, access to virtual instruction will consist of a combination of streaming, completion of Google Classroom activities, and teacher check-in(s).
My child is sick. Can they stream into the class?
No, if your child is home sick for a few days they will be considered to have an excused absence due to illness. Students are encouraged to rest.
*Please note, access to virtual instruction for in-person students needs to be approved by the principal and/or nurse. Please reach out to me with any additional questions at christopher.miller@msdk12.net
Travel and Quarantine Updates
Please continue to follow the precise stipulations of the Daily Student Screening or COVID/Attendance Screener for staff. Above all, individuals should not report to school if they exhibit symptoms (which include fever of 100 degrees F or higher WITHOUT fever-reducing medicine), or if any member of the household is awaiting test results or has been instructed to get a COVID-19 test. Thank you for your ongoing vigilance and partnership.
Anyone who returns to NJ from travel outside our immediate region (CT, DE, NY, PA) must quarantine. Families are reminded to contact the school nurse (marybeth.supple@msdk12.net) upon return from travel for instructions and quarantine dates. We appreciate your cooperation and open communication regarding travel and quarantine so that we can ensure a safe environment for our students and staff.
New Parameters for Quarantine in Grades 3-5. We have made the following adjustments to our COVID response protocols for students and staff in grades 3-5, consistent with current practice at FMS and MHS:
- Beginning April 19, we will determine on a case-by-case basis whether a positive case in the classroom has resulted in true close contacts that meet the CDC definition of exposure (within 6 feet of the positive case for at least 15 minutes' cumulative time over a 24-hour period).
- These true close contacts, as well as the positive individual, will continue to follow the 14-day quarantine at home.
- Anyone else in the class who does not meet the definition of close contact may remain in school.
- At this time, this adjustment applies only to students and staff in grades 3-12.
- Determining true close contacts on buses with certainty is a greater challenge, but whenever we are able to do so, we will follow the above protocols on buses as well.
Grab & Go Meals (Update)
Grab & Go meals will be available for all students, who wish to receive them. The Federal Department of Agriculture has extended waivers that will allow MSD to serve ALL students meals for FREE through June 2021.
REMINDER: Students who are not attending school in person can pick up free breakfast and lunch at Morristown High School (at the rear circle by the flagpole off of Atno Avenue) on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. There will be two service times, from 8:00 am to 9:00 am and again from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm.
More information about School Breakfast & Lunch is available on the MSD Forward homepage under "Back to School Resources for Families."
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
- June 8th and June 9th: Field Day (K-2) and (3-5)
- June 10th and June 11th: Moving Up Ceremony for 5th Grade'
- June 17th: Last Day of School