Normandy Park School

I want to thank everyone for their ongoing support and flexibility. I truly appreciate the collective efforts of our NPS community to ensure our students are safe and continue to ascend social emotionally and academically.

Normandy Park is closed to in-person instruction through November 4th; all classes will access virtual instruction during this time. On Monday, November 9, the building will reopen and students will continue with instruction as normal according to their current enrollment in either in-person or all-virtual instruction. The virtual instructional day is from 9am to 2:30pm. This includes specials and lunch. Students log on to their Google Classroom at 9am to begin their school day with a live morning meeting. For additional information, please see the attached letter from last week regarding the COVID 19 Update at Normandy Park School.

This week, there will be no classes on 11/3 (Election Day) and 11/5-11/6 (Teacher's Convention).

Please note, that 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.

This part of the newsletter will have a question or a topic for you to discuss with your child(ren). This can be done on the way to school, on the way to sports practice, before dinner, at bedtime, etc.

Each week there will be a “something to think about” question and a “something to talk about” question. The “something to think about question” is for you as a parent to reflect on for yourself. The “something to talk about” question is for you to discuss with your child. These exercises are meant to stimulate a conversation on race, equity and inclusion in America.

Week Eight

Parent Reflection Question: Is it difficult for you to find products (such as bandaids, makeup, hair care products toys, etc) that reflect your race/ethnicity?

Activity To Do With Your Child: The next time you visit the toy store or Target or Wal-Mart, have your child count the number of black dolls, white dolls and Asian dolls available for purchase.

During virtual instruction, students are using Google Meet. They access their Google Meet links through their Google Classroom.

Google Meet is a videoconferencing tool that allows teachers and students to collaborate in real time using the built-in features (camera and microphone) of a Chromebook, iPad, mobile phone, or other device. Teachers can teach lessons, pose a question for discussion, or set up a virtual class activity through the camera or screen sharing, and students can respond and participate using the video, audio, and/or online chat feature of Google Meet.

Please see the following document for information on Google Meet Guidelines.

Message from Ms. Cohen:

Dear parents and guardians,

Thank you and your children for your support during the week of respect. It was great to see your children enjoying the daily themes. They did some amazing work!

I will be continuing to host the drop in, optional lunch meetings for students who are attending school virtually. It continues to be a great way for children to connect with each other socially. The schedule is as follows:

Mondays; 4th and 5th grade

Tuesdays: Kindergarten

Wednesdays: 1st grade

Thursdays: 2nd grade

Fridays:3rd grade

On another note, If you feel your child is feeling worried about anything, having difficulty dealing with a parental separation or divorce , feeling lonely, or depressed, please don't hesitate to reach out to me, I can provide individual or small group support. Remember: These are some challenging times but you are not alone. We are all in this together!

Cheryl

cheryl.cohen@msdk12.net

Save the Date!

Next HSA meeting will be November 19th at 7pm. Live Spanish translation will be available for Spanish speakers.

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 December 31, 2020.

Families can pick up meals at the following locations and times:

-MHS on Mondays & Thursdays from 3pm to 3:30pm

More information about School Breakfast & Lunch is available on the MSD Forward homepage under "Back to School Resources for Families."

Please see the menu below for meals offered each day:

On Friday, classes celebrated virtually with Halloween and/or fall activities.

Are you ready to request a library book? Please follow the instructions below:

Log onto the Normandy Park Library catalog:

https://nps-msd.narvi.opalsinfo.net/bin/home

1. Login on the top right hand corner where it says Login

2. Your user name is your six digit code

3. The password is blank

4. Search using title, author or anywhere.

5. Look for the orange request button and then click on it.

6. Put in your email address

Remember if a book is marked as lost, checked out or damaged it is not available! I will bring and pick up books from your classrooms.

Virtual learners will pick up their books on the table by the front door. For our remote learners, there will be a table by the front door. Families will have 5 days to pick up their books. There will be a bin for them to put returned books in.

Upon return, books will sit in a bin for 5 days before being shelved or circulated.

Parents are welcome to email me at wendy.gilson@msdk12.net if they have any questions or concerns.

Happy Reading! Mrs. Gilson

• When in-person instruction resumes, 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).

• November 3rd: No School / Election Day

• November 5th-6th: No School / Teacher Convention

• November 19th: HSA Meeting (7pm)