Normandy Park School

October 14th is an E Day.

I hope that everyone had a restful weekend. I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Jewish students, families, and staff who observed Yom Kippur. I hope that the holiday brought peace, joy, and a sense of community to all those who celebrated it.

Last week, students and teachers celebrated the Week of Respect. The Week of Respect kicks off October, which is also National Bullying Prevention Month.

The HSA meeting planned for October 17th (in-person) has been rescheduled to the evening of Tuesday, October 22nd in the NPS Library. All are welcome!

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.

Sincerely,

Christopher Miller

Principal of Normandy Park School

*To access the NPS Parent Handbook, please click here.

During the first full week of October, students and teachers all across New Jersey celebrated the Week of Respect.

Normandy Park School will be celebrated the Week of Respect with schoolwide activities and themed spirt days! Also, Mrs. Hunt conducted Respect lessons across all classrooms and launched a kindness challenge.

Observed annually from September 15 to October 15: It is a time to appreciate and celebrate

the history, colorful cultures, diversity, and contributions of the ancestors of American

citizens who came from Mexico, Spain, the Caribbean, and South- and Central America.

September 15 is set as the starting date for the month for several reasons. It is the

independence anniversary for Latin American countries El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica,

Nicaragua, and Honduras. From here onwards, the independence days of Mexico and Chile fall on September 16 and September 18, respectively.

• Hispanic and Latino Americans amount to an estimated 17.8% of the total U.S. population, making up the largest ethnic minority. Around one-fifth of the U.S. population is Hispanic.
• The state with the largest Hispanic and Latino population overall is California with over 14 million.
• There are relevant Hispanic influences in American life: music, food, art, cinema, politics, literature, science & technology. Have you seen movies like “Coco” or Vivo”?
• Some inventions from Latin / Hispanics:

1. Color TV: Guillermo Gonzalez Camarena (México)
2. The electric brake: Victor Ochoa (México)
3. The artificial heart: Dr. Domingo Liotta (Argentina)
4. Bandage for administering drugs: Alejandro Zaffaroni (Uruguay)
5. The stent: Julio C. Palmaz (Argentina)

What heritage runs in your family?

Share some of your traditions with your classmates!

Notes for parents/teachers:

Observation of Hispanic Heritage Week started in 1968 under President Lyndon B. Johnson and was later extended to a 30-day celebration by President Ronald Reagan, starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted via approval of Public Law 100-402 on August 17, 1988.

On Wednesday, the Morris Township Fire Department visited NPS for Fire Prevention Week! Students had an opportunity to tour the firetrucks and meet some of our Township firefighters!

The Fire Department will be meeting with classes this year to teach developmentally appropriate fire safety/prevention!

All 1st through 5th graders have completed the iReady Diagnostic. To view data reports, please use the information provided below.

1. ­­­Log in to your student’s i-Ready Dashboard using the district or school’s portal credentials (Clever) and then click on the

i-Ready icon.

2. Click on the For Fami­lies dropdown and select the For Families report.

3. Enter your District’s Report Code: QHFRTH

*Results were also printed and sent home last week.

Please reach out to your child’s teacher or myself (christopher.miller@msdk12.net) if you have any questions or would like additional information.

I have received a few questions regarding Halloween costumes. Given that a lot of families are beginning to purchase costumes, I wanted to provide a few guidelines.

On Thursday, October 31st, students may wear their costumes or school spirit colors to school (or bring with them to put over their clothes). To ensure the health and well being of our school community we ask you to adhere to the following costume guidelines:

1. Students choosing to dress up must wear their costumes to school (and/or have costumes they can easily put over their clothes).

2. No weapons, swords or handheld accessories. Students have enough items to carry!

3. Please make sure costumes are school appropriate (e.g. no fake blood, inappropriate language, etc.).

4. No Halloween masks that cover students faces. It is imperative for us to be able to see and identify all students at all times! In addition, it is very important for student's to have full vision while walking around the school. Please save masks for trick-or-treating!

Throughout the day, classrooms will have fun autumn activities. Additional information on classroom celebrations and activities will come from your child's homeroom teacher.

In the morning, we will have a school-wide parade! Please note, the parade is only a brief part of the morning, lasting 10 to 15 minutes. If it rains, the parade will be indoors for students only.

If you do not want your child to participate in the parade, please let your homeroom teacher know via ClassDojo or e-mail; we will have alternative activities planned at this time.

Check out the upcoming NPS HSA fundraiser.

To place an order, click here!

Click here to visit our Home and School Association website!

Create a profile on our NPS HSA Membership Toolkit to enable your participation in the school directory (grade/teacher), sign up to receive the Home and School Association's weekly newsletter, submit club forms, volunteer and more!

Show your NPS pride! Purchase NPS school gear directly from Redbubble. A small percentage of profits will be returned to NPS with your purchase!

Please sign up here to help with our Bake Sale on Friday, 10/18. A couple more baked good donations are needed and some short sales shifts are still open. Questions? NPSHSAFundraising@gmail.com.

The next NPS HSA meeting will now be held on October 22nd @ Normandy Park School. We'd love to see you there!

Follow the NPS HSA on Social Media:

Instagram: @nps_wizards

Facebook: Normandy Park School HSA

Afterschool clubs continue this week! Please check the schedule below for dates/pickup locations for each club.

Our school has had our first community meeting. Our students have learned about the six pillars of success.

We will be focusing on RESPECT for the month of October.

We would love it if you can also have some conversations with your children at home about the word and meaning of RESPECT. From my experience with your children they are all very respectful and so kind. A friendly reminder is very important and helpful to them. Letting them know how proud you are of them and how they are doing when they respect others means the world to them.

A PARENT’S GUIDE TO RESPECT

• Treat others with respect.

• Follow the Golden Rule.

• Be tolerant of differences.

• Use good manners, not bad language.

• Be considerate of the feelings of others.

• Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone.

• Deal peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements.

• • • • • • WHAT YOU CAN DO AT HOME

During mealtime each day, have each family member name a good trait for each person at the table. For example: “Dad is a good storyteller.” By focusing on what each person does well, you are appreciating their unique abilities. Set family goals. Have each member of the family complete the following sentence and post it where it will serve as a reminder: I will show respect for others by:

PARENTS CAN PROMOTE RESPECT

Model respect and expect your children to treat you and others in a respectful way. Make a list of ways to show respect in your home. Treat each youngster as equally as possible recognizing that children may have different needs. Help your family understand that you provide for their needs and that sometimes that means not everyone gets the same thing. Embrace diversity and cooperation with individuals that are ethnically and culturally different. Respect privacy unless suspicious behaviors necessitate otherwise. Talk to your child about the differences between “treating everyone with respect” and admiring them.

FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

The “Rule of Universality”: Do only those acts which you are willing to allow to become universal standards of behavior, applicable to all people in similar situations. Ask yourself, “If everyone did it, would it be a good thing?”

TO HELP YOU TEACH THE SIX PILLARS

Focus Area: Movies Many movies provide a rich content to have character discussions with your children. But, selecting the right movie, watching it together and discussing it is very

important.

(Credit to https://ihsaa-static.s3.amazonaws.com/resource_center/Character_Sportsmanship_Safety/Character_Counts_Parent_Guide_2008.pdf)

Here are some links if you are interested in more information:

https://charactercounts.org/36-ways-to-build-kids-character/

https://charactercounts.org/seven-practices-that-nurture-respect-in-children/

https://charactercounts.org/communicate-with-respect-and-acceptance/

Gloria Hunt

gloria.hunt@msdk12.net

(973) 889-7960 Ext 6115

Find Out What’s Happening in The District Newsletter Fall 2024 Edition

As families and staff prepare for the new school year, the Morris Educational Foundation invites you to take a look back at all the amazing highlights from the 2023-2024 school year in The District Newsletter.

The joint publication from the Morris School District, Morris Educational Foundation and Colonial Nation features:

• District athletic highlights
• Extracurricular achievements across all schools
• The MEF’s impact on academic, enrichment, and social-emotional wellness initiatives
• Plus a save-the-date for Morristown ONSTAGE 2025

The Fall 2024 edition is hot off the press and Morristown, Morris Plains and Morris Township residents can expect to receive their copy in their mailbox this week. View the digital version here>>>

Help Make it a Great Year for All 5,700 Morris School District Students

Welcome to the 2024-25 school year! The Morris Educational Foundation is proud to Support Every Student Every Day. While the Morris School District provides the essential tools for quality classroom learning, the MEF supports the extras that elevate learning. From cutting-edge instructional resources to enriching curricular activities, the MEF is committed to helping students not just succeed but excel.

We invite you, our community, to kick off the 2024-25 school year with a gift to launch our students’ education above and beyond the standard curriculum. $1 a day for 180 days adds up to a year of exceptional learning for one student.

Please help us make it the best year yet for each of the 5,700 students in the Morris School District! Let's Support Every Student Every Day and empower them to achieve their fullest potential.

Donate today by clicking here. Together, we can make a difference!

For interactive menus, as well as nutrition and allergen information, please click here.

For additional information on MSD Breakfast and Lunch, please click here to visit the district's website.

Students can bring and/or purchase lunch. Free and reduced meals are provided to families who qualify for support.

APPLYING FOR FREE & REDUCED LUNCH

Applications are available through PaySchools. Once you create your account, the Free & Reduced Application will be available to complete online. Students who qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch, also qualify for free/reduced breakfast.

Please note that you do not have to print out the application if you complete it online; it will be electronically sent to the Board Office once completed. You may also complete an application using a computer in the main office of your child's school or request a paper application.

Applications are available through PaySchools. Click the link to create your PaySchool account (ENG or ESP)

If you do not qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch, please follow these procedures for purchasing school breakfast or lunch:

• Backpack an envelope with your child's name on it, marked "Food Services.
• Include your child's name in the memo line of your check.
• You may prepay for multiple breakfasts or lunches with one check or lump sum of money, which will then be deposited onto your child's food services account.
• Payment may also be made online ( (ENG or ESP); a small fee will be charged with each transaction. This is a secure and convenient way to make payments and keep your account up to date.
• Payment may be made in cash or check (payable to "Morris School District"

MEAL PRICING:

***Meal Prices for School Year 2024-2025***

Elementary Breakfast

$1.75

Elementary Lunch

$3.25

Reduced Price Breakfast

$0.00

Reduced Price Lunch

$0.00

Milk

$0.75

We are excited to introduce our new food service provider, Pomptonian, please stop by and visit the MSD Pomptonian page to learn more:

http://www.mypomptonianmenus.com/morris

Please contact Morris School District Food Services if you have any questions:

Shannon Burton
973-292-2000, Ext. 2126
shannon.burton@msdk12.net

Please use the digital blue note form for any dismissal changes. The main office will notify the homeroom teachers of the dismissal change. For absences, continue to contact the school nurse.

• If you know that you child will be tardy or absent from school, it is requested that you notify the nurse in advance. This can be done by phone at 973-889-7960 x 6152. Voicemail is operational 24 hours daily.

• You may also contact her office by email at: francesca.ecker@msdk12.net

• Students who arrive tardy (after 8:55am) must report immediately to the Health Office upon arrival to school for a late pass

• October 22nd- HSA Meeting (In-person & Online)
• October 31st- Halloween Parade at 10am
• November 5th- School Closed for Students (Election Day)
• November 7th-8th- School Closed (NJEA Convention)
• November 18th and November 20th- Parent Teacher Conferences
• November 27th- Early Dismissal
• November 28th- School Closed (Thanksgiving)

Click here to view Morris School District (MSD) 2024-2025 School calendar.

· Parent Handbook

· Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

· Sunset and Sunrise