What's Happening at Norris?
As we near the end of another exciting school year, we're seizing every moment to engage our learners in extended learning opportunities, fostering their curiosity, and ensuring there's still plenty of room for fun.
Exciting events are on the horizon! Next Friday, May 17th, we'll be commemorating our learners' growth over the last trimester with our T3 Recognition Ceremony. The following week, on Wednesday, May 22nd, we'll proudly celebrate the graduation of our Class of 2024 seniors. And to culminate the school year, we're thrilled to announce our inaugural Norris Academy Art Gala, taking place at the Mukwonago Community Library.
Teaming up with the library, we'll be showcasing our learners' artworks from May 28th to June 3rd, during the library's regular hours. We extend a warm invitation to join us for a Special Viewing Event on Wednesday, May 29th, from 6-7:30 pm. Come meet our talented artists, indulge in some light refreshments, and immerse yourself in their captivating creations. Please refer to the flyer below for further details.
On behalf of our dedicated staff, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for another fantastic school year! We hope you enjoy a wonderful summer break. We're eagerly anticipating the start of our summer intersession on June 3rd and can't wait to welcome back all of our day learners on Tuesday, September 3rd, to kick off the 2024-2025 school year with renewed energy and enthusiasm.
June's Journal
Greeting Norris Families,
As we approach the end of the school year, it's truly remarkable how swiftly time has flown by. With May 24th just around the corner, I wanted to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your unwavering support and collaboration in the education of your learner. It's through our collective efforts that we can guide each learner toward their next best place.
While our typical programming may pause during the summer months, please be reassured that many of our dedicated staff members will still be active and available to assist you should any questions or concerns arise. Your continuous engagement is valued, and we're here to ensure a seamless transition into the next academic year.
Wishing you all a fantastic summer filled with joy, relaxation, and memorable moments. We eagerly anticipate reuniting with you soon for another enriching chapter in your learner's educational journey.
High School Lab Gab
ELA:
As the school year draws to a close, learners in ELA are engaging in reflective writing and memoir projects, capturing the essence of their experiences. They begin by brainstorming words that encapsulate the school year for them, using these words to craft vivid and expressive sentences rich in descriptive and figurative language. Next, they weave these sentences into coherent paragraphs, employing transition words and phrases to seamlessly connect their thoughts. Some learners opt to present their reflections in Google Slides or mini books adorned with illustrations, adding a creative touch to their expression.
Additionally, learners will delve into elements of literature by reading and responding to a short story, further honing their literary understanding and analytical skills. It has been a fruitful year in ELA, marked by significant progress and the exploration of diverse interests. Wishing everyone a joyful and rejuvenating summer ahead!
Mathematics:
In the realm of Mathematics, learners are nearing the completion of their competencies, with some even wrapping up their credits in specific math courses. A select group of learners are delving into consumer math, gaining invaluable insights into budgeting, understanding the nuances of credit, and cultivating responsible money management habits.
The math room has been a hive of activity lately, with learners diligently applying themselves to their studies. Their dedication and effort are clearly bearing fruit, evident in the progress they are making.
Social Studies:
Over the past month, high school social studies labs have been engaged in a "map walk" activity. Students have been exploring nine distinct types of maps, delving into their purposes and methodologies. As part of this exploration, they undertook the challenge of sketching floor plans of the school building from memory. Additionally, they participated in an interactive exercise where they assumed the role of cartographers, strategically selecting maps relevant to their missions. This hands-on experience has highlighted the importance of diverse map types, even in an era dominated by GPS and digital mapping tools. It underscores the value of understanding various mapping techniques to effectively navigate real-world situations.
Science:
High School Science learners are nearing completion of their final competencies across all three subject content: Biology, Chemistry, and Earth/Space Science.
Biology: Learners recently concluded their exploration of genetics and evolution. Their culminating project, dubbed "Paper Airplane Evolution," tasked them with utilizing various paper airplane designs to illustrate natural selection and mutations. Moving forward, they will delve into the intricate dynamics of Energy Flow within Ecosystems, with a specific focus on our local temperate deciduous forest.
Chemistry: Learners are immersed in the study of chemical reactions, stoichiometry, and the fundamental concept of the "mole" (Avogadro's number: 6.02x10^23). They have engaged in a series of experiments aimed at showcasing a multitude of chemistry principles. Notably, their investigation into the Copper-Chloride single-replacement reaction involved dissolving aluminum foil in a solution, yielding a precipitate of pure, elemental copper—a highlight of the unit.
Earth/Space Science: Learners are diligently navigating the final leg of their course journey, which centers on the intricate processes of rock and nutrient cycles. Recent activities have included engaging design challenges such as constructing greenhouses and solar ovens. Impressively, learners managed to elevate temperatures within their greenhouses by nearly 50 degrees above ambient levels and successfully cooked hot dogs using their solar ovens.
Academy Orientation:
Our heartfelt wishes go out to our dear friend and brave orientation leader, Katie Danner, as she recuperates from surgery! With open arms, we welcome Cris W. into the orientation realm, where she will lend her support to both the Library and Orientation, whether in person or online. At present, our orientation team is vacant as our recent learners have moved on to new adventures. We're tidying up our surroundings and ensuring the library books are neatly arranged in their proper places.
K-8 Lab Gab
K-8 Labs
ELA:
In ELA labs, seventh and eighth graders concluded their readings of novels like "Holes" or other selections they chose independently, delving deeper into understanding plot elements. Exploring vocabulary expansion, they delved into the works of author Kwame Alexander, particularly his Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award-winning book, "The Crossover." Students emulated Alexander's style through poetry composition and are currently crafting narratives with dialogue, following the same creative patterns. Their journey through the writing process culminated in an Author's Celebration, where they shared their works with peers and even broadcasted some over Norris's in-house radios for the enjoyment of staff members.
In the realm of third and fourth grade ELA, learners are engaged in reading and analyzing short narrative and expository texts. They tackle comprehension questions that probe both explicit and implicit understanding of the material.
Math:
During this trimester in mathematics, seventh and eighth graders wrapped up their exploration of the data and measurement domain, mastering operations with fractions, mixed numbers, and decimals, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with unlike denominators. They delved into computing the area and volume of 2D and 3D geometric figures, and sharpened their skills in telling time on analog clocks, a particularly challenging area for many learners at Norris. Transitioning to algebraic concepts, they began studying exponents, with upcoming lessons focusing on scientific notation and honing their rounding skills up to billions.
In mathematics, the focus for third and fourth graders centers on computation skills involving multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction. They're also delving into fractions, understanding fractional parts of sets, while practicing money calculations and analog clock reading. Geometry lessons involve identifying and naming basic properties of 2D shapes, rounding out their mathematical understanding.
Science/Social Studies:
This month, learners have been immersed in preparations for a cultural food truck event. They embarked on a journey of exploration into various cultures, delving into their traditions, customs, and, notably, their cuisines. After gaining insights into different cultural culinary delights, learners made informed choices about which dishes to prepare, each originating or gaining popularity from a specific cultural background.
IBL
It's hard to believe that it's almost the end of the school year. With the summer trimester right around the corner, I'd like to take a second to reflect on all the cool IBL activities that have happened this year. Here are a few learners have participated in:
Bottle Rockets
Learning to Play Guitars
Baking/Cooking Delicious foods
Competitions!!!-Athletic, cooking, Skill
Food Truck Event
Internships, both on campus and off
Career Fairs, both on campus and at WCTC
ELOs (Guest speakers and trips)
There are so many more as well. Seeing learners get excited and engaged in a variety of different activities has been amazing this year. As we move into summer and next year, we look forward to the opportunities our learners help co-design at Norris, in the community, and across the globe.
🟧 The Navigator's Corner
Lately, we've been enjoying a plethora of mini pursuits, ranging from crafting pancakes from scratch to mastering guitar chords and delving into the world of strategy board games. Our chess matches have been particularly lively. In the studio, one learner got creative, chopping and flipping a sample to incorporate into their own original song. Meanwhile, another is crafting a custom treasure chest in the shop, while yet another is putting finishing touches on a bedside table for their final project. There's been a vibrant buzz between the shop and the music studio, and it's been immensely rewarding to see learners explore these spaces, grow comfortable, and ultimately thrive.
Norris Academy Virtual School (NAVS)
We trust this newsletter finds you in good spirits. With the school year drawing to a close, we want to share some important updates and reminders with you.
Please be aware that the academic year at NAVS will conclude on May 24th. Kindly mark this date on your calendars and ensure that your learner completes any outstanding assignments or projects before this deadline.
Should you require access to your learner's progress report, please don't hesitate to reach out to Robb at rjackson@norrisacademywi.org. He will gladly assist you and furnish you with the necessary information regarding your learner's academic journey.
Furthermore, we wish to inform you that NAVS will not be offering summer programming this year. However, we encourage you to explore alternative educational opportunities and engage in activities that will keep your learner's mind active during the break. Should you desire examples and resources to engage your learner over the summer, please feel free to reach out to Robb.
We extend our sincere gratitude for your ongoing support and cooperation throughout the year. Your involvement in your learner's education is invaluable, and we anticipate a successful conclusion to the school year.
Bakari
In April, we joyfully marked the completion of the program for three learners from Bakari. Witnessing their growth over a mere six months has been truly remarkable. As we approach the next few weeks, we eagerly anticipate celebrating the accomplishments of three more learners who will soon complete their program. We send them our best wishes and eagerly await hearing about their future journeys!
Mindful Minute
Take a break, do something for yourself, breathe! Try doing mindfulness or relaxation activities with the learners at least once a week this month.
Try the 4-7-8 breathing technique which involves breathing in for 4 seconds, holding the breath for 7 seconds, and exhaling for 8 seconds. This breathing pattern aims to reduce anxiety or help people get to sleep. It is a form of pranayama, which is the practice of breath regulation. Pranayama is common in yoga.
What is Boost?
Boost is an after school program set up for K-12 learners from Oak and Spruce Hall. Currently the Boost program is offering an Art focused program, Artventure, taught by Sam Dickey. This after school program provides additional opportunities for learners to explore their interests, hobbies, and talents which expand their learning network and increases their confidence, boosting learner agency and hope for the future.
Artventure
Learners have transitioned to crafting works of art from recycled materials, fostering creativity while promoting sustainability. Their objective involves conceptualizing and sketching ideas utilizing a diverse array of materials like plastic bottles, bottle caps, paper towel and toilet paper rolls, string, old tiles, jugs, reclaimed wood, and more. Already, students have commenced the creation of stunning pieces that will be featured in the forthcoming Norris Academy Art Gala, scheduled from May 28 to June 3 at the Mukwonago Community Library.
In addition to their endeavors in Boost: Artventure within the Art room, students have been actively engaged in various individual projects spanning painting, sculpting with clay, and even exploring the art of pottery-making.
Achieve MKE
Norris Beyond Fostering
In honor of Foster Care Month, Norris TFC is sharing information and stories about foster care on all of our social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) all month long. Come check us out, and those who follow us, like, and share our posts will be entered in a drawing to win gift cards and other great prizes!
Norris TFC offers monthly Foster Care in our Community meetings. These meetings are virtual and FREE. They are informational meetings offering lots of information about foster care in Wisconsin, Norris's foster care programming, discussion, and opportunities to ask questions and have them answered by social work professionals. Anyone who is interested in foster care and learning more is strongly encouraged to join us. Our next meeting is taking place on Wednesday May 15th from 6:00pm-7:00pm on zoom. Details and information on how to register can be found at Norriscenter.org, our Facebook, or you can email us at tfc@norriscenter.org.
Mark Your Calendar
5/13-5/17 Week of Service: Painting Garden Stones
Learners and staff will be painting stones to place around local communities.
5/17 Spirit Day: Tie Dye Day
Learners will be making tie dye shirts and are encouraged to wear them on Friday, May 17th.
5/22 Class of 2024 Graduation
5/24 Trimester #3 Ends
5/27 Memorial Day/No School
5/28-5/31 Flexible Learning Opportunity
No school for learners
5/28-6/3 Norris Academy Art Gala
Learner and staff artwork will be displayed at the Mukwonago Community Library.
5/29 Norris Academy Art Gala Special Viewing Event
Join our artists, friends, and families from 6-7:30 PM at the Mukwonago Community Library. Light refreshments will be served.
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
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