NORWOOD NEWS

Our community is a community of superstars! Here are some updates as we work to bring out the best in our students and help them all reach for the stars.

Norwood Elementary provides relevant and challenging learning for all of our students. We believe all students are capable of achieving grade level standards, and provide the needed supports for each child on their learning journey. We strive for all of our superstars to reach their fullest potential in our ever-changing 21st century world.

• Wednesday June 11, 2025: End of Year 1st Grade Picnic 10:30AM
• Wednesday June 11, 2025: End of Year 2nd Grade Picnic 1:45PM
• Thursday June 12, 2025: End of Year KG Grade Picnic 1:30PM
• Thursday June 12, 2025: End of Year PK AM Picnic 10:00AM
• Thursday June 12, 2025: End of Year PK PM Picnic 2:00PM
• Friday June 13, 2025: Schools Close 3 Hours Early. Norwood will dismiss at 12:20PM
• Monday June 16, 2025: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR ALL STUDENTS!!!! Schools close 3 hours early (Norwood dismisses at 12:20pm)
• Wednesday June 4, 2025: Wellness Wednesday
• Wednesday June 25, 2025: FREE Produce Market

Reminder: School Hours

8:20am arrival / 8:35am late bell / 3:20pm dismissal (no drop-off prior to 8:20am as there is no supervision outside before then)

PK Schedule: AM session (8:20am - 11:05am); PM session (12:40pm - 3:20pm)

As we wrap up another incredible school year, I want to take a moment to reflect on all that we’ve accomplished together and to express our heartfelt gratitude for your continued partnership and support. On a personal note, I can't say it enough how proud I am to be Principal of Norwood Elementary School.

This year has been filled with growth, learning, and countless moments of joy. From academic achievements to artistic and musical performances, or students participation in before or after school programs, our students have truly shined. They are our SUPERSTARS—bright, bold, and full of potential! Whether in the classroom or out in the community, they’ve shown us what it means to lead with heart, curiosity, and determination.

To our families—thank you for being our partners in education. Your involvement, encouragement, and trust have made a lasting impact on our school community. Whether you volunteered your time, attended events, or supported learning at home, your contributions have helped shape a positive and nurturing environment for all.

As we look ahead to a well-deserved summer break, we encourage everyone to rest, recharge, and enjoy time with loved ones. We’re already excited for the new school year and all the opportunities it will bring. Please keep an eye out in August for communication from Norwood regarding your child's teacher for the next school year and our important dates for events such as Back to School Night.

Wishing you a safe, joyful, and restful summer—and don’t forget to keep shining like the SUPERSTARS you are!

For the safety of our children, please do not bring pets into the school building. In addition, for the safety of everyone during the arrival/dismissal process, pets are not allowed on school property.

Please read carefully below for reminders and make note of the 3 messages marked *Very Important*. Thank you!

• Arrival Reminders

• The doors to the school open at 8:20 a.m. and arrival takes place until 8:35 a.m. for all students. If you are dropping off your child in the morning, please pay close attention to the no parking signs on Delvale Ave., as it’s unsafe and interrupts the flow of traffic when cars are parked in the no parking area.
• *Very Important* - Staff are on duty starting at 8:20 a.m. to supervision both outside and within the building. Families are encouraged to use the car loop starting at 8:20 a.m. when staff is present. Staff supervision is not provided prior to 8:20 a.m. so students should not be waiting for the doors to open without adult supervision. Recently we have had an increase of student injuries before 8:20 due to lack of supervision by whoever is bringing students to school.

• Early Child Pick-up Reminders

• If it is necessary for you to pick up your child prior to the end of the school day:

1. Communication (note, email, Talking Points) should be sent to each classroom teacher which includes the date and time of pickup.
2. *Very Important* - This was communicated in newsletters earlier in the year, but early dismissals will occur prior to 2:50 p.m. Students will not be called to the office for dismissal after 2:50 p.m. Phone calls to request an early pickup must occur prior to 2:50 p.m. The main office must be contacted. This is not only for safety reasons, but to ensure our dismissal process runs as smoothly as possible, parents/guardians attempting to early dismiss their child after 2:50 p.m. interferes with our dismissal procedures within the school building.
3. When you arrive, the office will need to see photo identification before calling your child to the office for dismissal. Students will not be waiting in the office for your arrival but will be called once you arrive.
4. Please sign the dismissal log in the office and include the reason for early dismissal.

Reminder - Due to the busy preparations for our school’s afternoon dismissal, we ask that you do not request your child for early dismissal after 2:50 p.m. After 2:50 p.m., all students will be dismissed at the regular dismissal time.

• Dismissal Reminder

• Please bring your ID whenever picking up your child

• For the safety of our students and families, during dismissal, only those on your child’s designated pickup list are allowed on school property
• *Very Important* - Norwood students are learning until the very end of the day at 3:20 pm. As the weather gets warmer, we have seen an increase of middle school & high school students on Norwood's property during dismissal. I need your help to ensure a safe and smooth dismissal process for all students and families. PLEASE be sure that if your Norwood student is being picked up by an older sibling, only the older sibling is on Norwood property, and they DO NOT bring friends or cousins. Most older students picking up on a regular basis are respectful to staff, but not all older students are respectful to staff and families picking up. Often, we have a large number of middle/high school students hanging out/playing on the student playgrounds prior to the 3:20 dismissal time. Recently, there are many middle/high school students meeting a friend or cousin on Norwood property who is picking up, when they should be meeting at a location that is not on Norwood property. Finally, as I stated above, Norwood students are learning until the very end of the day at 3:20 pm and very often their learning is being disrupted by many additional older students who are making noise playing on Norwood property while they are waiting to pick up.
• For those parents/guardians who are always making sure their older children who are picking up are following Norwood rules and being respectful, I thank you for making Norwood safer during our busy dismissal time. 🤩

• Dismissal Changes

• If you wish for your child to leave the school with someone other than the parent/guardian, you are required to write a note/email stating the name of the person who will be coming for your child. The note should be given to your child’s teacher, who will send it to the office. Your child should be aware of the change in routine prior to coming to school. Photo identification is needed for anyone other than the parents/guardians when picking up a student. Anyone who picks up must have a form of ID, if the person is under the age of 18 we must have a photo of that child in the student file and classroom. In addition, if your child’s dismissal is different than the usual routine plan, please send a note stating the change. It is important that your child is familiar with his/her daily dismissal routine and that the routine is as consistent as possible. Please note that students may only ride the bus if they are assigned as a bus rider to that bus. These procedures ensure the safety of our students, decrease the number of classroom interruptions, and avoid any confusion. In the case of an emergency, please contact the office at 443-809-7055.

The safety and well-being of our students remains our top priority, and we are committed to ensuring that all students – regardless of background, language, or country of origin – receive a world-class education in a safe and welcoming environment.

Baltimore County Public Schools has created a new webpage to provide additional resources and information regarding immigration enforcement action in public schools. We encourage families to review the important information on the webpage. BCPS, in coordination with the state, is providing timely updates and guidance for school administrators and staff, including information on responding to a request from an immigration or law enforcement officer seeking to enforce immigration laws at a school or to access a student or student records. Families are reminded to review and update emergency contact information in the Focus parent portal to ensure we have accurate contact information. If applicable, parents/guardians are encouraged to identify a “standby guardian” to care for their child, by completing this Maryland Judiciary form and providing a copy to the school.

As we head into summer break, we want to remind our families that support doesn’t stop when school ends! Our school is here for you—whether you need learning resources, activity ideas, or just someone to point you in the right direction. Don’t hesitate to call us if you need anything. We have socks, shoes, toiletries, and etc.

Wishing you a fun, safe, and enriching summer! 🌞📚

Mr. Ramos: dramosquinteros@bcps.org

Ms. Hotchkiss: mhotchkiss@bcps.org

We're excited to share that pending prizes are going home this week! Students who participated in the BookBlast will also receive their books during the week—just in time for some great summer reading! Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success. Let’s keep the love of reading going all summer long!

A huge shoutout to Ms. Parrish, 3rd grade class for winning our attendance challenge!

To verify your domicile for the 2025 - 2026 school year please fill out the form mailed to you and email or drop off the requested information to the school. If sending by email please include your students name and the wording "shared domicile renewal" in the subject line. These forms can be emailed to swake@bcps.org or dramosquinteros@bcps.org. Also, forms and pictures can be texted to 443-879-9518.

The documentation needed is as follows:

• A completed Shared Domicile Disclosure Renewal Form signed and dated by the parent/guardian and the homeowner/lease holder.
• Three current documents, dated within the past sixty (60) days, verifying your domicile at the Baltimore County residence on file
• Photo identification for parent/guardian

Thank you for your attention and cooperation to make this renewal process smoother!

Norwood Families,

As this school year is coming to an end! Although, we are sad to see our Norwood superstars leave Norwood! If you are planning on moving to another county or residence that is not zoned for Norwood, please notify the office ahead of time to ensure that you receive your transfer packet on time to enroll at the designated zone school.

If your student will be enrolled at another Baltimore County Public School, they may keep and transfer their device with them to their following school.

If your student will NOT be enrolled at another Baltimore County Public School, please return your students device to the front office on the last day that your student will be attending Norwood.

For any questions on transfer packets please call the office at 443-809-7055.

Do you need to find your zoned school?

If you are moving and would like to locate your zoned Baltimore County Public School, click on this link below:

https://www.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=2942bc0c7555468eb04aba0f61da9e16

If you are moving and would like to locate your zoned Baltimore City Public School, click on this link below:

https://www.baltimorecityschools.org/schools

As we approach the end of the school year, we are excited to announce our end of the year celebrations. All grade levels will have their picnics and celebrations on a specific date, as listed above in the important dates section of the newsletter. Please look out for specific information from your students teacher in their blue folder regarding their picnic celebration

A FEW REMINDERS:

• To avoid long lines and wait times to sign-in, parents/guardians should stop into the main office during regular school hours to have a visitor badge pre-printed for their students’ celebration. Make sure to bring ID to have your badge pre-printed and bring ID on the day of the event.

• School aged siblings will NOT be allowed to attend the celebrations.

With each monthly newsletter you will gain access to unit overviews for math instruction at each grade level. Below are the unit overviews for unit 8 of math, available in both English and Spanish. The overviews share the main learning goals of the unit, show sample problems that students might see with instructional notes for family members, and include frequently asked questions.

Here are the current Math overviews below, both in English and Spanish for each grade level.

Kindergarten | Kinder

English | Español

Grade 1 | Grado 1

English | Español

Grade 2 | Grado 2

English | Español

Grade 3 | Grado 3

English | Español

Check out this amazing interactive family resource for math. This provides models and examples of what students are learning in class and can be used to sharpen their skills.

Grade 3

Grade 2

Grade 1

Kindergarten

We will be having our monthly free community produce market on Wednesday June 25th at Holabird STEM Middle starting at 4:00pm until supplies last.

***Please bring your own bag***

Join us on Wednesday, June 4th, from 9:00 to 10:30 AM in the Norwood Elementary Cafeteria for our monthly Wellness Wednesday event! This is a great opportunity to learn fun and easy ways to keep our Norwood Superstars learning and growing all summer long. We'll share simple activities and helpful tips that families can use at home to make summer both exciting and educational. Come connect with other families, enjoy hands-on ideas, and get ready for a summer full of learning and fun!

Nature-Based Activities:

• Nature Scavenger Hunts: Create a list of items to find in nature (leaves, rocks, flowers, etc.).

• Nature Art: Collect leaves, petals, and sticks to create collages or other artwork.

• Gardening: Start a small garden with flowers, vegetables, or herbs.

• Birdwatching: Identify birds in your yard or neighborhood and keep a nature journal.

• Build a Butterfly Garden: Research native butterflies and plant attracting flowers.

• Visit a local Arboretum: Explore local plants and trees.

Indoor Activities:

• DIY Crafts: Get creative with various crafting projects using recycled materials.

• Science Experiments: Try simple experiments like a volcano with baking soda and vinegar or making a rainbow.

• Imaginative Play: Encourage storytelling, building with blocks, or creating a "inventor's workshop".

• Reading and Storytelling: Create a comfortable reading corner and encourage children to read.

• Cooking Together: Engage children in cooking activities.

• Sidewalk Chalk Art: Use sidewalk chalk for free-form drawing and games like hopscotch.

Fun activities at the library! To scan QR code click here!

Click on these links for different ideas/activities for summer learning! Click on the links below

Summer Learning

Free Learning Activities

Career Exploration

We are still in allergy season. Encourage students to not touch or rub their eyes in order to prevent germs from infecting eyes. For itchy eyes, wash hands and face with cool water and use a cold compress to reduce redness and swelling. If there is eye drainage or irritation of just one eye, consult your child's doctor for treatment.

A physical exam must be completed within 9 months prior to entering the school system or within six months after entering the school system. If you need school physical forms for the doctor or dentist, please ask at the office or the school nurse. We need one copy of each on file.

Our lost and found is filling up quickly. Please check it before the end of the year, as all items left in it will be donated to the school or to charity.

Please consider donating gently used items that your students have outgrown to our school. We really appreciate having clothing available for emergencies!

Eastern Assembly of God church on Wise Avenue will hold their Blessing Closet every first Saturday of every month, from 10-12:00 Noon. They only have children's clothes and there is no charge. They also take donations of lightly used children's clothing. Anyone is welcome.

Address: 7923 Wise Ave, Dundalk, MD 21222

The Vision to Learn program will be giving free eye exams and glasses this summer to students age 4-17. If your student failed the vision screening at school, please schedule a visit to the doctor or make an appointment with Vision to Learn. Please call the school nurse with any questions.

You must book an appointment by visiting their website, https://vtlmd.intakeq.com/booking Appointments fill up quickly, so make

NORWOOD ELEMENTARY CLOSING AND EARLY DISMISSAL 2024-2025 CALENDAR

Access the yearly calendar of closings and early dismissal for Norwood Elementary students by clicking here

ATTENDANCE REFERENCES

Access a quick guide to better understand your students absences and codings by clicking here.

PARENT RESOURCE HUB

Access a variety of resources available to our superstar families by clicking here.

FOOD PANTRY DISTRIBUTION LIST

Access a list of food pantry distribution sites by clicking here.

BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY MONTHLY EVENTS-JUNE

Access the monthly calendar of events that are happening at the local library by clicking here.

Baltimore County has released a resource guide for New Americans! This guide contains valuable information and contact details for families regarding education, legal resources, housing, health, mental health, how to obtain a driver's license without an SSN, enrolling children in BCPS, and more! Its also available in the top 5 languages spoken in Balt. County.

https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/county-executive/immigrant-affairs

Global Refugee has key information and resources for newly immigrant families. Take a look at them by clicking the links below:

MMH Program

Reunified Families

Norwood Elementary School is a Title I community school within the Baltimore County Public School system. We are located in Dundalk, MD, and we strive for all of our superstars to reach their fullest potential in our ever-changing 21st century world.

If you have any questions regarding any of the information on this newsletter, please contact Diego Ramos (Norwood Bilingual Family Services Liaison) at dramosquinteros@bcps.org, or by calling his direct line at 443-809-1505.

Website: https://norwoodes.bcps.org
Location: 1700 Delvale Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21222, USA
Phone: 443-809-7055
Facebook: facebook.com/NorwoodES
Twitter: @NorwoodES