Normandy Park School

Monday, March 18th is an D Day.

I hope that everyone had a wonderful weekend!

I would like to sincerely thank the HSA and all volunteers for hosting an amazing fun-filled Fun Fair! It was a great event to bring the NPS community together! We had parents, NPS teachers and staff, and MHS students volunteering. It was amazing to see how well it came together.

On March 18th, two NPS parents, who also happen to be extremely talented mental health professionals, will host the parent event "It Take A Village." Participation can be virtual or in-person. The discussion will focus on how we can support children in our community feeling confident, kind, capable, and assertive. For more information and to RSVP, please click here!

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out via phone or e-mail with any questions.

Sincerely,

Chris Miller (christopher.miller@msdk12.net)

Reminder:

Last day of school before spring break is March 28th. School will be closed from March 29th through April 7th. School will reopen on Monday, April 8th.

The Normandy Park School is excited to host its annual S.T.E.A.M. Fair which will be held this Thursday, March 21st from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. The acronym S.T.E.A.M. stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. Students are learning, exploring and expressing interest in many areas, and this is an additional opportunity to showcase their work.

During the fair parents and students will have the opportunity to explore the different aspects of S.T.E.A.M. throughout the building. It will be an amazing opportunity for students to display their talents and interests through multiple facets.

Your child also has the opportunity to complete an at home project. This is voluntary. Additional information will be sent home by Mr. Russell.

We hope you will join us in celebrating our students’ hard work.

March is Women's History month.

Every March, people in the United States celebrate the achievements and history of women as part of Women’s History Month.

Educators in Santa Rosa, CA, first celebrated Women’s History Week in March 1978 to increase awareness of women’s contributions to society. In 1987, Congress passed a resolution deeming March as Women’s History Month for all.

Today, we continue to celebrate Women's History Month, but also emphasize studying the accomplishments of women year round. Every morning, we will open the announcements by learning about an influential woman in our nation's history.

Continuing with our Grow It Green lessons for our 2/3 classes, Farmer Kim visited each class last week. She taught us all about composting. She also read us the book “Compost Stew.”

This past Saturday, we were thrilled to see the joy on everyone's faces at the NPS Fun Fair! It wouldn't have been possible without the incredible dedication of our Home and School Association and our staff, student, and family volunteers.

I want to express my sincere gratitude to each and every one of you who gave your time and energy to make the event a roaring success. From setting up and running the games to managing the food booths and creating a festive atmosphere, your contributions were invaluable!

The smiles on the children's faces were truly heartwarming, and that's all thanks to your commitment to creating a fun and memorable experience for the entire NPS community.

Your willingness to go above and beyond is what makes the NPS spirit so special. Thank you for being a part of such a fantastic event!

This event is hosted by two NPS mothers, who also happen to be extremely talented mental health professionals.

To RSVP for this event, please click here: https://forms.gle/3d3mY6jJhw2BqD2D6

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!

Save the date! Additional information on how to purchase tickets will be shared soon.

The HSA's Membership Toolkit is the key to staying informed! If you have not done so already, we encourage you to create a profile which will enable participation in the school directory and the ability to sign up to receive our 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!

Follow the NPS HSA on Social Media:

Instagram: @nps_wizards

Facebook: Normandy Park School HSA

Additional information was sent home regarding the upcoming reading challenge (including logs and prizes for completion!)

Tickets on sale now...get yours before they sell out! MHSTIX.COM

March 2024

I’m sure you know the phrase “In like a Lion, out like a Lamb”to describe the month of March. Does it also describe your child’s seeming emotional roller coaster as well? It is not always easy to figure out the root cause of the behaviors, but there are often several types of triggers which include frustration, boredom, anger, fear. According to the Child Mind Institute, children can benefit from learning certain skills to help them handle situations better. These skills include:

• Impulse control

• Problem solving

• Delaying gratification

• Negotiating

• Communicating wishes and needs to adults

• Knowing what’s appropriate or expected in a given situation

• Self-soothing

Help your child with the language of feelings. In addition to the basic mad, sad, happy, scared, there are so many wonderfully descriptive words that might fit your angry child including frustrated, jealous and disappointed. The feelings wheel is chock full of great adjectives to describe many different types of feelings. In addition the Zones of Regulation is a popular tool to use to help your child identify how they are feeling. The example below is one of many you can find online.

Here are a few of the many great child friendly books written on the topic of anger. Whatever book you choose, make sure to read it first to familiarize yourself with it and make sure you feel comfortable with it.

As always, if you have a question or concern about your child please don’t hesitate to seek help.

Stay awesome!

Cheryl

Cheryl.cohen@msdk12.net

Check out some SEL resources from our MSD counseling intern team!

English SEL newsletter

Spanish SEL newsletter

*Please note that the counseling interns service will be ending in April and/or May. Counseling interns will finish their term of service on the following dates:

Ms. Sleight: Thursday April 18th

Mr. Beck: Friday April 19th

Ms. Andres: Friday May 10th

SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS WITH A GIFT TO THE MORRIS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION!

The Morris Educational Foundation (MEF) works year-long in collaboration with the Morris School District community to bring resources to all students and all schools. Together, we help everyone Imagine the Possibilities - and make it a reality.

This includes funding for annual Cultural Arts programming, classroom grants as well as literacy programs and resources to name a few. We rely on our donors to make this all possible and during this season of giving, we ask for you to consider a gift at bit.ly/MEFgift to help us continue our impact for the ‘23-24 school year.

Click here to learn more about the MEF's impact. The Morris School District is an amazing place, and the MEF is proud to be its partner for over 30 years. We hope you will join us this school year to Imagine the Possibilities!

Click here for Breakfast and Lunch Menus.

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.

Students who qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch qualify for free/reduced breakfast as well. Applications are available through PaySchools. Click the link to create your PaySchool account (ENG or ESP) Once you create your account, the Free & Reduced Application will be available complete online. 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.

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 2023-2024***

Elementary Breakfast

$1.50

Elementary Lunch

$3.00

Reduced Price Breakfast

$0.00

Reduced Price Lunch

$0.00

Milk

$0.75

Checks are made payable to "Morris School District".

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

• March 18th- Takes a Village Presentation
• March 21st- STEAM Night
• March 25th- Early Dismissal for Students
• March 27th- Early Dismissal for Students (Parent Conferences)
• March 28th- Last Day of School Before Spring Break

Click here to view Morris School District (MSD) 2023-2024 School calendar.

NJSLA State Testing for Grades 3-5 will begin at the end of April. The tentative schedule is as follows (*if there are changes in the schedule, they will be communicated/posted as soon as they are made):

Dates for NJSLA State Testing:

ELA:

• April 30, May 1st: 4th and 5th Grade
• May 6th, May 7th: 3rd Grade

Math:

• May 14th to May 16th: 4th and 5th Grade
• May 8th to May 10th: 3rd Grade

Science (5th Grade Only)

• May 2nd, May 3rd

· Parent Handbook

· Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

· Free and Reduced Meal Application

· Sunset and Sunrise