Panther Pride Newsletter
January 2023
Summer Vacation is Coming!
Panther Nation, as we near the end of the school year, it's a time filled with mixed emotions for families. There's the thrill of impending summer adventures, whether they involve vacations or simply enjoying the great outdoors. Yet, its also the bittersweet feeling of saying goodbye to another year. Families are busy planning activities, reflecting on achievements, and preparing for transitions—be it moving up a grade, transitioning to a new school, or even graduating. This is a time for us all to celebrate accomplishments, and eagerly anticipate the adventures that lie ahead.
Thank you for making this school year memorable, and I'm excited for the successes we'll achieve in the final month. Your trust in us to educate your student is deeply appreciated. Norton City Schools is grateful for the opportunity to serve our community.
Sincerely,
Bryan Farson, Superintendent
Go Panthers!
Students of the Month
Congratulations to the following students for their excellence inside and outside of the classroom as they have been chosen as our April Students of the Month. They truly exemplify what it means to be a Norton Panther. Panther Pride!
- Primary - Huntley Sweazy
- NES - Amaya Kelly
- Middle - CJ Houk
- HS - Luke Dobbins
- HS Compact - Emma Warner
Primary
“Way to Go Preschool Team!”
The Department of Child and Youth conducted the three year on-site review for the Norton Developmental Preschool on April 9th. During the on-site review, the following areas were examined: Staff/Administrator Education, Professional Development Courses Completed, completion of an OCOT observation for classrooms, demonstrated measured growth in the Continuous Improvement Plan, parent engagement practices, and an implemented child screening process. We are very proud of the work of our Preschool Staff and Teaching Assistants in obtaining their 5 Star Rating!
Elementary
Norton Classroom Teachers Association has been awarded funding for an innovative grant entitled "Panther Pause". Funding is from the Ohio Education Association Foundation in the amount of $3,509.The grant monies will be used to support NES Cross Categorical Classrooms as well as other general education students who may need a "Panther Pause" to address emotional well-being. Materials will be purchased for designated spaces in a "calming room" in Mrs. Dietz's and Mrs. Danicic and Ms. Knotts' rooms. This grant will provide students with resources to make thoughtful choices throughout their school day to feel secure and connected.
Middle School
Norton Middle School's 7th and 8th grade Farming and Builders Club members have joined forces under the guidance of Mr. Rowell and Dr. Russo to bring an innovative project to life: The Market Cart. This project, part of the school's Farming Club initiative, features a specially designed cart that will be used to distribute fresh herbs and vegetables grown in the school's indoor farm towers.
The 8th graders kicked off the project by constructing the Market Cart's frame. The next phase will see the 7th graders adding an awning and applying their creativity to paint and design the cart, making it not only functional, but also visually appealing.
Once completed, the Market Cart will be used to distribute the fresh produce to staff and the local community. This initiative aims to share the fruits of the students' labor and promote sustainable farming practices. Donations for the herbs and vegetables will be accepted, supporting further agricultural projects at the school.
This collaboration between the Farming and Builders Club showcases Norton Middle School's commitment to hands-on learning and community engagement, preparing students for a future where they can apply their skills in meaningful ways.
High School
On April 25, Norton High School will hold our 3rd annual Senior Signing Day! This is an opportunity for our seniors to declare their future intentions in the 3 E's (enroll, enlist or employ). We will have seniors displaying a wide range of plans including military enlistment, post-secondary education, and workforce employment. For the second year in a row, students will also have the opportunity to ask a teacher who has had an impact on their educational path to accompany them on stage. We look forward to celebrating this day with all of our seniors!
Technology Exploration
Every year, our Technology Advisory Committee (TAC), comprised of staff members from each school building, creates a strategic plan. This school year, one of our goals was to increase opportunities for students to be producers of technology as opposed to just consumers. We want our students to be engaged with content and be able to actively show what they have learned in any content area, at any grade level. During our March professional development day, the TAC members presented explanations on the distinction between technology producers vs consumers and shared several ideas on how teachers might help their students grow in this way. As you can imagine, activities such as these are great for fostering creativity, critical thinking, and communication. We applaud our TAC members for stepping up to share this information with their colleagues and helping our students become digital creators and creative thinkers!
Important Dates
May 11 - Panther Run @ NHS
May 12 - Mother's Day
May 19 - NHS Graduation
May 27 - Memorial Day - No School
May 30 - Student Last Day
May 31 - Teacher Last Day
June 16 - Father's Day
August 20 - Student First Day (PreK, Gr. 1-12)
August 26 - Kindergarten First Day
Norton City Schools
Norton School Information
High School
Grades 9-12
330.825.7300
Middle School
Grades 5-8
330.825.5607
Elementary School
Grades 1-4
330.825.3828
Primary School
Pre-K thru Kindergarten
330.825.5133
Attendance Hotline
330.706.2760