Superintendent Update

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Members of our School Communities,

As we enter the beautiful month of May, we're reminded that time flies, especially during our busy school year. With June 21st marking the last day of school, we're counting down the 28 school days (if I counted right!) until summer break. As we wrap up Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated educators and staff members. Your hard work, passion, and unwavering commitment to our students do not go unnoticed, and we are truly grateful for everything you do every day.

We also want to extend a special acknowledgment to all our community's mothers and motherly figures. Happy Mother's Day to those who nurture, support, and inspire us with their love and guidance. Your impact on our lives is immeasurable, and we appreciate you today and every day.

Thank you to our entire school community for supporting our teachers and staff. Together, we create a nurturing environment where our students can thrive and succeed.

Go Mustangs!

Sincerely,

Dr. J.J. Muñoz

Acting Superintendent of Schools, Norwood Public Schools

Last week, we shared an update on the ongoing elementary building study in Norwood Public Schools, which focuses on optimizing space, enhancing instructional programming, and balancing school-building capacities to better serve our students.

As promised, the School Committee Meeting will provide a further update on Wednesday, May 15th, at 7 pm. You can access the presentation through this link: CLICK HERE

In the coming weeks, you will have opportunities to engage with the School Committee as we explore various scenarios to optimize space at all elementary schools. These scenarios aim to enhance the student experience, potentially reduce transportation costs, and align programming with student needs.

Please note that any potential changes from this study will be implemented in the 2025-26 school year. These changes could include adjustments to school boundaries, grade configurations, and transportation routes. Additionally, once the new Coakley Middle School building becomes a 5-8 model, it will alleviate overcrowding issues and provide opportunities to enhance educational programming for fifth graders.

Our guiding pillars for this study reflect careful planning and consideration, including optimizing physical space, enhancing instructional programming, balancing school capacities for future growth, attempting to make school demographics more balanced, and maintaining neighborhood schools as closely as possible.

We deeply appreciate your continued support and involvement as we work together to ensure the best possible learning environment for all Norwood students.

• May 10: Pops Concert @ NHS 7:00pm -10:00pm
• May 16: Willett School Family Literacy Night 5:00pm - 7:00pm
• May 17: CMS Spring Musical 7:00pm @ NHS
• May 18: CMS Spring Musical 7:00pm @ NHS
• May 19: CMS Spring Musical 2:00pm @ NHS
• May 21: NHS Fine Arts Performance/Show Event 7:00pm-9:00pm
• May 22: Music Concert: Callahan, Oldham, Prescott @ NHS 7:00pm-9:00pm
• May 23: Music Concert: Cleveland, Balch @ CMS 7:00pm-9:00pm
• May 28: Nemmy Awards NPS Fine Arts Performance Event @ NHS 7:00am-9:00am
• May 28: CMS Grade 6 Music Concert @ CMS 7:00am-9:00pm
• May 29: NHS Dramatic Reading Original Plays @ NHS 5:00pm-7:00pm
• May 30: Balch Talent Show evening performance
• June 5: CMS Grade 7 & 8 Music Concert @CMS 7:00am-9:00pm
• June 6: NHS Spring Drama Performance 7:00pm
• June 7: NHS Spring Drama Performance 7:00pm

Important High School Information

Pre-Order Flowers & Teddy Bears for Graduating Seniors

Purchase now and flowers will be available for pick up on graduation day – and you won’t have to scramble on graduation day!

https://www.thecommencementgroup.com/norwoodhighschool/

Parking Spot Raffle – 2 Spots Available
Enter to win a free parking spot at NHS. Raffle is open to any student in grades 9-12 and will be awarded during your senior year with a valid driver’s license. Space must be redeemed by the winner and is non-transferable.

$15 per entry. Click here to enter.

Please note: Last day of school Friday, June 21, 2024

Early Release:

Willett School: 11:10

Elementary: 11:40

Coakley Middle: 12:30

High School: 12:00

This coming week's School Committee meeting promises to be comprehensive and informative, with diverse topics on the agenda. We'll start with presentations from Mental Health First Aid and representatives from Sanborn, who will provide the second part of the Elementary Study Report. After these presentations, various school principals will share their one-year School Improvement Plans and handbooks.

Budget discussions will include updates on Title Grants Amendments for FY24 and EA Shelter Supplemental Reimbursement and Project Management.

Lastly, updates on the Student Opportunities Act Plan, Legislative Advocacy, and Policy Subcommittee Update will be provided.

Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, May 15th, at 7:00 pm. For details and supporting materials, visit the School Committee page on Norwood Public School's website - Meeting Schedule & Supporting Documents.We encourage all stakeholders to join us for these important discussions as we work towards ensuring the best possible outcomes for our students and community.

Ahead of our annual Pops concert tonight, we are thrilled to announce that a representative from MICCA will present Steve Conant with the MICCA Paul Smith Hall of Fame Award. This award is a testament to Steve's outstanding contributions to our music community, and we are incredibly proud of his well-deserved recognition.

Steve was honored with this prestigious award at the MMEA All-State convention in March, and we are delighted that MICCA has chosen to make a special presentation at our home concert as well. The Pops concert promises to be a memorable evening, as we will also be unveiling our BCME (Best Communities for Music Education) designation with a banner reveal.

There is much to celebrate, and we look forward to sharing this special evening with our community. Thank you for supporting our music program and our students' achievements.

Norwood Public Schools Adopts the New CDC & MA Department of Public Health Guidelines for Respiratory Illnesses

1. When you have ANY respiratory virus (Flu, COVID, RSV) - stay home and away from others while you have respiratory

virus symptoms. These symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache, among others.
2. Return to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, BOTH are true:

Your symptoms are getting better overall, AND
You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication)
3. When you go back to your normal activities, take added precautions over the next 5 days, such as taking
additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be
around other people indoors.

If you have questions or need COVID home test kits please reach out to your school nurse. For additional information

on these guideline changes follow this link