Normandy Park School

I hope that everyone had a wonderful weekend!

Monday (2/28) is a C Day.

Access Testing for ELL students will continue this week.

Last week, MEF hosted Morristown Onstage at the Mayo Performing Arts Center. Congratulations to all the finalists on a phenomenal show! A special shout out to fan favorite winner Unity Steppers, coached by NPS parent (and alum) Adia Harris and featuring NPS student Denee F. Check out the performance below!

Please continue answering the following the questions on the Daily Student Screening before your child leaves for school each morning. Please inform our school nurse (marybeth.supple@msdk12.net) if your child tested positive for COVID-19, has been in close contact with anyone who tested positive for COVID-19, or exhibits any symptoms consistent with COVID-19.

If there are changes in your child's dismissal plans (e.g. you are going to pick them up that day, instead of taking the bus), please use the attached form or call the main office.

Please know that I am here to help and support in any way that I can. Feel free to reach out to me directly at christopher.miller@msdk12.net.

La Esquina Latina Con Mrs. Esteves

February is Black History Month.

Black History Month was created to highlight the history and the accomplishments of black Americans. Today, we continue to celebrate Black History Month, but also emphasize studying the accomplishments of Black Americans year round. Every morning, we will open the announcements by learning about an influential African American.

MSD parent conferences at all schools will now take place on Monday, March 21, and Tuesday, March 22. These will be early dismissal days.

Parents will have the option of in-person and/or virtual conferences.

As of this writing, beginning March 7th, masks are optional in NJ (with the exception of buses). It is important that we recognize that people on both sides of the masking issue are having a whole lot of feelings. For many adults and children this is a very exciting time; they can’t wait to rip off their masks and see each other’s faces! For many others this is a very anxiety provoking moment in time. If you haven’t begun to talk to your children about the unmasking, now would be a good time to do so. If your child is going maskless, talk to them about why some might continue to wear theirs. Some possible responses are: there may be family members who have health issues, they may have parents working around people who are at risk (think hospitals, nursing homes), or they might still need time to adjust to the change. If your child is wearing a mask talk to them about why they think people are feeling comfortable removing theirs. Whether your child will be masked or unmasked, talk with them about how they might feel seeing or being near children and adults who will or won’t be wearing masks.

Regardless of whether your child keeps their mask on or off, use this as a continued opportunity to teach your child(ren) about kindness and respect. Talk with them about how it is not ok to tease or make fun of children whatever their family’s decision is and that children and adults on both sides of the masking issue might be excited and nervous. Have the conversation about it not being ok to try to force someone to wear a mask or to take it off. Let them know that during the school day they could talk to any adult if they have any worries.

It’s going to continue to take time to recover from this. Be reassuring, be positive. With or without the mask just breathe! We’re going to get through this together.

For more on this topic you can watch Professor of Psychology at Rutgers University, Maurice Elias. Dr. Elias is also the director of the Rutgers Social-Emotional and Character Development Lab, and co director of the Academy for SEL in Schools:

https://abc7ny.com/video/embed/?pid=11544673

Do you have a topic you would like to see addressed here in the Counselor Corner? If so please email me at cheryl.cohen@msdk12.net

Stay Awesome!

Join us to create a massive mural that will transform our school from April 11 to April 27! There will be something for everyone!

NO ARTISTIC SKILLS NEEDED! - Our artist, Caren Frost Olmsted, will be essentially drawing out a huge coloring book—and we get to paint it in!

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SIGN UP FOR MULTIPLE SLOTS! -

We need all hands-on deck! If you cannot make an entire morning or afternoon

slot, but can make part, please come! CLICK TO SIGN UP - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F45AFAA28A5F8C25-march

Thank you so much for your time and willingness to volunteer!

Parent volunteers are once again permitted in schools and classrooms with the approval of the building principal. In order to be approved for volunteering, all volunteers must first show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.

Please submit proof of vaccination to christopher.miller@msdk12.net prior to showing up to volunteer. Thank you!

We are running the NPS Spirit Store a little differently this year. This year the School Store is on RedBubble.com and you'll be able to order whenever you want! Head on over to NPS School Store to check out all of our new designs and get your hands on the coolest of NPS Fashion!

Check out the HSA school store. Now open!

This week, we will conduct make-up Naglieri testing sessions for 3rd grade students who missed their class testing session.

Each student’s test results will be available to their parents in March. Results will be one of several measures used to determine eligibility for the Quest Program and is useful as one extra part of an overall view of our students as learners. If you have any questions regarding the administration of this test, please feel free to reach out to me directly. Thank you for your continued cooperation and support.

Quarantined students may use their Chromebook to view the in-person classroom via Google Meet and will have access to assignments via Google Classroom (K-5) or Canvas (6-12). Additional support will be provided to elementary students and others who require it. PreK students will have periodic check-ins, but most of their learning will take place off-line.

Virtual learning will be arranged within two school days (may be provided earlier if possible) of the onset of quarantine. This time frame is necessary for information to be distributed to all the necessary teachers and staff, and then for the teachers to set up Google Meet links and coordinate academic support. However, students can access their Google Classroom or Canvas accounts to check for assignments at any time.

REMINDER:

Students will be having snack time during the school day, with all necessary safety measures in place. Please send your child in with a healthy snack.

Breakfast and lunch will be served daily at school. All students will have access to school provided breakfast and lunch (if they choose to receive it).

As students enter the building, they will be able to grab-and-go breakfast if they choose to..

Click here for the MSD February breakfast menu.

Click here for the MSD March breakfast menu.

For lunch, students will be asked at the beginning of the day if they would like to order (providing their choice of either the hot/cold option). Teachers will present the menu choices for the day.

Click here for the MSD February lunch menu.

Click here for the MSD March lunch menu.

Where will students eat lunch?

Students will eat lunch at 6 ft apart (seats facing the same direction). We will utilize classrooms, cafeteria, and lab to accommodate all students at 6ft apart.

Arrival Procedures: Students are permitted into the building at 8:40 a.m. Students bussed to school will be dropped off in the front of the building.

Drop Offs: Students being dropped off in the morning may enter through the back doors. Please use the drop-off/pick-up line in the back of the building. There is no supervision before 8:40, and children who arrive before that time, will not be permitted to enter the building. A staff member will be at the door between 8:40 and 8:55 a.m. to welcome students. Any student arriving after 8:55 must enter the front of the building and report to the nurse’s office with a parent or guardian to obtain a late pass.

Dismissal Procedures: Dismissal begins at the conclusion of our last period, 3:05 p.m.

All students are encouraged to ride the bus to and from school.

At dismissal, students will be dismissed from the back of the building. When picking up your child, please use the pick-up line. Stay in your vehicle. Teachers will accompany your child to your car.

Pick-Up During the Day:

If a situation arises that requires you to pick your child up during the school day, please use the attached form or call the main office. Students being picked up early are asked to be picked up before 3 p.m. Before leaving, you must sign your child out in the notebook provided in the office. Unless an emergency arises, please refrain from calling the office after 1:30 to make changes to your child’s dismissal.

• If there are changes in your child's dismissal plans (e.g. you are going to pick them up that day, instead of taking the bus), please use the attached form or call the main office.
• For written communication between you and your child's teacher, please utilize Class Dojo and/or e-mail, rather than hand-written letters (when possible).

• March 7th to March 28th: Intermediate Cultural Arts Residency (Reader's Theater with MPAC)
• March 21st and 22nd: Early Dismissal for Students (Parent Teacher Conferences)

• Parent Handbook
  
• Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
• School Breakfast and Lunch Information
• Sunset and Sunrise