Normandy Park School

January 21st is a B Day.

I hope that everyone had a wonderful weekend!

Reminder: In recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, there will be no school on Monday, January 20th.

School will reopen on Tuesday, January 21st.

Just a reminder, HSA winter clubs start this week (more information below).

Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions at christopher.miller@msdk12.net. Have a great week!

Christopher Miller

Principal, Normandy Park School

*To access the NPS Parent Handbook, please click here.

NPS made over 100 braided dog toys and collected over 25 towels to be donated to a dog shelter!

Students worked together, taking part in different pieces of the project that included jobs like cutting materials, sorting them by length, gathering strips to prep for braiding and ultimately braiding the toy. It was a heartwarming experience to see students and staff come together to do something for others! Great job Normandy Park!

On Thursday, January 16th, NPS hosted a successful "Snuggle Up Storytime" Literacy Night, organized by a dedicated team of teachers. The event brought together students, families, and staff for an evening celebrating the joy of reading.

Attendees arrived in their pajamas, ready to snuggle up with their favorite stuffed animals and listen to captivating stories. During the event, teachers shared a variety of winter-themed stories, including "The Mitten," "The Snowy Day" (read in both English and Spanish!), and "The Snow Thief." Literacy strategies handouts were distributed to families, offering tools to support their children's reading development.

A heartfelt thank you to the Literacy Night committee, especially Ms. Maddalena, Mrs. Archibald, Ms. Diana, Mrs. Gilson, and Ms. Tepedino, for their hard work in planning and executing this wonderful event. Your dedication to fostering a love of literacy within our school community is truly commendable. Thank you also to the HSA for their support in providing refreshments.

The success of Snuggle Up Literacy Night was a testament to the strong partnership between our teachers, students, and families. We look forward to continuing to create opportunities to celebrate literacy together!

This past Friday morning, the talented musicians of the MHS Band and Orchestra treated our student body to a fantastic performance! The sounds of their hard work and dedication filled the cafagymatorium, creating an energetic and uplifting start to the day. From classical pieces to popular tunes (such as the Star Wars theme song), the students showcased their incredible skills and passion for music. A huge shout-out to all the performers – you brought smiles and a lively beat to our Friday! 🎶👏 Also you showed our young musicians what they could achieve with practice, persistence, and hard work!

This month a professional artist/instructor from the Mayo Performing Arts Center will lead students through a 10-session historical drama program culminating in a final stage performance.

These residencies offer a fantastic opportunity for students to explore American history and folktales through theater, develop performance skills, and build confidence!

Final Performance Dates (starting at 11am):

February 5th- Intermediate

February 7th- Seniors

February 11th- Primary

*If dates change due to inclement weather, you will be notified as soon as possible

Thank you to the NPS Home and School Association (HSA) and Morris Educational Foundation (MEF) for their support in funding this cultural arts program.

This cultural arts residency program was partially funded from a 3,000 dollar cultural arts grant from the Morris Educational Foundation (MEF). Thank you for your ongoing support!

The MEF's consistent dedication to funding for high quality cultural art programming helps provide NPS students with access to amazing cultural arts experiences!

This week, we will continue to adminster the i-Ready® Diagnostic assessment. i-Ready Diagnostic helps teachers to effectively assess their students and then provide individualized instruction based on each student’s unique needs. i-Ready Diagnostic assesses the following skill areas:

Reading

• Phonological Awareness

• Phonics

• High-Frequency Words

• Vocabulary

• Comprehension

Math

• Number and Operations

• Algebra and Algebraic Thinking

• Measurement and Data

• Geometry

i-Ready Diagnostic begins by giving students an adaptive assessment in reading and math. An adaptive assessment is a test that automatically adjusts the difficulty of the questions according to each student’s performance in order to determine his or her abilities in reading or math. i-Ready is a very different kind of test that presents students with questions that can be both too easy and too hard. It is designed to do this until the assessment finds exactly the level at which the student is performing. Therefore, your child will certainly see some items above his or her level. Your child will be encouraged to independently complete the test to the best of his or her ability, and know that it is okay to get questions wrong.

Each time a student gets an item incorrect, he or she will be presented with a simpler question until the diagnostic finds the grade level at which the student is performing. The assessment efficiently assesses students across multiple grade levels, allowing for identification of root causes of students’ struggles or for identification of areas where a student is ready for further challenge. This information will then provide the teacher with a “road map” to instructional remediation.

Once your child completes the test, he or she will be assigned online instruction to support his or her progress in mastering each skill. i-Ready Diagnostic supports the teachers and administrators at your child’s school. The program provides a series of comprehensive reports designed to make classroom instruction more effective. These reports include data about student performance as well as detailed teaching suggestions. They help educators make informed decisions about the instruction that is right for your child.

Should you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or your child’s teacher. For more information on i-Ready Diagnostic, please visit the Morris School District website: www.morrisschooldistrict.org

Healthy Habits: Start the New Year Strong!

1. Wash Your Hands
   The best way to stop the spread of germs is to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Don’t forget to wash after using the restroom, before eating, and after coughing or sneezing!
   
   

2. Drink Water, Stay Hydrated!
   Water helps your body stay energized and focused. Be sure to carry a reusable water bottle and drink water throughout the day.
   
   

3. Get Enough Sleep
   Keep screens out of the bedrooms. Elementary school students need 9-12 hours of sleep each night. Rest helps your brain stay sharp and your body stay strong.
   
   

4. Eat Healthy Snacks and Meals
   Healthy snacks, like fruit, veggies, and proteins, keep your energy levels up. Let's try to avoid too many sugary treats that can cause energy crashes.
   
   

Flu Season Tips

Flu season is just around the corner. Here are some tips to help protect yourself:

• Get Your Flu Shot: The flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and those around you.

• Cover Your Cough or Sneeze: Use a tissue or the inside of your elbow to cover your mouth and nose.

• Stay Home if You’re Sick: If you have a fever or feel sick, stay home to rest and recover. It's also important to avoid spreading germs to your friends.

Important Health Office Information

• Reminder for 5th graders:: Make sure you have submitted documentation of Menactra and Tdap Vaccinations, it is required to receive a schedule for fall classes at Frelinghuysen.
• Medications: The nurse cannot give any medication, (even Tylenol) to a student without a doctor's order. Students cannot carry medications, self-administration of medication is a privilege granted to students whose parents and physicians have authorized it.
• When to keep your child home: Fever: Children should be fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications (Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, etc.) before being sent back to school. If sent home from school with a fever, the 24 hour rule applies. Diarrhea/Vomiting: The child should remain home until there are no further episodes of diarrhea/vomiting x 24 hrs. Drainage from nose/ears/eyes: It is not uncommon for children to have runny noses but if the discharge is thick, yellow, green, excessive or uncontrollable the child should be examined by their physician.
• Any absence longer than 3 days requires a doctor's note

Health & Wellness Week Coming Soon!

Mark your calendars! Our annual Health & Wellness Week is just around the corner. We'll be having fun activities to teach everyone about staying healthy, including:

• Yoga and stretching sessions

• Healthy snack challenges

• Fun fitness exercises

Stay tuned for more details—let’s get moving!

Nurse's Corner: Fun Facts!

Did you know?

• Your body has more than 650 muscles! That’s a lot to keep you moving and grooving!

• Your heart beats about 100,000 times a day! That’s some serious work!

• A sneeze can travel up to 100 miles per hour! Be sure to cover your mouth!

Get in Touch!

Have a health-related question or concern? Feel free to reach out to the nurse’s office

• Nurse’s Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:40 AM - 3:20 PM

• Phone: 973-889-7960 x 6152

• Email: Francesca Ecker

We’re always happy to help keep your child safe, healthy, and ready to learn!

Stay healthy, Normandy Park!

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!

HSA Winter Clubs begin this week!

For more information click here!

Lovey's Pizza & Grill and HSA are Partnering for a Fundraiser on Tuesday, 1/28

Put a reminder on your calendar NOT to make dinner (or lunch) on Tuesday, 1/28! Lovey's will donate 10% of all sales to our school-- online, walk-in, phone, delivery, pick-up... it's totally your choice! No special codes, no need to mention NPS HSA; every purchase during the day will automatically be applied to our total sales!

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

As we continue to welcome 2025, many of us find ourselves reflecting on our personal lives, our goals, and, for many, our roles as parents. Parenting is undoubtedly one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences we can embark on. As a counselor, I've witnessed firsthand the emotional highs and lows parents experience, and I want to take a moment to acknowledge both the difficulties and the immense rewards that come with raising children. My husband and I have had the benefit of raising 4 amazing boys. Each one is so different and unique yet all so loving and caring.

The Hardship of Parenting

Parenting is not always easy. It’s a delicate balance of meeting your child’s physical, emotional, and mental needs while maintaining your own well-being. There are days when everything feels overwhelming – from the endless to-do lists to the constant emotional labor of guiding a young person through life’s ups and downs. The stress of managing expectations, handling conflicts, and facing the unknown can feel exhausting at times.

The Reward of Parenting

However, the rewards of parenting often outweigh these challenges. The joy of watching your child grow, learn, and discover the world around them is unparalleled. Every small triumph, every moment of connection, reinforces the love and bond you share. Parenting offers countless opportunities to teach important values like empathy, responsibility, and resilience, shaping the next generation in ways that will last a lifetime. Here at NPS, we are focusing on character traits and January is Fairness.

Finding Balance

It's okay to acknowledge that parenting can be tough, and it's essential to allow yourself grace on those hard days. There is no perfect parent, and it’s important to remember that being present and showing up is what matters most. Take time for self-care, ask for support when you need it, and trust that you're doing the best you can. As I tell our students - parenting does not come with a manual for us to follow and we are all doing our best!!

In this newsletter, I’ll be diving deeper into some practical strategies to help parents navigate the challenges while embracing the rewards of raising children. Parenting may be difficult, but it is also one of the most fulfilling roles you will ever have.

Thank you for being a part of this community. Let’s continue to support each other as we take on the joys and struggles of parenting.

Your School Counselor,

Gloria Hunt

gloria.hunt@msdk12.net

973-889-7960 x6115

And Social Work Interns,

Miss Paige

Miss Hayley

Miss Sarah

For interactive menus, as well as nutrition and allergen information, please click here.

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.

In addition to meals, students can purchase snacks with money on their card and/or cash. If you would not like your child to purchase snacks or have a limit on what days they can purchase snacks, please contact the Food Services director, Shannon Burton <shannon.burton@msdk12.net>, and they can indicate this information on your child's account.

APPLYING FOR FREE & REDUCED LUNCH

Applications are available through PaySchools. Once you create your account, the Free & Reduced Application will be available to complete online. Students who qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch, also qualify for free/reduced breakfast.

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.

Applications are available through PaySchools. Click the link to create your PaySchool account (ENG or ESP)

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 2024-2025***

Elementary Breakfast

$1.75

Elementary Lunch

$3.25

Reduced Price Breakfast

$0.00

Reduced Price Lunch

$0.00

Milk

$0.75

Find Out What’s Happening in The District Newsletter Fall 2024 Edition

As families and staff prepare for the new school year, the Morris Educational Foundation invites you to take a look back at all the amazing highlights from the 2023-2024 school year in The District Newsletter.

The joint publication from the Morris School District, Morris Educational Foundation and Colonial Nation features:

• District athletic highlights
• Extracurricular achievements across all schools
• The MEF’s impact on academic, enrichment, and social-emotional wellness initiatives
• Plus a save-the-date for Morristown ONSTAGE 2025

The Fall 2024 edition is hot off the press and Morristown, Morris Plains and Morris Township residents can expect to receive their copy in their mailbox this week. View the digital version here>>>

Help Make it a Great Year for All 5,700 Morris School District Students

Welcome to the 2024-25 school year! The Morris Educational Foundation is proud to Support Every Student Every Day. While the Morris School District provides the essential tools for quality classroom learning, the MEF supports the extras that elevate learning. From cutting-edge instructional resources to enriching curricular activities, the MEF is committed to helping students not just succeed but excel.

We invite you, our community, to kick off the 2024-25 school year with a gift to launch our students’ education above and beyond the standard curriculum. $1 a day for 180 days adds up to a year of exceptional learning for one student.

Please help us make it the best year yet for each of the 5,700 students in the Morris School District! Let's Support Every Student Every Day and empower them to achieve their fullest potential.

Donate today by clicking here. Together, we can make a difference!

The NPS Kindergarten Girl Scouts - Daisy Troop #99068 is ready for members! Learn how to join by clicking https://tinyurl.com/joindaisies or emailing Troop99068@gmail.com.

¡Las Girl Scouts de Kindergarten de NPS - Daisy Troop #99068 están listas para recibir miembros! Aprenda cómo unirse haciendo clic en https://tinyurl.com/joindaisies o enviando un correo electrónico a Troop99068@gmail.com.

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

• January 20th- School Closed for MLK Jr. Day
• January 28th- Lovey's Pizza Fundraiser

• February 5th- Intermediate MPAC Residency

• February 7th- Senior MPAC Residency

• February 10th- 100th Day (Tentative)

• February 11th- Primary MPAC Residency

• February 12th- NAEP for Selected 4th Graders

Click here to view Morris School District (MSD) 2024-2025 School calendar.

· Parent Handbook

· Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

· Sunset and Sunrise

This theme was made possible thanks to a grant from the Morris Educational Foundation (MEF)!