Normandy Park School

This week, we will continue to host Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences (more information below). Teachers will share progress, areas of growth, and goals. On Thursday, we will have our information session for prospective 2021-2022 Kindergarten families.

Please note, that MSD will continue to share important information on the Coronavirus Update Center and on our MSD Forward pages.

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.

My child has to quarantine. Can they stream into class?

For students attending in person classes, access to virtual instruction is for absences over an extended period of time due to quarantining or an extenuating circumstance. In this case, access to virtual instruction will consist of a combination of streaming, completion of Google Classroom activities, and teacher check-in(s).

My child is sick. Can they stream into the class?

No, if your child is home sick for a few days they will be considered to have an excused absence due to illness. Students are encouraged to rest.

*Please note, access to virtual instruction for in-person students needs to be approved by the principal and nurse. Please reach out to me with any additional questions at christopher.miller@msdk12.net

This week, students in Grades 2nd through 5th will be taking Standards Mastery check-ins on previously taught standards.

Standards Mastery is a set of i-Ready tools designed to help educators assess individual standards according to their curricular scope and sequence to identify performance trends and learning gaps and to provide differentiated instructional support for students to develop proficiency. Read this article to learn more.

This part of the newsletter will have a question or a topic for you to discuss with your child(ren). This can be done on the way to school, on the way to sports practice, before dinner, at bedtime, etc.

Each week there will be a “something to think about” question and a “something to talk about” question. The “something to think about question” is for you as a parent to reflect on for yourself. The “something to talk about” question is for you to discuss with your child. These exercises are meant to stimulate a conversation on race, equity and inclusion in America.

Week Thirteen

Parent Reflection Question: Have you heard the term “White Privilege”? White privilege has been defined as unearned advantages of being white in a racially stratified society, and has been characterized as an expression of institutional power that is largely unacknowledged by most white individuals (Neville, Worthington, & Spanierman, 2001). Have you observed white privilege in your lifetime? Have you experienced it? Have you experienced other types of unearned privilege (based on your gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, religion, national origin or other trait you did not choose)? What caused you to become aware of that privilege if you did? Watch a short video explaining white privilege here: https://youtu.be/ZLgbw_A1mLI

Question for Child: Do you know what privilege is? It is a right or benefit (good thing) that is given only to a certain person, group, or social class.

The HSA will is hosting a virtual NPS Book Fair with Scholastic!

Shop 11/23 – 12/13

https://www.scholastic.com/bf/normandypark

• Enjoy free shipping on book-only purchases over $25. Be sure to shop early to get your orders delivered in time for the holidays!

• Please donate to All for Books to put a book in the hand of every NPS student https://shop.scholastic.com/ewallet/fund?lang=en_US&walletId=2124253

• While we don't have virtual teacher book buckets, you can still help classrooms and our library. Simply purchase a gift card from the online fair and the teacher will receive it digitally!

Questions? Contact Kristin Stuek at kristinstuek@gmail.com or 973-207-6000.

Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held virtually over a three week period.

All parent/teacher conferences will be held between November 30 - December 21.

All conferences will be 20 minutes in length and be conducted virtually. Teachers will provide each family with a completed conference sheet either prior to the meeting or immediately after that will reflect an academic snapshot in the areas of strengths, goals for growth, and ways can provide support at home.

Please pass on information to friends and family interested in enrolling in Normandy Park School for the 2021-2022 school year. I will be hosting an information session in December and February for prospective NPS families. The session will allow families to learn more about our program and community.

For additional information, please see below:

Date: December 10th, 2020

Time: 6:30pm to 7:30pm

*The session will be conducted virtually.

To register to attend please fill out the following Google Form by clicking here: https://forms.gle/cxSXM6JKcVKDU76w6

On December 15th, Brent Daniels will be performing virtually for all students.

K and 1st at 9:20am

2nd and 3rd at 10:20am

4th and 5th at 11:20am

To learn more about Brent Daniels, feel free to visit his website by clicking here.

Message from Ms. Cohen:

Lunch groups for all virtual students are continuing from 12-12:30.

4th and 5th graders meet on Monday

Kindergarten students on Tuesday

First graders on Wednesday

Second graders on Thursday

Third graders on Fridays

Every Thursday from 2:30-3:00 is the optional virtual 5th grade social group, which allows for all 5th graders to stay connected.

I continue to provide individual short term supportive counseling for students as well as run groups for children of all ages who are struggling with social skills, friendships, anxiety, parent separation or divorce. Please reach out to me if I can be of help to you or your child(ren).

-Cheryl

cheryl.cohen@msdk12.net

Grab & Go meals will be available for all students, who wish to receive them. The Federal Department of Agriculture has extended waivers that will allow MSD to serve ALL students meals for FREE through December 31, 2020.

More information about School Breakfast & Lunch is available on the MSD Forward homepage under "Back to School Resources for Families."

Please see the menu below for meals offered each day:

• 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).

• November 30th to December 21st: Parent Teacher Conferences

• December 24th to January 1st: Winter Recess School Closed