Panther Pride Newsletter

Norton City Schools is excited to welcome students back for the 2024-2025 school year. Classes for Pre-K and grades 1 through 12 will begin on Tuesday, August 20, while our kindergarten students will start on Monday, August 26. Our dedicated team has been working tirelessly over the summer to prepare our buildings for the return of students and staff members. We encourage families to check the district and building websites for the latest information and updates.

This year, we are thrilled to announce the full implementation of The Panther Way, a district-wide initiative developed with input from students, support staff, teachers, administrators, parents, community members, and participants from the city of Norton. The Panther Way focuses on cultivating traits such as responsibility, perseverance, communication, thinking critically, being adaptable, and contributing to our school and community. Our goal is to provide an outstanding education and develop individuals who will continue to make our community proud.

Be sure to join the school community in kicking off our fall athletic season at the Panther Preview on Saturday, August 10th, at Norton High School. The Panther Preview will begin at 2:00 p.m. Several of our fall athletic teams, along with the Norton High School marching band, participate at this annual event.

Bryan Farson, Superintendent

Go Panthers!

Due to a change in requirements from the State of Ohio and the Department of Education and Workforce, the district has had to make adjustments to our calendar. We have added an additional Professional Development Day for staff on October 15, 2024. Our staff will be completing state-required training on that day. Students will have the day off.

Friday, October 11, 2024 (No School Students and Staff)

Monday, October 14, 2024 (No School Students)

Tuesday, October 15, 2024 (No School Students)

August 13

5th Grade - PALS Day

5th Grade Open House

Freshmen Orientation

August 14

6th - 8th Grade Schedule Pick-up

August 15

6th - 8th Grade Open House

NES Open House

NHS Open House

Pre School Open House

August 20

1st Day of School

(PreK, Grades 1-12)

August 22

Kindergarten Open House

August 26

1st Day of School Kindergarten

*Contact Individual Buildings for Questions and Times*

Several years ago, we entered into an agreement with a recycling company to benefit the community through our recycling efforts. Unfortunately, the bins have become an eyesore and the company has not been diligent in emptying them regularly. Additionally, we no longer receive funds for donations from this program, and there have been concerns about individuals coming onto school property during school hours.

Given these issues and with the city providing an alternative for recycling drop-offs, we will no longer offer bins on school property. The city does offer bins for recycling located in the Columbia Woods area. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding as we strive to maintain clean and safe grounds for Norton.

There is no change to our clothing and shoe donation bin at Norton High School. We are still accepting donations and are thankful for the community's support of clothing.

The district is finishing up our project to upgrade and install a new HVAC system in the high school field house. This upgrade was needed to provide a safer and more functional environment for students.

Special thank you to our custodial and maintenance staff for all of their amazing work over the summer. The effort that they put in is nothing short of a miracle. They spend time cleaning, waxing and moving furniture. To put it in perspective, they are doing a summer clean after over 2300 students and staff have lived in the space for ten months. AMAZING!!

The Norton High School Band Practice field is being reseeded this summer and fall. Due to the large number of students who participate in our marching band program and their dedication to perfection, we have taken this opportunity to perform some much-needed maintenance on the field. Over the summer, we added leveling sand and reseeded the turf. The field should be ready by mid-fall, as long as we get some rain!

Norton High School is proud to announce the outstanding achievements of its students in recent competitions.

Morgan Hallett has once again demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication by securing her 5th and 6th state championships in early June. Morgan’s consistent performance and hard work have made her a standout athlete in our community, and we celebrate her remarkable accomplishments.

Additionally, our talented Speech and Debate team made a significant impact at the national level. Saige Wilson, Maggie Sommerville, and Hannah Peters represented Norton High School at the Speech and Debate National Competition held in Des Moines, IA, in late June. Each of these students received top ranks in their respective categories, showcasing their exceptional abilities and dedication to excellence in public speaking and debate.

"We are incredibly proud of Morgan, Saige, Maggie, and Hannah," said Mr. Shanor. "Their achievements reflect the hard work, dedication, and talent that define our students at Norton High School. These accomplishments not only bring honor to our school, but also inspire their peers to strive for excellence."

Norton High School continues to support and celebrate the achievements of its students in all areas of competition and academic pursuits. We look forward to seeing their future successes and contributions to our community.

Norton High School is thrilled to announce the success of an extraordinary school trip to Japan from June 4-12. Students had the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich culture, history, and traditions of Japan, visiting iconic landmarks, participating in cultural activities, and forging lifelong memories. This educational adventure not only broadened their global perspectives, but also strengthened the bonds within the student community. The trip was an incredible success, leaving students inspired and eager for future explorations.

Aug. 7 - Senior Parking Lot Spaces Painting Day

Aug. 9 - Panthers Clawset Open House 4:00-6:00pm

Aug. 10 - Panther Preview 2:00-8:00pm

Aug. 13 - Freshmen Orientation - 9:30am

Aug. 23 - Home Football Game vs. Northwest 7:00pm

Sept. 27 and 28 - Homecoming football game (vs. Streetsboro) and homecoming dance

Norton Middle School Staff are diligently preparing for the arrival of our students in August. Please mark you calendars for the following events:

Save the Dates

• August 13th, (9AM-11AM) - 5th Grade PALs Day, (Powered by WEB: Where Everyone Belongs)

• Middle School Gymnasium

• This is an optional opportunity for 5th-grade students to meet selected, 8th-grade peer leaders. With their PAL, students will engage in icebreaker activities, get a tour of the building, and have the opportunity to ask questions. While this is a student-only event, parents are encouraged to attend the 5th-Grade Open House in the evening.

• August 13th (5PM-7PM) 5th Grade Open House

• 5:00-6:00 PM - Last Names A-L

• 6:00-7:00 PM Last Names M-Z

• Schedules, locks, forms, and fees will be available in the gym.

• August 14th (9AM-2PM) 6th-8th Grade Schedule Pick Up; 8th Chromebook Pick-Up.

• Schedules, chromebooks, locks, forms, and fees will be available in the gym.

• For families that need evening pick-up, these items will also be available during 6th-8th Grade Open house on 8/15

• August 15th 6th-8th Open House, (5-7PM)

• The building will be open for students to walk their schedules.

• Schedules, chromebooks, locks, forms, and fees will be available in the gym..

• August 20th - First Day of School

Open House

• Thursday, August 15 from 4:00-6:00 PM.

For Additional Information regarding the following topics, NES will be sending out.

• Dates when class lists will be released
• Medicine can be dropped off in the school office
• Chromebook pick up dates for fourth graders

The Norton Primary Staff would like to welcome the "Littlest Panthers" to Norton Primary and we wish them all a great start!

Preschool

• August 15- Preschool Parent Night @ 6:00 PM in the Primary Gymnasium for Parents only to review the Handbook and to Meet the Teachers.
• August 20- Preschool Orientation AM Classes from 9:30-10:30 AM and PM Classes from 1:00-2:00 PM for Parents and Students

Kindergarten

• August 14- Weeks of Welcome "Popsicles, Playground, and Play with Mr. Morris" at 1:00 PM.
• August 20, 21, 22- Kindergarten Readiness Assessments (KRA) Appointments for Parents and Students - please call the office at (330) 825-5133 if you do not have an appointment scheduled.
• August 22- Kindergarten Open House 5-7 PM for Parents and Students
• August 26- Kindergarten First Day

It has been a busy summer in the Technology Department! Fortunately, two of our TWE (Technology Work Experience) students that graduated last year are still helping us out before school starts. We are also in the process of hiring Alaina Cook, a soon to be freshman. Logan Calo and Alyza Walker have been showing Alaina how to do inventory, reconnect equipment once the floors are waxed for the new year, perform Windows updates on existing computers, prepare all of the 3rd and 8th grade Chromebooks, and so much more! We couldn’t possibly get everything done without their help. Meanwhile, they are learning valuable work skills. It’s a win-win for all involved!

For parents and students in grade 5-7 and 9-12, make sure you get those Chromebooks out a few days before school starts and charge them up! Hopefully, you kept them in a safe place with your charger in the sleeve. The 4th graders and 8th graders will receive their Chromebooks prior to school starting at a time and date determined by their building.

Coming new this school year, we plan to roll out text messaging as an additional means of communication from us! There will be more information to come, so keep your eye out for a date of when the opt-in text will be sent to you. We know that many of you would appreciate this type of communication in addition to emails and calls.

• August 10 Panther Preview
• August 15 Convocation Day for Staff
• August 16 Health Screenings for Staff
• August 16 & 19 Teacher Work Days
• August 20 First Day of School for PreK, Grades 1-12
• August 26 First Day of School for Kindergarten
• September 2 Labor Day / No School
• Oct. 4-6 Cider Fest
• Oct. 11 - No School
• Oct. 14 - 15 - No School for Students / PD Day for Staff

4128 S. Cleveland Massillon Road

Norton, OH 44203

Phone: 330.825.0863

Website: nortonschools.org

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