Normandy Park School

On Monday, November 9, the building will reopen and students will continue with instruction as normal according to their current enrollment in either in-person or all-virtual instruction.

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.

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 Nine

Parent Reflection Question: When you put on the TV, go to the movies, or read a book do you see yourself reflected in the characters?

Activities To Do With Your Child: With your child, go through their book collection. What race are the characters? Are any people of color represented?

If your child likes superheroes, ask which one they identify with? Have them identify which superheroes look like them.

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

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

Your child's teacher will be reaching out to schedule a conference time with you. 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.

Message from Ms. Cohen:

Dear Parents/ Guardians,

This month, I will continue to meet with students in their classrooms to talk and delve further into the topic of acceptance. During the week of Accepting Me, Accepting You, Accepting All of Us, homeroom teachers began the conversation about race, equity, and inclusion.

This month, I will be focusing on question #3 from the weekly newsletter which is about ethnicity. We will be looking at shared cultures, traditions, languages and beliefs of children and families around the world.

I will be continuing to host the drop in, optional lunch meetings for students who are attending school virtually. It continues to be a great way for children to connect with each other socially. The schedule is as follows:

Mondays; 4th and 5th grade

Tuesdays: Kindergarten

Wednesdays: 1st grade

Thursdays: 2nd grade

Fridays:3rd grade

On another note, If you feel your child is feeling worried about anything, having difficulty dealing with a parental separation or divorce , feeling lonely, or depressed, please don't hesitate to reach out to me, I can provide individual or small group support. Remember: These are some challenging times but you are not alone. We are all in this together!

Cheryl

cheryl.cohen@msdk12.net

Next HSA meeting will be November 19th at 7pm. Live Spanish translation will be available for Spanish speakers.

Each year with the help of volunteers, the HSA creates a one-of-a-kind keepsake 5th grade yearbook to chronicle the students' final year at NPS. Volunteers are needed to help organize and gather pictures for the book, as well as work with Lifetouch Photography to design the look and feel of the book. Email NPSHSAvolunteering@gmail.com if you are interested.

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.

Families can pick up meals at the following locations and times:

-MHS on Mondays & Thursdays from 3pm to 3:30pm

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:

Are you ready to request a library book? Please follow the instructions below:

Log onto the Normandy Park Library catalog:

https://nps-msd.narvi.opalsinfo.net/bin/home

1. Login on the top right hand corner where it says Login

2. Your user name is your six digit code

3. The password is blank

4. Search using title, author or anywhere.

5. Look for the orange request button and then click on it.

6. Put in your email address

Remember if a book is marked as lost, checked out or damaged it is not available! I will bring and pick up books from your classrooms.

Virtual learners will pick up their books on the table by the front door. For our remote learners, there will be a table by the front door. Families will have 5 days to pick up their books. There will be a bin for them to put returned books in.

Upon return, books will sit in a bin for 5 days before being shelved or circulated.

Parents are welcome to email me at wendy.gilson@msdk12.net if they have any questions or concerns.

Happy Reading! Mrs. Gilson

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

• When in-person instruction resumes, 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 19th: HSA Meeting (7pm)

• November 30th to December 21st