Week of May 2nd
I hope that you all had an amazing weekend and got an opportunity to enjoy the wonderful Spring weather!
This week is Teacher Appreciation Week! I would like to thank all of our teachers and staff for their continued hard work, effort and enthusiasm. I continue to be extremely proud of our teachers and their ability to support social emotional and academic growth for our students. Feel free to share a positive message to a teacher or whole NPS staff by clicking here.
Monday (5/2) is an A Day.
On May 5th (6pm) at NPS, we will be hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate and dedicate the completed mural! This will include a brief dedication and an opportunity to walk through the halls to see the school-wide mural in-person. In order to plan for attendance, we would appreciate that you RSVP ahead of time. To RSVP, please click here.
In a vibrant update to our traditional Walk-A-Thon fundraiser, the HSA is hosting a Color Run for students on the afternoon of Friday, May 6th. For Color Run FAQ, please click here. We encourage each child to bring a towel with them the day of the event. If you plan to attend, please click here to RSVP.
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.
Teacher Appreciation Week
Spring Concert- Save the Date!
Update:
Please join us for the Spring Concert! The students have been working extremely hard all year. We are looking forward to showcasing their artistic and musical accomplishments! We will be hosting the concert in our gym. To ensure we can accommodate all families and follow COVID protocols, each student can have 2 guests (i.e. 2 guests per family). K/1 and 2/3 students will perform at both the K/1 and 2/3 concert. If you have a child in both K/1 and 2/3, you can choose which performance to attend.
To RSVP for the concert, please click here.
Date: June 1st
Time:
K-1 at 9:30am
2-3 at 11am
4/5 at 1:30pm
NJSLA for Grades 3-5
This year, Morris School District is participating in the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA) for grades 3-5 Language Arts and Mathematics (formerly known as PARCC). In addition, students in grade 5 will participate in the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment - Science (NJSLA-S).
The NJSLA is aligned completely with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards and NJSLA-S is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). In the Morris School District, we have been committed to implementing the New Jersey Student Learning Standards and NGSS through our updated curriculum and outstanding instructional techniques. We are confident that Morris School District students have the tools to be successful on the NJSLA and the NJSLA-S.
Test schedules vary from school to school in order to meet the needs of the students and to create as little disruption to the regular school schedule as possible. Normandy Park School students will take the NJSLA and the NJSLA-S according to the following schedule.
ELA and Math:
- May 9th to May 16th: 3rd Grade
- May 17th to May 23rd: 4th and 5th Grade
Science (5th Grade Only)
- April 28th and 29th
*Make-up testing will be provided throughout the testing window. This week, 5th grade students (who missed testing last week) will take make-up NJSLA-Science testing. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me directly.
The principals and central office staff have been working together in order to make this test administration period as comfortable and successful as possible for your child. We ask that you join us in supporting a relaxed testing environment by doing the following:
Please make sure your child is in school and on time each day. Testing sessions will begin in the morning and we can not allow students to enter the classrooms after the start time.
Taking any test takes energy! We recommend that your child get plenty of sleep and eat a nourishing breakfast on test days.
Encourage your child to do his/her best! Remind your child that there’s nothing to be nervous about. Please remember to ask about the test and congratulate your child on a job well done on each day of testing.
In the Morris School District, we view formal assessment as a “snapshot” of your child’s achievement. State assessments are only one measure of your child’s progress. Teacher observation, results of class assessments and class participation are also measures of your child’s progress and achievement.
Do you want to know what taking the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) is like?
A practice test for each grade and subject is available at NJ Assessments Resource Center.
Message from the HSA:
MONTHLY NPS FAMILY WALKS
- May 7th - 9am - Morristown Blue Trail Outer Loop
We hope you’ll join us to get outdoors, exercise, and spend time with our Community!
The primary goals of the walk are:
To gain physical and mental health benefits from exercising and being outdoors.
To safely connect with and chat with other members of our school community.
NPS School students & parents will meet once a month for a fun walk exploring different parts of our community (attend one or attend all). From there we will walk (or scooter) the intended path and you can stop and talk with friends along the way. Each trail is about 1 hour to 1.5 hours. More details on the exact path will be sent out closer to the date. No rain date.
Feel free to bring a blanket and snacks!
Any questions please feel free to contact Sara at npshsavolunteering@gmail.com
Breakfast, Lunch, and Snacks!
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 May 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 May 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 and Dismissal Procedures
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.
Communication Between Home and School
- 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).