Normandy Park School
Week of April 18th
For those who celebrate Ramadan, Passover or Easter, I wish you a happy holiday! I hope that all families had a wonderful and relaxing Spring Break! Classes resume on Monday, April 18th.
Monday (4/18) is a C Day.
Thank you to our NPS families for volunteering their time to help with the mural last week. It looks great! The artist, Caren Olmstead, has done an outstanding job thus far! Students will begin painting this week.
On Wednesday (4/20), Intermediate classes will perform their MPAC reader's theater for families. We are excited to welcome families into our school to celebrate this amazing residency. Our students have really gotten into their roles and are ready to perform!
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.
I hope everyone had a restful week. Thank you to those who have given feedback on this weekly newsletter. I have been asked for more information on helping children face their fears. Every parent knows that children’s fears can be endless: a loud flushing toilet, a neighborhood dog, a closed closet door at night, an upcoming test at school, to name a few. Children express fear in many different ways: they might verbalize it or they might become more irritable, restless or moody (parents.com). As I mentioned in the last newsletter, we as parents often want to swoop in and fix it. We might tell our children “there’s nothing to be afraid of”, “that’s ridiculous, it’s not real” or “don’t worry about it”. It may seem counterintuitive but a better way to handle your child’s fears is by listening, giving them the vocabulary of the emotion, acknowledging the fear, and being empathetic. It could sound something like: “It sounds like you’re scared.”, “It seems like you’re worried.” or “wow, that does seem scary, what do you think would help?”. Asking your child what they think might help, might lead to an “I don’t know” or but then opens the door to more conversation. Sometimes all a child needs is “you’ve got this”, “I’m here for you”, or “let’s come up with some ideas together.”
(Please note that if your child is anxious or fearful to the point that they cannot function it might be time to consult their pediatrician or a professional counselor.)
I found another video from the Family Institute of Northwestern University that gives some helpful tips. Like the last video, you might find the narrator a bit dry but hopefully you find the content helpful. Let me know what you think.
https://www.family-institute.org/behavioral-health-resources/talking-kids-you-love/facing-fears
Do you have a topic you would like to see addressed here in the Counselor Corner? If so please email me at cheryl.cohen@msdk12.net
Stay Awesome!
MPAC Reader's Theater Cultural Arts Residency (for Intermediate 2/3 students): Performance on Wednesday
2/3 Classrooms will be performing for their families on April 20th at NPS! Time of performance will vary by classroom. More information to come soon!
Sessions are lead by a professional instructor. Students will focus on reader’s theatre shared storytelling that is aligned with school curriculum.
The residency focuses on:
- Storytelling thru:
- Reading Comprehension-Students will use their reading and speaking skills to understand a short story, characters, relationships & objectives
- Movement & Interpretation- Focusing on movements & gestures student will learn to speak with their entire bodies.
- Speaking Out Loud: Learning to project their voices, students will bring characters from stories to life using different emotions and speaking with confidence in front of others.
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.
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
School Store
NPS Color Run- Save the Date!
Volunteers Still Needed
Join us to create a massive mural that will transform our school from April 11 to April 27! There will be something for everyone!
NO ARTISTIC SKILLS NEEDED! - Our artist, Caren Frost Olmsted, will be essentially drawing out a huge coloring book—and we get to paint it in!
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SIGN UP FOR MULTIPLE SLOTS! -
We need all hands-on deck! If you cannot make an entire morning or afternoon
slot, but can make part, please come! CLICK TO SIGN UP - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F45AFAA28A5F8C25-march
Thank you so much for your time and willingness to volunteer!
¡ NO HABILIDADES ARTÍSTICAS NECESARIAS! - Nuestra artista, Caren Frost Olmsted, estará básicamente dibujando un libro de colorear enorme — ¡y podremos pintarlo!
POR FAVOR SIENTANSE EN LIBERTAD DE INSCRIBIRSE EN LOS MÚLTIPLE HORARIOS DISPONIBLES! - ¡Necesitamos todas las manos a la obra! Si no pueden participar una horario disponible entero en mañana o en la tarde, pero pueden participar parte, ¡por favor venagan!Haga clic para registrarse - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F45AFAA28A5F8C25-march
¡Muchas gracias por su tiempo y su interés de ser voluntario!
Parent Volunteers (Updated Guidelines)
Morris School District has been in contact with our Local Health Department with regards to guidance on volunteers within our buildings. Due to a reduction in the number of COVID cases in our area, we have been advised that we can change our volunteer procedures.
MSD will allow volunteers as long as they meet one of the following clearance criteria:
The volunteer is willing to disclose their vaccination status to the school. As a reminder, an individual is considered vaccinated two weeks or more after they have received the second dose of a two-dose series, or two weeks or more after a single-dose series vaccine. For volunteering purposes the booster is not required.
If the volunteer is not willing to disclose their vaccination status to the school building, the volunteer is required to show proof of a lab confirmed PCR negative COVID test 48 hours prior to the time they are scheduled to volunteer within the building.
As a reminder continue to monitor your symptoms and if you develop symptoms please stay home and alert the school you will not be coming in.
Please submit proof of vaccination or negative PCR test results to christopher.miller@msdk12.net prior to showing up to volunteer. Thank you!
MSD Guidelines: Virtual Instruction for Quarantined Students
Virtual learning will be arranged within two school days (may be provided earlier if possible) of the onset of quarantine. This time frame is necessary for information to be distributed to all the necessary teachers and staff, and then for the teachers to set up Google Meet links and coordinate academic support. However, students can access their Google Classroom or Canvas accounts to check for assignments at any time.
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 April 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 April 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).
MSD Preschool
Look Ahead
- May 2nd to May 6th: Health and Wellness Week
- May 4th : STEAM Day
- May 6th: HSA Color Run
- June 1st: Outdoor Music Concert (K-3 in Morning; 4-5 in Afternoon); Rain Date June 2nd
- June 7th: Primary and Intermediate Field Day
- June 8th: Senior Field Day
- June 9th: Field Day Rain Date
- June 10th: Moving Up Ceremony for 5th Graders and Families
- June 15th: Fifth Grade Fun Day
Tentative Dates for NJSLA State Testing:
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