Norwalk Public Schools News & Information
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Elementary Instructional Time Increase Approved
As part of the Strategic Operating Plan, the Norwalk Board of Education is committed to increasing instructional time for students, in order to raise student achievement and close the achievement gap. As a result, the Board of Ed and Norwalk Federation of Teachers have agreed to extend the elementary or K-8 school day for students and educators by 30 minutes beginning with the next school year. By increasing instructional time, NPS elementary schools will conform to the length of the current middle school day. Additionally, the agreement includes one extra day of instruction. This day has already been added to the approved 2017-18 school calendar.
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National Sprint Program Kicks Off To "Connect" 250 Norwalk Students
Sprint and Norwalk Public Schools announced that high school students in Norwalk will receive the equipment and connectivity they need to complete their schoolwork from home as part of the 1Million Project. The program will roll out starting in January with a pilot for 250 students at both Norwalk High School and Brien McMahon High School. Within two years, Norwalk Public Schools plans to have a full one-to-one computer and internet access in place for all high school students. For the full story
click here
.
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Upcoming Test Of Emergency Communication Systems
In advance of inclement weather season, NPS will be conducting a test of Emergency Communication Systems, in particular SMS text.
During the week of December 11 NPS will send an SMS text to the emergency contact mobile number on file. Those who do not wish to receive future texts regarding emergent school
situations will have the ability to opt out. If your contact information has recently changed, please contact your school to make sure that the most up-to-date information is included in each child’s record.
As a reminder, school weather related news is communicated in the following places:
• Our automated School Messenger phone and text message system
• NPS Info Line recording: (203) 854-4123
• Local TV, radio and online media outlets
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BOE Workshop Meeting Location Changes
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To increase community involvement, some upcoming Board of Education workshop meetings, will now take place at various NPS locations throughout the city. The December 17 workshop meeting with be held at Brookside Elementary School.
Upcoming workshop topics for 2018 will include Early Childhood Council Strategic
Plan, which will take place at Norwalk Early Childhood Center, and High School Program of Study at Norwalk High School. Additionally, discussions regarding Phase III Middle School Design and Redesign of Gifted Education will be held at Roton Middle School. Dates and locations will be announced on norwalkps.org prior to each meeting. Board of Education workshop meetings are open to the public. Each meeting with continue to be recorded and posted on the NPS YouTube page for viewing.
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CGS Students Get Free Ride To Japan
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Twenty-two Center for Global Studies (CGS) students from Brien McMahon will travel all-expenses paid to Japan December 17 through 25. The trip is part of a fully funded, large-scale youth exchange program between Japan and the United States called The Kakehashi Project. The Kakehashi Project is commissioned by the Japan-U.S. Educational Commission with the goal of boosting tourism and interest in Japan, and enhancing international understanding of the nation. For the full story
click here
.
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BMHS And NHS Music Departments Spread Holiday Cheer With Upcoming Annual Concerts
Enjoy the sounds of the season as the Music Departments of Norwalk High School and Brien McMahon
High School each present annual holiday concerts.
The Norwalk High School “Candlelight Concert” will be performed on December 18, 19 and 20 at 7:30pm. Doors will be open to the public at 7pm and seating is first come, first served. The cost is $7 per ticket. Tickets can be purchased through the NHS main office, through the NHS music director, or
this form can be mailed to NHS. Any ticket request sent after the December 11 cannot be guaranteed.
Brien McMahon will hold its annual “Poinsettia Concert” this evening, December 7 at 7:30pm. A second concert will take place on December 19 at 7:30pm. Tickets may be purchased at the door. The cost per ticket is $7 per adult, and $5 for senior citizens and students.
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NPS Winter Break
In honor of the holidays, all Norwalk Public Schools will have a two-hour dismissal on Friday, December 22. There will be no school December 26 through January 1. School will be back in session on January 2. Happy holidays!
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Specialized High School Choice Program Application Deadlines
Center for Global Studies (CGS) applications for 2018-19 are now open and will close on January 10, 2018. Students in grades 8-11 may apply. Click
HERE
for the application. For additional information or questions please call 203 852-9488, ext. 2. CGS at Brien McMahon High School is an interdistrict magnet school focused on teaching students the languages, culture, history, and literature of China, Japan and the Middle East. Through the study of Arabic, Chinese, and Japanese language and cultural immersion study tours overseas, students have the opportunity to become informed, active, and compassionate scholars and global citizens.
The deadline for Norwalk Early College Academy at Norwalk High School (NECA) is January 5. Click
HERE
for the application. You may contact NECA at 203 838-4481 ext. 13150 with questions. NECA is a high school plus two years program based on the Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) model, which combines the best of high school, college and industry. Within this six-year timeframe, students will graduate with an Associate in Applied Science degree in Software Engineering or Mobile Programming, along with the skills and knowledge they need to continue their studies or step seamlessly into well paying, high potential jobs in the Information Technology (IT) industry.
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College & Career Application Campaign Week
To ensure that every senior has a plan post-graduation and executes on this plan, Brien McMahon HS and Norwalk HS will each hold a weeklong College & Career Application Campaign. The program will take place during the week of December 11. Throughout the week, students will have access to representatives from Colleges, Trade Schools, Branches of Military, school personnel, community partners, and other personnel. These partners will encourage students to pursue future paths, complete applications, and help try to eliminate any potential barriers that may be affecting post-secondary planning. For more information, contact your guidance office.
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BOE Members Sworn In, Executive Committee Named
Mike Barbis was unanimously voted Norwalk Board of Education Chairman during last Tuesday’s board meeting. A board member since 2011, he recently held the position of Vice Chairman and Facilities Committee Chairman. A new Executive Committee was also formed with Erik Anderson elected as Vice Chairman and Bryan Meek as Secretary.
At the meeting, newly elected members were sworn in, including returning member Heidi Keyes and new members Bruce Kimmel, Barbara Meyer-Mitchell, Sarah Lemieux and Julie Corbett. Corbett was appointed by the Democratic Town Committee to replace Yvel Crevecoeur, who resigned from the Board last month. Corbett brings professional education experience to the Norwalk Board of Education.
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Spotlight:
Norwalk High Marching Band US Bands Group VI National Champions
The Norwalk Board of Education recognized the 2017 Norwalk High Marching Band for the completion of a highly successful fall marching season. Performing their show “Relics,” the band recently took first place in the US Bands Group VI National Championships, the highest level of high school competition. To read the full spotlight
click here
.
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Annual Fun Run Delivers A Crowd
Families laced up their running shoes on Saturday to celebrate fitness at the
27
th
Annual Norwalk River Fun Run. Hosted by the NPS Physical Education Department in partnership with the Norwalk Maritime Aquarium, the Fun Run course covered 1.2 miles from Vets Park to the Maritime Aquarium.
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Thursday, December 14
, Finance Committee Meeting, 5-6pm, Room 333
Monday, December 18
, Facilities Committee Special Meeting, 7-8pm, Room 333
Tuesday, December 19,
Board Workshop, 7-9pm, Brookside Elementary School
Friday, December 22
, 2-Hour Early Dismissal, All Schools
Monday, December 25 - Monday, January 1
, All Schools Closed for Winter Break
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Norwalk Public Schools
125 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06852
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This newsletter is compiled & published by the NPS Communications Department.
Have a question about our school district or an item to share?
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