Connecticut's #1 City School District! |
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Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!
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During what has been an incredibly challenging year, our teachers have continued to face obstacles with pride, commitment and strength. Throughout the national health crisis, teachers have truly gone above and beyond the call of duty. They have remained positive, creative, flexible, and supportive, adapting to scenarios that we never before thought possible.
Whether our students are in-person, remote or hybrid, NPS teachers have made it their goal to ensure that each student has the tools they need to succeed academically, and from a social emotional perspective.
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Celebrate Our Food Service Workers On School Lunch Hero Day! |
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Throughout the pandemic, thanks to the help of the City of Norwalk, Chartwells and NPS food service workers, free meals have been provided and continue to be served for Norwalk children ages two through 18 throughout the city.
Traditionally, NPS serves 42,500 meals a month. This year, ninety food service employees are providing students with 42,000 meals a week, having served over 800,000 meals since the school year opened.
NPS Central Kitchen produces over 3,500 meals per day for elementary schools and community sites. Meals are served daily at 31 sites across the city this year, having increased from 19 sites last year. Five food service trucks deliver ingredients weekly to ensure meals are consistently available.
Nine tented meal pickup locations are placed strategically across the city to ensure that students in densely populated areas have easy access to food. Even when school's out for recess, food service workers are there to ensure that Norwalk kids can still get breakfast and lunch during the week.
At the secondary level, students are served breakfast and lunch via satellite cafes located throughout the building. Food service workers safely distribute food while offering students a collegial feel and menu choices.
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Revised End Of Year Ceremony Schedule |
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As we plan for end-of-year graduation and promotion ceremonies, we have been monitoring changes to Covid guidance from national, state and local health authorities.
With the most recent updates in mind, our schools have now finalized times and outdoor locations for Grade 8 promotions and graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2021. Schools will be in touch with additional details!
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Norwalk Public Schools Summer Programs To Offer Students Unique Summer Learning Opportunities |
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NPS Summer Academy programs are back with a brand-new look and feel including local partnerships, field trips, hands-on experiences, credit recovery options, multi-lingual learner programs and Twilight Academy sessions to offer qualifying students a complete summer learning experience.
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Save The Date! NPS Strategic Framework To Be Presented On May 18 |
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As you know, Norwalk Public Schools has been working on the next strategic plan to guide the district for the upcoming 3-5 years. In January, a representative strategic plan Task Force was convened and has been working with the Center for School Change to conduct an intensive needs assessment.
At the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, May 18 at 7pm, Dr. Estrella will be joined by the Connecticut Center for School Change to present recommendations from this work.
We invite all parents to join us for this important presentation!
Public comments are also accepted via email (until 4pm the day of meeting): [email protected]
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Jacquelyn Aarons Named Wolfpit School Principal |
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Norwalk Public Schools is pleased to announce that Jacquelyn Aarons has been appointed principal of Wolfpit Elementary School, effective July 1, 2021. Ms. Aarons currently serves as interim principal and was unanimously selected by the Wolfpit School Governance Council.
An experienced educational leader, Ms. Aarons has a deep background in the arts that aligns with Wolfpit’s planned shift from a traditional program to one with an emphasis on visual and performing arts. A Norwalk native and a graduate of Norwalk High School, her leadership strengths include the use of data to make informed decisions on curriculum, instructional practice and social-emotional learning. Ms. Aarons has proven expertise in educating the whole child and fostering a culture of progressive intervention.
Please join us in congratulating Ms. Aarons on her new position!
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NPS School Shout Out – West Rocks Middle School |
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This week's “NPS Shout Out” video features West Rocks Middle School. Click here to watch the clip on the NPS YouTube page!
Each "NPS Shout Out" highlights the fantastic learning and hard work that is taking place in our schools each day! Videos are shared in the district newsletter as well as on the NPS YouTube page, and social media.
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Reminder: Early Dismissal for All Students on
Monday, May 10
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Each year, the Connecticut State Department of Education requires that K-3 elementary teachers participate in the Foundations of Reading Survey. To make sure that all teachers are able to complete this required reading survey, there will be early dismissal for all students districtwide on Monday, May 10.
All students will be dismissed two hours earlier than their regular dismissal time. All teachers who are not required to take the survey will remain in school for professional development until the end of their Monday extended day schedule.
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Last Friday the City of Norwalk, Norwalk Public Schools, Norwalk Tree Advisory Committee, Norwalk Tree Alliance, Oak Hills Park Authority, and Eversource celebrated Arbor Day with a special tree planting ceremony at Oak Hills Park. A total of 10 trees were planted in recognition of Arbor Day 2021, with eight planted at Oak Hills Park, one at Brookside Elementary School, and one at Kendall Elementary School.
Historically, Arbor Day events have been held with a large ceremony at one of the public schools. However, this year, in adhering to COVID-19 protocols, the City and Norwalk Public Schools worked together to creatively celebrate Arbor Day safely. On April 22, a Stellar Pink Flowering Dogwood tree was planted at Brookside Elementary School and a Sugar Maple tree was planted at Kendall Elementary School by the Department of Public Works. Although there was no formal tree planting ceremony, fifth grade students took pictures around the trees and had lessons planned related to Arbor Day. Seedlings and gift bags were also provided by Eversource to the fifth-grade students.
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Free Meals For Children Extended Through June 2022 |
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Spring Theater Productions Abound
Throughout The District
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Students throughout the district are showcasing their creativity and performing arts talents this spring! Look out for more information on upcoming virtual and live streaming performances over the coming weeks. |
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Wolfpit Elementary School To Stream Productions Of Annie KIDS And Winnie The Pooh KIDS |
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Wolfpit Elementary School's Wolfpit Players will present two virtual school musicals, Annie KIDS and Winnie the Pooh KIDS on May 21 and 22.
Both casts have been rehearsing afterschool over Google Meet twice a week since February and filming is underway!
Both shows are being edited to use the students' own voices on the cast recordings.
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Nathan Hale Middle School Proudly Presents A Virtual Spring Theatre Production |
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Nathan Hale Middle School is proud to present a spring theatre production of 10 Ways to Survive Life in Quarantine. Students have worked incredibly hard for the last three months to learn and take on new challenges in theatre performance. There will be two live virtual performances and a talk-back with the student actors on Friday, May 7 at 7pm and Saturday, May 8 at 7pm. The production will be performed in English and Spanish.
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West Rocks Drama Club Presents High School Musical |
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Disney’s High School Musical JR. is streaming virtually on June 4. The 60-minute musical, designed for middle school-aged performers, is based on the 2006 Disney Channel Original Movie and the subsequent National Tour.
The cast includes students in Grades 6-8 and is led by Sara Golding and Michael O’Callaghan. This up-beat throwback to the ins and outs of high school drama is a nostalgic romp for young and old alike!
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Brien McMahon High School Drama Department Presents Carrie The Musical |
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In this revamped, contemporary version of the famous 1988 production, Carrie: the musical follows a young woman with telekinetic powers.
This tale presented by the Brien McMahon High School Drama Department will stream on May 21 at 7pm on YouTube.
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Norwalk High School Music Department Presents Clue |
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Based on the iconic 1985 Paramount movie which was inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, Clue is a hilarious farce-meets-murder mystery.
The tale begins at a remote mansion, where six mysterious guests assemble for an unusual dinner party where murder and blackmail are on the menu. When their host turns up dead, they all become suspects.
Join the Norwalk High School Music Department for three very special livestreaming performances May 22-23.
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Board of Ed meetings will be held by videoconference until further notice.
Full Board of Ed workshop and business meetings, as well as committee meetings, will be Live Streamed on the NPS YouTube channel at the times listed below. More information on the process for public comments for Board meetings will be available on our website.
Thursday, May 6, Personnel Committee, 4:30pm
Monday, May 10, Two Hour Early Dismissal for all Students
Wednesday, May 12, Finance Committee, 6pm
Tuesday, May 18, Curriculum Committee, 4pm
Tuesday, May 18, Board Workshop, 7pm
Meetings also will be recorded and available
on YouTube within 24 hours of the meeting time listed below.
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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?
Contact Brenda Wilcox Williams, Chief Communications Officer, [email protected], or call 203-854-4003.
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