NOTE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT |
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Supporting our Asian American Pacific Islander Community
The recent news of hate crimes against the Asian American and Pacific Islander community (AAPI) are both disturbing and saddening. As a school district, we value equity, diversity and inclusion, and we oppose the intolerance that members of the AAPI community have faced in our country.
We stand in solidarity with our students, families and staff who are experiencing direct and indirect trauma as a result of recent events or have experienced any racist comments, bullying or attacks. NCSD is committed to providing a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone in our community no matter what cultural background, race or religious belief they may identify with.
Steps the district is working on to improving equity and inclusion in our community :
- The Diversity Subcommittee of the School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC) continues to meet NHS student leaders have created a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion group that is holding student roundtable discussions regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion needs in the district.
- Staff members are engaged in various individual equity and inclusion learning activities.
- Superintendent Magee is meeting weekly with one of the student leaders from the NHS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion group.
- Superintendent Magee is meeting weekly with Hannah Groos, Iowa State Board of Education Student Representative (and NHS 11th grader)
- Hannah Groos is serving on the State Board of Education Equity Committee
- District leaders are working on determining what diversity, equity, and inclusion training will meet the needs of NCSD students and staff members.
An inclusive, just, and compassionate Norwalk Community School District starts with treating all citizens and community members with kindness, respect and trust. It is important that as valued members of our community, we all listen to and support one another through difficult times.
Yours in service,
D.T. Magee
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Resources
The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) provides the following information for parents and educators to talk with children about violence:
Additional reminders from NASP include:
* Reassure children that they are safe
* Make time to talk
* Keep your explanations developmentally appropriate
* Review safety procedures
* Observe children’s emotional state
* Limit television (and social media) viewing of these events
* Maintain a normal routine
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Middle School Activities Director Receives Central District Award |
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Congrats to Norwalk Middle School Activities Director, Zach Lipovac (third from the left) on receiving his MS Central District AD of the Year Award at the IHSADA State Convention! |
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Have you ever lost anything that meant a great deal to you? Something that might make a big difference in your life if you ever found it again? Whether you have or have not, the little shop called “A Little Piece of Heaven” may help you find what you are looking for. The Norwalk Drama Department has been preparing for this production since February, and will present the play Friday April 9th and Saturday April 10th at 7:00 p.m. in the Norwalk Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available online only at this link: https://www.vancoevents.com/MMV. Cost for admission is $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for students which will be prepaid on the web link.
The owners of this curiosity shop where people find things they’ve lost are known only as Elizabeth and Henry, and there’s something unusual about these two. One day Michael, a biker, comes into the shop definitely looking for something. When he meets Lily, an 87-year-old strong minded woman, a relationship grows from suspicion to everlasting respect.
A Little Piece of Heaven is guaranteed to make you laugh as well as touch your heart.
Margo Murillo
NHS Drama Teacher
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Norwalk CSD Early Bird Registration Starts May 1! |
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Registration for the Norwalk 2021-2022 school year will open May 1st with Early Bird Registration running through May 31st! Early Bird Registration fees will expire on May 31st. Parents will be required to pay the regular fees if the student is not registered and fees are not paid by 11:00 pm on May 31, 2021.
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Dear Students and Parents,
We know that Prom is a major event in the lives of our students, and we want to do everything we can to preserve the tradition that it is while maintaining the health and safety of the public. Prom is planned for Saturday, May 1st at 7:30 pm at the Science Center in Des Moines with the following precautions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. This space was reserved and paid for last year and the Science Center was willing to hold our reservation when it went unused. The Science Center is limiting capacity to 50% (400 people total will be allowed into the Science Center) and requiring all inside to wear masks.
To meet the capacity limitations, Norwalk High School juniors and seniors will be the only students allowed to attend Prom. No students from other grades and no guests from outside of Norwalk High School will be allowed. All attending Prom will be required to wear masks throughout the event. We will provide bottles of water, but no food will be served.
While Norwalk High School does not sponsor the After Prom event, we do try to communicate information with students and parents. No After Prom is being held at this time for students because of limitations on space and activities due to COVID-19.
This has been a difficult year full of challenges that none of us have wanted for our students. We hope that the conditions above will allow us to create a safe and enjoyable night for our students.
Chris Basinger
Principal
Norwalk High School
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An all-night After Prom event is just not possible this year so the Prom and After Prom committees have come up with a creative way to incorporate some of the fun of After Prom into the evening and are calling it Prom +.
This year, Prom+ will be open to Norwalk juniors and seniors only on May 1, 2021, at the Science Center of Iowa from 7:30-11:15 PM. The theme is Night Under the Stars and tickets are $30. Students can purchase them from Mr. Wermerskirchen. Masks will be required the entire evening.
Students will enjoy a beautifully-decorated Prom with dancing and the crowning of their king and queen, AND there will also be additional activities built into the evening this year. Games and activities that can be enjoyed while wearing prom attire will be available and LOTS of fun prizes will be given away throughout the evening. After the dance, the students will enjoy the always-popular hypnotist show and everyone in attendance will leave with fun swag bags (including snacks - they'll be hungry by then!).
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Student Placement Regulation |
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WE'RE HIRING! JOIN OUR TEAM! |
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The Norwalk Community School District has new para, custodian and support staff openings available and is now hiring for the 2021-2022 school year! Join our team and be a part of a creative and collaborative school district striving to grow learners and leaders! Apply online today at norwalkschools.org!
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Nominate a Warrior for the Norwalk Wall of Fame! |
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The Norwalk Community School District Wall of Fame has been established to recognize both Norwalk High School graduates and Norwalk Community School District staff for outstanding achievements and contributions to society and our community. These recipients reflect strong role models for current students and staff. There are three inductees this year that will be announced in the District's April newsletter.
Graduate Criteria
- Nominee must have attended and graduated from Norwalk High School at least 10 years prior to the nomination.
- Since graduation, Nominee must have demonstrated notable and outstanding achievement in any of the following areas: arts, business, community service, humanitarian efforts or profession.
Notable Staff Criteria
- Nominee must have been on staff at Norwalk Community Schools for a minimum of 10 years and may be either currently or formerly so employed.
- Nominee must have attained a notable level of performance by demonstrating a caring attitude for students, superior professional skills, and by being highly respected by students, staff and the community.
If you would like to nominate a graduate or employee for the Wall of Fame you can go to the school website or directly to the nomination form listed below.
School website:
Link to nomination form:
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Orchard Hills Students and Staff Show Support for School Nurse Battling Cancer
We are wishing Mrs. Kara Greenlee, our very own Orchard Hills Elementary School Nurse a healthy next couple of months as she recovers from surgery and battles breast cancer. We miss her already and can't wait to see her in our halls again soon! #Unshakeable Photos taken by Orchard Hills Elementary Staff
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Upcoming Dates to Remember
April 21: Staff Work Day (No School K-12)
May 19: NEW! Regular student attendance day
May 21: Last Day for Seniors
May 22: Commencement
May 28: Last Day of School
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Norwalk PTO Spring Apparel Sale is Here!
The Norwalk PTO is excited to share their new Spring Spirit Apparel! This collection features options with different logo, color, and style choices, including tank tops, shorts, and lightweight hoodies! All orders need to be completed online by April 4th.
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