Note from the Superintendent | |
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World Class Schools for Our Students:
NCSD Staff
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I have a bulletin board in my office that has a host of vital information displayed, including several inspirational quotes. One of my favorite quotes is from John Wesley who said, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” This time of year the district honors various groups of staff members, and the NCSD Board of Directors through various appreciation days, weeks, and months. May 8-12 is Teacher Appreciation Week and I want to use this opportunity to thank all NCSD teachers for the good they do each and every day inside and outside of their classrooms to make our school district and community a great place to learn and live.
NCSD staff members who are not formally identified as teachers also deserve our appreciation for the good they do in our schools and communities as well. Paraprofessionals, bus drivers and transportation staff, custodians, buildings and grounds staff, nutrition staff, secretaries and administrative assistants, district office staff, administrators, citizen coaches and sponsors, technology staff, and other professional and support staff members all contribute to the success of the Norwalk CSD.
May is also a time to celebrate Board members during National School Board Recognition Month. I would like to thank the NCSD Board of Directors for all the extra time and effort they have put into their positions as they lead the district through the process of hiring a new superintendent. I appreciate all the good the 5 members of the Board do in our district.
I encourage you all to reach out and thank a teacher, a NCSD staff member, or a Board member for all the good they do each and every day.
Yours in service,
D.T. Magee
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Norwalk School Board Names Shawn Holloway Next District Superintendent | |
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For Immediate Release:
NORWALK, IA — The Norwalk Community School District School Board has named Shawn Holloway as the district’s next superintendent.
Currently, Holloway serves as shared superintendent of the Panorama and Orient-Macksburg Community School Districts. In this position, he has been responsible for creating a five-year PPEL/SAVE facilities improvement plan, facilitating district leadership team meetings to determine professional development sessions, and analyzing student learning data.
Holloway holds an education specialist degree from Wayne State College and is an active member of the Panora Economic Development Group. He previously served as superintendent and elementary principal of the Gladbrook-Reinbeck Community School District.
"I am honored and humbled to be chosen for the opportunity to lead the Norwalk Community School District,” said Holloway. “I look forward to working with the staff, families, and community members to fulfill Norwalk CSD’s mission of Growing Learners and Leaders.”
Board members worked with Grundmeyer Leader Services to conduct the search. Holloway interviewed with stakeholder interview groups consisting of students, parents, teachers, and community members on April 26.
Holloway will officially begin leading the Norwalk Community School District on July 1, 2023.
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Norwalk CSD Announces 2023 Wall of Fame Inductees
Written by Tom McLaughlin
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The Norwalk Community School District is proud to announce the 2023 Norwalk Alumni/Staff Wall of Fame Inductees: Al Hart (Employee 1979 - 2010), Bobbie Bishop (Graduate 1970), and Jessica (Sand) Blonde (1998 Graduate).
Congratulations to this year’s 2023 Norwalk Wall of Fame Inductees who will be recognized at Norwalk’s 2023 Commencement Ceremony at the Norwalk Physical Education and Competition Center (NPECC) on Sunday, May 28.
The purpose of the Norwalk Wall of Fame is to recognize the accomplishments of Norwalk graduates and staff. Anyone can nominate a candidate for induction. Nomination forms and criteria can be found on the Norwalk website on the drop down under District. http://bit.ly/WallofFameNomination
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Governor Reynolds recently signed SF482 into law. The Norwalk CSD will comply with this new state law.
The recently passed legislation requires elementary and secondary schools to:
- Multiple-occupancy restrooms or changing areas may be used only by individuals of the same biological sex.
- Any single-occupancy restroom or changing area that is specifically designated for a specific sex may only be used by persons of the same biological sex.
- Any facility used for extracurricular activities or any other setting where a student may be in various stages of undress must have separate, private areas designated for use by biological sex.
- A district shall, to the extent possible, provide accommodations to any student, for any reason, who requests greater privacy when using a single or multiple occupancy restroom or changing area or other facility if the parent/guardian submits written consent to the school and if the request is reasonable. Students of majority age, 18, would not require such consent. Contact your building principal for a consent form.
We will continue to care for and support all of our students and staff here in Norwalk, including those who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community. As a system, we are committed to developing and sustaining safe and supportive learning environments for all students. As stated in our district School Board Policy 102, we will ensure students and staff of all race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status feel welcomed and supported in our schools.
As a public school district, we recognize our ethical responsibility to develop whole-children, support their individual and social growth, and prepare them to be global citizens once they leave our buildings. We uphold our commitment to Growing Learners and Leaders, which we recognize is only possible by acknowledging and valuing the diversity of our students, staff, and community.
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Posters Created by: Andy Kreider Photography | |
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Norwalk Tennis & Golf
Written by Ruby Hoch, Norwalk High School Social Media and Communications Intern
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Norwalk High School is filled with some outstanding spring student athletes. In fact, you might be surprised at how many of them are members of the golf or tennis teams. The girls golf team has 13 athletes and are coached by Steve Wermeskirchen. They have had a successful year so far with a record of 4-2 in the Little Hawkeye Conference with losses to talented Indianola and Newton teams. The girls golf team has just a handful of meets left to round out their season and are ready to take home some more wins. The boys golf season is in the fall, but they have a couple of meets in the spring too. As of April 25th, the boys golf team set an 18 hole school record with a team score of 287 - just 7 over par - at the Oskaloosa Invitational. In a couple of weeks, they will have their conference meet and are contenders for winning the 2023 Little Hawkeye Conference Championship.
The Norwalk girls tennis team has 35 athletes and is coached by Kristin Geisler and Eric Fisher. The Warriors have an overall record of 7-0 and boast a 5-0 record in the conference matches and as of last week grabbed the Little Hawkeye Conference Championship! They have seen tough competition, but have had success in all of their efforts. They believe that they have a great shot at making State. The boys tennis team, have 19 athletes and is coached by Russell Place. They have a 6-2 record with losses to Ankeny Centennial and Urbandale. The Warriors boys tennis team remains 5-0 in the Little Hawkeye Conference.
These athletes have been hard at work since returning back to school from spring break. Collectively, these teams have had to contend with the crazy spring weather and play through some very tough conditions. Luckily, there have been a few sunny days too. Despite the unpredictability of Spring, these student athletes are making the most of each day and are working to make both the Warrior Tennis and Golf programs stronger. Each athlete represents the community of Norwalk and the school well both on and off the courts and courses.
If you’d like to see the girls and boys tennis and golf teams in action, click here to find their next match or meet.
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The Last Dance: Jeff Heltman's final Jazz Nite concert was held on April 14. Mr. Heltman is retiring after 40 years with Norwalk Schools. Norwalk band instructors gathered band alumni to create a Jeff Heltman All Star Big Band to perform right before intermission during the concert as well. Jeff's last song with his 8th grade group was Misty - a song that is special to him and his wife, Sarah. He counted the band off to start and then he danced with Sarah and his grandson.
Photo Credits: Makila Lors
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From left to right:
Ben McCartney, Elaine Menke, Carrie Krupke, Jeff Heltman, Carroll Hardy (Norwalk 5th grade band for 34 years), Kim Ward (NHS vocal for 30+ years), Ken Huen (NHS band 30+ years) and Nick Menke.
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Upcoming Important Dates:
May 23: Seniors Last Day
May 28: Commencement
May 31: Last Day of School
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Image Collaboration by: NHS Photography Class and Ruby Hoch, Communications Intern | |
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2023-2024 STUDENT REGISTRATION- Available Online!
*Fees will be applied to accounts on May 1, 2023.
**Early bird student fee discount deadline is June 30, 2023.
By: Jake Loll, Director of Business Services
Registration for 2023-2024 opened on March 1, 2023. An annual registration must be completed for ALL students (returning and new). Parents can register students at www.norwalkschools.org by clicking under “Enrollment”. Parents of students who are new to the district, click on the “New Families” page under “Enrollment”. Parents should register all students that will be returning in 23-24 by logging into their Parent Portal account. Maintaining current and accurate student records is essential to student safety and service.
Norwalk Preschool Pre-Registration is also open! For more information, please visit https://oviatt.norwalkschools.org/preschool-registration/
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Attention parents of 2023-24 Oviatt Kindergarteners: It's time to register for a Kindergarten Round-Up session for you and your student! Learning for students and parents/guardians! Sign-up TODAY! http://bit.ly/23-24OviattKinderRoundUp | | | | |
