The Mustang Minute
March 23, 2020 - Issue 27
News from the Bunker: Connections
So, I'm not really in a bunker, but sometimes it feels that way. I've spent this week really trying tho think about what should my role be - it's very strange trying to "principal" from afar. I've decide that communication is really number one right now. Communicating with students, teachers, and families about education, support, and anything else that is needed.
To that end, I am setting up weekly Zoom Meetings that students may join. These are larger public forums where students can ask questions, get support, or just say hello. The first meeting will be this Wednesday at 1:00pm. If your child has a more specific or personal question, please encourage them to email me directly (I get many student emails every day). For parents, please call my direct number or email me. I may add some parent forums, but will try it with students first.
Zoom Meeting link and info:
https://zoom.us/j/462165085?pwd=c2dWMHptQzBLN2czdGVoNEl3cVN2UT09 Meeting ID: 462 165 085 Password: 022012
Additionally, my message has been to teachers to try and connect with each student in some way. We want to make sure our students are feeling safe and supported by CMS. If your child has not logged onto one of their Google classrooms, please encourage them to do so. Teachers are proving lots of activities for students to engage in this week, but mostly, they are trying to make sure they have heard from each student at least once. We are not sure how long this seclusion will last, but we know that students need to connect with others all the time!
I am going to leave most of the resources that I sent out last week on the Mustang Minute going forward for easy access. I will always put new items at the top. A couple of new items to highlight are two new school-wide Google classrooms for students. One is called "Explore the Virtual World" and is a place for students to find links for the many free activities being made available during the covid19 crisis. All will be vetted by teachers and come with a brief description. The second is called the "Student Support" classroom. This is a place where our special educators will put tools that any student can use to help with their online classes. We will be sending out links to these classrooms on Wednesday, please have students check their email!
And finally, we are going to continue to do different fun virtual "weeks" last week was Spirit Week", this week we are doing "Self-Care" week. We will ask students to send us their photos of how they are taking some time for themselves (and teachers too). Are they going for a hike? Having a virtual party? Reading a good book? whatever it si we want to see it! I'll post those pictures on Twitter (@mfraczek), Instagram (coakley_principal), and to the CMS PTO Facebook page. My Instagram account is new (at the suggestion of my guidance counselors, who tell me that is where the "kids are at"), please yet your students know to follow me and I promise I won't follow them back!
Free Internet Access from Comcast!
If you are a student or family that does not currently have reliable internet access at home, please be aware that Comcast is offering its Internet Essentials program free of charge for the next two months! For those that qualify, they will receive internet at home for free for the next two months, after which it will revert to the price of $9.95 per month. You can find more information about the Comcast Internet Essentials Program at this link:
Spirit Week!
Spirit Week!
Spirit Week!
Art
Norwood Pride!
Spirit Day!
Washington DC Follow Up
Need to Contact the School?
Mindfulness Moment
Grab & Go Lunch Options
During the school shut down due to COVID-19, The Norwood Public Schools will be providing Grab & Go lunches at all 5 elementary schools. These meals will be provided to all teens and children, 18 years of age and younger without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. Meals will be provided at the following sites and times as follows:
Lunch will be served from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Meals will be bagged and ready for Grab & Go service. All teens and children 18 years of age and younger are eligible to get a free meal from the listed sites and take it with them for off-site consumption.
If you need lunches delivered please email Dr. Fraczek at mfraczek@norwood.k12.ma.us and we will do our best to make arrangements.
Need Chromebook Help?
Need to Contact your Guidance Counselor?
Grade 6: Ashley McCaffrey amccaffrey@norwood.k12.ma.us
Grade 7: Meghan Mba mmba@norwood.k12.ma.us
Grade 8: Ally King acking@norwood.k12.ma.us
School Adjustment Counselors
Amy Riley ariley@norwood.k12.ma.us
Deana Norton dnorton@norwood.k12.ma.us
Raina Keenan rkeenan@norwood.k12.ma.us
Need Aspen or Access Help?
For any students and families that have any issues regarding the Aspen family or student portal, please continue to use the NPS Aspen support email at: npsaspensupport@norwood.k12.ma.us
For any students and families that have questions about accounts or accessing educational resources that their teachers send them, please contact Joe Kidd at: jkidd@norwood.k12.ma.us
Virtual hang-Outs for Teens with Impact Norwood
Because of capacity limits on the virtual meeting room, we will have four separate groups--Group A, Group B, Group C and Group D. Once registered, please check your email and scroll to the bottom where a Zoom Meeting Link will be available, as well as the meeting ID.
Each group will meet weekly at the same time, using this schedule below:
Group A:
Tuesday, March 24th from 2pm-2:40pm
Tuesday, March 31st from 2pm-2:40pm
Register here for Group A: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/impact-norwood-virtual-hang-out-session-1-group-a-tickets-99983854400
Group B:
Wednesday, March 25th from 2pm-2:40pm
Wednesday, April 1st from 2pm-2:40pm
Register here for Group B: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/impact-norwood-virtual-hang-out-group-b-tickets-99987403014
Group C:
Thursday, March 26th from 2pm-2:40pm
Thursday, April 2nd from 2pm-2:40pm
Register here for Group C: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/impact-norwood-virtual-hang-out-group-c-tickets-99987675830
Group D:
Friday, March 27th from 2pm-2:40pm
Friday, April 3rd from 2pm-2:40pm
Register here for Group D: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/impact-norwood-virtual-hang-out-group-d-tickets-99989862370
Please only sign up for ONE group. Once registered, you will receive an email with information on how to join your specific meeting. If you have any questions, please email Aubrey Ciol at aciol@norwoodma.gov"
Yankee Candle Fundraising!
PTO Corner
The PTO typically meets the third Wednesday of each month (at times our day varies due to conflicts) to hear an update from the principal and discuss planning related to enrichment, fundraising, activities and other topics of interest. You can also stay up to date with the CMS PTO by following us on Facebook. You can contact the PTO at coakleypto@gmail.com.
We are looking for people to be on the PTO board as Vice-President and Secretary to finish out the year. If you are interested, please email the PTO!
Meeting Dates (all meetings start at 6:00 pm)
March 18 - Presentation on Social Media
April 15
May 13
June 17
Dr. Margo Fraczek
Email: mfraczek@norwood.k12.ma.us
Website: https://sites.google.com/norwood.k12.ma.us/cms-principal/home
Phone: 781-762-7880
Twitter: @mfraczek