Principal Weekly Update to Families
3-13-23
Message from Dr. Antonelli
I hope everyone had a great weekend! Thank you to everyone who volunteered, helped organize and put together our family dance. It was a great time!
March is Reading Month at Norwood School! Our reading department has lots of fun activities planned every day. Please see the list below. Tomorrow we will have musician and storyteller Keith Munslow perform and it is Musher Monday! Please remember to sign-up for our Read-A-Thon!
Just a reminder that the SurveyWorks window is open! To take the survey, visit bit.ly/ridefamily. Every students family that completes the survey will be entered into a raffle. The first class to 100% gets a pizza party! Fill out this google form once complete.
It has been chilly out there. Please make sure students are appropriately dressed for the weather as they may spend time outside. If you are in need of cold weather gear please let us know. It looks like cold and rainy for most of this week.
Please be mindful during drop off and pick up. We have many families, students and staff walking through the parking lot and up the street. Please obey the cross walks including the yellow speed bump and the drive slow signs. It is a one way loop through the parking lot. Everyone must proceed through in a single file line for safety. Thank you for helping to keep the Norwood community safe!
Dates to remember:
3/13/23 - Keith Munslow- Musician and Storyteller
3/13/23 - Norwood Math Night
3/14/23 - Teacher PD Day/No School
3/17/23 - Wear Green or Gold Spirit Day
3/21/22 - Roger Williams Afterschool Zoo Program for K-2 Starts
3/21/22 - GAMM Theatre Afterschool Program Starts for 3 - 5
3/22/23 - Parent Advisory & Leadership Meeting 6pm at Central Administration
3/24/23 - Norwood Pride Day - Wear your Norwood Gear or Blue and White
3/25/23 - Polar Plunge for Unified Special Olympics at Roger Wheeler Beach
3/27/23 - Coffee and Conversation
3/28/23 - Vision Screening
3/28/23 - RICAS ELA Assessments start
3/29/23 - Norwood Parent Safety Forum
4/3/23 - PTA Meeting
4/7/23 - 4/16/23 - Spring Recess
Special Olympics Unified Champions Schools Polar Plunge
Norwood Knights are taking the Polar Plunge !!!!!!!
Join us on March 25 , 2023 to help raise funds for the Special Olympics.
Norwood School supports the Special Olympics and ALL THINGS UNIFIED! Norwood Knights (students, families and faculty) will take the plunge on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 11:00 am at Roger Wheeler State Beach in Narragansett.
All proceeds will go to benefit our Unified Champion Schools athletes! 50% of the money that each team raises will go directly back to that team's school! Fundraising can be done easily online! All cash donations will be collected through March 21, 2023 in order to get the donations submitted to the RI Special Olympics prior to the event. Online donations can be made right up until the event.
Please help us support this cause!
Staff, students, families, friends, neighbors and anyone who wants to join are welcome!!
How Can I Help? You can collect donations for our team! You can join the team and take the plunge!! You can come cheer us on!!!!
How Do I Help Get Donations? Post the Link to our team on your Social Media pages. Ask friends and family. Send this link to everyone you know!!
Thank you in advance for helping to support this wonderful cause!!!
Donate or Join the Team by going to the link below:
Norwood’s IditaREAD reading race
March 6-31 IditaREAD
At Home: Sign up for the Read-a-thon!! Students should be reading at least 20 minutes a night and record their reading on the read-a-thon platform
Throughout the month:
Musher Monday: bring a small stuffed animal to school to read to.
Trivia Tuesday: Every Tuesday morning a question will be asked relating to the Iditarod. (students who answer correctly will be entered into a raffle to read with Koda)
Would you rather Wednesday: students can take a quick minute to turn and talk about the would you rather question
Thinking Thursday: More Iditarod trivia questions (students who answer correctly will be entered into a raffle to read with Koda)
Fun Fact Friday: Students can submit interesting facts they have learned relating to the Iditarod race. I will share them over the intercom on Fridays. There will be a box for students to submit their fun facts to me. (include name, and room number)
Video read-alouds: We will share a variety of video read-alouds for you to share with your students. All of these read-alouds will be related to the Iditarod. Feel free to use them whole group or during a station for the students to select and listen to. The trivia questions will come from these books and students may find fun facts here or through other research done.
Vocabulary: Word of the day (there will be a vocabulary wall to display words, definitions and visuals)
Where is Koda? Koda’s picture will be hidden around the school every day. As student’s “find Koda” they will be entered into a raffe to read with Koda. (students will be entered into a raffle to read with Koda)
DEAR- each day the whole school will “drop everything and read” for 10-20 min. Teachers will receive a schedule, but students will be surprised with the time that we drop everything and read. Please do your best to participate. If your class will be in a special, please have them bring a book to read. A chime will sound at the start of DEAR time with no other announcement. There will not be an ending notification. You decide how much time to have your class read.
Lead “dog”: Each day, during DEAR time or other reading times in your classroom, Teachers will select 1-2 lead “dog” readers. The lead “dog” is the student or students who are really focusing on their reading. (students will be entered into a raffle to read with Koda)
Norwood School has decided to hold a Read-a-thon this year!
Read-a-thons actually get your reader excited about reading and it gives friends and family the opportunity to encourage your child to read even more.
Our Read-a-thon starts Monday March 6, 2023.
About one week before our Read-a-thon starts we will send home instructions on how to activate your reader's personal page. This is where you will be able to view and record their progress.
We encourage you to activate your reader’s account today by clicking on https://www.read-a-thon.com/readers/r/sQNpUt/1 and following the simple instructions.
We've chosen Read-a-thon because it will not take much of your time, gives your child a reason to read and helps in the development of stronger reading skills.
We hope EVERYONE participates.
Thanks so much,
Norwood SchoolMARCH MADNESS
Friday, March 17th - Wear Green or Gold to get some luck!!!
Friday, March 24th - show your NORWOOD PRIDE. Wear any Norwood gear, blue or white.
Friday, March 31st - Wear a basketball jersey, a college shirt, or any sports gear you have.
Essay Contest
Students in Grades 2-5 have a chance to win a $50.00 gift card to Barnes and Noble, have their essay published in a newsletter and help our Food Pantry. Contest sponsored by Plates with Purpose who is one of our Food Pantry partners. For details, visit: www.plateswithpurpose.org/essay
RIDE SurveyWorks
2023 Norwood Parent Survey Works Request
The Rhode Island Department of Education is currently administering its annual SurveyWorks Family Survey, which is an opportunity for family members to provide feedback about our school community and our children’s opportunities to learn. The survey results are most useful when all families participate, so I am writing to ask you to participate in this survey.
Topics on the survey include:
School Safety
School Climate
Family Engagement
Family Support
Your views on matters like the safety of your child at school, the way students are taught, the condition of the school, and how connected you feel to this school are important. By taking this short survey, you can help our school leadership and school community to make improvements. Responses are anonymous and cannot be linked to any individual; no one can tie your responses back to you.
You can take the short survey online between January 17 and March 31. You may use any electronic device that has access to the internet to complete the survey. Family surveys are available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. To take the survey, visit bit.ly/ridefamily. Choose your school from the dropdown list, Norwood School (Warwick). If you don’t have access to the Internet, please contact Norwood Elementary School at 401-734-3525 to access the survey.
Once you have completed the survey please fill out this quick google form. Every student's family that completes the form recognizing survey completion will be entered into a school-wide raffle for three different prizes including book bags, gift certificates and prize baskets. The first class to have 100% completion will receive a pizza party. Your participation and input is truly appreciated!
Recess Youth Leadership Program for 4th and 5th Grade
Girls on the Run Spring Session is Open
February 28th - May 13th
Tuesday and Thursday 3:15 - 4:45
March is Youth Arts Month
Community Flyers
Historic Walking Tour of Pawtuxet Village
The annual walking tour of Pawtuxet Village is a lesson in history like no other! Now in its 23rd year, the event has become the traditional kick-off for the Gaspee Days celebrations. We are happy to announce that the walking tour is now an official Gaspee Days event, brought to you by the official Gaspee Days committee!
Three years before Paul Revere made his famous ride, a band of colonists from Pawtuxet torched the British ship HMS Gaspee, after it ran aground on Namquid Point. This marked the first armed conflict of the American revolution and it happened right here in our neighborhood!
Children in grades 3 and up are invited to assume the roles of actual documented residents of colonial Pawtuxet. At each site along the tour, students dressed in lavish period costumes recite historical folklore via skits that portray villagers from Pawtuxet’s past. Guided tours allow the public to greet the residents of Pawtuxet Village and be educated as you follow the very footsteps of the patriots who procured our freedom. Students and parents alike will be amazed at what they didn’t know about Pawtuxet’s role as a seaport and industrial hub in our nation’s earliest years. You will also be astounded by the residents who made it that way.
This program requires parent volunteers and donations. Parents will be asked to chaperone sites on the day of the tour, provide food and snacks for the day of the tour, and participate in canning and costuming, among other activities. Please see and sign the Participation Agreement Also see the Schedule for specific dates and times that parental involvement is required.
FEES: $25 per child, second sibling $20. Additional siblings $15 each.
Walking Tour of Historic Pawtuxet Village
Want to help make history? Want to wear cool costumes and learn about the early settlers in the area? Then sign up for the Annual Walking Tour of Historic Pawtuxet Village. A chapter in LOCAL history like no other. Want to follow in the footsteps of the patriots who procured our freedom, Live and learn about the lives of our Colonial ancestors then this the event for you.
Need Community Service hours, We can use you.
Sign Up in person March 21 3-4:30 at Wyman Elementary or March 23 at Aspray Boat house 4-6:30 $25 fee child, 2nd sibling $20 additional siblings $15 each. Grades 3-12 (younger with Parent involvement) Adults welcome too! We have something for everyone.
Program meets 6 Wednesdays starting March 29 at 3:15 at Wyman and concludes with our Living History Museum May 20 (rain date May 21) Scan Code Below to sign up.
Questions? Walkingtour@gaspee.org
Historic Walking Tour 2023 Schedule
March 29, 2023: Orientation/overview of program 3:00-4:30pm at Wyman
April 5, 2023: After school program 3:00-4:30pm at Wyman
April 12, 2023: School vacation- no meeting.
April 19, 2023: After school program 3:00-4:30pm. Scripts will be issued on this day.
April 26, 2023:After school program 3:00-4:30pm
April 29, 2023: (Saturday): Costuming at Wyman- schedule by site will be emailed prior to this date
April 29, 2023: After school program 3:00-4:30pm at Wyman
May 3, 2023: After school program 3:00-4:30pm at Wyman. Roles should be memorized and students will perform skits
May 6 9:00am-3:00pm OR May 13 9 -3 Canning in costume. TBD ( Shaw’s or possibly Dave’s)This is the only fundraiser for the Walking Tour and mandatory for all students. Sign up Genius to be sent out to sign up for designated times. Must Choose 1 canning Option
May 10, 2023: DL DAY Roles should be memorized. Next week on Site
May 17, 2023: Site Rehearsal. Complete walk through of the program and final rehearsal on site. Children will meet in the All Purpose Room as usual and will be transported to the Aspray Boathouse. From there they will walk to their site for staging and rehearsal. This is a rain or shine outdoor event. Please plan to pick up your child at the Aspray Boathouse at 4:45pm. We will be asking for volunteer drivers to transport kids to the boathouse.
May 20, 2023: TOUR DATE. Drop kids at the Aspray Boathouse IN COSTUME by 11am. Schedule for the day to follow at a later date. MAY 21 Rain Date (must be available for both dates!)
Community Police Patch Design Contest
Starting now and running to March 1st the Warwick Police Department will be hosting a Community Police Patch Design Contest. The winning patch will be reproduced and sold in May which is Brain and Spine Tumor Awareness Month.
How to submit designs:
Email: wpdpatches@warwickri.gov
Mail: 99 Veterans Memorial Dr. Warwick, RI 02886 Attn: Community Police
1)Open to anyone under the age of 18 years old.
2)Community oriented designs with a maximum of 12 colors.
3)Freehand or computer generated designs are acceptable.
4)“Police Department” and “City of Warwick” must be in the same location as the attached image.
5)Winning patch will be reproduced and sold to the public in May, 2023.
6)All proceeds will be donated to the Rhode Island Brain and Spine Tumor Foundation.
7)Designs are due by March 1, 2023
By submitting artwork, you grant the City nonexclusive, royalty-free rights for unlimited reproduction in City print and electronic publications and promotional materials for an unlimited period of time. The City will provide artwork credit if your image is published.
Unique Opportunity for Title 1 School Families!
I would like to invite you to be part of an exciting opportunity at our school. We’re continuing our initiative to increase positive family-school partnerships here at school. During this six-week workshop, we will be discussing some key parenting and leadership skills and tools that will help our children be more successful at school and in life. I know how much you care about your child’s success and believe you will make a great addition to our leadership team. Your ideas and voice are worth sharing with others. These workshops will take place Thursday evenings at Oakland Beach school from 6:30-8 PM. There is limited space available in this workshop. Can I save a place for you?
If you would like to participate or have question please contact cameron.kadek@warwickschools.org
Take a peak at the videos below!
Breakfast and Lunch Program
As a reminder breakfast service begins at 8:40am. On June 30, 2022 the free breakfast and lunch waiver provided by the state ended. The Meal Benefit Expiration and Grace period has ended. This means that students that were free/reduced previously and have not applied to receive the continued benefits will now be charged for the full meal price. All families, regardless of status, will need to complete the lunch application. We still need 108 families to complete their application. It is important that all families complete the lunch application. This helps with our Title I funding, resources and activities. It can help provide discounts on resources and activities for teachers and students. Information on how to complete your form can be found here. You can also contact the main office or see the district website if you have questions.
Lunch Menu
March Newsletter
Your March Newsletter has been posted!
Title I Book of the Month - March
The Doctor With an Eye For Eyes, The Story of Dr. Patricia Bath
"As a girl coming of age during the Civil Rights Movement, Patricia Bath made it her mission to become a doctor. When obstacles like racism, poverty, and sexism threatened this goal, she persevered--brightening the world with a game-changing treatment for blindness!"--Inside book jacket.
Norwood Title I Information
Norwood School 2022-23 Family Engagement Policy
FY23 Home-School Compact Norwood
If you have not downloaded the Warwick Public School mobile app, I highly recommend doing so. You must set up your push notification settings to receive important messages from your child's school(s). This 30-second video will show you how to do so.
Updates
Norwood School
Warwick Public Schools
Warwick Special Education Advisory Committee Brochure
Warwick is moving forward with implementing the WPS Vision of a Graduate for all students!
A Message From Transportation
When students leave items on buses, we ask that the student or parent to contact First Student directly.
First Student has direct contact with the buses through the radio,
and the student/parent will need to make arrangements to retrieve their forgotten item from First Student.
Please direct all calls regarding forgotten/lost items on buses to:
First Student
401-739-1980 (then press '0' for all desks)
Please note, if it is during arrival or dismissal time, there is a chance the phone will not be answered right away.
Amazon-Wishlists-for-Teachers
Fundraising
Read-a-thon
Norwood School has decided to hold a Read-a-thon this year!
Read-a-thons actually get your reader excited about reading and it gives friends and family the opportunity to encourage your child to read even more.
Our Read-a-thon starts Monday March 6, 2023.
About one week before our Read-a-thon starts we will send home instructions on how to activate your reader's personal page. This is where you will be able to view and record their progress.
We encourage you to activate your reader’s account today by clicking on https://www.read-a-thon.com/readers/r/sQNpUt/1 and following the simple instructions.
We've chosen Read-a-thon because it will not take much of your time, gives your child a reason to read and helps in the development of stronger reading skills.
We hope EVERYONE participates.
Thanks so much,
Norwood SchoolPlease Keep Our Ongoing Fundraisers in Mind
Amazon Smile
Norwood Spirit Wear
VOWS - Volunteers of Warwick Schools
From The Rhode Island Department of Education
What is Chronic Absenteeism?
Chronic Absenteeism is a measure of how many students miss a defined number of school days for any reason. Rhode Island defines Chronic Absenteeism as the percentage of students who miss 10% or more school days during the year (or 2 days per month).
Research shows that chronic absenteeism is associated with a number of negative consequences for students, including lower achievement, disengagement from school, course failure, and increased risk of dropping out.
Early Dismissals
Please refrain from requesting an early dismissal for your child after 2:45pm. The dismissal process begins at 3:05pm and it becomes very difficult for us to fill an early dismissal request once the process begins.
Student Absences
Students will be marked absent, no matter the reason, if they are not in school.
If the absence is COVID related it will be entered as an excused absence.
STUDENT ABSENCE CALL-IN PROCEDURE
In accordance with Rhode Island State Law #16-19-10, Notification of Pupil Absence, the Warwick School Department requires that all parents/guardians call their child’s elementary school on the day that he/she will not be in attendance. We would like to receive all calls by 9:15 in the morning. If you are aware of a pending absence, feel free to call at any time prior to the day of the absence. In the event we do not hear from you, an automated call will be sent at 10:00 a.m. to inform you that your child did not arrive at school.
ASPEN Family Portal
It is important that the Aspen Family Portal is updated with correct address and contact information. Students can only be released to emergency contacts listed in the Family Portal so please make sure this is updated. You can find more information about the Family Portal on the district website here. Using the WPS Family Portal (PDF) WPS Family Portal (direct link)
Important Reminders
- Please make sure students are dressed appropriately for the weather. If you need help with this please reach out.
- There are no water fountains at school for health and sanitation reasons. Students are advised to bring in a refillable bottle to use at the water refill station.
- The parking lot for arrival and dismissal hours is a one way loop.
- Please be mindful of the buses, stop signs and the crosswalks.
- Outside toys are not allowed in school including Pokemon cards. We have enough for students to do and games to play!
- Norwood school participates in the BIC® Stationery Free Recycling Program - https://www.terracycle.com/en-US/brigades/bic. Thank you grade 4 for organizing this!
Norwood Thought Corner
Norwood School
Cell: 401- 871-4350
Fax: 401-734-3528
Email: sabrina.antonelli@warwickschools.org
Website: https://norwood.warwickschools.org/o/nee/
Location: 266 Norwood Avenue, Warwick, RI, USA
Phone: 401-734-3525
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wpsnorwoodknights
Twitter: @principalant