Wednesday's Word
April 13, 2022
What's Inside
- Thank you Thomas Doyle!
- Reminder: NO SCHOOL Friday, April 15th; April 18th - 22nd
- NPS Coin Drive for Ukraine
- COVID Update
- NPS Employment Opportunities
- 2021-2022 Yearbook Information
- Community News
- PTO 5th/6th Grade Promotion Fundraiser!
- PTO Red Sox Fundraiser - Ticket Distribution Info
- Norfolk Recreation Programs
- Classroom Happenings
Dear Families,
As a school community we are deeply concerned for the wellbeing of the citizens of Ukraine who are facing a humanitarian crisis due to the recent attacks carried out by the Russian government. The war in Ukraine is having a traumatic and devastating impact on the nation’s 7.5 million children. In response to this crisis, the Norfolk Public Schools will be sponsoring a Coin Drive to raise funds for Unicef. Unicef is committed to providing support for children and families in desperate need of safety, stability and protection. Currently Unicef is raising funds to provide essential services to families and children including health supplies, protection and safe, clean drinking water.
The district will have collection jars available in classrooms during the weeks of April 25-May 6th. Students can bring in loose change or coin donations to support this fund-raising effort. Families who wish to make additional contributions are also able to send donations into school in sealed envelopes addressed to the school office.
To ensure that all students are able to participate regardless of monetary donations, we are planning to align this fundraiser with Earth Day, which is celebrated on April 22nd. Students will have the opportunity to make a contribution to our effort to help alleviate the water crisis by reducing their water footprint. Students will learn about the importance of conserving water, the global impact of water conservation efforts, and ways that they, as citizens of Norfolk, can contribute by making small changes in their daily activities.
Please see the attached flyer, Coin Drive for Ukraine, with information about the upcoming fundraiser. We hope that our community efforts will make a difference for the families and children who are suffering as a result of this tragic event.
Sincerely,
Ingrid Allardi
Special Thank-You to Retiring School Committee Member- Thomas Doyle
Mr. Doyle was elected to serve on the Norfolk School Committee in 2010. Since then he has been reelected several times and has completed 4 consecutive terms. In the early years of his tenure, Mr. Doyle played a critical role in overseeing the construction and opening of the new Freeman-Kennedy School. Mr. Doyle was an active member of the School Building Committee from 2011-2013 and was present to witness the opening of the new school doors as we welcomed the first class of children into this beautiful new facility. In 2014, Mr. Doyle was elected Chair of the School Committee and has served in that role for the past 8 years. Under his leadership, the district has prepared fiscally responsible budgets, allowing us to eliminate fees for transportation and full-day kindergarten. Throughout his years of service, Mr. Doyle has maintained a strong commitment to ensuring that all children in Norfolk have full access to essential educational programs. Additionally, Mr. Doyle played an important role in securing grant funding for the H. Olive Day roof project and overseeing the process to ensure that construction was completed on time and under budget. The successful completion of this project was vital to maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment for our youngest learners. Mr. Doyle has been a strong advocate for education in the town of Norfolk and his service is greatly appreciated by the staff and members of the community. His dedication, reflective demeanor and his rich sense of humor will be greatly missed.
Covid 19 Update
We are pleased to announce that as case counts in Norfolk continue to remain low, the Norfolk School Committee voted last night to lift some additional Covid 19 restrictions and allow the district to continue to work towards returning to a more typical and traditional learning environment for our students. Restrictions lifted include the following:
Eliminating social distancing requirements in classrooms
Allowing students to participate in off-site field trips that support and enrich our curriculum
Allowing special programs and presentations in school that align with the curriculum provided that presenters follow district guidelines for Covid screening and safety
Returning to routine daily cleaning protocols and procedures
In addition, the district will begin to bring back parent volunteers to support student lunch periods and school libraries, as well as some other special events as needed. All parent volunteers will need to self-certify that they are free of Covid symptoms and have not been exposed to Covid 19 upon arrival in the school offices.
As always, please note that this recommendation is subject to change should public health conditions trend in a different direction or should any other lawfully issued mandates or directives be published by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Department of Public Health or by the state or federal government.
2021-2022 Yearbook Information
TIME IS RUNNING OUT! Purchase and customize your H. Olive Day School and/or Freeman Kennedy School yearbook by Friday, April 29!
Norfolk PTO 5th/6th Grade Promotion Fundraiser!
WHERE: Elks Lodge, Franklin
Click on picture for more info!
Norfolk PTO Red Sox Fundraiser - ticket distribution
Norfolk Recreation Programs!
April is Poetry Month!
Final Four from 6th Grade Recess Madness 3v3 Basketball Tournament!
Students playing "Treasure Island" in gym class!
Enjoying the sunshine playing "Hawks & Squirrels" in gym class!
Norfolk Public Schools
Email: allardi@norfolk.k12.ma.us
Website: norfolk.k12.ma.us
Location: 70 Boardman Street, Norfolk, MA, USA
Phone: (508) 528-1255