The Mustang Minute
May 11, 2020 - Issue 36
News from the Bunker: Planning for the End of the Year
Welcome to week 9!
So after a weekend of snow and hail, I am truly not sure what to expect next! Mother Nature is definitely taking us for a ride this year!
Grade 5 transition
We have started to reach out to grade 5 students and parents about their transition to CMS. If you have an incoming grade 5 student and have not heard anything, please let me know - we have a virtual Open House happening on Wednesday night!
Grade 8 End of Year
Don't forget to purchase your Yearbook! We are putting together plans for several grade 8 end of year events - virtual trips to DC, celebrations with social distancing, and many other exciting pieces. We will keep you informed as we get more more details.
Locker Clean-Out
This week is locker clean out, which was sent out late last week. If you cannot make your scheduled time for any reason, please let us know and we can reschedule.
Spring Pictures
We have been trying to get in touch with LifeTouch about pictures taken in early March but have not had any success. We have not received a photos at CMS. We will keep trying and update you when we find out more.
Thursday Night Trivia
Remind your child about a fund Thursday Night event! Ms. Silva hosts school wide trivia and the top three scores get gift cards to local places!
Collaboration versus Cheating
I recently sent out an email to students to help them understand the difference between working together and cheating. Below, I have outlined what each looks like. In the email, I also asked that if students are feeling the need to cheat that they reach out to their teachers, guidance counselor, or myself for help!
As always, please keep the lines of communication open. If your child is getting overwhelmed, reach out, we can reduce the load and help them organize their time. If they need more challenging material, also let us know, we have a lot of content available. Feel free to call or email with questions and concerns. I hope everyone has remained safe and healthy!
April Citizens of the Month!
Grade 8: Vinamra Kalaignar Anusha, Daniel Morrison, Alan (AJ) Helmar (missing), David DeMattia (missing)
Grade 7:Colleen Brady, Micaela Brown, Ashlyn Bower
Grade 6:Isla Wilson, Caitlyn Hamwey, Joe Dipierro (missing)
Drive By Medication Pick Up Wednesday May 13, 11-1
We miss seeing all of you! We are wishing the best of health to all and hoping that everyone continues with the social distancing and good handwashing policies. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns for this year or next year.
I will be at CMS on Wednesday May 13 from 11-1 for a drive by pickup of all medication that is still at school. I've coordinated with the lunch time pick up hours, to minimize trips to the school.
Please email me if you require a different arrangement and we will accommodate.
Tova Sperber, RN and Joyce Kozol, RN
Norwood Town Hall for Kids
The NPS administration team and Norwood Community Media to producing a local television event called "Norwood Town Hall Meeting for Kids and Teens: Understanding Covid-19." The goal is to talk specifically to kids and teens in Norwood about Covid-19 and what it means for them in their young lives. We are looking for questions directly from kids and teens to include in the program. If you would like to contribute please ask your child what questions he/she has about Covid-19 and submit one question on their behalf using the form linked below. Please read the form description carefully for more details about this project. I hope to see some LMPA/Willett participation!
Question Submission: Norwood Town Hall Meeting for Kids and Teens: Understanding Covid-19
YearBooks!
We would like to be able to make sure that every grade 8 student gets a yearbook. If you would like to donate a yearbook for an 8th grade student please fill out the link a second time and use the words "Donate Book" as the students name.
Kindness During Coronavirus
Be a good neighbor. Check in with your neighbors to make sure they have what they need and to let them know people care about them. Be especially aware of elderly neighbors and people who are living alone. You know all that technology we have - let’s use it like never before to truly connect.
Support local businesses. Order takeout or buy gift cards for later use. Send a Facebook message to remind them that very soon, we will all be back out and about again to visit their business. Keep your memberships going.
Remember the caretakers. Find a way to say thank you to health professionals and first responders. Post a word of encouragement on their social media channels. If you have to go to the doctor’s office or hospital, practice grace and understanding if they are short on time, resources, or answers.
Be generous. Don’t take more than you need when it comes to groceries and supplies. If you do buy extra, drop them off at police stations, fire stations, and emergency rooms. If you order out, leave a bigger tip than usual.
Help people. There will be people all over our communities that will be struggling. If you know them, think of what help could look like and reach out. If no one comes to mind, give to your local United Way or food bank; the needs these organizations will be addressing will be fierce.
Taken from "15 Ideas to Practice Kindness During the Coronavirus/Covid19 by Kathryn Good
Mental Health Corner: Gratitude!
Teacher appreciation week may have passed, but it is important to continue practicing gratitude every day. Especially during times like these, it is important to be mindful of the things that we are grateful for (ahem, our AMAZING teachers at Coakley). Focusing on the positive and thinking of things we are thankful for can reduce stress, improve physical health, increase mental strength, and enhance self-esteem. In addition, showing our gratitude to others can help to lift our moods and improve our overall well-being. This week, challenge yourself to thank a teacher, a counselor, a parent, a health-care worker, a friend, or a neighbor for just being there during these trying times. Everyone needs to hear they are appreciated!
Follow the link below to learn more about the importance of practicing gratitude daily. Here, you will also find some suggestions for activities and exercises surrounding gratitude that can improve your well-being and overall outlook.
CMS Library Chats
Come and check out our Google Chat Drop in session on Fridays at 1pm. A fun and informal way to meet up and interact with fellow students and teachers. This weeks topic will be:
Check out our new website!
Book Talk/ Showcase on the illustrated Harry Potter Books
All are welcome! Links to the meeting are sent out via email!
Schedule an Appointment for Chromebook Repair
Release of Records
Any students transferring to another school district, attending a private school or another high school other than Norwood High, please make sure to contact your child's guidance counselor before the end of the year. Attached is the release form that must be filled out in order to ensure that your child's new school receives the pertinent school information (Transcripts, attendance, testing results, health record, discipline, etc.).
Allyson Culgin (6th grade) - aculgin@norwood.k12.ma.us
Ashley McCaffrey (7th grade) - amccaffrey@norwood.k12.ma.us
Meghan Mba (8th grade) - mmba@norwood.k12.ma.us
Impact Norwood Virtual Events
Need to Contact the School?
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.
Please note that there will NOT be lunches served on Good Friday (April 10th) or Patriot's Day (April 20th) but lunch WILL be served during April Vacation.
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
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!
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