Principal Weekly Update to Families
1-22-23
Message from Dr. Antonelli
I hope everyone had a great weekend! Students have finished up thier iReady Math Middle of the Year Diagnostic and will be starting iReady Reading. This gives us information on how students have grown from the beginning of the year, what they may still need support in and sets the lessons that student work on in thier My Path.
We have two afterschool programs starting this week. If students applied they were notified of acceptance. If you are unsure please contact the main office.
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. Thank you for helping to keep the Norwood community safe!
Dates to remember:
1/23/22 - Coffee and Conversation
1/23/22 - iReady Reading Middle of the Year Assessments Start
1/23/22 - Club Invention Starts
1/26/23 - Robotics Club Starts
1/30/23 - Storyteller Len Cabral
2/6/22 - PTA Meeting
2/7/23 - Nos School for Students/Teacher PD Day
2/8/23 - Hearing Screenings
2/1/23 - Virtual Storyteller from RI Black Storytellers
2/20/22 - 2/24/22 - President's Day & February Break
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!
Girls on the Run Spring Session is Open
February 28th - May 13th
Tuesday and Thursday 3:15 - 4:45
Warwick Public Library Winter Reading Challenge
Unique Opportunity for Title 1 School Families!
We 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. We know how much you care about your child’s success and we 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:
Option 1: Norwood School
Dates: Mondays January 23rd thru March 6th (No workshop on February 20th)
Time: 1:30 - 3:00 pm
There are only 15 openings available in this workshop. Can we save a place for you? If you would like to participate please contact us at sabrina.antonelli@warwickschools.org and cameron.kadek@warwickschools.org
Take a peak at the videos below!
New COVID-19 Reporting Process
Parents/Guardians,
If your student is showing symptoms of Covid please make sure to enter their information on the Warwick Public Schools Website. The link below will take you to the reporting form. This is now for either students who are awaiting test results or have tested positive.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScor_6dBniy_vvjSaCMcONDobNTqrHCxIYlmHclynMRjIToRQ/viewform
Covid symptoms are : a new wet or dry cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, muscle pain, headache, loss of smell or taste, sore throat and/or fatigue.
If your student has any of these symptoms they will need to test for Covid and you will need to fill out the Covid form.
We do know that there are other reasons for these symptoms, but we need to eliminate Covid as the reason for the symptoms for student's safe return to school.
Any absences related to Covid are excused.
Please remember to send the photographs of the dated and initialed tests to the Covid Coordinator and Nurse Rea.
The Covid Coordinator will reach out to you with guidance if needed.
Federal Government Resumes Distribution of Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests
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
January Newsletter
Your January Newsletter has been posted!
Title I Book of the Month - January
Maddi’s Fridge
Fiction - Maddi’s Fridge is a book about two best friends, Maddi, and Sofia, who live in the same neighborhood and go to the same school. After a full day of playing in the playground, Sofia gets very hungry and runs to Maddi’s house to grab a snack. When she opens the refrigerator, she is very surprised to find that Maddi barely has any food, and only has a small carton of milk for her little brother. Maddi asks her to promise to not tell anyone. At the end of the book, Sofia decides to tell her mother, who goes on to bring groceries to Maddi and her family. Sofia learns that promises are important but Maddi and her well-being are way more important than a promise.
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
Girls On The Run
From now until the end of December, every time you shop on Walmart.com or in person, you can round up your change and donate it to GIRLS ON THE RUN RHODE ISLAND?
If you think you'll be making any holiday purchases, getting snacks in bulk, freshening up holiday decoration, etc. at Walmart over the next 3 months, then please sign into or create a Walmart account https://www.walmart.com/nonprofits/e85335ef-5b75-4bc7-b624-26df6566a3ba/profile then select our Girls on the Run Rhode Island charity. This is national (not state specific), so please share with others you think may be interested. All can visit our website to learn how small acts can lead to big impact www.gotrri.org/impact.
Active Wear Drive
Elizabeth McGann | Program Manager
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
elizabeth.mcgann@girlsontherun.org
PO Box 72787 | Providence, RI 02907
www.gotrri.org | 401.203.7024
Feinstein Junior Scholar Cards – and Golden Ticket Program!
Be sure to check your child’s backpack! Feinstein Junior Scholar Cards and Golden Tickets went home. As a Feinstein Junior Scholar, your child receives great benefits including access to fun, educational programs or businesses throughout our area – and great discounts or free passes to special events. Furthermore, the Golden Ticket program provides your child with a chance to win a $500 donation to a charity of their choice, along with a $5,000 donation to our school for items that can enrich the experience of our students! More information can be found linked below. Thank you to our PTA and Mrs. Ruggieri for their ongoing coordination of the Feinstein program at our school.
Norwood School
Warwick Public Schools
Update: Policy JFCM - Electronic Devices In School
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