Norwood News
1-2-24
Message from Dr. Antonelli
I hope everyone had a great Winter Break and Happy New Year! I hope everyone has some time to relax and spend time with loved ones. We are excited to be back with students!
We have many new Afterschool programs starting up this week and next week! There is still room in the GAMM Theatre on Mondays and Wednesdays as well as a few spots left in the Disney Program also on Mondays and Wednesdays. These programs are open to grades 3 - 5.
It is colder out most days now. Please make sure students come with gear for the colder weather. They will not be allowed outside for recess if they are not prepared for the colder temperatures. If you need assistance please reach out!
As a reminder if you are dropping off or picking up students and you need to park please due so in a designated parking spot in the side or back lot. Please do not stop and park in the loop. This is causing a backup for drop offs and poses as a safety concern for those parking appropriately and walking over.
Once students are dropped off we do ask adults to stay on the other side of the fence for the safety of all students. Anyone picking up students should have an ID on them at all times. Students will not be released without checking ID first. Anyone picking up must be listed as an emergency contact in ASPEN. Thank you!
Norwood School hours are 9:00 am - 3:10 pm.
Drop off is 8:40 am for students having breakfast and 8:50am for everyone else. We are not staffed before that time for drop off.
Students are dismissed at 3:10pm. Students in grades K-2 are dismissed out of the back of the All Purpose Room. Students in grade 3-5 are dismissed out the back door in front of the playground.
Please consult our school handbook.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.
See everyone tomorrow!
Dates to remember:
1/2/24 - GAMM Theatre K-2 Program Starts
1/3/24 - GAMM Theatre 3-5 Program Starts
1/8/24 - Disney Theatre Program Starts
1/8/24 - Zoo Program 3-5 Starts
1/9/24 - Lego Program K-2 Starts
1/9/24 - PTA Meeting 6:30pm at Norwood School
1/10/24 - Zoo Program K-2 Starts
1/10/24 - Lego Program 3-5 Starts
1/15/24 - No School MLK Day
1/22/24 - Internet Safety Parent Workshop 6pm at Vets Middle School
1/23/24 - No School Professional Development Day
1/24/24 - Better Together at Norwood School 6pm
1/26/24 - Winter Creations Paint Night 6pm
1/29/24 - Chorus Concert 2pm
1/29/24 - Parenting Partners Starts 6:30pm at Lippitt Elementary School
1/29/24 & 1/30/24 - Hearing Screenings
1/31/24 - Storyteller Len Cabral
Annoucements
Upcoming Afterschool Programs
Parent Group Opportunity
Internet Safety Parent Workshop
Warwick Public Library Winter All Ages Reading Challenge
"Where You Come From"
The Challenge Runs December 11- January 31, 2024.
Registration is open now.
Here is the link to our Beanstack Platform https://warwicklibrary.beanstack.com/reader365
Log your reading minutes and explore topics like family, history, and identity all while earning virtual badges. Read 10 hours to complete the challenge and earn a raffle ticket for a chance to win an Ancestry DNA test kit or a Family Tree Package.
Every person has a rich history and unique stories to tell — dive deeper into your own this winter! Explore topics like family, history, and identity. Read the featured book: Where We Come From, a poetic picture book for all ages, written by John Coy, Shannon Gibney, Sun Yung Shin, and Diane Wilson and illustrated by Dion MBD. Let it inspire you to reflect on your own story! For logging your reading minutes and completing fun activities, you will earn badges that feature some of the beautiful artwork from the book itself.
Happy Reading!
Indoor versus Outdoor Recess
RI STATE POLICY 16-21-36. Outdoor recess
No elementary school or private preschool shall permit recess to be held outdoors when the local temperature falls below thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit (32oF)/ zero degrees Celsius (0oC).
See document on link above.
We should of course take the wind chill into consideration.
If the wind chill is 29 degrees or lower please use your discretion. Please make sure students
are dressed appropriately for the weather.
PTA Calendar
Hiring Now!
Community Flyer Updates Now on our Website
To access community flyers please utilize our existing website, with a new 'Community Updates' page.
Once a week, midweek, WPS will send a push notification to all school families regarding new flyers added to the Community Update page, along with a note to check frequently for up to date updates.
City Ordinance
Lunch
Warwick Public Schools Mobile App
Norwood Title I Information
Backpack Food Assistance Program
Congratulations on earning this prestigious designation, which recognizes your incredible work as national leaders in developing strong family-school partnerships
Fundraising
Please Keep Our Ongoing Fundraisers in Mind
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)
Updates
Warwick Public Schools
Warwick Special Education Advisory Committee Brochure
Warwick is moving forward with implementing the WPS Vision of a Graduate for all students!
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 Thought Corner
Norwood School
Dr. Sabrina Antonelli
National Distinguished Principal
2023 RI Elementary Principal of the Year
Instagram account @principalantonelli
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