Norris News
February 2024
What's Happening at Norris?
January opened the doors to many new opportunities for our learners including our first ever Career Fair. During the Career Fair, learners were able to explore on campus internships and various off campus engagement activities. We are really looking forward to having the learners explore their interests through varying career pathways.
Recently our learner, Jourden has been provided an amazing connection with the Bee Well Cafe in Mukwonago, WI. Jourden has been able to showcase his artistic talents playing the piano for guests at the coffee shop every other Friday.
We have a lot of exciting things coming up this month such as a 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, an off campus Career Quest Job Fair at WCTC, Table Tennis Tournament Tornado, and much more. Make sure to check the "Save the Date" section below.
June's Journal
Some helpful reminders:
Food/snacks/Drinks:
Please send snacks with your child if they complain of hunger during the day. Although we do provide lunch, we are unable to provide snacks.
All drinks that enter the building must be sealed and unopened for safety reasons. Home-made Baked goods will no longer be allowed unless pre-approved by me. If you would like to send in a birthday or other treat just let me know.
Medications:
All medications, including over-the-counter medications such as aspirin, Benadryl, and Tums, must be administered through the office. If you wish to send over-the-counter medications with your child, please let us know and we can help you through the process.
Property Damage:
Although we understand that our learners get angry at times, we do everything we can to prevent them from destroying property. Should there be intentional damage to property by a learner that results in damages over $400.00, families are billed for these damages, and law enforcement is often involved. Please reiterate the importance of not destroying property/kicking glass doors when upset.
Contact me at: jsadowski@norrisacademywi.org.
High School Lab Gab
ELA: In ELA, the learners are reading about the power of slogans in advertising. Some learners are creating slogans of their own for their favorite products. Additionally, learners are studying the past and present as it relates to Black History Month. Throughout the research, learners are making sure they are using credible, reliable sources and knowing when to spot fake vs. real news or information. Each learner has chosen a Black figure in history who has contributed to society with useful inventions, medical discoveries, music, transportation advancements, and much more. The stories of accomplishment and resilience are inspiring to the learners and staff!
Mathematics: Algebra has been busy trying to conquer the quadratic equation- a difficult topic, but one that is central to algebra. Learners have been very diligent and not giving up when things get tough, which is hard to do with this topic!
Geometry is working on area and perimeter of shapes. Some learners are working on projects where they have to put this in action and draw blueprints or plans for a build, while others prefer to stick to the basics.
Our senior learners are starting to work on math skills that they will need throughout their life such as budgeting, taxes, and credit. We are currently working on putting a budget together for them and seeing if their intended career/after graduation path will allow them to meet their budgetary needs.
Social Studies: Social Studies continues to take a deep dive into Geography. We are currently learning about regions and the differences between Political, Cultural, and Physical. Labs are digging into each of the 6 Cultural regions of the United States and what makes them unique. Learners are exploring at their own pace and interest levels.
Science:
Biology Labs- We are wrapping up Pathway 2 this week by investigating the "Central Dogma" of Biology. The central dogma includes the processes of Transcription (DNA to RNA) and Translation (RNA to Proteins). Learners are participating in learning opportunities to build an understanding of these vital processes. The final project for this unit involves learners making their own DNA sequence for a mythical creature, transcribing that DNA into RNA, and then translating the RNA into protein sequences. Upon completing the activity students will create a unique creature that they can compare with their peers.
Chemistry- Learners are working through Pathway 3 in Earth/Space science. Major topics include the processes of weathering, erosion, and deposition. Learners are especially focussing on changes to the Earth's surface via these processes and how they create different types of landforms. One of the major projects in this unit involved learners researching the geologic history of local Wisconsin landforms and creating an informational travel brochure that they shared with staff and peers at Norris.
Earth/Space Science- Learners are finishing Pathway 2 this month which focussed on chemical equations and the types of chemical reactions. We have been very busy learning how to balance chemical equations (LOTS of math skills) and how to identify the 5 types of chemical reactions (synthesis, decomposition, single & double replacement, and combustion). Last week learners researched battery designs before designing & building their own chemical battery. In the coming week or so learners will be participating in numerous labs and demos that will illustrate the various types of chemical reactions.
Academy Orientation: We have had several learners complete their Who Am I interviews and receive their Norris shirt this month! We have restructured our approach to the first 10 days to make completing the profile more achievable and are excited to be connecting more learners with their electives and interest-based pursuits.
Robot Construction
Curiosity Lab
Culinary
K-8 Lab Gab
K-8 Labs
Everyday K8 learners have an opportunity to learn new skills during IBL Labs, including impulse control and emotion regulation skills while engaging in areas of interest specific to each learner. Our Wellness Lab that takes place first thing in the morning, allows the learners an opportunity to practice their culinary skills and check-in with specialists by setting goals for the day to be successful.
ELA: During ELA learners have been exploring different novels including Holes and The Chronicles of Narnia.
Math: This week learners have been tackling dividing multiple digit numbers in Math Lab, along with multiplying fractions. They also had a chance to practice measuring and showing positive social interactions during a chili competition with staff and learners.
Science/Social Studies: In K8, learners are working on experiments with biodegradable plastic, rock candy and shark teeth. Learners are also exploring topics on Ancient China and science topics like the Continental Drift Theory.
Chili Cook Off
Learners and staff competed in a friendly chili cook off
Science
PBL
During Project Based Learning the K8 learners produced plastic through experimentation
IBL
We now have 3 learners signed up for on-campus internships. Miguel was our first intern this school year, obtaining the Sanitation Assistant Internship. This week, Kenyare obtained the Norris Business Assistant Internship, and Tavis became our first K8 General Tutor Intern. It is great to see each of the learners taking initiative and going through the process to become interns at Norris!
On Thursday, January 11th during IBL time, we will be hosting a Norris Job Fair. Learners will have the opportunity to circulate among different stations in the gym. Stations include information and activities regarding internships, upcoming academy events, VR Career Simulations, and more! Get excited, sign up for upcoming events, and set yourselves on the path to a successful career!
Norris Academy Virtual School (NAVS)
In addition to Travis and Katie joining the 9-12 NAVS team, we would also like to take the time to introduce Sam to our K-8 NAVS team. Sam will be conferring with our K-8 learners to assist them in completing their Learner Profiles and working through AO. Sam will also begin on Monday, February 12th.
If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact your NAVS team.
A Note from Amber:
It has been a pleasure working with our NAVS learners the past 3 years. Over the past 3 years, my role at Norris Academy has continued to evolve and provide me with many new opportunities. That being said, I am not going anywhere! I will still be in contact with our virtual learners and guardians to help support them in building a Community Based Learning Ecosystem by connecting learners to their community through interests and personal pursuits. I look forward to reimagining what future education could look like with all of you.
Bakari
BOOST
What is Boost?
Boost is an after school program set up for K-12 learners from Oak and Spruce Hall. Currently the Boost program is offering an Art focused program, Artventure, taught by Sam Dickey. This after school program provides additional opportunities for learners to explore their interests, hobbies, and talents which expand their learning network and increases their confidence, boosting learner agency and hope for the future.
Artventure
Learners have branched onto working on Abstract focused works. This month we continued with a few Paul Klee projects and are now heading into Block Printing. Learners are learning how to transfer images to linoleum, cut out the empty space, and create a stamp like image to print.
Outside of Boost: Artventure in the Art room, learners have been working on individual paint works, clay, and even making tea!
Norris Cares
Norris Academy is introducing a new program called, Norris Cares. Norris Cares will accept monetary and physical donations in support of those of our learners who may be experiencing food, housing, or other basic need insecurities. We have noticed a great need within our community that we would like to help support but we cannot do it alone. All donations to Norris Cares will be used only for this purpose and delivered equitably on a needs determined basis.
Please contact Amber Ehrmann, the Community Liaison at aehrmann@norrisacademywi.org for questions or donations.
Thank you.
Achieve MKE
Empower-Advocate-Connect
We will be housed at 1109 W. Historic Mitchell St and will be part of The Beginning. Our collective mission is to positively impact and support the community. We hope to be staffed and open in the next 30-90 days. Achieve MKE is excited to partner with the Norris School district to provide a learning hub for virtual learners and partner in additional ways that will bring benefit and support to the individuals in this community.
Achieve MKE will act as a hub for care coordination and support to youth, young adults, families and community members. Our goal: Empower our clients, advocate for systematic changes that will improve the lives of community members and serve as connectors for youth and young adults, their families and the community. Our hope is to partner with this strong and resilient community, together understanding the best way to support all those we come into contact with to ensure healthy, safe and pro-social lifestyles.
Norris Beyond Fostering
The foster care program at Norris is offering a FREE virtual training, Foster Care in Our Community. Learn about what is happening right here in our community…foster parents and social work professionals will share their experiences and answer questions. This virtual meeting is FREE and there is no obligation other than listening and asking questions! Link to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1AfaUuc03SiaeqQD3i4Yc3COWLhY0NMgbC9wXWmfkVvg/edit
Free E-book: https://www.norriscenter.org/become-a-foster-parent-4/e-book/
Mark Your Calendar
2/12-16 Week of Service: Flower Pens
Learners will make flower pens to distribute to staff and local senior living facilities.
2/14 Valentine's Day
2/15 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament
2/16 Spirit Day: Beach Day
Learners are encouraged to help us pretend summer is right around the corner by wearing their beach attire to school.
2/28 Career Quest Job Fair @WCTC
2/29 Table Tennis Tournament Tornado
Reminders
Online Absence Form
Click Here: https://tinyurl.com/onlineabsenceform
Norris School District
Email: hello@norrisacademywi.org
Website: https://norrisacademywi.org/
Location: W247 S10395 Center Drive Mukwonago, WI 53149
Phone: (262) 662-5911
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/norrisacademywi/
Twitter: @NorrisAcademyWi