January-

1/16/23- Martin Luther King Holiday (No Students/Office Closed)

1/17/23- Learning and Teaching Committee Meeting at Haines(5:30pm)

1/25/23- Early Release Day- Dismissal at 2:10pm

1/30/23- Policy Committee Meeting at Haines(5pm)

1/30/23- Business Services Committee at Haines(5:30pm)

Kindergarten thru 5th Grades-

8:00am-3:00pm

Students can be dropped off at 7:45am for the school day. It you arrive before that time please keep your child with you until 7:45 as there is no supervision outside until then.

Our school office is open from 7:30am until 4:00pm on school days.

Often times, we want our kids to be successful right away; however, "Atomic Habits" author, James Clear, would tell us otherwise. He says that folks who experience success rather quickly don't develop the discipline and habits to sustain it. In other words, as I write this to wish you all a Happy New Year in 2023, and people in every nook and cranny of society talk about their New Year's Resolutions, we don't have to wait for the New Year to make a positive change, but we also shouldn't expect quick change. When we expect a quick change, we should also anticipate a quick quitting too.

The way that we define not only success but the path to success shapes the way our Eagles will think of these concepts for the rest of their lives. If we embrace struggles rather than do the hard things for them, develop a healthy relationship with the idea of failure, and help them envision that success is only a competition with yourself, our Eagles stand a much better chance to develop the resilience to withstand the trials and tribulations everyday life bring.

I hope your 2023 is off to an awesome start, Norton Creek! Please, enjoy this long weekend in which we celebrate the life and impact of the amazing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. making memories with your favorite people!

The weather has officially changed and we are asking that you please make sure your student has the appropriate items to be outside for recess(coat/hat/gloves/scarf). It gets windy and cold in the back of the building. Please make sure your student also has snow gear(snow pants/snow boots) which is required to be able to be in the snow at recess. Please plan on an outside recess daily. You can send your child with the items daily in a bag so that they will be all set for the snow.

A few reminders to keep the school year going.....

What time can my student arrive to school?

We open the doors at 7:45am for student arrival every morning. Students should not be dropped off before that time as there is no supervision for students. If you arrive before drop off time please keep your child in your car until the appropriate time.

Is your child going to be absent?

If your child will not be coming to school, please leave a message on the attendance line early in the morning or email the office at nor-office@d303.org. To call in your child, simply call the main office and leave a message on the attendance line. The number is 331-228-2700.

Please include the reason for absence - sick, an appointment, vacation, etc. ( Please note that if your child is sick, they should be fever free and have no vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to school). Of course, you can always email the teacher as well, but you need to formally notify the school of any student absence.

Is your child leaving school early?

Also, if you will be picking up your child early or taking your child out for an appointment, please let our front office know as early in the day as possible by calling the main number at 331-228-2700 or email at nor-office@d303.org. This can be very helpful should a pick-up time be when the child is in specials or at lunch. Kids can be indoors as well as outdoors depending on their schedule and it can take a few extra minutes to locate and get the child down to the office for an early pickup if they are not in their classroom.

Will your child have a change in transportation?

If so, please let us know as early as possible in the day if there is a change in transportation for that day. Dismissal time can be very hectic and to help ensure a smooth dismissal, getting any transportation changes for students early is very helpful. Simply call the school office or email at nor-office@d303.org and let them know.

Will your child arrive late to school?

If your child is arriving after 8:00am please walk them into the school and sign them in.

Note: Save our school number in your contacts. Norton Creek Elementary: (331) 228-2700.

If there is a occasional change to your child dismissal please email nor-office@d303.org and your child's teacher or call the office directly at 331-228-2701. If it is after 12pm please call the office directly so that we can ensure your child gets the notification of changes.

Students must apply for the privilege of using prearranged absence days through the principal’s office.

This completed form must be turned in at least (2) school days prior to the requested absence to the main office.

The building principal or designee has the authority to grant up to (5) days of excused absence per year

for the following types of absences:

 Participation in regional and/or national contests or awards

 Family vacation—qualified by the phrase “accompanied by parent”

 Special religious events

Check out the October edition of the district LRC Community Newsletter! This newsletter is designed to share information on literacy-based special events and programs in our area as well as promote a joy for reading and technology in the homes of D303 families.

Please remember to add money to your child(s) Pushcoin account in order to be able to purchase a lunch or a breakfast. Breakfast and lunch will not be free this year and will incur a fee daily. Norton Creek will be open at 7:45am on school days for breakfast. Please call the office with any questions.

LUNCH SCHEDULES:

2nd Grade:11:00-11:20

5th Grade: 11:20-11:40

Kindergarten: 11:40-12:00

RISE Students: 11:40-12:00

1st Grade: 12:00-12:20

3rd Grade: 12:20-12:40

4th Grade: 12:40-1:00

If your student forgets their lunch please email the classroom teacher and drop off at the main office. Please label with the students full name.

Welcome to 2023, Norton Creek! The PTO has lots of fun planned for this year- we hope you will join us for all of it!

Upcoming events-

PTO Meeting 1/13/23 9:30am

Eagles Eat Out at Panera Bread 1/19/23

Chicago Blackhawks Teamwork Assembly 1/20/23

Winter Wonderland Family Dance 1/27/23

Variety Show 2/24/23

Dear Parents,

The peak of the cold and flu season is upon us! Recently, the nurses in District 303 have been caring for a number of students experiencing fevers and other cold-like symptoms. We are also aware that some students are absent from school because they have been diagnosed with the flu and other respiratory illnesses. During the months of October through April, each school in District 303 tracks influenza activity in cooperation with the Kane County Health Department. We consult with their staff to determine whether influenza activity in a school warrants additional follow up and, at this time, no additional interventions are needed. Preventative measures remain the most effective way to reduce the spread of influenza and other viral illnesses.

Students who present to the Health Office with a fever and/or feeling poorly are sent home. To prevent widespread illness in school, we recommend that your child stay home from school if experiencing flu or cold symptoms. To decide whether or not to send your child to school, please consider the following guidelines:

CONSIDER KEEPING YOUR CHILD AT HOME for an extra day of rest and observation if he or she has any of the following symptoms:

• Very stuffy or runny nose and/or cough

• Mild sore throat (no fever, no known exposure to strep or COVID)

• Headache

• Mild stomach ache

DEFINITELY KEEP YOUR CHILD AT HOME for treatment and observation if he or she has any of these symptoms:

• Fever (greater than 100 degrees)

• Vomiting (even once)

• Diarrhea

• Chills

• General malaise or feelings of fatigue

• Frequent congested (wet) or croupy cough

• Lots of nasal congestion with frequent blowing of nose

TO HELP PREVENT THE FLU AND OTHER COLDS, teach your children good hygiene habits:

• Wash hands frequently

• Do not touch eyes, nose or mouth

• Cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, use a paper tissue, throw it away and then wash hands

• Avoid close contact with people who are ill

Colds and viruses are the most contagious during the first 48 hours. A child who has a fever should remain at home until "fever free" and for a minimum of 24 hours. A child who has started antibiotics needs to be on medication for at least 24 hours before he/she is considered non-contagious and able to return to school. Keeping your ill child at home will minimize the spread of infections and viruses in the classroom!

Thank you in advance for helping make this year at school as healthy as possible.

Sincerely,

Brittany Jensen BSN RN, PEL-CSN

Virginia Wicinski BSN RN

Cathy Leone BSN RN

Norton Creek Nurses