Redbird Roundup, Vol. 18
Friday, February 7, 2020
Our Mission and Vision
Norris Middle School prepares all students for their future by providing a safe, caring, and diverse school environment that maintains high expectations, academic excellence, and respect for all. Success, achievement, respect…It’s a Redbird thing!
La Escuela Secundaria Norris prepara a todos los estudiantes para su futuro ofreciendo un entorno escolar seguro, atento y diverso que mantiene altas expectativas, excelencia académica y respeto para todos. Éxito, logro, respeto…Es una cosa de los Redbirds!
Principal's Greeting
Happy Friday Redbird Nation!
Wow, we have had quite a busy week! I want to congratulate you on a successful accreditation. Our team was very impressed with our school, our staff, our students, and our culture. We received some great feedback to keep moving us forward towards improvement, and I am excited for what is to come!
We have had quite a bit of sports going on this week too, boys swimming beginning and girls basketball and wrestling with a lot of competitions. This is a long stretch but it's great for our student-athletes to show their stuff!
Next week we have our Faculty Workshop Monday where I will review our Accreditation Report. We also have our Instrumental Concert Tuesday evening at 7 which is always a packed house. I'm hosting a Norris Parent Group meeting beforehand.
Finally, our students who qualified for All City will perform this week, instrumental on Saturday evening and vocal on Sunday afternoon. I can't wait to watch our students perform at the Holland!
Have a great weekend!
Dr. Carr
February 10-14
Monday, February 10: Faculty Workshop after school
Tuesday, February 11: Make-up Faculty Workshop for Coaches and Sponsors, 7 a.m. in room 129; Student Support PD in teams; Girls Basketball at Monroe, JV Wrestling at Marrs; Norris Parent Group at 5:30; Instrumental Concert at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, February 12: WELLNESS WEDNESDAY! Boys Swim Home vs. Beveridge and Davis
Thursday, February 13: Creighton Visit 12:45-1:30; Girls Basketball home vs. Lewis and Clark
Friday, February 14: UNO Visit 9-10 a.m.
Staff Introductions
Danielle Hardt-8A ELA
Name: Danielle Hardt
How many years have you been teaching/in education? This is my 3rd
What is your favorite thing about Norris Middle School? I love our goofy kids and how they always keep me guessing.
How would your friends describe you? Hilarious, beautiful, brave, talented, amazing teacher and friend. Humble.
What website/app do you use most often? Instagram. Recently also Tik Tok so please judge me.
What is something we would never guess about you? I grew up swearing I would never be a teacher. Changed my major 4 times before I landed on Education.
What is the funniest thing you have ever seen a kid do? This week? A handful of kids in my 5th block were driving me bananas and I sent one to the hall. Then like 30 seconds later a second. A kid chimes in from across the room, "ANOTHA ONE." I couldn't even be mad.
What is the best thing that happened to you this week? One of my best friends got engaged last night and we had a whole surprise thing. PRECIOUS.
What is the worst food you ever ate? Sour Cream/ whipped cream... I'm a psycho about those.
What’s the farthest you’ve ever been from home? Peru
What would you sing at karaoke night? My go-to is "Bust a Move" or anything Nicki Minaj
Is a hot dog a sandwich? Why or why not? The instructions for heating a Hot Pocket say "Place sandwich in pouch" so anything is possible.
Mercé Miro Porta-DL Math Teacher
Name: Mercé Miro Porta
How many years have you been teaching/in education? 26
What is your favorite thing about Norris Middle School?
Students, Staff, Building...Everything!
1. How would your friends describe you? Fighter
2. What website/app do you use most often? Apalabrados
3. What is the best thing that happened to you this week?
Spending time outside last weekend given the high temperatures.
4. Would you rather go 30 days without your phone or an entire lifetime without dessert?
30 days without my phone for sure!
5. What’s the farthest you’ve ever been from home? Japan
Dawn Reyes-DL ELA and ESL Teacher
Name: Dawn Reyes
How many years have you been teaching/in education?
12.5 years (5 years as a para at Highland Elementary, 7.5 years at Norris)
What is your favorite thing about Norris Middle School?
How supportive the staff is of one another.
How would your friends describe you?
thoughtful, spontaneous, faithful, kind, generous
What is something we would never guess about you?
I own an accordion (I haven't learned how to play it yet.)
What is the funniest thing you have ever seen a kid do?
My first year of teaching two boys managed to epically explode a pen. It was all over the table, chairs, floor, and themselves. I told them to clean it up, but didn't give them anything to clean with and went to greet the next class showing up.
Next thing I knew they were covered head to toe in chalk dust, because if you're going to remove ink from wood you should use an abrasive cleaner and chalk dust works in a pinch. Since I now had two boys covered in chalk dust and a great mixture of chalk and ink on my table, chairs, and floor. I sent them to class before things had a chance to get any worse and barricaded the disaster zone. (The chalk dust actually did manage to get a good amount of the ink off). It was funny after I had survived that year.
What is the worst food you ever ate?
Headcheese, although I never actually ate it. I kind of helped my stepdad make it every year or so. I took great pride in writing biohazard symbols and warnings all over the packages going into the freezer.
What’s the farthest you’ve ever been from home?
Ecuador
Is a hot dog a sandwich? Why or why not?
No. I really can't think of a very convincing reason at the moment other than my heart knows it's not.
Up Next Week in the Redbird Roundup
I do three staff introductions each week. You'll be getting an email from me with questions. Even if you have done it before, please participate and do it again! Please respond and include a picture by Thursday! I will do the first week.
Up next: Danielle Hardt, Duane Jabens, Amy McDonnell, and Gary Morrow.
Wellness Word to the Wise
Use part of your plan time or lunch to walk. Dedicate at least 5 minutes of your lunch break to walking. Not only will it help you to be active, but it can also help you relieve stress.
We implemented Wellness Walkabouts once a month in teams. Don't forget about this beneficial practice!
Powerful Practices
Science!
Stations-Chinese Revolution
Home Chef-Norris Edition
Lessons You Could Sell Tickets For!
Hardt
Jensen
Knutson
Smith
Ferris
Ms. Ferris' Science students do a scavenger hunt with their peers to review photosynthesis.
Walentine
Norris Staff and Students Seen and Heard
World Read Aloud Day
Science Bowl Team Heads to Competition
Final Thought
Look at this picture. But don't focus on the wrestlers, focus on the coaches. See how intense they are in this match. What you don't see or hear in the picture is how they are yelling out moves and encouragement every single moment of this match. I love seeing their passion, their belief in their kids. They coach up their kids as much if they win their match or if they don't win. They push them to be their best selves.
This final thought is a shout-out to all of our coaches. Thank you for your belief in our students, your ability to challenge them to be better each day, to being good sports, and being fierce competitors. Go Redbirds!