Hello Norris Lions!

We had a great two days back at Norris! It is so great to see all of the smiling faces of our students and staff back in the building! January will be a fun and full month of learning in our classrooms. Teachers spent all day on Wednesday, January 5th preparing lessons and activities for the upcoming quarter, based on our MAP Data. We are excited to be welcoming two new certified teachers to our staff- Ms. Lauren Dennis in Preschool and Ms. Melanie Gregory in Kdg. Please help me welcome them to our Norris family!

Mrs. Dolezal, Principal

Please join us in welcoming 2 new staff members to our team!

Ms. Gregory is joining our Kindergarten team! She will be co-teaching with Mrs. Staudenmeier and Mrs. Morrison in both of our current Kindergarten classes as well as working with a small group of Kindergartners in her own classroom. Ms. Gregory is already doing an awesome job helping to meet the needs of our Kindergarten students.

We are so excited to have her at Norris!

Ms. Dennis will be joining the Norris staff as a Preschool teacher. Ms. Dennis was most recently teaching in a Kindergarten classroom at Rohwer Elementary, and has been working hard over Winter Break to prepare her new room for our little Lions!

She is so excited to join our Preschool team, and we are THRILLED to have found a teacher as wonderful as her!

Congrats to our January Spotlight Staff Member, MR. REISING!

From a Norris Parent:

"I am reaching out to say thank you and recognize your staff, especially Mr. Reising.

Our family attended the concert on Friday night, showcasing The Pride Singers. Our daughter has been talking about this event for so long, and she is still beaming. This was her night to shine, perform, and show her passion for singing (and dancing-:)). Her learning style and love for the arts has been recognized and celebrated, thanks to Mr. Reising. He has been there to encourage, teach, and promote healthy self-expression through music and singing. He has dedicated many hours of his own time to better the lives of our children.

As a retired MPS teacher, I recognize his passion, drive, and love for his job and students. His dedication is truly appreciated and noted. His students will hold these memories in their hearts forever, and his gifts will be treasured.

Our daughter is thriving this year, and it's because of the wonderful staff at Norris. Kudos to all for choosing education and continuing to give students what they need and deserve to be successful, especially during these difficult times in our world. Your students know they matter, and your kindness will be passed on to others, through your students, families, and community.

Thank you for creating a safe place for students to learn, play, and be their best!"

If you are interested in nominating a staff member, please click HERE.

1/1/23 - 1/31/23 - Hy-Vee Red Bag Program (See flyer below)

1/11/23 - Pride Singers - 7:30 AM

1/12/23 - MSHS Jam the Gym Night - 6:00 PM

1/16/23 - No School (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)

1/23/23 - SAVE Program - 3:45 - 6:45 PM

1/24/23 - Mommy & Me Story Time - 3:15 PM

1/27/23 - Boys & Girls Club Closed - Please make other transportation arrangements.

1/28/23 - Norris Night with the Lancers - 6:05 PM (See flyer below)

Looking ahead...

2/15 - 2/20 - NO SCHOOL - Parent/Teacher Conferences & Presidents Day

4/3 - 4/7 - NO SCHOOL - Spring Break

Click HERE for the NORRIS 2022/2023 Calendar.

Click HERE for the MPS 2022/2023 Calendar.

Check out our NEW Virtual Lost & Found! Click on the link below to search for missing items. Slides will be updated every Friday.

WEEK OF JANUARY 9TH - JANUARY 13TH

ELIJAH BLAYNEY

GABBY RENDON

GRACE CONNOLLY

DANICA STEINAUER

GABE HUNTSMAN

**Please note, the menu has been reduced to three choices each day. We will no longer be providing the bagel kidzable option. Please plan with your children accordingly.

Special Election For Continuation of Levy Override

The Millard Board of Education is asking our community to continue the levy override authority the district has had since 2018. The levy override has provided financial stability to support the important work of Millard's teachers and staff. State law requires levy overrides to be reauthorized by voters after five years. Millard residents will vote on the continuation of this authority in a special mail-in election on March 14th. More information about the levy override is available on the district website at https://www.mpsomaha.org/millards-levy-override Additionally, the district will host four public information sessions about the levy override. Superintendent Dr. John Schwartz and Chief Financial Officer Chad Meisgeier will give a presentation and be available for questions. The information sessions will be as follows:

• Monday, January 16th, 6 p.m. at the Don Stroh Administration Center, 5606 South 147th Street, Omaha, NE 68137
• Tuesday, January 24th, 6 p.m. at Millard North High School, 1010 South 144th Street, Omaha, NE 68154
• Tuesday, January 31st, 6 p.m. at Millard South High School, 14905 Q Street, Omaha, NE 68137
• Thursday, February 2nd, 6 p.m. at Millard West High School, 5710 South 176th Avenue, Omaha, NE 68135

Don't miss out on your 2022-2023 Norris Yearbook! The ordering deadline has been extended to JANUARY 14TH! The full-color yearbook includes school portraits, candid photographs of school events, group activities and classroom photos! Online ordering makes purchase quick and easy! Please click on the attached flyer or scan the code below.

BRIDGE TO EARLY COLLEGE PROGRAM

Please join us for an informational meeting on Tuesday, January 10th at 6:00 PM. for the Bridge to Early College program at Central Middle School. This meeting will be held at Central Middle School.

Bridge to Early College is a middle-school program designed as a preparatory program for the Early College High School program at Millard South.

Again this year, we have both an electronic and a paper application; the electronic application can be accessed HERE. Paper applications are available at the school office.

Please note, applications are due January 20TH and can be turned into your students 5th grade teacher.

More information on this program can be found HERE and we hope to see you at the meeting on January 10th!

We’re thrilled to re-introduce the launch of the Elementary School Culinary Competition in

2023!

This event is to help get students engaged and excited about cooking, while

educating students in HEALTHY EATING HABITS. Too often we hear about kids not making the right

choices in terms of their eating habits. Plus, eating healthy should be fun! That’s why we want kids

to submit recipes WITH THEIR FAVORITE FRUIT OR VEGETABLE SIDE DISH.

Judging will be based on the following criteria:

 Originality

 Kid Friendly

 Ease of Preparation

 Healthy Attributes

 Plate Presentation

 Taste

 Student Chef Presentation to Judges

Please see the attached flyer regarding the 2023 Future Chefs Challenge that we will be hosting on March 9th. This event is open to all 4th and 5th graders. We are so excited this event is back, and can't wait to see the creativity come in from across the district in submissions. The deadline to submit a recipe form is January 31st. Recipes will be reviewed and one winner from each school will be chosen to compete at the Culinary Cook-Off on March 9th. Click on the flyer below or scan the QR code to complete a recipe form. Paper forms are also available in the school office, if needed.

Do you know a current 3rd, 4th, or 5th grader who loves to sing and move? We would love to have them join one of our Millard Show Choir Camps this summer! There are TWO to choose from!!! One at Beadle Middle and one at Millard North! These camps are open to ALL current 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders (kids who WILL be in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade next school year!) Please check out the attached flier for all information. Then you will email klwhisinnand@mpsomaha.org to register your child for Beadle OR llbrown@mpsomaha.org to register your child for Millard North.

GET YOUR NORRIS GEAR! FREE SHIPPING on orders over $75! Choose from hundreds of sprit wear designs and garments that are delivered directly to your home!

Click HERE to order!

• 1/1/23 - 1/31/23 - Hy-Vee Red Bag Program (See Flyer)
• 1/28/23 - Lancer Hockey Night - 7:00 PM
• 3rd - 5th graders will be singing the National Anthem!
• 2/2/23 - PTO Meeting - 6:00 PM

Check out our PTO Website for the latest information!

January 1-31st at the Stony Brook Hy-Vee.

"Have you heard the news? Norris Elementary PTO has been selected as the beneficiary of the HyVee Reusable Bag Program that supports local non-profits! Each time a $2.50 red "My Heart" Reusable Bag is purchased at the Hy-Vee at 144th & Stony Brook during the month of January we will receive a $1 donation."

Lancer's game January 28th. 3rd-5th graders are invited to sing the National Anthem on the ice. Singers can get a free ticket, family, friends, and other students will need to purchase a ticket. Part of the ticket price will go to Norris. Here is the link to purchase Lancer's tickets: https://fevo.me/norriselem22

President: Heidi Andsager

Vice President: Vanessa Huxhold

Secretary: Heather Doyle

Treasurer: Tim Malm

Volunteer Coordinator: Anna Pectol

PTO Email: pto.norris@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/norrispto

Applications are now being accepted for our Montessori Preschool program. Families living in the Millard School district must submit the application by February 15th, 2023. Families living outside of the Millard School district must apply before March 15, 2023. If you have questions about this application please call 402-715-1265.

APPLY HERE!

Looking for a new opportunity? We would love for you to consider a job with Millard Public Schools! No one knows us better than you. You are our community, and we want our families to be a part of our schools. You get what we are all about better than anyone else.

We are also a good fit for moms and dads with busy lives looking for schedules and opportunities that fit around families. The work is meaningful - and it doesn’t happen on nights and weekends.

We have para positions in our classrooms, food service and maintenance positions and a host of other opportunities. See everything currently available here:

Open Positions for Millard Public Schools

We invite you to be the next great reason we are #Proud2MPS!

Click HERE for the Norris Staff Directory.

Office Hours: Monday through Friday 7:45 am - 4:15 pm

Fax #: 402-715-6119

Website: norris.mpsomaha.org
Location: 12424 Weir Street, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: (402)715-8340
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NorrisElem
Twitter: @NorrisElem

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday - 8:30 AM - 3:45 PM

Wednesdays - 8:30 AM - 2:15 PM (Early out EVERY Wednesday)

Mrs. Gutsgell's Pre-school Class:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday - 8:40 AM - 3:30 PM

Wednesdays - 8:40 AM - 2:00 PM (Early out EVERY Wednesday)

Mission Statement: Norris Elementary guarantees each child a world-class education in a safe and diverse learning environment where students demonstrate academic excellence, responsible citizenship, and self-worth. Through innovative practices, Norris empowers its educational community to actively pursue personal goals and ROAR with pride!

MPS BOARD MEMBERS

Dr. John Schwartz - Superintendent

Stacy Jolley - President

Linda Poole - Vice President

Mike Kennedy - Secretary

Mike Pate - Treasurer

Dave Anderson - Board Member

Amanda McGill Johnson - Board Member