All the News That's Fit to PRINT!
Parent Updates - November 19, 2021
State School Of Character
National School Of Character
National Blue Ribbon School
2 Hour Early Dismissal - Wednesday, November 24, 2021
After the Bell will be Closing at 4pm on Wednesday, November 24, 2021
~ There will be NO 5th - Grade Carver After School Program ~
~ NO SCHOOL ~ Thursday, November 25 & Friday, November 26
From the Desk of Mrs. Brush
Ah, Thanksgiving. The word summons visions of perfectly roasted turkey, fluffy mashed potatoes with melted butter, pumpkin pie topped with pillows of whipped cream, and … math. Math?!? Yes, that’s right! Thanksgiving is the perfect holiday to help your child strengthen math skills, all in the guise of delicious fun! What better incentive to practice skills like budgeting, counting and fractions than to eat your math problem when you’re done?
Before the big day
This year, try including your child in the meal planning. There are many math skills that can be taught while planning, and your child will have the satisfaction of knowing that he contributed to the meal in an important way.
Counting – Younger children can find lots of things to count at Thanksgiving, for example, the number of guests, or how many forks, knives and spoons will be needed. An older child can be shown how multiplication can be used to quickly determine the total number of plates or glasses.
Geometry – As you determine which serving platters and bowls will be used, talk with your child about the shapes of the various dishes. A typical table usually contains many – oval platters, bowls with circular bottoms, cylindrical water glasses and square napkins. See how many your child can name.
For older children, ask them to fold napkins into interesting designs to decorate the table. Online instructions will have them working with a number of geometric concepts, such as symmetry and spatial reasoning.
Patterns – You can teach or reinforce the concept of patterns by having your child identify
patterns that may exist in your tablecloth or placemats. Or, you can have your child create two or three types of name cards and place them in a pattern around the table.
Money – Planning the Thanksgiving meal is a perfect way to practice budgeting and other money concepts. After discussing what will be served and how many guests will attend, give older children a specific dollar amount and provide them with several grocery store advertisements. Ask them to plan how the money should be spent.
If budgeting the entire meal is too overwhelming, ask your child to help decide how much turkey will be needed. A general guideline is 1.5 pounds of turkey per person. Children can practice adding decimals to arrive at the total number of pounds needed, or older kids can practice their multiplication skills. Take it a step further and have them calculate the total cost of the turkey based on the price per pound at your local store.
Measurement – As you prepare some of your dishes ahead of time, involve your child in the cooking process. You can discuss concepts such as how two half-cups make a whole, or how to use teaspoons and tablespoons, ounces and pints.
Fractions – The cooking and baking process is full of fractions! Have your child roll up her sleeves and help you in the kitchen. As you work, she can experience fractions firsthand, such as measuring a 1/4 cup and 1/2 pound.
On the big day
Time – Thanksgiving is great for working with time! You can talk with little ones about simple concepts such as morning, when the preparation begins, and afternoon, when the guests arrive. If age appropriate, share specific times that certain things will occur, and ask your child to keep you on track by alerting you when the clock reaches those points.
Older kids can be involved in helping plan the cooking schedule. How much time will the turkey need to cook if it takes 20 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey or 25 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey? Take it a step further and have your child determine what time the turkey should go into the oven to be ready on time. Now you’ve introduced elapsed time! Pies and side dishes are another place to practice elapsed time. If a pie needs to bake for one hour, what time should it go into the oven?
Fractions – There is nothing worse than not having enough pie for everyone at the table! Ask your child to work out how many pieces of pie will be needed and how the pie should be cut so everyone ends the meal with a sweet treat. Point out how each piece is a fraction of the whole pie, and show your child how to label the fraction.
Temperature – Identifying temperature is especially important for food safety. Demonstrate how a thermometer works, then have your child read it when you place it into hot food.
With a little bit of patience, you can make this Thanksgiving not only delicious, but fun and educational, too. Happy Thanksgiving!
New Volunteer Guidance
Norwalk Public Schools has just released new guidance regarding volunteering in schools. If you are interested in volunteering at NPS, please visit the link below so you can complete the registration process. Once you have completed the process, you will then be eligible to volunteer. Please note that guidance is subject to change at any time. We are very much looking forward to being able to have parents back in our schools again!
Safer Ways to Celebrate Holidays
Notes from the Nurse
Just a few quick reminders from Nurse Talia:
-Please try to be sure your child wears a mask to school and it would be wonderful if they have a back up mask in their backpacks. Between gym, recess, and the paper ear loops breaking, everyone could use an extra!
-Please remind your cub to bring their water bottles to school. I know our young cubs will need a little extra help, but I would love to work it into our “responsibility routine” for our older cubs, ie: charged computer, homework folder, mask, and water bottle…
-I also want to share with you that there is free Covid testing, M-F 8-4. Progressive will test you and your student(s), you just show proof of insurance. They’re located at St. Philip’s Church, the Big church right behind the school, off of France Street.
https://progressive-diagnostics.com/
-Ongoing Free testing is still Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Veterans Park, see times in the link. https://www.norwalkct.org/2312/COVID-19-Testing
NPS continues to follow Addendum 5 issued by Gov. Lamont and the State of CT.
Thank you for your help and have a great weekend!
Nurse Talia
Notes from the Office
- If your child is going to be absent for the day, please make sure to call the office. If either Mrs. Espinoza or Mrs. Campos call and leave a message to check on your child, please make sure to return the call.
- If you need to pick up your child early, please send a note to your child's teacher. If there is an emergency and you need to pick your child unexpectedly, please call the office.
- If someone other than you or a designated family member with your family number is picking up your child, please make sure your child's teacher has been notified and that the person has proper identification. For your child's safety, we will not release him/her to someone that is not properly identified.
- Dismissal change phone calls need to be made to the office before 2:45 unless there is an emergency.
A recess reminder…
As the cold weather approaches, we would like to stress the importance of students wearing the appropriate winter outerwear. Our goal is to have students go outside for recess whenever possible.
• Students should come to school wearing a winter jacket, gloves, scarves, hat, etc.
• Please discuss with your child the need to wear jackets at recess. Winter outerwear should not be removed when it is cold outside.
• Students will not be allowed to go outside if they are not wearing outerwear appropriate for the weather. A sweatshirt or hooded shirt is not considered appropriate outerwear when it is cold outside.
This Week's Family Character Dare Challenge Is...
Our Next PTA Meeting will be on Thursday, December 09, 2021 at 6:30pm
Monday, November 29 - Fall Picture RETAKE Day
Friday, December 3 at 7pm on Zoom
Join us on Friday, December 3 at 7pm for Holiday Movie Trivia for families with kids in grades K-5. Register now to be included in the fun. We will send the zoom info on the day before the event. Email us at YouthServices@norwalkpl.org with any questions.
It's Not Too Late To Get Your Flu Shot!
Follow us on Twitter @TraceyMagnetNPS
Tracey Magnet School
Lindsay Esposito - Curriculum and Site Director
Ivannia Campos - Parent Coordinator
Email: camposi@norwalkps.org
Website: https://tes.norwalkps.org/
Location: 20 Camp Street, Norwalk, CT, USA
Phone: (203) 899-2960
Twitter: @TraceyMagnetNPS