The Mustang Minute
April 27, 2020 - Issue 34
News from the Bunker: Rainy Days and Mondays
Welcome to week 7!
I don't know if it's because it is a Monday or rainy or the combination of the two, but my motivation level has not been in top form today. It has felt like more of a slog than a run. However, sometimes that helps me to realize a few things like 1. each day I have to choose if Marshall (my seven year old) gets through all his work or I do; 2. what do you do with a hyper dog in the pouring rain (get wet - if your wondering); and 3. balance has always been hard and will continue to be something we strive for during the next couple of months. So to all of my parents struggling with this, so am I.
On Friday, we received new guidance from the Department of Education. It outlined the major standards that teachers should focus on for the remainder of the year. The number standards to be met have been reduced due to the closure. This should help teachers pace the remainder of the year more appropriately for remote learning. As we move forward with lessons and projects, you will see more alignment with these standards. I have attached the message from the Commissioner to this newsletter, scroll to the bottom to find it attached.
Now that we know that we will not be back for the remainder of the school year, I have asked teachers to increase the number of face-to-face meetings with students each week. We are asking students to attend at least one of the meetings per subject per week to help them keep in touch with peers, gain better understanding of the content being pushed out, and to connect with teachers for help. Please encourage your child to attend as many of these meets as possible - even if they are only listening in, they are connecting with others. Guidance and administrators are also doing weekly meets for games and social time - links are sent to student emails.
Next week, I will outline a plan for students to come to CMS and clean out their lockers. We are having teachers do classrooms first in order to consolidate any student items that might be in rooms. This will be quite the undertaking but we will make sure that it is safe and efficient!
As always, please keep the lines of communication open. If your child is getting overwhelmed, reach out, we can reduce the load and help them organize their time. If they need more challenging material, also let us know, we have a lot of content available. Feel free to call or email with questions and concerns. I hope everyone has remained safe and healthy!
Schedule an Appointment for Chromebook Repair
Intramural Sports
Dana Farber Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl
Each Spring our student council organizes spirit week and collects donations for the Jimmy Fund - a long time organization that supports families of children with cancer. In the spring, the Student Council joins the Jimmy Fund at their annual Scooper Bowl in Boston. Since the Scooper Bowl can't happen in real time, the Jimmy Fund has organized a "Virtual Scooper Bowl". We would love it if our CMS families could participate! If you would like to donate to the Jimmy Fund - the CMS Jimmy Fund link is below.
How to Participate:
1. Indulge in some ice cream at home and take a photo!
2. Send me your photo and/or post it yourself with the hashtag: #ScoopsforJimmy
3. Each week a photo will be selected to be featured on the #ScoopsforJimmy website. The winner will receive (4) tickets to Scooper Bowl and an at-home (contact-free) ice cream delivery.
Dates:
April 13 through May 8
More Info Here:
YearBooks!
We would like to be able to make sure that every grade 8 student gets a yearbook. If you would like to donate a yearbook for an 8th grade student please fill out the link a second time and use the words "Donate Book" as the students name.
Impact Norwood Virtual Events
Mindfulness
This week our guidance and school adjustment counselors are creating a Social Emotional Learning Choice Board for students. This choice board will come from their homeroom and wellness teachers. It should be a variety of activities that will help students take time to relax and refocus when they become stressed or overwhelmed. With the apex of the virus hitting Massachusetts within the next couple of weeks, it is likely that students will need additional support. Once ready and sent to students, I will also link the choice board to the Mustang Minute.
Yankee Candle Fundraising!
Need to Contact the School?
CMS Google Classrooms
Cradles to Crayons Drive
Clothing Size: Baby - Adult medium
Shoe Size: Baby - Adult 11
Winter Gear: All sizes! (Hats, gloves, scarves, coats, boots, etc.)
Grab & Go Lunch Options
During the school shut down due to COVID-19, The Norwood Public Schools will be providing Grab & Go lunches at all 5 elementary schools. These meals will be provided to all teens and children, 18 years of age and younger without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. Meals will be provided at the following sites and times as follows:
Lunch will be served from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Meals will be bagged and ready for Grab & Go service. All teens and children 18 years of age and younger are eligible to get a free meal from the listed sites and take it with them for off-site consumption.
Please note that there will NOT be lunches served on Good Friday (April 10th) or Patriot's Day (April 20th) but lunch WILL be served during April Vacation.
Need to Contact your Guidance Counselor?
Grade 6: Ashley McCaffrey amccaffrey@norwood.k12.ma.us
Grade 7: Meghan Mba mmba@norwood.k12.ma.us
Grade 8: Ally King acking@norwood.k12.ma.us
School Adjustment Counselors
Amy Riley ariley@norwood.k12.ma.us
Deana Norton dnorton@norwood.k12.ma.us
Raina Keenan rkeenan@norwood.k12.ma.us
Need Aspen or Access Help?
For any students and families that have any issues regarding the Aspen family or student portal, please continue to use the NPS Aspen support email at: npsaspensupport@norwood.k12.ma.us
For any students and families that have questions about accounts or accessing educational resources that their teachers send them, please contact Joe Kidd at: jkidd@norwood.k12.ma.us
PTO Corner
The PTO typically meets the third Wednesday of each month (at times our day varies due to conflicts) to hear an update from the principal and discuss planning related to enrichment, fundraising, activities and other topics of interest. You can also stay up to date with the CMS PTO by following us on Facebook. You can contact the PTO at coakleypto@gmail.com.
We are looking for people to be on the PTO board as Vice-President and Secretary to finish out the year. If you are interested, please email the PTO!
Dr. Margo Fraczek
Email: mfraczek@norwood.k12.ma.us
Website: https://sites.google.com/norwood.k12.ma.us/cms-principal/home
Phone: 781-762-7880
Twitter: @mfraczek