Principal Weekly Update to Families
4-3-23
Message from Dr. Antonelli
I hope everyone had a great weekend! Thank you to everyone who attended our first ever Safety Forum! There were some great questions from parents and presentations from Officer Maggiacomo. There was an exciting announcement this week regarding afterschool programming at Norwood School next year. Be sure to check out the article below regarding the press conference held. Thank you to all who have recommended and supported me for Rhode Island Principal of the Year! I am one of two finalists in the state! That alone is a great honor. Fingers crossed we get even better news soon.
This week we started our RICAS State Assessments. Students will start with the ELA Assessment. Grades 4 and 5 will participate this week and grade 3 will participate after break. Math will be done in May. Find more information about the RICAS Assessment below.
This week we have Spring Pictures on Wednesday April 5th. Anyone who ordered Spring Flowers needs to please pink them up at the end of the day tomorrow. There will also be a PTA meeting tomorrow night at 6:30 at Norwood School.
Please be mindful during drop off and pick up. We have many families, students and staff walking through the parking lot and up the street. Please obey the cross walks including the yellow speed bump and the drive slow signs. It is a one way loop through the parking lot. Everyone must proceed through in a single file line for safety. Thank you for helping to keep the Norwood community safe!
RICAS
Consider sending your students little notes of encouragement while they are testing!
RICAS Letter of Support to Families
RICAS Letter of Support to Families
March 2023
Dear Warwick families,
Thank you to our administration, principals and teachers for all their support in preparing for RICAS testing. As they say, “it takes a village,” and RICAS testing is no exception. From sharing the released test items, reviewing the platform/format of the tests, creating a testing schedule, moving classes around, etc…our folks have done an outstanding job.
These state assessments are not a “gotcha.” Instead, these are windows into our strengths and areas of growth so we can move teaching and learning forward in our district.
As we begin our state RICAS assessments in Grades 3-8 this week, we ask for some family support as well. Simple tasks such as an earlier bedtime, a healthy breakfast, and coming to school on time all support these efforts. Additionally, we want to share the RICAS protocol in regards to electronic devices (p. 56 of the Administrator’s manual):
During testing, staff members announce:
“Before we begin the test, you need to know that cell phones, smart watches, earbuds, and other electronic devices are not allowed for any reason during this session, even after you submit your test. Results may be invalidated for students with any of these devices during testing or after submitting their tests.”
“If you have a cell phone or other electronic device with you, please make sure it is now turned off, put it in your backpack, and leave it by the side of the room. You will be able to access it again when I give you permission to do so.”
Pause to make sure that students have turned cell phones and other electronic devices off and have placed them in their backpacks.
We ask that you help support our students throughout this testing season. Thank you for your partnership.
Sincerely,
Warwick Public Schools
NED'S Mindset Mission
As you know we recently hosted an all school event called NED’s Mindset Mission. We trust your student was encouraged by the show which taught about having a positive Mindset for learning and life!
Additionally, here are a couple of our favorite follow up home resources from the Mindset Mission website. You may want to use these with your child as they are designed to go hand in hand with the program.
NED Coloring Face Masks
Parent Encouragement Notes
If you'd like additional resources, they are available here.
And don’t forget to ask your student what they learned in the show about having a growth mindset from YET the Yeti, Captain Kindly and during NED’s visit on the spaceship!
Educating together!
Announcements
Norwood Innovative Space Grant Approved
Renovations will start soon. Moving forward Library will be held in the classroom so work can began. The project will be completed by June 30th. Thank you for understanding.
Norwood School has been Awarded RIDE Afterschool Grant
Norwood Elementary will partner with The Gamm to bring Norwood TLC (Theater, Learning, Caring) Academy, to students in Grades K-5. The Academy will run four days a week from 3:15 - 4:45 p.m. starting in September 2023. Norwood staff will offer project-based classes in a variety of areas. The Gamm will have 2 artists who will offer classes in such areas as play production, improvisation, acting the song, movement, and clowning. There will be a winter and spring performance put on by the students at GAMM Theatre! Tomorrow this will be celebrated and announced in a press conference at Oakland Beach School!
Dates to remember:
4/3/23 - RICAS Pep Rally
4/3/23 - Spring Flower Pick-up at Dismissal
4/3/23 - PTA Meeting
4/4/23 - RICAS Assessments start
4/5/23 - Spring Pictures
4/7/23 - 4/16/23 - Spring Recess
4/17/23 - 5th Graders visit Warwick Vets
4/21/23 - No School/ Eid al-Fitr
4/24/23 - Coffee and Connection
4/24/23 - PC Athletes visit at Recess!
5/4/23 - 4th grade Save the Bay Trip
5/8/23 - PTA Meeting
5/10/23 - Professional Development Day/ Anytime Learning
Read-a-thon Thank You and Prizes!
Norwood School wants to say THANK YOU! We are so proud of our readers! With your support, we were able to have a successful fundraiser and our students were able to enjoy reading.
Norwood School readers need to make sure to spend their prize money by Thursday, April 13th, 2023. Any prize money not spent by Thursday, April 13th, 2023 will no longer be available. The prize store cannot be reopened once it is closed. All prizes will be shipped to the school.
https://www.read-a-thon.com/readers/login/
Thanks so much!
5th Grade Committee Announcement
Essay Contest
Students in Grades 2-5 have a chance to win a $50.00 gift card to Barnes and Noble, have their essay published in a newsletter and help our Food Pantry. Contest sponsored by Plates with Purpose who is one of our Food Pantry partners. For details, visit: www.plateswithpurpose.org/essay
Recess Youth Leadership Program for 4th and 5th Grade
Girls on the Run Spring Session is Open
Camp GOTR
Camp GOTR provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity for youth to develop self-confidence and learn life skills in a cheerful, energetic and collaborative environment. Available to rising 3rd, 4th and 5th graders of all abilities and embrace any and all girl-identifying youth. Everyone will enjoy building friendships and gaining new skills through interactive games, physical activities, and creative crafts and storytelling.
Be in the know with this season’s details and register today!
March is Youth Arts Month
Community Flyers
Unique Opportunity for Title 1 School Families!
I would like to invite you to be part of an exciting opportunity at our school. We’re continuing our initiative to increase positive family-school partnerships here at school. During this six-week workshop, we will be discussing some key parenting and leadership skills and tools that will help our children be more successful at school and in life. I know how much you care about your child’s success and believe you will make a great addition to our leadership team. Your ideas and voice are worth sharing with others. These workshops will take place Thursday evenings at Oakland Beach school from 6:30-8 PM. There is limited space available in this workshop. Can I save a place for you?
If you would like to participate or have question please contact cameron.kadek@warwickschools.org
Take a peak at the videos below!
Breakfast and Lunch Program
As a reminder breakfast service begins at 8:40am. On June 30, 2022 the free breakfast and lunch waiver provided by the state ended. The Meal Benefit Expiration and Grace period has ended. This means that students that were free/reduced previously and have not applied to receive the continued benefits will now be charged for the full meal price. All families, regardless of status, will need to complete the lunch application. We still need 108 families to complete their application. It is important that all families complete the lunch application. This helps with our Title I funding, resources and activities. It can help provide discounts on resources and activities for teachers and students. Information on how to complete your form can be found here. You can also contact the main office or see the district website if you have questions.
Lunch Menu
March Newsletter
Your March Newsletter has been posted!
Title I Book of the Month - March
The Doctor With an Eye For Eyes, The Story of Dr. Patricia Bath
"As a girl coming of age during the Civil Rights Movement, Patricia Bath made it her mission to become a doctor. When obstacles like racism, poverty, and sexism threatened this goal, she persevered--brightening the world with a game-changing treatment for blindness!"--Inside book jacket.
Norwood Title I Information
Norwood School 2022-23 Family Engagement Policy
FY23 Home-School Compact Norwood
If you have not downloaded the Warwick Public School mobile app, I highly recommend doing so. You must set up your push notification settings to receive important messages from your child's school(s). This 30-second video will show you how to do so.
Updates
Norwood School
Warwick Public Schools
Warwick Special Education Advisory Committee Brochure
Warwick is moving forward with implementing the WPS Vision of a Graduate for all students!
A Message From Transportation
When students leave items on buses, we ask that the student or parent to contact First Student directly.
First Student has direct contact with the buses through the radio,
and the student/parent will need to make arrangements to retrieve their forgotten item from First Student.
Please direct all calls regarding forgotten/lost items on buses to:
First Student
401-739-1980 (then press '0' for all desks)
Please note, if it is during arrival or dismissal time, there is a chance the phone will not be answered right away.
Amazon-Wishlists-for-Teachers
Fundraising
Please Keep Our Ongoing Fundraisers in Mind
Amazon Smile
Norwood Spirit Wear
VOWS - Volunteers of Warwick Schools
From The Rhode Island Department of Education
What is Chronic Absenteeism?
Chronic Absenteeism is a measure of how many students miss a defined number of school days for any reason. Rhode Island defines Chronic Absenteeism as the percentage of students who miss 10% or more school days during the year (or 2 days per month).
Research shows that chronic absenteeism is associated with a number of negative consequences for students, including lower achievement, disengagement from school, course failure, and increased risk of dropping out.
Early Dismissals
Please refrain from requesting an early dismissal for your child after 2:45pm. The dismissal process begins at 3:05pm and it becomes very difficult for us to fill an early dismissal request once the process begins.
Student Absences
Students will be marked absent, no matter the reason, if they are not in school.
If the absence is COVID related it will be entered as an excused absence.
STUDENT ABSENCE CALL-IN PROCEDURE
In accordance with Rhode Island State Law #16-19-10, Notification of Pupil Absence, the Warwick School Department requires that all parents/guardians call their child’s elementary school on the day that he/she will not be in attendance. We would like to receive all calls by 9:15 in the morning. If you are aware of a pending absence, feel free to call at any time prior to the day of the absence. In the event we do not hear from you, an automated call will be sent at 10:00 a.m. to inform you that your child did not arrive at school.
ASPEN Family Portal
It is important that the Aspen Family Portal is updated with correct address and contact information. Students can only be released to emergency contacts listed in the Family Portal so please make sure this is updated. You can find more information about the Family Portal on the district website here. Using the WPS Family Portal (PDF) WPS Family Portal (direct link)
Important Reminders
- Please make sure students are dressed appropriately for the weather. If you need help with this please reach out.
- There are no water fountains at school for health and sanitation reasons. Students are advised to bring in a refillable bottle to use at the water refill station.
- The parking lot for arrival and dismissal hours is a one way loop.
- Please be mindful of the buses, stop signs and the crosswalks.
- Outside toys are not allowed in school including Pokemon cards. We have enough for students to do and games to play!
- Norwood school participates in the BIC® Stationery Free Recycling Program - https://www.terracycle.com/en-US/brigades/bic. Thank you grade 4 for organizing this!
Norwood Thought Corner
Norwood School
Cell: 401- 871-4350
Fax: 401-734-3528
Email: sabrina.antonelli@warwickschools.org
Website: https://norwood.warwickschools.org/o/nee/
Location: 266 Norwood Avenue, Warwick, RI, USA
Phone: 401-734-3525
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wpsnorwoodknights
Twitter: @principalant