Wednesday's Word
February 2, 2022
What's Inside!
- State COVID-19 Testing Program
- COVID-19 Vaccination Status
- COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic
- 5/6th Grade Promotion Committee Fundraiser
- Norfolk Recreation programs
- Classroom Happenings
Dear NPS Families,
Schools across the nation are working to create a culture of kindness. As an extension of our Social Emotional Learning Curriculum, the Norfolk Public School District will join hundreds of schools across the country and participate in Random Acts of Kindness Week
February 14 - 18, 2022. This year’s focus is ‘Make Kindness the Norm’.
The purpose of this initiative is to encourage our students to be mindful of their everyday interactions and the impact that their words and actions have on others and, therefore, recognize more fully that kindness matters. Your child will be a part of a powerful and positive bullying prevention initiative that will lead to more kindness, respect and unity. While kindness is something we expect to see everyday, we believe this focused program will enhance an already positive, inclusive school culture.
We will send out another communication next week to highlight the lessons and activities for the week. A highlight of the week at both schools will be celebrating Random Acts of Kindness Day on Thursday, February 17th. Our district theme is ‘Let Kindness Shine’ and students and staff will be encouraged to wear something shiny, sparkly or bright neon.
To learn more about the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, please visit www.randomactsofkindness.org/rak-day-2022
Random Acts of Kindness Book List
Thank you in advance for helping us to create a culture of kindness and compassion in our schools.
With Great Gratitude,
Liz Longley, School Adjustment Counselor, Freeman-Kennedy School
Carolyn Kelley, School Adjustment Counselor, H. Olive Day School
The Administration and Staff of the Norfolk Public Schools
State Covid 19 Testing Program
As you are aware, the Massachusetts Department of Education and the Department of Public Health have made a new Covid 19 testing program available to districts. The new program involves sending home rapid antigen tests with students and staff members who opt to participate in weekly testing. This program is intended to replace the current Test and Stay option that many districts are currently operating, which provides testing for students who are identified as close contacts of Covid positive individuals in schools.
If the District adopts the new state Covid 19 testing program, participating students and staff members will receive a bi-weekly supply of rapid antigen tests. Anyone participating in this program will be asked to take a weekly rapid antigen test on Wednesdays. If an individual becomes symptomatic, parents can also use the at home tests at a different time to assess whether or not their child might be Covid positive. Parents would only report test results to the school nurse if their child tests positive. This testing program would help our community to proactively identify positive Covid 19 cases, support individuals who test positive with isolation and quarantine and help to reduce the potential risk of in-school transmission. At this time we are seeking to evaluate community interest in this program prior to finalizing our decision. Please take a minute to complete the very brief two item survey below to indicate whether or not your family would be interested in participating in the optional at home rapid testing program.
COVID-19 Vaccination Status
If your child has been fully vaccinated (completion of either the Pfizer or Moderna series or two weeks following a single dose of the Johnson and Johnson Janssen vaccine) please send a photocopy of your child’s vaccination card in a sealed envelope to your child’s school nurse. Fully vaccinated students are exempt from test and quarantine requirements. Having a record of each child’s vaccination status will support our nurses with future contract tracing efforts.
H. Olive Day School Nurse- Ann Hurley
Freeman-Kennedy School Nurse- Barbara DiGiacomo
COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic
The King Philip, Norfolk, Plainville and Wrentham Schools, in partnership with Cataldo Ambulance, will be hosting a regional vaccination clinic for students, staff and families who wish to receive a first dose or a booster.
Click on the picture for more information.
5/6th Grade Promotion Committee invites you to Freeman Kennedy Craft Workshop Fundraiser!
Where: The Norfolk Grange, 28 Rockwood Rd, Norfolk
Craft Workshop Fundraiser- Signup Genius
(For adults only)
Norfolk Recreation upcoming programs!
"Thank You PTO!"
Mrs. Cloutier's 4th graders practicing treble clef note reading at stations in Mrs. Musial's music class
Kindergartners use Oreos to create the phases of the moon in Ms. Murphy-White's classroom
Norfolk Public Schools
Email: allardi@norfolk.k12.ma.us
Website: norfolk.k12.ma.us
Location: 70 Boardman Street, Norfolk, MA, USA
Phone: 508-528-1225