Principal Weekly Update to Families
11-6-22
Message from Dr. Antonelli
I hope everyone had a great weekend! The weather this weekend was beautiful! I hope you got to get out and enjoy it!
We have a short week coming up this week. There is no school on Tuesday November 8th for Election Day. There is also no school on Friday November 11th in observance of Veterans Day. Tuesday November 8th is the last day to get your orders in for our Art To Remember Fundraiser. They make great holiday gifts!
How I wish we were done with COVID-19 but unfortunately we are not. Although many restrictions have been lifted we are still following protocols put out by the Rhode Island Department of Health. We all value attendance at school but we do not want it at the risk of others health. If your child is sick please keep them home. Please review the guidelines for COVID-19 below. Use the flow chart to make the decision about staying home if you are not sure. Please follow the guidelines for one major symptom or two minor symptoms.
If you are keeping students home please call into the office to let us know that your child is sick. If you have any questions about this process please reach out to the school nurse and the main office. COVID-19 is not the only sickness going around right now. There are cases of the Flu and RSV as well. Please monitor your child and follow the guidelines. Any students sent into school sick that has not followed the guidelines and/or been cleared to return to school will be sent home. Thank you for helping keep everyone safe!
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. Thank you for helping to keep the Norwood community safe!
Dates to remember:
11/08/22 - No School Election Day
11/10/22 - First Grade Field Trip
11/11/22 - No School Veterans Day
11/17/22 - Picture Day
11/20/22 - Girls On The Run 5K
11/21/22 - 4th Grade Field Trip
11/22/22 - Color War
11/23/22 - 11-27/22 - No School Thanksgiving Break
11/28/22 - Donuts with Grownups
11/28/22 - Student Council Meeting
12/5/22 - National Inclusion Week
12/6/22 - PTA Meeting
12/9/22 - First Trimester Closes
12/12/22 - 12/15/22 - Holiday Shop
12/14/22 - Family Night for the Holiday Shop
12/19/22 - Report Cards Distributed
12/19/22 - 12/22/22 - Spirit Week
12/20/22 - Polar Express Night
12/20/22 - Title I Report Card Review Night
RI Teacher at Sea
Norwood Elementary School teacher, Lynn Manning is taking part in the RI Teachers At Sea (RITAS) program. On October 21st, Lynn and eleven other RI educators set sail for three days aboard URI’s research vessel the Endeavor. Lynn was part of the scientific crew and was provided a hands-on experience about oceanographic research at sea. Through their participation, Lynn will now bring this experience and ocean science topics into the classroom through lessons, conversations and guidance.
I wanted to share with you that URI Graduate School of Oceanography’s Public Engagement office posted this press release
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
November Newsletter
Your November Newsletter has been posted!
Title I Book of the Month - November
We Are Grateful, Otsaliheliga
Norwood Title I Information
Updates
Girls On The Run
From now until the end of December, every time you shop on Walmart.com or in person, you can round up your change and donate it to GIRLS ON THE RUN RHODE ISLAND?
If you think you'll be making any holiday purchases, getting snacks in bulk, freshening up holiday decoration, etc. at Walmart over the next 3 months, then please sign into or create a Walmart account https://www.walmart.com/nonprofits/e85335ef-5b75-4bc7-b624-26df6566a3ba/profile then select our Girls on the Run Rhode Island charity. This is national (not state specific), so please share with others you think may be interested. All can visit our website to learn how small acts can lead to big impact www.gotrri.org/impact.
Active Wear Drive
Elizabeth McGann | Program Manager
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
elizabeth.mcgann@girlsontherun.org
PO Box 72787 | Providence, RI 02907
www.gotrri.org | 401.203.7024
Feinstein Junior Scholar Cards – and Golden Ticket Program!
Be sure to check your child’s backpack! Feinstein Junior Scholar Cards and Golden Tickets went home. As a Feinstein Junior Scholar, your child receives great benefits including access to fun, educational programs or businesses throughout our area – and great discounts or free passes to special events. Furthermore, the Golden Ticket program provides your child with a chance to win a $500 donation to a charity of their choice, along with a $5,000 donation to our school for items that can enrich the experience of our students! More information can be found linked below. Thank you to our PTA and Mrs. Ruggieri for their ongoing coordination of the Feinstein program at our school.
Norwood School
Warwick Public Schools
Reminder Panorama Student Survey Family Communication
Update: Policy JFCM - Electronic Devices In School
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.
National PTA School of Excellence Renewal
Amazon-Wishlists-for-Teachers
Fundraising
Honey Dew Fundraiser
Confreda Farms Pie and Donut Fundraiser
Art to Remember Fundraiser
Art to Remember Fundraiser (English, Spanish)
This semester, our school is participating in a unique fundraising program with Art to Remember that gives you the opportunity to purchase keepsake items with your child's artwork on them. The best part is that every keepsake order supports our school. Just head to https://arttoremember.com/school/8b79mw and search for your child’s name, enter their online order code, or upload artwork from home and start shopping!
Adding Art Upload from Home
Please Keep Our Ongoing Fundraisers in Mind
Amazon Smile
Shutterfly
Norwood Spirit Wear
National PTA News
Notes from the Backpack: Helping Your Child Through Crises
Since the start of 2020, it feels like we’ve experienced—or witnessed—one crisis after another. How should we talk with our children about these challenging topics—and how can we cope with them ourselves? We interviewed Dr. Pamela Cantor, founder and senior science advisor at Turnaround for Children to get her advice. She shares how relationships, routines and resilience can help us traverse these tumultuous times. Listen now.
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
- 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 busses, 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