FROM THE PRINCIPAL...TONY WHITE
My wife has a much wider attention span than I do. Anyone who has sat with me more than five minutes would not be surprised to hear that. One thing my wife can do better than I can is binge watch shows. Don't get me wrong; once I'm hooked, I'm in. However, my wife can binge the same series over and over again. For instance, every time my wife has been pregnant, she's binged "Gilmore Girls." Recently, researchers indicated why people do this - predictability. The predictability of a familiar show keeps anxiety at bay. Human beings of all ages crave predictability because it lends itself to safety.
When we look at predictable structures to ensure safety at school, this year, it takes on a whole new level of importance. Certainly, teachers and staff have always worked very hard to help students feel safe to be themselves and ready to learn at their best, but now we also need to guarantee that masks are on, students are six feet apart, and that hands are washed and sanitized throughout the day - all without sacrificing an ounce of teaching and learning. Our remote teachers have learned a brand new way to reach our remote learners through a myriad of technological digital means, and to say they have revamped their entire approach to teaching to meet our Eagles' needs would be an understatement. Mr. Mercado, the famous Roger, makes hourly rounds sanitizing door handles, cleaning restrooms throughout the day, and more in addition to his typical duties. Roger's just a blur moving throughout the building all day everyday! Our nurses, Brittany, Gina, Sumana, and Cathy are at the epicenter of all of our safety measures as they efficiently and effectively treat students and follow all IDPH guidelines to the letter. Our administrative assistants, Theresa and Dena, calling families, answering questions for all members of our community, and being helpful and positive in unprecedented times.
There is a lot that goes into making each day at Norton Creek a joyful, safe experience for our Eagles, but trust me when I tell you that we wouldn't have it any other way. It's our pleasure to serve each member of our Norton Creek community, and we look forward to doing so for a long time to come!
It's starting to feel a bit more like fall out there today. It's such a beautiful, sometimes underappreciated season. Enjoy these last days of summer and first days of fall with your favorite people in the world!
IMPORTANT DISMISSAL REMINDER:
Your student(s)' teacher and your student(s)' bus supervisor
Thank you for your assistance.
K-12 Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent teacher conferences are coming soon. Schedule your students virtual conferences with their teachers starting September 21st. The conferences will be held on October 8th and 9th. Pick A Time will open on Sept 21st and close on October 7th. Please see the below instructions on how to schedule your students conference.
Remote parents will receive their communication for conferences and directions for Pick-A-Time in a separate email. The directions will be different.
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NORTON CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL