Redbird Roundup, Vol. 13
Friday, November 22, 2019
Our Mission and Vision
Norris Middle School prepares all students for their future by providing a safe, caring, and diverse school environment that maintains high expectations, academic excellence, and respect for all. Success, achievement, respect…It’s a Redbird thing!
La Escuela Secundaria Norris prepara a todos los estudiantes para su futuro ofreciendo un entorno escolar seguro, atento y diverso que mantiene altas expectativas, excelencia académica y respeto para todos. Éxito, logro, respeto…Es una cosa de los Redbirds!
Principal's Greeting
Happy Friday Redbird Nation!
Can you believe we are nearing Thanksgiving break? This year has absolutely flown by. I hope you have a wonderful five days of rest, relaxation, great food, a little football, and fun. You deserve it.
Please come check out "Beauty and the Beast Jr." on Tuesday, November 26. Our students and sponsors (Eskridge, Carver, Pignatore) have been working so hard on this show, and can't wait to show it off for you!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Dr. Carr
November 25-27
Monday, November 25: NAC Meeting After School, Learning Walks Canceled
Tuesday, November 26: 7th Grade Beauty and the Beast Performance, 5th Block; Beauty and the Beast, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, November 27: Non-duty day for staff, Happy Thanksgiving!
Staff Introductions
Egon-Therapy Dog
Name: Egon
How many years have you been teaching/in education? About three months
What is your favorite thing about Norris Middle School? Never ending belly rubs and ear scratches!
How would your friends describe you? Laid back, protective, a lover
What website/app do you use most often? Rover
What is something we would never guess about you? I'm actually an introvert, but people just flock to me!
What is the best thing that happened to you this week? The weather was nice, so I got to play fetch outside a ton!
What is the worst food you ever ate? Brussel sprouts...yuck!
What TV show would you binge watch if you had the time? White Fang
What would you sing at karaoke night? Who Let the Dogs Out
What is the farthest you have ever been from home? Murray, NE, where I was born.
Is a hot dog a sandwich? Why or why not? I'm uncomfortable with this question...
Cody Kotrous-Custodian/Groundskeeper
Name: Cody Kotrous
How many years have you been in education? 3 years
What is your favorite thing about Norris? The people
How would your friends describe you? Funny, considerate
What website/app do you use most often? Facebook
Would you rather go 30 days without your phone or an entire lifetime without dessert? No dessert
What TV show would you binge watch if you had the time? The Good Place
What's the farthest you have ever been from home? Colorado
Margie Zukaitis-Data Secretary/Registrar
Name: Margie Zukaitis
How many years have you been teaching/in education? 4 – all at Norris
What is your favorite thing about Norris Middle School? This year I would have to say Egon. Seeing him just brightens up my day. That face!!
Would you rather go 30 days without your phone or an entire lifetime without dessert? 30 days without phone
What TV show would you binge watch if you had the time? Dead to Me – highly recommend. But when in the mood for trash TV – Southern Charm.
What’s the farthest you’ve ever been from home? So Fiji comes very close to being the correct answer. Fiji was our honeymoon destination. Unfortunately there was a coup and we had to change our plans. Honolulu is the furthest I have ever been.
What would you sing at karaoke night? Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
Is a hot dog a sandwich? Why or why not? In a bun it is a sandwich because you have the bread. Alone it is not.
Up Next Week in the Redbird Roundup
I do three staff introductions each week. You'll be getting an email from me with questions. Even if you have done it before, please participate and do it again! Please respond and include a picture by Thursday! I will do the first week.
Up next: Sandra Bowzer, Sara Newman, and Brianna Walentine.
Wellness Word to the Wise
Eat One Green Food Per Day
Eating one green vegetable per day or one leafy green is a great way to get yourself healthier in the kitchen without much thought. It can be a cup of broccoli at dinner or spinach snuck into a smoothie. A cup of green beans at dinner or some leafy kale tossed with chopped sweet potato and some simple seasonings. Anything counts, just make sure it’s green, natural, and from the earth. These foods provide us with more nutrition than any other food out there. They alkalize our bodies, promote mental wellness and protect us from major forms of disease.
Powerful Practices
Using Flipgrid
Service Learning Students Preparing Sensory Fair
The Benefit of Sticking With Something
I saw this article on Twitter, and it reaffirmed so much that we are doing. I know we have been hammering learning goals since August, but we are seeing such amazing growth! In our most recent round of coaching visits we saw 74% of our teachers demonstrating proficiency in posting and unpacking learning goals (compared to 21 the first round). We also conducted data walks in 18 classrooms and 17 of those 18 had a learning goal posted and they stated and unpacked for students. Keep fighting the good fight, you're doing a great job.
The Pacer
Norris Staff and Students Seen and Heard
Fundraiser Dances
Redbird Posse in Action!
High School Recruitment Fair
Final Thought
This has been a prevailing focus this year, as we have incorporated more wellness activities to support you and your well-being. Our job is not easy, and we have to take care of ourselves and each other. We continue to reevaluate this to do everything in our power to make sure you feel supported and cared for.