Norris News!
A weekly update from campus...
NO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016.
March 24, 2016
We are all leaders, you know. Some of us have been given the position officially while others of us lead unaware. Either way, the bottom line is that we all lead something and someone. We are being watched and we are being imitated. That's a heavy thought if you think about it for a while.
I just finished reading The Principal, by Michael Fullen. While this book is written primarily for principals, many things in it struck me as being valuable for leadership in general. I thought about it one step further when a particular passage in the book laid out 3 key "leadership capabilities". Did you catch that word "capabilities"? I use that word a LOT with our teachers and students. Mostly it comes out when I am collaborating with the teachers about challenging the students and how they (the students) are capable of rising to the challenge. How does this pertain to leadership, you ask? It pertains because we want students leaving us being capable of doing what they need to do in order to be successful adults. And, they are going to be leaders because we all lead. See how that works?
Check this out. Here are the 3 key leadership capabilities as defined in the book.
1) Applying relevant knowledge
2) Solving complex problems
3) Building relational trust
It is what we are already doing with our students in some sort of fashion. In the spirit of being vulnerable, I want us, as a faculty and campus, to works towards upping our game...to dig deeper and to be even more purposeful with our students in these areas. After all, that's what good leaders do. They challenge the status quo.
Enjoy your weekend and lead on,
Mrs. Abney
Kindergarten Round-Up
Nelson Middle School Parent Meeting
Note from Nurse Violet
Is My Child too Sick to Send to School?
There are times when it is difficult to tell when your child is too ill to go to school. Sometimes there is a worry that he or she will miss important school work or perfect attendance. A sick child cannot learn effectively and is unable to participate in classes in a meaningful way. Keeping a sick child home prevents the spread of illness in the school community and allows the child an opportunity to rest and recover.
Here are the FISD guidelines to help you make that decision:
FEVER: A student with a temperature of greater than 100 degrees will be excluded from school. They must be below 100 for a full 24 hours without any fever reducing medications before returning to school. A child with a fever suppressed by Tylenol or Motrin is still contagious as these medications only temporarily decrease the temperature and do not treat the underlying illness.
PINK EYE (CONJUNCTIVITIS): Students with red, painful, itchy eyes, especially with discharge/crusting, should have a medical evaluation. This is very contagious, and students must be excluded from school until they have completed 24 hours of prescription antibiotic eye medication.
VOMITING AND DIARRHEA: A student with vomiting and diarrhea should be excluded from school.
Prevention is the best medicine for keeping children healthy. The following suggestions are ways to help keep your child well:
· Proper hygiene. Good hand washing techniques should be taught and encouraged. It is probably the most important thing you can do to prevent the spread of germs. Coughing or sneezing into your sleeve is a great way to decrease the spread of illnesses.
· Proper nutrition is not only a must for good health it is also necessary for the body to function so the child is better able to concentrate and learn.
· Physical activity should be done at least 3 times a week.
· Immunizations are also important in promoting a child’s well being. With flu season upon us and expected to peak after the holidays, now is the time to get the flu vaccine.
· An annual age appropriate physical, including a dental and vision exam, is recommended for maintaining good health.
Master Builders Lego Movies!
Fun at Norris Now
Upcoming Events
March 24: Norris Choir Cluster Concert @ Maus Middle School; 6:00 pm
March 25: Bad Weather Make-Up Day - No School
March 28: Online Registration begins for 2016-17 Kindergarten
March 29: STAAR TESTING - 4th: Writing; 5th: Math -- NO VISITORS ON CAMPUS
March 30: STAAR TESTING - 5th: Reading -- NO VISITORS ON CAMPUS
April 1: STAAR MAKE-UP TESTING -- NO VISITORS ON CAMPUS
April 2-3: Frisco Arts in the Square
April 4-8: Kindergarten Round-Up; 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Daily
April 4-8: Box Top Collection Week
April 4: Jump Rope for Heart Kick-Off
April 4: 2nd Grade Field Trip to the Plano Children's Theater
April 5: Nelson MS Parent Meeting (for 5th grade parents); Norris Cafeteria; 6:00 pm
April 5: Kindergarten Round-Up Extended Hours; Norris Lobby until 7:00 pm
STAAR Information
- NO VISITORS will be allowed on campus for any grade level on STAAR Simulation or Testing dates, including the whole week of May 9-13.
- Please have your students to school on time on these dates, as testing begins in the morning.
Upcoming STAAR Dates
- March 29th: STAAR Test - 4th Writing; 5th Math
- March 30th: STAAR Test - 5th Reading
- April 1st: STAAR Make-up Testing
- May 9th: STAAR Test - 3rd & 4th Math
- May 10th: STAAR Test - 3rd & 4th Reading
- May 11th: STAAR Test - 5th Science
PTA News
It's time to honor Norris' special volunteer, teacher or staff member with a Texas Life Membership award! This is a very unique honor bestowed on an individual that truly exemplifies community at our school and has given so much of their time and effort to the Norris students, staff and families. We are accepting nominations now. Please send an email to Jennifer Alameda, Membership Chair, at: membership@norrispta.org, with the name and reasons for the nomination, by Wed, March 23rd. A committee will decide the winner, and the Frisco PTA will recognize the honoree at the Membership Award Reception in April.
Box Tops and Labels Collection Week is coming up!
Bring in your Box Tops, Labels for Education and Tyson A+ Labels the week of April 4th! Each student in the class that collects the most in the school will win a Box Tops Spirit Stick. And the class that collects the most in each grade level will get to "crown" their teacher!
Jump Rope for Heart
We will be kicking off our Jump Rope for Heart event on Monday, April 4th during all of our Specials classes. If your child raises $150 before the event, they will receive Toby – The Top Dog (stuffed animal) at the kickoff.
NORRIS will be raising money to be donated to the American Heart Association from April 4th – April 29th.
There will be parent and PTA volunteers on Tuesdays and Thursdays between April 4th – April 29th during your child’s lunch to give them any dogs that they receive from gaining donations the night before.
We will be sending home JRFH packets in your child’s Thursday folders (3/31/16) the following week with more information.
Library Volunteers Needed!
FISD Parent Survey
Every year FISD gathers information about each campus within the district. The information comes from surveys of the faculty and the parents. The information is then shared with the campus to be used for thought, growth, and adjustments , if needed. It is time for us to participate in the survey. Below you will find the link to the parent survey.
Your time is very valuable and we would greatly appreciate you spending just a few moments to share your thoughts. The survey will automatically close at 10 pm on Sunday, March 27th.
Thanks again for your time and support with our campus!
Frisco Arts in the Square Chalk Walk
FIELD DAY is Approaching!
We are very excited to start planning our 1st Annual Norris Field Day on May 20th!
Many of you have asked how you can help with Field Day this year. We have many new and fun activities planned. We would like to have as many stations as possible and we are looking for a few items to make that happen!
If you are interested in donating an item, please refer to the Amazon link that is at the end of this section. Donating items is totally optional. If you choose to donate, please send the items to Coach Burleigh in the gym by May 1st.
In using the Amazon link at the end of this section, we will eliminate any duplicates of different items. It is also a great tool to keep track of what is donated and what else we will need. There are quantities listed on the site, so please refer to the list when you make your donation.
Thank you for your support! Please click on the link below if you would like to donate: