Norton Creek Elementary
Thursday Tidbits - February 20, 2020
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
END OF 2ND TRIMESTER (ELEMENTARY SCHOOL) - Friday, February 21st
DRESS AS OUR FAVORITE CHARACTER from Because of Winn Dixie (No Masks) - see flyer below - Friday, February 21st
TEACHER WORK DAY - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS - Friday, February 28th
FROM THE PRINCIPAL...TONY WHITE
Last night, my oldest daughter and I had a Dad's Night at her preschool. We had a ton of fun, but on the ride over, she was throwing every reason not to go at me. She first talked about how she wanted our whole family to go; however, the event was only for students in her class and I really wasn't about to drag my wife pregnant with our third child at 30 weeks. Halfway there, she worried if the kids would laugh at her braids. As we got around the corner from St. Pat's Preschool, she started to say her tummy didn't feel good. She was definitely experiencing some anxiety about the event. I reassured her that all of her friends were inside (at Charlie Fox's pizza) and that we would have a fun time together.
We walked inside, and Gracie hid behind me as we got in line for food. One of her friends ran up to her, and suddenly she was a different kid. "Hi, Ana!" exploded from her mouth as she hugged her friend. She ran off, hopped on a scooter in the gym, and was playing with what looked like dozens of her best friends as she worked the room (Breaking News: Apparently, every student in her class is her best friend.)
Our kids have complex emotions, and often can't voice them like we can. In moments like these, it's important for us to remember and teach our Eagles that: "It's okay not to be okay." We don't want them to escape uncomfortable emotions by removing them from situations that cause them. For instance, had I taken the easy way out after an eleven hour workday and let Gracie stay home because she was expressing some anxiety about going, she never learns how to manage these types of feelings and that what she's worried about may be nothing to worry about at all in the long-run. She needed to experience all of it. I was there to help the whole time, but in the end, she owned the night.
It won't be the last time she experiences these feelings, but the more experiences she has like last night's, the more resilience she builds. She didn't need me as much as I thought she might. I just had to get her in the door and be present. And that was a powerful lesson for me as a parent.
Have a wonderful weekend, Norton Creek! The weather should be spectacular! Enjoy it with the people you love most!
FROM THE HEALTH OFFICE...
Dear Parents,
With cold and flu season upon us, please keep the following tips in mind for staying healthy this winter. This will help to control the spread of infectious diseases at school and allow your child to be available for learning.
Tips for Staying Healthy:
- Frequent hand washing by students and staff.
- Frequent cleaning and sanitizing of shared items.
- Good health habits such as adequate sleep, exercise, water and nutritious food.
Students should remain home for the following reasons:
- For a temperature of 100 degrees or greater. Children should be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school and not taking fever reducing medication to control symptoms.
- If diagnosed with a strep throat infection. Students need to be on an antibiotic for a minimum of 24 hours, fever free, and feeling well before returning to school.
- If your child has vomited or had persistent diarrhea during the night or in the morning before school.
- If your child has a heavy, moist, productive cough, chest congestion, or discolored nasal drainage.
- If your child has pinkeye (conjunctivitis). Students need to have completed 24 hours of medication, and have no visible redness or discharge before returning to school.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter concerning the health of our Norton Creek students.
Sincerely,
Norton Creek Nurses
Middle School Transfer Requests
Families who wish to submit Middle School Transfer requests may do so beginning February 3. The request form will be available on the District 303 website through February 28. Families must complete a separate form for each student they want transferred. Requests are granted based on space available so siblings are not guaranteed placement. A written decision will be communicated to families before spring break.
Once the request is approved, a student may remain at that middle school throughout his or her middle school career, as long as the student resides in District 303.
Families of students granted permission to attend a school outside of their assigned attendance are responsible for their own transportation.
Students will return to their assigned attendance area high school regardless of the middle school attended.
Middle School Transfer Request Form
ONE SCHOOL - ONE BOOK
SAVE THE DATE - MATH MADNESS
Thank you for the successful sock drive for the Hallie Strong Sock Foundation
PTO NEWS...
SCIENCE NIGHT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED (K-5) nortoncreekscience@gmail.com
Cool Science! will be here TOMORROW, Friday, February 21 from 6-8 pm. Several volunteers are still needed. If you can help, please sign up HERE.
SPRING BOOK FAIR (K-5) jenniferhazlett@hotmail.com, stephanie.caragher@gmail.com, bethjahoda@yahoo.com
Our spring book fair will be held March 2-6. Our children will be visiting the book fair during the day, and the book fair will be open for business during Math Madness Night on Thursday, March 5 from 5-5:45 PM and 7:35-8:15 PM. Several volunteers are needed throughout the week to help our kids create their wish lists and find their favorite books. Volunteers receive a discount on purchases! Please see volunteer opportunities HERE.
VARIETY SHOW vardalos6@gmail.com, danidemoon@comcast.net
The 2020 Norton Creek Variety Show will be held on Friday, March 13 at 6 PM. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the show! Admission is free! REGISTERED participants: Please be on time at practice this coming Tuesday, February 25 at 3 PM. Practice times and information can be found HERE. IMPORTANT: Per the school office, if your child is attending the Variety Show rehearsal and will not be riding their bus on a rehearsal date, it is your responsibility to email any dismissal changes by 11 AM the day of the change to the following: nortoncreekdismissal@d303.org. Please include your student’s teacher and the student’s bus supervisor.
SIX FLAGS READ TO SUCCEED (K-5) hajifarooq@gmail.com
Read to Succeed is a free program that allows students to earn tickets to Six Flags Great America just by reading six hours for fun! Don’t forget to record your child’s Read to Succeed reading log by April 1st at the Six Flags website HERE. Enter your child’s teacher’s code or Mrs. Farooq’s code, R1FRY. Please contact Hajra Farooq with any questions.
IMPORTANT DISMISSAL REMINDER:
- nortoncreekdismissal@d303.org
- Your student(s)' teacher and
- Your student(s)' bus supervisor
Thank you for your assistance.
All Day Kindergarten Tuition/PushCoin:
All Day Kindergarten (ADK) tuition payment was due February 15th. All payments must be made through PushCoin or mailed to or dropped off at the District office at 201 South 7th Street, St. Charles, IL 60174. PushCoin directions can be found on the District website under the Parent pull down menu under Webstore/Pushcoin. Per District policy, tuition payments cannot be accepted at Norton Creek. If you would like to set up ADK monthly auto pay, please contact Wendy Sedwick at 331-228-4927. ADK tuition payments are billed in PushCoin on the first of each month and are due on the 15th of each month through April 15th.
ORCHESTRA NEWS...
Fiddle Fest 2020!
Calling all fiddlers and lovers of folk music! It’s time for the 15th annual Fiddle Fest. All advanced orchestra students, elementary through high school and beyond, can participate! Parents, teachers, older siblings, grandparents and community members who play guitar, banjo, mandolin or a string instrument are welcome! We guarantee you’ll have a great time! If you are interested in playing and need music, please contact an orchestra director, or email Rita.Borkowski@d303.org
Click here to sign up: Fiddle Fest 2020 Online Registration
The deadline to register is Thurs. Feb 20th.
PLEASE SUPPORT THE ST. CHARLES EDUCATION FOUNDATION
NEW LUNCH SCHEDULES
LUNCH SCHEDULES:
Kindergarten: 11:40 - 12:00
1st Grade: 12:00 - 12:20
2nd Grade: 12:20 - 12:40
3rd Grade: 12:40 -1:00
4th Grade: 11:00 - 11:20
5th Grade: 11:20 -11:40
IMPORTANT COLD WEATHER & OUTSIDE RECESS INFORMATION
Per District policy, we will be going outside for recess as long as the temperature (with wind chill) is above 0 F and it is not raining. With that in mind, please make sure your child is dressed to go outside on days when it is cold, snowy or windy. Students should bring outerwear to school in a bag to put on before recess. Please make sure they have hats, gloves, scarves, snow pants and boots if they want to play in the snow. Don’t forget to label your child’s outerwear so it does not end up in the Lost and Found.