The Mustang Minute
April 21, 2020 - Issue 33
News from the Bunker: Checking In
Welcome to week 6!
Each week it blows my mind when I write that number - 6 weeks! It feels like so much longer, yet the number always shocks me. Hopefully over the past couple of weeks your children have been able to join some Google Meets and Chats with teachers and counselors and access Google Classroom for their lessons. As we slowly move forward, your communication (along with your student's) is going to be crucial. We want to be presenting new material at a slow and steady pace that students and families can manage. We also know that everyone's situation is unique. We may all be in this together, but each person's situation is very different. We know we have several families fighting covid19, others dealing with financial issues, and others with mental health concerns. Let us know if you need more or less from us. Our goal remains the same, support our families to the best of our abilities and provide the best access to education that we can during this time period. We have not heard if we will be out past May 4th (and hopefully we will not) but we will be ready for either situation.
So keep us informed, encourage your children to join in (I am doing three grade level drop ins for kids to chat and the guidance counselors have started Friday Fun with games and Trivia) and let us know how we can help!
Schedule an Appointment for Chromebook Repair
Dana Farber Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl
Each Spring our student council organizes spirit week and collects donations for the Jimmy Fund - a long time organization that supports families of children with cancer. In the spring, the Student Council joins the Jimmy Fund at their annual Scooper Bowl in Boston. Since the Scooper Bowl can't happen in real time, the Jimmy Fund has organized a "Virtual Scooper Bowl". We would love it if our CMS families could participate! If you would like to donate to the Jimmy Fund - the CMS Jimmy Fund link is below.
How to Participate:
1. Indulge in some ice cream at home and take a photo!
2. Send me your photo and/or post it yourself with the hashtag: #ScoopsforJimmy
3. Each week a photo will be selected to be featured on the #ScoopsforJimmy website. The winner will receive (4) tickets to Scooper Bowl and an at-home (contact-free) ice cream delivery.
Dates:
April 13 through May 8
More Info Here:
YearBooks!
We would like to be able to make sure that every grade 8 student gets a yearbook. If you would like to donate a yearbook for an 8th grade student please fill out the link a second time and use the words "Donate Book" as the students name.
Mental Health Toolkit for Youth from Impact Norwood
Several of us may have lost meaning, connection, motivation, sense of purpose or even our sense of identity. To help promote self-care during this time, Ivy Watts, Mental Health Empowerment Speaker & former DII track & field athlete, has created a course called, 'Mental Health Support For Students & Athletes During COVID-19 And Beyond.' The videos, audio, and written content that fill these modules aim to help you cope with the loss you might be feeling, and provide you with tools and tips to practice mental wellness, self-care, and self-love during this tough time, and beyond. Despite what is happening in the world with COVID-19, your mental health and your story still matter! Want to dive in? Of course you do! Email Aubrey Ciol at aciol@norwoodma.gov to get information on how to access this resource."
Mindfulness
This week our guidance and school adjustment counselors are creating a Social Emotional Learning Choice Board for students. This choice board will come from their homeroom and wellness teachers. It should be a variety of activities that will help students take time to relax and refocus when they become stressed or overwhelmed. With the apex of the virus hitting Massachusetts within the next couple of weeks, it is likely that students will need additional support. Once ready and sent to students, I will also link the choice board to the Mustang Minute.
Yankee Candle Fundraising!
Need to Contact the School?
CMS Google Classrooms
Cradles to Crayons Drive
Clothing Size: Baby - Adult medium
Shoe Size: Baby - Adult 11
Winter Gear: All sizes! (Hats, gloves, scarves, coats, boots, etc.)
Grab & Go Lunch Options
During the school shut down due to COVID-19, The Norwood Public Schools will be providing Grab & Go lunches at all 5 elementary schools. These meals will be provided to all teens and children, 18 years of age and younger without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. Meals will be provided at the following sites and times as follows:
Lunch will be served from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Meals will be bagged and ready for Grab & Go service. All teens and children 18 years of age and younger are eligible to get a free meal from the listed sites and take it with them for off-site consumption.
Please note that there will NOT be lunches served on Good Friday (April 10th) or Patriot's Day (April 20th) but lunch WILL be served during April Vacation.
Need to Contact your Guidance Counselor?
Grade 6: Ashley McCaffrey amccaffrey@norwood.k12.ma.us
Grade 7: Meghan Mba mmba@norwood.k12.ma.us
Grade 8: Ally King acking@norwood.k12.ma.us
School Adjustment Counselors
Amy Riley ariley@norwood.k12.ma.us
Deana Norton dnorton@norwood.k12.ma.us
Raina Keenan rkeenan@norwood.k12.ma.us
Need Aspen or Access Help?
For any students and families that have any issues regarding the Aspen family or student portal, please continue to use the NPS Aspen support email at: npsaspensupport@norwood.k12.ma.us
For any students and families that have questions about accounts or accessing educational resources that their teachers send them, please contact Joe Kidd at: jkidd@norwood.k12.ma.us
PTO Corner
The PTO typically meets the third Wednesday of each month (at times our day varies due to conflicts) to hear an update from the principal and discuss planning related to enrichment, fundraising, activities and other topics of interest. You can also stay up to date with the CMS PTO by following us on Facebook. You can contact the PTO at coakleypto@gmail.com.
We are looking for people to be on the PTO board as Vice-President and Secretary to finish out the year. If you are interested, please email the PTO!
Meeting Dates (all meetings start at 6:00 pm)
March 18 - Presentation on Social Media
April 15
May 13
June 17
Dr. Margo Fraczek
Email: mfraczek@norwood.k12.ma.us
Website: https://sites.google.com/norwood.k12.ma.us/cms-principal/home
Phone: 781-762-7880
Twitter: @mfraczek