Norton Creek Elementary
Thursday Tidbits - October 17, 2019
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
- FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18TH: PTO LOOP THE LAKE 5:15 p.m. at Cornerstone Lakes and FALL FEST from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. in the Community Room & Gym (see information below)
- OCTOBER 24TH: PTO EVENING BOOK FAIR 5:30 - 8:00 PM. and TRICK OR READING 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. (see flyer below)
- WINDOW OPEN TO SCHEDULE FALL CONFERENCES IN PICK-A-TIME (SEE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW): FROM 7:00 A.M. MONDAY, OCTOBER 14TH THROUGH NOVEMBER 22ND AT MIDNIGHT
FROM THE PRINCIPAL...TONY WHITE
I have a confession to make: I have been known to have a bit of a lead foot when driving. I would not describe myself as a reckless driver, but I am often times driving five (or so) miles above the speed limit. I have had a few speeding tickets over the years, but those fines haven't changed my driving habits permanently. I certainly drove nice and slow as the officer followed me for a block or so after the traffic stop, but after a brief time, I was back to driving a bit quickly (especially on Route 64). I mention this not because I am a proud speeder, but to reiterate that the "punishment-enforcer" approach to behavioral change and management does not lead to lasting change.
An approach that may have altered my driving habits more permanently may have been if the following scenario happened: The officer stopped me for speeding. A family was walking nearby with their children and dog. The officer calls them over and has me explain to them where I was headed that was so important that I would potentially endanger their safety. This would let me know that I did not merely violate a traffic law, but that I violated this family's safety.
I am a firm believer that all inhabitants of this wonderful world are in a relationship with one another. If I violate your safety, I violate our relationship, and I need to make that right somehow. The notion of "making it right" is a crucial element of restorative discipline. The fact that a student did not get a detention, but instead had to own his or her poor behavioral choice with the person (or persons) whom that choice impacted is a much more meaningful consequence. It makes what they did and the effects of their choice real. A lot of times in the past, students would apologize to me when I would assign consequences and punishment for their actions. In hindsight, I was the last person they needed to apologize to - they didn't violate our relationship. They violated the rules I am assigned to uphold. Making the discipline focus on restoring the relationship has been transformative for our students when situations arise.
If you are interested, these are tenets you can bring to your homes as well when working with your children - putting the relationship above the rule and giving them the chance to make things right. Also, when we make mistakes with our children, it is powerful for us to own it with them as well. It keeps our relationships with them "right" and also serves as a powerful example for them to carry with them in their daily lives.
I want to wrap up this week thanking our amazing PTO for a fabulous luncheon Wednesday with "Football and Flannels." It certainly was delicious and a very kind way for you to show the Norton Creek staff some TLC. If you would like to see some of the awesome work our PTO has been up to, please, come on out tomorrow at 5:15 for Loop the Lake and stick around at 6:00 for Fall Fest. These two events guarantee to be a ton of fun. I appreciate all of the time and talents of everyone in our PTO to bring Loop the Lake and Fall Fest to everyone in our Norton Creek community! I hope to see you all tomorrow evening. Thank you all for your continued support of Norton Creek!
BE WATCHING FOR PICTURE RETAKE PROOF SHEETS FROM COLOR PORTRAITS
Color Portraits, Inc. offers parents the opportunity to view the proofs and order their packages online. If you are interested in doing so, follow these easy steps:
1. Go to www.ordercp.com
2. Click on After Picture Day.
3. Enter the Ticket Code provided on the proof order form.
4. Select the background then the packages and any additional options you wish to purchase.
* Orders placed after the Monday, October 28th deadline must be placed online and you will be charged shipping and handling fees.
SEE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW TO SIGN UP FOR PICK-A-TIME PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES Conference Dates: Monday, November 25th and Tuesday, November 26th
NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DAY UPDATE
Thank you to all parents who completed the form that provided us with feedback about the new elementary school day. The District was thrilled to have received over 900 responses. On September 23, parents and staff members who make up the Think Tank met to review research and have a discussion about innovative learning and what it looks like in District 303. In addition, they analyzed the feedback form responses. A summary of the first meeting is available on the District 303 website here. We encourage you to take a moment to read over the summary. We will provide you with additional summaries after subsequent meetings.
PTO NEWS...
LOOP THE LAKE (K-5) laura.halpenny@yahoo.com
Everyone is welcome to join us this Friday at 5:15 p.m. at the Cornerstone Lakes Park Pavilion. The weather report is looking good! There is still time to donate to get in on the raffle to win some great prizes!
FALL FEST (K-5) kaisa.davis@gmail.com
Head on over to the Community Room after Loop the Lake on Friday for food, games, mums and FUN! We are in need of volunteers for all time slots. Can you spare 30 minutes to help with a game or craft? Log in on the PTO website for the updated list of volunteer needs.
FALL BOOK FAIR (K-5) jenniferhazlett@hotmail.com, stephanie.caragher@gmail.com, bethjahoda@yahoo.com
Our Fall book fair is coming up next week. Our children will be visiting the book fair during the day, and don’t forget about Trick-or-Read on Thursday, October 24 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Volunteer slots are available. Do you have some time to spend in our LRC helping our kids create their wish lists and find their favorite books? Volunteers receive a special discount on purchases! Log in on the PTO website for volunteer opportunities.
MEMBERSHIP TOOLKIT SIGN UP AND UPDATE (K-5) ncptomtk@gmail.com
Not receiving This Week at the Creek? Wondering where to sign up your child for a club? Would like to take advantage of our many volunteer opportunities? Be sure you are registered on our PTO website, Membership Toolkit (MTK). Please see flyer for details on how to register. Current family? Please be sure that your account is updated. This will ensure that our school directory contains the correct information. Thank you!
PTO MEMBERSHIP TOOLKIT INFORMATION
6th Annual Trick or Reading & PTO Book Fair
Thursday, October 24th
Book Fair 5:30 -8:00 p.m. and
Trick or Reading 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
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 October 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.
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
LET'S TALK!
D303 PARENT UNIVERSITY PRESENTS: JOSH OCHS: DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP
To register for the program, click HERE.