News at NES
October 2023
Contact Us
Brady Sackett - Principal
Tricia Ebner - Assistant Principal
Website: www.nortonschools.org
Location: 3390 South Cleveland Massillon Road, Norton, OH, USA
Phone: 330-825-3828
NES State Report Card
Third grade families learned about reading strategies that can be used at home during our Third Grade Literacy Night held September 19.
Thank you to the 100 students that participated in our NES art display to promote school attendance!
Literacy-Next Steps
As we shared last month, all students in grades 1, 2, and 3 are participating in literacy screenings this year. These screenings are nearly complete, and we’re looking forward to two next steps. One of these steps is the use of diagnostic assessments. These are individual, more in-depth assessments that will be given as needed to further pinpoint the specific skills that need attention. While the screener might tell us a student needs some work in phonics, the diagnostic will show us that the work needs to be in a particular phonics skill, rather than the whole range of phonics skills. The other step we will be taking is using our intervention time. This is a half hour of time that teachers will use to work with groups of students on needed literacy skills. As you might expect, there is a range of needs among our students, so teachers will be putting students into groups with similar needs. For example, students who need a little bit more time working with particular phonics skills will work with a teacher on these skills. Other students may be working on strengthening their reading comprehension skills. These intervention groups will be flexible throughout the year. This means that as a student strengthens and masters a particular skill, he or she will move to another intervention group to address another skill.
If you are the parent or guardian of a first, second, or third grader, you may be wondering what we’ve learned about your child’s foundational reading skills during the screening process. This information will be shared with you in the near future. We will also conduct additional screenings in January and May, looking for growth and any concerns that could develop, so that we can identify any needs early and address them.
PAC Fall Festival
Holiday Parties
Holiday parties are right around the corner and we are excited to use volunteers to host holiday parties at Norton Elementary School! Holiday parties provide students with an opportunity to have social interactions with their peers and celebrate throughout the year. Please follow the guidelines below to help us ensure a safe, fun event.
Each classroom will be assigned a head room parent. Head room parents will assign volunteers to one of the three school parties.
All families will have the opportunity to communicate with the room parent of any interest in volunteering for a party.
Our intention is that anyone interested in volunteering will have the opportunity to attend one party.
Only volunteers that have been signed up in advance will be allowed to attend a party.
No other guests will be permitted to attend parties (other than assigned volunteers).
Holiday Party Dates:
10/27/2023 Halloween Party
12/21/2023 Winter Party
2/9/2024 Valentines Party
Red Ribbon Week - October 23-27
The RED RIBBON WEEK campaign is a week when schools across the nation take a unified stance to commit to a drug-free lifestyle. This year’s Red Ribbon Week theme is BE KIND TO YOUR MIND. During Red Ribbon Week, we focus on teaching students that the choices they make affect their bodies and their minds. We will be teaching the importance of making smart choices, encouraging
healthy habits, and explaining to students what they put (and don’t put) in their bodies is important and why.
October 23-27
- Monday: Good choices are key to achieving your dreams (wear pajamas)
- Tuesday: Team up against bad choices (favorite sports team)
- Wednesday: Say peace out to bad choices (wear tie dye)
- Thursday: We make bright decisions (wear neon)
- Friday: Making good decisions builds character (costume day)
Halloween Party 2023
We will be celebrating Halloween at Norton Elementary School by hosting classroom parties on Friday, October 27. Volunteers will be utilized to help with the party details. At this time, visitors and guests are not permitted to attend parties
Students, if they choose to, should arrive at school in appropriate costumes that do not interfere with learning activities. As a general rule, no blood or gore should be part of any costume. Each class will continue learning activities most of the day and participate in party activities for a portion of the day.
Students will not be allowed to wear Halloween masks while on the bus or during instructional time.
For families choosing not to participate in Halloween activities, students may attend school and can participate in enrichment activities hosted by Ms. Taylor and/or Ms. Weaver, the school counselors, during the designated party times. Please contact the office if you would like to participate in this option.
Designated Halloween Party Times: 1:00 pm - 2:00pm
Halloween Spooktacular
Counselors Newsletter
Please view the counselor's October newsletter at the link below.
Help Wanted - Aides and Substitute Teachers
We are looking for positive people looking to join a strong team of educators to support students. We are currently looking to hire paraprofessionals (aides) to monitor lunch and recess and work with individual students. Please contact the office with any questions.
In addition, Norton City Schools is looking for qualified substitute teachers. Substitute teachers need to have a high school diploma. Please contact central office at 330-825-0863 or the building secretary for more information.
Ohio State Testing
Students in third grade will be taking the Ohio State Test (OST) in reading on October 18-19. Although certain exemptions exist, students in third grade must meet a minimum score on the OST (fall or spring) to be promoted to the fourth grade. For questions, please speak to your child's teacher or the main office.
Upcoming Dates
10/2 PAC meeting
10/3 Picture retakes and candid pictures
10/9 Board of Education Meeting
10/9-10/12 Book Fair
10/12 Parent-teacher conferences 4-7 pm
10/13 No School - NEOEA Day
10/16 No School - staff professional development
10/20 Grading period 1 ends
10/23 Grading period 2 begins
10/24 Halloween Spooktacular - NHS 5:30-8:00 pm
10/18-10/19 3rd grade Ohio State Test - Reading
10/27 Halloween parties 1:00-2:00pm