Wednesday's Word
March 23, 2022
What's Inside
- When to Keep Your Child Home from School?
- Calendar Reminders
- Wellness Advisory Committee
- PTO Spring Book Fair
- PTO Color Fun Run!
- Norfolk Lions 11th Annual Community Day Youth Art Show
- 5th/6th Grade Promotion Fundraiser
Dear Families,
I hope you are all enjoying having the opportunity this week to meet with your child(ren)’s teachers to talk about their learning and growth. Parent conferences provide a great forum for sharing information and setting joint goals. I know that teachers have been looking forward to discussing your children’s work with you and talking about ways to collaborate to support their continued development.
A few weeks ago the Norfolk Public Schools held a public hearing on our preliminary 2022-2023 school budget. The preliminary budget proposal provides funding to maintain level services in the schools, keep class sizes within policy limits, support current academic and arts/wellness education programs and carry forward funding for special positions necessary to address students' post-pandemic learning needs. These special positions include an additional school psychologist and part-time social worker that were added this year to support children’s social/emotional health, as well as an additional math teacher and part-time paraprofessional to help address unfinished learning in math. National and local data indicate that mathematics was the area most significantly impacted by remote and hybrid learning, as students' had fewer opportunities for hands-on experiences with complex mathematical concepts. The additional instructional support in mathematics allows us to expand opportunities for review, re-teaching and remediation of learning gaps.
The 2022-2023 budget request also supports staffing adjustments necessary to meet the specialized needs of students who are English Language Learners or who are accessing instruction through our Special Education Department. The proposed budget is fiscally conservative and addresses critical needs of the district and our students. If you are interested in viewing the budget hearing, you can access it through the Norfolk Cable TV website, or by clicking here. In addition, the full preliminary budget document can be found on our district website at https://www.norfolk.k12.ma.us/. As you are aware, the final budget will be presented to the community at the annual spring town meeting on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at 7:00 at the K.P Middle School.
If you have any questions concerning the school budget, please feel free to contact me directly at 508-53=28-1225 or by email at allardi@norfolk.k12.ma.us. Enjoy the beautiful sunshine and have a great week!
Sincerely,
Ingrid Allardi
When to Keep Your Child Home From School?
While good attendance is important to student learning, a sick child cannot learn effectively and is unable to participate in class in a meaningful way. Keeping a sick child home prevents the spread of illness in the school community and allows the child the opportunity to rest and recover. If your child presents with any of the following, they should be kept home from school until their symptoms improve.
Symptoms of Covid 19- click here for the updated symptom list.
Bad cough/ Significant cold symptoms- A bad cough or cold symptoms can indicate a severe cold, bronchitis, flu or even pneumonia. Students who have severe cold symptoms should remain home from school until symptoms improve.
Fever- If a child has had a fever within the past 24 hours they need to stay home. In order to return to school students must be fever free for at least 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medicine such as Tylenol or Motrin.
Awaiting results of a strep throat culture- Wait until the 24 - hour culture results are in before returning your student to school. If it is negative and your child is fever free, you can bring your child back to school.
Diarrhea & Vomiting- If your child has repeated episodes of diarrhea and vomiting, accompanied by fever, a rash or general weakness, consult a doctor and keep your child out of school until the illness passes.
Head Lice-Students determined to have head lice infestation or the presence of nits are not permitted in the school until there are no live lice detected.
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)- Following a diagnosis of conjunctivitis, the child may not return to school until after 24 hours the first dose of prescribed medication is administered.
Calendar Reminders
• Thursday, March 24- Conferences - Noon Dismissal
• Thursday, March 31 - ELA MCAS grades 3 and 6
• Friday, April 1 - ELA MCAS grades 3 and 6
• Monday, April 11 - Freeman Kennedy Spring photos (raindate: 4/13)
Wellness Advisory Committee
We are seeking at least one HOD and one FK parent representative to participate as members of the Norfolk Schools Wellness Advisory Committee. This committee is established to ensure that the District has a system in place to deal effectively with school health issues and is responsible for making recommendations concerning school health/wellness policies, programs and practices. We plan to meet approximately 4 times per year, currently planning for Fridays, 1:30-2:30 pm. If interested, please contact Dot Pearl, dpearl@norfolk.k12.ma.us.
Norfolk PTO Spring Book Fair!
HOD Book Fair Info
Monday, March 21st through Thursday, March 24th
Students may purchase books during their library period
Conference Hours: Tuesday 3/22 1:00-3:30pm, Thursday 3/24 5:00-7:00pm More information as well as a link to set up a digital eWallet for your student can be found here: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/holivedayelemschool
Freeman-Kennedy Book Fair Info
Friday, March 18th through Thursday, March 24th
Students may purchase books during their library period
Conference Hours: Tuesday 3/22 1:00-3:30pm, Thursday 3/24 5:00-7:00pm More information as well as a link to set up a digital eWallet for your student can be found here: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/freemankennedybookfair
If you are in need of financial assistance for your child/children to purchase a book, please email the Adjustment Counselor:
HOD CKelley@norfolk.k12.ma.us or
Freeman Lizlongley@norfolk.k12.ma.us
5th/6th Grade Promotion Fundraiser!
Get ready for a fun-filled night of bingo and a chance to win one of 10 designer purses by designers like Kate Spade, Tory Burch, Marc Jacobs and Coach! Open to all! Grab a group of friends or family and enjoy a great night out! Light appetizers provided and cash bar!
When: April 30th
Doors Open at 6:30 PM – Bingo Starts promptly at 7:15 PM
Tickets are $50.00 and include 8 rounds of bingo (7 rounds plus 1 grand prize round).
Additional bingo cards and quickie games will be available for purchase the night of the event. Raffle baskets too!
Get Your Tickets Soon! Limited tickets available! Don’t Miss Out! Purchase your tickets by April 15th by going to www.memberplanet.com/s/norfolkmapto/designerpursebingo
Norfolk Lions 11th Annual Community Day Youth Art Show!
Click on the flyer for more information
Norfolk Recreation Upcoming Programs
Preschool students at H.O.D made shamrock shakes following a visual recipe!
Students in Mrs. Mellick's art class imitate Alma Woodsey Thomas' style
Norfolk Public Schools
Email: allardi@norfolk.k12.ma.us
Website: norfolk.k12.ma.us
Location: 70 Boardman Street, Norfolk, MA, USA
Phone: (508) 528-1255