Normandy Park School
Principal's Corner
Week of September 9th to September 13th
- September 9th is an C Day
- On September 13th, the Home and School Association (HSA) will host a New Parent Welcome Breakfast/HSA Meeting at 9:30am at NPS
Knowledge is Our Superpower
I hope that everyone is having a great start to the school year! It has been a pleasure welcoming the new students and families into our Normandy Park School community.
During the 2019-2020 school year, our entire school community will take part in a school-wide theme, “Knowledge is our Superpower!” Through this initiative, our community of learners, families, and staff will learn to celebrate and develop their own strengths, as well as recognize and value the strengths of others. At Normandy Park School, we believe that everyone can be a superhero in their own powerful way. Class activities, as well as Home and School sponsored assemblies and residencies, will enhance curriculum and create experiences that will connect learning to the world.
Big Thanks to Our Home and School Association (H.S.A.)
On Wednesday, the Home and School Association (H.S.A.) provided NPS teachers lunch during their professional development sessions.
I would like to thank the HSA for their contribution. It was delicious and greatly appreciated!
Growth Mindset and Social Emotinal Learning
At Normandy Park School, we have and will continue to promote a growth mindset across all classrooms.
A growth mindset involves the belief that anything can be achieved through hard work and commitment. Accordingly, mistakes should be seen as opportunities from which to learn. This is a belief we will actively promote through ongoing discussions and guided activities.
Classrooms will continue to promote Social Emotional Learning through morning meetings, discussions, and purposeful activities. Students will learn how to be mindful and reflect in the moment.
Our goal at Normandy Park is to instill a school culture, in which students feel supported and safe to make mistakes and take risks.
Keeping Recess Fun and Safe
Staffing Additions and Changes
I am proud to say that Normandy Park School has such a strong supportive team of teachers! We have some additions, as well as some familiar faces in new positions. I would like to take a moment to celebrate recognize these changes:
- Ana Niehenke was a Primary (K/1) teaching assistant in the building. She is now in the office as our clerk to support our secretary, Sally Casadevall.
- Katie Murphy has moved from the Senior (4/5) to the Primary (K/1) unit. We are excited for her as she begins this new chapter as a K/1 teacher!
- Daniela Cardona is the new Spanish/World Language teacher. She will be working with students in grades 3rd through 5th.
- Bill Cole is our new school psychologist. He returns to Normandy Park School after spending several years at Frelinghuysen Middle School.
- Karen Doyle and Barbara Donnegan join the Primary (K/1) teaching assistant team.
- Veronica Mohammed is a new lunchroom and playground aide.
Kindness Matters
Last week, Bill Cole and I met with K/1 classes to discuss kindness.
We talked about the difference between cotton words (i.e. kind words) and sandpaper words (i.e. unkind words). Students felt sandpaper and cotton. They discussed how "soft" cotton words made people feel good, whereas "rough" sandpaper words hurt people's feelings. We discussed the importance of telling an adult when something is wrong. In addition, we reviewed ways to resolve students using unkind words. Students brainstormed ways they could be kind and use cotton words in the school! The K/1 students did a great job of listening and participating in this lesson!
This week, I will be meeting with the 2/3 and 4/5 students.
HSA Welcome Breakfast
On Friday, September 13th (at 9:30am), the HSA will be hosting a Welcome Breakfast for parents. Please feel free to join us.
It is a great opportunity to connect with other parents. In addition, I will briefly speak about our year's vision and mission. I look forward to seeing you there!
Upcoming Events
- September 19th: Picture Day
- September 23rd: iReady Testing begins for Grades 1st through 5th
- September 25th: Back to School Night
- September 30th: No School (Rosh Hashanah)
- October 4th: Number Drummer Assembly for Students
- October 7th to October 11th: Week of Respect
- October 11th: Walk-a-thon
- October 24th: Normandy Now/HSA Meeting at 6:30pm