Norris News
December 2023
What's Happening at Norris?
Norris School District wishes you holiday cheer!
What is "holiday cheer?" Holiday cheer is the infectious sense of joy, love, and happiness that fills the air during the holiday season. It is characterized by gatherings with loved ones, acts of generosity, and a general feeling of goodwill towards others. Holiday cheer brings people together, encourages kindness and compassion, and reminds us of the true spirit of the holidays. May your days be merry and bright, and may the spirit of the holidays bring you peace and cheer throughout the year.
On Friday, December 2nd we celebrated our learners' accomplishments and growth throughout trimester 1 with a recognition ceremony. Learners earned awards such as "Outstanding Attendance and Participation" and "Outstanding Accomplishment Over the Last Trimester for Proficient Competency Attainment." There were many other awards earned and celebrations to celebrate. Learners also received resin leaf keychains aligned to our four dimensions: academics, wellness, employability, and citizenship to display their achievements and set future goals.
T1 Recognition Ceremony
BOOST
Adventure Education
June's Journal
Its hard to believe we have completed Trimester 1 already! With the holidays approaching please let us know if you plan on taking your learner out of school for any holiday travel. The Norris family wishes you the happiest of holidays and hope you have an opportunity to spend some quality time with friends and family!
Week of Service
Learners will be making holiday cards for First Responders.
December Spirit Day
Let's celebrate the most wonderful time of the year in style!
High School Lab Gab
ELA: The learners in ELA are reading and listening to texts and identifying the different types of figurative language used. Some examples of the texts are “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr. Seuss and “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. Learners will be comparing and contrasting these stories as well. Learners are also analyzing lyrics for figurative language from holiday songs and other songs and poems they have chosen. Some learners are having fun exploring their creative side by writing their own lyrics/poems using similes, metaphors, idioms and more.
Mathematics: Some math learners have been working on projects where they are researching different topics (such as car prices, and shoe prices) and digitally graphing and interpreting data. Other learners are working through their competencies in their various courses.
Many learners have achieved or are close to achieving their current math credit, celebration is in order!
Social Studies: Social Studies labs have been studying volcanoes and their history, myths and facts. The learners have been watching the events, or lack thereof, of the Iceland volcano unfold live every day. Learners spent lots of time catching up on missed work from the trimester, ending Trimester 1 on a strong note moving into Trimester 2. Many of the learners are working on independent projects this Trimester which they have personally curated based on their own interests.
Science:
Biology Labs- Learners have just started working on Pathway 2 which focuses on Biological Molecules. They are learning about the molecular structure and functions of Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids, and Nucleic Acids. Learners used molecular models to build each type of molecule in the classroom and compare their structures. Moving forward learners will use their knowledge about biological molecules to explore the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
Chemistry Labs- Learners are also just starting on Pathway 2 where the primary focus is Chemical Bonding and Chemical Reactions. They are currently learning about the formation and properties of Ionic, Covalent, and Metallic bonds. Learners completed a "Mystery Substance" lab experiment where they were asked to perform a variety of tests on different materials to determine which type of bond is present. As they progress through the Pathway learners will start exploring the 4 types of chemical reactions.
Earth/Space Science- Learners are wrapping up Pathway 2 where they have been learning about Plate Tectonics and the Geologic History of the Earth. They did an amazing job creating a GIANT timeline (30 feet long) in the classroom that includes the major events in Earth's history. Currently learners are really diving into the theory of plate tectonics and have been participating in virtual labs and other learning opportunities to master the topic.
Academy Orientation: We are excited to welcome our new learners Justin and Hayden to Orientation! We have had several learners transition to labs. Congratulations to Jade and Miguel and we especially want to celebrate Jourden for completing his Who Am I interview!
Biology
Social Studies
Interest Based Learning
K-8 Lab Gab
K-8 Labs
ELA: In ELA, learners are engaging in word scramble activities and challenging themselves by learning how to spell new words. Learners are also taking turns reading directions for games before playing, to help with fluency and comprehension. Learners have also been applying phonics and grammar rules, as well as, utilizing prior knowledge, word families, and context clues, to make words from a given set of letters.
Math: In math, learners are practicing how to tell time on an analog clock by taking turns drawing the hands of the clock on the whiteboard for an interactive activity. Learners worked together in a group to help solve a math mystery maze that also involved movement while learning math in a fun way.
Science/Social Studies: Learners in PBL (Project Based Learning) have been using Geoguesser to practice their geography skills and to dig deeper into different countries/communities. They have also continuing to experiment with different robotic tools like the Sphero with is a programmable sphere robot and Ozobot which is a robot that responds to different colors. Learners have also done a science fiction media study to explore underground societies and what it would take to survive.
Adventure Education
Geoguesser
Penny Oxidation
On-Campus Internships
We are beginning the process of having Norris on-campus internships for learners that want to gain valuable work experience in a familiar environment. Internship opportunities will be posted outside of Robert's Office. If interested, please provide Robert with your application, resume, and cover letter for the chance to interview. Learners that successfully complete an on-campus internship will have more opportunities, including chances to join the Learner Leadership Council, increased eligibility to participate in ELOs, and increased chances to be matched with an outside of Norris job shadow or internship in a career field of interest.
Chess Rumble Tournament
The 2023 Chess Rumble Tournament has come to an epic conclusion. There were many ups and downs in the tournament and several come back victories. We ended up having 14 different learners and staff compete in 3 different brackets. Congratulations to Julian, Tyler, and Robert for winning their respective brackets and thank you to everyone else that participated and had fun with the tournament!
Norris Academy Virtual School (NAVS)
Learner Network conferences: Trimester 1 has drawn to a close and in our efforts to fully support both you and your learner throughout our program we are asking to meet with each learning team to discuss the past trimester and goals and strategies for rest of the year. An email was sent out Friday December 1st with more information and a link to schedule your conference with our team. We will be holding conferences Tuesday, Wednesday from Noon to 3 and Thursday from 5-8. If these times do not work for you reach out to Robb at rjackson@norrisacademywi.org to arrange an alternative time. Thank you.
In NAVS ELA, learners are working on creative stories. Everything from crash landing on a strange world to body swapping and talking dogs--anything is possible with a little imagination and a flare for the dramatic. Through the process of drafting, receiving feedback, and revising, learners are working on their structure, word choice, transitions, and figurative language through their creative writing.
Bakari
BOOST
What is Boost?
Boost is an after school program set up for K-12 learners from Oak and Spruce Hall. Currently the Boost program is offering an Art focused program, Artventure, taught by Sam Dickey. This after school program provides additional opportunities for learners to explore their interests, hobbies, and talents which expand their learning network and increases their confidence, boosting learner agency and hope for the future.
Artventure
Learners have continued their 2-D Art exploration in the Boost: Artventure. They began to create their own 2-D project and experimented with white on black paper to work on values. They created their own pieces using the white on black paper method, a few learners went further by adding color.
Outside of Boost: Artventure in the Art room, learners have been working on resin creations and have begun learning how to form and create projects using clay. The learners have had great enthusiasm and we can’t wait to see what they create!
Norris Cares
Norris Academy is introducing a new program called, Norris Cares. Norris Cares will accept monetary and physical donations in support of those of our learners who may be experiencing food, housing, or other basic need insecurities. We have noticed a great need within our community that we would like to help support but we cannot do it alone. All donations to Norris Cares will be used only for this purpose and delivered equitably on a needs determined basis.
Please contact Amber Ehrmann, the Community Liaison at aehrmann@norrisacademywi.org for questions or donations.
Thank you.
Norris Beyond Fostering
The foster care program at Norris is offering a FREE virtual training on Thursday 11/16 from 6pm-7pm to share information about foster care in southeastern Wisconsin. Did you know that the foster care program at Norris receives over 100 referrals each month from counties across the state who are looking for foster homes for children they are working with? Are you interested in learning more about the foster care system, how you could support foster children or foster parents, or how you might consider becoming a foster parent yourself? View event details here: https://fb.me/e/1cM5ZPI8g or email tfc@norriscenter.org
Healthy Hints from the Health Department
Tis the season to be jolly, but let's face it, our waistlines might not be as thrilled about the holidays as we are, especially with all the tempting bakery sweets. Navigating through all the wonderful holiday cookies and treats requires finesse. Instead of sampling every sweet temptation, choose your favorites and savor them slowly. Consider sharing desserts with a friend or family member to enjoy a variety without going overboard. Using this sweet technique allows you to indulge in holiday treats without the guilt.
Health Joke of the month:
Why did the gingerbread-man go to the doctor during the holidays?
- He was feeling a bit crumby and kneaded some medical attention
Mark Your Calendar
12/15 Spirit Day: Holiday Spirit
Show your holiday spirit by wearing an ugly sweater, red and green, or anything else that spreads holiday cheer.
12/25 - 12/26 Winter Holiday: No School
12/29 New Years Eve Observed: No School
01/01 New Years Day: No School
Reminders
Online Absence Form
Click Here: https://tinyurl.com/onlineabsenceform
Norris School District
Email: hello@norrisacademywi.org
Website: https://norrisacademywi.org/
Location: W247 S10395 Center Drive Mukwonago, WI 53149
Phone: (262) 662-5911
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/norrisacademywi/
Twitter: @NorrisAcademyWi