entire life. Neurons in our brains make connectionsconard.whps.org/uploaded/Schools/Elementary_Schools/Norfeldt... · Leisure Svcs, Morning Club (Grds 2 & 3)-Fitness, 7:30AM Grade

September 10, 2015 Dear Norfeldt Families, Welcome back! We have had a wonderful, smooth start to the school year. Despite the heat, our students have jumped right back into learning. It was very nice visiting with families at the PTO’s Fall Family Picnic last night. Please know, I am honored to work in such a wonderful school community. This year, as a staff, we are focusing much of our professional learning on “growth mindset.” Growth mindset is the belief that one’s intelligence can grow and develop with persistence, effort and focus on learning. Our I.Q.s are not “set.” Research in neuroscience emphasizes the concept of neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to change, adapt or rewire itself throughout our entire life. Neurons in our brains make connections when we learn something new. These connections become stronger with practice and effort. The more connections we make, the denser the brain becomes. The more density, the “smarter” you are. Growth mindset focuses on learning goals which is in line with our school mission and beliefs. Everyone can learn. It is our job as educators to differentiate instruction, teach students to persevere and put in effort, and teach them to react positively to failure. You may hear your child talk about the power of “not yet.” This simply means they haven’t learned it…yet. I encourage you to join me for my “welcome speech” on Curriculum Night and hear more about growth mindset. The Smarter Balance Assessment (SBAC) results have been released and an overview of the results can be

seen at: http://www.ct.gov/sde/SettingtheBaseline2015. We are expecting individual student results to be sent

home within the next few weeks. West Hartford (and Norfeldt) had very good results in comparison to the state averages. We are very proud! We will continue to confidently stand behind our challenging curriculum and comprehensive educational programming and as always, continue to strive for continuous improvement. For more information about SBAC, including ways you can support your child, please refer to the following:

http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/pdf/pressroom/2015_smarter_balanced_briefing_document.pdf http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a=2748&q=335764

http://bealearninghero.org/

I will share more detailed information about the SBAC results at the P.T.O meeting on October 8th.

We hope to see you next Thursday, September 17th at Curriculum Night.

Warm Regards,

Jen Derick

SEPTEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTSMonday 9/14 Rosh Hashanah (Judaism)- SCHOOL CLOSED Tuesday 9/15 Grade 4 Choir, 7:45AM Music Room Grade 5 Orchestra, 7:45AM BOE Meeting, Town Hall Rm. 314, 7:00PM Wednesday 9/16 Grade 5 Choir, 7:45AM Music Room Thursday 9/17 Leisure Svcs, Morning Club (Grds 2 & 3)-Fitness, 7:30AM Grade 5 Band, 7:45AM Curriculum Night- Grades 3-5, 6-7:30PM, Grades K-2, 6:30-8:00PM Friday 9/18 Grade 1 Field Study to Indian Rock Nature Preserve, 9:00AM Monday 9/21 Leisure Svcs, Morning Club (Grds 4 & 5)-Fitness, 7:30AM Tuesday 9/22 Grade 4 Choir, 7:45AM, Music Room Grade 5 Orchestra, 7:45AM Wednesday 9/23 Eid Al Adha (Islam), Yom Kippur (Judaism), SCHOOL CLOSED Thursday 9/24 Leisure Svcs, Morning Club (Grds 2 & 3)-Fitness, 7:30AM Grade 5 Band, 7:45AM

For more Norfeldt calendar information please visit http://norfeldt.whps.org/

To see West Hartford’s district events please visit http://www.whps.org/ or https://www.westhartfordct.gov/

STUDENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON SCHOOL

GROUNDS PRIOR TO 8:20 AM. THIS IS FOR SAFETY

REASONS AS THERE IS NO SUPERVISION PRIOR TO

8:20AM. IF YOU CHOOSE TO BRING YOUR CHILD TO

SCHOOL EARLIER THAN 8:20AM, PLEASE REMAIN

OUTSIDE WITH YOUR CHILD UNTIL THERE IS

SUPERVISION. THANK YOU.

ALL PARENTS AND VISITORS MUST SIGN IN AND

WEAR A VISITOR’S BADGE. THIS IS A CRITICAL

COMPONENT OF OUR SECURITY MEASURES.

PLEASE LABEL ALL OUTSIDE CLOTHING, GYM

CLOTHES, ART SMOCKS AND LUNCH BOXES WITH

YOUR CHILD’S NAME.

FORMS NEEDED! On the first day of school, your child received a

folder containing many important documents that required your review and signature. If you have not done so already, please review and complete these

forms and return them to school as soon as possible. We appreciate your prompt attention to

this matter.

Lost and Found Already missing a ball cap, lunchbox or

something else? Please check out the Lost and

Found at the bottom of the ramp near the gym.

PTO Dues

The Norfeldt PTO is currently accepting membership dues of $10 per family. Please fill out the bottom portion of the flyer that went home this week, along with a check made payable to “Norfeldt PTO” and return it to the front office. The PTO uses these funds for grants that students, teachers and administrators apply for each year. In addition, the PTO offers activity scholarships to students, helps to support student field trips, after school programs, as well as to purchase materials and supplies for the many activities we host throughout the year. Act fast and receive a free gift if you pay your dues before October 31, 2015!!

Welcome Back! The PTO warmly welcomes all the Norfeldt

families back to school after a gorgeous summer!

We are excited to welcome several new members to

the PTO Board this year: Danielle Ivens, Second

Vice President; Kristen Levithan, Treasurer;

Brittany Dworman, Volunteer Coordinator; Susan

Berey, PT Council Representative; and our new

Faculty Representatives, Shery Bober and Erica

Moses. They will join Tara Deveney and Andrea

Dixon, Co-Presidents; Laura Faga, First Vice

President; Demetria Wright, Secretary; Christina

Foreman, SEPTO Representative; and Jason

Crouch, IT Liaison. The PTO is excited to host 30

plus events at Norfeldt this year! Volunteers are

always needed and appreciated for these events and

anyone wishing to volunteer for any event should

contact Brittany Dworman at

[email protected].

Spiritwear Wondering where to get that awesome Norfeldt

Dolphin Tie Dye T-Shirt, Sweatshirt, or Fleece

(available in Adult sizes, too!) as well as magnets

and notepads? Contact Danielle Ivens at

[email protected] with questions.

From the Nurse’s Office

Just a reminder that all yellow emergency should be completed and returned to school so that parents can be reached in case of an emergency.

Also, all student medications are kept in the Health Office, including Tylenol, Ibuprofen, inhalers, and medicated creams. If the medication is to be administered during school hours, your child’s pediatrician will need to complete a medication authorization form (found on the whps.org website under Offices/Nursing Services/For Parents). Elementary-aged students should not carry their medication to or from school – an adult should bring the medication directly to the Health Office. Thank you.

ELC Lottery Applications

The Early Learning Center at Whiting Lane School

and Aiken Elementary School is now accepting

applications for the 2016-2017 school year. The

program is family centered and has half day

sessions that meet four days a week. A lottery will

be conducted in January.

To be considered for the program, children must be

three years old by September 1, 2016, toilet-trained

by the start of the school year and exhibit age-

appropriate language, social and play skills. All

applicants must participate in a play-based

screening prior to being considered for the lottery

selection.

If you are interested, please contact Pam Macca at

(860) 233-1455. The application process will close

on November 30, 2015.

ELEMENTARY VACANT SEAT PROGRAM

Vacant Seat Program – Application Start date is

Monday, October 5, 2015

The West Hartford Public Schools vacant seat

program utilizes available space on school buses.

This program allows students to ride buses, where

space is available, who under the West Hartford

Public Schools Transportation policy are not

eligible for transportation. No additional bus stops

are added to the routes for this program.

Interested parents should contact the West Hartford

Public Schools Transportation Office at (860)561-

6647 for additional information on or after October

5th. Requests are taken in this office by

telephone on a first come, first served basis

starting at 8:00 am.

From the Music Room We’re off to a great start in the music room! All classes are busy reviewing concepts from

last year, preparing for new concepts, singing, dancing and making music together.

Choir has begun, with 4th graders attending on Tuesday mornings at 7:45AM and 5th

graders on Wednesday mornings at 7:45AM. As we get closer to the winter concert, both grades will meet together on Wednesdays.

Check out my blog at

blog.whps.org/norfeldtmusic. I will post monthly updates of what’s happening in class, as well as occasional clips of various

music class activities.

Ms. Lisa Besman, Vocal Music

GoCard – They are here, and they are fabulous!

GoCards are community discount cards that are

good for one year. There are 12 merchants on each

card including; Bertucci’s, Mooyah, Blue Plate

Kitchen, Sweet Frog, Harry’s Pizza, TCBY,

Subway, Posh Tomato, Moe’s, AC Petersen, Lox,

Stock & Bagels, and Good Year. Each GoCard is

$10 which can be paid back in savings after two

trips to Mooyah. What an awesome way to support

Norfeldt while helping your family’s bottom line!

Forms and payment are due to the main office by

Wednesday, 9/30/15.

Stop and Shop & Big Y – Please register your

Stop & Shop and Big Y savings cards so that each

dollar you regularly spend on groceries can earn

points for Norfeldt that are then turned into supplies

for our school.

Burgers for Better Schools Program – This

program means that every time you eat at Red

Robin, 1% of your check will be donated directly to

your school of choice. Choose Norfeldt!

Remember, the more you devour – the more they'll

donate!

Box Top & Campbells’ Labels Fundraiser Did you know that you can help Norfeldt earn

money just by eating Campbell’s soup or blowing

your nose with a Kleenex tissue? These products

and MORE are part of the Box Tops for Education

and Campbells’ Labels fundraising programs. By

cutting out and turning in these Box Tops and

Labels to the school office, you help us raise

money! Box Tops and Labels can be submitted in

an envelope or plastic bag marked “school office,”

or just for fun, use the Box Top activity sheet from

your first day packet. To date, Norfeldt has raised

thousands of dollars through participation in these

programs. PLEASE HELP US RAISE MORE! We

will be counting and bundling BOX TOPS and

LABELS for fall submission shortly. If you are

available to assist, please contact Golda Ginsburg at

[email protected].

Thank You The PTO would like to thank the following individuals: Brittany Dworman for chairing and Desiree Gomez, Kristen Levithan, Kim Santamaria, and Paige Wolfe for their hard work on the First Day Folders. Andrea Dixon and Jessica Hynes for co-chairing the Back to School Teacher Luncheon and Noeet Bachar, Chris Cornachio, Tara Deveney, Janice Doot, Brittany Dworman, Jessica Fehl, Melissa Jacobson, Erin Killelea, Kristen Levithan, Lisa Levy, Jackie Makarewicz, and Nella Zydanowicz for helping to prepare yummy salads and desserts for our teachers to enjoy as they prepared to welcome our children back to school. Kim Santamaria for chairing the Kindergarten Parents Coffee Hour on August 27th to make the parents of our youngest Dolphins feel welcome at Norfeldt. In addition, thank you to her team of bakers and helpers; Joslyn Cruz, Tara Deveney, Andrea Dixon, Jessica Hynes, Janice Doot, Brittany Dworman and Lisa Levy for their culinary efforts. Susan Berey and Paige Wolfe for co-chairing the Back to School Fall Picnic as well as their committee consisting of Noeet Bachar, Andrea Dixon, and Bin Zhu and fifth grade room parents, Tara Deveney, Heather Fronczek, and Teresa Kleinman for helping the fifth grade students raise funds for their yearbook. It was great to reconnect with other Norfeldt families after a long summer over pizza and TCBY frozen treats!

School Picture Day

Friday, 10/2/15

It’s coming! School Picture Day is almost

here. Schedule the haircuts and get the

outfits ready! Litchfield Hills Photography

will be on site at Norfeldt on Friday,

October 2nd to make our children shine.

Halloween Costume Sale

Thursday, 10/8/15, 5-7 pm Norfeldt’s first ever Halloween Costume

Sale will take place on Thursday, October

8th from 5-7 pm. All costumes are only

$5.00!

International Night Plans are underway for Norfeldt's 3rd Annual

International Night which will be held on

Thursday, January 28, 2015 (snow date January

29, 2016). We are excited to continue to enhance

one of Norfeldt’s biggest events. Committee

meetings will be held in the coming weeks and we

would like YOU to volunteer!

International Night is an evening that celebrates the

diversity of our Norfeldt community. We need help

staffing booths from the different cultures and

countries which are represented by our Norfeldt

families. If you are interested in volunteering for

International Night 2016, please contact co-chairs,

Jessica de Perio Wittman at

[email protected] or Jessica Richard at

[email protected]. Volunteer request forms

will soon be in your student’s folder. Please fill one

out and become an active part of our International

Community.

Norfeldt PTO Website Link If you are looking for the PTO web pages,

you can find us under “Families” on the

Norfeldt website. Or use this link:

http://www.whps.org/page.cfm?p=1119.

You will find updated event information,

flyers, and contact information. Check it

out!

Facebook The Norfeldt PTO is on Facebook. Event

information, pictures, and links are

available. LIKE US today!

Anyone interested in joining an existing Girl Scout troop, please contact Laura Faga [email protected]. A kindergarten daisy troop leader is also needed.

Guilt Free Fundraiser – Coming soon! Be “GUILT FREE” all year long! Simply

make a donation now and never feel guilty if

you don’t participate in any other

fundraisers this year! Suggested donation is

$25.00 per family. Checks may be made

payable to the Norfeldt PTO.

NORFELDT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PTO

2015-2016 School Year

Dues Payment Form

The Norfeldt PTO is currently accepting membership dues of $10 per family. Pay your

dues now and receive a new Norfeldt notepad! Your membership in the Norfeldt PTO

ensures you receive timely and updated information on all current and future PTO

events.

Monies collected from the dues goes to the PTO grants that Norfeldt students, teachers

and administrators apply for each year. In addition to the grants, the PTO offers field

trip and activities scholarships to students, after school programs, and thirty plus

activities throughout the year.

Thank you for your support of your Norfeldt PTO as we continue to strive in our

community-building efforts!

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

2015-2016

Norfeldt Elementary School PTO Dues

*Please complete the whole form*

Norfeldt Student Name(s) and Grades: __________________________________________

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

Parent’s Name: ______________________________________________________________

Email Address : ______________________________________________________________

Phone #______________________________

_______ YES! I would like to volunteer to help at PTO Events. I would like to help with

this event or activity: ______________________________. (If you are not sure which

event, just leave the space blank. We are happy to contact you with some alternatives.)