Wednesday's Words

June 17, 2024

Family Letter

Dear Norfolk School Families,

It has been an exciting few weeks in the Norfolk Public Schools as we bring the 2023-2024 school year to a close. Last week our sixth grade students visited Camp Bournedale and participated in a wide range of outdoor learning and team building experiences. Students across all grades have had opportunities to showcase their learning through author’s teas, special presentations, concerts and performances. The end of the school year marks an important milestone in children’s lives and teachers and students alike are enjoying having the time to reflect on and celebrate their accomplishments.

Yesterday our Kindergarten students participated in class move-up days. Later this week students in grades 1-5 will have the opportunity to meet their teachers for next year and to visit with their new classmates. We hope that this experience will help all of our students feel comfortable with the transition and start their summer off on a high note. Please be aware, that while classroom assignments are intended to be final- exceptional circumstances sometimes arise, such as unexpected enrollment changes, maternity leaves, or staff resignations, that could require changes to be made.

We recognize that many parents and families have questions about the Norfolk Public Schools plan for responding to the emergency overflow shelter at the Bay State Correctional Facility opening later this month. Please know that we continue to actively work with the Massachusetts Department of Education and with the state to address areas of concern and develop thoughtful plans for providing strong instructional programs to meet the needs of all of our children. At this time, we are working to finalize plans for a community information meeting later this month. Once the date has been confirmed, we will send out a ConnectEd message with all of the details. In addition, we will be continuing to publish monthly Wednesday Words newsletters throughout the summer in order to keep the community informed and updated on planning efforts.

We wish all of our families a wonderful summer vacation and look forward to seeing you all again in August!

Sincerely,

Ingrid Allardi, Superintendent

Victoria Saldana, Assistant Superintendent

A Fond Farewell to Our Retirees

We would like to say a fond farewell and best wishes to three of our wonderful staff members who will be retiring in June.

Congratulations and best wishes!

Paula Burns, H. Olive Day School Secretary

Paula Burns has been a beloved and indispensable H. Olive Day School family member since 2006. She began as an assistant in HOD’s integrated preschool program, working with other staff members to create a positive and inclusive environment. Her kindness, skill, and reassuring presence nurtured an environment where students thrived. Paula brought those same invaluable skills to the front office when she joined the staff in 2015, where she became the face of the HOD with her generous heart, accommodating nature, and clever sense of humor. Her dedication and kindness enabled her to know all 500 students by name. Daily, Paula quietly and efficiently executed the myriad tasks that kept our school days operating smoothly.

Carolyn Kelley, H. Olive Day School Adjustment Counselor

Carolyn has been a vital presence in our H. Olive Day School family for sixteen years. With her dedication and compassionate spirit, she has touched countless lives, leaving an indelible mark on them. Her flexibility and ability to provide comfort have made her a true friend to all. Carolyn’s efforts in organizing Unity Day, Eyes and Hi’s, and Kindness Week have fostered a sense of belonging and understanding within our school community. Her commitment to supporting partner lessons and our iCare program has helped nurture empathy and compassion among our students. Moreover, your creation of friendship groups and lunch bunches has been a highlight for our students.

Alicia Whitehead H. Olive Day Preschool Head Teacher

Alicia Whitehead has nurtured countless tiny seeds of curiosity into lifelong learners for

her thirty-year career in the Norfolk Schools. Her classroom was a symphony of

laughter, creativity, and fun. She mastered and modeled the art of play while constantly

weaving learning into every joyful moment. Over the years, her kind, caring, supportive,

gentle hand ushered many families into the Norfolk district. Alicia listened carefully to students, parents, and colleagues, always showing patience and a genuine concern for others. Her leadership, intelligence, compassion, organization skills, and selfless spirit have dramatically supported many preschool professionals and administration.

K-5 Summer Math/Reading

Summer MATH Plan

The linked Summer Math plan is being offered as an opportunity for students to review math concepts and skills students have completed during the school year. It is important to keep up with these skills over the summer. The suggested goal is for students to complete 3-5 activities a week. At the end of summer, please sign the math log and return it to your child’s next year’s teacher during the first week of school. Participation is a great way to help your child prepare for the following school year! Click the button below for more information.

Summer READING Plan

Summer is the time for swimming, ice cream, fun in the sun, and ... READING! Families make a big impact in helping keep the love of literacy that is fostered during the school year alive during the summer. This can be done by setting aside time every day to read to and with your child. Click the button below for resources that will support your child in keeping up their reading skills throughout the summer.

K-5 Summer Math and Reading 2024

Resources to aid conversations about the Bay State Emergency Overflow Shelter

Summer is the perfect time to set aside moments for reading together. Our Norfolk School Librarians and Literacy Specialists have put together resources that promote summer reading and help your child avoid summer slide. We hope all our children will have an opportunity to participate this summer.

We have also received requests for resources to aid conversations about immigration, refugees, asylum seekers, and families experiencing homelessness with the upcoming opening of the Bay State Emergency Overflow Shelter. Picture books provide an excellent way to engage your child in thought-provoking or challenging discussions in an age-appropriate manner. They simplify abstract ideas into easily understandable concepts. To support these discussions, I’ve compiled resources with age-appropriate language and a list of wonderful books to read with your child over the summer. If you need additional resources, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Have a nice summer !

- Victoria Saldana, Assistant Superintendent

Click here for resources

HOD and FK Students participate in 1st Unified Field Day held at the FK!

Unified Field Day is an opportunity for all students, who may not be able to participate in regular sports, the chance to compete and have fun alongside their peers. Special Olympics is dedicated to promoting social inclusion through shared sports training and competition experiences. Unified Sports joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. It was inspired by a simple principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.

In Unified Sports, teams are made up of people of similar age and ability. That makes practices more fun and games more challenging and exciting for all. Having sport in common is just one more way that preconceptions and false ideas are swept away.

The event was cheered on by staff and students and the ceremony music performed by our Advanced Band! Here are a few pictures from last weeks fun!

We have included a look back at Unified Field Day in our last WNPS Morning Show of the year !

CLICK HERE TO WATCH!

Technology Highlight from the Makerspace!

Freeman-Kennedy 6th graders completed an epic 3D printing project during tech time this spring!

Students used Tinkercad to design their own creations, diving into the world of 3D modeling. They sketched their ideas, followed Google guides, and brought their designs to life with the help of Tinkercad tutorials. A big thank you to Rafael Sardi and Mark Pizzi for their expertise! They reviewed designs, offered guidance, and even sent and monitored all the 3D prints! ️ Check out these amazing 3D projects.

End of Year Art Showcases

Let's celebrate the 2023-2024 art projects!

6th: 2024 6th Grade Spring Art Showcase

5th: 2024 5th Grade Spring Art Showcase

4th: 2024 4th Grade Spring Art Showcase

3rd: 2024 3rd grade Spring Art Showcase

Happy Summer! - Mrs. Mellick

Health and Wellness

This month's Family Wellness News includes:

Summer EBT and Food Access
Counseling and Crisis Support
8 Tips to Encourage Digital Wellbeing
Sextortion: What Parents Should Know
Webinar opportunities: "My Kid Won't Go to School" and "Practicing Optimism: Raising Resilient Children in a Negative News Landscape"

Family Wellness News, June 2024

Gun Violence Awareness Month

Dear Tri-Town Community Members,

We are writing today to share important resources regarding safe firearm storage aspart of Gun Violence Awareness Month (June). All members of our communities and schools deserve to feel safe. It is on all of us to work together to prevent firearm violence and to avoid the harm and tragedy that shootings of any kind can cause in the spaces in which we live, learn, work and play.

Please click here for more information.

Summer Custodial Position - Temporary

Summer Custodial Position

July 1, 2024 -August 23, 2024

25 hrs/week; 5 hrs/day M-F

• High School or Trade School Diploma

• Demonstrated aptitude for successful fulfillment of assigned responsibilities

• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Director may find appropriate and acceptable

• Employment contingent on a satisfactory background checks.

Click here for more information: Summer Custodial

Norfolk PTO

IMPORTANT DATES:

6/20: LAST PTO Meeting of the Year

_______________________________________________________

THAT’S A WRAP!

The Color Fun Run was officially our last PTO event for this school year! Thank you all for making it a huge success again this year! We would also like to thank our Color Fun Run Sponsors!

Please be sure to support our amazing sponsors:

* Kim Williams Real Estate Team

* Panepinto Realty Group

* Landscape Oasis

* Wrentham Cooperative Bank

* G. Cronin & Sons

* Dunkin Norfolk

* Chestnut Dental Associates

* Aroma Pizza

* Stop & Shop

Also, a huge shoutout and thank you to our hardworking event organizers Annie Squires, Jada Shepard, and Molly Cullen!

Please join us for our LAST PTO meeting of the year!

We will be celebrating all of the hard work from our amazing volunteers this year, sending off Melissa Meo (Marketing Chair) and Alda Borenstein ( and welcoming our new Board Members for next year!

Date: 6/20

Time: 7pm

Location: 4 Wrights Farm Road

Looking for more information? Go to: https://norfolkmapto.wordpress.com/

SEPAC News

NPS Employment Opportunities

Please click on Employment Opportunities to join our team!

CURRENT OPENINGS:

For more information contact Roxanne Verdeaux, Human Resources @ verdeaux@norfolk.k12.ma.us

Regional Director of Food Services
(2) Before and After School Physical Education Specialist
ABA RBT Technicians
Summer Custodian - July 1 - August 23
Substitute Nurses (RN)
Substitute Teachers
Food Service Assistants

Norfolk Recreation

Norfolk Recreation Events - click here!