NORWOOD NEWS

Norwood Elementary provides relevant and challenging learning for all of our students. We believe all students are capable of achieving grade level standards, and provide the needed supports for each child on their learning journey. We strive for all of our superstars to reach their fullest potential in our ever-changing 21st century world

If you need assistance with renewing shared domicile, transfer packets, or enrollment please reach out to the front office. Our office will be open from 9AM-2PM! Please call and schedule an appointment for enrollments.

At Norwood, we know that attendance is key to student success. Every day a student is in school is an opportunity to learn, grow, build relationships, and reach their full potential.

We are proud to share the tremendous progress our school community has made:

• During the 2024-2025 school year, Norwood ended the year with:

  • 30% of students identified as chronically absent
  • 90% overall student attendance

• Thanks to the dedication of our families, students, and staff, during the 2025-2026 school year we improved to:

  • 14.9% of students identified as chronically absent
  • 93% overall student attendance

With attendance improving, we expect our students' and teachers' hard work to translate into higher MCAP scores and stronger school data, reinforcing what we've always known: when students are present and engaged in learning, academic achievement improves. Consistent attendance gives students the opportunity to fully participate in classroom instruction, develop strong learning habits, and make meaningful academic progress.

Maryland State law states that students should not miss more than 15 days of school during the academic year. Regular attendance helps students stay on track academically, socially, and emotionally.

We are excited for an amazing 2026-2027 school year filled with strong attendance, fun memories, meaningful learning experiences, and, most importantly, student success one day at a time.

If your family is experiencing challenges that may affect your child's ability to attend school regularly, please know that we are here to help. Our team can work with you to navigate barriers and connect you with resources and supports to help ensure your child attends school consistently and thrives.

Every day counts. Together, we can continue building on our success and make the 2026-2027 school year our best yet! ⭐📚🏫

Plan for Vacations and Doctor Appointments During Breaks! Please see details below!

Congrats to our Superstar Teachers who got married over the summer! Please see their name changed below!

Miss Pitarra is now Mrs. Price

Miss Levine is now Mrs. Levine-Boorman

Miss Johnson is now Mrs. Quinn

Miss Murph is now Mrs. Murph-Jones

Join us for our Back-to-School Open House!

📅 Thursday, August 27
🕒 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
📍 Norwood Elementary School

Come meet your child's teacher, drop off school supplies with your child's teacher, learn about the upcoming school year, access valuable school and community resources, meet and join our PTA, and enjoy a sweet treat as we celebrate the start of another superstar school year!

We look forward to welcoming our students and families and helping everyone get excited for a successful year ahead.

Thank you for being a valued part of the Norwood school community.

School Supply Lists Are Now Available! Please review the list below to ensure your child has the supplies needed for a successful school year.

In addition, donations of classroom supplies are always appreciated. If you are able, please consider donating any of the following items:

• Facial tissues
• Baby wipes
• Disinfecting wipes
• Hand sanitizer

These items help support a clean, healthy, and well-stocked learning environment for all students.

Thank you for your generosity and continued support of our classrooms and school community! ⭐📚✏️

Please refer to the dismissal door information provided for your child. Students will be dismissed from their assigned classroom dismissal location at the end of the school day.

Important: The classroom number and the dismissal door number are not the same. When you receive your child's dismissal information, please make note of the assigned dismissal door number.

To help ensure a smooth dismissal process, please locate the dismissal door number posted on the outside of the building in a white-framed sign. Families should report to the designated dismissal door for student pick-up.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us provide a safe, organized, and efficient dismissal process for all students.

All individuals picking up a student must be listed on the student’s Emergency Contact Form and present a valid photo ID at the time of pick-up.

Authorized Pick-Up by Individuals Under 18 Years of Age or Student from another School!

If an authorized person picking up a student is a sibling, another student, or any individual under the age of 18 who does not have a photo ID, the parent or guardian must provide a current photograph of that individual to both:

1. The student’s classroom teacher
2. The school office.

This requirement helps ensure the safety and security of all students during the dismissal process.

Students will only be released to individuals who are listed on the emergency contact form

Sibling Dismissal allows all siblings in a family to be dismissed from one classroom at the end of the school day. Under this procedure, the oldest sibling will report to the younger sibling's classroom, and all siblings will be dismissed together from that location.

Please note the following important requirements:

• A Sibling Dismissal Request Form must be completed every school year, even if your family participated in sibling dismissal during the previous year.
• Completed forms may be submitted to either the school office or your child's teacher.
• Sibling Dismissal Request Forms will be available at our Open House on Thursday, August 27. We encourage families to complete and submit the form as soon as possible.
• Sibling Dismissal will begin on September 4, 2026.

Thank you for your cooperation and assistance in helping us ensure a safe and efficient dismissal process for all students.

Please keep an eye out for our summer mailing, which will be arriving soon. We ask that families carefully review all contents of the envelope, as it contains important information to help ensure a smooth and successful start to the school year.

The mailing will include:

• Your child's assigned teacher
• Classroom number
• Dismissal door number
• Arrival and dismissal procedures
• Important school information and updates
• Additional resources and reminders for the beginning of the school year
• 
  

Taking the time to read all materials thoroughly will help your family be prepared for the first day of school and support a positive start to the year.

Thank you for your attention to these important details. We look forward to welcoming you back for another great school year! ⭐📚🏫

Our summer mailing will be sent during the week of August 10-14, 2026. Please be sure to review all materials included in the mailing, as they contain important information to help your family prepare for the start of the school year.

In addition, BCPS FOCUS will go live on August 7, 2026, allowing families to:

• View student teacher assignments
• Access student schedules and information
• Complete online updates and required forms
• Review important back-to-school information
• 
  

We encourage all families to log into BCPS FOCUS once it becomes available and ensure that all student and family information is accurate and up to date.

We look forward to welcoming our Superstars back for a successful 2026-2027 school year! ⭐📚🏫

As we are on summer break, we want to remind our families that support doesn’t stop when school ends! Our school is here for you, whether you need learning resources, activity ideas, or just someone to point you in the right direction. Don’t hesitate to call us if you need anything. We have socks, shoes, toiletries, and etc.

Wishing you a fun, safe, and enriching summer! 🌞📚

Mr. Ramos: dramosquinteros@bcps.org

Ms. Hotchkiss: mhotchkiss@bcps.org

A list of food pantries can be found by clicking here and searching by location!

If you have a child who will be entering Kindergarten this school year, we encourage you to complete the registration process as soon as possible.

Early registration is extremely important because it helps our school:

• Create balanced classroom rosters
• Plan staffing appropriately
• Maintain teacher positions based on student enrollment
• Prepare for a smooth start to the school year
• 
  

Delaying registration may impact class sizes and staffing decisions. In some cases, late registration can also delay your child's start date while enrollment paperwork is processed.

If you know a family with an incoming Kindergarten student, please encourage them to register as soon as possible. By registering early, families help us ensure that every student has the best possible start to their educational journey.

Thank you for your partnership and support as we prepare for another successful school year at Norwood! ⭐📚✏️🏫

Shared Domicile Reminder Renewal forms have been sent out in the mail July 1st! To verify your domicile for the 2026 - 2027 school year please fill out the form mailed to you and email or drop off the requested information to the school. If sending by email please include your students name and the wording "shared domicile renewal" in the subject line. These forms can be emailed to klunner@bcps.org or dramosquinteros@bcps.org. Also, forms and pictures can be texted to 443-879-9518.

The documentation needed is as follows:

• A completed Shared Domicile Disclosure Renewal Form signed and dated by the parent/guardian and the homeowner/lease holder.
• Three current documents, dated within the past sixty (60) days, verifying your domicile at the Baltimore County residence on file
• Photo identification for parent/guardian

Students whose shared domicile's have not been renewed by August 15 will be withdrawn!

Thank you for your attention and cooperation to make this renewal process smoother!

As the school year came to an end! Although, we are sad to see our Norwood superstars leave Norwood! If you are planning on moving to another county or residence that is not zoned for Norwood, please notify the office ahead of time to ensure that you receive your transfer packet on time to enroll at the designated zone school.

If your student will be enrolled at another Baltimore County Public School, they may keep and transfer their device with them to their following school.

If your student will NOT be enrolled at another Baltimore County Public School, please return your students device to the front office on the last day that your student will be attending Norwood.

For any questions on transfer packets please call the office at 443-809-7055.

Do you need to find your zoned school?

If you are moving and would like to locate your zoned Baltimore County Public School, click on this link below:

https://www.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=2942bc0c7555468eb04aba0f61da9e16

If you are moving and would like to locate your zoned Baltimore City Public School, click on this link below:

https://www.baltimorecityschools.org/schools

***Please bring your own bag***

The Health Department will be holding vaccination clinics during the summer at little or no cost. To make an appointment or to find out more, please call 410-887-2705. Remember to take your student's current vaccination record with you when you go.

A physical is required for each student entering school. There are school forms for the doctor that are online, or you can pick them up in the office. We need one from their doctor and one from their dentist.

We hope you are having a safe and happy summer!

ATTENDANCE REFERENCES

Access a quick guide to better understand your students absences and codings by clicking here.

PARENT RESOURCE HUB

Access a variety of resources available to our superstar families by clicking here.

Medical & Dental Resources

Access a variety of medical and dental resources available to uninsured families by clicking the hyperlinks.

FOOD PANTRY DISTRIBUTION LIST

Access a list of food pantry distribution sites by clicking here.

BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY MONTHLY EVENTS-July

Access the monthly calendar of events that are happening at the local library by clicking here.

If you have any questions regarding any of the information on this newsletter, please contact Diego Ramos (School Social Worker) at dramosquinteros@bcps.org, or by calling his direct line at 443-809-3743.

Website: https://norwoodes.bcps.org
Location: 1700 Delvale Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21222, USA
Phone: (443)809-7055
Twitter: @NorwoodES