What's Happening at Norris?
As we wrap up January, Norris School District has been keeping our learners busy with a variety of exciting and engaging activities—like our Super Amazing Chili Cook-Off! A big congratulations to our winners:
- Best Toppings: Ashley, Knowledge, James, and Khalil
- Tastiest Chili: Kayla, Christian, Elian, and Brexton
- Most Creative Chili: Ryan, Julian, Andre, and Jay
On Friday, learners signed up in teams of 3 for the 3x3 Basketball Tournament. Huge thanks to all the staff and learners who participated! The gym was buzzing with energy, packed with both players and spectators. Special shout-out to Khalil, Jose, Kaden, and Jourden for scoring the #1 spot! 🏀
But that’s not all—stay tuned for some even more exciting events coming up in February! We’ve got the Pinewood Derby where learners will design and build their own cars to race in a thrilling competition.
June's Journal
Greetings Parents and Guardians,
Did you know?
We have two levels of check-in procedures:
Tier 1: All learners are scanned with a metal detection wand before entering the building and must place their personal belongings in their assigned bin. If everything is clear, they may proceed to the learning center.
Tier 2: If a learner exhibits suspicious behavior suggesting they may be carrying a prohibited item, they will undergo a more thorough check. This includes the wand scan and a private screening, where the learner will be escorted to a separate area with at least two staff members of the same gender. In this area, they will be asked to remove any coats or extra layers, empty their pockets, and take off their shoes. While this process may feel inconvenient, it is essential for the safety of all learners and staff.
If a learner refuses to comply with the check-in procedure, they will not be allowed entry, and you will be contacted to pick them up. Please remind your learner of the importance of not bringing any restricted items to school and the need to follow check-in procedures in order to maintain a safe environment for everyone.
Lab Gab
ELA
Pop Art Unit: A Colorful Exploration!
This month in ELA, learners dove headfirst into the vibrant world of Pop Art, uncovering how this bold movement has left its mark on everything around us. From advertising to sports logos, product packaging, and beyond—Pop Art is everywhere! Learners explored how everyday objects, familiar brands, and iconic images can be reimagined as powerful works of art.
In their own creations, learners experimented with bold colors, graphic lines, and a mix of familiar objects, channeling the styles of legendary Pop Artists like Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Claes Oldenburg. Some students took an even more creative approach, adding their own "pops of color" to existing pieces, giving classic images a fresh, modern twist.
Beyond hands-on creativity, learners also delved into the history and techniques of Pop Art, discovering how artists have used popular culture to make art not only accessible but also playful and thought-provoking.
It was a month filled with vibrant colors, boundless creativity, and a deeper appreciation for the art that surrounds us every day!
Mathematics
This month, we’re teaming up with Social Studies for a unit on economics! Learners are diving into the world of money, sales tax, discounts, and even budgeting—skills that will come in handy for life! Our older learners are getting a deep dive into the stock market and banking, learning how money works in the real world and how to make smart financial decisions.
But that’s not all! Next, we’ll be switching gears to explore primary and secondary sources, while also tackling error analysis with tricky math problems. It’s all about building critical thinking skills!
And for our younger learners, we’re stepping into the world of forensic science with a fun mystery investigation! They’re on a mission to figure out who left graffiti in the Three Bears' house—could it be Goldilocks? Who did it, and how will they solve the case? It’s hands-on learning with a twist of excitement!
Science
It's been another exciting month in science labs. Our area of focus over the past 3 weeks was Human Anatomy & Physiology. Learners investigated the 11 major human organ systems along with "pathophysiology" which is the study of diseases and disorders. For their capstone project for this unit learners were asked to choose a disease or disorder and research its effects on 3 different human body systems before preparing a written or visual project to share what they learned. In addition to academic content, learners have been doing an amazing job caring for our new pet corn snake. They have been taking care of the snake's habitat, feeding it weekly, and handling the snake on a daily basis. We held a naming contest and settled on the name "Elote' Milo Norris". Learners have also been participating in numerous ELO's (extended learning opportunities) over the past month. We have been going to the local reptile store on a weekly basis and we also went ice-hiking to rainbow springs lake. Finally, learners also replaced our old, gross, outdated aquarium with a new, modern system donated to the school. Stay tuned for further exciting news from science . . .
Social Studies
Learners have wrapped up their unit on ancient Egyptian culture in Social Studies and have shifted gears to explore economics. They’ve engaged with critical concepts such as supply and demand, the four main economic systems, opportunity costs, and unemployment rates. As the economics unit comes to a close, learners will focus on primary and secondary sources, honing their research and critical thinking skills. This will lay the foundation for understanding landforms and their influence on human settlement and culture. These topics will demonstrate how history, geography, and economics intertwine, shaping societies and cultures throughout time.
We’re also staying up to date with current events. Learners have read about the outrageous prices of Super Bowl tickets, the economic implications of Inauguration Day, and the impact of wildfires in California on local economies.
Orientation
We have a round of new learners who started after break and are so excited to get to know them! We’re getting back into the swing of things with Who Am I interviews and starting to really dig into the employability skills portion of the program this month. It’s fun to see learners build relationships and work together.
Library
Our new scheduling framework has allowed for more access to library resources and has allowed me to spend more time supporting the work happening in core lab spaces. I am really excited to see the collaboration and inquiry that develops out of this iteration.
The Kids Choice Awards, a program put on by the Bridges Library System, are still going on! Remember, if your learner is in grades 4-6 and reads at least 3 Kids Choice books, they will be eligible to vote for their favorite. The books are available at the local library. One of our growth goals for next year is to have the Kids Choice books as part of our collection.
Be sure to check out our library catalog and digital resources on Destiny Discover!
IBL
January was all about settling in and getting comfortable with our new framework, but that didn’t mean we weren’t having fun! After giving everyone some time to adjust, we kicked off a handful of awesome IBL activities that peaked a lot of interest. Here’s a peek at the action from this month:
- Chili Cook-Off
- ELOs to a local pet shop and local nature parks
- D&D Club Sessions
- Cheesecake Making
- Staff vs. Learners Dodgeball Game – RE and LC teamed up for an intense showdown!
- 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament
February is just around the corner, and we’ve got even more IBL opportunities coming your way! Stay tuned for the excitement ahead!
🟧 The Navigator's Corner by Travis
We’ve seen some great collaboration in the studio space, with learners writing music and exploring their creativity. Next week, I’ll be starting individual music lessons. There has also been some exciting space exploration happening in the auditorium. Stephanie and I have started a partnership with the woodshop to build tabletop games, and we’re still in the design phase of this project.
We’re always working on new strategies for engagement and have seen some success with individualized plans. We’ve also experimented with remixes, with varying degrees of success. As always, it's a group effort here, and I’m continually impressed by how supportive our staff is of each other.
Norris Academy Virtual School (NAVS)
As we move through the school year, we have some important updates and exciting news to share with you. Please read through the following information carefully to stay informed about upcoming events and opportunities for our learners.
📅 Important Testing Dates
- ACT for 11th Graders
Date: March 11th
Location: Admin building across the street from the school.
- Forward Exam for 8th Graders
Dates: March 27th
- PreACT for 9th and 10th Graders
Date: March 27th
Transportation Reminder:
Please be prepared to provide transportation for your learners on these dates to Norris Academy, located at W247S10395 Center Dr, Mukwonago, WI 53149.
If you cannot make these times or have further questions, please contact Kris Koneazny at kkoneazny@norrisacademywi.org
🌟 Meet Our New Employability Coach
We are excited to announce that Nicole has joined our team as the Employability Coach! An email was sent out last week with all the details, but here’s a quick summary of her role:
"Who Am I" Presentation and Vision Board (0.25 credits in our orientation course)
Personal Career Readiness Course (Up to 1 credit) to gain skills and knowledge required for success in a professional setting.
Finding Employment (Up to 1 credit/year)
Building resumes, cover letters, and conducting mock interviews.
Mentorship Connections Helping Robert and Amber connect learners to mentors in their communities to explore interests and gain credits through experiential learning.
Engagement and Support Engaging learners back into active participation and finding resources and supports for those learners.
Want to learn more?
Please email Nicole to schedule a meeting or for more information at Nkollmorgen@norrisacademywi.org.
Welcome Nicole to NAVS!
My name is Nicole Kollmorgen. I am an Engagement Specialist at Norris, also working with NAVS learners.
I’m excited to work closely with each of the learners, not only to address daily concerns but also to help explore interests and skills in a way that supports personal and professional goals.
One of the tools we’ll be using is XELLO, which will allow us to assess your strengths, interests, and skills. Through this platform, we'll identify potential career paths and work together to set goals.
Additionally, we will work through the Personal Career Readiness platform to ensure that you are well-equipped to find employment now and in the future. From job-search strategies to developing a standout resume and cover letter, I will help you build the tools needed for success in the workforce.
I look forward to working with all of you.
Mindful Minute
This week, learners explored the importance of mindfulness and the benefits of practicing it. Every day, youth face a range of emotional and mental challenges, especially as they navigate an increasingly complex world influenced by factors such as social media, academic pressures, family dynamics, and more. Mindfulness techniques help teens improve their overall mental well-being by fostering awareness and teaching them to thoughtfully process emotions and situations, rather than ignoring uncomfortable feelings or reacting impulsively.
One mindfulness exercise practiced was the Pranayama Deep Breathing technique. During this exercise, learners practiced inhaling deeply for 4 seconds, holding their breath for 7 seconds, and exhaling slowly over 8 seconds. After completing the exercise, learners reported feeling less stressed and more calm.
Artventure
Hello Artventure Community!
January: Exploring Something New
This month, Artventure took an exciting leap by collaborating with ELA and Music to immerse ourselves in the vibrant world of Pop Art! Learners delved into the origins of this iconic art movement, discovering the influential figures who shaped both the art and music scenes.
By the end of January, learners were encouraged to create their own Pop Art-inspired pieces, blending creativity with individuality. Check out some of the amazing projects they completed:
Oversized Sculptures: Drawing inspiration from Claes Oldenburg, learners transformed everyday objects into larger-than-life creations. Standout pieces included a giant Rubik’s cube, a Twix bar, and an ice cream sandwich!
Andy Warhol-Inspired Prints: Learners channeled Warhol’s signature style by multiplying images and adding bold, contrasting colors to produce striking, eye-catching works of art.
Pop Songs: Many learners took a musical spin on Pop Art, composing their own Pop Art-inspired music with the help of Travis. They created catchy pop beats influenced by artists like Michael Jackson, blending rhythm and creativity to craft unique tracks.
Looking Ahead: February
Next month, Artventure will team up with Math and Social Studies to explore the fascinating intersection of economics and art. Learners will dive into topics like the value of art, market dynamics, and the business side of creativity. Get ready for another month of exciting cross-curricular adventures!
Thank you for your continued support as we inspire, create, and grow together!
Learn MKE
Learn MKE is an innovative program offered by the Norris School District that combines virtual, in-person, and community-based learning for high school learners. The program has established two learning hubs in Milwaukee—one on the north side and one on the south side—providing spaces where learners can meet in person to receive support and instruction from on-site staff. By blending the structure of in-person schooling with the flexibility of online and community-based learning, Learn MKE offers learners a unique learning experience and the freedom to work at their own pace. The goal is for learners to be actively engaged in their communities while also gaining valuable academic, employability, citizenship, and wellness skills.
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.
Reminders
As the new school year begins, we want to remind families about items that should not be brought to school. Including items such as pillows, blankets, open beverage containers, money, and backpacks. These items can be distracting and potentially harmful, so they will not be allowed in school. For more details on our policies, please visit our website at https://norrisacademywi.org/.
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