What's Happening at Norris?
Hello and happy May!
As we step into a new month, we’re diving deeper into what it means to be truly learner-centered—where curiosity leads the way, and every learner is empowered to explore, create, and grow in ways that matter most to them.
This month, we’re turning the spotlight on new hobbies and interests—those sparks of curiosity that can ignite a lifelong passion or simply bring joy to the everyday. Whether it’s picking up a paintbrush for the first time, learning how to code, exploring nature, or diving into storytelling, we believe learning should be personal, playful, and full of discovery.
Inside this month's issue of Norris News, you’ll find inspiration, resources, and real stories that celebrate the power of following your interests and creating space for learners to do the same.
Let’s make this month all about trying something new, leaning into our "what ifs," and celebrating the journey—one curiosity at a time.
Lab Gab
ELA
With Mrs. H out for the remainder of the school year, Cris will be stepping in to support our ELA learners. Over the next few weeks, learners will be wrapping up their end-of-year Reading and Math assessments, finishing up any ongoing projects, and spending a bit more time sharpening their literacy skills. As we head toward the finish line, a little extra reading at home—or listening to a great audiobook—can go a long way. Thanks for your continued support!
Mathematics
As we head into the final stretch, our math focus is all about wrapping things up! Learners are zeroing in on the skills and topics they need to complete their courses, with some diving into real-world math applications—both in math and science—to earn competencies. It's all about making these last few weeks count! Please encourage your learner to attend labs regularly and stay on top of their work—finishing strong starts with showing up!
Science
April was a very exciting month in the Science Lab! Our chicks have finally hatched, and we now have four baby chickens growing up in the Science Room. Their names are Dee Dee, Gerald, Ducky, and Lightning. The chicks will stay with us in science for another week before being adopted by a learner whose family has a farm where the chickens will get to grow up.
Next month, we're going to keep animal care at the forefront, and learners will get to help care for some kids (i.e., baby goats).
Our major project in science this past month was our Greenhouse Design and Build. Learners were asked to research different greenhouse designs using technology. After selecting a design, they were tasked with creating a model of the greenhouse using popsicle sticks, hot-glue guns, and clear packing tape. When the models are finished, learners will test them on a sunny day to see whose design traps the most heat.
Stay tuned for future updates on the exciting happenings in the Science Lab!
Social Studies
History is coming alive in flavorful and thought-provoking ways at the Social Studies Lab. Recently, the lab was buzzing with activity as most learners focused on either the American Civil War or World War II. But instead of just reading about battles and treaties, learners brought history to life—literally tasting the past. The learners used both primary and secondary sources to learn about the wars which is something we have been focusing on in Social Studies.
Civil War groups took a step back in time with a culinary twist, preparing authentic recipes such as hardtack, Civil War beans, molasses cookies, and dried beef jerky. “It was tough but fun!” one learner said after biting into a piece of hardtack. “It definitely made us appreciate modern food.”
Meanwhile, those studying World War II turned to ration-era recipes, learning how limited resources shaped daily life. One surprise hit? A cake made with mayonnaise as a substitute for eggs and oil. “Everyone grossed out at first,” said one learner, “but—it was actually pretty dope!”
Now shifting from war to the effects of war, learners are exploring the Reconstruction Era, including the significance of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, and examining how the country rebuilt socially, politically, and economically.
For the World War II group, the focus has moved to rebuilding Europe, the formation of the United Nations, the impact of the GI Bill, and what was happening on the homefront in America during those transformative years.
The Social Studies Lab also supports learner-led exploration, and some learners are branching out into personal areas of interest. A few are looking further into The Great Depression by exploring its causes, the lives of families during that time, and how the New Deal reshaped the nation. Another learner is taking a deep dive into world geography, asking questions like “How many countries are there?” and exploring their locations, names, and surrounding bodies of water.
From hands-on projects to learner-driven passion topics, the Social Studies Lab is proving that history isn’t just something in the past—it’s something you can taste, map, question, and bring to life every day.
Orientation
It’s hard to believe the end of the school year is already here! The endorsement project we launched last month continues to gain momentum—learners are recognizing the Norris Practices in real-world contexts and actively seeking opportunities to acknowledge them.
We continue to welcome new learners into our community, and the journey of discovering who we are—and who we are becoming—never stops. This month, we’re taking time to reflect not only on how we see the Norris Practices in action, but also to express gratitude for the path that brought us here.
We are fortunate to be part of a community learning ecosystem that offers a unique and meaningful presence in the lives of learners. This spring, we’re focusing on being intentional—recognizing, celebrating, and honoring the growth we’ve shared.
Happy Spring!
Library
We are thrilled to welcome Vinnie as our second-ever Library Intern! He’ll be joining our team this spring with a focus on inventory management and tutorial creation. Vinnie brings a strong passion for reading, writing, and community advocacy—an excellent foundation for supporting learners in this role.
The library team—including Brooks, Katie, and others—looks forward to collaborating with him throughout the season.
Check out our library catalog and digital resources on Destiny Discover!
IBL
As we move through this part of the school year, Interest-Based Learning opportunities are in full swing—and many have become regular favorites! Learners are diving into the activities they enjoy, and it’s inspiring to see their curiosity grow as they explore new ideas and experiences.
Here’s a look at some of the awesome activities from this month:
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Week of Service: Water Sample Testing
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PeaceTracks
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Pet Store ELO
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Dungeons & Dragons Club (D&D)
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Adventure Ed Climbing
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ELOs to Parks and Natural Spaces
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ELO to the Civil War Museum
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Civil War and WWII Cooking
As we approach the end of the regular school year, remember: stay curious, stay excited, and never stop exploring the things that spark your creativity and sense of wonder!
The Navigator's Corner
This month was interesting! Learners kicked off a podcast project—writing scripts during orientation and recording in the studio. One learner is learning to play Bon Jovi on the guitar, while another is diving into Nirvana. Over in the hydroponic farm, there’s a wild mix of plants growing. I’ve connected with the support team at Fork Farms to learn more about its proper use and maintenance.
Several learners have shown interest in the garden, and we’ve already started pulling weeds and adding fresh organic matter. Garlic chives and strawberries are starting to pop up, and we’re planning to expand a bed just for perennial herbs.
We’ve also been working on some Cricut projects with a few learners who are developing business plans to sell their creations. In the studio, productivity is high with lots of hip hop and low-end beats being made.
Looking ahead, we’ve got archery sessions and a basketball tournament coming up in May—plus a Loose Meat/Sloppy Joe sandwich competition in early May. It’s shaping up to be a fun and flavorful finish to the year!
Norris Academy Virtual School (NAVS)
Meet Stacy
My name is Stacy Klein, and I’m excited to introduce myself as the newest member of the Norris team, joining as a Learning Design Specialist. Beginning this fall, I’ll be working with learners at Learn MKE North, Learn MKE South, and NAVS.
I bring over 30 years of experience in education, having served in a variety of roles including teaching, mentoring, and instructional coaching. I’m truly looking forward to becoming part of the Norris community and connecting with both staff and learners in the coming months.
Can’t wait to get started and collaborate with you all!
Let's get to know Stacy...
What's a fun fact about yourself?
I own well over 1,000 pieces of jewelry (and wear some of it every single day).
What's your favorite TV show genre?
Real life crimes & Crime documentaries.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Teleportation - so I could see my oldest more often (He lives in AZ).
What are your professional goals?
To do what I truly feel is best for learners every single day.
What's a valuable piece of advice you've received?
If it’s not going to matter 3 years from now, it’s not worth worrying about - Don’t sweat the small stuff - Life is precious, take the time to enjoy it.
What are your preferred communication styles?
I love to talk - text, email, in-person are the best ways to contact me.
What's a skill or strength you bring to the team?
Flexibility - I’m pretty laid back most of the time and can easily go with the flow.
What was your initial impression of the team and the Norris School District culture?
First impressions were that the team was really chill and welcoming. I loved how laid back and welcoming everyone was. I immediately felt at ease and knew this was a place I wanted to become a part of.
What aspects of the Norris School District culture stand out to you?
The sense of community/family and how everyone is equally valued - It is truly a unique and special place.
What has been your biggest highlight since joining?
Professionalism - Everyone smiles and seems to truly enjoy being here. That isn’t always the case, especially in education today. For the first time in quite a while, I wake up excited to come to work. I absolutely love and am impressed by how everyone is treated here - as professionals. This is something that I believe leads to a healthy work environment, and I am loving every aspect of Norris so far.
Bakari
The Bakari learners closed out the month of April with a powerful theatrical performance! In collaboration with Mack from Mack Productions and WCS, learners worked together to create and star in an original production titled: “I Would Rather Be on Facebook Than Read a Book!”
This thought-provoking play explores how social media and technology increasingly dominate our lives, consuming our time and attention—often at the expense of the joy and enrichment found in reading printed texts.
We’re proud of the creativity, collaboration, and reflection the Bakari learners brought to this project, and we wish them all the best in their performance!
Mindful Minute
You can incorporate mindfulness into your day by taking a few intentional pauses to focus on your breathing, surroundings, or a current activity without distraction. For example, during a morning walk, instead of scrolling through your phone or rushing through, you might focus on the rhythm of your steps, the feeling of the air, and the sounds around you. This simple practice helps anchor individuals in the present moment, reducing stress and increasing awareness.
Artventure
Hello Artventure Community!
April – Spring into Creativity
April was a month of growth, exploration, and creative expression here at Artventure! As spring blossomed outside, our learners bloomed inside, combining collaborative work with personal artistic pursuits.
Cross-Curricular Creativity
This month, Artventure collaborated with Math and Social Studies, offering learners a chance to make real-world connections through art. Learners used the Artventure space not just for structured projects, but also as a creative retreat, where they could take breaks and pursue their own artistic ideas.
Some highlights from the month included:
Ceramic Creations: Learners crafted beautiful pieces using our new ceramic molds, showcasing their skills and imagination.
Ukulele Progress: Many continued to assemble and personalize their ukuleles, bringing music and art together in vibrant ways.
Shop Projects: Exciting work from the shop rolled in, including one learner’s incredible outdoor cat house—painted and personalized with great care and creativity!
Hands-on Science: Building Greenhouses
Towards the end of April, we shifted focus to Science, where learners engaged in an exciting project: building greenhouses. Using materials like popsicle sticks, black paper, and tape, learners designed and constructed their own mini-greenhouses. Their goal? To see whose creation could reach the hottest temperature! It’s been an amazing opportunity for learners to blend design thinking with scientific experimentation.
Looking Ahead: Spring Art Gala
As we move into May, learners are hard at work creating pieces for our Spring Art Gala, which will be held May 27–30, with a special showcase on May 28. We can’t wait to see the incredible works they will present—and we hope to see you there to celebrate their creativity and accomplishments!
Thank you for supporting our learners as they continue to grow, imagine, and create.
Happy Spring!
Mark Your Calendar
5/9 Loose Meat Sandwich Competition
-Learners and staff will team up to make sandwiches and compete for the winning title
5/12-16 Week of Service: Mother's Day Gifts for Women's Shelters
5/22 T3 Learner Showcase
5/23 Spirit Day: Tie Dye Day
5/26 No School: Memorial Day
5/27 Class of 2025 Graduation
5/28 Trimester 3 Ends
5/29-30 Flexible Learning Opportunity
5/2 Summer Intersession Begins
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