Norris News

The new year is off to an exciting and productive start across the Norris School District! Learners throughout the district have jumped back into learning with energy, curiosity, and creativity. Labs are buzzing with hands-on, cross-curricular experiences that connect reading, writing, math, science, social studies, the arts, and real-world problem solving. From building strong arguments in writing and applying math to history and strategy games, to exploring science through investigation and design, learners are engaging deeply and growing their skills in meaningful ways. Alongside academic learning, learners are discovering new interests, giving back to their communities, and building confidence through interest-based learning, creative projects, and collaborative experiences. As we move further into the year, we’re excited to continue celebrating learner growth and sharing the many ways our district bring learning to life every day.

More Than Just a "Good Vibe”

By: Maurice

Science class is far more than just a room with a good vibe; it is a workshop where ideas come to life through the thrill of Derby Car Racing. In this challenge, every learner became a lead engineer by diving deep into the world of physics to master the secrets of velocity and acceleration.

Learners of all types had to take the time to understand what velocity was and understand how to measure how far their car has gone. The learners had to calculate precisely how wide, tall, and long they wanted their cars to be. First, they had to draw a figure of their car onto a piece of paper. They had to choose between the option of freehand drawing the car or tracing their image onto a chunk of wood. Secondly, they had to go into the workshop and use the cutting machines to cut out their car. Learners then had to sand their car down with sandpaper. Afterwards, they had to choose between painting their car or leaving it plain. Lastly, they had to drill holes in their chunk of wood and add wheels onto the car, and now it will be ready for the Pinewood Derby.

Ryan stated, “This is always one of my favorite learning opportunities because learners get to build their own custom car and learn a ton of physics while still having tons of fun.”

Ultimately, the Pinewood Derby is about more than just which car crosses the finish line first. It is a celebration of hard work, mathematical precision, and creative engineering. When the day comes for the race, learners will get together to see who has the fastest car and be the winner, but everyone will become a winner too because the learners walk away with something much faster than a wooden racer, a real-world understanding of the physics that move our world.

📚ELA

This week, English language arts learners were invited to take a position on an issue and defend it with evidence. Argumentative writing can be one of the most challenging genres for writers of any age; however, our learners approached the task with curiosity and persistence. After exploring how strong arguments are constructed, they crafted an argumentative paragraph—sometimes called a persuasive paragraph—to clearly explain and support their viewpoints. Two examples discussing the pros and cons of energy drinks are included below.

Energy Drinks

by Sofia

Energy drinks are bad for you because they can cause heart issues, like changing how your heart cells function. Energy drinks can cause your heart to beat faster or in an irregular manner. You can compare this to sprinting without a warm up . These changes can cause serious heart conditions.

Energy drinks contain caffeine. Caffeine is a diuretic. Diuretic causes you to pee more, making you have less water in your body, leading to dehydration.

Energy drinks can actually cause insomnia, primarily from high doses of caffeine, which blocks the sleep promoting chemical adenosine and disrupts the body's circadian rhythms.

End Notes: CDC School Nutrition

Energy Drinks

by Anonymous

Energy drinks are good for you because if you have a dangerous job and you have no sleep an energy drink will wake you up. They help you focus when feeling sleep deprived. They keep you alert when something happens. Energy drinks can improve your athletic system. They can give you heart problems when you drink too much, that’s why you drink a little a day. It dehydrates you and makes you pee. That’s why you drink water after you drink an energy drink. They’re good because they give you awareness at your job or sports. Do not listen to the bad things people say about these drinks. What you drink can effect you, so be advised to drink carefully.

End Notes: Results Physiotherapy/ResultPT.com

📊Mathematics

In math, learners are bringing their social studies knowledge to life by exploring the Great Wall of China through a mathematical lens. Learners calculated how many guards would be needed to protect the wall and then put their strategic thinking to the test in a dice-based challenge to see who could build the most wall. This kind of integrated learning helps learners see how math connects to the real world—and makes it a lot more fun along the way.

Our older middle school and high school learners are diving into a hands-on stations activity focused on the history, purpose, and practical applications of the Pythagorean Theorem. Rather than memorizing formulas, learners are exploring why the theorem matters and how it shows up in everyday problem-solving. Up next: probability—which means more games, more strategy, and more opportunities for learners to learn by doing.

🔬Science

This month, learners explored topics in genetics, energy within ecosystems, and physics. They conducted a population study to examine variations in dominant and recessive genes and investigated ecosystems around the world to understand how energy is transferred to keep them thriving.

We are now preparing for our Pinewood Derby race. Learners are applying their knowledge of physics to investigate, design, and calculate the most effective vehicle structure in hopes of achieving the fastest time down the ramp.

📜Social Studies

In Social Studies, learners are staying up to date with current events from around the country and the world, leading to lots of great classroom discussions. In honor of Black History Month, we’ll spend time at each lab learning about influential Black scholars, scientists, and important historical figures.

Our younger learners are finishing up their Ancient Civilizations unit and will celebrate by preparing and tasting a few fun food items together. After that, they’ll move on to learning about structures of government and some basic economics.

Older learners have wrapped up Westward Expansion and will briefly review the Civil War before diving into Reconstruction, the Gilded Age, and the Progressive Era. Along the way, they’ll connect what they’re learning to current events and explore how laws from these time periods still affect us today.

🔍Orientation

We had a couple weeks with no new learners, but this month we’re starting to see new faces again! It’s so much fun to watch learners conquer challenges they didn’t think they could handle and find a place where they can be comfortable.

📖Library

This month is Love Your Library month - be sure to stop in and visit your local public library! We are super excited to participate in the NCTE’s (National Council of Teachers of English) African American Read In event with Mychal Threets on Thursday, February 12th. Mychal will share his journey of library joy and mental health as well as answering questions from learners across the country.

Check out our library catalog and digital resources on Destiny Discover!

Below is an example of the kind of cross‑curricular learning we strive to cultivate at Norris School District. This expository essay began in Ashley's social studies lab as a research project, where the learners investigate historical topics and gather evidence. The work then continues in English language arts with Mr. Dominic, who supports learners in shaping that research into clear, well‑organized pieces of writing that meet ELA competencies.

Learners write in every academic area, and these authentic opportunities to apply their skills across subjects strengthen both their content knowledge and their writing craft. When learners see how their thinking transfers from one discipline to another, they build confidence, independence, and a deeper understanding of the material. The piece below reflects that kind of meaningful, connected learning.

The History of the Rave/Eagles Club

I. F. G.

The Rave was built in Milwaukee between 1925 and 1927. It was known back then as the Eagles Club. The club was designed by Russell Williams. It was opened to the public in September 1927. Also, it was so big it was the Fraternal Order of Eagles national headquarters. Before the building was built around 118 years ago, the owners wanted to call it The Order of Goodfellows, but never ended up doing so.

The building has many historic elements. The primary reason that it is still there is because of that. The whole building is 180,000 thousand square feet. It is 4 to 5 stories tall plus a basement. The original use for this club house was for members to chill and hang out. It had a 70 x 50 foot swimming pool, a two-story gymnasium, a bowling alley, a barber shop, a restaurant, a radio station, and the main ballroom. It can hold up to about 11,000 people.

There are a whole lot of ghost stories about The Rave. A girl died in the 1940s in the pool. Supposedly, people still hear her screaming to this day. People also hear noises like water moving despite the fact that there is no water in the pool. Jeffery Dahmar found his first murder victim at The Rave. Dahmar brought him to the Ambassador Hotel, room 213. Dahmar was not charged with this murder because there was not enough evidence to prove it.

There are also many legends. Back in 1959, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper played one of their last shows at the Eagles Club. All three of them died in a plane crash. Big Bopper, Ritchie Valens, and Buddy Holly are the shadow people. People say they see Shadow Men in the club. Another myth is that there is a chair in the middle of the pool. When you move it, it moves itself back into the middle of the pool.

There were plenty of people that played at The Rave, including Lil Dirk, Mac Miller, and Lil Baby. Everyone that performs there has written their name in the basement. There is a creepy note in the basement. The note that has creeped out a lot of people was by Mac Miller. It said, "I am Mac Miller and I once lived. Now I am dead and my soul remains here.”

2026 is off to a busy and productive start at LearnMKE/NAVS. After returning from winter break, our learners jumped right back into action by completing their mid-year diagnostics in both reading and math. We’re thrilled to share that many demonstrated significant growth in one or both areas. Watching their excitement and pride as they recognized their own progress was truly inspiring.

We also welcomed published author Andrew Drasen for an impactful guest visit. Andrew shared his powerful personal story—how poor choices in his youth led to incarceration, and how he ultimately transformed his life. He spoke candidly about the dangers of peer pressure and substance use, and most importantly, about hope, resilience, and redemption. His message resonated deeply with our learners, showing them that one’s past does not define one’s future. We are incredibly thankful for Andrew’s honesty, generosity, and the signed copies of his books that he gifted to our learners.

Financial literacy continued to be a major focus this month with Coach Erica returning to lead another engaging session. Learners explored topics such as saving, budgeting, the risks of credit card debt, and the basics of investing. Although Coach Erica has been busy traveling through the Maldives and Dubai, we were fortunate to have her join us again this month—and we can’t wait to hear about her adventures when she returns on February 5th!

In math, our learners have been diving deep into fractions, decimals, percentages, and ratios. Through a variety of hands-on activities, they practiced applying these concepts in real-world scenarios. A highlight of this unit was a grocery shopping scavenger hunt, where learners used their math skills to make smart choices and analyze prices—a fun and practical way to connect learning to everyday life.

Most recently, our learners had a wonderful opportunity to give back to the community through volunteering with St. Vincent de Paul. Alongside their advisors, they gathered at All People’s Church, spending the morning assembling sandwiches and bag lunches for distribution to warming shelters across Milwaukee. It was a meaningful experience that built connections between our learners and community members alike. Plans are already underway for ongoing partnerships with St. Vincent de Paul, All People’s Church, and St. Ann's, and we’re excited about future volunteer projects that will allow us to continue serving our community together.

New year, new interest-based learning—plus a few fan favorites!
January was full of creativity, exploration, and hands-on fun. Learners had the opportunity to dive into a wide range of Interest-Based Learning (IBL) activities, blending fresh experiences with programs they already love.

New year highlights included:

• Hydroponic farm setup

• Lego Masters challenges

• Electronics experiments

• Wood burning

• Westward Quest

• Seed starting and planting

• Guitar tuning basics

And of course, some classics made a return:

• Writing workshops

• Role-Playing Club

• Personal Finance with Coach Erica

From building and creating to exploring passions and practical skills, January set the tone for an exciting year of learning driven by curiosity and choice.

Mondays are all about cooking!

Learners are building both culinary and life skills through hands-on experiences in the kitchen. They’ve practiced kitchen safety, chopping vegetables, flash freezing, and following recipes.

Favorites so far include homemade battered fried shrimp, spicy rice with andouille sausage, pico de gallo/salsa, and baking. Learners made both gluten-free black bean brownies and classic boxed brownies (with extra chocolate chips, of course). On grilled cheese day, they experimented with different breads and cheeses while comparing healthier options to fan favorites.

Creativity was on full display during pancake day, featuring a Mickey Mouse pancake and fun toppings like blueberries and chocolate chips. Learners have also explored simple kitchen hacks, including making omelets in freezer bags using boiling water and trying our “boxed but better” recipes, which turn mixes into upgraded brownies and cookies.

Throughout these activities, learners are practicing measuring, cracking eggs, reading directions, kitchen safety, cleaning, and patience. These engaging experiences allow learners to earn culinary elective credit while gaining valuable skills they will use well into the future.

Hard to believe that it's already February, yet here we are! Learners have been doing all sorts of engaging activities and participating in multitudes of learning opportunities. We have planted seeds in soil, all which was purchased from a local greenhouse (Thomas Greenhouse.) The greenhouse personnel welcomed our learners' questions and gave us tips on growing plants. We have started up the hydroponic farm again and will be germinating seeds to plant in there.

There has been a massive uptick in learning how to play the drums, and we got some new shiny cymbals for the drum kit. We also have had learning experimenting with piano and utilizing Midi inputs to make music.

We snuck a climbing session in there as well, and the response was, as the youths say, "off the chain." They liked it. We liked it. Conquering a fear of heights and developing trust for the people suspending them off the ceiling can be a challenge for some of our Learners, and many of them faced their fears head on and built rapport with the belay team.

We look forward to our Soup Cook-off on February 24th and many other fun activities and learning opportunities we have coming up.

The new year began with excitement and positive energy as learners returned to the Artventure space ready to create. January was a time of reconnecting with ongoing projects, exploring new ideas, and setting the tone for a creative year ahead.

✨ New Year, New (and Continuing) Creations

Many learners were eager to jump back into projects they began in December, showing renewed focus and motivation as they added details and brought their ideas closer to completion. It was wonderful to see their commitment and pride in continuing their creative journeys.

At the same time, other learners embraced a new challenge by working with clay to create slab mugs. These projects quickly turned into imaginative, recognizable designs—most notably a playful and fun SpongeBob’s house–inspired mug that brought smiles and laughter to the art room.

❄️ Looking Ahead

January set a strong foundation for the months to come, blending creativity, craftsmanship, and enthusiasm. As we move into the sweet month of February, we’re excited to see how learners continue to grow, experiment, and express themselves through art.

Here’s to a year filled with inspiration, creativity, and endless possibilities!

Informational Notice to Parents and Guardians Regarding Right to Access Records Regarding Employee Discipline

State law requires the School District to provide this informational notice to parents and guardians on an annual basis. No response is required. The Norris School District is subject to the Wisconsin Public Records Law (WPRL). By submitting a request to the Executive Director that sufficiently describes the records being sought, parents, guardians, and other members of the public may request access to District records under the WPRL. Fees authorized by law may apply. The District individually evaluates and responds to records requests as required by law. Under the WPRL, governmental records are presumed to be open to public inspection and copying, but there are exceptions. A public records request may encompass records regarding school employee discipline. A requester often has a right to inspect or copy such employment-related records. However, the WPRL does apply some special District processing procedures to such records, and, in some situations, such records or portions of such records are not disclosable. See, for example, Wis. Stat. § 19.36(10)(b), §19.356(2)(a)1, and §19.356(9). The WPRL is codified in Subchapter II of Chapter 19 of the Wisconsin Statutes.

Attention Parents: Need help with food for your child over the summer?

Summer EBT: If your child(ren) qualify for free or reduced price meals this school year, they are also eligible to receive Summer EBT benefits for this upcoming summer. Summer EBT provides funds for each eligible child to help with costs of food during the summer months. To learn more about this program, go to: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/sebt/index.htm

To update your contact information, or to opt out of receiving these benefits, visit Summer EBT Benefit Management.

This institution is an equal opportunity Provider.

Online Safety Tips for Parents

The best way parents can protect children online is through creating and maintaining open lines of communication. Prepare your children for the online world as you would the real world. Talk to them about dangers and risks online, as well as their online activity, including the websites they are visiting, the people they are communicating with, the information they are posting about themselves, and any situations that make them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused. The Wisconsin ICAC Task Force offers a variety of online safety resources for parents and caregivers. Additional resources can be found on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s website https://www.missingkids.org/theissues/sextortion.

Why did the computer go to school?

To get smarter by the byte.

14 Kristy

2/14 Valentine's Day

2/27 Spirit Day: Flip the Fit

Learners are encouraged to dress like staff members, while staff will be dressing like learners.

2/23-27 Week of Service: Little Library Construction

Learners will be constructing and decorate “Little Libraries” to put around town.

Supporting Learners, Strengthening Community

Norris Cares, founded in 2023 by Norris School District staff, was created to meet the growing needs of learners in our community. Many learners face challenges such as food insecurity, unstable housing, and limited access to essentials like clothing and hygiene products. These hardships can make it difficult for them to focus on school, stay engaged, and believe in their potential.

We believe every learner deserves the opportunity to thrive—academically, socially, and personally. Meeting their basic needs allows learners to concentrate on learning, build confidence, and fully engage. Access to meals, warm clothing, and supplies not only supports their well-being but also fosters dignity, stability, and belonging.

The need in our community is great, and Norris Cares cannot meet it alone. We depend on the generosity of individuals, businesses, and community partners to make a difference. Monetary and physical donations—whether food, clothing, or hygiene products—are used exclusively to support learners and are distributed equitably based on need.

Your support directly impacts learners’ lives and strengthens our entire community.

For questions or to donate, contact:
Amber Ehrmann, Community Liaison
aehrmann@norrisacademywi.org

Together, we can uplift our learners and build a brighter future.

The Norris School District wants 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/.

https://www.norrisacademywi.org/learners-families/calendar.cfm

Please use the online absence form if your learner will not be attending school on any given day due to illness, vacation, personal leave, or another reason.

Click Here: https://tinyurl.com/onlineabsenceform

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

Norris School District prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. The notice of nondiscrimination is located at https://www.norrisacademywi.org/