Dear Norwood Families,

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a great break and got to enjoy some down time with loved ones! We are ready to get back to learning! Construction is continuing on our Outdoor Learning Space! Please help us keep it looking beautiful!

Trimester 2 is under way! We are almost half way through the school year. Time is flying! This month students will complete their Middle of the Year Diagnostic in Reading and Math. It is always exciting to see just how much students have learned and grown. Please see below for information on the i-Ready Diagnostic.

We are kicking off rehearsals for our next Disney Musical, Disney's Aladdin Kids! Rehearsals are on Mondays and Wednesdays for cast members only. Student crew will start in February. I can't wait to see what the final performance!

If you missed picture day or want a new picture, Picture Make-up Day is January 9th. Show that Norwood Pride on January 17th with Blue and White or Norwood Gear! January 20th there is no school in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Day.

The end of the month picks up with activities. January 22nd is an assembly from The NED Show. That evening is a Family Paint Night! Be sure to check out Mrs. Kadeck's Newsletter for more information.

On January 23rd 5th grade students will get to see what it is like to play in the band at Vets Middle School. They will be coming to Norwood for a special performance and to talk to 5th graders about the band.

January 27th is the 90th day of school! The halfway mark! Let’s celebrate with a 90's themed day! On January 27th we also welcome storyteller Len Cabral. This is always a fun and engaging experience for students. Can you believe they just sit and intently listen to someone telling a story with just words?

January 28th will be our second student council meeting. This takes place during lunchtime. Looking forward to hearing all the great suggestions students have!

January is National Mentoring Month and I have been asked to participate in Mentor Rhode Island's annual fundraiser. Please see below for more information and donate only if you are able to! Thank you!

Please see below for more information on all activities and events.

Please consult our school handbook.

Mentor Rhode Island has done so much for our students, our school and the Warwick community! They are a wonderful community partner. When they asked if I would be the Warwick Prinicpal representative for thier annual fundrasier, Dancing with the Stars of Mentoring, I couldn't say no!

If you are able consider donating to help support Mentor Rhode Island and all they do for us! Thank you!

Diagnostic Purpose:

Our students will take both the Math and ELA diagnostic on the iReady platform to provide the best diagnostic data to inform instruction and show growth from the beginning of the year. This also students students My Path, thier personalized learning platform.

Testing Windows:

Elementary Window: The window for the diagnostic will be from January 7 - January 31, with makeups happening from February 4 - 14.

Diagnostic Information:

Diagnostic Length: The suggested length of the diagnostic by grade level, according to iReady:

• Grade K - 1: Two 20 to 30 minute sessions

• Grades 2-5: Two 40 to 50 minute sessions

*additional time provided for those students who need it as long as they are engaged.*

Testing will be done in a small group setting.

English Language Learners:

The iReady Math diagnostic is available in Spanish, and the MLL teacher in your building can make the determination for which students can utilize this resource

Classroom teachers can provide more information about specific scheduling time for the diagnostic.

Parent/Guardian Diagnostic Resources

• Purpose of Diagnostic Video (English)

• Purpose of Diagnostic Video (Spanish)

• Data chats for families

January 6th & 8th - Rehersals Start for Disney's Aladdin Kids Cast Rehersals

January 9th - Make-up Picture Day

January 17th - Norwood Pride Day - Wear Blue and White or Norwood Gear!

January 20th - No School in observance of Martin Luther King Day

January 22nd - The NED Show Assembly

January 22nd - Family Paint Night

January 23rd - Vets Band Performance for 5th Grade

January 27th - Len Cabral Assembly

January 27th - 90s Day!

January 28th - Student Council Meeting

Warwick Schools District Calendar

What is a walking school bus?

A walking school bus is a group of children walking to school with one or more adults. If that sounds simple, it is, and that’s part of the beauty of the walking school bus.

Why develop a walking school bus?

Studies show that fewer children are walking and biking to school, and more children are at risk of becoming overweight. Some students struggle to get to school everyday and on time. This is sometimes due to lack of transportation and/or availability. The walking school bus can help evryone get some activity into thier day, build relationships with peers and community members and create a safe and fun way to get to school everyday!

We have created 3 pre-determined routes based on the walkers in our neighborhood. Each route takes 30 minutes or less to get to school. Routes will operate rain or shine.

We need parent volunteers and students safety patrol ambassadors willing to help walk the routes! You can volunteer for one day a week or every day! Support and training will be provided!

We are also looking for students in the neighborhood that walk to school and will be joining our routes or are intretsed in starting to walk to school!

Please complete the forms below to share your intrest! Contact the school with any questions 401-734-3525 or email mark.daiello@warwickschools.org and sabrina.antonelli@warwickschools.org

January Family Engagement Newsletter

1. Keep Kids Safe Online with PTA Connected. Just as we help kids learn how to behave responsibly and respectfully IRL, we can guide them to be mindful about what they do online. Find out more at PTA.org/Connected.
2. Ready, Tech, Go! As technology rapidly evolves, children's connections to the digital world grow more complex. That's why National PTA and AT&T created the PTA Connected: Ready, Tech, Go! program. This program empowers families to make confident, informed decisions about their children's technology use, helping parents navigate the journey of screen readiness with knowledge and purpose. Learn how to implement the program at your school.
3. Living Healthy Lifestyles. Family fitness doesn't have to be boring! Try a new activity together - go rock climbing, take a dance class or try geocaching. Making fitness fun encourages lifelong healthy habits. #HealthyLifestyle.
4. The Smart Talk. Hey parents! The Smart Talk is an online tool that helps kids (ages 5-18) build awesome digital habits. It's like a secret weapon for parents and kids to team up and conquer the digital world together!

Fostering Student Motivation

Fostering motivation is an important part of a teacher’s job. Larry Ferlazzo, veteran high school teacher and Education Week writer, shares his insights on how to motivate students in this episode of Notes from the Backpack. Learn what teachers most want you to know about student motivation and get tips on how to get your child to do their homework, chores and more.

5 Fun Ways to Keep Your Family Active

Learning Grief: 5 Myths About Children’s Grief

Creating a Safe Internet for our Children

It’s officially winter, so it’s time to bundle up! Cold temperatures and snow can cause frostbite. Make sure you dress your children in several layers before sending them outside. Take care to cover their head, neck and hands. Babies and young children should wear one more layer than an adult would wear.

Families, with the start of the 24-25 school year, we ask that you please submit a new meal application form for this year. You may do so through the LINQ Connect portal. Printable applications can be found on the School Meals webpage and will be made available at your child's school. On the School Meals webpage, you can find our meal prices, as well as helpful links with a video how-to and meal application FAQs. https://www.warwickschools.org/page/school-meals

Meal Application English (Printable)

Meal Application Spanish (Printable)

To access community flyers please utilize our existing website, with a new 'Community Updates' page.

Once a week, midweek, WPS will send a push notification to all school families regarding new flyers added to the Community Update page, along with a note to check frequently for up to date updates.

If you have not downloaded the Warwick Public School mobile app, I highly recommend doing so. You must set up your push notification settings to receive important messages from your child's school(s). This 30-second video will show you how to do so.

Title I Family Engagement Policies

Could your family benefit from supplemental food items brought home at the end of each week to provide nutrition to your child over the weekend? Our backpack program ensures your child will be given food items to bring home weekly throughout the school year. This program is only available to currently enrolled Norwood students. Please register your student for the Title I Backpack Food Assistance Program.

Norwood is proud to receive the 2022-2024 National PTA School of Excellence designation!

Congratulations on earning this prestigious designation, which recognizes your incredible work as national leaders in developing strong family-school partnerships

It’s never too late to join the PTA! Signing up for the PTA does not mean you are required to participate. It just means that you are supporting our PTA.

Shop Elite for spirit wear!

Attendance Matters

What is Chronic Absenteeism?

Chronic Absenteeism is a measure of how many students miss a defined number of school days for any reason. Rhode Island defines Chronic Absenteeism as the percentage of students who miss 10% or more school days during the year (or 2 days per month).

Research shows that chronic absenteeism is associated with a number of negative consequences for students, including lower achievement, disengagement from school, course failure, and increased risk of dropping out.

Missing 10% of school or more makes it harder to learn

Please refrain from requesting an early dismissal for your child after 2:45pm. The dismissal process begins at 3:05pm and it becomes very difficult for us to fill an early dismissal request once the process begins.

Students will be marked absent, no matter the reason, if they are not in school.

If the absence is COVID related it will be entered as an excused absence.

In accordance with Rhode Island State Law #16-19-10, Notification of Pupil Absence, the Warwick School Department requires that all parents/guardians call their child’s elementary school on the day that he/she will not be in attendance. We would like to receive all calls by 9:15 in the morning. If you are aware of a pending absence, feel free to call at any time prior to the day of the absence. In the event we do not hear from you, an automated call will be sent at 10:00 a.m. to inform you that your child did not arrive at school.

It is important that the Aspen Family Portal is updated with correct address and contact information. Students can only be released to emergency contacts listed in the Family Portal so please make sure this is updated. You can find more information about the Family Portal on the district website here. Using the WPS Family Portal (PDF) WPS Family Portal (direct link)

Healthy Snacks Letter

Only items under this policy are allowed to be brought to class. Sorry for the inconvience.

Electronic Devices In School

Devices must be turned off and put away during the school day. After the first warning the device will be confiscated and returned at the end of the day. Families will be notified.

Student Dress Code

Please review the attached elementary dress code policy. This policy is a part of the Code of Ethics as well.

Any student whose attire does not meet the requirements of this policy may be asked to remedy the matter by covering, changing, or removing the non-complying clothing, jewelry, or personal
item where appropriate.

Please note repeat infractions to this policy will be noted and parents may receive calls to bring alternate clothing to school if needed.

Thank you for your time and attention to Warwick Public Schools' Dress Code.

Download the WPS App

Warwick keeps the focus on the WPS Vision of a Graduate for all students!

• Please make sure students are dressed appropriately for the weather. If you need help with this please reach out.
• The parking lot for arrival and dismissal hours is a one way loop.
• Please be mindful of the buses, stop signs and the crosswalks.
• Outside toys are not allowed in school including Pokemon cards. We have enough for students to do and games to play!

Dr. Sabrina Antonelli

National Distinguished Principal

Cell: 401- 871-4350

Fax: 401-734-3528

Email: sabrina.antonelli@warwickschools.org
Website: https://norwood.warwickschools.org/o/nee/
Location: 266 Norwood Avenue, Warwick, RI, USA
Phone: 401-734-3525
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wpsnorwoodknights

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/norwood.knight/