Wednesday's Words

Dear Families,

Last year, we introduced a new format for spring parent-teacher conferences, and we will continue with this approach this year. As educational partners, Norfolk teachers maintain regular communication with parents through email and phone conversations to share important updates. Additionally, educators provide detailed narrative report card comments that highlight each student’s strengths and areas for growth. These report cards, along with teacher narratives, offer valuable insights into a child’s progress. Because of this, a spring conference may not be necessary for every student.

This year, the district will continue with the revised format for spring conferences:

Report cards will be made available to parents on the afternoon of March 21st through the district iparent system.
Spring conferences will be offered on the afternoons of March 25th and 27th between the hours of 12:45 and 3:30.

If a parent/guardian is unable to attend an in person conference, teachers will offer a virtual conference option.

If a teacher feels a conference is necessary, they will reach out to parents individually during the last week of February to schedule an appointment.

Teachers may wish to schedule a conference for a variety of reasons, including updating parents on an area that has shown significant growth, or to follow up on topics that were discussed in the fall.

Parents should not be overly concerned if their child’s teacher asks to meet with them.

If a parent does not receive an invitation by Friday, March 7th, but would like to meet with their child’s teacher, they should email the teacher by Tuesday, March 11th.

Teachers will schedule appointments on the parent conference days with any parent who has requested a conference.

If your child’s teacher does not feel the need to meet with you in person, you can rest assured that your child is making steady progress in all aspects of the grade level and is on track to meet all of the end of year benchmarks.

School and District Report Cards

Every year, each public school and school district in Massachusetts receives a report card. Just as your child’s report card shows how they are doing in different subjects, the school’s report card is designed to show families how our school is doing in different areas. Links to our school’s report cards are available on our website (NPS Website Link) or on the Massachusetts Department of Education website at:

Freeman Kennedy 2024 School Report Card

H. Olive Day 2024 School Report Card

This is a link to a Quick Facts and Glossary information flier. You can also access our report card or any other school’s report cards through this link: reportcards.doe.mass.edu.

About the Report Card: The report card includes multiple measures of a school’s performance – more than just MCAS scores. It represents a new way of looking at school performance by providing information on student achievement, teacher qualifications, student learning opportunities, and more.

Report cards are designed to be useful tools for everyone connected to our school. Families can use the information to have meaningful conversations with us about what the school is doing well and where there is room for improvement. Community and education leaders can use the information to better understand how to support students and our school. Please note that our report cards have some fields that are blank because we do not service Middle and High School students.

Last year, a new measure called Overall Classification was introduced to the Accountability section of the report cards. An accountability system brings together a set of measures in order to provide clear, actionable information about district and school performance. In Massachusetts, accountability outcomes are determined by factors such as student performance on state tests, chronic absenteeism, high school graduation rates, and completion of advanced coursework. The Overall Classification portion of this Accountability section measures a district's progress toward targets set by the state. The districts are then placed into two categories: requiring assistance or intervention or not requiring assistance or intervention. As the chart indicates, Norfolk is making “substantial progress toward targets” and therefore does not require assistance or intervention from the state.

Digital Literacy Curriculum: I do want to bring to your attention that if you click on the tab that states “What academic opportunities are available to our students,” you will notice that the graphs under Digital Literacy and Computer Science are blank. Please know that we do teach digital literacy to students. It is not currently represented under the Course Offering tab because, unlike middle and high schools, our digital curriculum is not a stand-alone course. Starting in Kindergarten, we integrate digital literacy lessons into our curriculum. Our Integration Specialists partner with teachers on projects in the classroom and students are taught various computer science skills, like coding, during “tech time” in their classrooms. Students in grades 3 to 6 also have lessons in the makerspace where they get opportunities to use various tools to collaborate, create and innovate on projects as well. At the elementary level, the most effective way for students to use technology is to incorporate it thoughtfully into their current learning objectives. This model allows students to become creators and critical thinkers, not just consumers of technology.

Highlights of 2024/2025 school year action steps taken by the Norfolk Public Schools:

1. Data-Driven Literacy and Math Support Within MTSS

Strong Progress Monitoring in Literacy and Math: Norfolk Public Schools uses research-based tools like Acadience to track student progress, guide targeted interventions, and adjust instruction as needed.
Targeted Support for Students: Grade-level teams analyze student data to identify areas of need and group students into intervention groups for personalized instruction.

2. Implementing a Science of Reading-Aligned ELA Program

Norfolk Public Schools has adopted a new ELA program that provides explicit instruction in grammar, spelling, and phonics, ensuring a strong literacy foundation.
The curriculum follows a spiral approach, reinforcing and expanding literacy skills across grade levels for deeper understanding and retention.
Teachers receive ongoing professional development to implement the program effectively, ensuring students are actively engaged in learning.

3. Conducting a Full Math Program Review for Future Adoption

Norfolk Public Schools is conducting a comprehensive math program review to ensure the curriculum meets the needs of all learners, guiding the district’s plan to adopt a new core math program for the 2025-2026 school year with a focus on high-quality instructional materials.

4. Enhancing Science Instruction Through STEM and Interdisciplinary Learning

Interdisciplinary and Hands-On Learning: Strengthening connections between science, literacy, and math to leverage interdisciplinary learning in order to deepen conceptual understanding.
Technology and Engineering Integration: Balancing digital and hands-on tools for interactive lab experiences and piloting YES Units from the Museum of Science in Grades 2 and 3, with plans to expand to additional grades next year to enhance STEM instruction.

Parents/Guardians are essential partners in the success of our students and school, and we deeply appreciate your ongoing support. We encourage our families to get involved and work with us to continue improving our school community. If you have questions about our school’s report card, or would like to become involved in school improvement activities, please contact Victoria Saldana, Assistant Superintendent. A hard copy will be provided upon request.

Sincerely,

Victoria M. Saldana
Assistant Superintendent

Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Norfolk Public Schools
508-528-1225 ext. 1815
vsaldana@norfolk.k12.ma.us

Nick Frazier- 2024 nominee - FMX Technician of the Year Award

2024 FMX Technician of the Year Award

Nick Frazier has been chosen as one of the finalists for the FMX Technician of the Year Award! This award is in honor of the unsung heroes in facilities management. Matt Malneritch, Director of Facilities, and many staff members, nominated Nick Frazier for the 2024 award. With the help of the tech team and a other staff, a video was submitted that highlights our very own Nick - be sure to watch it! The Norfolk Public Schools is very lucky to have Nick - Congratulations!

"Nick has demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, and a relentless work ethic that has far surpassed the expectations of his role." - Matt Malneritch, Director of Facilities

Watch the Nick Frazier Award Nomination Video!

NPS Employment Opportunities

Substitute Nurse Openings

•Valid license to practice as a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse
•Bachelor’s degree preferred
•Minimum of 2 years of employment as an RN or LPN in a relevant clinical nursing setting
Prior experience working in an educational setting is desirable

At least 2 year(s) of relevant experience preferred.
Bachelor degree preferred.
Citizenship, residency or work visa required
Please apply on SchoolSpring

Please click on Employment Opportunities to join our team!

CURRENT OPENINGS:

For more information contact Roxanne Verdeaux, Human Resources @ verdeaux@norfolk.k12.ma.us

Educational Support Personnel
Instructional Assistants Special Education
Extended Day Site Coordinator (SACC) - Grades 3-6
Substitute Nurses (RN)
Substitute Teachers
Food Service Assistants

Calendar Reminders

Monday, February 17-21, 2025 - NO SCHOOL
Mid-Winter Break

Click HERE to register!

SEPAC News

Next Meeting: Tomorrow, Feb 13th @ FK Library/7PM

Our next meeting is this Thursday 2/13 at 7PM at FK Library with special guests Denise Larrabee, Norfolk’s Special Olympics liaison, and Julia Fredette, special education teacher at the Freeman Kennedy, who will be talking with us about Unified Champion Schools (UCS). Join us to learn more about what makes a school a Unified Champion School and the specific UCS activities happening in our district!

Growing Together Fundraiser with PTO

CALLING ALL HIGH ROLLERS!

Join us for an unforgettable Casino Royale night at the Annual Growing Together Fundraiser, hosted by the Norfolk MA PTO & Norfolk SEPAC !

Date: April 5, 2025

General Admission Tickets Go on Sale: February 25, 2025

We’re Raising $10,000 for a Sensory Path at Norfolk Public Schools!

A sensory path provides interactive movement-based activities that help students improve focus, self-regulation, and learning engagement. This is an amazing opportunity to make a real impact in our schools!

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Become a Sponsor! Gain incredible exposure while supporting a great cause. Choose from our Casino Royale sponsorship levels:

High Roller ($1,500+) | Royal Flush ($1,000) | Jackpot ($500) | Ace of Spades ($250) | Lucky 7 ($100)

Get Your Tickets! Don’t miss out on an evening of fun, fundraising, and community spirit.

Act Fast – Sponsorships & Tickets Are Limited!

To Sponsor/register: https://www.norfolksepac.org/event-info/growing-together-casino-royale

Support our students. Strengthen our schools. Let’s make a difference together!

This is an ADULTS ONLY event.

Norfolk PTO

PTO News

Next PTO Meeting:

Wednesday, March 5 at 7pm @ Freeman-Kennedy Library (all are welcome!)

We 💗 Our Volunteers!

The PTO would like to extend a big THANK YOU to our parent/adult volunteers. Well over 100 parents and caregivers volunteer as room parents, at lunch/recess, in the school libraries, and at the various events throughout the year! Thank you for your continued involvement! Interested in volunteering? Please complete the volunteer sign-up form. There are also PTO executive board positions available, including a co-chair and treasurer. Please email norfolkmapto@gmail.com for more information.

Raffle Items Needed for Growing Together Fundraiser on April 5

Raffle items are needed for the upcoming Growing Together fundraiser. Donations of tickets, gift cards, experiences or other items would be much appreciated. If you’re able to donate, please contact Jen Wolff at jen.c.wolff@gmail.com.

Upcoming PTO Events

Join us for Trivia Events in March

We’re excited the share the return of adult and student trivia this year! Here are the details; please click the links to register:

Adult Trivia: “Night at the Movies” on Saturday, March 8 at 7pm
Grade 5 and 6 Trivia: Thursday, March 6 after school
Grade 3 and 4 Trivia: Thursday, March 20 after school

HOD Movie Night | March 21 at 6pm

We’re excited to host a HOD Movie Night for students in Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade! The kids will enjoy pizza, a drink and dessert and then watch a movie with friends. Register here!

CLICK HERE to view the PTO Website