Dear Norwood Families,

I hope everyone enjoyed thier weekend! April showers bring May flowers! Spring is definetely here. We have some excitement happening at Norwood School as usual!

We had such a busy March! Thank you to everyone who participated in the Read-a-thon! We had spirit days and Math Night. Our Outdoor Classroom space is open! The Pilgrim football team came and read to our students and we played our first Special Olympics Unified Basketball game! Thank you to everyone who particiapted and support our Basketball and Cheerleading teams.

We have officially moved into Trimester 3, the final Trimester of this school year. The year has gone by so fast! We have some spirit days planned again this month. I will be representing Norwood School and Warwick in the Dancing with the Stars of Mentoring Fundraising Gala on April 11th. The day befpre we will be doing a Barbie and Ken themed day. I let the student pick the songs I will dance to. They picked Dance the Night by Dua Lipa from the Barbie Movie and Levitating by Dua Lipa.

Students met thier goal for the American Heart Association Fundraiser so on April 11th they will be Duct Tapping Mr. Pelletier to the wall! I was up thier in 2019. He gets to join the fun.

RICAS testing has started. The students will completely the English Langugae Arts test first. Math will start at the end of the month. We are so proud of our students and know they will do great!

There is no school April 14th - the 18th for Spring Recess. We will see students back on April 21st. Happy Easter to those who celebrate!

Norwood School is top in the school district for attendance! It is important students come to school ready to learn everyday. Thank you for getting in and doing so. If students are sick we do advise they stay home. We have an Attendance Matters at Norwood School Social Media campaign. Check it out!

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

Please consult our school handbook.

April 1 - Report Cards Distributed

April 1 - April Fool's Day

April 2nd - Autism Awareness Day - -wear blue

April 1 & 2 - Grade 5 RICAS ELA 1 & 2

April 3 - Texas Roadhouse Dine-Out

April 3 & 4 - Grade 3 RICAS ELA 1 & 2

April 9 & 10 - Grade 4 RICAS ELA 1 & 2

April 10 - Barbie & Ken Day

April 11 - Duct Tape Mr. Pelletier Event

April 11 - Dr. Antonelli Dancing with the Stars of Mentoring

April 14-18 Spring Recess

April 15 - Texas Roadhouse Dineout

April 16 - Family Finance Workshop from Navigant Credit Union 6pm @ Warwick Public Library

April 18 - Good Friday

April 19 - 5th Grade Car Wash @ 10am Pilgrim Senior Center

April 20- Easter Sunday

April 22 - 5th Grade tour of Vets

April 23 - 5th Grade Trip to the State House

April 23 - PTA Meeting @ 6:30pm

April 23 - Title I Spring Advisory Meeting 6pm @ Warwick Public Library

April 29 - AA classes Field Trip to Roger Williams Zoo

April 29 & 30 - Grade 4 RICAS Math 1 & 2

Warwick Schools District Calendar

1. Mental Health Support for Families. National PTA helps parents and caregivers guide youth to develop critical life skills that will allow them to reach their full potential and thrive. Use National PTA's Healthy Minds resources to to make mental health a focus in your school community.

2. Wondering When Your Child is Ready for a Device?

   Don't let your kids navigate the digital world alone. Learn more about safety and digital citizenship for kids through Ready, Tech, Go!

3. It’s Time to Talk Screen Time with Your Teen. To help with these discussions, our YouTube and the American Psychological Association are releasing a new parent guide, with evidence-based recommendations to support teens’ healthy video-viewing habits across platforms and services. Read more.
4. Talking Tech Shouldn't Be Difficult. The Smart Talk helps parents have open and honest conversations with their kids about using technology. Learn more.
5. New TikTok Supervision Tools for Families. TikTok has introduced Family Pairing updates to support parents and help teens build balanced digital habits. New features include Time Away to block TikTok access, visibility to followers and blocked accounts and a wind down reminder to be mindful of the time.
6. National PTA is committed to helping families support their child's literacy development and encourage a love of reading. Studies show that a parent’s understanding of each element at play in their child’s school reading life supports student growth. Learn how to encourage a love of reading in your family at PTA.org/FamilyReading.

Building a strong foundation for your child's health and academic success starts with developing healthy eating habits at home and at school. Start the day with a nutritious breakfast—use our handy checklist to ensure your kids are fueling their bodies and minds with protein, whole grains, healthy fats, fruits or veggies and plenty of water. Involving your kids in meal planning and preparation can also make a big difference in their nutrition and overall well-being.

By making healthy meals a priority and advocating for healthy school meals, you’re not only supporting your child’s growth but setting them up for long-term success.

Growing Great Readers

We talked with Dr. Rebecca Silverman, professor at Stanford University, to learn how we can raise lifelong readers. She offered strategies for fostering a love of reading and guidance on what you should expect from your child at each age.

PTA Staff Share Their Favorite Books

5 Ways To Build Your Child’s Library

The Benefits and Joys of Family Reading

5 Ways To Teach Your Kids News Literacy

What’s the Difference Between Disinfecting and Cleaning at Home?

Eat Food that Supports Good Mood and Attention

Traveling can be exhausting and dehydrating, especially if you're spending time in the sun. If your spring break travels take you anywhere warm, encourage the family to drink plenty of water throughout the day, and avoid sugary drinks that can lead to dehydration.

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/