Norris News

Welcome to this month’s Norris School District newsletter! As we move through another month of learning, growth, and new opportunities, we are excited to share some of the great things happening throughout our Norris community.

At Norris, we believe learning is about more than what happens in a classroom. It’s about discovering interests, building relationships, developing skills, and creating meaningful connections that help every learner move toward their goals. Through the dedication of our staff, the support of our families, and the strength of our community partnerships, we continue to create opportunities for learners to explore their potential and take ownership of their learning journeys.

We are grateful for the people and partnerships that make our work possible. From everyday learning experiences to unique community connections, each opportunity helps bring our mission to life: Changing Lives Through the Power of Learning.

Take a few minutes to see what our learners and staff have been up to, celebrate the progress being made, and discover what’s coming next. Thank you for being part of the Norris community and for helping us make a difference in the lives of our learners!

📚ELA

Small group instruction has enabled learners to make progress toward better understanding their world through written language. Not only have they been learning the mechanics of writing sentences and comprehending text, but they have also been applying their knowledge to real-life situations. One learner researched how to apply for an apprenticeship and, with instruction, has started writing an application letter. Another learner researched the nutritional needs of various age groups and formulated a meal plan based on those needs. Other learners are receiving the necessary phonics instruction to develop their reading skills. These 1:1 instructional opportunities are essential in helping our learners grow in their ability to make sense of their world through written language.

We have also been incorporating ELA into one class period of ART. During this time, all learners have been determining their goals and formulating a plan to meet them during the next school year. As a special Halloween treat, learners used their deductive reasoning skills to solve a "murder mystery." They examined six suspects and worked to determine a means and motive for the crime. Many learners successfully solved the case!

📊Mathematics

October brought an opportunity to review old concepts and explore the outdoors through math! Our younger learners kicked off the month by mastering fractions with both like and unlike denominators before diving into data and graphing. Later in the month, these learners headed outdoors to collect real-world data on the changing fall foliage, translating their observations into data tables and visual graphs. To take their analysis a step further, learners designed and conducted their own personal surveys to gather and graph their data sets.

Meanwhile, our oldest learners sharpened their algebra skills, focusing on simplifying equations by combining like terms and revisiting graphing and slope-intercept form.

Looking ahead to November, learners are channeling their progress into creating large-scale bar graphs to showcase their work at the upcoming Trimester One Showcase. Stay tuned to see their data come to life!

📖Library

On Tuesday, November 18th, we will livestream the Teens Read the National Book Awards. We are thrilled to offer our learners this opportunity to engage with a national literary arts event.

We have kicked off our monthly Writing Workshops and when learners put their passions into words, it is incredible to see! Our endorsement campaign is still going strong, with learners regularly recognizing our Norris Practices in staff and each other.

Finally, we are excited to promote the Kids Choice Awards, which are a program put on by the Bridges Library System. If a learner in grades 4-6 reads at least 3 of the books on the Kids Choice list, they will be eligible to vote for their favorite. This year, books are available in our library!

Be sure to check out our library catalog and digital resources on Destiny Discover!

A Month of New Beginnings, Growth, and Connection!

Happy first month of fall! October was an exciting and productive month at NAVS-LearnMKE as we continued settling into our new remote southside learning hub, LearnMKE@SMILE. Much of the month was spent unpacking, organizing, decorating, and personalizing our new learning space in preparation for our open house, which marked its official opening. We are excited to begin welcoming learners to LearnMKE@SMILE on a regular basis and look forward to all the opportunities this new space will bring.

A special shout-out goes to Michael, Malachi, Trinity, Serenity, and Laniyah for the time and effort they put into helping prepare and personalize the space. We also extend our sincere thanks to the DPI/T3 grant and S.M.I.L.E. Inc. for their support in making this new chapter possible!

We were also happy to welcome three new learners—Serenity, Chris, and Junior—to our LearnMKE community this month. We are excited to have them join us!

In-Class Activities and Learning Opportunities

Motivational Mondays continued in October, with a continued focus on Eric Thomas and his youth-centered motivational videos. We appreciate the thoughtful discussions and active participation of our in-person learners each week as they reflect on motivation, perseverance, and personal growth.

AchieveMKE continues to be a valuable resource for our learners. Michael and Mario visit every other Tuesday to provide guidance and support. October's topics included looking ahead to college applications and learning how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

TOPS also continued its weekly visits, with Shirley joining us every Wednesday morning. This month's focus was on personal goals and individual wellness. Our learners appreciate her engaging activities and, of course, the fun and delicious snacks she brings each week!

We were excited to welcome DeShanna, a new volunteer, who led her first session with our female learners this month. The session included hands-on activities focused on mental health and wellness. DeShanna plans to continue working with the female learners one Monday each month, providing another meaningful opportunity for connection and personal growth.

Financial Literacy with Coach Erica continued as learners explored checking and savings accounts, how loans work, and how to write checks. They also created savings jars to put their learning into practice! Coach Erica is nearing the end of the course, and we are incredibly grateful for the time, knowledge, and dedication she has shared to help our learners build essential financial skills for the future.

ELO Thursdays: Learning Beyond the Classroom

Our Experiential Learning Opportunity (ELO) Thursdays continued to provide learners with opportunities to build relationships, develop new skills, and learn outside the traditional classroom setting.

• Wick Field: Learners enjoyed an outdoor physical education day at Wick Field. Daishawn had the opportunity to show the boys a few things on the basketball court, and it was great to see everyone getting active, working on their cardio, and putting in some serious effort! The visible sweat was proof that they were working hard and having fun.

• Owen's Place – North: Learners spent time connecting and collaborating in a relaxed, welcoming environment outside of the classroom. Activities included pool, foosball, and basketball, giving everyone a chance to interact, build relationships, and get to know one another better.

• Owen's Place – South: Learners enjoyed Halloween-themed activities and some special treats! It was a fun opportunity to celebrate the season while spending time together and strengthening connections.

Looking Ahead

Trimester 1 is quickly coming to a close! Learners and staff are working hard to wrap up projects, complete competencies, and earn as many credits as possible before the trimester ends. We are proud of the continued effort our learners are putting into their work and look forward to celebrating their accomplishments.

As we settle into our new learning space at LearnMKE@SMILE, we are excited about the possibilities ahead and grateful for the partnerships, volunteers, and community members who continue to support our learners.

Thank you for being part of the NAVS-LearnMKE journey!

The end of Trimester 1 is just a few weeks away! Now is a great time to reflect on your progress and celebrate how far you’ve come.

Are you meeting your personal academic and engagement goals? If so, keep building on the strategies that are working for you! If you’re facing challenges, think about what changes you can make to get back on track.

Remember, every day is an opportunity to learn, grow, and make progress toward your goals. Take time to reflect, make a plan, and finish Trimester 1 strong!

We have been creating art and crafting stories in the Art Room, while music has been made in the studio. Learners are finding their stride in academic pursuits and continuing to develop their skills. We are also working to identify additional opportunities for learners to engage in, including paper mâché, screen printing, tinkering, and clothing repair.

During art labs, learners have had the opportunity to explore their creativity and develop new skills through polymer clay sculpting and bracelet making. Working with clay allows learners to shape, mold, and create unique pieces of art while strengthening their hand muscles and improving fine motor skills. Bracelet making encourages learners to experiment with colors, patterns, and designs while practicing patience, focus, and problem-solving.

Both activities help learners build confidence as they create something of their own and feel proud of their finished work. These hands-on art experiences also support self-expression, encourage imagination, and provide opportunities for learners to make choices and learn from one another. Through clay and bracelet making, learners can develop important skills while enjoying a fun, creative, and rewarding learning experience.

A reminder that the annual Waukesha TAC Transition Fair has moved to the fall this year! Families are invited to attend on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, from 5:00–7:00 PM at the WCTC AJN Conference Center in Pewaukee.

The Transition Fair is a great opportunity for learners and families to connect with community organizations, agencies, and other resources that support life after high school, including education, employment, and adult services.

🪴Newport Healthcare: How to Build a Depression Kit

Need to send a document but don’t have a scanner nearby? Good news: your iPhone can do the job, and it won’t even complain about a paper jam.

1. Open the Notes app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the new note button in the bottom-right corner.
3. Tap the paperclip or camera button above the keyboard.
4. Select Scan Documents.
5. Hold your phone over the document. Your iPhone will usually capture it automatically, or you can tap the white button.
6. Tap Save when you’re finished.

To send your scan, tap the scanned document, tap the Share button, and choose Mail, Messages, or another option.

Helpful tip: Place the document on a flat surface with good lighting for a clearer scan. Your coworkers will thank you for not sending a blurry mystery document!

11/20 Spirit Day: Twin Day

Find a twin (a friend or staff) and coordinate your outfits to "twin."

11/24 Trimester 1 Ends

11/25 Trimester 2 Begins

11/26 Thanksgiving: No School

11/27 Flexible Learning Opportunity: No School (for learners)

November Week of Service: Small Notes, Big Thanks

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/.

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.

Location: W247 S10395 Center Drive Mukwonago, WI 53149
Phone: (262) 662-5911

Email: hello@norrisacademywi.org

Website: https://norrisacademywi.org/

Norris Connects: https://tinyurl.com/NorrisConnects

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/

Copies of Annual notices to parents are available on the district website at https://www.norrisacademywi.org/page/annual-notificationsor by contacting the district office at 1-262-662-5911. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.