Below are the latest District updates regarding our actions in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and planning for a Return to School. Individual school updates should be available via email. If you are not receiving emails please reach out to the main office at your student's school to ensure your email information is up to date.
Resources and links with more information are provided in the left hand side menu.
We will communicate updates regarding COVID-19 to this page as they develop.
Norton Public Schools has been notified that a student at the L.G. Nourse Elementary School has tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, September 20.
Per our established protocol, we have temporarily closed off all areas of the building that the individual used in the past several days so that we can thoroughly clean and disinfect the spaces. We are also in contact with the Norton Board of Health and will take the steps necessary to protect the health of our staff and students. There is also a connection between this positive case and information released by Norton Youth Soccer from participation by Norton students on Saturday, September 19.
The individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 will not be allowed to return to school for at least 10 days. Close Contacts have also been notified and will not return to school until they have been tested (as recommend) and quarantined for 14 days. Students and staff involved will be completing Remote Learning until returning on Monday, October 5.
The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to the regular seasonal influenza and include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. Some have reported additional symptoms, such as a new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, muscle or body aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headache, fatigue, and runny nose when in combination with other symptoms.
Individuals who need medical care should call their medical provider to report their illness prior to seeking care at a clinic, physician’s office, or hospital. Parents of students exhibiting flu-like symptoms or staff exhibiting flu-like symptoms are asked to contact a school nurse, local health authorities or the MA Department of Health.
We are closely monitoring this situation and will provide you with updates as we know more. If you have questions, please contact us through our Let’s Talk platform.
Good evening,
Just a couple of reminders:
Remote Mondays
This Monday, September 21 will be our very first remote Monday of the year! As a reminder to all families, students will be learning online with their teachers through a synchronous or live model in the morning. In grades 6-12, this means that students will be following a half-day routine and seeing all of their teachers for shortened periods. On Monday afternoon, students will continue to be engaged in learning through an asynchronous model, which means it will be more independent. All teachers will have given students assignments to be completed during this time. Mondays are not an optional day for students and attendance will be taken.
Attendance
It is important for families to know that attendance is taken daily, regardless if your student is attending school in person or learning from home. It is imperative that students are attending their classroom meetings and completing the work that is assigned on days in which they are learning from home. If your child is sick and not able to attend school on either an in-person or remote day, you must report their absence to the school nurse.
Thank you,
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Dear families,
The meal order form for next week was made active at 4:00 pm today, and it will remain open until noon on Friday September 18, 2020. Please go to the Norton Public Schools website to complete the form. For your convenience you can use the following link: https://www.norton.k12.
New for next week is the meal delivery on Monday. The current meal delivery bus route is posted on the Transportation page of the Norton Public Schools website, and can be accessed through this link: https://www.norton.k12.
Please note that the district will be open at the back of the high school from noon to 3:00 pm on Monday for meal pack pickup if you miss the delivery. This is open for all students in the Norton Public Schools, including school choice students.
Families that order food will need to go to the bus stop closest to them to pick up the meals twice on Monday (once for breakfast and a second time for lunch). The buses will load up breakfast meal packs and depart the school at approximately 8:00 am on Monday, then will deliver breakfast meal packs to the bus stops. The buses will then return to the school to load up lunch meal packs and will depart the school at approximately 11:00 am. Please note these times are estimates, and the actual arrival time at stops is unknown at this time as the process has never been attempted in the district previously.
The breakfast meals provided on Monday will be five days of breakfast for each student. The lunch meals provided on Monday will be as follows: One meal will be delivered for Cohort one students (the Monday meal), two meals will be delivered for Cohort two students (the Monday meal and the Tuesday meal), and five meals will be delivered for students that are full remote.
As a reminder, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved the State waiver request to allow the continuation of the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) feeding program through December 2020 or as long as funding is available. The translation of this waiver is that for families there will be no charge for breakfast or lunch during the remainder of calendar year 2020 as long as the SSO program holds out. We are happy that this program extension can benefit all of our Norton Public Schools students.
Please reach out to me with any questions or concerns.
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Dear Families,
We cannot stress enough the importance of following the safety protocols we have established to help minimize risks for our students, staff, families, and community members. While we recognize that these measures are inconvenient, they are also quite necessary if we are to continue offering hybrid learning.
Overall, our students have done an outstanding job with physical distancing, hygiene, and acting in a responsible manner. However, we all must do our part to be extra vigilant while the COVID-19 virus remains a factor. Please keep in mind our District Mask Policy and note that ONLY cloth face masks are approved to be worn in schools. Face masks with ventilation valves, bandanas, neck gaiters, and scarves are NOT approved. See the visual below for more mask do's and don'ts.
More information on the health and safety protocols may be found here: www.norton.k12.ma.us/families/coronavirus/resources. We ask that all students carefully follow these procedures during the school day and when riding the bus to and from school.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your building principal. Thank you for your attention to this important communication.
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Dear families,
The Norton Public Schools has created a school meals order form for families to place their breakfast and lunch orders for each week during the upcoming school year. This order form replaces lunch lines and student ordering during the school day. Families will complete one order form per week for each student.
The food service order form for this week is now active, and is available on the Norton Public Schools Meals Program page at the following link: https://www.norton.k12.ma.us/families/coronavirus/norton-meals-program. This order form will cover the days of September 16, 17, and 18 of 2020. Families will need to complete one order form per student by noon tomorrow, Tuesday September 15, 2020, to allow our food service team time to set up the meal packs.
There will not be a meals delivery to bus stops this week- this service starts next week. If you have elected for full remote this year, or you are a cohort 1 starting Thursday and need meals for the current week, or if you are feeling any food insecurity at all, we are providing a meal pick up at the back of the high school. On Tuesday September 15, 2020 the meal pick up will be operating from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm, and you will be able to pick up the full week's worth of meals- please let the food service employees at the site know you need multiple days meals. On Wednesday September 16, 2020 the meal pick up changes hours to 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the same location.
Food delivery to bus stops will begin on Monday September 21, 2020. The order form for next week will be made available at 4:00 pm on Thursday September 17, 2020 with a completion due date and time of noon on Friday September 18, 2020.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
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Good evening,
Thank you to all our families that have been so patient and understanding as we have attempted to finalize the details of our remote learning platform over these last few weeks. Our parent choice remote model, also know as the Digital Learning Academy (DLA) has been designed to support students and families that have chosen to learn from home this year with a high quality curriculum program while also providing support from our NPS educators.
We know that you have many questions about our Digital Learning Academy and have scheduled a parent information session for tomorrow, Tuesday, September 15 at 6:00 p.m. The details on how to join our meeting are below. In the meantime, please take a few minutes to review this overview that we have put together for you. This document shares the staff that are involved in the DLA, resources for families on our two online curriculum platforms, information on logging in, and sample schedules. Tomorrow, your child will receive communication from our DLA staff outlining their schedule for the first day on Wednesday and other items of importance.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DHh68w-pocdCNqhdY5xrUSE4i_iD97OOiLnPtODA9oA/edit?usp=sharing
Thank you again for your patience as we navigate these new ways of teaching and learning. We look forward to partnering with you this year.
Jennifer O'Neill Martin Geoghegan
Assistant Superintendent for Teaching & Learning DLA Principal (PreK-12)
Invitation to Digital Learning Academy PreK-12 Q&A
Tuesday, September 15th at 6 p.m.
https://zoom.us/j/95273739307?
Webinar ID: 952 7373 9307
Passcode: 945574
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Good morning!
Please see the following information from Doreen Browne, NPS Lead Nurse:
The Norton Board of Health and the Norton Public Schools are partnering again this year to make seasonal flu immunizations available to children. In order to adhere to social distancing rules, the clinics will take place during the school day. Permission forms will be made available prior to the clinics.
If you know your child has difficulty receiving a vaccine, arrangements can be made with Donna Palmer, R.N., Public Health Nurse, for your child to receive the vaccine at another time when a parent can be present.
Clinics will be held one school at a time on Thursday and Friday mornings to accommodate both cohorts beginning the first week of October and continuing until the first week of November, as follows:
| Norton High School | October 8 and 9 |
| L.G. Nourse Elementary School | October 15 and 16 |
| J. C. Solmonese Elementary School | October 22 and 23 |
| Norton Middle School | October 29 and 30 |
| H. A. Yelle Elementary School | November 5 and 6 |
If your child is immunized for seasonal flu elsewhere please submit the documentation to the school nurse.
We are grateful to the school nurses and administration for helping to make our goal of vaccinating all children achievable.
Thank you,
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Dear families,
This communication is being sent to provide families with the general process the Norton Public Schools will be using to serve meals this school year safely and with a focus on social distancing. The attached Food Service Process is subject to change as conditions warrant, but serves as a start point for how we plan to feed students this year.
NPS has provided in previous emails that the district will be starting the year with free breakfast and free lunch for all students. The USDA has approved a waiver request from the State to allow for free meals through the end of December 2020 or as long as the funding lasts. We are pleased that this benefit is available to all students in the district, and encourage students to participate. The district will be opening up the Free and Reduced application process next week as this process does feed into other programs, and we will provide more information on this in another communication.
We will be sending follow up communications next week with additional food service information. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me directly through the email below.
Thanks,
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Good afternoon,
Below please find follow-up information from last night’s Return to School Town Hall. If you still have specific questions please reach out to your building principal or utilize our Let’s Talk communication platform.
Virtual Open Houses
All School Virtual Open Houses will be recorded and available on the website the next day. All recorded Virtual Parent meetings, presentations, and other resources can be found here: www.norton.k12.ma.us/families/coronavirus/resources
Login details are below:
Thursday, Sept. 10
Little Lancers Open House | 5:00-5:45 p.m.
J.C. Solmonese Open House | 5:45-6:30 p.m.
https://zoom.us/j/98779132807?pwd=UUJVa1c0ckE4djdXb1dwL3EzTHhNdz09
Webinar ID: 987 7913 2807
Passcode: 560537
Norton High School Open House | 7:00 p.m.
https://zoom.us/j/91387985089?pwd=RCt6cFJMVi9kYk0wWmt1QVlPdFo2dz09
Webinar ID: 913 8798 5089
Passcode: 768927
Friday, Sept. 11
L.G. Nourse Open House | 5:00 p.m.
https://zoom.us/j/96994264580?pwd=ZkMzbC9nMWgycXAyeDR6R21pR09iZz09
Webinar ID: 969 9426 4580
Passcode: 512871
Norton Middle School Open House | 6:00 - 6:45 p.m.
https://zoom.us/j/98994286842?pwd=c01QQW9jRnJ3TkVKK0xkbEZsZjk3Zz09
Webinar ID: 989 9428 6842
Passcode: 546544
Monday, Sept. 14
Henri A. Yelle Open House | 5 p.m.
https://zoom.us/j/91795272573?pwd=ZU9tSlhLRmFmV2U3aEM4c1N0UVFPZz09
Webinar ID: 917 9527 2573
Passcode: 510345
Tech Q&A Session | 6:30 p.m.
https://zoom.us/j/93702355788?pwd=ZmMxZVNzUlh2ZnhyZGNqMXBaa2hNZz09
Webinar ID: 937 0235 5788
Passcode: 309980
Tuesday, Sept. 15
Remote Learning Academy PreK-12 Q&A | 6 p.m.
(This is only for students who are participating in the Parent Choice Remote Learning cohort)
https://zoom.us/j/95273739307?pwd=Z2N2ZEhjc3Y0T3k5bFl1cGpZaGI5QT09
Webinar ID: 952 7373 9307
Passcode: 945574
Chromebook Distribution
Please note that the NMS and NHS Chromebook pick-up has changed. The Technology Department will be available for families to pick-up devices on the following dates:
Distribution will be a drive through pick-up at the front of each school. If you are unable to attend the dates scheduled for your child's school, devices will be handed out in classrooms on the first face-to-face day your child attends school.
Food Service
Separate Food Service communications will be sent out in the coming days that will highlight the process and provide details.
To check the remaining funds of your MySchoolsBucks account please visit: www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/getmain.action?clientKey=&requestAction=home
Special Education
Over the next few weeks each special education liaison will be contacting each of the families on their caseload to discuss the student’s service delivery grid, areas of concern and individual schedule. If you have not heard from anyone regarding your student’s special education plan please email Coordinator of Special Education K-12 Cassandra Russo at crusso@norton.k12.ma.us.
Will there be a police detail at NHS?
No, but we are working to address the concerns regarding the Route 123 sewer project.
Again, if you still have specific questions please reach out to your building principal or utilize our Let’s Talk communication platform.
Thank you,
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Good morning!
Please see the login details below for upcoming Virtual Return to School and School Open House Q&As:
Wednesday, Sept. 9
Return to School Town Hall | 6:30 p.m.
https://zoom.us/j/92118946796?pwd=ZzROeFoycjhQdk5lbXQ4anh3TTA2QT09
Webinar ID: 921 1894 6796
Passcode: 372004
Thursday, Sept. 10
Little Lancers Open House | 5:00-5:45 p.m.
J.C. Solmonese Open House | 5:45-6:30 p.m.
https://zoom.us/j/98779132807?pwd=UUJVa1c0ckE4djdXb1dwL3EzTHhNdz09
Webinar ID: 987 7913 2807
Passcode: 560537
Norton High School Open House | 7:00 p.m.
https://zoom.us/j/91387985089?pwd=RCt6cFJMVi9kYk0wWmt1QVlPdFo2dz09
Webinar ID: 913 8798 5089
Passcode: 768927
Friday, Sept. 11
L.G. Nourse Open House | 5:00 p.m.
https://zoom.us/j/96994264580?pwd=ZkMzbC9nMWgycXAyeDR6R21pR09iZz09
Webinar ID: 969 9426 4580
Passcode: 512871
Norton Middle School Open House | 6:00 - 6:45 p.m.
https://zoom.us/j/98994286842?pwd=c01QQW9jRnJ3TkVKK0xkbEZsZjk3Zz09
Webinar ID: 989 9428 6842
Passcode: 546544
Monday, Sept. 14
Henri A. Yelle Open House | 5 p.m.
https://zoom.us/j/91795272573?pwd=ZU9tSlhLRmFmV2U3aEM4c1N0UVFPZz09
Webinar ID: 917 9527 2573
Passcode: 510345
Tech Q&A Session | 6:30 p.m.
https://zoom.us/j/93702355788?pwd=ZmMxZVNzUlh2ZnhyZGNqMXBaa2hNZz09
Webinar ID: 937 0235 5788
Passcode: 309980
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Dear Families,
We have some updates to provide families on school bus transportation for the upcoming school year.
The District is able to accommodate all students that have registered for transportation at this time. School year 2020-2021 bus passes will start mailing out Wednesday September 9, 2020 and should be arriving to families toward the end of this week and into the weekend. The school year 2020-2021 bus pass is required to be displayed by the student in order to ride the bus. If you do not receive a bus pass by Monday September 14, 2020 and you believe you should have received one, please contact the district as soon as possible and we will issue a paper pass to be used on the first day.
The bus fee has been reduced this year from $350 per student to $133 per student. This reduction is proportionate to the time students will actually be transported this year on the bus. We ask that this fee be paid by October 15, 2020. The district is willing to set up payment plans for families if needed. Please reach out to Matt Wells through the email address at the end of this communication if you would like to find out about a payment plan.
The bus routes for the year are still being developed based on the cohort lists that were finalized late last week. Once the routes are complete we will send a follow-up communication to families with that information. We are anticipating receiving the routes this Friday September 11, 2020.
For more information on the changes to transportation for this school year, please see the Norton Public Schools Return To School Planning Overview presentation (the transportation section starts on slide number 31). The presentation can be accessed by clicking the August 3, 2020 tab in the middle of the Coronavirus Updates webpage on the NPS website; the presentation will open up at the bottom of the webpage. The page can be accessed with the following link https://www.norton.k12.
Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions or concerns.
Thank you,
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Dear Families,
Some updates for your information.
Return to School Q&A:
Please join me for a Return to School Virtual Town Hall on Wednesday, September 9 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. regarding our Return to School. https://zoom.us/j/92118946796?pwd=ZzROeFoycjhQdk5lbXQ4anh3TTA2QT09
Or Telephone: US: +1 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 921 1894 6796
Passcode: 372004
Hybrid Model:
The school year for our faculty and staff that started on Monday, August 31 went very well. Thank you to the Norton Teachers Association for their positive vote to ratify the Memorandum of Understanding that provides for the Hybrid Model. The Model will provide for Remote Learning on Mondays for Cohort 1 and Cohort 2 together as a class and then T/Th or W/F on campus. Students will be provided specific and detailed video for their Remote Days in the Hybrid Model. This is REQUIRED student work for Monday afternoons and on Remote Days. As a reminder we start on September 16 with Cohort 2 on campus and Cohort 1 Remote.
Remote Parent Choice:
The Remote Parent Choice schedule is being finalized and will look something like the Hybrid Model except with the utilization of online portals and staff support. I am in the process of hiring licensed educators. We will also be utilizing staff that is on a leave of absence. Specific information will be forwarded at the end of next week.
Mr. Martin Geoghegan, Principal of the Yelle Elementary School has graciously agreed to be the Parent Choice Remote Learning Administrator PreK-12.
Special Education:
Over the next few weeks each special education liaison will be contacting each of the families on their caseload to discuss the student’s service delivery grid, areas of concern and individual schedule.
Mask Policy:
Please click here to view our Mask Policy approved by the Norton School Committee.
Facilities:
We have published recent air quality reports and air exchange reports from our third party reference on our HVAC systems. They can be found on our Facilities and Grounds page under the Health & Safety tab.
Transportation:
The School Committee voted to reduce the SY 2020-2021 transportation fee from $350 per student to $133 per student in light of the limited amount of days each student would actually be riding the bus. We have opened the payment portal on the Transportation page of the Norton Public Schools website for payment, and ask that all families submit payment no later than October 15, 2020. The district is willing to discuss payment plans with any family in need.
We are currently reconciling the cohort lists with our bus registrations and have started the routing process for each cohort. At this time we will be accommodating all students that have registered to ride the bus in spite of the reduced capacity requirements. Students will be assigned a seat on the bus, and bus passes will be printed and mailed to students beginning early the week of Labor Day weekend.
Food Service:
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved the State waiver request to allow the continuation of the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) feeding program through December 2020 for as long as funding is available. The expected translation of this waiver is that for families there will be no charge for breakfast or lunch during the remainder of calendar year 2020 (through the end of December 2020) as long as the SSO program holds out. We are happy that this program extension can benefit all of our Norton Public Schools students, and we will provide further information on this as it becomes available. We are also pleased to share that the School Committee has voted to keep meal prices this year the same as last year for when the SSO program does end.
School meals will run differently this year in compliance with guidelines issued by the State. The District will communicate food service in follow up emails. Please note that the protocols may change as conditions warrant.
Technology:
GREAT NEWS! The chromebooks for sixth grade and ninth grade students arrived today! To be able to configure and distribute these new devices, we will need to postpone the NMS and NHS device pick-up scheduled for next week. We will now be handing out 6th grade devices on Monday, September 14 from 9-11 a.m., 1-3 p.m., and 5-6 p.m. and 9th grade devices on Tuesday, September 15 from 9-11 a.m., 1-3 p.m., and 5-6 p.m.
iPads and chromebooks were distributed to LGN students on Wednesday, September 2 and to JCS students on Thursday, September 3. If you were unable to pick up your child’s device, they will be distributed on your child’s first day of face-to-face classes. If your child is participating in parent choice remote learning, contact your child’s school or the technology department to make arrangements for pick up.
Parents and students may now submit their own technology support requests. Students can use their Norton Google login at https://norton.incidentiq.com/login and parents can visit https://norton.incidentiq.com/guest/RHXJGD3V/parent-submission-form to register and submit on their child’s behalf. Tech support requests can include a password reset, troubleshooting a device or application, repair request, or anything needed to support your child’s use of the school issued device.
On Monday, September, 14 from 6:30-7:30, the Technology Department will be hosting a Tech Q&A session for parents/guardians. This session is to help answer questions about the district provided technology, logging into devices, basic troubleshooting, ideas to help improve internet signals, and more. If you have specific questions you want answered, please submit via this form https://forms.gle/VmBZztBG8d2mEM2f7 . Please join us on 9/14 at: https://zoom.us/j/93702355788?pwd=ZmMxZVNzUlh2ZnhyZGNqMXBaa2hNZz09
Webinar ID: 937 0235 5788
Passcode: 309980
Thank you for your continued patience and understanding. Have a great Labor Day weekend.
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Dear NPS Families:
I hope you are well. This communication is to provide you with some information about a few key topics.
First Week of School
The first day of school for students in PreK-12 is Wednesday, September 16. The schedule is as follows:
|
Date |
IN SCHOOL |
LEARNING FROM HOME |
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Wednesday, September 16 |
Cohort 2 |
Cohort 1 |
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Thursday, |
Cohort 1 |
Cohort 2 |
|
Friday, |
Cohort 2 |
Cohort 1 |
Students attending as part of a specialized program, otherwise referred to as cohort 3, will attend school all days that week.
Cohorts & Teacher Placements
Cohort information has been mailed and by now you should have them. We are working on issues that have been provided to us; however, please note that specific requests may not happen. Our plan is to respond no later than next week.
I also want you to know that actual teacher/classroom schedules will not be provided at this time. This is such a fluid situation and it requires that we work to address equity as much as possible. I anticipate releasing schedules no later than Friday, September 11.
Transportation
Bus transportation information is being completed in the coming days based on requests. At the Thursday, August 27 Norton School Committee Meeting the SC voted 5-0 to reduce transportation costs to $133 per student and NHS Student Parking to $0.00 for this year. All requirements for student parking are still in play.
Athletics and Activities
At this time the MIAA has made some significant changes to the athletic schedule. This will be shared with Norton High School student-athletes in the coming days. Furthermore, all Norton Middle School athletics for the Fall have been cancelled and a later date will be considered by the League. Lastly, all after school activities PreK-12 are postponed until further notice. I anticipate reviewing after school activities later in September or early October.
Masks
Masks must be worn by all adults and students PreK-12+ except as medically documented. Medical documentation must be provided to the school nurse prior to September 16. Also, face coverings are NOT approved. Lastly, the new policy as voted by the Norton School Committee will be emailed in the coming days.
Technology
Student Device Pick Up
All students in grades PK-12 will have 1:1 devices for the upcoming school year. Students in grades 7, 8, 10, 11, and 12 have chromebooks from last year and will not receive a new device. Students in grade PK, K, and 1 will receive an iPad, case, and charger. Students in grades 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9 will be issued a chromebook and charger. A loan of technology agreement form must be signed prior to your child receiving a device. These will be available on the day of device pick-up or you can read and acknowledge by signing an electronic version by visiting this form. https://forms.gle/PpkbnqZMYLh3ipN17
The technology department will be available for families to pick-up devices on the following dates. Distribution will be a drive through pick-up at the front of each school. If you are unable to attend the dates scheduled for your child's school, devices will be handed out in classrooms on the first face-to-face day your child attends school.
If your child was in the extended school year program (ESY), they can continue to use the chromebook issued to them. If your child received an iPad mini for ESY, please plan to exchange that for a new device.
Families who noted they are in need of internet assistance will be contacted directly. If you have any questions, please email Karen Winsper at kwinsper@norton.k12.ma.us.
Internet Essentials Comcast Program - Important Changes!
Comcast recently announced changes to it’s Internet Essentials program that offers households low-cost, broadband Internet service for $9.95/month, the option to purchase a heavily subsidized computer, and multiple options for digital literacy training.
Comcast is giving all Internet Essentials customers its innovative xFi platform, which enables parents to control and manage their children’s WiFi connected devices. The initiative builds on Comcast’s recent announcement that it will continue to offer, through the end of 2020, all new Internet Essentials customers two months of free Internet service and it will forgive back debt due so more families can apply. This was a stumbling block for many families that has now been removed.
To learn more about the program, visit https://www.internetessentials.com/
Our next update from my office will be next week. Have a wonderful weekend.
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Good afternoon,
Please see the attached letter from the Office of Pupil Personnel Services regarding Norton Public Schools Special Education FAQs.
Thank you,
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Dear NPS Families,
We continue to work daily on student schedules, transportation, specialized services, and teaching and learning. We will communicate with families over the next week the cohort model for Hybrid Teaching and Learning so that you can begin finalizing your fall schedules. It is important to note that we are attempting to manage all requests to the best of our ability; however, not all requests will be met.
I also wanted to communicate about health and safety topics that have been in the news and social media. Attention to the health and safety of the children and staff of NPS has always been and continues to be my number one responsibility. Yet, there is a clear undermining within the public about the safety and health of our public buildings. NPS has five buildings with four of the five having new windows (JCS, HAY, LGN and NHS), and all five schools having appropriate HVAC systems that have been under the review, inspection, and work of Mechanical Air Controls, the District's specialized partner. Mechanical Air Controls has routinely serviced and maintained the HVAC Units on both a Protective Maintenance basis and a Corrective Maintenance basis during my tenure. This includes the exhaust fans, roof top units, air handler units, gas heaters, and cabinet unit heaters. All of this was completed in the summer of 2020 as per routine. The filters utilized within our univents are per recommendation and industry standards for the different univents within our schools.
Air quality tests are being completed in two cycles by Environmental Remediation Consultants. This information will be published once it is received. Air exchange calculations are being completed this coming week by Mechanical Air Controls. We will also publish these results.
The collective work of our highly trained custodial professionals and consultants under the direction of Wade Lizotte, Director of Facilities, the Norton School Committee, and my office will continue to prioritize the health and safety of our students and our staff. Nothing is more important during a time of crisis like we are dealing with.
The Offices for Teaching and Learning, Instructional Technology, and Business Services are working daily to advance a constantly fluid situation. In communication with our local Board of Health, we are reviewing data and continuously looking for any information that will require further changes.
Early next week we will publish and provide directly to you our "Reopening Facilities and Operations Plan" and "Responses to COVID-19 Scenarios Plan.” All information mentioned and other resources regarding COVID-19 and Returning to School can always be found on our website: www.norton.k12.ma.us/families/coronavirus.
I also want to communicate with you about the irresponsibility of some adults via social media about our Hybrid and Remote Models. We are currently, under Chapter 150E, bargaining in good faith with the Norton Teachers Association. Both parties are looking at various approaches by grade level, needs of student populations, and backfilling leaves of absence as per the Family Medical Leave Act and the American with Disabilities Act. We are looking at utilizing teachers on leaves to support and provide direct services to students via the hybrid remote days and the parent choice remote. Until you hear from me directly please consider not reading the false narratives. These individuals are not in the room and I can assure you that the dialogue about what is good for students is continuing. When we settle the final agreement I will share with you how we will attempt to meet the demands of our current situation.
I know that there are many opinions, but the Town of Norton continues to be a low incident COVID-19 community for numerous reasons. Under the direction of the Norton Board of Health, we have utilized local and state professionals to prioritize our needs, listened to the experts, reviewed the science, and most importantly, continue to review the data daily, weekly, bi-weekly and monthly. I can't guarantee you anything, but what I can say is that I am requiring everything to be considered and appropriately reviewed and implemented to the best of our ability.
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Good morning,
Join the Norton SEPAC Tuesday, August 25 at 6 p.m. for a Q&A session for parents and caregivers of children receiving special education services with Vincent Cerce, Director of Pupil Personnel Services, and Cassandra Russo, Coordinator of Special Education K-12.
Please see below for the login info:
https://zoom.us/j/97033491949?pwd=Tk5QRzJkUG5La1JJYitNcVJHWlg2UT09
Passcode: 851334
US: +1 646 558 8656
Webinar ID: 970 3349 1949
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Dear families:
The Norton Public Schools remains dedicated to providing students with the best possible learning experience during these challenging and uncertain times. Please click here to view our NPS Reopening of School Report for the 2020-2021 school year. Thank you to all of the teachers, staff, parents, students, and community members that served on committees. While we are proud of the work that has gone into the process thus far, we understand that there are still decisions that need to be made and additional guidance will follow.
Reminder that the Back to School survey will remain open through the end of today, Friday, August 14, and must be completed for every student. Data from this survey will be used to form cohorts, inform decisions about transportation and help us understand technology needs. If you are unable to locate the survey, please contact Pam Anderson, pamelaanderson@
If you have specific concerns about your child, please reach out to your building principal or use the Let's Talk feature on our district website.
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Dear families:
Thank you to everyone who has already submitted responses to our Back to School Survey. Each family should have received a survey asking you to indicate whether you intend to send your child to school in the hybrid model or participate in a fully remote program. The survey emails will come from our vendor administering the survey, Panorama Education, with the email address: support+norton@
The survey will remain open through Friday, August 14 and must be completed for every student. Data from this survey will be used to form cohorts, inform decisions about transportation and help us understand technology needs.
If you have specific concerns about your child, please reach out to your building principal or use the Let's Talk feature on our district website.
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Good afternoon!
There will be a virtual Q&A for families with the Superintendent regarding the reopening of school. For a list of questions that have already been answered, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions document.
All families are invited to attend this Wednesday, August 12 at 11 a.m. or 6 p.m. Please find the login information below:
Virtual Q&A for Families August 12 at 11 a.m.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/92596554326?pwd=OHpIamdKKzFKRXBPT1djU2FER1VSZz09
Passcode: 125001
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 558 8656 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 9128 or +1 253 215 8782
Webinar ID: 925 9655 4326
Passcode: 125001
Virtual Q&A for Families August 12 at 6 p.m.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/93210348145?pwd=dEIwWm5NK0piT2RaYm5adCt6N0Qwdz09
Passcode: 797083
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 646 558 8656 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 669 900 9128 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799
Webinar ID: 932 1034 8145
Passcode: 797083
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Dear families:
Last night, the Norton School Committee voted to return to school in a hybrid model, with the first day of school for students being Wednesday, September 16. In a hybrid model, students would alternate between in-person and remote learning. Each cohort would consist of approximately 50% of our student population. More information on the hybrid learning model, including draft schedules and frequently asked questions can be found here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1TK3mEU7rkOkB8wEn2x2c5HhT0YRchO7MoNsSVcQTAIs/edit?usp=sharing
Later today, each family will receive a survey which will ask you to indicate whether you intend to send your child to school in this hybrid model or participate in a fully remote program. Families with multiple children will receive a separate email with a unique link for each child. Please follow the link included in the email to indicate your responses for that specific child and do not combine responses for multiple children using one link. The survey emails will come from our vendor administering the survey, Panorama Education, with the email address: support+norton@panoramaed.com.
The survey will remain open through Friday, August 14 and must be completed for every student. Data from this survey will be used to form cohorts, inform decisions about transportation and help us understand technology needs.
If you have specific concerns about your child, please reach out to your building principal or use the Let's Talk feature on our district website.
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Good afternoon,
Thanks to all of you that were able to join us for the Norton School Committee meeting last evening. During the meeting, the NPS administrative team shared plans for returning to school, a hybrid model, and full remote learning. As a result of this presentation, many questions have come forward from the community about these plans and what each will mean to your families as we prepare for the fall.
We have created a document of Frequently Asked Questions for your review. This will be a living document and updated daily as new questions or issues arise. Please take some time to review these initial questions. If you have other questions that you would like answered, please use the form linked here to submit them. Please be aware that all questions must have a name and email address connected to them- anonymous questions will not be answered.
We also welcome you to join us at tonight's School Committee meeting, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The link for joining us via zoom is below:
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Aug 5, 2020 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: NPS School Committee Meeting 8.5.2020
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/92383567799?
Passcode: 848800
Or Telephone: Dial: +1 312 626 6799
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Good afternoon!
Attached below please find the agenda for tomorrow night's School Committee meeting. Please click here for the Return to School Overview being presented tomorrow as well.
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Good afternoon,
Please be advised that we will be postponing any bus payments until after the School Committee has voted and agreed on a model for teaching and learning for the fall. Please do not make any payments until further notice. Please reach out to Samantha Stone, sstone@norton.k12.ma.us, 508-285-0100 ext 3 opt 2 with any questions.
Thank you,
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Good afternoon!
There will be a virtual Town Hall forum for families to discuss the three models of learning plans for the fall: In-person Learning with new safety requirements, Hybrid Learning, and Remote Learning. Click here to view the Reopening of School Task Force.
All families are invited to attend on either Wednesday, July 22 or Thursday, July 30 at 6:30 p.m. Please find the login information below:
Virtual Town Hall for Families July 22 at 6:30 p.m.
https://zoom.us/j/94204548537?pwd=Mys4NlJ1RExHdVB1Q0RKWUVrY2RFdz09
Meeting ID: 942 0454 8537
Password: 2bYz5f
Dial by your location
+1 301 715 8592 US
Meeting ID: 942 0454 8537
Password: 487562
Virtual Town Hall for Families July 30 at 6:30 p.m.
https://zoom.us/j/92342476330?
Passcode: 762117
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Good afternoon,
Each School District has been tasked by the Commissioner of Education to plan for a return to school this fall in three possible scenarios: 1) in person learning; 2) a hybrid model where cohorts of students are assigned specific days to attend in person while learning remotely on the other days; or 3) a remote model in which students are learning from home. Each of these models will need to be fully developed and is currently under review by a task force that consists of teachers, administrators, and parents. As educators, we know that the emergency teaching that took place during remote learning this year will not be sufficient and it is our goal to create rigorous and comprehensive plans for all three scenarios that will support the needs of all learners.
As we prepare for the fall, we are reaching out to our families to get a sense of your perspective on returning to school, models of learning, and transportation. This information is essential to helping us make plans for returning to school, while making sure that we are keeping the needs of our students and families in mind.
Please take a few moments to complete this brief survey for your family. All responses are due by Monday, July 20 at 11:59 p.m.
https://forms.gle/
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Dear NPS Community:
The announcement later today by Governor Baker is the first step in looking carefully at what options and/or requirements will be in place for the 2020-2021 school year. The approach announced today is the “initial” document and many changes could be made in the coming weeks.
There is much to consider, and today’s announcement is the beginning of a very long summer. Utilizing our internal process we have a Reopening Task Force consisting of parents, teachers, students, school committee, administrators, and many others. We will also announce the three working committees that will address the three models we must prepare for September. Lastly, we have our School Nurses and local Board of Health who will make final recommendations on health and safety issues.
Our priority will be student and staff safety, using local data via the Norton Board of Health, communication and input from families, and collaboration with our local unions. The work begins today and it will take most of the summer to complete. My office will communicate updates via email regularly.
Please see attached the full document as released.
Further announcements to families and staff will be forthcoming the week of July 6th.
Happy 4th of July to all.
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For the safety of our students and staff, please be advised that all school grounds and facilities are closed to the general public from dawn to dusk Monday – Friday. Outside grounds at Norton High School and the H. A. Yelle Elementary School are also unavailable to the public on the weekends.
