Family Newsletter | October 3, 2025
Dr. Jennifer O'Neill
joneill@norton.k12.ma.us
@joneill727
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Superintendent’s Message
September seemed to pass in the blink of an eye this year, and it has been truly wonderful to watch our students and staff settling into routines, learning side by side, and building community together.
One of my favorite traditions each fall is spending a full day in each of our schools as part of my residency visits. These days give me the opportunity to connect with each building early in the year and experience, firsthand, what daily life looks like for our students and staff. From watching the morning arrival bustle, to joining classroom lessons, to sharing time in the cafeteria and on the playground, these visits allow me to see and feel the heart of each school.
So far, I’ve had the privilege of spending residency days at both the H.A. Yelle Elementary School and Norton Middle School. I am so grateful to the principals, staff, and especially the students for welcoming me into their school communities, it is a joy to learn alongside you!
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Norton High School Chorus Visit
This week, we were delighted to welcome the Norton High School Chorus for a special visit. They treated us to a beautiful song, and I can’t thank them enough for sharing their voices with us. They sounded fantastic, and it was such a great reminder of the talent and spirit we have here in our schools.
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Cybersecurity Awareness Month
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a great reminder for all of us — students, families, and staff — about the importance of staying safe online. With more learning and communication happening digitally, it’s essential that we help our children build smart online habits.
A few quick tips for families:
Use strong passwords and encourage your child not to share them with friends. Think before you click - be cautious with links or messages from unknown senders. Talk about online safety - have regular conversations about what’s appropriate to share and what’s not. Update devices regularly to keep software and apps secure.
By working together, we can help ensure that our students stay safe, responsible, and confident in the digital world.
As part of our participation in the Massachusetts Municipal Cybersecurity Awareness Grant, KnowBe4 offers free online cybersecurity training. The training will teach you about common threats like phishing emails, social media scams, and mobile device security weaknesses. Learn how to spot suspicious activity, protect your passwords, and keep your family safe online. Topics included are:
Identify what security awareness is and why it's essential to your online safety. Understand how cybercriminals use common tactics to mislead and manipulate you. Learn what you can do to protect yourself and those closest to you from cyber attacks.
Visit the following website and type in the password when prompted
knowbe4.com/homecourse
Password: homecourse
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Food Services Substitutes
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The Food Service Department is looking for part time assistance in the Cafeteria. If you are interested, please contact Mike Vaccaro at mvaccaro@norton.k12.ma.us or (508) 285-0150. |
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October 6th
School Committee Joint Meeting with Finance Committee and Select Board
October 8th
School Committee Meeting
October 13th
Schools Closed
October 14th
Norton Middle School Term I Progress Reports
October 20th
Town Meeting
October 22nd
Elementary Conferences
October 23rd
Elementary Early Release / Conferences
October 29th
Districtwide Early Release / Professional Development
School Committee Meeting
October 31st
Norton High School Term I Marks Close
November 5th
Norton Middle School Conferences
November 6th
Norton Middle School Early Release / Conferences
November 7th
Norton High School Term I Report Cards
November 11th
Schools Closed
November 12th
School Committee Meeting
November 13th
Norton High School Open House for Grade 8 Students and Families
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Virtual Backpack
Explore here to find e-flyers on events, offerings and more in our community.
To submit a flyer to the Virtual Backpack, please contact Pam Anderson at pamelaanderson@norton.k12.ma.us.
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