August 30, 2023
🗒️Message from Counselor Tim Guttmann
NCES Families,
We were very excited to finish our first full week of school last week! It has been wonderful seeing all students, both new and returning, engage in learning, create new connections, and have a great start to their school year! We also know that the beginning of school can be challenging. Getting back into routines, meeting new friends, and being away from parents/guardians for extended periods can be a source of stress and anxiety. We, the counseling team, have included some strategies below to help your child transition into the new school year:
Validation: Let your child know that their feelings of anxiousness about a new school year are normal. They are not alone in these feelings and by listening to them you will help your child feel heard and understood. Children often mirror their emotions/feelings from their parents. If you show confidence in their ability to be successful, it will help them be confident as well!
Routines: Developing consistent routines not only in the morning but also in the evening, will help your child be successful in school. Provide simple, well-defined, easy steps for their routine so that they have a clear understanding of what you expect. Giving praise for a job well done will let them know that you like what you see.
Communication: It is important to communicate concerns, questions, and compliments to your child’s teacher. This will show your students that we are partners in education and are working as a team to ensure an amazing school year.
As a school counseling team, we are also available to help your student transition back into school. Please don’t hesitate to reach out via the emails below or by calling the school and requesting to speak with a counselor. In addition, we have great news! This year our Mental Health Practitioner, Libby Steltenpohl, is full-time at our school. Her area of focus is individual and small group counseling, as well as being a valuable part of our school team!
Thank you,
Tim Guttmann
School Counselor
timothy.guttmann@jefferson.kyschools.us
Libby Steltenpohl
Mental Health Practitioner
elizabeth.steltenpohl@jefferson.kyschools.us
College Colors Day for Staff and Students 🏈
Friday, September 1st!
Join us for a school-wide themed day and wear your favorite college's gear!
♟️Clubs and Activities 🏀
The YMCA will be sponsoring Cross Country for NCES students again this year. Please click here for information pertaining to sign up, practice times, and meets.
Do you have a Knight ready to call checkmate? Please check out the Chess flyer here to gather more information and sign up for the Chess Club here at NCES.
We are collecting information on different clubs and activities that can be offered for our students before or after school. If you are interested in offering a club or activity as a volunteer sponsor please reach out to Principal Terry at: andrew.terry@jefferson.kyschools.us
🍎 Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Meeting TODAY
Meeting TODAY
Reminder! Interest meeting for Norton Commons Parent Teacher Association (PTA). We need you! Please join us to get involved. Leadership positions are available.
Day and Time: Wednesday, Aug 30th at 5:30 in the Library
School-Based Decision Making Council 📑
Self-nominations for SBDM are due by Friday 9/1. Find more info and the link to self-nominate here.
🎉 Celebrations 🎉
Our 2nd grade students made bracelets to represent their community of learners! Using the book called Our School is a Family for inspiration, they used colorful beads chosen by each individual to create a class family bracelet.
Important Transportation Reminders
School building opens at 8:00. Bell rings at 8:40.
To ensure that students have a calm, productive start to the school day, it is critical that they arrive in class on time daily. As you know, our school day now begins at 8:40 AM. It is important for students to be in class ready to learn at 8:40 AM each day. Students who arrive at 8:40 AM or later will be required to sign-in in the main office. Parents should accompany the student to sign him/her in. Breakfast will close at 8:35 AM daily. Only students who arrive on late buses will be provided breakfast after that time.
🚍 Bus Riders:
Please download the Edulog Lite app so that you can track your child's bus.
🟧 Walkers:
If your child is a walker, please do not park in the parking lot. This puts our students who are walkers in danger. Thanks for understanding.
All walkers will be directed to the flagpole for dismissal. This keeps students from crossing the parking lot.
1st-5th grade parents who would like to meet their child should wait behind the flagpole.
🚗 Car Riders:
Parents remain in their vehicle.
Keep your 2023-2024 car rider tag visible until student is in the car.
🗓️ Important Dates
8/30: PTA Meeting 5:30
8/30: Sign up for Cross Country or Chess Club if interested (act quickly, as spaces could fill!)
9/1: College Colors Day
9/1: Self-nominations for SBDM due
9/12: Open House 5:30-7:00
9/15-9/22: Book Fair begins
Recurring Info
✏️ Academic Information
The MAP Testing window is open Aug 28th - Sept 25th.
Your child's teacher will be in contact regarding their specific testing day.
MAP is a computer adaptive test that measures student achievement & growth. These results help give teachers a picture of what your student already knows and is ready to learn.
Announcements 📣
Follow us on social media! Facebook: Norton Commons Elementary School, Instagram: @NCES_Knights, X (Twitter): @NCES_Knights
JCPS's Clothing Assistance Program (CAP) is now available for in-person appointments. Students are eligible to receive clothing from CAP twice per year and a new pair of shoes once a year. If you interested, please complete the following form and I will assist you in scheduling an appointment.
Blessings in a Backpack is a weekly program that provides food to students for the weekend. Families experiencing food insecurity are encouraged to apply. If your student participated last year, you will need to submit a new application. If you are interested in participating, please complete this form.
Do you have or know of a family with children under the age of 5? Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is now available to Jefferson County Residents. Children participating can receive a free book each month until they turn 5. Click imagination library.png for more information.
If you aren't getting text alerts from NCES, make sure to sign up for School Messenger so you don't miss important information.
Don't forget! Photo ID is always required when entering the building during the school day. This includes before and after school during transportation drop off and pick up.
NCES now qualifies as a Community Eligibility Provision School! This means free breakfast and lunch for all students, regardless of income!
Our ECE Department is raising money from Box Tops! Download the app and email rachel.murphy@jefferson.kyschools.us or christina.frederiksen@jefferson.kyschools.us with questions.
