February 14, 2024
Please take a moment to fill out the Comprehensive School Survey. Your voice helps us celebrate wins and also drives adjustments for our district and school! Not that Principal Terry is competitive but he is wanting to get our overall parent participation more than the previous year which was well below 50%. Let's Go, NCES Families!
Message from Assistant Principal Shawn Wilson
NCES Families,
We are entering a challenging stretch of the school year. Staff and students are tired, illness is prevalent, and we have a long time before our next school break. The first step in facing this challenge is to acknowledge it. Once we do that, we can then navigate it to the best of our abilities. Below are some suggestions to work through the challenging time ahead:
Students should get adequate sleep (8+ hours). This will help them stay healthy and be focused during the school day.
Keep students in a routine. This helps them know what to expect daily and can help them start each day positively.
Encourage students to practice compassion for others, including their teachers and classmates.
Students should get outside when the weather allows. This provides physical activity, can help alleviate stress, and can boost mood.
We want our students and staff to have a positive experience through the next stretch of the school year. With consistency and having understanding for others, we can navigate the challenge together.
Respectfully,
Shawn Wilson, Assistant Principal
Health Watch ❤️🩹
During this time of year, it is crucial to exercise extra caution, as various illnesses are circulating in our school. Take proactive measures to ensure the well-being of both yourself and your student by following these simple procedures:
Encourage your student to wash their hands frequently.
Kindly remind them to cough into their elbow.
Prioritize adequate rest and maintain a healthy diet.
If you observe any of the following symptoms: fever, chills, sore throat, fatigue, congestion, please take necessary precautions, such as staying home until symptoms subside or getting a COVID test. Additionally, consider visiting your pediatrician for testing for the flu and strep, which tend to be more prevalent during this time of year.
Your cooperation is greatly appreciated!
⚽ NCES Coed Soccer Opportunity LAST CHANCE - If no Volunteer, then no team!
We are still in need!!! NCES students in grades 3-5 have the opportunity to participate on a co-ed indoor soccer team at Mockingbird Valley. For our students to participate, our team will need a volunteer coach. Once we have a volunteer coach, we can move forward in creating the team and registering for the league. Registration is due by March 8 so if we want to conduct tryouts and hold practice a couple of times before the start of the season tryouts would need to be held around the week of Feb. 12 or Feb. 19. This would leave time for practice 2-3 weeks before the start of the season. Details on the soccer league are below:
Dates: March 16 - May 18
A fee will be required to participate.
Tryouts may be necessary to ensure an appropriate number of team members.
If we have enough students interested in participating, we may be able to have additional teams. Of course, a coach will be needed for each team.
Volunteers interested in coaching the soccer team should contact Mr. Terry at andrew.terry@jefferson.kyschools.us.
Spring Before and After School Club 🧩
Spring clubs begin this week! Your club sponsor communicated with students in their clubs via email late last week. If you did not recieve communication then your student did not make one of the clubs being offered.
👟 3-5 Grade Girls On the Run Sign-ups
Click on the link HERE if your 3-5 grade girl is interested in participating in this incredible opportunity.
Season begins February 26th
Monday & Wednesday, 3:30 - 5:00
End of season Spring 5K is May 18th, 2024
📚 Literacy KNight RSVP 📚
Literacy KNight is fast approaching. It will be held on 3/7/24, with doors opening at 5:45 and the event will run until 7:15. We will have pizza, lots of reading and writing activities, and guest reader/author/musician, Kyri Demby. Check your calendars and we will have a link ready for you to RSVP next week. Also, we are in need of empty toilet paper rolls. Please send them in as you are able!
📣Volunteers Needed for the First NCES Tech Triathlon! 🤖
Dates and Times below
3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade: Wednesday, Feb 28, from 12:00 to 3:10
1st and 2nd Grade: Thursday, Feb 29, from 9:25 to 11:10
Kindergarten: Friday, March 1, from 11:15 to 12:05 (requires the fewest volunteers)
**Parents will not be paired with students, all students will circulate through all stations during their grade levels time.
Click HERE to volunteer to be a part of this event. Your support means the world to us
📌 Parent Teacher Conference Date Change
Parent Teacher Conference sign ups will be sent from your child's teacher.
Conferences will be held February 21 from 3:30-6:30 and February 28 3:30-6:30 PM.
KSA Dates 📎
The Kentucky Summative Assessment (KSA) will take place the last 14 days of the school year for 3rd-5th graders. The current testing window is May 6 - May 24. 3rd-5th grade families, please avoid scheduling appointments and/or trips during this time period.
🎉 Celebration 🎉
A wonderful shout out to the Norton Commons Elementary PTA for putting together a great experience for our families at the Someone Special Dance!
🍎 Parent Teacher Association
Valentine's Day Candy Grams
This year, the PTA is sponsoring our first Candy Grams for Valentine's Day! On Monday you should have received order forms for candy grams. Once all orders are in, we will need extra hands to help assemble and sort. Please follow this link to sign up and grab your spot to help on 2/12 and/or 2/13!
Stock the Break Room
As Valentine's Day approaches, let's show our appreciation for our amazing teachers and staff at NCES! We're going to stock the break room with some treats and goodies to make their month extra special. If you're able to donate, please sign up through the link below or check out their Amazon Wish list. Let's spread the love and gratitude! Thank you for your support!
Signup here to help.
Amazon wish list here.
TECH Triathlon
Hey there, Parent Powerhouses! We've got an electrifying opportunity coming up: our Tech Triathlon (STEM Day) is on the horizon, and we need your help to make it a roaring success! Picture this: Parents teaming up with our dynamic students to fuel the fun at various stations, guiding students through the exhilarating journey of discovery and innovation. It's going to be a blast!
Sign up here.
smART Showcase Prep with Ms. Sarah
Our dedicated art teacher, Ms. Sarah, is actively engaging our students in creating artwork for our upcoming smART Showcase in May. She is seeking volunteers every Friday until the event to assist in preparing student art pieces for display. You can choose to sign up for a single shift on any given Friday, multiple shifts on one day, or commit to a regular shift each week. Volunteers will report directly to Ms. Sarah.
Click HERE to volunteer to be a part of this event.
NCES Picture Day Volunteers
Volunteers are needed to assist Ms. Joan with class and club picture day on Wednesday, February 28 from 8:45a-12p. Please sign up to help even if you are able. Click here to volunteer!
NCES PTA Website
Check it out right HERE.
🗓️ Important Dates
Recurring Information
If you are interested in having your student participate in Blessings in a Backpack, please complete this form.
If you need clothes for your student from the Clothing Assistance Program (CAP), please complete this form.
Photo ID is always required when entering the building during the school day.
Parents may join their child for lunch, lunch schedule here. No restaurant food is permitted. Photo ID required.
Follow us on social media! Facebook: Norton Commons Elementary School, Instagram: @NCES_Knights, X (Twitter): @NCES_Knights
If you are not getting text alerts from NCES, make sure to sign up for School Messenger.
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.
Inclement Weather Plan - Please click here for NCES NTI information.
🚨Transportation Reminders
Please note the following:
School begins at 8:40.
Students should be settled in their classrooms by 8:35.
Both front parking lots are closed daily during arrival, they reopen at 8:40.
To ensure the safety of all students and staff, do not use the front parking lots or park in the handicapped spots for student drop-off.
The doors for the car rider line and walker door close promptly at 8:40 am, when the final bell rings.
Families arriving after that time will need to enter the building through the main entrance.
Families that need to enter the school, please park on the surrounding streets.
🚘 Afternoon Car Rider Procedures:
Car rider line starts at the second-speed limit sign, there is a blue dot on the sidewalk.
Pull up to the car in front of you, please do not leave a gap.
Keep the car tag number visible until your student is in the car.
Please stay in your car.
