February 21, 2024
✏️ Comprehensive School Survey
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 Tim Guttmann and Libby Steltenpohl
NCES Families,
The Act of Valor for the month of February is Honesty! This fundamental value is defined as "being truthful in what you say and do." We encourage you to engage with your children in conversations about the importance of honesty in their daily lives. Instilling this virtue early on not only builds a strong foundation for ethical behavior but also enhances their relationships with peers and adults!
Like we do for all Act of Valors of the month, the school counseling team will be providing social emotional lessons (guidance) in all classrooms focused on this month’s trait. This includes reviewing and discussing the meaning of the character trait, a read aloud connected to the trait, and engaging videos/activities that reinforce the trait. Teachers also have access to the CharacterStrong curriculum that provides additional resources connected to the month’s Act of Valor.
As always, thank you for being partners in education.
Tim Guttmann, School Counselor
Libby Steltenpohl, Mental Health Practitioner
📝Literacy KNight 3/7/24: RSVP Now Open 📚
Literacy KNight is fast approaching and we invite your family to join us! No walk-ins, so make sure to RSVP before 2/28 at 8:00pm. This allows us to ensure we have enough food, supplies, and space. We will have pizza, lots of reading and writing activities and guest reader/author/musician, Kyri Demby.
There will be a leave a book, take a book station for BOTH adults and children, so if you have a used book (adult or children's), then bring it that night. You are welcome to take a book home! A reader's dream!
We are still collecting toilet paper rolls. Please send in as soon as possible!
💪YMCA Annual
Fundraising Campaign
Fundraising Campaign
Support our unique partnership! We are lucky to adjoin the Y. See the flyer for ways your child can be a part of the fun: discos, popsicles, staff on a bike and possible class swim parties!
🥗 Parent Lunch Change
We have enjoyed our parents coming in to eat lunch with your students. We do have a slight change. We now have a designated parent/student lunch area where you will be able to sit with your students to eat lunch. The student may even invite one friend over to eat lunch with you all. They still allow for parents to come in and enjoy lunch with their students but allow the rest of the class to enjoy their lunch space as well. Thank you for your understanding and compliance. You will be directed to the appropriate location upon arrival into the lunch room.
🗒️ From Mrs. Case in the Family Resource Center
If you have a child that is in need of a bed, please reach out to the FRC at christina.case@jefferson.kyschools.us to apply for Build-a-Bed assistance through Northeast Christian Church.
If you need help preparing your taxes, follow this link.
Community Baby Fair on 3/23/24 for expecting parents and parents with children 0-5 years. See flyer for details. RSVP here.
Dress Clothes Donations Needed! Seeking donations of new/gently used khaki pants, white dress shirts and ties for 4th and 5th grade students attending the Men of Quality conference in March.
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
🤖 Support Needed for the First NCES Tech Triathlon!
Click HERE to donate items from the Amazon wish list
Click HERE to volunteer to be a part of this event.
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)
Thank you for your support!
🎉 Celebration 🎉
Thank you Blackacre State Nature Preserve for bringing our 1st graders quail eggs. What a fun learning opportunity for our students!
🍎 Parent Teacher Association
Restaurant Nights Fundraiser
Join us for an exciting evening of delicious food and community spirit at our School PTA Fundraiser: Restaurant Nights!
Date: Monday, February 26th
Time: 4:30 p.m. to Close
Location: Fiesta Time Amigo's in the Norton Commons neighborhood
Let's come together to support our school and enjoy a fantastic meal at Fiesta Time Amigo's! Spread the word, mark your calendars, and get ready for a fun-filled night of tasty treats and fundraising for a great cause!
Stock the Break Room
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. 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!
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.
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!
📌 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.
📌 Picture Day
Grade level / Class pictures on this day
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.
🗓️ 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.
