October 11, 2023
🗒️Message from Mr. Wilson
NCES Families,
October is a great time to reflect on our successes so far this school year. Our staff has navigated the challenges and the resulting missed school days with professionalism. Our students have given their best effort daily, even with the gap in school days at the start of the school year. They have learned school-wide routines, procedures, and expectations very quickly and have shown us that we have some of the best students in the district. The excellent work of our students can be attributed to our tremendous families. We appreciate your commitment to a new transportation change procedure as well as our PTA's focus on family engagement with our school. This partnership will strengthen our school community and help provide the best possible learning environment for students.
As we move forward into the next segment of the school year, I encourage our families to remain engaged and team with our teachers/staff to support students in their learning. Our staff members will continue their flexibility and attention to the needs of students. Our PTA will continue to enhance our families' connection to the school through activities and events. I have no doubt that our students will continue their hard work, engagement, and leadership. Our school leadership team will continue to make student-centered decisions and support our teachers in providing the best possible learning experience for students. Together, we can maintain our momentum and ensure a productive, successful year for our school community.
Respectfully,
Shawn Wilson, Assistant Principal
➗ Save the Date! ➖ Math KNight 11/9 ➕
Back by popular demand! Math KNight is open to all K-5 families with a submitted RSVP. Watch for the Google Form RSVP coming in next week's NCES News.
Thursday, November 9, 6:00-7:15; doors open at 5:45pm.
Math KNight is a chance for families to play math games together. Lots of options will be available for your family to freely choose activities that fit your interests and ages.
Pizza, cookies, and water will be served.
Prizes! Prizes! Prizes!
Watch for the Google Form RSVP coming in next week's NCES News! Just like last year, ALL are welcome, but a head count is required to ensure space and food is available. No walk-ins permitted, so plan to fill out the form if you are coming.
News from our Family Resource Center
Forms Due/Prizes: There are 3 forms that we need completed, the Educational Benefits Forms (EBF), Residency Form and the FRC Needs Assessment. The first two can be completed on your Parent Portal account. (Go here to log-in/sign-up). You can access the Assessment here. Classes who have over 95% of their students complete the forms by Nov 1 will receive a special treat! We appreciate your help with this!
Holiday Assistance: If you need help with food and/or gifts during the upcoming holidays, please complete this form by 10/23.
Academic Information 📝
KSA Score Information/Update: The School Report Card public release is tentatively set for Nov. 1. The embargo review period for media and district review will begin on Monday, Oct. 30, and end on Tuesday, Oct. 31 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Individual student score reports will be sent home for every child on October 30th.
Students in 3rd & 5th grade will take the NNAT3 in mid to late October. 4th grade students will only take the NNAT3 if they did not participate in the test in 3rd grade. This non-verbal assessment will be used to identify students in General Intellectual Ability for Gifted and Talented. A specific test date will be forthcoming from your child's teacher. Email timothy.guttmann@jefferson.kyschools.us if you would like additional information.
5th Grade Families
🏀Clubs and Activities
We are beginning fall clubs and activities this week. At this time clubs are all full. You should have received communication from the club sponsor welcoming you to the club with additional information. If you have not received this communication you did not get into your requested club. We hope to offer clubs again in the spring and will try and give priority to those who did not get in this fall.
Mark your calendar! Basketball tryouts are Wednesday 10/18 for 4th and 5th boys and girls. Practices will begin Wednesday 10/25. Please print and read the following information and turn in the permission form to Coach McGinty. Click here.
Also, cheerleading tryouts will be on Thursday, 10/19, 3:30-5:00. Please click on the form here to sign up.
🍁Terry's Tailgate
Terry's Tailgate Flyer with QR code 2023 (1).pdfYMCA Fall Festival🍂
🍎 Parent Teacher Association
Visit the PTA Website for information and events!
🎉 Celebrations 🎉
Michelle Fields has improved and updated our school website. You will find amazing information about our school there. Check it out!
🗓️ Important Dates
10/14: Saturday School begins (invite only)
10/14: Showcase of Schools 9:00-4:00 (see above)
10/18: Basketball tryouts
10/19: Cheerleading tryouts 3rd-5th grade
10/20: Terry's Tailgate and YMCA and NCES Fall Festival (10/21 Rain date)
10/23: Picture Day
10/24-10/27: Red Ribbon Week (more info to come)
Recurring Information
Photo ID is always required when entering the building during the school day.
Parents may join their child for lunch! Lunch schedule linked 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.
The PTA Reflections Program invites students in all grades to reflect on our 2023-2024 theme and create art in the following categories: dance, film, literature, music, photography and visual arts Visit the PTA Website for more information.
Transportation 🚘
School building opens at 8:00. School starts at 8:40. Students who arrive at 8:40 AM or later must have a parent accompany them to sign-in in the main office as a tardy. 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 in the morning or afternoon.
🚗 Car Riders:
Parents remain in their vehicle.
Keep your 2023-2024 car rider tag visible until student is in the car.
Note from the FRC 🎒
Items Needed- The Family Resource Center is in need of girls’ underwear and gently used pants in XS and S sizes. Label the items “FRC” and send them in.
Dental Clinic- Offered by NCES and School Smiles in November. If interested, follow this link to sign up (also sent this form in the beginning of the year packet). This exam will fulfill the JCPS requirement for a dental exam for all 5-6 year old students.
Hearing and Vision Screenings on 12/14 and 15- If you DO NOT want your student to participate, you must sign and return the notice of non-consent, coming home this week. (This doesn't count as the JCPS required vision exam for 5-6 year old students, but reach out to me for referrals to affordable eye doctors if you need one.)
Holiday Assistance- The FRC provides food baskets at Thanksgiving and for winter holidays we provide food baskets and/or gifts. Priority is given to our students on Free/Reduced lunch, but if there are special circumstances surrounding your request, please let me know. Please complete this form to apply. Completing the application does not guarantee that you will receive assistance. You will receive a letter if you are approved and it will indicate the type(s) of assistance you will receive.
Just a reminder:
Blessings in a Backpack provides food on the weekend for families who may be facing food insecurity. Students receive a packet of food on Fridays that usually contains a meat product, crackers, cereal, and some snacks. If you are interested in having your student participate, please complete this form. The program will start at the end of the month.
If you need clothes for your student from the Clothing Assistance Program (CAP), please complete this form.
Any questions about this information or if I can help your family in any way, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at 502-357-6265 or christina.case@jefferson.kyschools.us
