September 27, 2023
🗒️Message from Mrs. Davis
Dear Families,
Our Fall Book Fair was a huge success! Thanks to all of you, we raised $5000 to spend on new items for the library. I truly appreciate all the support and loved seeing so many families here last week! A huge thank you to all the parents who volunteered as well. Without you, it would not have been possible! Look for information in the Spring about our next one!
September 15-October 15 is Hispanic Heritage month. We are celebrating in the library by reading stories by Hispanic authors, learning about various Hispanic cultures, and conducting research about famous Hispanic Americans. Ask your student what they learned this week!
Finally, since it is fall, and fall is my favorite time of year, the library is hosting a storybook pumpkin patch. Students are invited to decorate a pumpkin like their favorite story book character and bring in to display in the library. Click on the attached flier for more details, students will also receive a paper copy this week!
Again, thank you for your continued support of the library!
Happy reading!
Christi Davis, LMS
☕ Want to know more about EL?
Join us this Friday at 8:30!
Join Nicole Feld, our Academic Instructional Coach, for an informational session on the EL curriculum over coffee. It will be held this Friday, September 29 from 8:30-9:00 AM in the Library or at https://meet.google.com/nfz-kzxo-inn via Google Meet. The session will also be recorded and shared after Fall Break if you are unable to join us. Our new EL curriculum for teaching whole group modules in reading and writing will be discussed.
Academic Information 📝
Watch for conference information from your child's teacher to schedule conferences.
Teachers will be sending home a progress report prior to fall break. The progress report matched with a conference will help you get an idea of how your child is doing this year. This document will give you an idea of your child's progress so far. It includes:
initial MAP test information (a more detailed MAP report coming at conferences)
your child's current progression grade and work habits scores, reported as a 4-3-2-1 score with 4 indicating exceeding standards and 1 being not meeting standards
a math and reading goal for your child, as well as information on how to support your child in meeting his/her goal
Students in grades 3rd-5th will take the NNAT3 in mid to late October. 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.
🏀Clubs and Activities
We are beginning fall clubs and activities after fall break. At this time clubs are all full. You will receive notification from the sponsor if you made it into the club prior to meetings next week.
Mark your calendar! Basketball tryouts are Wednesday 10/18 for 4th and 5th boys and girls. Practices will begin Wednesday 10/25. More info to come.
🍁 Terry's Tailgate
YMCA Fall Festival 🍂
🍎 Parent Teacher Association
Volunteers Needed for Fall Festival! Sign Up Here
See the Terry's Tailgate flyer! This PTA event will be happening on October 20th from 4-6 PM in the school front lawn prior to the Fall Festival.
The PTA Reflections Program invites students in all grades to reflect on our 2023-2024 theme, visit the PTA Website for more information.
NAACP | JCPS Community Forums
District offering! See the full list of virtual topics to be covered on the flier. Next up, October 19th at 6:00pm JCPS Reading Programs: How are these improving student reading skills. Speakers will be Chief Academic Officer, Terra Greenwell and Executive Administrator for Academics, Dr. De’Nay Speaks. Click the link to RSVP for this virtual forum (for Zoom Link). Link is good to RSVP for any forum this year.
This would be great follow up to our school-based EL session coming up this Friday!
Building Update
NCES is Asbestos Free. See report here.
🎉 Celebrations 🎉
Our Early Childhood classes started this week. We are so glad to welcome back our youngest learners!
🗓️ Important Dates
9/29: Cross Country Meet (Tom Sawyer State Park)
9/29: 8:30-9:00 EL Info Session for Families
10/2: Family Teacher Conferences
10/3-10/6: Fall Break
10/18: Basketball tryouts
10/20: YMCA and NCES Fall Festival (10/21 Rain date)
10/23: Picture Day
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
