Norton Creek Elementary

November-

11/13/2023- School Board Meeting-6pm Haines Center

11/20/2023-11/24/2023- Thanksgiving Break/No School

11/27/2023- School Resumes Today

Please mark these dates on your calendars-

Early Release Days for Elementary school this year(dismissal is at 2:10) are November 29th, January 24th, February 21st, March 20th, and April 24th.

Kindergarten thru 5th Grades-

8:00am-3:00pm

Students can be dropped off at 7:45am for the school day. If you arrive before that time please keep your child with you until 7:45 as there is no supervision outside until then.

The School Day ends at 3pm on all days except early release days which is 2:10pm. If you pick your children up by car please plan to be here at 3pm daily.

If you are arriving after 8:00am for safety and security you must walk your student into the main office and sign them in.

Our school office is open from 7:30am until 4:00pm on school days.

The aftercare program is available for students before the school day starts and after school ends. Please reach out to West Chicago Park District if your child needs daycare prior to 8am or after 3pm. You can reach them at 630-231-9474 or www.we-goparks.org.

I blinked and it was November! There is a LOT happening at The Creek, and as we start the month most typically associated with gratitude (Although, perhaps we should get in the habit as a society of associating everyday with gratitude!), I wanted to pass along my sincerest appreciation to our Norton Creek community.

Our teachers and staff have always been hard at work, but perhaps never harder than they are this year. Elementary schools across the district are implementing a completely rebuilt English Language-Arts curriculum that challenges our students just as much as it challenges our educators. All the while, we are also evolving our Professional Learning Communities (PLC) to maximize the efficacy of our collaboration, enhance our instructional coherence, and foster a culture of dignity for each member of our Norton Creek community. This is all to say we are going to get our experts around the table to analyze student performance data weekly to pool their expertise and provide each student with authentic opportunities to succeed within their grade level and beyond. It's a lot of work to balance on top of what is already expected in our profession. This crew is up to the task. They're passionate, compassionate, and brilliant. They're strong. And they're moving on this journey one step at a time together. I've always been proud of them, but I am extra proud of them for the megatons of effort their putting in day in and day out.

Our families continue to support their Eagles' education and our school in ways that amaze and astound. There is only so much time in the day and energy to go around, and the time and energy you dedicate to Norton Creek is superhuman. Thank you for reading with your Eagles, helping them with math homework even when they tell you you're doing it wrong, volunteering for class parties, coming to and producing evening events, AVIC, Watch D.O.G.S., and more, and partnering with us every step of the way to build the best school community Norton Creek can be. You are unfailingly generous with your time and talents, and this school could not do much of anything without the support you show.

Our Eagles come to school each day with big hearts, smiles, and brains ready to do their best. And their best starts as soon as they get out of your cars and off of our buses. I see big brothers and sisters helping their younger siblings get inside. I hear laughter and see hugs between friends happy to see each other. In classrooms, our Eagles are grinding away at everything our educators are giving them with grit and determination.

With all of this focus on hard work, we still put the emphasis on relationships. Without connection to one another, hard work and accomplishments don't mean much. Our Eagles need to feel good about themselves and one another. They need to be believed in just as much as they need to believe in each other. They must feel safe. And all of this leads to a joyful buzz in our school.

None of this easy, and none of it gets accomplished alone. I want to thank each of you for your contributions and for just being you. You make Norton Creek who we are.

Have a wonderful weekend, Norton Creek! Enjoy the extra hour to sleep or have fun! Either way, make some memories with your favorite people!

If you are planning on volunteering this year at Norton Creek please complete the following forms. We are asking that forms be turned in by September 15th. Please fill out the form completely and indicate what you will be volunteering for this school year. If fingerprinting is required we will reach out to you. Once completed please turn them into the office. When you come in the building to volunteer a driver's license will be required every time in order to enter.

When do I keep my student home for illness?

Cold and Flu season is upon us. Making the early morning decision as to whether you should send your

child to school when they wake up not feeling well isn’t always an easy decision. District 303 has

guidelines as to when your child should stay home from school:

Keep a child home from school when:

• Your child has had a fever of 100 degrees F or more within the past 24 hours.

• Your child has had vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours.

• Your child has an unexplained rash, sore or pink eyes with a discharge.

• Your child has a persistent, productive cough.

● Your child should be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school without taking fever-

reducing medication.

● If a bacterial infection has been diagnosed, your child MUST have 24 hours of antibiotics before

returning to school.

If your child is not feeling well in the morning, but you want them to try to go to school, you can always

call or email the school nurse and homeroom teacher and let her know what is going on with your child.

Then we can work with you during the day if your child comes to the nurse.

Injuries

● If your child has been injured and requires any activity restrictions at school, please contact the

school nurse and homeroom teacher via email or phone. If your child was seen by a doctor,

please submit a note from the doctor stating what the restrictions are.

Weather

● We are at a time of the year when the weather conditions can change considerably throughout

the day. It can be very cold in the morning and then warm up by afternoon. Please send your

child to school with coats/hats/gloves as needed.

Contact the nurse via email at karen.lombardo@d303.org or 331-228-2704

A few reminders to keep the school year going.....

How do I contact the nurse?

Please email the nurse at karen.lombardo@d303.org or call 331-228-2704.

How do I contact the office or nurse via email?

Please email the office at nor-office@d303.org

What time can my student arrive to school?

We open the doors at 7:45am for student arrival every morning. Students should not be dropped off before that time as there is no supervision for students. If you arrive before drop off time please keep your child in your car until the appropriate time.

Arriving Late To School-

If your child is arriving after 8:00am please walk them into the school and sign them in. Please also notify the attendance line if you plan to arrive to school after 8:30am.

How do I report an absence?.

Absences should be called in by 7:45 AM if your child will be absent for any portion of the day. The number is 331-228-2700 and has voicemail. You can call during the evening or overnight and leave a message. Please leave your child’s name and the reason why your child is out. If they are ill, please indicate their symptoms.

Even if you notify your child's teacher of an absence via email, we ask that you please still notify the office at nor-office@d303.org for attendance purposes. Please note that if your child is sick, they should be fever free and have no vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to school. Of course, you can always email the teacher as well, but you need to formally notify the school of any student absence.

Is your child leaving school early?

Also, if you will be picking up your child early or taking your child out for an appointment, please let our front office know as early in the day as possible by calling the main number at 331-228-2700 or email at nor-office@d303.org. This can be very helpful should a pick-up time be when the child is in specials or at lunch. Kids can be indoors as well as outdoors depending on their schedule and it can take a few extra minutes to locate and get the child down to the office for an early pickup if they are not in their classroom.

Does your child need a prearranged absence?

Students must apply for the privilege of using prearranged absence days through the principal’s office.

This completed form must be turned in at least (2) school days prior to the requested absence to the main office.

The building principal or designee has the authority to grant up to (5) days of excused absence per year

for the following types of absences:

 Participation in regional and/or national contests or awards

 Family vacation—qualified by the phrase “accompanied by parent”

 Special religious events

Please see attached form below or visit the district website at www.d303.org under the FORMS section.

What if my child has a change in dismissal/transportation?

Please let the school know as early as possible if there is a occasional change to your child dismissal by emailing nor-office@d303.org and your child's teacher or call the office directly at 331-228-2701. If it is after 2pm please call the office directly so that we can ensure your child gets the notification of changes. Dismissal time can be very hectic and to help ensure a smooth dismissal, getting any transportation changes for students early is very helpful. Simply call the school office or email at nor-office@d303.org and let them know.

What if my child forgot an item at home?

If your child has forgotten an item at home and it is needed for that day please email the classroom teacher to notify them that you will be dropping an item off. Bring the item labeled with the name and teacher to the office and place the item in the bookcase by the front window.

What is my child lost/misplaced an item at school?

Please ask your child to check the lost and found table. You can also email the classroom teacher to let her know that your student is looking for an item. They will allow time for them to check the table in the Community Room.

Note: Save our school number in your contacts. Norton Creek Elementary: (331) 228-2700.

LUNCH SCHEDULES:

1st Grade: 11:00-11:20

4th Grade: 11:20-11:40

RISE Students: 11:40-12:00

Kindergarten: 11:40-12:00

2nd Grade: 12:00-12:20

3rd Grade: 12:20-12:40

5th Grade: 12:40-1:00

If your student forgets their lunch please email the classroom teacher and drop off at the main office. Please label with the students full name.

Please remember to add money to your child(s) Pushcoin account in order to be able to purchase a lunch or a breakfast. Breakfast and lunch will not be free this year and will incur a fee daily. Norton Creek will be open at 7:45am on school days for breakfast. Please call the office with any questions.

Website: https://nortoncreek.d303.org/
Location: Norton Creek Elementary School, Smith Road, West Chicago, IL, USA
Phone: 331-228-2700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Norton-Creek-Elementary-1439295139641887/