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WE ARE NORTH.

NORMAN NORTH Timberwolves

WE ARENORTH.NORMAN NORTH Timberwolves

Parent/Student Newsletter (9-11-20)

In this edition:

UPCOMING SCHOOL SCHEDULES AND UPDATES

ICAP - Individualized Career Academic Plan

Safety Precautions For In-Person Learning

Free School Lunches

Reminder - Parent Pick up/Drop off Traffic Flow Changes

Bell Schedules for In Person Learning

Library Updates

Driving to School? Need a Parking Decal!

SPUD is Coming!

Club News

Yearbook Pick Up

Canvas Login Information

Virtual College Tours

Administration and Counseling Staff

UPCOMING SCHOOL SCHEDULES AND UPDATES - IMPORTANT CHANGES

Upcoming Schedule

IN-PERSON LEARNING UPDATE - Friday, Sept. 11, 2020


As a reminder, we provide weekly updates regarding the status of in-person instruction. Each Monday, a forecast for the following week is provided. Each Friday, after Oklahoma’s Covid-19 Alert System is updated, we confirm the following week’s instructional plan. These updates are applicable only to those students who are enrolled in the traditional/remote or blended learning options. Students enrolled in the full-time virtual option will not be affected.


The Covid-19 Alert System was developed by the Oklahoma State Department of Health and has been adopted by the Oklahoma Department of Education. The alert system does not differentiate between Orange Level 1 and 2. However, according to the Oklahoma Department of Education, Orange Level 1 is defined as more than 14.39 but fewer than 25 cases per 100,000 people, while Orange Level 2 is defined as more than 25 but fewer than 50 cases per 100,000 people.

  • HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: Cleveland County is currently Orange Level 2. Middle and high school students who are enrolled in traditional/remote or blended learning options will continue to report to school on an alternate schedule Monday, Sept. 14.


We have also received questions about positive case numbers districtwide. Currently, we have received notification of 19 positive cases across the district from Aug. 31 through Sept. 10. Impacted schools at this point are Eisenhower, Kennedy, Reagan, Irving, Norman High and Norman North. Beginning next week, we will provide weekly updates that will be available to the public. Next week’s report will include information from Saturday, Sept. 5 through Friday, Sept. 11.


What important safety protocols will be in place? Below you will find a more detailed list of safety protocols, however we wanted to point out a few.


  • All students and staff are expected to wear a mask at all times, unless they are eating or drinking.
  • We have opened up the CCC, FRAC, Library and Commons during lunch times. We have closed some tables to promote social distancing.
  • All students will complete a temperature/wellness check in their 1st hour and 4th/5th hour.
  • Several hallways have been turned into One Way.
  • Class release will be staggered to help prevent congestion in the hallways.

Week of September 14th to September 18th

ICAP - Individualized Career Academic Plan

In 2017, Oklahoma House Bill 2511 provided a statewide career and academic planning program to guide students as they prepare for life beyond high school. The multi-year process, known as the Individual Career Academic Plan (ICAP), guides students as they explore career, academic and post-secondary opportunities. Families, students and educators collaborate to develop the ICAP, which equips students with the awareness, knowledge and skills to create their own meaningful exploration of college and career opportunities. The ICAP is an evolving document that reflects students’ changing passions, aptitudes, interests and growth.


As outlined in the law, all 9th-grade students in Oklahoma are required to create an ICAP beginning in the 2019-2020 school year. In addition, ICAP is a graduation requirement that will be noted on high school transcripts beginning in 2023. We realize that, in order for our 9th graders to create a meaningful ICAP, we must expose students to the process of creating an ICAP prior to high school. Therefore, our students will begin the process in middle school with introductory elements at both 6th and 7th grades. In grades 8-12, students will have the opportunity to collect information for their ICAP in an online ePortfolio using SchooLinks.


What does an ICAP include?

The ICAP is an individualized plan that is developed by students and their parents/guardians in collaboration with school counselors and educators. The ICAP must include the following:

  • Career and college interest surveys,

  • Written post-secondary and workforce goals,

  • An intentional sequence of courses that reflect progress toward a post-secondary goal,

  • Academic progress, courses taken, assessment scores, any remediation or credit recovery, any AP, concurrent or dual enrollment credits earned, career certificate, certification or endorsements,

  • Experience-based learning, in-service learning, and/or work environment activities.


How will NPS implement the ICAP?

All NPS students in grades 8-12 will develop and maintain an ePortfolio using SchooLinks. SchooLinks is a college and career readiness platform that will help students make academic decisions for high school that, hopefully, will benefit them beyond graduation. SchooLinks allows students to discover their interests and strengths, explore colleges and careers, and create an individualized career and academic plan that best reflects their post-secondary goals. SchooLinks will be accessible by students, parents, counselors, and staff.



How can you support your child’s ICAP involvement?

  • Visit the NPS ICAP webpage and review the SchooLinks site and the requirements regarding the ICAP.

  • Create a SchooLinks account.

  • Discuss with your child that the ICAP is a multi-year process and product that you will be working on together and with the assistance of school personnel.

  • Use the ICAP to have meaningful discussions about your child’s educational journey.


While ICAP is an additional requirement for high school graduation, our hope is that your child will create an individualized and meaningful plan that will be informative and transformational to both him and you throughout high school and into successful college or career experiences.


We look forward to supporting your child’s development through their Individual Career and Academic Plan. Your child’s counselor is also a critical support person for your child in the ICAP process. Please reach out to him/her at 405-366-5954, if you have any questions about this information.

Safety Precautions For In-Person Learning

Dear Norman North Families,


Our focus this year is to provide the safest environment possible for your student while we focus on instruction. Please know I understand these changes might be difficult and inconvenient at times; however, they are necessary to create the safest environment for your student. Below is Norman North Back to School Framework that will be implemented to support student and staff safety.


Academic Plan:

Teachers will utilize the NPS adopted curriculum and district pacing guides and/or curriculum maps to ensure all students have equitable access to a guaranteed and viable curriculum.


Social / Emotional Support:

We understand the possible trauma and/or anxiety that students may be experiencing from being out of school for a long period of time and the on-going concern about the presence of COVID-19 in our community. Our goal is to provide a stable and positive school environment for students to feel safe. In addition to programs such as Second Step, guidance counselors will be collaborating with classroom teachers to identify specific individual student needs. Please contact your school counselor if you have a concern or feel your student needs additional support.


Attendance: A flexible attendance policy will be in place this year, as students, teachers and staff are expected to stay home if they do not feel well. The district’s fever policy will continue to be enforced, and individuals with a temperature above 100.4 will not be permitted at school. Additionally, a virtual attendance policy will be in place for remote learning, as required by the Oklahoma State Department of Education. School principals will work with families under the guidance of our Executive Directors of Elementary and Secondary Schools to ensure appropriate attendance codes are used for absences related to COVID-19. Please contact your students attendance secretary as needed:


Learning Management System (LMS):

The Learning Management System (LMS) used for secondary level is Canvas. Teachers will use Canvas as an online platform to communicate and share academic/school information with parents. Students will access Canvas to watch pre-recorded lessons and complete activities and assignments. Parents are encouraged to interact and familiarize themselves with Canvas. Canvas will be used to ensure learning continuity during quarantine situations or any necessary school closures. If students must quarantine due to exposure or illness from COVID-19, students can use Canvas to transition between in-person and remote learning.


Remote Learning Schedules

When a class, school or the district closes due to increasing positive COVID-19 cases, we will follow the district remote learning schedules. The schedules are staggered by grade levels to ensure families with multiple elementary-age students can share electronic devices. You can find a video description and the remote learning schedules on our district webpage.


School Arrival: We are asking parents and students to avoid coming to school before 8:30 am to eliminate students gathering in hallways and common areas. Students taking a 0 Hour will need to arrive in time for their class start time. All students will be expected to go directly to class.


School Dismissal: Any student not with a sponsor or teacher will be required to leave the building for 4:15pm.



Health Safeguards at School


Wellness Screenings: Families are expected to screen children for fever and/or other symptoms associated with COVID-19 prior to students’ arrival at school each day. Additionally, all students will participate in wellness screenings at school twice per day — once in the morning (1st Hour) and again in the afternoon (4th Hour for 9th Grade, 5th Hour for 10th-12th). Teachers, administrators, staff and visitors also will be screened each day.


Face Coverings: Face coverings/shields will be required for all staff and students. Students and staff are encouraged to bring their own face coverings, otherwise one will be provided. Face coverings must be school appropriate and prevent any distraction from the learning environment as outlined in school policies.

  • Norman Public Schools employees and students will be required to wear face coverings.

  • In the event a student cannot wear a face covering due to a documented medical exemption, we will work with them and their family, as we always do, to find a reasonable accommodation. If a reasonable accommodation cannot be reached between the student, family and NPS, the student may be transitioned to virtual learning from home via Canvas, Seesaw or ExpandED. If needed, school personnel will work with families to choose an appropriate virtual or blended learning environment.

  • If a student refuses to wear a face covering, we will, as we always do, work with the student and family, to find a solution. The student may be transitioned to virtual learning from home via Canvas, Seesaw or ExpandED. School personnel will work with families to choose an appropriate virtual or blended learning environment.

  • Students will be required to follow face covering and social distancing rules set out by teachers, coaches or event sponsors during physical education classes and athletics and fine arts activities.

  • Students are expected to wear face coverings appropriately that cover their mouth and nose.

  • Student face coverings must adhere to the Norman North Student handbook policy. Bandanas will not be permitted as a face covering.


Enhanced Sanitization: Enhanced cleaning and sanitization practices will occur with increased frequency and include the use of equipment commonly used in hospitals to disinfect classrooms and common areas. In addition to common, EPA-approved cleaning agents, electrostatic sprayers and equipment that uses ultraviolet light to disinfect surfaces will be employed. The district will provide teachers and staff members with additional sanitation materials for their classrooms and/or work spaces, as well as hand sanitizer stations throughout the building. Dailying cleaning will focus on high touch surfaces.


Classrooms: Teachers will wear a mask/face covering at all times, as well as space furniture in a manner to create as much social distancing as possible. All teachers will have assigned seating.


Group Events: Large group events will be postponed or moved to a virtual format, depending on the specific event and current circumstances.


Food Service:

The school cafeteria has adjusted service as following:

  • Food service will be through cafeteria staff or single individually wrapped products.

  • Food-service workers will continue to be monitored by taking temperatures, wearing facemasks, hand washing and wearing gloves per Health Department Guidelines.

  • Cafeteria tables will continue to be disinfected between use to control the spread.

  • Students will be required to be 6 feet apart in the cafeteria line.

  • A Touchless Cashiering system will be used to purchase food.


Lunch: Additional parts of the building will be opened to allow for more social distancing, as well as encouraged to eat in our outside area.


Water Fountains: Students are encouraged to use refillable water bottles and use the schools’ bottle-filling stations.


Hallways: Major hallways will become ONE WAY as follows. Arrows will be placed on the floor to guide students.

  • Entire S200/Pit area hallway Southbound

  • S300 hallway Northbound

  • N100 hallway Southbound

  • North Commons hallway Northbound


Passing Periods: Passing Periods will follow the below format to prevent hallway congestion. In addition, students may take outside routes and re-enter the building at the Commons, CCC or Front Office.

  • Odd number classrooms during Odd Hours (1, 3, 5, 7) will leave 2 mins early

  • Even number classrooms during Even Hours (2, 4, 6) will leave 2 mins early


Lockers: Hallway lockers will not be available during this school year.


Libraries: The library will have cleaning supplies to disinfect surfaces and furniture. All furniture is spaced out to encourage social distancing. Students can check out digital books and audiobooks any time, and physical books are available for students via placing holds or curbside service. Returned physical books will be handled using gloves and, based on research, quarantined for 96 hours before available to check out.


Supplies: Classroom teachers will provide a list of suggested supplies to encourage individual use and avoid communal supplies.


Visitors: To protect our students, teachers, staff and volunteers, all nonessential visitors will be limited. Virtual platforms will be encouraged to continue volunteer programs and guest speakers. Visitors will not be permitted beyond the front office (administrative and/or counseling areas) with very limited exceptions. Anyone entering school buildings will be required to wear a face covering and complete a health screening. Please see a detailed contact list following this plan for NN Curbside Services.


Conferences: Parent-teacher conferences and meetings regarding Individual Education Programs (IEP) and 504 plans will be held virtually or by phone when possible.


Facilities: Access to school facilities by community members and external groups will not be allowed when school programs are in process. To request facilities, please use Facilitron by clicking here.


Fine Arts & Athletic Classes: Students will be required to follow face covering and social distancing rules set out by teachers, coaches or event sponsors during fine arts and athletic classes.


Extracurricular Activities: All practices are closed to the public and only NPS staff members are permitted to attend. Additional information regarding events (including scrimmages, games, performances, etc.) and extracurricular activities will be provided when it becomes available.


After-School Activities: Information regarding after-school activities will be provided by school principals on an ongoing basis.


I greatly appreciate your support as we work together to create the best environment for your student during this time.


Sincerely,


Dr. Kristi Gray

Norman North Principal

Free School Lunches

Nutrition Update: We are delighted to share that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has granted several flexibilities that allow the continuation of free student lunch programs. This means that school breakfasts and lunches will be free to anyone 18-years-old or younger effective Sept. 1, through Dec. 31, or until funds for the program are depleted. Students who were charged for meals on or after Sept. 1, will be eligible for a refund to their accounts and more information will be provided when it is available. Meal service for students enrolled in traditional/remote learning will remain the same. To adhere to record-keeping guidelines students will still ring up their lunch as normal, but there will be no charge or cost. For more information, visit www.normanpublicschools.org/meals.


Reminder - Parent Pick up/Drop off Traffic Flow Changes

Please take a look at the traffic flow below. Due to construction and our need to spread students out at dismissal, we have made some changes. The front lot will now be ONE WAY and will be the parent pick up/drop off area. Parent pick up/drop off will no longer be in the back of the building.

Bell Schedules for In Person Learning

Library Updates

The library will look a little different when we are in person, but students can still check out books, get help from their librarians, and use the space safely. Please read our in person library expectation here and watch the short video explaining everything. Curbside book services will still be available for virtual students. Please contact Mrs. Dettmann (mdettmann@norman.k12.ok.us) if you have any questions or need help! All library services and info can be found at the library website (tinyurl.com/nnhslc)

Driving to School? Need a parking decal!

Students driving to school, will need to fill out the Parking Decal request form on the NN website under Forms. Form needs to be filled out and a $25 fee is required.


Parking spaces are given to Seniors first, then Juniors, and if spaces are still available they will be available to Sophomores in the order in which the request was received.


If you drive to school, you will need to fill out the Google form and purchase a parking decal. Please Click here for Parking decal form/payment, both form and payment must be received before decals will be delivered.


Just a reminder that students can only park in the student lots (athletic and east lots), students should not park in spots marked "reserved" or in the gravel lot.


SPUD is Coming!

SPUD is Coming shirts will be available for preorder Friday, August 28, 2020 through Tuesday, September 11, 2020. T-Shirts are selling for $15 each. The shirts will be available for preorder by going on the SPUD Week website under the "more" tab and then clicking the "SPUD Merch" tab. After that you are asked to fill out a Google Form to pre-order your official 2021 SPUD is Coming shirt. The pick up will be at Norman North, the date and time are to be determined. More information regarding the pick up date will be announced near the pre-order deadline. www.spudweek.org/spud-merch

club news

KEY CLUB

Key Club is an international, student-led organization that provides its members with opportunities to provide service, build character and develop leadership. Our goals for this year are to help our community in any way we can during these hard times.

We will be meeting the first Thursday of every month at 12:40.

Contact Prestley Gabriel if you are interested.

Email: pgabriel@student.norman.k12.ok.us



ROCK CLIMBING
Interested? Join Remind or see contact info below.
Remind code: 82daf6g
Club website: https://clubsatnnhs.wixsite.com/climbingclub
Contact: jkhor@student.norman.k12.ok.us

Yearbook Pick Up

Look for another opportunity to pick up your yearbook during the month of September!

Canvas Login Information

Teachers and staff are continuing to add and update information in Canvas. Please see the attached information regarding Canvas Login information to be prepared for the first day of school on Monday, August 24th.



Student Login for Canvas

  1. Go to normanpublicschools.instructure.com. You will see a Microsoft login page.

    1. Use your NPS email address (the whole thing, even the @norman…)

    2. Use your NPS password (for most students, it is a combination of their initials and their student ID numbers)


If the password doesn’t work, they need to contact the NPS Help Desk helpdesk@norman.k12.ok.us or at : (405) 366-0536 and someone will get back to you.



To Connect Parents to a Student Account:

Parents connect using a pairing code. Each parent only needs one single code to connect to ALL of their student’s Canvas courses. Siblings each need to generate their own code.

  1. Log into Canvas. You will see a navigation bar on the left side with icons like Account, Dashboard, and Courses.

  2. Click on Account, then click on Settings.

  3. Click on Pair with Observer, which will immediately create a code for you to use. The codes are case sensitive.

If the Pair with Observer button doesn't display in your User Settings, please contact the NPS Help Desk helpdesk@norman.k12.ok.us or at : (405) 366-0536 and someone will get back to you.



How Parents Use the Code

  1. Go to https://normanpublicschools.instructure.com/login/canvas and make sure to include the ENTIRE web address. You cannot login using the same link that students used.

  2. In the upper right, you will see a place to click if you are the parent of a Canvas user. Click on that link.

  3. It will prompt you to make a Canvas account. After filling in your personal details, you will enter the code your student generated.

  4. Once you submit that information, your account should generate and take you to a dashboard with your student’s courses.



You can use your login for the Canvas for Parents app on your smartphone or tablet, or monitor it from your computer using that web address. If you have any issues, please contact the NPS Help Desk helpdesk@norman.k12.ok.us or at (405) 366-0536 and someone will get back to you.

Virtual College Visits

Norman North will be participating in virtual college visits this year!


Please check the Norman North website to find the scheduled virtual college visits.


Instructions to Virtual College Visits:

  1. Go to Norman North Website
  2. Click the drop down box that says Announcements
  3. Then click The College Corner and a calendar will pop up.
  4. Look at the different months to see what Virtual College Visits are scheduled.
  5. Click on the Virtual College Visit you would like to attend
  6. Under Location, Copy and paste the link for the zoom meeting
  7. The link will connect to a zoom meeting with the College Rep

Administration and Counseling Staff

Norman North High School

(405) 366-5954

Office hours: 7:30 am to 4:30 pm (Currently closed on Fridays)


FRESHMAN (9TH) SUPPORT

Assistant Principal: Lorenzo Alferos lalferos@norman.k12.ok.us

Counselors:


UPPERCLASS (10TH-12TH) SUPPORT

Assistant Principals:

Attendance Secretaries:

(please call according to your student’s last name)

Counselors

(please ask for counselor according to student’s last name and grade)

Testing Coordinator

Kim Williams: 366-8287 kimw@norman.k12.ok.us


OFFICE SUPPORT

Receptionist: Jeanabec Higdon jeanabech@norman.k12.ok.us

Registrar: Stacy Trusley strusley@norman.k12.ok.us

AP Testing/Community Liaison: Rita Uhlenhake ritau@norman.k12.ok.us

Financial Secretary: Susan Tipps stipps@norman.k12.ok.us

Athletics Secretary: Tami Bailey tbailey@norman.k12.ok.us


Head Principal: Dr. Kristi Gray kristig@norman.k12.ok.us

Principal’s Secretary: Celina Lautzenheiser clautzenh2@norman.k12.ok.us