School Musical
What a treat it was to see so many students shine on stage in the school musical, Hagbane's Doom, the past two evenings! Whether in the choir, or the cast, Norway students left the audience with stellar performances, an infectious soundtrack in their heads, and lasting memories. It took a great deal of teamwork and dedication to pull it all off, and students should all be proud of this accomplishment. Thank you to everyone who came out to watch the musical, some you on both evenings! A special thank you to Norway parent Ian Heath for lending his technical expertise, School Council for all of their support (of this and many other things at the school), and to the following staff members who dedicated many hours over the past few months in preparation for this week - Ms. DiPietro, Ms. Church, Ms. Thompson, Ms. Taylor, Ms. Tiller and Ms. Mitchell.
Jump Rope for Heart
As you may have heard, we have reached, and exceeded, our fundraising goal of $2000! Of course, it is not too late to make a donation online at - https://jumpropeforheart.crowdchange.ca/46641. To celebrate our students' achievements, we will be hosting the Jump Rope Performance tomorrow, Friday, April 19 at 2:05 pm (following afternoon recess). Parents are encouraged to come out and watch. Let’s hope for some good weather and an outdoor performance! If we are indoors, we will all gather in the gymnasium. A big shout out to Ms. Brace for all of the hard work and time she has put in to making Jump Rope for Heart such a successful activity. She has inspired and encouraged every student to learn to skip, or learn to skip better - all while teaching about healthy heart habits and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.
Rain and Outdoor Recess and Lunch
We have seen quite a number of rainy days the past week or so, and while some students are prepared for the weather, many are not as prepared as they could be. As much as possible we try to go outside for recesses. With the exception of torrential rain or lightning, the chances are good that we will have recess, as usual, outdoors. Please be sure that your child comes prepared with what they need to stay warm and dry on these. This might include a rain jacket, an umbrella, or some sort of water resistant shell to go over their sweater or fleece. Outdoor shoes are a must, and boots are a good choice on particularly wet days. Students have fun in the rain if they are warm and dry, and getting outside a few times a day helps them to focus when they are back inside.
Workshop for Parents / Caregivers in Managing Childhood Anxiety
Norway School Council presents, “Building Resilience: A Collaborative Workshop for Parents/Caregivers on Managing Childhood Anxiety” on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, 7:00 – 8:30 pm at Norway.
Join us in welcoming Flourish Health Services for a workshop funded by the School Council Innovation Grant. Presenting speakers will be Marie Hooper, M.A., Ph.D. Candidate, and Dr. Kyla McDonald, C.Psych. (Supervised Practice). Participants will gain valuable insights into recognizing anxiety in their children at various stages of development and how that anxiety manifests in the school environment in areas like academic performance, social interactions, and schoolyard dynamics. The workshop will provide practical strategies and effective communication tools to help parents support their children in addressing and managing anxiety, resulting in a more positive outcome at home and in the classroom. We'll conclude with a Q&A period where our guest experts will happily address any questions you might have.
Childcare will be provided. Norway parents are welcome to invite a guest from outside the school community. We want to be sure this event has a great turnout! Note that childcare will only be for Norway families.
Parents Guide to Ontario’s Education System
The Ministry of Education has launched a Parent’s Guide to Ontario’s Education System. This new resource provides parents with helpful information that supports them to have a stronger role and actively participate in their children’s education. The guide covers several subjects such as knowing how their child is doing in school, attending a school council meeting or parent involvement committee meeting, and knowing about specialized supports to help all children succeed. This initiative is part of the government’s recent efforts to increase transparency and accountability in our school system. The full guide can be found at www.Ontario.ca/educationguide.
TDSB Backpack & School Supplies Drive
All students should have access to backpacks and school supplies. These essential items support well-being so that students may focus on achievement in and out of the classroom. The TDSB is pleased to launch the annual Backpack & School Supplies Drive (“the Drive”) this month. Backpacks and school supplies can be expensive. They can also wear out easily or are often lost or misplaced by students throughout the school year. They represent a difficult purchase for some students and for their families.
The Drive is live and will run until the end of September 2024. We are accepting donations of new products, including backpacks (gender neutral coloured with no commercial logos preferred), lunch bags, crayons, calculators and basic school supplies. Those interested in supporting the drive with In-Kind donations can complete our online donation form. Monetary donations towards the purchase of backpacks and supplies are also welcome and can be made online through School Cash Online. Please note that this Drive is not Norway specific, but benefits students in need across the TDSB.