Specialists
An Overview of
the Mulitage Specialists at Normandy Park
Back to School
Night Fall
2009
I wear three hats: Attendance Officer, Health Care
Specialist, and Health Teacher.
Absence: If a child is going to be absent or
late, the parent or guardian should call the nurse (973.889.7960, ext. 6152) by
the start of the school day. If the school is not notified, the parent or
guardian will be called. The school must account for all children every day.
Any student arriving after the start of school (8:55 a.m.) must report to the
nurse to obtain a late slip before going to class.
Medications: If your child requires medication
during the school day, the following is necessary: PRESCRIPTION medications and NON-PRESCRIPTION medications require
a note from the physician. It should list the diagnosis, name and dosage of the
drug and the time it is to be given. The parent or guardian must also give
written permission. ALL MEDICATION MUST BE IN THE ORIGINAL LABELED CONTAINER.
Health Screenings: Include
height, weight, vision, and blood pressure for all children. Scoliosis
screening is done for the 5th grade students. Hearing screening for K-3.
If I have concerns, you will be
notified via phone and letter. The State of New Jersey requires me to inform
you when your childıs weight is above the 95th percentile.
Visits to the Nurse: I do not call you each time your child visits my
office. If I feel you should be aware of a visit, I will call you. Children
should be kept home until a fever
has been normal (98.6F) for 24 hours.
Health Classes: All grade levels will have health classes with me for
an 8 week cycle.
-
Francis Lamb, RN
Technology and
beyond . . .
Every student at Normandy Park will
visit the computer lab to learn essential skills in the world of technology. Each class visits the lab every six
days. At the kindergarten level basic technology and computer skills,
word processing,
drawing, graphics and internet safety are introduced. As the children progress
through NP they will learn keyboarding, media presentation, and research
skills. Classroom lessons are
based on the MSD curriculum and class themes. We have a lot of work to do, but we still manage to find
some time for an educational computer game or two!
-Mrs.
Moschella
Read all
about it . . .
.
Welcome to our library!
We have 10,000 books for you to enjoy including fiction, nonfiction, reference
books, biographies and picture books.
In addition there are computers to search the internet.
All classes come to the
library for a 40 minute period during our six day cycle. Students may have up
to two library books at a time and may renew a book twice. Overdue notices will
be sent out monthly. Per district policy, we have library fines for damaged or
lost books, but there are no fines for overdue books. During the school year we
read books from every genre, practice research skills, and celebrate literacy
with poetry, readerı theater, quick writes and chants.
On Friday, October 9,
Brian Pinkney, the Caldecott Honor winning illustrator, will visit Normandy
Park school. He illustrates childrenıs books using the ³scratchboard²
technique, it is almost like a drawing in reverse. You can learn more about
Brian Pinkney by going to his website www.BrianPinkney.net.
We will offer his books for sale by preorder and he will autograph them during
his visit. Look for details in you backpack mail. You are welcome to join your
child during the presentations which will be held at 9:30 for the K/1ıs, 10:30
for the 2/3ıs and 1:30 for our 4/5ıs.
I would love to have your
help shelving books in the library! Please email me at wendy.gilson@msdk12.net if you can help or have
any questions or concerns.
Happy
Reading!
-Wendy
Gilson
The art room at NP is a very busy place. At all
grade levels we explore the work of many
different artists, the students learn about painting, drawing, color,
printmaking and many other mediums. In the intermediate and senior levels, we
also work with clay. Student artists are encouraged to share their work, ideas,
and expressions within the framework of our curriculum. Please feel free to visit our ³studio.²
- Mrs. Kraskouskas
ĦHola amigos! The goal of our World
Language program is to expose the K-5 students to the Spanish language and
Latino cultures. This is done
through songs, poems, stories, role-plays, skits, movement and immersion in Spanish.
It is an exciting program of which I am proud to be a part.
I meet with the students for one
30-minute session per cycle.
During their years here at Normandy Park School the students will be
introduced to basic vocabulary and culture through thematic units. All of the students will learn about
Spanish celebrations, and we will explore all of the different Hispanic
cultures around the world.
ĦHasta luego!
Señora Jimenez
Fitness now . . .
Students at NP will
enjoy midday fitness daily for 20 minutes. All students have Physical education twice a week for two 40
minutes lessons. Proper clothing
and shoes are essential for safety in PE.
Sneakers only (no sandals, flip flops, slides, boots,
platforms, etc.). Also, please remember to wear shorts or pants on PE days.
Lessons are built
using the building blocks of fitness: gross/fine motor control, aerobic and
muscular endurance, strength, flexibility, goal
setting, motivation, nutrition, character building through team work, major
game skills and lead-up games. -Mr. Glenn
JUST A NOTE!
Music . . .
This year students will experience
man;y fun and exciting activities in music class! Students will engage in
singing and movement activities as well as playing instruments, listening
exercises, musical games, music history and theory. All of these activities are geared toward developing musical
knowledge and an awareness of social and historical influences of music. All students have the opportunity to
share their love and excitement
for music.
Instrumental . . .
Beginning at the 4th
grade level students have the opportunity to study an instrument of their
choice from either the woodwind, brass, percussion or
string family. Playing an instrument is a great opportunity to combine personal achievement and goals with teamwork and responsibility.
Students studying an
instrument will have small group lessons weekly on a rotating schedule. After
achieving a level of proficiency,
students will be given the opportunity to join the band. Learning to play an
instrument is a commitment. Practice and active participation are very
important.. I am looking forward to a great year of instrumental music! If you
have any questions regarding the program, please
contact me at school
-Mrs. Schwam
String Along . . .
Normandy Parkıs string instruments
(orchestra) is held on A and C days. Playing an instrument is not only fun, it
teaches students about responsibility, teamwork and the value of the arts.
Students receive one string lesson and one orchestra class a cycle. Lessons occur
on a seven period rotating schedule, so students are only pulled out of each
class once every seven weeks.
The key to becoming a great
musician is practice. It takes effort in school as well as at home. Students
need to come prepared with their instrument and music on their assigned lesson
day. They will learn all the skills necessary to play an instrument and to play
in a multiage orchestra. But, their musical growth will only come if students
practice at home. Parents can help by encouraging their child to practice
nightly as part of the homework routine. This daily practice will help insure a
childıs musical success. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact
me at NP e on A and C days.
-
Ms. Carroll
Experiment with science . . .
Once again we will have a fun
and exciting year in the science room.
We will start out the year discussing rules and safety. The beginning unit for all levels will
called Forces, Matter and Energy.
My goal for all levels is for your child to have lots of fun while learning
the science curriculum. Most
classes will involve hands-on learning.
As your child moves through the different levels there will be more
emphasis on using the scientific method and documenting observations.
Here is a list of the topics we
will cover this year.
Forces and Energy
Simple and Complex Machines
Magnets
Motors
Electrical Energy
Space
Our Solar System and Beyond
STARLAB!!!!!!
Earth
Plants
Ecology
Water and Atmosphere
Intermediate Units
Forces and Energy
Simple Machines
Forces
Friction
Sound Energy
Electrical Energy
Space
Planets
Stars
STARLAB!!!
Earth
Ecology
Water and Atmosphere
Stuff
Matter
Forces
Electricity
Light
Heat
-Mr. Russell