NOTE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT |
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World Class Schools for Our Students:
Thank You
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Warriors,
There are many things to be thankful for this past year. As we approach the holiday season and the beginning of 2022, I can honestly say that our school year has been filled with so many blessings and continued levels of support from our community. I want to specifically thank our students, staff members, and parents who continue to be resilient in the face of adversity. I would also like to send a special thank you out to Kate Baldwin, NCSD Executive Director of Administrative Services. Kate has been with the Norwalk CSD since 2002 and recently announced her retirement (effective at the end of 2022). Thank you Kate for your leadership and years of dedicated service!
I hope that you will get to spend more valuable time with your families and friends this year and on behalf of our District, I wish you a holiday season full of health and joy!
Yours in service,
D.T. Magee
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All State Choir
by Gerard Krupke, Vocal Music, Show Choir
The Little Hawkeye Conference Choral Festival brings together all of the schools from our conference to perform five songs as a combined festival chorus under the direction of an esteemed high school director, composer, and collegiate conductor. In addition to performing as a combined festival ensemble, each choir also performs a feature selection and all of the singers who auditioned for All State Choir perform a selection as well. It's a wonderful opportunity for students to collaborate and work together whereas most of the times these students encounter one another is in competition.
This year's festival featured Dr. Eric Barnum of Drake University as the festival conductor and there were two of his compositions featured on the program. It was a rare and special opportunity for singers to work directly with the composer of a work they are performing!
Norwalk's Concert Choir performed a feature song titled Do Not Be Afraid by Philip W.J. Stopford and the entire community should be proud of their artistry and skill! I received many congratulatory comments not just from Norwalk families, but from other directors and festival audience members. Bravi!
Congratulations to the following Norwalk All State Choir students: Will Chase, Charlie Poppers, Olivia Williamson, Jessica Erickson
Top Image: The large group picture is the combined LHC honor choir - Norwalk, Pella Christian, Newton, Oskaloosa, Pella, Indianola, Dallas Center-Grimes, Grinnell.
Below Image: Norwalk choir performing their individual piece at the concert. Each school choir performed 1 piece individually.
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photos by: Carrie Fetters and Kirsten Britt |
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Heisman High School Scholarship School Winner Announced |
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November 1st, The Heisman Trophy Trust and Acceptance Insurance announced the 2021 School Winners for the Heisman High School Scholarship presented by Acceptance Insurance.
Norwalk High School is proud to congratulate Jocelyn Bice for being named the 2021 School Winner of the Heisman High School Scholarship. Jocelyn is the daughter of James and Melissa Bice. Next Fall, Jocelyn plans to attend ISU to study Biomedical Engineering.
From an applicant pool of thousands of high school scholar-athletes graduating with the class of 2022, more than 5,700 have been named School Winners in the Heisman High School Scholarship competition awarded by The Heisman Trophy Trust and Acceptance Insurance.
To apply, students must be graduating with the class of 2022, have a cumulative weighted high school grade point average of a B (3.0) or better, participate in at least one of the sports recognized by the International Olympic Committee, the Paralympic Games and/or the National Federation of State High School Association and be a leader in his/her school and community.
The program honors the nation’s most accomplished, community-minded high school senior athletes. By inviting male and female students from schools across the country to share their stories of leadership and impact, the program aims to inspire all students to harness their potential, push their limits, and use their talents not only to advance their own futures, but to improve the communities and world around them.
Congratulations, Jocelyn!
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High School Art Students Visit The DSM Art Center
by Angela Davidson, HS Art Teacher
AP art students (24 students) and Art Appreciation Students (25 Students) went on a field trip to the Des Moines Art Center on Friday, October 29. The students, parent chaperones and Mrs. Davidson were guided by Des Moines Art Center curators to see the current exhibits and permanent collections. Art Appreciation students will be writing an art analysis paper on a piece of art that interests them. Students had a great time and enjoyed the experience.
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Warrior Basketball
Heats Up!
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Warrior basketball heats up this week with their season openers against Ballard and Pella Christian. On Friday, December 3rd both teams will face Pella Christian on our home court. Reminder to fans that tickets must be bought online in advance. Girls basketball will begin at 6:15 with the boys team tipping off at 7:45. Also, with the addition of the new mezzanine, seating is now reduced as the upper bleachers are no longer available. It should be a great night for some Warrior basketball! |
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Basketball posters created by Andy Kreider Photography
*Next month's issue will feature Wrestling, Boys Swim and Bowling
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The NCSD is currently looking for applicants who can help fill flexible substitute teacher and paraeducator positions throughout the district on an as needed basis. If you enjoy working with children and like the idea of a flexible schedule, please visit https://www.norwalkschools.org/.../human.../jobpostings/
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CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
General Nutrition Worker: Secondary Campus 10:00-2:00
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Tie Blankets
by Amy Lester, Special Education Teacher
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Norwalk High School's Special Education students spent the end of October making tie blankets to donate to Methodist Hospital's NICU (Newborn Intensive Care Unit). The class and teachers decided that they wanted to help make a difference and this would be a great opportunity for a service learning project.
The students had never made tie blankets before and during this process of making them learned how to tie a knot, measure using a ruler, and cut fleece. They also learned about teamwork, having fun, and how to work with people with different abilities.
In total the class made seven blankets. Six of them will be donated to the NICU at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines and one was given to one of our students who is not able to come to school at this time.
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Norwalk Middle School Students Participate in Make A Difference Day |
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On November 3rd, Middle School students participated in a Make a Difference Day!
Students split into groups based on needs that had been identified around the community and in other Norwalk schools. Students helped elementary teachers with their classes by assisting with math and reading tasks while other students spent their day in the community raking leaves and cleaning up yards for residents.
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REMINDER: Update Your Parent Portal Communication Settings for Winter Weather Alerts |
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As we mentioned in last month's newsletter, with colder temps starting to creep in, the District would like to remind parents and families of the below methods for receiving updates on winter weather delays and closings.
Parent Portal Settings:
When it comes to the most timely and convenient way of receiving updates about delays or closings, please make sure that you are signed up for both general and emergency text message and voice/call alerts in your Parent Portal account. Email is also an option but messages are slightly delayed.
To change contact preferences in Parent Portal, please log into your parent portal account and follow the below navigation:
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Login into your Parent Portal account. Click on the person icon on the top right side of the screen.
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2. Select Settings>Contact Preferences. Then scroll down to message preferences. |
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Giving Back: A big thank you to a dedicated group of students who helped prepare a Thanksgiving meal last week for a Norwalk family that recently had a tragic loss of a family member who was also a former Norwalk student. This selfless act is a true Norwalk Warrior moment as these students gave up most of their free time to give this family a brief moment of relief. - Chef Molina
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Lights, Camera, Action! Norwalk High School students perform in Spy School on Nov. 9th at the Norwalk Performing Arts Center.
photos by: Elise Burnett, NHS Photography Student
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Upcoming Important Dates:
Dec. 22: No School K-12 (Teacher Work Day)
Dec. 22-31: No School K-12 (Winter Break)
Jan. 17, 2022: No School K-12 (Teacher Work Day, MLK Day)
NOTICE: The Revtrak web store will be down Friday, December 17th from 9pm to 9am.
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PTO Warrior Spirit Apparel Orders Due Wednesday, Dec. 1st! |
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The Norwalk PTO is excited to share our winter spirit apparel with you! Once again, apparel items are locally sourced through Bowen Design & Print. All orders need to be completed online by Wednesday, December 1st. To order, please go to: Norwalk PTO Apparel Shop. There are many great options with different logo, color, and style choices. Be sure to click on the items to see all color and design options.
Our goal is to have items available to pick up on December 16th at Bowen Design & Print or you can have it shipped to your home. Please choose your preferred option at checkout. You will receive an email once your items are available for pick up or have shipped. It is recommended that you choose order pick up if you want to ensure you have your items before Christmas.
If you have any questions specific to the apparel items, please contact Glen at Bowen Design & Print: [email protected]. Any other questions can be directed to the Norwalk PTO at [email protected].
Thank you for supporting the Norwalk PTO!
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Warrior Giving Project Donations Needed |
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Thank you to our community members who have donated to the Warrior Giving Project this year! Your generosity is greatly appreciated by us and by the families that you are helping. The Warrior Giving Project is still in need of completing this year's wish list. The signup link below includes items that the Warrior Giving Project has not otherwise found a donor for. This link can also be found on the Norwalk Community School District's website under "Community Resources".
Monetary donations are also welcome and very helpful to complete this year's needs. Donations can be made via VENMO account now @Norwalk-Ministerial.
Thank you again for your support! Happy Holidays!
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