June Principal’s Message

As the 2020-2021 school year draws to a close, I can’t help but think back on how much we’ve had to learn and adapt to ever-changing situations again this year. Thank you to our entire Norwood Park community for your patience, energy and resilience as we have all gotten used to a brand way of doing things, from learning new health and safety procedures, to pivoting to remote learning, back to in-person, and back then again.  

Pick up of items and iPad return 

Following public health guidelines, we have planned for families to collect their personal belongings on Monday and Tuesday next week. Please see the schedule below for your time to come to the school and collect any personal belongings your child has left at school.  

We will also be collecting loaned iPads from all students, unless your child is enrolled in an HWDSB Summer School Program. Please ensure that your iPad is clearly labelled with your child’s first and last name. 

When arriving at the school during your scheduled time slot, come to the front of the school, between the front doors and the gym doors, unless your child is in one of three portables: Mme Amodeo, Mme Bechard, or Mme Houshmandi, Mme Collin’s class, or Mme Denommee’s class. 

Tables for item collection will be set up outside the classrooms for Mme Collins (former kindergarten playground), Mme Denommee (parking lot) and outside the portables. 

We ask that families continue to follow public health guidelines by wearing a mask and maintaining physical distancing. 

Item Pickup and iPad return schedule: 

Monday, June 28 12pm – 3:30pm: Families with last names between A-G 

Tuesday, June 29 8:30am – 12:00pm: Families with last names between H-P 

Tuesday, June 29. 12:00pm – 3:30pm: Families with last names between Q-Z 

If you are unable to make it during your scheduled time, there will be after school hours available for anyone requiring it on Monday June 28, from 3:30pm – 5:00pm. 

Report Cards 

Please note that the HWDSB shared communication with families last night that Elementary report cards are being sent out to parents, guardians, and caregivers on Monday, June 28th and not Thursday, June 24th as previously announced. Report cards will be delivered as secure documents using PowerSchool. 

When you receive the email about report cards, to see the report card you will need to enter the student’s DATE OF BIRTH in numerals as Month/Day/Year. (I.e. MM/DD/YYYY) 

Enter 0 before the single digit. For example, the password for a child born on September 23, 2012 is 09/23/2012.  

Be sure to access your child’s report card as soon as you are able, as the link is only active for 7 days. You can download a copy and save on your device. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to the office. 

Classroom Placement Information 

Last week, Norwood’s staff collaborated to build classes for next year. This is a process designed to help set each student up for success. Class placement information will be available for parents in mid-August on HWDSB’s Parent Portal. Parents will need to have an active Parent Portal account to access this information in August.  

Staff Changes 

The end of the school year means some changes to our staff team. I’d like to thank the following staff for their hard work and dedication to our students and school as they prepare for their new roles in September. We wish them well in their new assignments and will miss them!  

• Mme Houshmandi will be returning to her position at Parkdale school 
• Mme Terziev has expanded to a new position at another school 

• Mme McCluskey, who has been a teacher with the remote program this year has accepted a position at another school 
• M Bullard will be on a leave 
• M Lemmond will be taking a reduction to 0.5 

We’d also like to thank Mme Bechard, Mlle Romanidis and Mlle Stojadinovic for their hard work and dedication to our students and community. These teachers joined us this year and have completed their Long Term Occasional (LTO) assignments at Norwood. We wish them the best and will miss them.  

Mr. Merkus, our Reading Specialist, joined us this winter and we appreciate his hard work in the primary division supporting reading learning skills. Thank you, Mr. Merkus! We know you will do great things in your new position as a permanent Reading Specialist. Mme Lees will be returning to Norwood in the position of Reading Specialist in the fall. 

I would like to take the time now to welcome some new and familiar faces that will be joining the Norwood Park staff team in September:  

• Mme Daniel will be returning to Norwood from the Remote Learning Program 

• Mme Martin-Montpetit will be returning to Norwood from the Remote Learning Program 
• Mme MacMaster will be returning to Norwood in an expanded primary prep role of .4 
• Mme Hairston will be returning to our building as our grade 7/8 teacher 
• Mme Burrows will be joining our staff as one of our grade 6 teachers 
• Mme Mastroluisi will be Norwood’s new .5 Intermediate Health and Phys Ed Prep teacher 

Office Staff Changes 

Norwood’s office staff will also see some changes for September. As we announced in May, Mme Giles, our Vice Principal will be leaving Norwood to continue her leadership journey as the Vice Principal of Lawfield Elementary. Mme Giles has been dedicated to supporting two schools throughout an incredibly challenging year. Thank you, Mme Giles and all the best at your new school! 

Mme Miscas will be joining Norwood Park as our 0.5 Vice Principal shared with G.L. Armstrong School. We look forward to welcoming her in September. 

Our office assistant Mme Schuur, who joined us in November, has completed her Long-Term Occasional assignment with Norwood. Mme Schuur supported our staff, students and families during a very challenging year and her positivity and tech savviness was a huge asset to Norwood Park. We will miss her and know her next assignment will be very lucky to have her. 

Office administrator Mme Beattie has accepted a position at a new school. Mme Beattie has been a staff member of Norwood Park for nearly 5 years, and we will miss her kindness, professionalism and wonderful sense of humour! 

Mme Russel will be returning to Norwood Park in the role of Office Administrator. She will be coming to Norwood from Glen Echo and the Remote Learning Program. We welcome Mme Russel back to the Norwood staff this fall. 

School Office Summer Closure 

 A reminder that the school office will be closed for the summer starting July 1st. This means that our school voicemail and email will not be monitored. Office staff return August 30th and can assist at that time.  

Student Transportation 

At Norwood Park grades 1-6 students ride the school bus and our eligible grades 7-8 receive HSR bus passes.   

The transportation department will be communicating with families starting in mid-August about bus routes, bus stop locations and drop off/pick up times for eligible students, as well as information about HSR bus pass letters for students who are eligible to receive those.  

We await direction when it comes to the availability of courtesy transportation for the 2021-2022 school year. We will share information as the board finalizes plans towards the end of summer.  

Mark your calendars!

Please take note of the following dates:

• June 28th & 29th – Personal belongings pickup/iPad return days
• Monday, June 28th – Electronic report cards go home
• Tuesday, June 29th – Last Day of School for students
• Wednesday, September 8th – First Day of School for Students

  

Have a fun and safe summer!  

 

-Mme Moules