HOLIDAYS & CLOSURES:

Friday, April 15: All Schools Closed for Good Friday

Monday, April 18 - Friday, April 22: All Schools Closed for Spring Recess

Monday, April 25: All Schools 2-Hour Early Dismissal, due to Professional Development for Staff. Nathan Hale closes at 12:50pm

Greetings Nathan Hale Parents and Guardians, 

End of Year Trips!

We are excited to reintroduce field trips at NHMS. The rationale behind our selected trips was cost. With the reintroduction of field trips, we wanted to make them educationally sound, as well as affordable. Our goal is to ensure that we have as many students attending each grade leveled trip as possible. Unfortunately, our initial 8th grade trip to NYC/Broadway did not meet the goal for our students. 

See the brief description and date of each grade level trip below. 

We are currently fundraising and will have the price for each trip soon!

A special note of gratitude goes to our students and families who have donated to our fundraising effort. Snap Raise has been a huge success!! Less than halfway through the fundraising period, we have already met our goal of $10,000! Our goal has been increased to $12,000 so let's keep the momentum going! The fundraising money will be used to lower the cost of field trips for all grades. 

Grade 8

Field Trip to Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center, Ledyard, CT

Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center is tribally owned and operated. The Museum brings to life the story of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. It serves as a major resource on the histories and cultures of Native Americans in the northeast and on the region's rich natural history. 

Trip Date: Thursday, June 2, 2022 

Grade 8

Holiday Hill, Prospect, CT

In existence for 60 years, Holiday Hill offers a day of fun and relaxation with first-class food, service, facilities and entertainment. Horseback riding and team activities are just a few perks this resort has to offer.

Trip Date: Tuesday, June 7, 2022

Grade 7

Mystic Aquarium and Seaport, Mystic CT

Mystic Aquarium is Connecticut's most unique aquarium experience. Larger than the Maritime Aquarium, Mystic Aquarium is home to thousands of species of marine mammals, fish, invertebrates and reptiles. Exhibits are both indoor and outdoor.

Trip Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Grade 6

Connecticut Science Center, Hartford, CT

The Connecticut Science Center is a nine-story museum with interactive exhibits consisting of videos, audio, visuals, tactile components, programs, and live demonstrations.

Trip Date: Thursday, June 2, 2022

Lifetouch Email:

Note: If you have received an email from LifeTouch regarding a Picture Day in April, please disregard. This was sent in error.

REMEMBER TO SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS EMAIL FOR IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS & EMAIL YOU MAY NEED, AND A DAILY CALENDAR! AT THE END!

YEARBOOK SALES CLOSE APRIL 8th!!!

Log on to order your copy now: ybpay.lifetouch.com Use code 12805022

Softcover yearbooks are $20.00; Hardcover yearbooks are $25.00



Checks are also accepted - please make out to "NHMS PTA" and bring to Mr Kirby in Room 203

Snap Raise Update 

Thanks to all of your effort we have met to our goal of raising $10,000 to support all students in attending field trips! We have moved the goal to $12,000 - Please continue to share the link below to the fundraiser!  Closes April 18, 2022

https://www.snap-raise.com/v2/fundraisers/nathan-hale-middle-school-2022#/ 

Musical Theatre Production 

Tickets are on sale for Nathan Hale’s FIRST-EVER musical theatre production, High School Musical! 120 students have worked tirelessly these last two months making this production happen. Please come out and support the Performing Arts on April 8th and 9th! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/62958

High School Musical Jr Performances:

• Friday, April 8 at 7:00pm

• Saturday, April 9 at 1:30pm (Understudy performance) 

• Saturday, April 9 at 7:00pm 

Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for students.

Purchase your tickets online at https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/62958

If you have ticketing questions, please email Bryan Kirby at kirbyb@norwalkps.org

Important Contact Numbers You Need:

Please keep for future reference.

Main Number: 203-899-2910, then extension number listed below:

Fax: 203-899-2914

Attendance Line: ext 18200 - leave a message

Attendance, Early Dismissal, Registrations & Withdrawals:

Mrs. Vernita Grasty - GrastyV@NorwalkPS.org - ext 17208

Nurse: Mrs. Page Seyfried - SeyfriedP@NorwalkPS.org - ext 17207

Counselor, Grade 6: Mrs. Luisa Borea - BoreaL@NorwalkPS.org - ext 17212

Counselor, Grade 7: Ms. Erica Satterfield - SatterfieldE@NorwalkPS.org - ext 17210

Counselor, Grade 8: Ms. Tasha Sherrill - SherrillT@NorwalkPS.org - ext 17211

Social Worker: Ms. Elle Zopounidis - ZopounidisE@NorwalkPS.org - ext 17214

School Psychologist: Mrs. Olga Larina - LarinaO@NorwalkPS.org - ext 17206

House Leader for Arts House: Mr. Jay Gerlach - GerlachJ@NorwalkPS.org

House Leader for Traditional House: Mrs. Christy Counts - CountsC@NorwalkPS.org

Dean of Students: Ms. Stephanie Peckham - PeckhamS@NorwalkPS.org - ext 17205

Assistant Principal: Mr. James Crouch - CrouchJ@NorwalkPS.org

Principal: Mr. Eric Jackson - JacksonE@NorwalkPS.org

Issues with Chromebooks and Chromebook Replacements:

Tech Coordinator for Nathan Hale: Mr. Keith Morey - MoreyK@NorwalkPS.org

Verizon Liaison for Chromebook Program: Mr. Malcolm Welfare - WelfareM@NorwalKPS.org

BARK After School Program Director: Mrs. Christy Counts - CountsC@NorwalkPS.orgg

BARK Cell Phone: 203-804-7550 - For early dismissal from the program, absences and or questions. Please DO NOT call the Main Office, or show up at the front door after the regular school day for BARK pick-ups. Please call the BARK number first. Thank you!

After School Programs Coordinator (Sports & Activities): Ms. Jan Folchetti -

FolchettiJ@NorwalkPS.org

Email is the BEST way to reach a staff member. Counselors and administration are often in meetings and not available to take phone calls. If you do call, PLEASE leave a message so they can return your call when they are available.

Durham School Buses 203-428-4092 - contact for late buses, items left on bus, etc

Transportation Departnment at Norwalk Public Schools - for bus pass replacement, bus stop issues, etc - Transportation@NorwalkPS.org

SCHOOL NEWS:

NHMS is on Social Media!

Nathan Hale is officially on Social Media! Please follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to keep updated on all the happenings within our school.

Instagram: @nathanhalems_ct

Twitter: @nathanhalems_ct

Facebook: Nathan Hale Middle School (with the blue "Star" logo:)

Reporting Your Child's Positive Covid-19 Test to the School:

Parents, please email your child's positive Home Test or document showing a positive PCR test, to our school Nurse, Mrs. Page Seyfried - SeyfriedP@NorwalkPS.org. She will reach out to you if any additional information is needed. Please also include our Attendance Coordinator, Mrs. Vernita Grasty, so she can update attendance: GrastyV@NorwalkPS.org

Those students who are in isolation or are quarantining should check Google Classroom daily for any assignments to complete at home - if they are well enough. Please realize that many teachers are also home sick, so assignments for some classes may be missing. Any missed classwork will be made up when your child, or the teacher, is back in school.

We have been asked by Central Office to suspend sending home emails regarding positivity numbers among students, as it is not a perfect science. Therefore, we will send an email advising that a new case of Covid-19 has been identified within the school community (staff and students) each day that new cases are reported.

Re-Cap: Student Discipline 

Together, we will maintain a safe and productive learning environment where all students are 

engaged in productive learning. Thank you for your contributions and cooperation. Let’s all do our part to tackle small problems before they become bigger. Students respond well to consistent adult structure. Staff has been instructed to do their part by doing the following: 

·       Issue hall passes (one student out at a time)

·       Cell phones are off and away all school day

·       Document student behavior issues

·       Communicate with parents/guardians regarding behavioral issue.

A FEW IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR PARENTS:

PHONES: Students should not have cell phones out during the school day. Phones are being confiscated if they are out and being used. Air pods are not to be word during the day. Remember, the school is not responsible for lost phones or airpods.

WATER BOTTLES: Students should have their OWN water bottles in school for water fountain use. The school does not supply cups for students. Please make sure your child's name is written in permanent marker on the bottle.

CHROMEBOOKS: Broken or damaged chromebooks must be reported to our Tech Coordinator, Mr. Malcolm Welfare - WelfareM@NorwalkPS.org

PICKING UP FOR EARLY DISMISSAL: Finally, parents are arriving at school to pick up their child for early dismissal without prior notification. Notes are required in the morning so your child will be ready for pick up. No early dismissals between 2:30-2:50pm at the end of the day. Please read below for the full overview - we keep this in every week's email to families.

REMINDER: Early Dismissal Procedure

If you are picking up your child EARLY from school, send in a written note with your child in the morning - include your child's name and the time and reason they are leaving early.

Notes are to be brought to Mrs. Grasty in the Counseling Office before homeroom She will then update the Daily Attendance to indicate that your child is leaving early. Her direct line in 203-899-2910 x17208.

Your child should come on their own to meet you at the Security Desk at the appointed time. This will eliminate us looking for your child in the building and interrupting classes.

Please sign them out in the notebook and have your ID ready. Only those friends and family members listed on your child's emergency form are allowed to pick up your child.

No Early Dismissals between 2:30-2:50pm as busses are entering the parking lot for the close of the school day.

Thank you for your understanding and following this procedure. We are currently getting between 15-20 "emergency" or last-minute requests to find students for Early Dismissal. This is disruptive to classrooms and takes both security and office staff away from their locations to find your child.

Be sure to scroll down to the end of this email for a Calendar list of important dates!

In-School Covid-19 Testing at Nathan Hale Every Wednesday

In collaboration with Progressive Diagnostics, NPS is offering free Covid PCR testing for all unvaccinated NPS elementary and middle school students beginning with the week of September 27.

Research shows that school-based screening testing helps to identify cases sooner, rather than waiting for symptoms to develop. 

Progressive Diagnostics will offer free testing once a week at each school to unvaccinated students, not exhibiting any Covid-related symptoms, with parental consent.

Consent forms can be accessed by clicking on this link: https://progressive-diagnostics.com/school-testing/consent-form/

Schools will not be responsible for selecting students to participate in this program. Parents interested in having their child participate may submit the form electronically.

The test is a non-invasive swabbing of the lower nostrils (no “brain tickling”) and takes only a few seconds to collect.

Results will be available to parents within 24 hours via a HIPAA compliant online portal.

As we work together to keep our students and staff safe, please continue to keep your child home if they aren’t feeling well, or exhibiting any Covid symptoms. For additional information regarding Progressive school testing click here. FAQ’s in English or Spanish are available for viewing as well.

B.A.R.K. CONTACT INFORMATION:

For parents whose children are enrolled in the Carver Foundations' B.A.R.K. After-School Program: The program Director is Mrs Christy Counts. If you need to pick up your child early, or have to inform Mrs. Counts of a change in plans - CountsC@NorwalkPS.org. That is the most efficient way of reaching the program.

CALENDAR:

Friday, April 8: Last Day to Order a Yearbook!

Friday, April 15: All Schools Closed for Good Friday

April 18: Snap-Raise Fundraiser Closes

Monday, April 18 - Friday, April 22: All Schools Closed for Spring Recess

Monday, April 25: All Schools 2-Hour Early Dismissal, due to Professional Development for Staff. Nathan Hale closes at 12:50pm

Monday, May 16: All Schools 2-Hour Early Dismissal, due to Professional Development for Staff. Nathan Hale closes at 12:50pm

Monday, May 30: All Schools Closed in observance of Memorial Day

Thursday, June 2: Grade 8 Trip to Mashantucket Pequot Museum, Ledyard CT

Thursday, June 2: Grade 6 Trip to CT Science Centerm Hartford

Tuesday, June 7: Grade 8 Trip to Holiday Hill, Prospect CT

Tuesday, June 14: Grade 7 Trip to Mystic Aquarium, Mystic CT

Tentative last day of school: June 17, 2022, subject to change due to snow closures.