Important dates and info from the principal
To keep the community in the know
Cross Words
12/10/2021
Important Dates
Wednesday, December 22 - Friday, December 31 - December Break - No School
 Message From The Principal
On Wednesday evening the Norwich School Board met to consider the third draft of our school budget. I know that it is hard for many of you to attend evening meetings. Below are the highlights and significant changes to the school budget. If you should have any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to me or any of the Norwich School Board members. You can also find much more detailed information if you go to Boardocs and access the school board documents.  Â
Reg Ed Instructional Salaries
The proposed budget maintains all current teaching positions including the academic interventionist and 2 classroom teachers that were hired outside of the budget for this school year. This results in having three sections of grades 1-6, two sections of kindergarten, and two sections of preschool. It should be noted that as our population changes this year, those sections may also adjust.
This budget includes a .5 French teacher, making 1.5 teaching positions for French.
The addition of a second preschool teacher.
There is a reduction of one general education assistant.
There are increased hours for our LEEEP Coordinator position.
Textbooks and Supplies
Literacy supplies for multiple grade levels were requested. These materials will better allow our school to provide high quality literacy instruction.
We are adopting a new math program at both MCS and the Ray School. This budget includes all the materials needed to support the program.
Music Contracted Services
We have added funds for an accompanist for cohorted chorus program and concerts.
Pre K Equipment
With the addition of a preschool classroom, we have included funding to outfit the new classroom.
Special Education
This budget maintains all current positions including a Communication Facilitator, 4.5 special education teachers, and 8.75 education assistant positions.
Media Software
There is an increase in e book and audiobook subscriptions to allow greater access to our collection for all students.
Facilities - Â Our building is in need of some repairs, upgrades, and maintenance in the following areas.
Carpet/Tile Replacement
Classroom Door Replacements
Classroom Window Shades
Fire Alarm Phase 3, which will put safety magnets on all classroom doors.
Gym Vestibule Door Replacements
Hallway Painting
Field Trips
We are shifting to most field trips being paid for by the district rather than families.
Of course, the budget includes so much more than what is included above. These are just the highlights and a few of the bigger ticket items. At this point, I feel that the budget being proposed supports the needs of the students that we anticipate being in our school next school year.
On an unrelated note, this week I have had the opportunity to substitute for our amazing librarian. What fun I have had getting to know your children in a different way. A huge shoutout goes out to Mrs. Van Ells who has set up the library to be an inviting place for students to spend their time. One of the changes she has instituted is self-checkout. Throughout the day, students come to the library with their completed books and exchange them for fresh, new ones. Out of curiosity, I counted the number of patrons who visited this morning between 8:30 and 10 o’clock - there were 46! That makes for a lot of book circulation during a week in the MCS library.          Â
Enjoy the weekend,
Shawn
 Message From Student Services
I hope everyone had a great week!
At the Norwich School Board Meeting this past Wednesday, food service at the Marion Cross School was discussed. We are committed at school, SAU and School Board levels to improve this important part of our student’s experience.
The possibility of becoming part of the National School Lunch Program was discussed and it was decided to gather more information and decide at the end of this school year.
For this year, Cafe Services has asked us to fill out this survey. The results will help them make some decisions to improve food service now and in the future.
Have a Great Weekend,
Greg
 School News and Information
News from the Nurse
Many of our students have received one or both of their COVID vaccines. Once your child has completed both doses please fill out this form for each child at MCS. DO NOT complete until they have received Dose 1 and Dose 2. This will help to track our vaccination rate, which will hopefully bring us closer to a normal functioning school day.Â
It is helpful for me if you can email a copy of their vaccine record for their health file as well.Â
As a Reminder, please send your child in with a water bottle they can use at school. If anyone would like to donate some reusable water bottles for students to have for school that would be a wonderful gift. I have some single use available in my room for emergency situations but I cannot supply everyone with a daily water bottle and yet they need to stay hydrated.Â
Thank you, Nurse JaneÂ
The first grade is bringing back a Marion Cross School tradition! After reciting snow poetry and thinking about how much fun it is to play in the snow we made a decision to help our community. The children talked about how lucky they are to have warm boots, snow pants, coats, hats and mittens to keep them warm when they play outside. But some of our neighbors don’t have warm clothing. So, next week (December 13 - 17) we will be collecting new or gently used winter coats and snow pants for our neighbors in need. A bucket will be placed in the first grade hallway to collect donations. Thank you, in advance, for your generosity!
Ginny Moore
PAL( Peer Adventure Learning)Â and PE - On the move to physical and social success!!!
This week was all about patience. We talked about the importance of patience, the different things you can do when you have to wait and one student shared what we thought was a great definition for patience: waiting without complaining! We played a ladder game where you had to wait to be free, a few relay races and some group building games.​​​​​​​
 PTO Bulletin Board
19 Days of Norwich Food Drive
This December, as part of the 19 Days of Norwich fundraising effort, Marion Cross will be collecting cans of tomatoes to donate to the Haven Food Pantry.  We will be collecting the cans outside again this year due to continued COVID restrictions. Each day in December we will have a collection box positioned at each school entrance. Children may deliver their canned goods to these boxes any morning or afternoon. I will keep track of our collection and update you during the month of December! Let’s work together as a Marion Cross community to see if we can beat our record from last year of 229 cans of tomatoes!
Thank you for your generosity,
Emily Bradley
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