Board Update: Aug 22, 2025

Testing & Accountability

Preparation for fall testing is underway. This year’s fall NWEA reports will provide
achievement and growth norms based on the latest 2025 NWEA norming study.  Norms help educators understand how students are progressing over time relative to their peers, nationwide. They establish the foundation for personalized goal setting. NWEA releases norms updates every three to five years. Although NWEA results continue to be reported on the same RIT scale, the 2025 norms make percentiles more relevant to today’s students. Major events that impacted the 2025 norming study were COVID pandemic, and shifts in demographics. The data used to produce the 2025 NWEA norms were sampled from 116 million scores of 13.8 million students across 30,000 schools.  

Research & Analytics 

The data dashboard rollover to the 2025–26 school year is underway. Updates include
final Smarter Balanced results, new attendance and suspension data, and recent
PowerSchool changes. The Research and Analytics team is also collaborating with the
Curriculum team on the use of reading and math intervention data. 

Portrait of a Graduate professional learning continues as we launch Phase II of this
work. In this phase, we are deepening our focus on critical thinking through the lens of
the effective communicator competency. Throughout this week, educators and staff
across the district are engaging in professional learning experiences that highlight the
essential role each member of the NPS team plays in this work. For example, in
collaboration with the curriculum team, we are designing learning opportunities that not only strengthen instructional practice across content areas but also intentionally align with the Portrait of a Graduate.

Summer Leadership Retreat

On July 21st, we officially launched the 2025–2026 school year with our Summer Leadership Retreat, bringing together principals, assistant principals, and instructional coaches for a week of deep learning and community building. The retreat opened with the rollout of Phase Two of the district’s NPS Portrait of a Graduate, setting the stage for an exploration of district priorities for the coming year, including the PreK–12 Literacy Vision and our ongoing commitment to creating equitable schools. Leaders participated in strategy sessions on visioning, storytelling, coaching, and building coherence across initiatives to ensure alignment and effective implementation. Each day also provided dedicated time for school teams to design and refine their individual school improvement and professional learning plans, ensuring that the week’s learning translated directly into actionable steps for the year ahead.

School Improvement Plans

Over the past several weeks, the Leadership Development Team has engaged in one-on-one meetings with principals to provide targeted feedback on their school improvement plans. These conversations not only focused on strengthening the plans themselves, but also on exploring how principals can leverage them as a powerful leadership tool by using the plans to drive instructional practices, foster professional growth among staff, and ultimately improve student achievement. By aligning daily leadership actions with long-term goals, principals are positioned to transform their school improvement plans from compliance documents into living strategies that guide meaningful change.

Food Services 

Congratulations to four of our schools—Jefferson, Tracey, Marvin, and Brookside. Each has been awarded the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program grant this year. Congratulations to these schools on providing students with greater access to healthy snacks. 

Also, our brand-new food service delivery truck arrived this summer, and we are excited to begin loading it up with healthy food for this year’s school deliveries. 

As a reminder, Norwalk Public Schools is no longer participating in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Families must now complete a meal application to qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Please help spread the word and direct families to the Norwalk Public Schools Food Service Department Website for application information. 

Facilities 

At Brookside, the underground storage tank (UST) removal project has been completed.

At Roton, the student hallway locker replacement project has been completed.

At Tracey, the temporary air conditioning project has been completed. Also at Tracey, the underground storage tank (UST) removal project has been completed. Finally, at the boiler gas conversion project is expected to be completed by October 1 at Tracey.

The West Rocks, the paving project has been completed.

At Fox Run, the walkway replacement project has been completed, and the asbestos abatement project.

Finally, at BMHS/CGS, the hallway lighting project is in progress, but it has made quite a difference already! Also, at BMHS/CGS, the temporary chiller project has been completed.

School Safety 

We are wrapping up our pilot program with the Ambient AI security platform at BMHS and NHS, and are preparing to incorporate the AI system into all of the Norwalk Public Schools. Ambient AI works within our existing security camera system to detect a variety of emergencies and potentially dangerous situations. 24-hour monitoring and instant alerts are just a couple of key features of this state-of-the-art addition to our security platform. This system is on the cutting edge of safety and security systems and has already proven effective in making our buildings safer and more secure.  

Transportation 

We are ready to roll into 25-26! 

Our partner, Durham School Services, started the week off with their annual Safety Start-up meeting at the Family Center; breakfast was complimentary, courtesy of the transportation office. After the drivers learned about driving distractions, pedestrian/motorcycle/bicyclists, and awareness in the workspace, drivers bid on their routes for the new year.  Tuesday, the safety trainers conducted mirror clinic stations at Brien McMahon High School, and drivers checked their side and cross-over mirrors for visibility  

Also, on Tuesday, buses were cleaned and sanitized to begin the year with a fresh start. 

The drivers will conduct dry runs (practice) Wednesday (AM route), Thursday (PM route), and Friday will be a mock day of operation.    

We are scheduled to provide transportation services for over 12,200 - Public, Private, Parochial, Charter, Vo-Tech, Vo-Ag, Magnet and Choice students.  Eighty school buses operate 260 routes, servicing 23 buildings in town and 3 Stamford programs. In addition to 26 out-of-district special needs programs as far north as West Hartford.   

The Transportation Office in collaboration with the NPS Wellness Committee, CT DOT Safe Routes to School Division, Norwalk Bike/Walk Commission, and NPD Community Services Division, will host a Walk to School Event for the new South Norwalk School site on Friday, August 22nd.  Please join us at 1:00 pm, we will walk from two locations: Roodner Court and the old SONO site on Chestnut Street. We will meet at Knapp Street and walk to the new site.  We look forward to seeing you there! 

Health Services 

School Health Services is excited to welcome a new full-time nurse at Ponus STEAM Academy as well as four new substitute nurses to support student health across the district. 

Professional Development for nurses will take place on August 21 and will include a presentation from the National Association of School Nurses Nurse Education and Practice Specialist, as well as a presentation from the coordinators of the Danielle Foundation Migraine at School program. 

The NCHC school-based health center at Kendall College and Career Academy is prepared to open its doors once final approval is received from the state. 

Grants 

The Grants Team is excited to share that Norwalk Public Schools has received a $100,000 grant from the Nellie Mae Foundation to support after-school arts programming this year. In addition, both high schools have been awarded $25,000 each to launch their Educators Rising programs, which will support students interested in pursuing careers in education. We are also hard at work preparing our entitlement grant portfolio for the 2025–2026 school year. One grant, the Alliance and Priority School District Grant, has already been submitted. 

Humanities Update

Elementary

There was a lot of work around planning for professional learning for this week. During orientation, new K-5 educators came together to learn about the curricula resources in literacy and math.  Grade level teachers joined each other for learning around the Wonders resource. With partners from TNTP, the teachers utilized the internalization protocol in order to make meaning of the content they will be engaging students with.  Teachers then work in school based teams on some beginning stages of planning.  

Secondary

New teachers came to orientation and were introduced to the curriculum and setup with accounts so they are prepared for district PD this week. The secondary MSAP schools (including leaders and coaches from Ponus and PTech) met on 8/19 to discuss how the curriculum would best serve the requirements of the grant and planned for Unit 1 implementation. The middle school coaches met and co-facilitated with StudySync during the afternoon district PD on 8/21. TNTP partnered with Central Office to deliver the high school PD on 8/21 to grades 9-10, where they planned for the opening unit of study. Units for grades 6-11 were shared on the district curriculum site for teacher access. 

Middle and high school teachers experienced learning around critical thinking and the inquiry process. Middle school teachers spent time in the 1950s and the role of the housewife. While high school teachers leaned into AI tools to help them create critical thinking questions and explore the IDM framework for inquiry.  

World Language secondary teachers attended a training from Actfl on Building Literacy Skills in World Languages. Teachers then had time to plan for instruction.  

STEM Update

New teacher orientation this week had new teachers who support STEM instruction gain familiarity with the curriculum, instructional strategies, and assessment practices in NPS.  Additionally, several STEM teachers across the district are supporting professional learning on Thursday around strengthening opportunities for critical thinking and effective communication through collaborative sessions and planning.  Preparation for these sessions has been a driving factor around planning this week and last, along with ensuring curricula is updated and available for all STEM courses. We are very excited to welcome teachers back and support them with the 2025-2026 school year!

As we dive into a new school year, the Marine Science team is excited to welcome back our returning staff and extend a warm welcome to our new colleagues. This year, we’re planning a wide range of engaging, hands-on learning experiences that connect students to our local coastal environment. From field trips to Long Island Sound to meaningful classroom investigations, we’re looking forward to a dynamic year filled with discovery, exploration, and a deepening appreciation for the marine world.

MLL Update

The Multilingual Learner department was excited to host a professional learning session with new teachers on Monday, August 18th. The professional development session focused on Quality Teaching for English Learners (QTEL) which provides teachers with the practical knowledge of how to implement high-quality, academically rigorous instruction for English Language Learners. The QTEL model of teaching works to engage English Learners in a high-challenge, high-support education that comes with high expectations.  New teachers engaged in a series of instructional tasks that support all students in the classroom.

The Family Center is busy assisting families with the registration process for the 25-26 school year! Please make sure to finalize the registration process by bringing your required documents to 1 Park Street. We strive to provide families with a seamless transition to Norwalk schools.

Specialized Learning 

The Specialized Learning Department is excited to be back!  We welcomed all new staff on Monday August 18, 2025 to Jefferson School for New Teacher Orientation.  Special education teachers, SLP’s, and school psychologists new to the district engaged in professional learning to learn about the district’s vision, mission, and focus on Portrait of a Graduate with all of the other new staff.  We then broke off into smaller groups where they learned about the Specialized Learning Department process and procedures as well as watched an example of a Planning and Placement  (PPT) Meeting.  They were able to engage in asking questions and collaborate with other new staff in the department. 

On August 21, 2025 all elementary, middle, and high school staff engaged in professional learning.  They received a CT SEDS Update which went over all new information on the IEP platform that came out of the CTSDE.  They all engaged in specific professional learning related to their respective field of work whether it be speech and language or school psychologists.  It was a great day of learning for all.  

Early Childhood Update

Norwalk's newest Prekindergarten teachers recently attended a comprehensive orientation to prepare for the upcoming school year. The session provided a thorough overview of the district's Special Education policies and procedures. The teachers gained valuable insight into the collaborative process of supporting students with diverse learning needs by observing a mock Planning and Placement Team (PPT) meeting. The discussion that followed helped them understand the vital components of these meetings and their role in creating a positive and effective educational plan for every child.

During the Professional Development day, teachers engaged in a dynamic conversation about how play-based learning directly aligns with the NPS Strategic Priorities and the NPS Portrait of a Graduate. They shared concrete examples from their classrooms, illustrating how the five key components of the district's vision are integrated into whole group, small group, and center activities. This collaborative session underscored the importance of purposeful play in fostering critical skills and a love for learning in our youngest students.

The Pre-K staff understands that we are often the first introduction for families to the Norwalk Public Schools system. We are deeply committed to building strong, positive relationships with all families from the very beginning. Our goal is to create a welcoming and supportive foundation that will continue to grow and thrive throughout your child's 13-year educational journey with us.

 Network/Infrastructure

This summer, the technology department completed several critical projects to prepare the district for the upcoming academic year. A primary focus was the extensive fleet of student devices. The team successfully repaired hundreds of Chromebooks, addressing issues from damaged screens to faulty keyboards. In addition to these large-scale projects, the team closed nearly 90 service tickets, efficiently resolving day-to-day technical issues. Concurrently, an extensive replacement program swapped out over 200 end-of-lifecycle devices. This proactive effort ensures students and teachers will have reliable, functional devices from day one, minimizing instructional time lost to technical issues.

In addition to device maintenance and replacement, the team heavily focused on the new South Norwalk Elementary School. A major undertaking was completing the entire network infrastructure for the new building. This involved the installation and configuration of all data drops, wireless access points, and the core switching and routing systems. The timely completion of this project was crucial, as it provides the foundation for all technology-based learning and administrative functions at the new school.

The collective efforts of the technology team over the summer represent a significant investment in our district's digital learning environment. The dual focus on maintaining our existing device fleet while building out the infrastructure for a new school was a challenging but successfully executed task. The team's dedication has ensured that our schools are technologically ready to welcome students back and provide a seamless, connected learning experience.

Enterprise Software

We are pleased to report the successful completion of several key initiatives. Rostering and integration of AI tools have been successfully implemented across all grade levels (K–5, 6–8, and 9–12).

We have updated queries for existing software applications to ensure more accurate data is provided to vendors, effectively fine-tuning it to meet instructional needs and student data privacy requirements.

Finally, new applications have been set up and activated to support teaching and learning in Science, Music, and English Language Arts.

Digital Learning Coaches

Our digital learning coaches have been working diligently all summer to support the district's migration to Google. They have been key in providing a variety of opportunities to get staff on board, including:

• Leading workshops for staff.
• Creating a new Google resources website.
• Offering one-on-one assistance to staff.
• Assisting with onboarding sessions for new hires with HR.

The coaches have been taking advantage of every opportunity to support staff and ensure a smooth transition to our new platforms.

Library Media Specialists

Our library media specialists met this week for professional learning. During their sessions, they focused on several key initiatives:

• Updating their goals to align with the Portrait of a Graduate.
• Integrating AI literacy into their curriculum.
• Reviewing and updating the district's book selection policy.

Their work is crucial in ensuring our libraries and resources continue to meet the evolving needs of our students and staff. 

Payroll/Benefits

Payroll is processing the first payroll of the school year. New hires are being imported into UKG and credentials/badges are being issued. Benefits is preparing for Supplemental Benefits Open Enrollment (08/25/2025–09/25/2025) through our new vendor, The Standard, which also provides Life Insurance for NPS staff.

A new Employee Benefits & Payroll website—featuring pay calendars, benefits details, and how-to guides—is also in development, with an anticipated launch next month.

Budget

• Developing and updating General Fund ledger summaries and staffing rosters for all schools and departments for FY25–26

• Preparing State Electronic Filing System (grants) reports and completing the September 1 submission for the State Excess Cost Grant

• Processing special education invoices, managing budget transfers, and recording journal entries

• Finalizing the printing of the FY25–26 Budget Book

• Beginning preparations for FY26–27 budget development calendar
• Working with Communications to build the  FY26-27 Budget Development website

• Collaborating with the Deputy Superintendent to fill the Director of Grants position

Purchasing/Accounts Payable

Approving multiple orders as we gear up for back to school. Assisting with the AP process (invoice entry), issuing new-FY orders, and finalizing old-year orders to support year-end closeout. Supporting school secretaries and central office staff with new vendor coordination and order issues.