Board Update: May 1, 2026

Testing & Accountability 

High school grade 11 State testing for Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) is underway. The district's window opened on April 21. The State’s participation expectation is that 95% of all students and 95% of high- needs students participate. Results are used for calculating the science performance index, which is the accountability achievement metric for science. In May, students in grades 5 and 8 will also take the NGSS.  

Panorama survey results are being reviewed by district and school administrators. The Panorama platform has been redesigned and now includes the Enhanced Reporting System (ERS), that guides users in selecting areas of strength and areas of opportunity for improvement. Teacher/Staff and Family surveys remain anonymous. Schools have surveyed the same set of topics since 2022.  

Research and Analytics

The team is supporting the wrap-up of the 2025–26 School Improvement Plan (SIP) process while preparing for the launch of the 2026–27 SIP cycle. As high schools have completed end-of-year summative assessments, including the PSAT and SAT, analyses are underway to determine how matched cohorts of students performed. A survey was also developed and shared with principals and assistant principals to gather feedback on this year’s SIP components. Revisions to the SIP process and template are currently in progress. 

Members from Digital Promise partnered with our team this week to advance our Portrait of a Graduate work, specifically in regards to measuring and assessing student progress with the portrait skills. As part of this effort, schools recently completed a needs assessment survey to help us better understand current practices that provide students with actionable feedback and opportunities to reflect on their PoG skill development. These practices may include, but are not limited to, self-reflections following projects, student-led conferences, portfolios, and student showcases. In May, we will build on this work by conducting student focus groups and staff interviews to gain deeper insight into how reflection is experienced across our schools. This collective learning will inform how we assess and measure student growth aligned to the Portrait of a Graduate competencies. 

School Spotlight - Cranbury

Cranbury School is proud to highlight several aspects of our program:

• During March, the whole school read Charlotte's Web as part of our yearly One School One Book initiative.  Students spent time with Gilbert the Pig to celebrate.
• During April, Cranbury is hosting an Autism Family Night with Fox Run and Kendall Schools to foster family connections and community partnerships.
• Students distributed seeds from native plants on our property at the Earth Day Festival on April 25.

School Spotlight - Fox Run

At Fox Run, spring has brought incredible energy and community connection as students, staff, and families continue to come together through many opportunities and celebrations both inside and outside of the classroom. 

The school recently hosted Family Math Night led by our energetic Math Coach Ms.Tobin: BINGO LOCO!, where more than 100 families attended an evening filled with glowing lights, dancing, laughter, and hands-on math problem-solving as families worked together to earn BINGO prizes throughout the night. The event reflected their continued commitment to engaging all in fun, interactive learning that strengthens our home-school connections.

They are also celebrating the success of our newly created Fox Run Chess Team, supported by Mrs. Mitchell, Mr. Farris, and our outstanding Chess Coach, Ms. Tobin. Under their leadership, three of the four finalists in the annual Carver Chess Tournament represented Fox Run, showcasing the critical thinking, perseverance, and strategic problem-solving skills our students continue to develop. Congratulations to fifth-grader, Issac Varrao who took home 1st place by winning each match during the tournament. 

Food Services

Chartwells and the Norwalk Food Service team are excited to celebrate Lunch Hero Day this Friday, May 1. Take a moment to recognize and thank our incredible nutrition staff for the important work they do every day.

Next week, get ready for some festive fun; Cinco de Mayo is here, and Chartwells will be serving a special Taco Tuesday lunch menu. Our Healthy Planet menu will also highlight fresh, nutritious spinach offerings.

Looking ahead, Brunch for Lunch, always a favorite, returns on May 11. Then on May 14, enjoy a refreshing fresh fruit salad as we “eat the rainbow” and celebrate the colors of summer.

Don’t forget, the Smoothie Bike is still on tour! Upcoming stops include BMHS on May 5, Roton on May 6, Tracey on May 12, Jefferson on May 13, and Kendall on May 14.

Facilities

The State has not yet completed its review of the grant application for the 46 Concord UST Removal and Nathan Hale asbestos abatement projects. As a result, both projects will be postponed until after summer 2026, when the school schedule allows for the work to take place.

Looking ahead, student locker replacements are planned for summer 2026 at both Ponus and Nathan Hale. During that same timeframe, Brookside is scheduled for milling and paving across all parking areas.

At Wolfpit, the temporary air conditioning project has been advertised for solicitation and remains on track for completion in summer 2026. In the meantime, district-wide roof inspections are scheduled for the week of May 4.

School Safety 

The office of Safety and School Preparedness collaborated with the communications team to create and record an informational video on school safety. The informational video will be viewed by all new employees and will be shared with building leaders and district safety team members to share with their staff.  

The district safety team attended a webinar introducing Responsibility Centered Discipline. This program explains and teaches a school wide mindset focused on interacting productively with students exhibiting challenging behavior.  

Transportation 

Durham School Services will be implementing new security measures to help safeguard students, families, and staff. In May, they will begin phasing in a new digital camera system across the entire fleet, providing management and district administration with direct views onboard buses.

Before the end of the 2025–2026 school year, Durham will also introduce RingCentral, a new digital voice communication system. This upgrade will support more efficient communication and enhance overall customer service.

On Saturday, April 25, the Transportation Office, in collaboration with the Bike/Walk Commission, celebrated Earth Day with a family walk from Nathan Hale Middle School through the City Hall/Green neighborhood, ending at the Norwalk Green. Despite the spring rain, participants on bikes, scooters, and on foot showed their support for healthy living, waving Bike/Walk and walking school bus flags along the way.

School Health Services

Health Services continues to prioritize student safety and care across the district. On April 27, all school nurses participated in Narcan training provided by Positive Directions. Each nurse will receive an updated supply of Narcan and response kits to be used in the event of a suspected opioid overdose.

Between April 15 and April 29, school nurses evaluated 1,338 student injury complaints and 2,451 general health concerns, while also completing 629 medication administrations.

Grants Department

The Grants Department continues to support district priorities through active research and program implementation. While exploring funding for a new technology band teacher, the team determined that the Save The Music Grant provides resources but not funding for new positions.

Perkins Grant updates have been completed, with remaining funds to be used for curriculum writing. CTE teachers are also receiving AI integration training through CES. Work is underway on the Innovative Approach to Literacy Grant, with efforts focused on assessing library collections and identifying needs.

The LEAP Grant is expected to launch in May, with coordinators on track to exceed home visit goals. The Extended School Hours program has wrapped up at most schools, with Jefferson continuing through additional funding. The Mary L. Fitch Trust Grant remains available for professional development, with the next deadline on June 

Humanities

K-5 Instructional walkthroughs continued. There has been a focus on calibrating instruction in Fundations and in the literacy block.  In the literacy block, there is an emphasis on getting into the text and using text dependent questions so that students are showing what they are thinking and what they know.  In addition, literacy coaches continued to work on strategic alignments of questions and tasks within the unit plans.  

Secondary Literacy Grade-Band meetings have been taking place and will wrap up this week. Middle and high school ELA teachers are planning for close reading strategies with a focus on how to accommodate students while accessing complex texts in our final Unit 4. The deadline for submissions for the Words in Transit Poetry Contest (in partnership with Norwalk Transit) has passed and the team is in the next stages of selections and artwork design. Participants will be showcased at the Norwalk Art Show on May 12th and an unveiling of the buses with student work will take place later in June. 

Middle and high school World Language teachers met to discuss curriculum and draft an action plan for the 26-27 school year for continued vertical alignment and support. 

Grades 6-8 Social Studies teachers have been providing feedback on curriculum implementation and needs for the 26-27 school year during their teacher team meetings. This is helping to create a professional learning plan for next year in this content. 

STEM Update

The STEM department has been continuing to focus on strengthening math for this year and next year.  Our work around creating core beliefs and vision has progressed into working with the vision committee high school members to focus on choosing a pilot structure for new HQIM at high school for next year.  Feedback from Monday’s meeting and piloting structures are continuing through this week.

Additionally, this week the work around creating NPS Core Beliefs, Math Vision, and new HQIM at the high school level were presented to the Curriculum Subcommittee.  Team members from the schools, Central Office, and TNTP presented on Tuesday evening.  

Many schools have checked in around SBA preparation and pacing.  We have collaborated with schools to develop some curricula focusing, ensuring students spend instructional time on the major work of each grade level, and aligned to the NPS pacing guides.  

Schools that are piloting the new Science instructional resources being considered received training for a new unit on Friday.  K-3 will be implementing another Building Blocks of Science unit, the same resource used in trimester 2.  Grade 4-5 will be implementing a Building Blocks of Science unit as well, after having implemented an Open Sci Ed unit in trimester 2.  Based on feedback, we felt it was necessary for grades 4 and 5 to be able to try two different science resources.

Marine Science

Our Marine Science program continues to provide students with exceptional, hands-on learning experiences both inside the classroom and out on the water. Here are the latest highlights from across the district:

• Real-World Technology Applications: Students at Brien McMahon High School (BMHS) recently took part in an exciting on-the-water learning experience aboard a local police boat. During the excursion, students had the opportunity to test out an underwater ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle), allowing them to apply engineering and marine technology skills in a real-world maritime environment.
• Exploring the Long Island Sound: Our middle school students have been actively engaging with our local marine ecosystems. Students from both Jefferson and West Rocks partnered with SoundWaters, taking a trip aboard their educational schooner to learn about the ecology of the Sound. Additionally, Jefferson students traveled to Project Oceanology, where they conducted field research and had the incredible opportunity to observe seals in their natural habitat.
• Building the Future of the Pathway: We are thrilled to welcome our future middle schoolers and introduce them to the program. Fifth-grade students from Tracey, Cranbury, and Silvermine are currently visiting West Rocks Middle School. During these visits, students tour the marine science lab and learn how they can join the Marine Science Pathway when they enter the 6th grade next year.
• Flourishing Classroom Labs: Inside our school buildings, the marine science classrooms and laboratories continue to thrive. Our planted classroom tanks are flourishing, having recently been populated with new aquatic plants, fish, and snails. These living laboratories provide students with daily, hands-on responsibilities in maintaining and studying delicate aquatic ecosystems.

These experiences continue to foster a deep appreciation for our coastal environment and prepare our students for future pathways in maritime and environmental sciences.

School Counseling and Workforce Development 

​April Showers Will Bring May Flowers. Some of our Norwalk Teens Attended the Creative Teen Night Out, and a fun time was had by all! The Teen Night Outs are a great way for our high school students to get to know one another and practice their social skills in person, all while enjoying a free, fun event of their choice! In partnership with NPS, provided by CT State Norwalk, and sponsored by the Norwalk Education Foundation (NEF), we will be hosting three College & University Workshops for current Juniors who have indicated a 2 or 4 year College & University plan through their Class of 2027 RISE Survey. Our first Junior Workshop will be hosted at Norwalk High School & P-TECH's Career Center in June. The K-12 School Counselors team was visited at our district meeting by Norwalk Youth Services, which provides free programming and support for our families and students.​ The School Counseling Team serving our transitional grade bands (5,6, 8, and 9) will come together at City Hall for an important meeting in support of their families and students. The Districtwide College Fair was hosted this week in the Norwalk High School & P-TECH Norwalk Cafeteria and was a great success! The College & Career Specialists are working with students on scholarship support, planning and hosting the districtwide College Fair, and supporting the Class of 2026 Post-Secondary Plans, to name a few.​ In our Community Mindfulness Moments, we can help to calm "An Anxious Moment" during our day. Start with Roller Coaster Breathing (open one hand, fingers wide apart, inhale as you trace up one side of a finger, exhale as you trace down)​. Then name five things you can see, 4 you can feel, 3 you can hea​r, and so on. Lastly, in your moment, you can also listen to The Meeting the Moment Guided Meditation. This moment was brought to us by the Community Mindfulness Project. Be sure to join us on Saturday, May 2nd, at the Norwalk for Mental Health Event!​ 

The free Red Fashion School Spring class has come to an end. Please be sure to check out all the Red Fashion School has to offer. The​ Pathways to Construction Spring Cohort was held in April for students interested in the trades.​ In this free program, our students learn about a wide variety of trades and create lasting networking opportunities, both current and future. The next cohort will be offered in the Fall. The CT State Department of Education has created an Industry Recognized Credential (IRC) database. This is an exciting Workforce Development registry that supports our students who elect to earn an Industry Recognized Credential. NPS Workforce Development engaged in a Virtual Conversation titled "What Young Adults Need to Thrive," in which we spoke with some of our community partner panelists about the partnership work ahead for all of our communities. The Workforce Development Workshop for underclassmen was ​held at NHS & P-TN in the Career Center. The CT State Norwalk ​partnership team has been meeting to plan for Fall 2026 course opportunities.​ The ​CT State Norwalk ​College for Kids course catalog is here for Grades 1 - 11, and the classes are more exciting than ever! Seats are limited, so call or email today to reserve your seat!​ Are you an NPS family member or a student looking for a summer employment opportunity? If so, a Summer Camp is a great way into a well-paying summer job. Further, these jobs demonstrate leadership on your resume and make room for upward mobility within the camp over the years. If you're 16+, be sure to check out the summer camp flyer. For all NPS Workforce Development Opportunities and more, visit www.norwalkps.org/careertraining. Please be sure to bookmark the site and check back regularly for new and exciting opportunities! 

Early Childhood Education

This month in the Early Childhood program, our Pre-Kindergarten teachers focused on continuous quality improvement. The Pre-K teachers convened for a targeted professional development session to study the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS). This initiative represents a significant step in our ongoing commitment to providing the highest quality early learning experiences for our youngest students.

The Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS) is an internationally recognized, evidence-based observational tool used to assess, measure, and improve the quality of early childhood classrooms. ECERS evaluates the comprehensive environment in which the children learn and grow.

The scale measures quality across several core subscales, including:

• Space and Furnishings: The arrangement of the classroom to promote play, learning, and accessibility.
• Personal Care Routines: Health, safety, and hygiene practices.
• Language and Literacy: Opportunities for foundational communication and reading skills.
• Learning Activities: The availability and quality of materials (e.g., blocks, art, science, dramatic play).
• Interactions: The nature of teacher-child and child-child relationships, emphasizing positive behavioral support and active engagement.
• Program Structure: The balance of the daily schedule, including transitions and free-play time.

By gathering to learn about this comprehensive tool, our Pre-Kindergarten teachers are demonstrating their dedication to reflective practice and professional growth. Moving forward, educators will use the ECERS criteria to conduct self-assessments of their classrooms, collaboratively sharing strategies and making research-backed adjustments to their physical spaces and daily routines.

We look forward to seeing the positive impact of this framework as it comes to life in our early childhood classrooms.

Specialized Learning  

The Specialized Learning department held their new teacher academy on Tuesday April 28, 2026.  The session was on self care.  April is typically the busiest month for special education staff and the end of the year is the busiest time of year.  It is easy to forget about taking care of yourself, both physically and your mental health.  Staff learned ways to take a minute to prioritize themselves and take a break.  They went through different exercises to focus on positivity and de-stress.  Everyone had a great learning experience! 

Specialized Learning  

The Specialized Learning department held their new teacher academy on Tuesday April 28, 2026.  The session was on self care.  April is typically the busiest month for special education staff and the end of the year is the busiest time of year.  It is easy to forget about taking care of yourself, both physically and your mental health.  Staff learned ways to take a minute to prioritize themselves and take a break.  They went through different exercises to focus on positivity and de-stress.  Everyone had a great learning experience! 

Infrastructure

The Technology Department recently completed a significant wireless upgrade at the Ponus Ridge\Concord Magnet campus, replacing more than 90 access points across campus. This improvement enhances network coverage, reliability, and overall performance, helping to ensure a stronger and more consistent connection for students, faculty, and staff.

In addition, the department is expanding its cybersecurity efforts through new partnerships with Darktrace and Arctic Wolf. These collaborations provide advanced threat detection, monitoring, and response capabilities, further strengthening the school’s ability to protect its systems, data, and community.

Enterprise Software

The team is making progress in three priority areas: transitioning to a full Google Workspace staff portal, strengthening collaboration with LearnPlatform and Instructure around application analytics, and supporting end users as the organization builds understanding of the required MFA process.

• Google Workspace Staff Portal

Work continues toward a full Google Workspace staff portal to provide a more unified and efficient staff experience.

• LearnPlatform/Instructure and Analytics

The team continues to collaborate with LearnPlatform and Instructure to improve visibility into application usage and effectiveness.

• End-User Support and MFA Literacy

End-user support remains ongoing as staff navigate system changes and updated security expectations.

A key focus is understanding user literacy around the required MFA process so communication, training, and support can be targeted effectively.

Digital Learning

AI Literacy Curriculum Development

We extend our sincere thanks to Kimberly Erickson and Digital Promise for their partnership with the Digital Learning Department in developing and aligning our new AI Literacy curriculum. This curriculum is slated for launch next year for students in grades three through eight.

We also want to acknowledge Amanda Kennedy for taking the lead on this critical effort within the Digital Learning Department.

We anticipate having the completed curriculum ready before the end of the year. It will be shared with building administrators at their retreat to facilitate planning for implementation in their respective schools next year.

Payroll/Benefits

Open Enrollment is coming up soon. This will be the opportunity for employees to review and make changes to their benefits for the upcoming year. More details, including key dates and instructions, will be shared shortly. Work is ongoing on quarterly reports and billing for unemployment and Connecticut Paid Leave, as well as monthly Teachers’ Retirement Board and Department of Labor reports. The team is also working with Human Resources on remote orientation and the new employee task portal.

Budget

Work continues on benefits comparison, budget maintenance, account transfers, and processing new hires, salary changes, and terminations. A report is currently being prepared for the union.

The team is updating and distributing 2025–26 general ledger summaries for schools and central office departments, meeting with schools and departments to discuss remaining year expenses, and updating 2026–27 school-based budgeting and department budget files. Work also includes processing special education invoices, as well as districtwide journal entries and budget transfers, and reviewing open purchase orders to determine if they can be decreased and closed.

The Norwalk City Council approved a resolution at its regular meeting on April 28 to increase the total appropriations of the 2026–27 operating budget and provide an increase of 4.5% to the Norwalk Board of Education budget. The Board of Estimate and Taxation will consider this decision at its next meeting in May.

Grants

This week, all major grant revisions and submissions were successfully completed and finalized in the state grant management system. The Priority School District Summer Grant was fully revised, including all required updates, and submitted on April 20. Additional Priority School District grant revisions were completed to incorporate software, supplies, and adjusted budget figures and were submitted on April 24. Several state-required revisions were also finalized and submitted ahead of deadlines. The Title I revision was submitted on April 22, and both the Title III revision and Alliance District grant revision were completed and submitted on April 24. All submissions met the required one-week turnaround timelines.

The Quarter 3 Local Grant Program report for Early Start was completed and submitted. Work also continued with the Smart Start team to file the Smart Start grant for next year. Overall, all required revisions, reports, and submissions have been completed accurately and on time.