Family Newsletter | November 14, 2025
Dr. Jennifer O'Neill
joneill@norton.k12.ma.us
@joneill727
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Superintendent’s Message: Portrait of a Norton Graduate: We Need Your Voice
As part of our new 2025–2029 Strategic Plan, Norton Public Schools is committed to ensuring that every student graduates with the skills and competencies needed to thrive in college, career, and life. One of the key action steps in our plan, Strategic Objective 1C, focuses on revising and strengthening our Portrait of a Graduate so that it is clear, meaningful, and shared across our entire school community. Your feedback is essential to this work!
The Portrait of a Norton Graduate outlines the core competencies we believe all students should develop by the time they leave Norton Public Schools. This includes areas such as Personal Responsibility, Creativity and Innovation, Critical Thinking, Social & Cross-Cultural Skills, and more.
As we begin the process of refining and updating this portrait, we are gathering input from students, families, staff, and community members to help ensure that these competencies are:
- Clear and understandable
- Relevant and future-focused
- Aligned with our community’s values
- Reflective of the skills students need for success beyond high school
Your insights will guide the creation of an updated Portrait of a Graduate that is actionable at every grade span and fully aligned with our district’s mission and vision. Please take a few minutes to complete our short survey and share your perspective. Your voice will directly shape this key component of the Norton Public Schools experience. Together, we can build a Portrait of a Graduate that truly represents our students, our community, and our hopes for their future.
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Upcoming Parent Forum
We invite all families to join Superintendent O’Neill for a virtual community forum focused on our district’s future. During this session, we’ll explore our Portrait of a Graduate, discuss what future-ready learning looks like for all students, and revisit our mission, vision, and core values that guide our work each day. This is a great opportunity to hear updates, ask questions, and stay connected to the direction of our schools. We hope you’ll join us and be part of this important conversation.
Virtual Community Forum
Wednesday, November 19th
7:00 - 8:30 pm
Webinar ID: 956 6706 1527
Passcode: 637027
Join via audio: +1 646 558 8656
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High Impact Teacher Teams: Strengthening Teaching & Learning Across Our District
As part of our Strategic Plan, we are excited to share that our district has begun implementing High Impact Teacher Teams, a research-based model from Research for Better Teaching designed to strengthen instructional practices and improve student outcomes.
Over the summer and early fall, members of our administrative team and teacher leaders from all five schools participated in intensive training focused on how high-impact teams work: clarifying learning goals, using formative assessments, analyzing student learning data, and taking timely, targeted action to support every learner. This work builds the foundation for stronger collaboration and a more consistent, data-informed approach to teaching and learning across the district.
Throughout this school year, we will be scaling this model across all grade levels and educator teams. Teachers will work together regularly to examine student learning, adjust instruction based on data, and plan responsive next steps. This aligns directly with our strategic priorities of high-quality instruction, equitable practices, and continuous improvement.
By investing in this professional learning, we are ensuring that every student benefits from coordinated, thoughtful, and responsive instruction and that our educators have the tools and shared practices needed to help all learners succeed.
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Mr. Eric Paulus Named Grand Marshal of Norton Veterans Day Parade
Congratulations to Norton High School Social Studies teacher Mr. Eric Paulus, who was selected by the Norton Veterans as the Grand Marshal of this year’s Norton Veterans Day Parade!
Mr. Paulus was chosen not only for his dedication to honoring veterans but also for his outstanding work supporting them through various initiatives at NHS. Each year, he leads efforts around the Herb Church Award and the Memorial Day Assembly, ensuring students understand and appreciate the sacrifices of our nation’s service members. In addition, through Rho Kappa, the National Social Studies Honor Society, Mr. Paulus helps students connect with and support veterans both locally and across the country.
We’re proud to see his commitment to service and education recognized in such a meaningful way. Congratulations, Mr. Paulus!
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Parent Square Update: Streamlining Notifications for Posts
We're excited to announce an improvement to how you receive notifications for posts from our school. Soon, if you use the ParentSquare app and have both app and text notifications turned on, you'll receive post notifications through the app, with text notifications sent only as a backup when needed. This smart delivery system will simplify and streamline how you receive your school communications.
Currently, you might receive duplicate notifications for posts via both the app and text message. With this update:
App-first delivery, with text as fallback: When a post is shared, you'll receive a notification through the app first, with a backup text notification only if needed. This applies to posts, post digests, and updates to posts. No change for time-sensitive messages: Direct Messages and alerts will continue to be delivered via your preferred methods.
Why it’s changing?
This change streamlines how you receive post notifications. By reducing the number of notifications sent to your device for each post, it will be easier for you to keep track of school updates in one place.
What do you need to do?
No action is required from your side! If you already use the app and have both app and text notifications turned on, you'll automatically benefit from this smart notification delivery.
If you haven’t downloaded the ParentSquare app or turned on app notifications, now is a great time to do so. This gives you the best way to access and customize classroom communications on your mobile device.
To learn more about this change, see ParentSquare's Help Article.
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Norton Holiday Toy Drive
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Join us in spreading holiday cheer by supporting the Norton Holiday Toy Drive! Donations are needed of new unwrapped toys and gift cards to help make the season brighter for local families.
This event is proudly sponsored by the C2 Foundation, Norton Police Department, Norton Fire Department, and the NHS Math Honor Society.
Please drop off donations on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at the H. A Yelle School from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm or at Bog Iron Brewing from 2:30 pm – 9:30 pm. |
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Can’t make it in person? Visit the Amazon Wish List for donation ideas and easy online giving.
Every contribution makes a difference. Thank you for your generosity and community spirit!
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November 20th
Norton High School Conferences
November 25th
School Committee Joint Meeting with Permanent Building Committee
November 26th
Elementary, Norton Middle School Term I Marks Close
Districtwide Early Release
November 27th-28th
Schools Closed
December 3rd
Norton Middle School Term I Report Cards
December 5th
Norton High School Term II Warning Notices
December 8th
Elementary Term I Report Cards
December 10th
School Committee Meeting
December 23rd
Districtwide Early Release
December 24th - January 2nd
Schools Closed
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Virtual Backpack
Explore here to find e-flyers on events, offerings and more in our community.
To submit a flyer to the Virtual Backpack, please contact Pam Anderson at pamelaanderson@norton.k12.ma.us.
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