Norwalk Education Foundation

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During these days filled with angst, indecency and injustice, the Norwalk Education Foundation stands firmly united with Norwalk Public Schools in their statement to  “strongly support the international movement to condemn racial violence and oppression against people of color” and to continue “working to make a world where all students have the same opportunities to succeed and be fulfilled, where the playing field is truly level.”  The Norwalk Education Foundation pledges our continued full and unequivocal commitment to achieving these principles.

The horrific murder of George Floyd and other innocent black people has shaken our country at its core. It has made each of us turn inward to examine not only the actions of others, but also examine our own organization to see what we have done well, and what we can do better.

The Mission of the Norwalk Education Foundation is to work closely with Norwalk Public Schools to provide programs and services to children in Norwalk so they can achieve academic success and grow socially and emotionally. Now, more than ever, the Norwalk Education Foundation remains focused on the important goals of our mission statement.  We are committed to building on our past successes to find more ways to expand our programs to reinforce the educational, social and emotional needs of all of our students.

We work for accountability and achievement of high standards in public education, and advocate for significant improvement in public schools. We also generate resources to address specific needs throughout the Norwalk school system. Despite our successes and partnerships in all of these areas, we still have more work to do.

With strong education, all things are possible. With supportive education, all issues are addressable and solvable. We remain strong in our commitment to grow together, learn together, and continue to promote a high educational and emotionally supportive environment for all Norwalk Public School children.

We value input and participation from our diverse community.  If you would like to join us or offer ideas and comments, please email us at info@norwlkeducation.org.

Stay healthy and safe.

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Shark Tank: Summer Edition

Shark-Tank-Application-2020summer

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O’Neill’s 5k in memory of Annie Curtin : Virtual Race 9/17

After several postponements, it has become obvious that we will not be able to hold the O’Neill’s 5K this year. While we could conduct the race itself in a safe manner using new protocols, the party after would simply pose too much of a risk; seeing as that is a major part of the event, we reached the decision to cancel the physical race for 2020.

However, all is not lost: the O’Neill’s 5K will continue in a Virtual form this year, an option many other races have adopted with great success. The way it works is you run 5K wherever you want in the 10 days preceding the race date, submit your time via text or email, and it’s compiled with everyone else’s results online. We even set up the RaceJoy app to help you record and submit your performance automatically.

We’ve also added a one-mile Health Walk and a Kids Half Mile so more people can get involved. And what’s great is you can do it anywhere in the country (or world – we may have a special Ireland division). With travel being a challenge these days, it makes it easy to get distant friends and family involved.

You’ll still get a T-shirt (11 and older) and a voucher for a free drink (21 and older) which you can pick up between 12-4 on September 12 at the pub, or have it mailed to you.

The new race date is September 17, which is halfway from (or to) St. Patrick’s Day. You can start your effort any time in the 10 days beforehand – and if you don’t like your first time, you can take a Mulligan and do it over.

If you have already registered, your other options are to donate your entry fee to the Norwalk Education Foundation, defer your entry to next year’s physical race, or request a refund of your entry fee. The deadline to make your choice is August 1. After that time, we will consider all unspecified entries as donations to NEF.

Click here to Register

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Excellence in Education: 

 

 

 

___________________________________________________________  Free Movie Screening: ScreenAgers the Next Chapter

Wall Street Theatre

Coming Fall 2020

7 pm ( doors open at 6:30pm )

71 Wall Street, Norwalk CT

https://www.screenagersmovie.com/nc-trailer

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Norwalk Education Foundation

• Mission

• Teacher Resources and Innovation

NEF offers teacher mini-grants to develop and implement instructional projects that motivate and challenge students to learn. Proposals must support unique classroom projects that enliven and enrich the curriculum.

• Enhance Student Learning

The Shark Tank competition requires students to “sell” a proposal to enhance their school.  In the past, ideas have addressed academics, extra-curricular activities, social-emotional well being, physical health/nutrition and safety.  We awarded several thousand dollars to support 30 student proposals in the past 2 years.

• Community Collaboration

The College Essay Mentor program began in 2015.   Teachers, administrators and volunteers from the community, were trained by a college essay consultant to coach high school seniors.  After the first year, an admissions officer from UCONN contacted Norwalk High School to say she has never read such great essays from Norwalk.

NEF partners with community organizations to host community outreach workshops.  This fall, we are hosting a College Admission Workshop and a Stress Management panel for teens and parents.

• Student Social and Emotional Health

NEF’s newest initiative addresses the high levels of stress that research has identified as a major difficulty for adolescents. In 2015, we piloted a program to teach kids stress-reduction techniques like meditation. Based on the positive data collected through this pilot program, NEF plans to offer such workshops to all middle and high school students in the fall.  NEF also partners with Norwalk ACTS working with the Health and Wellness workgroup to bring mindful meditation to the high school students.

Education News

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