Family Newsletter | April 18, 2025
Dr. Jennifer O'Neill
joneill@norton.k12.ma.us
@joneill727
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Superintendent’s Message
Dear Families,
It seems impossible that we are already at our April break. When we return on April 28th, the race to the end of the year is on for our staff, families, and students. While the end seems so close we can almost touch it- there is still much to be done in the remaining weeks of our school year.
As I have shared in previous communications, student attendance in school is incredibly important. Consistent attendance is one of the strongest indicators of academic success—and it sets the foundation for lifelong habits that support learning, growth, and achievement. Here’s why showing up matters:
Learning builds day by day: Missing just two days a month adds up to nearly a month of lost learning time each school year. Lessons, discussions, and classroom experiences can’t be fully made up at home. Connections matter: Regular attendance helps students feel part of their school community. It builds stronger relationships with peers and teachers, which are key to feeling supported and engaged in learning. It sets up future success: Good attendance habits in school carry over into college, careers, and beyond. Students who attend regularly are more likely to stay on track academically, graduate on time, and pursue their goals confidently. School is more than academics: Each school day includes opportunities to grow socially, emotionally, and creatively through clubs, performances, athletics, and hands-on learning experiences. When students miss school, they miss out on the full picture of education.
So while we all get a little bit of spring fever this time of year, please support regular attendance of your child. If you are having difficulty or need support, please reach out to your child’s school so we can help.
Enjoy the vacation!
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Norton High School Principal Search Committee
Recently Dr. Ethan Dolleman, principal of Norton High School, announced his resignation from his position, effective June 30th, 2025. Dr. Dolleman is taking an opportunity in his home community of Dedham where he will be closer to his four children and wife. I am thankful to Dr. Dolleman for his work here in Norton over the past six years and wish him the very best in this next adventure.
Over the break, I will be working on an updated job description and considering options for how best to move forward in finding a new principal for Norton High School. In order to help me with this, I am sharing a quick link for families to answer two brief questions:
What priorities are important to my student when considering the next principal of NHS? What do you hope a new principal will continue, change, or improve at the school?
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me- this will be a benefit to our process. We will provide updates on this process as they are available.
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Norton High School Art Show
We are excited to announce the NHS Art Show on Thursday, May 1st from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. This event showcases the incredible talents of our students, and we invite everyone to come and enjoy the creative expressions on display.
Thursday, May 1st - 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Admission is free and all are welcome!
Whether you're an artist or an art enthusiast, come celebrate creativity in all its forms!
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Norton Public Schools’ Summer Enrichment Program
Registration for the 2025 Summer Enrichment Program is now open. Please click here to view this year's Summer Enrichment Program Brochure. Registration ends on May 30, 2025.
We are pleased to offer a variety of opportunities for students entering grades K-12 to take part in this summer. There are four different weeks offered from Monday, July 7th through Thursday, July 31st. Sessions will take place Monday-Thursday, 9am-12pm.
Any questions? Contact Kelly Allen, Summer Enrichment Coordinator, kellyallen@norton.k12.ma.
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 Kindergarten Registration Reminder
Kindergarten registration opened on March 10th for the 2025-2026 school year for children who will be five years old on or before August 31, 2025. All students who are entering Kindergarten must register, including those already enrolled in our Little Lancers Preschool program.
Kindergarten screening appointments will only be scheduled for students whose registration submissions are complete. Families of incoming kindergarten students will submit registration information through our registration portal in PowerSchool. A separate form must be completed for each child. Once the pre-registration form has been submitted, it will be sent to a staff member for approval, and families will then receive an email with instructions to complete the registration process.
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April 18th
Districtwide Early Release/Professional Development
April 21st - 25th
April Break - Schools Closed
May 2nd
Norton Middle School Term III Progress Reports
Norton High School Term IV Grade 12 Warning Notices
May 9th
Norton High School Term IV Grades 9-11 Warning Notices
May 14th
School Committee Meeting
May 19th
Town Meeting
May 28th
School Committee Meeting
June 4th
Class of 2025 Graduation
June 11th
School Committee Meeting
June 12th
Last Day of School Little Lancers
June 13th
Last Day of School Kindergarten
Early Release Norton High School - Final Exams
June 16th
Kindergarten Screening by appointment for incoming students
Early Release Norton High School - Final Exams
June 17th
Last Day of School Grades 1-12+ - Districtwide Early Release
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 Virtual Backpack
April Break Tennis ClinicNPS Summer Enrichment Program
Easter Egg Hunt & Bake Sale
Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit
Self Help Summer Enrichment Program Open House
Pop Up Thrift Store
NHS Art Show
Townwide Yard Sale
NYS Golf Tournament
NFL Youth Football Camp
To submit a flyer to the Virtual Backpack, please contact Pam Anderson at pamelaanderson@norton.k12.ma.us.
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