CMS K-8
A wonderful place where we all learn and grow . . .
Celebrating 40 wonderful years
of learning and growing.
CMS K-8 VISION STATEMENT
CMS is committed to educational excellence where the learning experience combines traditional academics with an individualized approach to learning based on the child’s physical, intellectual, social, and emotional needs.
CMS K-8 MISSION STATEMENT
The CMS K-8 Mission is to develop passionate, lifelong learners who strive for academic excellence by cultivating their creativity and imagination through hands-on, interdisciplinary social studies-based units and vibrant arts infusion. We foster the academic, social and emotional development of each child while building a caring and ethical community that celebrates diversity and encourages strength of character.
The information below is a quick reference
for our day-to-day school procedures.
SCHOOL HOURS FOR THE 2021/22 SCHOOL YEAR:
Office Hours: 8:00am-4:00pm
Doors Open: 8:50 am
School Hours: 9:05am-3:40pm
SCHOOL INFORMATION:
Main Office: (203) 899-2840
Fax: (203) 899-2844
Address: 46 Concord Street, Norwalk, CT 06854
Website: cms.norwalkps.org
OFFICE CONTACT INFORMATION:
Principal: Medard Thomas thomasm@norwalkps.org
Curriculum & Instruction
Site Director: Jennifer Scanlan scanlanj@norwalkps.org
Administrator Assistant: Susan Mathews mathewsm@norwalkps.org
School Nurse: Breege O’Reilly oreillyb@norwalkps.org
Social Worker: Elisa Campisi campisie@norwalkps.org
Bilingual Parent
Coordinator: Juliana Nunez-Smith nunezsmithn@norwalkps.org
Communications/Lottery: Terry Lakin lakint@norwalkps.org
Complete List of CMS Staff Contact Information: MEET OUR TEAM
SOCIAL MEDIA:
ATTENDANCE/ABSENCE/TARDY:
As per Norwalk Public Schools Policy, if your child is going to be absent from school, you are required to contact the Main Office or your classroom teacher. If we don’t hear from you, your child will be marked with an “unexcused absence” and you will receive a phone call. When your child returns to school he/she must bring a note explaining the reason for the absence.
Students arriving at school after 9:10 am will be listed as tardy and must be signed in at the front desk. Students tardy due to a late bus will not be marked tardy. Frequent unexcused absences or tardiness will result in further investigation by administration. Please remember that attendance and punctuality directly correlate to your child’s success in school.
ENTRANCES/EXITS:
There are two main entrances to CMS. All entrances are monitored by video surveillance and are locked during school hours. All other external doors are for the use of staff or in the case of emergency only.
Visitors:
All visitors, must enter through the Front Door and sign in at the front desk. All visitors are required to present ID and wear a visitor’s badge while in the school building.
Parking:
There are marked “Visitor” parking spots in the Chestnut Street parking lot. All remaining parking spaces are reserved for CMS staff and other Norwalk Public School employees. Additional parking is available in the basketball court/lot located behind the school yard and adjacent to Arthur J. Perschino Way. This alternate lot may be accessed by continuing down Chestnut Street (passing CMS on right) and turning right on Merritt Place and driving behind the King Kennedy Apartments to the adjacent basketball court/lot.
COMMUNICATIONS
School-Wide Communications
Communications emailed from the school office to all CMS families are generated through the PowerSchool program. These communications may include Principal’s messages, school delay/closure information, reminders of important dates, and the weekly Thursday Notice (see below). To receive these communications, please make sure your contact information in PowerSchool is correct and up to date.
Bilingual Parent Coordinator
CMS K-8 has a Bilingual Parent Outreach Coordinator on staff to assist our staff and PTA with communicating with our Spanish speaking families. In addition, all important school/classroom communications are translated into Spanish.
Thursday Notice:
CMS publishes a weekly newsletter containing important information on current happenings, upcoming school activities, and NPS and community events. This digital communication is emailed to all CMS families on Thursdays.
Classroom Teachers:
Messages regarding a student’s absence, change of plans, or other classroom-related information should be directed to the classroom teacher. Your teacher will let you know the best means of communication. Each classroom has its own phone extension which corresponds to the classroom number. Phone calls to the classrooms will automatically be put through to voicemail.
SCHOOL CLOSINGS/DELAYED OPENINGS/EARLY DISMISSALS:
Delayed Opening:
When schools have a delayed opening, before school programs operated in Norwalk Public Schools will also have a delayed start for the same amount of time as the schools. For example, if an elementary school opens two hours late due to snow, CMS would open at 10:50 am instead of 8:50 am. The afterschool program would also start two hours later (opening at 9am instead of 7am). Breakfast is not served on delayed opening days.
Early Dismissal:
When there is early dismissal due to inclement weather or any other unsafe conditions, all after school programs are cancelled.
When there is a scheduled early dismissal as shown on the school calendar, after school programs will begin as soon as school is dismissed and will remain open until their regularly scheduled closing time.
Information Sources:
The official Norwalk Public Schools website and social media channels are your best sources for information on weather-related delays and closings. Our automated School Messenger phone system will be activated when necessary.
ARRIVAL, DEPARTURE & TRANSPORTATION
Bus Transportation is provided following the guidelines below:
1. Students in Kindergarten through Grade 3 who live more than 1 mile from the school.
2. Students in Grade 4 through Grade 8 who live more than 1-1/2 miles from the school.
If you are not certain of eligibility, please contact the CMS school office for further information.
Students are required to be at bus stops 15 minutes prior to the scheduled arrival time, this is to ensure ample time for the routes. A bus can arrive up to 15 minutes after scheduled arrival time and still be considered "on time" at the school. During the first few weeks of school it is important for students to adhere to this policy. As the weeks go by and the community becomes adjusted to the opening of school the actual arrival time will be closer to schedule.
Correspondence and requests regarding busses should be sent in writing to the NPS Transportation Office.
Norwalk Public Schools
Transportation Office
125 East Avenue
P.O. Box 6001 Norwalk, CT 06852
For additional information please contact the Norwalk Public Schools Transportation Office at 203-854-4074 or send an email to Transportation@norwalkps.org.
Bus Service is provided by DURHAM SCHOOL SERVICES (203)438-4192.
Arrival Procedures for Student Drop-Off:
Dismissal Procedures for Student Pick-Up:
Dismissal Procedures for Students Leaving School Early:
Change in After-School Plans:
Parents must inform the school or classroom teacher if there is a change in their child’s after-school plans either by written note, email, or voicemail message. Please note that messages regarding students’ change of after-school plans must be left before 3:00pm.
BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE:
Before and after-school child care is offered at CMS through the YMCA of Norwalk/Wilton School Age Child Care (SACC) program. The SACC program is designed to meet the needs of the children and their parents. Parents can be assured that their children are being cared for in an enriching environment where the top priorities are safety, supervision and fun! Registration forms are available by contacting a representative at (203) 762-8384 x213 or online at:
http://www.wiltonymca.org/norwalk/programs/school-aged-child-care/
♦ SACC parents should only use the Rain Door. Please ring the bell for admittance.
♦ If school is dismissed early due to inclement weather, the SACC program is also cancelled.
SCHOOL LUNCH AND BREAKFAST:
Free Breakfast and Lunch will be offered to all Norwalk Public School students through June, 2022.
Breakfast and lunch are available to all students through the Chartwell’s Food Service Program. A monthly menu is published so that parents/students can select the dates that they wish to order breakfast and/or lunch. Each meal is completely balanced and nutritious. Students may opt to bring a packed lunch from home if they prefer.
Parents may also view lunch menus on the CMS homepage at cms.norwalkps.org and click on the “Lunch Menus” Quick Link.