School Calendar
As of the date of this newsletter, we have missed no days of school because of inclement weather:  There were five snow days included in this year's calendar.  Provided we lose no days after this writing, five days will be taken off the end of the school year.  Whereas the last day was originally to be Thursday, May 18, as it now stands the last day for students will be Thursday, May 11.

School Calendar for 2000-01
Students will begin on Thursday, August 17.  The only early dismissal will be for Wednesday, November 22, the day before Thanksgiving.  The first semester will conclude on Friday, December 22.  Students will return to classes on Thursday, January 4.  The last scheduled student attendance day is May 23.

2000 Board Elections
One person filed in each of the wards in which there will be an election this year.
Ward 1 Tom Kohn
Ward 3 Dale Harlan
Ward 5 Cinda Zimmer
These three people will be on the November general election ballot.  Jim Peschong, the current Ward 1 representative, will be leaving the Board in December.  Jim has served since June of 1990.

Norris Park Project
All of the initial goals for Phase I of the Norris Park Project have been met.  More work, including bleacher seating and walking paths, will be completed this summer.  At one time we had planned on dedicating Norris Park this spring, but have now decided to move that event to the fall

during Marching Band and Softball season.

Additional needs remain.  Donations are still coming in and are needed for the next phase of the project.  We hope to someday raise enough funds for lights on the Band/Soccer field, and there is much more which can be done with landscaping, lighting along the walking paths, and other.  Some envision a park pavilion and play area some day.

We are saddened by the tragic death of Judy Kohout.  Judy served on the Norris Park Project landscape planning committee headed up by Jim Craig.  The Kohout family named the Norris Park Project as a recipient for memorials in honor of Judy, and we are appreciative of the many donations which we have already received in her honor.

Option Enrollment Numbers
The Board of Education, at the March meeting, passed a resolution establishing the program capacities and projected enrollments for 2000-01.  In grades where we are under capacity, option enrollment students are being accepted, and in grades where we are at capacity, applications are denied.  All requests for students to option enroll into the District must be received between September 1 and December 31 of the previous year, unless the students have already been attending the Norris Schools and the parents moved outside the District.  The Norris Board passed a policy last year in which it is established that no deadlines will be waived.  Please contact the school office if you have any questions about the option enrollment program.

Elementary Classroom Space
The Board of Education has selected the architectural firm of Dana Larson Roubal and Associates to assist with the planning for the needed additional Elementary classroom space.  There is no definite timeline, though there is some chance of a bond referendum in October.  The Board and staff will be

working with the DLR Group to refine plans and will be interacting with the public on this matter.

Retirements
Several long-time Norris staff members are retiring at the end of the current school year.  Ron Severson, Social Studies teacher, is retiring after 35 years with the Norris Schools and 38 years in his career.  Rich Aden is completing a career that includes 35 years of teaching Science, 34 at Norris.  Bob Hegler, Art teacher, will retire with his entire 30-year career having been at Norris.  Bob Morris, the Assistant High School Principal/Activities Director, will retire after 15 years at Norris and 39 overall.  Jerry Holden, Custodian, is retiring after 14 years with the Norris Schools.  Two other teachers are resigning from the staff, Pat Martin--High School English, and Tammy Menghini, Middle School Science.