The First Week of School
Class of 2036
Welcome to Norfolk Academy!
We are delighted you are here.
The first day of school is August 27th. The first day is a very special day. We will welcome you to Norfolk Academy and celebrate you becoming a Bulldog.
On the first day of school, your parents will bring you to school. You and your parents will join your teachers, classmates, and other school faculty in a special Norfolk Academy tradition - patting the Bulldog, our school mascot.
Your parents will stay to watch. Our Head of School, Mr. Larrabee, and our Lower School Director, Mrs. Alexander, will greet you and you will pat our pretend bulldog. This is a way to celebrate the beginning of your twelve years as a Norfolk Academy student.
After everyone has had a turn, it will be time to go to your classroom. You will wave goodbye to your parents. Your teachers will be excited that you are here!
You will probably feel excited, too; you may also feel a little nervous about being in a new place or sad to say goodbye to your parents. All of those feelings are okay. Your teacher and the other adults at school are here to help you feel comfortable. You will have a busy day; there is a lot to look forward to!
There are four first grade classrooms at Norfolk Academy: Mrs. Evelyn (1A) and Ms. Sanders (1B) teach boys; Mrs. Winn (1GA) and Mrs. Richardson (1GB) teach girls.
Mrs. Evelyn Ms. Sanders Mrs. Winn
Mr. Gibson is the first grade teaching associate. He will work with all four classrooms throughout the year.
Each morning you will greet your teacher when you arrive at school.
During the first day and week of school you will spend time getting to know your classmates and learning your classroom procedures and routines.
Your homeroom teacher will teach reading, math, social studies, and much more in your classroom.
You will also learn about our Honor Code. The Honor Code creates a community of trust that is very important to each of the students and teachers at Norfolk Academy; it will become meaningful to you too.
At lunch time you will walk with your teacher and class to our lunch room; we call it the Refectory. In the Refectory, you will sit at a round table with a few friends from your class, fifth grade helpers, and a faculty member.
Every day we have a different lunch menu. There are also options like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, yogurt and fruit, and every Friday we have ice cream. The fifth graders serve as “waiters”. The faculty member and the fifth graders at your table are there to help you during lunch.
Summerpreptip:GetreadyforlunchintheRefectory bypracticingmakinglunchathomethissummer!Make yourownPB&Jorturkeyandcheesesandwich.You canalsopracticeopeningdrinkslikemilkandjuice.
You will also have resource classes. Each day you will have PE and one other resource class. Your other resource classes are Art, EDI (Engineering, Design, and Innovation), Guidance, Library, Music, and Science.
Mr. Stobbs - EDI
Mrs. Kresinske - Library
Mrs. Peterson - Music
Mrs. Sorabella - Science
Mrs. Turrietta - Art
Summerpreptip:Getreadytochangeoutfor swimbyworkingonyourbuttonandzipper skills!
You will also work with our reading teachers, Mrs. Hall and Mrs. Warburton and our math teacher, Mrs. Tyler. While it won’t start on the first day, you can look forward to having swim class with Coach Kirkman later this year!
Coach Gibson
Coach LaVigne
Coach Kirkman
Coach LoAlbo
Coach Roberts First Grade PE Team
Mrs. Tyler
You will learn a lot as a first grader at Norfolk Academy! Your brain will grow and stretch; you will be challenged every day.
There will also be time to get to know your classmates. Every day you will have recess with your class. You will make lifelong friends during your time at school.
During the first week of school and then once a month, you will attend Chapel with your class. Chapel is a time when the entire Lower School (first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grades) comes together for an assembly.
Our Lower School Director, Mrs. Alexander, and Assistant Directors, Ms. Aladj and Mr. Call, often lead Chapel.
Mrs. Alexander
Mr. Call
Ms. Aladj
Another special tradition at Norfolk Academy is having a Senior Buddy. Every first grade student is paired with a twelfth grader. You will get to meet and celebrate with them throughout the year.
Every day will be a new day to learn and grow at Norfolk Academy. We have a large campus with many buildings and rooms, as well as many teachers to teach you special skills. Your classroom teacher will always help you find your way and make sure you know what comes next. Your daily schedule will be posted on the board every day.
Summerpreptip:Get readyforallofthe activitiesoftheschool daybypracticingtying yourshoesonyour own.
Remember, you can always ask your classroom teacher or any other adult at school for help. We are all here to help you!
The first day of school on August 27th marks the beginning of your journey as a Norfolk Academy student. Your teachers, classmates, and school community cannot wait to meet you!
Welcome to the Bulldog family!
CREDITS
• Photographs courtesy of the Norfolk Academy Communications Department
• Bulldog clip art by MissBfromBerlin
• Presentation template by SlidesCarnival
• Graphics, icons, and infographics by Slidesgo, Flaticon, and Freepik