August 1, 2025

  

Dear Norwood Junior High School Families,

 

As principal of Norwood Junior High School, I’m incredibly excited to welcome you to the 2025-2026 school year. Whether your student is beginning or continuing their journey at Norwood Junior High, we are thrilled you have chosen to be a part of our special academic community. We’re looking forward to working with you to ensure all students feel welcomed, connected, and part of our Noble family. Our highly qualified team of teachers and support staff are committed to providing our students with exceptional opportunities/experiences both inside and outside the classroom. Our academic and enrichment programs continue to be a source of pride—from our electives such as AVID, Band, Spanish and career technical education computer science classes to our after-school program. The First Day of School is Tuesday August 19th and class begins at 8 am. 

 

Student success happens with collaboration. Parent involvement and support are critical to the success of Norwood students. We encourage you to participate in our School Site Council, English Learner Advisory Committee, and our Coffee and Conversation meetings where parents, teachers, students, and administrators work together to develop the most successful learning plan for our students. 

 

I welcome your input and partnership as we work together on behalf of all children. In order for you to stay aware of events taking place at Norwood Junior High School, please be sure to have an updated cell phone number and email address to receive information via our Aeries/ ParentSquare messaging system.

Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your child’s educational journey. When all of us in the Norwood community come together, it is sure to be a successful and rewarding school year!  Below you will find important information about the 2025-2026 school year. Please review the information. 

 

 

We are excited to welcome all incoming 7th grade students and new 8th grade students to Norwood Junior High for Orientation Day! This event is designed to help students feel comfortable, connected, and confident as they begin their journey at Norwood. Returning 8th grade students do not need to attend orientation.

To better serve students, we ask that you attend the orientation time scheduled by your student’s last name. 

A-H 9:00 am

I-Q 10:00 am

R-Z 11:00 am

During Orientation, students will:

Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend!
While students are on their tour, parents will attend a short presentation in the gym with the administration team. We’ll share important information about school expectations and how to support your student’s success.

At Orientation, families can also:

We look forward to seeing you there and kicking off a great year at Norwood Junior High!

 

Class schedules will be distributed to students on the first day of school in their first period class. Students will find their first period class posted in the quad on the first day of school. Postings are by last name. Student schedules may change due to classroom balancing. 

Parents may not be on campus after the morning bell. We are a closed campus and all gates must be secured.  

 

The school gates open at 7:40. Norwood provides breakfast daily for all students from 7:40-8am. 

 

Our class start time is 8 a.m. The first bell rings at 7:55. Students will start school at the same time every day and will be released two hours early on Wednesdays (Early Release Wednesdays) for staff Professional Learning Time (PLT). 

Daily Attendance is extremely important. Our teachers begin instruction immediately, so please make sure your child arrives on time and ready to learn. If you have questions regarding attendance, absences or lates, call (916) 566-2710. Please leave your name, number, and message. Our office will reopen on August 4th, 2025, and will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. You can also find information about our school on our website at:https://nwjhs.trusd.net 

 

The Annual Parent Data Confirmation information is now available for you to complete online. This process ensures we have the most up-to-date information for your student- including emergency contacts and updated medical information. Parent Data confirmation is required by Twin Rivers Unified School District. You can complete it through the TRUSD Aeries Parent Portal. The Aeries Parent Portal helps you track your child’s grades, assignments, messages, and attendance. Visit the Parents and Family Corner on the TRUSD website.

 

 

Physical Education is a required course. Participation, including dressing up, is required for a passing grade. Students will be given a locker and a lock to be used for PE class. For security and safe keeping of items, all students must use the lockers. Norwood JH is not responsible for items not locked in the preassigned accessible lockers. PE clothes will be available for purchase at orientation. All PE information will be sent by the PE teachers. 

 

Returning students will continue to use their existing chromebooks from last year. New to Twin Rivers students will receive a chromebook on Orientation or during the first week of school. Textbooks will be given out during the first week of school. Students are expected to keep their chromebook and textbooks in good condition. Damaged or lost items may interfere with 8th grade promotion requirements. 

 

School supplies are highly recommended to assist in your student’s success. We are not expecting our students to have all of their supplies by the first day of school. Since students in Jr. High schools have different schedules with different classes and teachers, there isn’t a “supply list.” A suggested school supply list will be provided at a later date. A great start is the purchase of pencils and notebooks. There are no school wide lockers available (except during PE) so students must keep their school items in their backpacks at all times. If your family needs assistance with school supplies or backpacks, please contact the office. 

After School Program Sign Up
You can sign up your student now for the Expanding Learning Program (also known as the after school program) at Norwood JHS! The program runs daily when school is in session. This is a great program for parents who need to have their student in a safe place after school. This program also helps during sports season as practices often do not start until late afternoons. Reserve your student’s spot now! Click the link below and scroll down to find the Norwood Junior High School tab. Click the before or after school tab and fill out the interest form. The program director will contact you once you have completed the form linked here:

Click here → TR After School- Expanded Learning 

We are pleased to inform you that our district has implemented a new provision available to all students District-wide in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. All students are provided free breakfast and lunch options. 

 

 

Norwood Jr High has a cell phone policy: our policy is “away for the day.” We believe in focused instruction. To minimize distractions, as soon as students walk on campus, phones should be turned off and put away until the end of the school day. If a student needs to contact home during the school day, they may make a call to their family from the office. Headphones are used in the classroom only. Students must put their headphones away in their backpacks until the teacher asks the students to use them (this includes Airpods and any in ear or over ear headphones).

 

Academic success begins with attendance. When students are late to class or do not attend a period class session, they miss information vital to their learning. For students who have excessive tardiness or absences, students will be asked to sign up for WIN. For students requiring academic and or behavior support Friday Success will be assigned from 2:40-3:40. 

 

August 12, 2025- Orientation 

August 19, 2025- First Day of School
September 11, 2025- Back to School Night

 

Left to right: Ms. Burmaster, Vice Principal, Dr. Kiwan, Principal, Mr. Casparis, Activities Director