[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6241098,"mediaKeyId","3310075-9eb4d679c57c83b2d2f5da00fc7d8500","parentId",3310075,"title","Norwich preschool readies for NIACC accreditation visit; screenings and parent survey underway","audioSeconds",62,"startMs",3777000,"endMs",3839000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3310075-9eb4d679c57c83b2d2f5da00fc7d8500&start=3777&end=3839","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3310075-9eb4d679c57c83b2d2f5da00fc7d8500/thumbnail_3777000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6241098/Connecticut/Norwich-preschool-readies-for-NIACC-accreditation-visit-screenings-and-parent-survey-underway","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241098-f091ade2e9138c98f5d241f0070c4cfa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770853722&Signature=Hi71oCXMaoKjvVEFuzftaFPU0FLdN1eMNmsWd5bqBh05GCFmmd~n-m9CvdjrHr2IWHo9BNf1-zA54nPOPG-P7OsLkSOFI4ul9f2jli7cAD0Ybo0aWsl1SglS5rEnrFXTJJA~TJF3CAzD2PSz-OuUaMHXSN1TRl9ZHZV4bhDhW35UaJsHu16pqcaTgmw4BShFzRRNgLzIG0wAZNCwUJ-PAWuP9Vs3zQc8lS1TUB72q0BJqR-uFPGsjywhZadHr3hS67vKrVjAwO3hfNm8a1wPbnzt52bpkVVQgvOUZtZqEkk7T1zDWn~lJGCoRezJk4X34LLKUTeh-XYl3opl~QSpOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Norwich School District","date","2025-05-15T04:37:54.257Z","article","Norwich — Norwich School District preschool staff told the board they have a 15‑day window for a NIACC accreditation visit from May 26 through June 13, with the district to be notified of a 24‑hour window before the actual team arrives. Preschool coordinators said they have conducted screenings and prepared classrooms in advance of the review.

Why it matters: Accreditation reviews assess program quality and affect preschool program eligibility, state recognition and potential funding or partnership opportunities.

District staff reported that preschool screenings occurred May 1 and May 8 and the final screening is scheduled May 15; to date the team has screened 23 children and expected six more on the last screening date. The NIACC parent survey has been distributed; staff reported a 27% family completion rate and encouraged more responses to inform continuous improvement. The district said the preschool team has been working all year to prepare for the visit and that administrators performed classroom checklists to help teachers ready their spaces.

Discussion vs. decisions: The report was informational; no formal action was taken. District staff asked parents to complete the NIACC survey and said they will notify families of final screening outcomes after the accreditation process completes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Norwich Public Schools Board of Education Meeting - 5/13/2025","oneSentenceSummary","District preschool staff announced a NIACC accreditation window of May 26–June 13, preschool screenings and a parent survey with a 27% response rate. Administrators said staff prepared classrooms and scheduled a final screening date of May 15.","taxTitle","Norwich School District, School Districts, Connecticut","taxId",38771,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6241102,"Board reviews nine policy updates on visitors, security, naming, climate and discrimination",103,5612000,5715000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3310075-9eb4d679c57c83b2d2f5da00fc7d8500&start=5612&end=5715","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3310075-9eb4d679c57c83b2d2f5da00fc7d8500/thumbnail_5612000.jpg","/articles/6241102/Connecticut/Board-reviews-nine-policy-updates-on-visitors-security-naming-climate-and-discrimination","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241102-907ad5c2bda86c14c150333aed317b85/orig.mp4?Expires=1770853722&Signature=H91HFhG6asIbGx-~N~JFzZqLmsCHIuT-GVfz-t4EXDwReEktA8gtD3mNlipW0mpwhuy901umLTMZSa4eFHsQvctnzsr3JVT0REjnyuJUaqDT3NxNBw-OAmujo-w1JFmhOBgKPQo0zaffCne-BZZccWNY1LmTqcStNBPPDzS~NP1HfXbsOhcF-P2VjGOvQlGqxRcBMnCQ7R1KTYY7PIw47KFb8p3CAeAzpND1wKbUEoEjdVcvWhBTMX4YyCmSJsKgvfLy4yr8gqdZbn51-YurNKcYSRmgRLZfXUuxenjEtypB4CBluQ3luhBi9ntGVxVgRfq~SS639X88AuIie1Q6jg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Norwich — The Norwich School District presented nine policy changes for a first read on May 14, covering visitor conduct, school security and federal‑agent interactions, naming/renaming of facilities, discrimination language, school climate, bullying prevention, restorative practices and transportation rules. Board members said the policies will return for a vote at a later meeting.

Why it matters: Policy language guides how schools handle visitors and federal officers, how safety plans are submitted to state agencies, and the process for naming facilities — items that shape district practice and community expectations.

The visitor and security policies add language about directing federal immigration agents to designated administrators and clarify submission and confidentiality requirements tied to state review. A board member noted some redundancy between a recently used internal ICE protocol and the proposed visitor language; the administration said the policy incorporates Connecticut State Department of Education language.

A new naming and renaming policy would create a committee to vet proposals and emphasize community input and eligibility criteria; the policy requires honorees to meet clear standards and would send recommendations to the board for final approval. The board also reviewed a reversion of a workforce discrimination policy to a prior version that bases enforcement on biological sex rather than including gender identity; staff said that change aligns the policy with prior federal or administrative guidance and strengthens Title IX and Title VII compliance language.

Transportation policy changes mainly align mileages and winter bus provisions with current practice: distances for grades 9–12 were adjusted to 1.5 miles from two miles for eligibility in winter months and the policy clarified that winter bus provision applies to Norwich Free Academy and Norwich Tech during January–March. The board will consider the policies for final approval at the next meeting.","At first read the board reviewed nine policy revisions covering visitor protocols and federal agent interactions, school security submissions, naming/renaming procedures, bullying and school climate alignment, and several staffing and transportation clarifications.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6241107,"District plans small 'Rose City' resilience program to bring students in therapeutic placements back in‑district",114,4752000,4866000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3310075-9eb4d679c57c83b2d2f5da00fc7d8500&start=4752&end=4866","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3310075-9eb4d679c57c83b2d2f5da00fc7d8500/thumbnail_4752000.jpg","/articles/6241107/Connecticut/District-plans-small-Rose-City-resilience-program-to-bring-students-in-therapeutic-placements-back-indistrict","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241107-70a9db6985492a5479f529d8b7798201/orig.mp4?Expires=1770853722&Signature=SdLI4U7UoYBfXMQp5IzYwYBricdNJr~N8Yb6aFKhkoCV1krPRMBd3UvZsbMgi~NKGrm4TFL0-uvbuDn95u1HTkGePKbXujpErLGLhegnNEoZWJ2qPQ7fcblVGgMNlVE7gnujKVb8tc8RZ8HXnkwAUklm6mqwMgNlnJgDyx0we-Wuu9KGbi2wDgVbaPK2ZCaFDZDYq~6AS053ZJRoLxgNNMv8pnPoae-izp9hvg2F2VuWPXanMBNuxlDBWibxbT4AG-4tmR1-oXRvizv8XfF47liBAj0Q3S0a~0Pb7px9HWIYua1FucWK1N~jSCWbH2fNK2HM4rz1maJ-tN-bOadQxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Norwich — District officials described plans to expand the Rose City program and to pilot a small resilience program aimed at students in therapeutic or out‑of‑district placements who are not attending those programs. The goal is to provide in‑district supports that build school stamina and progress toward credit recovery.

Why it matters: Bringing students back into district programs can reduce costly out‑of‑district placements and provide services locally; the plan affects students with significant social‑emotional and attendance barriers.

District staff reported Rose City presently has nine students and that the district anticipates four sections next school year — two elementary and two middle‑school sections. Officials said they expect elementary classes to reach full enrollment and that the district is \"starting small and going big,\" proposing initial cohorts of about five students to build stamina and provide individualized supports. The working title for the initiative is the \"Rose City School Resilience Program.\"

Staff said the resilience model would pair social‑emotional supports — including a social worker and family engagement — with credit‑bearing online coursework through the Apex Learning platform for eligible high‑school‑age students. District staff noted that the program would include trauma‑informed practices and align behavior support training to local therapeutic programs: the district has adopted the Safety Care de‑escalation curriculum and scheduled advanced Safety Care training for the Rose City team.

Discussion vs. decisions: The board received the proposal and asked questions about enrollment and credit‑bearing coursework; no formal vote was taken. Officials said details such as staffing, exact start dates and enrollment targets are still being worked out and will return to the board with additional specifics.","Norwich School District outlined a working plan to expand the Rose City program and launch a small resilience program to reengage students with attendance or social‑emotional barriers, using safety‑care training and credit‑bearing online coursework.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6241112,"Norwich to break ground June 10 on new Stanton school; Greenville project pushed to 2027",3152,2816000,5968000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3310075-9eb4d679c57c83b2d2f5da00fc7d8500&start=2816&end=5968","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3310075-9eb4d679c57c83b2d2f5da00fc7d8500/thumbnail_2816000.jpg","/articles/6241112/Connecticut/Norwich-to-break-ground-June-10-on-new-Stanton-school-Greenville-project-pushed-to-2027","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241112-cecc9caf7daf3d54aae405eb759a6e07/orig.mp4?Expires=1770853722&Signature=OhcSnnVFhl36s~lJSs3JJJxteNFA3L6wbce4jug5ee6ESrP27Ft1IfDCYNkMCplw52-tkAieVrLkkps62ZVtSaVhiEoY71DYIBpiRiVb1zyBgKeSJjb~4kNuBpkDFduWovU3ijarx-XbiyxpAcekE1cQ0ciyVOdhkdNu-ph2tPnUr-b9tnViDKSIfTrRhS6B0x~RjCB9tFsPA8wqKK8~pboPIj-~FRQMmz6o2Re7Ah-Vlw2j9mD4FTxYP03cFkt31AaKQ1YnvmmLlaoTSoYMY43RFZKKaGzdxNYK~iNxLrZYY7eAJhTmCBaOtP2XsgvuTRUyR1owoCNNruLsYeur3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Norwich — The Norwich School District announced construction is underway at two elementary sites and set a public groundbreaking for Stanton School for June 10, 2025. School leaders said construction fences are up at Stanton and will soon be installed at Greenville.

Why it matters: The projects replace aging facilities and will affect students, staff and neighborhoods during construction; timelines determine when the district can consolidate programs and move students into new buildings.

District staff told the board that Stanton will remain occupied while the new school is built adjacent to the current site. The public groundbreaking for Stanton is scheduled for June 10 at 1:30 p.m., and students will participate in the ceremony. District officials said the new Stanton School \"should be ready by August of 2026.\"

Greenville’s construction, by contrast, faces more extensive site work. Officials said the Greenville site requires extensive rock work and retaining walls, and the expected opening has moved to January 2027. The board also discussed a planned community process for naming or renaming school facilities: the proposed policy would create a renaming committee to vet nominations and forward recommendations to the board. Board member Sheila Hayes submitted a proposed name for the Greenville site; the board said the policy sets the process but does not itself select names.

Discussion vs. decisions: The board received updates and set the Stanton groundbreaking date; no formal vote was recorded on construction contracts or naming at the May 14 meeting.","Board members said fencing and construction equipment are in place and a public groundbreaking for Stanton School will be June 10. Greenville construction will start later and is expected to open in January 2027 due to challenging site work.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6241117,"School leaders warn 1% city increase will strain Norwich schools; ad hoc praised for transparency",405,2031000,2436000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3310075-9eb4d679c57c83b2d2f5da00fc7d8500&start=2031&end=2436","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3310075-9eb4d679c57c83b2d2f5da00fc7d8500/thumbnail_2031000.jpg","/articles/6241117/Connecticut/School-leaders-warn-1-city-increase-will-strain-Norwich-schools-ad-hoc-praised-for-transparency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241117-1884923ca5048483bc0069f90efbf1b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770853722&Signature=BYp5GeKvqFogJAU2hFvgMQFag957J2lRPeHY6d7dSnAz2L08Fikp~lk8ft4~jY9JdytcGBT7FqzFxnin9nG5ahREwlfxw94VuJ-mKH0y1aCYLtRZaD~1tHShymSoCAtLdrPKgjHhqR9BwirtUh7O6E8BnRoeYRuNaRUnVqumAqLjh9mg-OXlw2Y1rd5XfH415rCuCNKxazqE4zTZZRw4J32h6CamlRazQEIxoawjsDgzLQazu7IBHiUBX0sRzokppbyAmit0bqZYYr9nZqMZ5NpeOGTBWcG07AqRmRVU2Y0t1d~zVvM6YoBZALTCcmX9D2yjnh~S-dvUCcxqKAcrHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Norwich — City council and Norwich School District officials told the board on May 14 that a proposed 1% increase in local funding will make budgeting for the 2025–26 school year difficult and may be unsustainable. Joseph DeLucia, president pro tem of the Norwich City Council and chair of its board of education budget ad hoc committee, told the school board the ad hoc \"has made a quantum leap\" in the quality of information it receives and that the committee is able to have \"informed conversations about the school budget.\"

Why it matters: Education represents roughly two-thirds of local property taxes in Norwich; reductions in revenue will directly affect district services and staffing. School and council leaders said the combination of flat or near-flat funding and rising costs risks future deficits and service reductions.

The board heard that the Norwich School District requested a 4.98% increase but that the city manager’s budget proposed a 1% rise. DeLucia said of the lower proposal: \"It is unsustainable to expect that a school system of this size and this magnitude can operate at 1% increase per year, cannot be done, OK?\" He nevertheless praised Superintendent Lessard and district staff for making the constrained funding work this year.

District administrators described several ongoing cost‑saving efforts. The transportation office is reviewing routes and running an opt‑in process for pre‑K through eighth‑grade families and Norwich Free Academy (NFA) to reduce unnecessary busing. Officials said the district's annual transportation cost baseline is approximately $10,800,000 and that a second round of opt‑in forms (after 296 nonresponses to the first mailing) aims to clarify demand and shrink routes. School leaders also said administrators walked bus stops to match run sheets to actual riders and are meeting with First Student, the district’s contractor, to identify additional savings.

A year‑end forecast prepared in February projected a possible deficit from breakeven to about $400,000; district finance staff reported that after April expenses the estimate is trending toward the breakeven side. Board members credited a November budget freeze and administrative steps for that improvement but cautioned that special education excess costs, pre‑K operating shortfalls, delayed Medicaid reimbursements and heating costs remain key variables.

Discussion vs. decisions: The board discussed options and savings measures but did not take a formal vote on budget changes at the May 14 meeting. Joseph DeLucia and other council members said they would continue ad hoc work with district staff and the council to refine recommendations for the full council.","City council and school officials discussed a strained Norwich School District budget after the city manager proposed a 1% increase while the board requested 4.98%. The district and its ad hoc committee are pursuing savings in transportation and other areas to bridge the gap.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Norwich preschool readies for NIACC accreditation visit; screenings and parent survey underway

Board reviews nine policy updates on visitors, security, naming, climate and discrimination

District plans small 'Rose City' resilience program to bring students in therapeutic placements back in‑district

Norwich to break ground June 10 on new Stanton school; Greenville project pushed to 2027

School leaders warn 1% city increase will strain Norwich schools; ad hoc praised for transparency