Norris School District
Changing Lives Through the Power of Learning
🌼 Creativity was in full bloom during one of our Summer Exploratory opportunities!
Learners created their own garden stones using cement and colorful jewels. Each one was unique, and it was fun to see everyone's creativity shine through!
Learners created their own garden stones using cement and colorful jewels. Each one was unique, and it was fun to see everyone's creativity shine through!
🏁 Ready... Set... Race!
Our learners put their creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills to the test by designing, building, and racing their very own soapbox cars! From the workshop to the finish line, they demonstrated perseverance, innovation, and sportsmanship every step of the way.
Congratulations to all of our racers—and a special shoutout to our first-place finisher, D and A! 🏆
Cooking up some fun math lessons this morning! 🧁📚 Learners are learning about fractions in a creative, hands-on way by measuring ingredients and making delicious zucchini muffins. Who knew math could be this tasty? 😋
The adventures of our summer intersession continue! ☀️ Learners spent a beautiful afternoon exploring the art of kayaking, enjoying the sunshine, being active, and making memories along the way. What a perfect way to spend a summer day! 💦
When it rains... it pours—curiosity! 🌧️💧
This summer at Norris School District, learning is flowing in more ways than one. Learner Dennis, with the help of our staff, built a sturdy stand to support our brand-new rain barrel. We're now proud owners of our very own rain barrel, which will help us conserve water while providing even more hands-on learning opportunities.
This summer at Norris School District, learning is flowing in more ways than one. Learner Dennis, with the help of our staff, built a sturdy stand to support our brand-new rain barrel. We're now proud owners of our very own rain barrel, which will help us conserve water while providing even more hands-on learning opportunities.
It’s hard to believe we’re already more than halfway through summer! ☀️ Our learners have been busy exploring, creating, and learning through hands-on experiences like castle building, adventure education, fishing, swimming, strawberry picking, and so much more.
Now they’re putting their creativity and teamwork to the test as they build their Soapbox Derby cars for one of our favorite annual traditions. We can’t wait to see who takes home this year’s championship! 🏁🚗
Now they’re putting their creativity and teamwork to the test as they build their Soapbox Derby cars for one of our favorite annual traditions. We can’t wait to see who takes home this year’s championship! 🏁🚗
History came to life at Norris! 🥣🍞🍰
Our learners stepped back into the Great Depression with a hands-on experience led by our Social Studies Specialist, Ashley. After learning about the hardships of the era, the Dust Bowl, Soap Box Derbies, and FDR's Fireside Chats, learners visited our very own Norris Soup Kitchen to sample foods from the time.
The menu featured navy bean soup, cornbread pancakes, eggless chocolate cake (because eggs were a luxury many families couldn't afford), and other resourceful recipes that highlighted the resilience and creativity of the era.
Our learners stepped back into the Great Depression with a hands-on experience led by our Social Studies Specialist, Ashley. After learning about the hardships of the era, the Dust Bowl, Soap Box Derbies, and FDR's Fireside Chats, learners visited our very own Norris Soup Kitchen to sample foods from the time.
The menu featured navy bean soup, cornbread pancakes, eggless chocolate cake (because eggs were a luxury many families couldn't afford), and other resourceful recipes that highlighted the resilience and creativity of the era.
🎨 Yesterday, our learners ventured to Milwaukee to explore Black Cat Alley, a vibrant arts destination known for its incredible collection of street art murals.
Learning has no walls when we begin with learners' interests and areas of wonder. Experiences like these spark curiosity, inspire creativity, and connect learning to the world around us.
At Norris, we believe some of the best learning happens beyond the classroom—and yesterday was a perfect example!
Learning has no walls when we begin with learners' interests and areas of wonder. Experiences like these spark curiosity, inspire creativity, and connect learning to the world around us.
At Norris, we believe some of the best learning happens beyond the classroom—and yesterday was a perfect example!
🍓 A little rain couldn't stop these learners!
Despite the wet afternoon, our learners headed to Thompson Farm for their scheduled Experiential Learning Opportunity, where they picked fresh strawberries to make homemade jam. Hands-on learning, new experiences, and a little adventure made for a berry sweet day! 🌧️🍓
Way to embrace the weather and make the most of every learning opportunity!
Despite the wet afternoon, our learners headed to Thompson Farm for their scheduled Experiential Learning Opportunity, where they picked fresh strawberries to make homemade jam. Hands-on learning, new experiences, and a little adventure made for a berry sweet day! 🌧️🍓
Way to embrace the weather and make the most of every learning opportunity!
Our Summer Intersession is officially underway! ☀️
Learners are diving into new experiences and exploring areas of interest through hands-on learning opportunities. From fishing and smoothie making to gardening, planting flowers, and growing vegetables, there is no shortage of curiosity, creativity, and discovery.
We are excited to see where their learning journeys take them this summer!
Learners are diving into new experiences and exploring areas of interest through hands-on learning opportunities. From fishing and smoothie making to gardening, planting flowers, and growing vegetables, there is no shortage of curiosity, creativity, and discovery.
We are excited to see where their learning journeys take them this summer!
While the library is closed for the summer, our learners have plenty to celebrate. Here’s a snapshot of what we’ve been up to and some of the exciting learning experiences that wrapped up our school year.
Learner-Centered Possibility: Connecting Young People to an Ecosystem of Opportunities through Norris Academy Virtual School.
Learning happens far beyond the four walls of a classroom, and the team at Norris School District is bringing that reality to life for learners across southern Wisconsin! The Norris Academy Virtual School is a no-fee public school where learners are empowered to reach goals and competencies in the dimensions of academics, employability, citizenship, and wellness. With the guidance of a Digital Learning Liaison and Learning Design Specialists, young people can receive an education at their own pace and engage with local and global communities in ways that align with their interests, goals, and current circumstances.
Check it out: https://tinyurl.com/LMKEEdRe
Learn more about Norris School District here: https://www.norrisacademywi.org/
Learn more about Education Reimagined here: https://education-reimagined.org/
Learning happens far beyond the four walls of a classroom, and the team at Norris School District is bringing that reality to life for learners across southern Wisconsin! The Norris Academy Virtual School is a no-fee public school where learners are empowered to reach goals and competencies in the dimensions of academics, employability, citizenship, and wellness. With the guidance of a Digital Learning Liaison and Learning Design Specialists, young people can receive an education at their own pace and engage with local and global communities in ways that align with their interests, goals, and current circumstances.
Check it out: https://tinyurl.com/LMKEEdRe
Learn more about Norris School District here: https://www.norrisacademywi.org/
Learn more about Education Reimagined here: https://education-reimagined.org/
Learners enjoyed the beautiful weather above the clouds while zipping through the air on our high ropes course zipline. It is always amazing to watch learners overcome their fears, take risks, and challenge themselves—or love the experience so much that they never miss an opportunity to participate.
Experiences like these continue to build confidence, resilience, and a willingness to step outside of comfort zones while creating memories along the way.
Experiences like these continue to build confidence, resilience, and a willingness to step outside of comfort zones while creating memories along the way.
Last night, we celebrated our Class of 2026! Congratulations to our five graduates as they begin the next chapter of their lives. We are incredibly proud of all they have accomplished and wish them continued success in their future endeavors.
Today, staff and learners worked together in teams to create an award-winning sandwich in our 13th Annual Ungathered Protein Sandwich Competition (it’s not actually our 13th, but it sounded catchy 😄).
After sampling all of the sandwiches, staff and learners cast their votes for their favorite creations. It was a close finish, but ultimately Ashley’s team brought home the win with their Sloppy Jose’s—a Mexican-style twist on the classic sloppy joe!
A little friendly competition, creativity, and collaboration made for a fun and delicious day at Norris!
After sampling all of the sandwiches, staff and learners cast their votes for their favorite creations. It was a close finish, but ultimately Ashley’s team brought home the win with their Sloppy Jose’s—a Mexican-style twist on the classic sloppy joe!
A little friendly competition, creativity, and collaboration made for a fun and delicious day at Norris!
When learning is intentionally designed for young people at the margins, we create environments where all learners have the opportunity to thrive.
At Norris School District, we are committed to helping every learner get to their next best place—no matter the obstacles they may encounter along the way. Through individualized support, meaningful relationships, and innovative opportunities, our learners are achieving goals they once never imagined possible.
This short film highlights the incredible impact of that work and the resilience of the young people we are honored to serve. We are proud to share their stories and celebrate the intentional support, dedication, and care that make Norris such a special place.
Watch it HERE: https://tinyurl.com/EdReNSD
Learn more about Norris School District here: https://www.norrisacademywi.org/
Learn more about Education Reimagined here: https://education-reimagined.org/
At Norris School District, we are committed to helping every learner get to their next best place—no matter the obstacles they may encounter along the way. Through individualized support, meaningful relationships, and innovative opportunities, our learners are achieving goals they once never imagined possible.
This short film highlights the incredible impact of that work and the resilience of the young people we are honored to serve. We are proud to share their stories and celebrate the intentional support, dedication, and care that make Norris such a special place.
Watch it HERE: https://tinyurl.com/EdReNSD
Learn more about Norris School District here: https://www.norrisacademywi.org/
Learn more about Education Reimagined here: https://education-reimagined.org/
It’s one of our learners’ (and staff’s) favorite times of the year—baby chick season! 🐣
There’s something special about holding, caring for, and watching these little ones grow. It’s hard not to smile when there are baby chicks around, and they always bring so much joy to our learning space.
There’s something special about holding, caring for, and watching these little ones grow. It’s hard not to smile when there are baby chicks around, and they always bring so much joy to our learning space.
Join us on Thursday, May 21 at 12:00 PM for our Trimester 3 Learner Showcase!
Our learners have been working hard and are excited to share their evidence of learning with you. We look forward to celebrating their growth and achievements together.
Our learners have been working hard and are excited to share their evidence of learning with you. We look forward to celebrating their growth and achievements together.
An impromptu jump-reach contest really showed off our learners’ athleticism, stretch, and competitive side! It was so much fun watching them challenge themselves and compete just for fun.
Teacher (Staff) Appreciation Week is a time to celebrate the many ways appreciation can be shown—whether it’s receiving a sweet treat or enjoying a shared breakfast or lunch. While those gestures are always appreciated, sometimes the greatest gift is hearing words of affirmation from the learners we serve.
Our learners answered the prompt, “I appreciate you for…” and we turned their responses into framed gifts for our staff. Their gratitude, growth, and trust remind us why this work matters.
Thank you to all of our educators and staff for the care, dedication, and support you provide each day. The impact you make on our learners extends far beyond the classroom, and we are grateful for all that you do.
Our learners answered the prompt, “I appreciate you for…” and we turned their responses into framed gifts for our staff. Their gratitude, growth, and trust remind us why this work matters.
Thank you to all of our educators and staff for the care, dedication, and support you provide each day. The impact you make on our learners extends far beyond the classroom, and we are grateful for all that you do.
