Principal

Welcome to Captain Leland F. Norton Elementary School where we strive to make learning engaging and fun! I feel extremely fortunate to be the principal of a school with such wonderful scholars, an amazing motivated and dedicated staff, and parents who work with us to create an environment that facilitates scholars learning through a wide variety of innovative and collaborative methods and activities. Our educators and staff are highly committed to providing the most rewarding education possible and making the process of learning an enjoyable experience. Your child's education is our top priority!  We look forward to working together with you to make your child’s educational experience a positive one.
Norton Elementary is a closed campus before, during, and after school hours. Scholars may begin entering their assigned gates at 8: 40 a.m. The staff will close Gates A, C and Cafeteria at 8:50 a.m. All scholars arriving after 8:50 a.m. will need to enter the campus through Gate B. Scholars are marked tardy if not in their classroom at or before the 8:50 a.m. bell. Parents/Guardians must bring a photo ID with you each time that you come to the front office to pick up your students early. Entry through any one of our gates by visitors, volunteers, parents/guardians, non-personnel, etc. is not permitted.
 
We encourage our parents to sign up and utilize Aeries Parent Portal, ClassDojo and Parent Square for immediate communication with classroom educators, school counselor, support staff and administration. In addition, you may visit or call the school office to make an appointment.
As we progress through the 2023-2024 school year our educators continue to use more researched based strategies to promote high student achievement through Science, Technology, Engineering Science and Project Based-Learning (STEM/PBL) with the integration of the 4 C’s (Collaboration, Creativity, Communication and Critical Thinking).  We feel strongly that the district initiatives already in place, provide a strong foundation for exceptional learning.  
Parental involvement at Norton is highly desired, and we applaud our parents for their involvement and support. We offer many opportunities for parents and families to be involved in the education of their child as well as help make important decisions about our school. We have three parent advisory groups on our campus: School Site Council (SSC), English Learners Advisory Committee (ELAC), and African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC). ELAC and AAPAC look at our scholar groups to determine actions and services to meet their needs. ELAC and AAPAC advise our SSC. As a school-wide Title I school, our SSC is the parent council that approves the federal Title I budget and the site's School Plan for Student Achievement. In addition to the parent groups, we host parent workshops and exciting family activities throughout the year.
 
Research demonstrates that such involvement is the number one factor in determining student success in school.  Parental involvement can take many forms. First and foremost, parental involvement means getting children to school every day and getting them there on time.  This can't be stressed enough. READ to your child every evening. This helps students build their vocabulary and love of reading, as well as impressing the importance of reading. Being present to monitor student homework, providing a quiet place for homework completion and being informed about progress and grades are all important to student success. This along with the support of our families and school community makes Norton Elementary an amazing place to learn and work.