Norwalk is building the new Sono School building (South Norwalk School) from the ground up. The school makes use of hands-on learning and community input. Friday, March 31, 2023, Norwalk, Conn.

New Sono neighborhood school designed to feed souls, hearts and minds of children, By Roz McCarthy

Blog Post Note: Carver provides the before- and after-school programming for this new school

They also care for each other. When one boy was crying inconsolably after his block structure collapsed, a child handed him a stuffed animal to hug. A second child brought a tissue to wipe his eyes. A third child rubbed his back.

Yogi Berra, the legendary Yankee catcher, was famous for saying, “It’s déjà vu all over again.” For the school on Chestnut St, once named Columbus School, there is indeed a feeling that we’ve been here before. For the second time in my 50 years of living in Norwalk, Columbus School is being redesigned for a new student body.

Kindergartner Bryson Delgado reads “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” with Paraeducator Taijek Mikel.

In 1979, Columbus School was closed as a segregated neighborhood school and reopened as Columbus Magnet School. Children from all over Norwalk could apply to the school that emphasized hands-on learning and the arts. Instruction in reading, science, math and social studies were integrated together. Parents were encouraged to be actively engaged in the school. The new school was popular, and families were soon clamoring to enroll their children.

Columbus Magnet School is now Concord Magnet School, and it has moved into a building next to Ponus Ridge Middle School. The old Columbus building has reopened as a neighborhood school, temporarily named the Sono School. The new student body will be those who live in South Norwalk, and the curriculum will emphasize the needs of the community.

…What does social justice look like to 4 and 5-year olds? “It’s how children interact with each other,” said Rhinehart. “It’s highlighting each child’s strengths and working together. It’s getting along, honoring diversity, and making sure everyone has a voice.”

One of the pre-K classes is a 50-50 blend of special education students who have IEP’s (individualized education plans) and general education students. “I love how the general ed kids are the role models for the kids with IEP’s, and the other way around,” said teacher Nicolette Lopez. “They really just help each other. I see the love that they have for their peers.”

One kindergarten class is filled with MLL students – multi-language learners. All the children spoke Spanish as their first language, and the teacher and two paraprofessionals are bilingual.

“I use lots of visuals in the classroom,” said teacher Irvania Sanchez, “and I often pair students with strong English skills with a child who has less English. They help each other.”…