While leaving her house Feb. 5 to take her puppy for a walk, IB English teacher and Gifted and Talented program counselor Mary Norris said she slipped and fell on ice at the end of her driveway.

“(My hip) has been crusty for a very long time,” Norris said. “(The injury) ended up being like a crack, but the (hip) was compromised. It looked like a bad turkey bone.”

Norris said she had a surgery the next day at the Allina WestHealth Clinic in Plymouth and was sent home one day later.

“The next day I ditched the walker or any assistive devices,” Norris said. “There’s some swelling to deal with. There (were some issues), but it wasn’t pain, it was just the management.”

Norris said there was no official protocol for physical therapy, but she did have to follow some rules during her recovery.

“You cannot bend beyond 90 degrees, period. You cannot fall, period,” Norris said. “I’ve been doing elliptical, I’ve been doing treadmill (and) I’ve been doing curls on a weight machine. (I’ve) got to keep that strength (and have to) get those muscles back.”

According to substitute teacher Rosalyn Korst, who is currently teaching Norris’ IB English classes, the students continue to read “Macbeth” in Norris’ absence.

“(The students) miss her. They obviously do,” Korst said.

Senior Suweyda Abdi, one of Norris’ students, said she misses Norris’ cheerful presence.

“She’s just so awesome (and) she’s just so bubbly,” Abdi said. “I hope she has a speedy recovery and that she is the same as when she left.”

According to Norris, Joan Brinkman filled in for her position as the Gifted and Talented (GT) counselor during the week of March 6.

“I’ve always found (Norris) to be very receptive to students and their needs, and a fabulous teacher,” Brinkman said.

Sophomore Cailey Hansen-Mahoney said GT has not been the same without Norris.

“Ms. Norris brings a lot to GT,” Hansen-Mahoney said. “She’s an interesting person, she always has a lot to share (and) I hope she is feeling well.”

Norris said she misses her students and co-workers.

“You get so involved. I miss the faces, the voices, the stories and the contact,” Norris said. “Every day, these beautiful young people walk into my life and each life brings a blessing, and I miss that tremendously.”

Norris said she will return to school the first day back from spring break. She said she is thankful for the Counseling Department, Rosalyn Korst, Joan Brinkman and her students for assisting her in her absence.

Norris said she is excited to return to Park.

“(When I return) we’re just gonna have a big fat party,” Norris said.