SEPTEMBER 2024
Greetings Maury Family,
We are thrilled to report a successful start to the school year! Thanks to the collective efforts of our students, staff, and families, we are already making tremendous strides in key areas. Student attendance has improved significantly with more students arriving on time and ready to learn each day. Additionally, we’ve seen a notable increase in participation in our extracurricular activities, showcasing the dedication and enthusiasm of our students.
We look forward to building on this positive momentum throughout the year and are excited to continue working together to make this year a great success for all.
As always, if I can provide any additional support or answer any other questions, please do not hesitate to call the main office for assistance at (757) 628-3344.
Warmest regards,
Ms. Karen Berg
Maury Principal
HRT (Hampton Roads Transportation) will be coming to Maury High School on October 30th to issue HRT Freedom Passes. They will be in the building to issue and distribute Freedom passes from 9:00am until 2:00pm. I will pass on relevant information as the date approaches. To help speed up the process, students can complete the application process prior to the event so that they will just need to take their picture and get their Pass issued to them. The application can be located by simply Googling: "HRT Freedom Pass" or by using the link below.
The Student Freedom Pass provides people ages 13-17 years old with unlimited free rides on Hampton Roads Transit’s bus, ferry, and light rail services. Service is available in the cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach. In all cases, the Student Freedom Pass will expire two months after the student’s expected high school graduation date, or the 18th birthday, whichever is later. Any exceptions to this policy will be handled on a case by case basis. Parents can enjoy the time and money they will save when they stop chauffeuring and leave the safe and reliable driving to Hampton Roads Transit.
https://gohrt.com/programs/student-freedom-pass/
How to Use Versatrans My Stop
Versatrans My Stop allows parents to track their students' bus location and arrival times as well as receive notifications on delays or other pertinent information. It is an application that can be downloaded on the Apple or Android Store on your smartphone.
Step 1: Downloading the Versatrans My Stop App
- Type "Versatrans My Stop" into the search field in the App Store (for Apple users) or Play Store (for Android Users)
- Select Versatrans My Stop and download
- After downloading My Stop navigate to the application and tap on it to open it. Select Norfolk Public Schools
Step 2: Logging In
Username = Student's ID# (7 digits)
Password= Student's Date of Birth (01012024)
Step 3: Map Tab
No map will display but you will see a pin indicating the bus stop your student is assigned and the estimated time of arrival to student's stop
Step 4: Scans Tab
- This feature is inactive
Step 5: Setup Tab - Notification Screen
Understanding Notifications
- Notifications will pop up immediately if you are in the application; if you do not have the application open but you are logged in, you will see the notification show up the same way other notifications show up on your smartphone. Ex: 2-hour delay/early dismissal
- Change password is an option but it is highly recommended to keep it as the date of birth so you won't forget it.
Versatrans My Stop FAQ
Why don't users get a black screen asking them to put in their Username and Password?
- It is important to make sure users download the correct app: Versatrans My Stop. There are many applications with similar names in the application store and downloading the incorrect application will create confusion.
Why does the screen says "Your username or password is incorrect. Please try again."?
- First, make sure users have selected the proper school district from the menu. Users can click on "Not your school" from the login screen to go back to a list of districts.
- Second, make sure they are using the district-assigned credentials. Student ID# (7 digits) Password = Date of Birth (01012024)
Why does the screen say "No Active Route Found"?
- If their student's bus is not running at that time, the message will be "No Active Route Found". As soon as the bus is running, they will see route information.
Why are users not getting any notifications in the application?
- Notifications must be turned on within your phone settings. Users need to click on the Setup tab and ensure notifications are turned on.
Why did the student's bus number change?
- Drivers and transportation staff can change the bus number before or during a route. For accurate information to be transmitted, the correct bus must be selected in the transportation software.
- Will the pickup and drop-off times still be accurate during early release or late start days?
- Yes, the transportation department can adjust times for the occasions.
Why are users no longer receiving notifications?
- Users must be logged in to My Stop to receive notifications. Users should close the app when not using it rather than logging out.
Support
For any questions about Versatrans My Stop or any transportation related questions, please reach out to the district/transportation department at 757-892-3320, xllO.
Students who leave school early must exit the building at the conclusion of their last class of the day. Students may not loiter around the building or stand around in the main foyer. They must go directly to either their vehicle, parent pick-up, ride share pick-up, HRT bus stop, or walk (for those who normally walk to/from school). Exceptions will be made for inclement weather, in which students will be allowed to remain in the foyer (by the stairs).
Attention Parents/Guardians: Please assist us in helping our students maintain compliance with the division's cell phone policy by refraining from calling and/or texting students during the instructional day. Students may bring a cell phone to school, however, cell phones should be off and put away until a teacher or staff member gives the student permission to use their cellular device for instructional reasons. While in class students must have their cell phones off and put away. The NPS policy on cell phones can be found below:
Per NPS, Cell Phones and other Devices (PCDs) in Schools (BSO):
Norfolk Public Schools acknowledges parental concern for the safety and well-being of their children while they are attending school or school-sponsored activities. Norfolk Public Schools also understands the parental belief that students’ possession of cell phones enhances their safety and security. The school division realizes, however, that student misuse of cell phones and PCDs may: (1) undermine the learning environment; (2) disrupt academic instruction and distract students; (3) compromise the integrity of student testing; (4) increase disciplinary problems; (5) violate privacy rights of students and school staff; and (6) increase the school division’s exposure to opportunistic litigation and potential legal liability. In light of the foregoing, the school division permits student possession and use of cell phones and PCDs as set forth below.
Middle and High School - Middle and high school students may possess cell phones, PCDs, and/or EDs on school property subject to the following restrictions: (1) students must not display, use, activate or permit cell phones, PCDs or EDs to be activated during the instructional day; (2) students’ cell phones, PCDs, and/or EDs must be turned off and kept out of sight; cell phones, PCDs and/or EDs, may be stored in book bags, purses, lockers or on one’s person.
Schools across the nation have experienced a variety of issues related to social media. While social media does have positive qualities such as connecting with family and friends, establishing networks, etc. it can also be used for nefarious purposes.
For example, Tik Tok (a video-focused social network) related challenges inciting violence towards schools that have included vandalizing school bathrooms, slapping teachers, etc. There are also Instagram pages run by students that encourage posting pictures that were taken during school hours. While some may consider these types of posts amusing, we do not.
Being a digital citizen, someone who has an identity on the Internet, comes with many rights and responsibilities which are intended to protect you as well as everyone else with whom you interact.
These Tik Tok challenges and IG pages are examples of the inappropriate use of social media. Unfortunately, when social media is misused and a connection to the school is established, there are consequences. Some postings may be considered harassing and menacing and could result in school detention and/or suspension. We prefer to avoid these situations, but we need your help. Parents and guardians, please join us in speaking with your children about the ramifications of their decisions. In addition, we implore you to closely monitor your child’s use of social media. Let’s work together to ensure that our students are in a safe and secure learning environment.
Attention all Maury students we have a TCC Outreach Advisor joining us every Monday! Come and meet with Mr. Demetri Starks in the School Counselor's Office (Guidance), or you can contact him at outreach@tcc.edu. TCC's Outreach Advisors provide local high school students with one-on-one appointments that are free of charge to assist with TCC pathway and career exploration, assist with completing the TCC admission application, and answer any questions you may have regarding TCC.
Darius Blount ACCESS Advisor
Maury High School (M-F)
322 Shirley Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23517
P:(757) 550-4015
F:757-628-3361
1. App: Search for “Vector Alert” in the App Store to download for free
2. Phone: 757.255.7461
3. Text: Text your tip to 757.255.7461
4. Email: 2110@alert1.us
5. Web: http://2110.alert1.us
Students and families can easily report tips on bullying, harassment, drugs, vandalism, threats of violence, or any safety issue through Vector Alert. When you submit a tip, be sure to use the division’s identification code: 2110 in your communication. Every tip Vector Alert receives about a safety concern will be immediately logged into the system. The NPS administration will be notified to investigate and take appropriate action. As always, tips may be submitted anonymously. Working together, using Vector Alert, we can make our division a safer place to work and learn!
Delicious and Nutritious...Norfolk Public Schools follows federal and state regulations when administering the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs which provide nutritionally balanced meals to students. This school year, breakfast and lunch are free of charge to all students attending a Norfolk Public School. No application is needed.
Please visit the School Nutrition webpages or follow them on social media at @SchoolMeals_NPS.
If you have questions, contact us at schoolnutrition@nps.k12.va.us or call 757-628-2760.
This year NPS is striving to ensure we provide equity and excellence for All! Please take a moment and read Dr. Byrdsong's plan for achieving this goal with NPS' Drive for Five!
DRIVE FOR FIVE!
"Five Goals for Achieving Equity and Excellence for All..."
First, we will work to improve students' academic performance and we will work to integrate social-emotional learning into daily instruction.
Second, we will attract and retain highly qualified, effective teachers to teach our students.
Third, we will commit to improving our aging infrastructure so that our students are educated iin school buildings that are worthy of them.
Fourth, we will be more purposeful and strategic in developing and sustaining effective partnerships with our families and other community stakeholders.
Fifth, we will be more intentional in our efforts to foster a division-wide culture of caring.
Office Hours: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
Student Hours: 7:25 am - 2:05 pm
If you have any questions, concerns, issues, etc. that you need help with, please email Ms. Berg.
Email: kberg@nps.k12.va.us
Website: https://www.npsk12.com/mhs
Location: 322 Shirley Ave, Norfolk, VA 23517, USA
Phone: (757) 628-3344
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Maury1911
Twitter: @Maury19111