NPS NOW NEWSLETTER

The Cardinal Chapters of the National Elementary Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society at Southside STEM Academy at Campostella proudly initiated and executed a heartfelt Flag Raising Ceremony in honor of Patriot Day 2024. During the event, scholars raised the Freedom Flag, recited its elements, and observed a Moment of Silence alongside the entire school community. The Freedom Flag will was displayed prominently in their schola throughout the month of September, serving as a powerful symbol of unity and patriotism.

This ceremony marked the first community service project for the 2024-2025 academic year, and the Cardinals are thrilled for a year filled with academic achievements and impactful service initiatives.

Find academic specialty programs for every interest in Norfolk Public Schools’ Specialty Programs! See what these exciting programs have to offer during our Showcase Night, which will be held at Norview High School on October 17, 2024, from 6 to 8 p.m. Applications and more information will be available following the showcase on the newly updated Specialty Programs website.

All interested students and their parents/guardians are invited to learn more about the rigorous, challenging programs in all five high schools and in six middle schools. Presentations from each school will highlight the unique course offerings and student opportunities for each program.

More information will be posted in the coming weeks from your child(ren)’s school(s); however, you can also stay up to date by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

Celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month with a delicious twist! On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the Norfolk Public Schools’ Department of Learning Support-Special Education Services is hosting a fundraiser at Fuddruckers, located at 7750 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk, Virginia 23505. Enjoy mouthwatering burgers while supporting a great cause—15% of all proceeds will directly benefit Norfolk Public Schools’ students with disabilities in the post-graduate programs. Bring a friend!

For more information, please contact Sherry Moltamore-Mallory at smoltmall@nps.k12.va.us or 757-274-2346.

The 2024-2025 athletic season is underway for both middle and high school sports. In order to participate, student athletes must meet the following requirements:

• have a valid physical, dated after May 1, 2024; review the Norfolk Public Schools athletic website for a complete schedule

• participate in the annual concussion education training for parents and athletes

• have a completed Sudden Cardiac Form signed by a parent/guardian (found in the student handbook)

• be eligible for participation. All first-time 9th graders are eligible. All first-time 6th graders are eligible. High school student athletes must have passed a minimum of 5 year-long courses and have a GPA of at least 2.0 (from previous school year or cumulative GPA); middle school students must have passed 5 of the 8 courses (from the previous school year or cumulative GPA), and have a GPA of at least a 2.0 from the previous school year

This information can be reviewed on the Norfolk Public Schools Athletics webpage. Student athletes should contact their school’s athletic director for additional information pertaining to the school in which they attend.

Congratulations to Lake Taylor High School senior Christopher Hankins on his impressive victory against more than a dozen golfers from Portsmouth and Norfolk on August 31. Hankins was awarded “Medalist” for his victory, making this Lake Taylor High Schools’ first golf victory in half a decade.

The Old Dominion University Athletic Foundation, through the Extra Yard for Teachers platform, recognized Norfolk Public Schools’ current Teachers of the Year during the Monarch’s home opener against East Carolina University on Saturday, September 7, 2024.

The NPS’ City-Wide Teacher of the Year Melissa Hales (Crossroads School), the NPS’ Elementary Teacher of the Year Dr. Tonyia Wright (Lindenwood Elementary School), and the NPS’ High School Teacher of the Year Robert Lemieux (Granby High School) were joined by Superintendent Dr. Sharon I. Byrdsong, Chief Schools Officer Amber Brown, and Senior Coordinator of Athletics Stephen Suttmiller for the evening’s recognition.

Extra Yard for Teachers is a platform dedicated to elevating the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering teachers in four core areas: resources, recognition, professional development, and recruitment and retention, as stated on the College Football Playoff Foundation’s website.

“We know every day is game day for teachers, and Extra Yard for Teachers represents a coming together of college football to show its appreciation for teachers,” said the non-profit’s executive director, Britton Banowsky.

According to Extra Yard for Teachers, the number one factor in student achievement is a great teacher, and the majority of the organization’s investments provide resources directly to teachers. Over the years, Norfolk Public Schools’ amazing educators have received and appreciated tens of thousands of dollars from the organization to continue the drive toward equity and excellence for all NPS’ students!

If you are an ODU fan and keeping score, it was fair seas for a game of football that evening, as storms skirted S.B. Ballard Stadium. Unfortunately, the Monarchs fell to the Pirates of ECU, 20-14.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Special Populations Specialist Phalishia Johnson was recently featured in the September 2024 edition of the JVG Connection Newsletter! Johnson teaches special education career development courses and facilitates workplace readiness development and postsecondary skill building and training at the Norfolk Technical Center, reaching students from all five high schools. It is “the follow-up conversations and connections” that make her role so rewarding, she said. “Listening to students connect what they’ve learned in JVG [Jobs for Virginia Graduates], as well as in their CTE courses, demonstrates that the skill building and training provided yields life-long effects. . . . Equity and Excellence for ALL–NO MATTER WHAT!”

Held on September 12 at Ruffner School, the Equity and Excellence Learning Centers (EELCs) Expo showcased Norfolk Public Schools’ new EELCs–P.B. Young, Sr. Elementary; Jacox Elementary; Ruffner School; and Booker T. Washington High School–to the local community. The event, which included a vendor fair, breakout sessions, and giveaways, provided families with a unique opportunity to engage with some of the many enrichment activities and experiences they will find at each EELC. Keynote speakers included Superintendent Dr. Sharon I. Byrdsong; Chief Strategy, Innovation, and Community Engagement Officer Dr. Doreatha White; Chief Schools Officer Amber Brown; Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Affairs Mrs. Jerri Smith; Family Engagement Specialist Tonya D. Pittman-McGowan; Community Partner Mr. Eddie White; and Comer Method Expert Dr. Herman Clark. Performances by students from P.B. Young, Sr. Elementary and the Booker T. Washington High School Band and Cheerleaders were highlights of the evening.

All Norfolk Public Schools are participating in the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) during the 2024-2025 School Year. Each school day, all enrolled NPS students are provided with a nutritious meal for breakfast and lunch at no charge to the household. As implemented under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, the CEP program is intended to improve access to school meals in areas of economic need. Households are not required to submit a meal application form to participate. Learn more in the video below

View the full 2024-2025 Academic Calendar here.

To stay up to date on events and information for your child’s school, find individual school web pages under the Schools + tab in the top right corner at www.npsk12.com, or simply type the school’s name into the search bar. Each school’s page offers the latest school announcements and information, as well as important dates to mark on your calendar – such as Open House! Bookmark the full 2024-2025 Norfolk Public Schools Academic Calendar that includes teacher work days, early release days, holidays, and end of quarter days.

The ParentVue online portal allows parents and guardians to see real-time information about their student, including calendars, attendance, schedules, grades and report cards and emergency contacts. Login to Parentvue and find additional resources here.

Additional information for parents and guardians of students with disabilities can be found under Learning Support.

Norfolk Public Schools offers translation services through The Language Group. This on-demand translation service helps to eliminate communication barriers between our families of English Language Learners and school division staff. Find more information on The Language Group here.

Norfolk Public Schools offers translation for its website, www.npsk12.com. Click the “Translate” option under the “District Home | Schools” blue button on the top right side of the home page.

Additionally, Norfolk Public Schools offers this newsletter each month in Spanish, along with a Spanish-language Facebook page, Norfolk Public Schools en Espanol.

Be on the lookout for information pertaining to the opening of the Norfolk Public Schools International Welcome Center early this fall! The new facility will be located at Rosemont Center.

Norfolk Public Schools continues to collaborate with childcare providers throughout the City to ensure parents/guardians have access to before and after care programs for their child(ren) during the 2024-2025 school year.

These programs are hosted in various school buildings and the City of Norfolk's recreation centers to support parents/guardians who work before and after school hours.

Please be aware that most programs do not include before care options. Providers and site locations will be continually updated throughout the school year.

For a listing of the 2024-2025 Elementary Schools Before and After Care Programs, click here.

Check your child’s(ren’s) school website or call the school(s) for more specific program information.

Did you know that there are a host of FREE resources for your child(ren) to succeed this school year?

NPS’ students in grades 3 through 12 can receive tutoring in math, science, social studies and English language arts.

Norfolk Public Schools and FEV Tutor are providing students with free, high-quality, live, one-to-one virtual tutoring and homework help. Schedule a session, or access live tutors around the clock for last-minute homework help and coursework support.

Virtual tutoring sessions can be scheduled in advance or requested on-demand. Simply visit www.fevtutor.com and login with Clever.

If you have any questions, you can contact FEV Tutor directly at NPS@fevtutor.com or 855-763-2607. FEV Tutor's Support Team is happy to answer any questions and work with you to create a personalized tutoring experience that best suits each student.

For additional student learning resources, please visit Norfolk Public Schools’ Learning Resources page.

Students, families, community members, and Norfolk Public Schools’ staff convened at Southside STEM Academy on September 19 to watch a livestream of “The Fireside Chat: A Conversation between Virginia First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin & Dr. Jonathan Haidt.” The duo discussed the findings of Haidt’s latest book, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness, and how his findings can inform communities and schools in limiting social media and cell phone use to help restore childhood and play.

An in-person community conversation, based largely on what Executive Order 33 will mean for the Division, was facilitated by Chief Student Support, Safety, & Information Officer Dr. Michael Cataldo immediately after the livestream.

Mark your calendars for Trunk or Treat & Pranks on the Plaza at Scope (201 E. Brambleton Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia 23510) on Thursday, October 31, 2024. Hosted by the Norfolk Police Department, this event is Norfolk’s biggest community Halloween engagement and outreach. Norfolk Public Schools will be distributing sealed candy, books, pencils, and coloring books to those in attendance.

Norfolk Public Schools values its partnerships with families and community stakeholders. Therefore, Norfolk Public Schools welcomes volunteers to assist with educating students in a variety of ways. Volunteers can serve as mentors, tutors, chaperones, and more. If you are interested in volunteering with us, visit the Community Engagement webpage and apply today!

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with us from September 15 to October 15! Join our community in honoring the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx individuals. Throughout the month, we'll showcase events, stories, and achievements that highlight the diversity and resilience of our Hispanic community. Let's come together to recognize and celebrate the vibrant tapestry of Hispanic heritage.

It is Disability History and Awareness Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the rich contributions of individuals with disabilities throughout history. This month serves as an opportunity to educate ourselves and others about the importance of inclusivity and accessibility in our communities. By honoring the achievements and resilience of people with disabilities, we can foster a deeper understanding and commitment to equality. Join us in promoting awareness, advocating for change, and creating spaces where everyone is valued and empowered. Let’s continue to celebrate diversity and champion the rights of all individuals!

Join us in celebrating National Principals Month as we honor the incredible leaders of Norfolk Public Schools! Our principals play a vital role in shaping the educational experience, inspiring students and staff alike with their dedication, vision, and unwavering support. They work tirelessly to create safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environments where every student can thrive. This month, let’s show our appreciation for their hard work and commitment to excellence. Share your gratitude, highlight their achievements, and join us in recognizing these fearless leaders who make a lasting impact on our schools and community!

Celebrate the joy of reading this October during National Book Month! This month is dedicated to promoting literacy, encouraging lifelong learning, and sharing the love of books with others. Whether you’re diving into a classic novel, exploring new genres, or discovering diverse voices, there’s a world of stories waiting for you. Join us in engaging with our community through book clubs, reading challenges, and author events. Pick up a book today and embark on an adventure! Check out our reading resources and materials on our Media Services page.

We look forward to recognizing National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month and wearing orange with you as we unite and stand against bullying on Unity Day, October 16, 2024!

Norfolk Public Schools and VectorSolutions provide students, parents/guardians, and staff a safe way to report bullying and student-related matters any time, any where, on any device. Through the Vector Alert Tip Reporting System, you can text us, call us, e-mail us, or report using the website or the mobile app, while remaining anonymous. Every tip is taken seriously and thoroughly investigated.

Download the Vector Alert Tip Reporting System app to your device today!

For complete details about the tip reporting system, click on the video embedded with this story and visit nps-va.safeschoolsalert.com.

During the 2023-2024 school year, Norfolk Public Schools’ principals and designated staff members attended monthly Cultural Competency Training sessions to advance the vision of equity and excellence for all students. This year, to ensure that cultural competency initiatives have a broad and lasting impact across our division, the School Leadership and Development Department, Office of Communications & Community Engagement, and Department of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Affairs are moving forward with a strategic rollout of Cultural Competency Training for assistant principals and new principals. To continue providing consistent training across the division, the Valbrun Consulting Group will work in collaboration with the NPS Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Affairs to co-design session objectives and design learning activities.

In September, assistant principals began the monthly series of professional development train-the-trainer sessions. This training will occur throughout the school year and participants will also participate in goal setting, monitoring, implementation efforts, and complete a culminating presentation based on identified goals and needs at the end of the school year.

Readers across Norfolk just finished reading School Days according to Humphrey as part of the All Norfolk Reads initiative. While this shared reading experience officially ended on October 2, 2024, our shared love of reading is ongoing!

If you and your family enjoyed reading this book, you will be excited to learn that there are many more titles in the according to Humphrey series. Visit Humphreyville to see what else students can learn…according to Humphrey! Many of these titles are available for check out from Norfolk Public Schools’ libraries, so encourage your young readers to visit the library in person or online.

Additionally, please provide feedback on the All Norfolk Reads program and help us pick out the next read for this spring by taking our online survey.

For more information about fostering a love of reading in our students, look over the advice the National Education Association (NEA) shares with us as we are Raising Readers and Building a Community of Readers and Writers.

Lastly, former President Barack Obama proclaimed October as National Information Literacy Month. Obama called for Americans to “be adept in the skills necessary to effectively navigate the Information Age” and emphasized that “though we may know how to find the information we need, we must also know how to evaluate it.” With so much information at our students’ fingertips, it is important to remember that we must help them understand the Importance of Digital Literacy Skills so they can become confident consumers of online and print information.

Norfolk Public Schools’ wants to reiterate that school attendance is critical to student success!

As National Attendance Awareness Month comes to a close, NPS is getting ready to kick off its 3rd Annual School-to-School Attendance Challenge on October 14, 2024, with the Mighty, Mighty Bookers of Booker T. Washington High School!

The challenge is a friendly competition amongst our schools and a fun social media campaign that illustrates to our families and communities the simple, but true mantra we have adopted: You Miss School, You Miss Out!

Research shows that missing as little as two (2) days every month, or 10 percent of the school year, can have a significant impact on students and their ability to learn. When students improve their attendance rates, they improve their academic prospects and chances of graduating. Norfolk Public Schools is committed to reducing chronic absenteeism; however, we need your help! Please keep the lines of communication open by letting us know if there is something standing in the way of getting your child(ren) to school. We want to help so that we can continue to build on our promising growth in academic achievement in the coming year, as well as strive toward equity and excellence for all… no matter what!

Together, we can overcome the barriers to attendance and engagement. You can help by:

• Making sure your child(ren) arrive(s) to school on time, every day.

• Talking to your child(ren) about the importance of reporting to class on time, prepared, and ready to learn.

• Scheduling family trips and vacations during scheduled school breaks.

• Providing a written explanation for your child’s(ren’s) absences before they occur or on the first day they return to school.

• Contacting your child’s(ren’s) school(s) if you have concerns or questions.

• Making sure your contact information is up to date and you are receiving important school/division information.

Please stay connected by following Norfolk Public Schools on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, and the division website to learn more about Norfolk Public Schools’ attendance campaign activities and incentives throughout the school year!

Stay connected and up-to-date on all things Norfolk Public Schools by subscribing to this, our nationally award-winning newsletter, NPS Now! Like us on Facebook, follow us on X (Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, e-mail us at TellUs@npsk12.com, or call us at 757-670-3945!

Our platforms offer a listening ear and a view into daily life at Norfolk Public Schools while supporting the division as it works to strengthen relationships, build partnerships, and inform students, parents/guardians, and community members about how they can affect public education in Norfolk.

Additionally, please ensure that your family’s contact information is current with your child(ren’s) school(s). That helps us contact you with important information such as school closings for inclement weather or division-wide announcements.

We look forward to connecting with you!

In September 2022, the City of Norfolk School Board approved the implementation of a five-year strategic plan for Norfolk Public Schools. The plan, Continuing the Drive: Equity and Excellence for All, was developed over the course of a full year and included input from students, families, staff, and community members about their goals and desires for the future of Norfolk Public Schools.

The plan outlines the steps Norfolk Public Schools will take to build on success and continue to improve. We know that although the path forward will be challenging, it is necessary to support each student and all stakeholders. We also know that in partnership with our community, we can accomplish the goals set forth before us.

The entire Strategic Plan with links to objectives and measurement tables is located online at www.npsk12.com/npsstrategicplan. Please read the plan and follow along as Norfolk Public Schools continues the drive toward Equity and Excellence for All.