

Norcom News
April 3, 2025
📣 Message from Principal Sanders
As we step into spring, I’m reminded that this season is all about growth, renewal, and fresh starts. At Norcom, our students are blooming with potential, and I’m proud of the progress we’re making together. Thank you for your continued support as we finish the year strong—brighter days are ahead!
With Greyhound Pride,
Teesha Sanders
Principal, I.C. Norcom High School
"Spring brings new beginnings—let’s grow together." 🌼🌱 – Unknown
Administrator Assignments
- Grade 9 -Mrs. Latarisha Beamon latarisha.beamon@portsk12.com
- Grade 10- Mr. William McCallum william.mccallum@portsk12.com
- Grade 11 - Mr. Bryan McNeal bryan.mcneal@portsk12.com
- Grade 12 - Dr. Bernadette Smith bernadette.smith@portsk12.com
All Things Testing
- Monday, May 19, 2025 - EOC SOL Reading
- Tuesday, May 20, 2025 - EOC SOL Algebra II and Geometry
- Wednesday, May 21, 2025 - EOC SOL Algebra I, World History II, and VA/US History
- Thursday, May 22, 2025 - EOC SOL Biology, Chemistry, and Earth Science
- Friday, May 23, 2025 - EOC SOL World History I
If you have questions, please contact Ms. Liptock at jamie.liptock@portsk12.com.
School Counseling Corner
Parent Portal is the student information platform used by Portsmouth Public Schools to keep parents and families engaged in their child’s academic performance and progress. Beginning in 2024, all parents are required to have a Parent Portal account. This is where they will complete the 2024-25 School Check-In as well as see real-time grade information, attendance data and assignments.
How to Create A Parent Portal Account
Click Create Account.
Fill out the form including all requested information.
Use the Access ID and Access Password found on the Parent Portal Letter you were mailed - they will link your student(s) to your account. If you no longer have this letter, you must reach out to the school’s main office (either in-person or by phone).
The Username you choose must not contains spaces or special characters, and you must use a valid email address in order to verify the account.
Once your account is created, check your email and click the link in the email to verify your account.
You will then be able to login with the username and password you created.
You can log in to the Parent Portal website at any time, through any device (computer, tablet, smartphone, etc.). To learn more about the Parent Portal, this list of Frequently Asked Questions and this list of Best Practices have been developed for you.
If you have any questions regarding your child please contact:
Mrs. Geri Freeman - School Counseling Director A, Special Programs
Mrs. Anjelica Harris-Fidele - School Counselor B-G
Ms. Michelle Effatt - School Counselor H-P
Ms. Roxy Powell - School Counselor Q-Z
Ms. Chimere Daughtry - Graduation Coach
Mrs. Rhoda Harris - School Counseling Clerk
Mrs. Nicole Jordan, ACCESS AdvisorLibrary Media Specialists
PowerSchool Password Assistance🔑💻
Can’t get into PowerSchool to check your grades? Simply click “Forgot Password” on the PowerSchool screen, enter your student school email, and follow the prompts to get a reset link. Pro tip: You may need to refresh your email after a few minutes to see the link!
April Celebrations! 🎉
Did you know that April is Poetry Month, School Library Month, and National School Librarian Day is April 4th?!? Let’s celebrate the role of libraries and librarians who inspire a love of reading and learning this month!
Annual Community Read: Coming SOON!🏆📚
Do you have a 7th block class? Well, if you do, get ready to kick off our annual Community Read competition with Monster by Walter Dean Myers when we return from Spring Break! This gripping novel follows the journey of 16-year-old Steve Harmon, as he navigates the criminal justice system, grapples with his own identity, and stands trial for a crime he may not have committed. Listen to the staff created audiobook with your classmates and guess mystery readers, answer comprehension questions, and participate in exciting activities in the library during lunch to earn points for your team! Which classes will take the win this year? 🎉 Stay tuned for more details and instructions!
Thank you for supporting your Greyhound Library! Let’s make April awesome! 😄🎉
Reminders
🛑📵Cell Phone/Electronic Device Policy
- Electronic devices, including cell phones and headphones, are not to be used during the bell-to-bell school day, but can be used before and after school.
- If middle and high school students bring cell phones to school, they must be stored and turned off during the bell-to-bell school day.
Dress Code Policy
DRESS CODE REGULATION (JFCAA-R)
Portsmouth City Public School students shall not wear the following items:
- Clothing, pins, jewelry, accessories or other items of adornment displaying obscene, profane, derogatory, violent or gang-related messages, themes, designs or pictures;
- Clothing, pins, jewelry, accessories or other items of adornment conveying messages related to or promoting the use of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco products, or messages that promote illegal activities.
- Clothing pins, jewelry, accessories or other items of adornment depicting bawdy, salacious or sexually suggestive messages.
- Clothing that is transparent or exposes the midriff, navel or cleavage.
- Pants, skirts and/or shorts that sag below the waistline or must be held in place with the hands.
- Underwear as outer garments or clothing that exposes underwear (including, but not limited to, stretch lycra, spandex or nylon tights, leotards, biker pants, biker shorts, bathing suits, pajamas).
- Tank tops, halter tops, garments with spaghetti straps, tube tops, fishnet tops, strapless dresses, or other clothing that is not appropriate because of slits, rips or holes in the garment.
- Accessories which could in some way pose a danger to the wearer or others; and/or could be used as weapons (including, but not limited to, two-or-three finger rings, chains hanging from clothes, picks, hair chopsticks).
- Clothing that is too tight and/or is inappropriate in length as determined by the building principal/designee.
- Inappropriate footwear (including, but not limited to, shower shoes and beach shoes, such as thongs, bedroom slippers, and unfastened shoes or shoes missing appropriate closures).
- Head coverings or accessories that are not related to or required by student’s bona fide religious practices (including, but not limited to, stocking caps, do rags, wave caps, scarves or bandanas).
- Items that are intended for outdoor use (including, but not limited to, hats, caps, and similar head coverings, scarves, jackets and coats).
Student Drop Off
If you drop your student off in the morning before 7:25, please drop your student off at the rear of the building on the High Street side.
Early Pick-up Reminder: Ensuring a Smooth Dismissal
We kindly ask that if you need to pick up your student early, please do so by 1:30 PM. After this time, students will need to wait until our regular dismissal at 2:10 PM, unless there is an emergency. Picking up students close to dismissal creates significant challenges with safety, traffic flow, and the end-of-day procedures for the entire school. Thank you for your cooperation in helping us ensure a smooth and safe dismissal process.
Leaving School Grounds
- Students are not permitted to leave school grounds when they get off the bus in the morning.
- If a student is staying after school for tutoring, detention, academic recovery, attendance recovery, practices, meeting with a teacher, coach or sponsor, he/she may not leave school grounds to go to Food Lion, Americas Best, or any other place. They must remain at school until the event is over.
Parent Communication
- Please email your student's teacher directly if you have questions.
- If you wish to have a conference with your student's counselor, please email them directly.
- Parents are encouraged to sign up for Parent Portal you can stay connected, informed, and engaged in your child’s education.
- Use this link for assistance with setting up Parent Portal. https://www.ppsk12.us/page/parent-portal
Athletics 🏈🏐🎽
Athletics Events and Practices
04/02/2025 Wednesday
Spring Sports Practices
Boys Soccer Versus Granby at Powhatan Field 5:00pm
Track and Field at Churchland Versus Eastern District Meet #1 TTBD
04/03/2025 Thursday
Spring Sports Practices
Boys Soccer Versus Warrick at Hines Middle School 5:30pm
04/04/2025 Friday
Spring Sports Practices
Softball/Baseball at Home Versus Norview at 4:30pm
04/05/2025 Saturday
Spring Sports Practices
Upcoming Events 📆
Junior/Senior Prom
Junior/Senior Prom
Juniors and Seniors! Here is some information for prom in case you missed it.
Friday, May 2, 2025, 07:00 PM
The Signet Center, Bells Mill Road, Chesapeake, VA, USA
Important Dates ❗
Spring Break🌻🌺
📚✨ Happy School Librarian’s Day! ✨📚
On April 3, 2025, we celebrate School Librarian’s Day and honor the incredible work of our librarians, who brings stories to life, helps our students become confident researchers, and creates a space where imagination and curiosity can thrive.
As author Neil Gaiman once said:
“Google can bring you back 100,000 answers. A librarian can bring you back the right one.”
– Neil Gaiman
At the heart of our school library are leaders who empowers students to research with purpose, read with passion, and grow with confidence. Please join us in thanking our librarians for being an irreplaceable part of our school community!
🎖️💜 April is Month of the Military Child 💜🎖️
This month, we proudly recognize Month of the Military Child—a time to honor and celebrate the strength, sacrifice, and resilience of students whose parents or guardians serve in the military.
Please wear purple on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. 💜🎖️