(click on the desired school name to view graduations online.)
A Message from the Superintendent
Welcome to the 2008-2009 school year. Whether your child has been enrolled in one of our schools or whether you’re just joining the Norfolk Public Schools family, I’m sure you’ve noticed that our school system is something special.
For the past ten years, our district has been working diligently to ensure that all students succeed — regardless of race, gender, or family income level. We’ve seen the results of focused, data-driven decision making and high levels of accountability. We know that all children are capable of tremendous success. We know that, because of our nationally recognized programs and staff, our graduates will be globally competitive.
We’re redefining what urban public education looks like. We’re raising the bar and offering high levels of support to prepare our students for a future that we can’t even begin to imagine. New technologies and new career fields develop every day. And while we may not be able to predict what new discoveries await over the horizon, we know with certainty that our students must be “powerfully literate” — able to think critically, to synthesize information, to apply creativity to problem solving situations, and to work effectively with diverse groups of people.
These skills will ensure that your children can compete with their counterparts in India, China and other locations around the globe. The world may be flattening, but our students will be prepared to achieve on that leveled playing field. With your support, we can ensure that every single child graduates ready to become a life-long learner, a productive citizen, and a leader in the workplace.
Thank you for choosing Norfolk Public Schools and for being a part of what makes our school system nationally recognized and globally competitive. I look forward to an exciting and productive school year.
Sincerely,
Stephen C. Jones
Superintendent of Schools
STEM Camp at Camp Young
Students from Jacox Elementary and Chesterfield Academy spent two weeks learning about STEM at Camp Young in August. STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, was taught through fun activities including building a solar oven, going on nature walks and robotics.
Click here to watch the video.
Title I Takes Teamwork to New LevelsThe Panthers were growling, the Bulldogs barking, and the Dolphins swimming. While it might sound like a zoo out of control to some, to Dr. Gloria P. Hagans, senior director for Compensatory Education with Norfolk Public Schools, it was the sweet sound of success.
The Title I Instructional Leadership Academy marked its eighth year on August 18th at the Airport Hilton with the theme “Yes We Can: Working Together as a Team.” In all, 21 Title I principals as well as their instructional leaders (proudly displaying their school mascots on banners) were in attendance for the day-long conference focused on best practices for raising achievement. A Title I school has a high percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch.
“This is a time to celebrate the good things that are going on at our schools and to discuss what we are going to be involved with in the coming year,” said Hagans. “We want people to know that we are doing it, and that our Title I Schools are a big part of why NPS is NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED and GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE.”
The morning session began with keynote speaker Dr. Bernard Harris, the first African-American to walk in space. Harris is a former astronaut, a business man, and the founder of the Harris Foundation which works to enable youth to develop and achieve their full potential through the support of social, recreational, and educational programs.
Harris said that regardless of a student’s background or upbringing, they should be encouraged to study the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. As educators, Harris emphasized, it is important for school leaders to encourage and motivate youth to stay in school, foster youth leadership and citizenship, and to instill the values of responsibility, fairness, and respect.
The second guest speaker was Erik Cork, creator of a learning program called Rap, Rhythm and Rhyme: Rebuilding the Writing Foundation. Cork’s workshop was about strategies to engage students in the classroom and techniques that can be used to stimulate students.
“Professional educators must consistently appeal to the genius buried within all students,” Cork said.
Norfolk Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Stephen C. Jones was present to acknowledge the Superintendent’s 100 Percent Club. This special title is given to schools which have a 100 percent pass rate in an SOL testing category.
“What you have accomplished is evident,” Jones said. “It is your commitment and your successes which prove that in Norfolk Public Schools ALL really does mean ALL.”
Larger Than Life Canvas for Norview Students Encourages Broad Brush Strokes
The world is Jennifer McDuffie’s canvas, and Norview High School is her muse.
Inspired by the talent of her art students and driven by the desire to paint a positive message for the community, McDuffie set her sights on a goal — fill the blank canvas of local buildings with meaningful student art work.
An art teacher at Norview, McDuffie recently applied for and received a $300 grant from the Virginia Arts Commission to create a mural on the wall of the Norfolk based Black and White Cabs building. Located within blocks of the school, the white-walled building now boasts a larger than life painting demonstrating Norview pride.
“It is a way of doing charity for the community that is different than fundraising because it helps people feel proud about their neighborhood,” said Eddy McClure, now a senior at Norview and a one-year member of the Norview Art Club. “Hopefully it makes people feel good that someone cares.”
In all, 10 students were involved in the process from start to end. Three participated in the design aspect of the project while another seven students spent a week painting under the hot July sun. The mural depicts a man in the center of lightening bolts and flashes along with the words “NORVIEW PRIDE.” Unlike graffiti, McDuffie said this is art the community will happily live with.
“We want to help beautify the neighborhood, keep the small businesses and family homes and help re-establish that feeling of community,” McDuffie said. “If people take pride in a neighborhood, it will help to build it up rather than tear it down.”
McDuffie mailed postcards to students and asked them to help with the project during their summer vacation. She said although they didn’t have to come and it was “melting hot” outside, the students showed up with positive attitudes ready to work.
“That was a wonderful miracle to me,” McDuffie said.
Judy Swystun, president of Black and White Cabs, believes that the painting is not only positive for the students, but the community as well. The Black and White Cab Company has been in Norfolk since 1950, and Swystun said the company is glad to help the neighborhood it calls home.
“I think that anything we can do to help the community spirit as well as help young people to do positive things to do in the community is a worthwhile project,” Swystun said. “We are pleased with the final product.”
The mural at Black and White Cabs may be done, but for McDuffie, the mission is far from over. With only four years in Norfolk Public Schools, this relatively new teacher plans to seek out funding for two additional murals in the area to reflect on unity and the community. Art is a positive means of expression she said, and her students have an important message to express.
“This project gave them an opportunity to do something positive for the community and to deflect the negative images that some people have of the neighborhood and teenagers,” McDuffie said. “It was my goal coming to Norfolk Public Schools to find a way for my students to impact their community so I was thrilled to find a way to do just that.”Shooting for easy sixth grade transition with Tdap shots
Bookbag— check. Pens and pencils— check. Tdap shot— now there is something to double check!
All students preparing to enter sixth grade are required to have a tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, or Tdap, booster shot prior to the start of the school year. And with September 2nd right around the corner, it is important to make sure your student’s medical records are up to date.
All students in Virginia must receive the Tdap before 6th grade, if at least five years have passed since the last dose of tetanus-containing vaccine. Students must have documentation of this vaccination in order to attend school in the fall.
Haven’t gotten your student’s booster shot yet? Don’t fear, the Norfolk Department of Public Health offers the shots free of charge to Norfolk residents. Simply contact the health department for more information about times and availability.
Norfolk Perspectives - August 2008Meet the school nurse to learn about the shots your child needs to attend NPS this year including new 6th graders!
Click here to watch the video.
New Resource Center Opens
City and school leaders recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony and reception to welcome community members to the new Campostella Heights Resource Center. The new center is a celebration of great teamwork with the city, school system, and community. The facility, open to the public, has a community meeting room, a kitchen, and a computer lab for Norfolk Public Schools students’ homework activities.
Click here for the full story.
