ADMINISTRATIVE NEWSLETTER
THIRD NINE WEEKS
February 2006
Dear Parents:
As the first semester comes to a successful close, I would like to highlight the numerous accomplishments that have occurred during the second nine weeks. First, we have established our “Young Men of Direction” organization. The mission of this 39 member organization is to provide a mix of academic, social, career, and leadership development activities that address the social and academic needs of male students. Under the direction of Assistant Principal, Mr. Milteer and staff members Mr. Avery and Mr. Skinner, the young men meet weekly to engage in leadership development, address concerns, and set goals. In addition, these gentlemen proudly dress is suits and ties every Friday.
Second, we have approximately 45
students who have already been accepted into colleges and universities all
across the
Third, another of our seniors is
one of 1,300 in the country that has been chosen as a finalist for the 2006
National Achievement Scholarship.
Nominees for this prestigious award are those who score in the top 15%
on the PSAT, demonstrated consistent performance on the SAT, achieved academic
excellences in grades 9-11, and were recommended by their building
principal. This is quite an honor,
especially since this is the first student in the history of
Fourth, the establishment of our new attendance policy has dramatically increased our students’ class attendance. We appreciate the cooperation and support of the students and parents in this joint effort.
Finally, our school is participating in its yearly fundraiser for the Suffolk Education Foundation. This Foundations allows teachers to be awarded grants in order to implement innovative strategies in their classrooms. If you are interested in receiving more information or want to assist in supporting our fundraiser, please contact Mr. Milteer, one of our Assistant Principals.
As you can see, our students are excelling across the curriculum, and we are looking forward to even more accomplishments during the third nine weeks. We have attached a calendar of events for the third nine weeks as well as the continued implementation of our new attendance policy. Please review this information carefully so your child will not be in danger of violating the new attendance policy.
Please remember that if you have any questions, do not
hesitate to call my administrative team, guidance department, teachers, or me
at 538-5420. Furthermore, I want to
remind you that many of our teachers have created web pages that can be
accessed through the
As we press forward into the third nine weeks, I anticipate even greater accomplishments for our students and school. As always, I look forward to your continued support of our school and your child’s success.
Sincerely,
Thomas W. McLemore, Jr.
Principal
attachments
NANSEMOND RIVER HIGH SCHOOL
NEW ATTENDANCE POLICY
2005-2006
We will be monitoring your child’s attendance very closely this year. You may refer to the student handbook pages 4 and 5 for a list of guidelines that must be followed. Here are important changes to our new attendance policy this year.
If your child
misses more than two unexcused absences in a 9 week grading period, he/she
will fail for that nine weeks.
If your child must be absent from school, you
must submit the appropriate documentation to excuse the absence.
Documentation for an absence must be submitted within
5 days of the absence.
If documentation is not received within the 5 days after the absence,
then the absence will not be excused.
If your child has a doctor’s, dentist, or
counseling appointment or a court date, we are requiring official documentation
from that office. If you forget, they
may fax it to us at 538-5430. It will be
your responsibility to follow up on the faxed documentation. We will not accept any handwritten notes for
these absences.
We will also assign an attendance monitor to make random calls to verify documentation after an absence. When your child brings in documentation for being absent, he/she should place the documentation in the locked box that is located on the counter in the main office.
q Reports will be generated at the end of each nine weeks. The attendance monitor and assistant principal supervising attendance will identify students in violation of the attendance policy.
q A letter will be sent to the parents advising them that their child has been identified as being in violation of the attendance policy.
q Students who may be non-waived and were passing the class will receive a “69” for the nine weeks rather than for the semester. This holds your child accountable sooner and also provides him/her with an even greater opportunity to recoup the grade during the next nine weeks.
q Students
will have the opportunity to make up 2 absences each nine weeks. On designated Saturdays from 8:00-12:00,
students can attend the
q
Transportation is
not provided. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain
transportation to and from school and to bring assignments.
ATTENDANCE MAKE UP DATES FOR THE
3rd 9-WEEKS:
MARCH 18 & 25, 2006
CHARACTER
TRAITS
February Honesty Being truthful in what you say and in what you do
March Courtesy Using actions or words which are respectful and
mannerly
April Cooperation Working with others toward a common goal
Nansemond River High School’s
mission is to support an environment that recognizes the potential of all
students to excel academically, emotionally, and physically in order to become
responsible and productive citizens in a multicultural society.
BELIEFS
We believe…
Each student is
capable of being successful and must be educated to the best of his/her
ability.
Success demands
a joint effort involving students, parents, teachers, administrators,
paraprofessionals, and the community.
Every child
must be responsible for his/her own learning and growth through determination
and personal discipline.
Our school
promotes multicultural understanding and respect by appreciating the uniqueness
of individuals.
True education
cultivates a lifelong appreciation for learning.
DATES TO
REMEMBER FOR THIRD NINE WEEKS
February School Board Member Appreciation Month
Black History Month
Disabilities Awareness Month
February 6-10 Expedited SOL testing
February 11 ACT
Testing—
“Young
Men of Direction” field trip to
February 12-18 National Career Technical Services Week
February 13 Parent Information Night—6:30 p.m.
February 14 Valentine’ Day
February 20 President’s Day—Students are not in school
February 21 Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) Meeting—7:00 p.m.
March 2 Read
Across
March 2 Extended Guidance Night—3:30-6:00 p.m.
March 6 SOL Remediation Begins—2:30-4:30 (Schedule is attached)
March 6-10
March 7 SOL Testing--Direct Writing (Multiple Choice section)--11th graders and
certain 12th graders
March 8 SOL Testing--Direct Writing--11th graders and certain 12th graders
March 9 SOL Testing--Direct Writing--11th graders and certain 12th graders
March 9 Presentation of Honor Graduates at the School Board Meeting—7:00 p.m.
March 10 SOL Testing--Direct Writing (Multiple Choice section--11th graders and
certain 12th graders
March 13 Interim Reports Distributed
March 16 Career/Future Day
March 21 Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) Meeting—7:00 p.m.
April 1 SAT
Testing—
April 2 Daylight Savings Time Begins
April 4 End of the 3rd nine weeks
A LOOK
TOWARD THE FOURTH NINE WEEKS
April 8 ACT
Testing—
April 8-16 Spring Break—Students are not in school
April 17 School Reopens
April 17-21 SOL Testing--Certain 11th and 12th graders who are “Term Graduates”
April 19 Report Cards Distributed
April 25 Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) Meeting—7:00 p.m.
SOL TUTORIAL SCHEDULE
Spring 2006
SOL tutoring will be available for those 9th,
10th, 11th, and 12th grade students enrolled
in SOL tested classes and those who still need to verify SOL credits. SOL tutoring will begin on March 2 and end May
1, 2006. Tutoring hours are
2:30-4:30. Transportation is
provided. The schedule is as follows:
Monday
Earth Science Mr. Hasnas Room 224
Chemistry Ms.
Gyoker Room 215
Tuesday
Biology Ms.
Rapanick Room 20
Algebra I Mr. Holcomb Room 210
Geometry Ms. Davis Room 209
Algebra II Mr. Fariel Room 167
Thursday
English To be announced
World History
I To be announced
World History
II To be announced
VA/US History Mr. Hall Room 101
EXTRA HELP PROGRAM
In addition to SOL tutoring, all teachers offer extra help tutoring at least once per week. The tutoring times are posted on each teacher’s classroom door. Transportation is also provided.