NANSEMOND RIVER HIGH SCHOOL

ADMINISTRATIVE NEWSLETTER

FOURTH NINE WEEKS

                                                                                   

April 2006

 

Dear Parents:

 

As we enter the fourth and final nine weeks period, I have many exciting accomplishments and upcoming events to share with you. It delights me to announce that the Class of 2006 has a record number of honor graduates.  On Thursday, April 6, all ninety-six (96) honor graduates were rewarded with a luncheon at school and then later that evening, they were presented to the School Board Members and the public.  The Nansemond River High School community is extremely proud of all of their accomplishments as well as the amount of scholarship monies that have been awarded.  To date, the scholarship total for our honor graduates is $1,365,858.00.

 

Second, the Beta Club competed and clinched two First Place State Titles and one Third Place State Title during its competition in Richmond several weeks ago.  Two representatives will be competing in the National competition in North Carolina in the areas of Acrylic Art and Creative Writing.  DECA also competed and won First Place at its regional competition in Norfolk.  Club members will advance to the national DECA competition in Texas later this month.  In addition, Our Technology Student Association (TSA) will be in competition in Hampton later this month. I wish good luck to all of the students who will be competing and salute their dedication and hard work on their current achievements.

 

Third, thirty-five Performing Arts students participated in the All-City Chorus.  Many of them are also preparing for their spring musical Footloose, which will be presented on May 11-13, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.  I am also excited to announce that refreshments will be provided by Java 149, one of our business partners.

 

Fourth, Nansemond River High School was the only high school in Suffolk with nominations to the Summer Residential Governor’s School Programs.  We had ten students nominated for these rigorous Academic Programs.

 

Fifth, I would like to remind parents of the new attendance policy as well as the dress code policy.  Please review the attached information carefully so your child will not be in danger of violating the new attendance policy or our dress code policy.  I appreciate your continued support in this effort.

 

 

 

Sixth, May 9 and 15-22, most all of our students will be involved in the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) Assessments.  This is an extremely important time in your child’s school year as students are striving to earn verified credits.  The school’s staff is also working diligently to maintain our status of Fully Accredited.  I strongly encourage your child to participate in the SOL tutoring after school to ensure his/her preparation for the SOL tests.   I have enclosed a copy of the SOL tutoring schedule for your convenience.

 

Another upcoming event is our yearly Advanced Placement/Dual Credit Information Night.  Our guidance department will be presenting information on this topic on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium at NRHS.  This is a great opportunity for students and parents to learn more about these programs.

 

Finally, as we prepare for the upcoming 2006-2007 school year, we need volunteers for leadership positions in our Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA).  The responsibilities involve serving as a liaison between the school, parents, and students and providing recommendations for school improvement.  If you are interested in volunteering for a leadership position in the PTSA or would like more information, please feel free to contact me at 538-5420 or Ms. Nancy Young at 638-0723.  I look forward to your support and working with you to make our school an even greater place for our students to learn.

 

As the school year draws to a close, there are many upcoming events in which your child may be involved.  Therefore, we have attached a calendar of events for the fourth nine weeks. 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 which can be accessed through the Nansemond River High School website at www.spsk12.net/schools/nrhs.  In addition, our school’s webpage is updated weekly to keep you informed of all of the events and accomplishments at our school.

 

As the school year comes to a close, we look forward to the upcoming events and continued accomplishments of our students. I look forward to your continued support of our school and your child’s success.

 

                                                                        Sincerely,

 

 

                                                                        Thomas W. McLemore, Jr.

                                                                        Principal

 

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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 Make-Up Center and make-up class work and/or receive SOL remediation. Absences within a nine week period must be made up within that nine week period.

q       Transportation is not provided.  It is the student’s responsibility to obtain transportation to and from school and to bring assignments. Dress code and student code of conduct is enforced as if it is a normal school day. 

 

ATTENDANCE MAKE UP DATES FOR THE

4th 9-WEEKS:

MAY 20 & 27, 2006

 

 

 

NANSEMOND RIVER HIGH SCHOOL

STUDENT DRESS CODE

 

     Clothing worn by students shall be neat, clean, and in good repair for the personal health and safety of the student.  Immodest clothing of such type that detracts from the learning process or causes a disruption of the orderly function of the school shall not be worn.  Acknowledging the fact that student dress and grooming are the personal responsibility of the students and their parents, you are, however, requested to adhere to the guidelines listed below.  Students who choose to disregard these policies will be requested to change their clothing.  Any time missed from class will be counted as an unexcused absence.  The dress code policy is as follows:

 

·        All tops worn by male or female students must have sleeves.

  • All top garments must cover the chest and waist and not expose the chest, the side of the body, or the midriff.     
  • No hats, caps, scarves, or head coverings of any kind shall be worn in the building.  If you wear them they will be taken and returned to the parent if the parent comes to school to get them.
  • No see-through garments are allowed.
  • No under garment shall be worn as an outer garment.
  • No outer garment shall be worn which reveals under garments

or flesh.

  • Garments which display indecent pictures or slogans related

to alcohol, drugs, violence, or sex are not allowed.  This

also includes any suggestive words or pictures.

  • Leggings and tights are not permitted unless worn beneath

an appropriate outer garment.

  • All pants must be worn at the waistline.
  • No sunglasses shall be worn in the building.
  • All skirts and shorts must be fingertip length.

 

STUDENTS IN VIOLATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHARACTER TRAITS

 

 

April                             Cooperation                 Working with others toward a common goal

 

May                             Fairness                        Treating others and their property impartially

 

 

 

 
 
MISSION STATEMENT

 

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 FOURTH NINE WEEKS

April 10-14                  Spring Break

April 16-22                  National Public School Volunteer Week

April 18-21                  SOL Testing for Certain Seniors (Term Graduates)

April 19                        Report Cards Distributed

April 20-21                  Jostens distributes senior memorabilia

April 23-29                  National Administrative Professionals Week

April 25                        Advanced Placement/Dual Credit Information Night—6:30 p.m. 

(NRHS auditorium)

May 1                          Prom tickets are on sale (Cost $40.00--Please see Ms. Dozier in the main

                                    office during first or second lunch or Ms. Handy in room 106 before or

after school)

May 1-5                       SOL Expedited Testing for Certain Seniors (Term Graduates)

                                    Child Nutrition Employee Appreciation Week

May 1-10                     Advanced Placement (AP) Testing

May 2                          Staff Development Day—Students are not in school

May 3-5                       Dual Credit Testing—Paul D. Camp (Only for registered students)

May 6                          SAT—Lakeland High School

May 7-13                     Teacher Appreciation Week

May 9                         English 11 Reading, Research, and Literature SOL Assessment

May 10                        Teacher Assistant Appreciation Day

                                    National School Nurse Day

May 15                       World History I and VA/US History SOL Assessments

May 16                       World History II and Earth Science SOL Assessments

May 17                       Biology and Chemistry SOL Assessments

May 18                       Algebra I and Algebra I Part 2 SOL Assessments

May 19                       Algebra II SOL Assessment

May 22                       Geometry SOL Assessment

May 23-24                   Interim Reports Distributed

May 29                        Memorial Day Holiday—Students are not in school

May 30                        Rehearsal for Senior Awards Night (Only for those who have RSVP)

May 31                        Senior Awards Night—6:30 p.m. (NRHS Auditorium)

May 31-June 1             Senior exam exemptions announced by teachers

May 31-June 7             Expedited SOL Testing (Only students scoring 375-399)

June 1                          Senior Picnic—11:00 a.m. at the  Planter’s Club

June 2                          Prom—8:00-11:00 (Chesapeake Conference Center)

After Prom—12:00-4:00 (Pinboys—Pughsville and Taylor Road)

June 3                          SAT Testing—Nansemond River High School

June 9                          Second semester exams begin—Block 2 exam only; Normal schedule

                                    (All Pruden Center students will follow a normal schedule)

June 12                        Second semester exams—Blocks 1 and 3;  Early dismissal at 11:45 a.m.

(Morning Pruden Center students will report to The Pruden Center)

June 13                        Second semester exams—Blocks 6 and 7;  Early dismissal at 11:45 a.m.

(Afternoon Pruden Center students will report to The Pruden Center)

June 14                        Second semester exams—Blocks 4 and 5;  Early dismissal at 11:45 a.m.

(Pruden Center students will report to the library when they do not have an exam)

June 14                        End of the 4th nine weeks

June 15-16                   Teacher Clerical Days

June 16                        Graduation Rehearsal—8:30 a.m. (NRHS Gymnasium—Graduation

tickets will be distributed)

June 17                        Graduation—2:00 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

World History I          Mr. Plude                   Room 203

World History II        Mr. Collins                 Room 113                  

VA/US History           Ms. Francis                Room 105

 

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English—Tutoring times are posted on each English Teacher’s classroom door.

 

 

 

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.