Student Handbook Including Standards of Student Conduct 2020 | 2021
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Student Handbook including Standards of Student Conduct 2020 | 2021 Student Handbook 2020-2021 | 2 Dear Parents/Guardians and Students: I am pleased to welcome you to the 2020-2021 school year! A new school year is always exciting, but this year promises to be particularly historic and filled with teachable moments. Faced with the challenges of managing and living with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, flexibility and patience will be key to a successful school year. We are beginning the year using a virtual learning format; however, we will be regularly assessing at what point it may be safe to return students and staff to school buildings. And we pledge to keep you informed every step of the way. Just like our students, the administration and staff of Norfolk Public Schools (NPS) pondered important lessons during the school closure. A critical concept that was reinforced for us was that students’ access to technology needs to extend beyond the in-school experience. Consequently, staff has worked diligently over the summer to ensure that this type of learning experience can take place during times of extreme need, such as starting our school year in the midst of a pandemic. Thus, one of the decisive steps the school division has taken has been to establish an initiative to ensure that all of our students [prekindergarten (age 4) through grade 12] have access to a mobile device. This level of access will not only be helpful in classrooms, but will also help ensure that students can still connect and engage with teachers and classmates during their remote learning from home. In addition, the school division has committed to professional development for instructional staff that will help them refine and improve their teaching practices. Technology can be transformative when teachers use it in a way that is meaningful and engaging to students. Truly, having valuable resources in place helps support an encouraging and equitable school environment. However, within NPS, we are ever conscious that the school-to-home partnership is perhaps the most crucial contributor to the academic and social-emotional well-being of every student. That is one reason why it is so important for parents/guardians and students to familiarize themselves with the 2020-2021 NPS Student Handbook (including the Standards of Student Conduct). This guide will help you understand how the school division is working to ensure the learning environment is positive, affirming, and free of disruption. Parents/guardians, we want you to be aware of the expectations in place for appropriate student behavior so you can reinforce these behaviors. When you encourage your children to follow the NPS guidelines and procedures, you contribute to a safe school and learning environment. Please note the disciplinary procedures and consequences in this handbook have been approved by the City of Norfolk School Board. Please refer to this document throughout the school year should questions arise regarding expectations related to behavioral issues. Additional information is provided on the NPS website at www.npsk12.com, which includes the link to all School Board policies and regulations. Please review the Standards of Student Conduct together (parents/guardians and students), sign the detachable sheet, and return the completed form to each student’s assigned school. In closing, please know that NPS wishes all of our students and their families a productive and exciting school year. Together, we can make this a year of progress! As always, your partnership is deeply appreciated. Sincerely, Dr. Sharon I. Byrdsong Superintendent Dr. Sharon I. Byrdsong, Superintendent of Schools 800 East City Hall Avenue • Suite 1200 • Norfolk, Virginia 23510 Telephone (757) 628-3832 • Fax (757) 628-3820 • www.nps.k12.va.us Student Handbook 2020 -2021 | 3 Governance Team 2020-2021 Ms. Adale Martin Mr. Rodney A. Jordan Dr. Sharon I. Byrdsong Chair | 2022 Vice Chair | 2024 Superintendent 800 E. City Hall Avenue, Suite 1201 800 E. City Hall Avenue 800 E. City Hall Avenue Norfolk, VA 23510 Norfolk, VA 23510 Norfolk, VA 23510 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] ) Ms. Tanya K. Bhasin Mr. Carlos Clanton Ms. Lauren D. Campsen Member | 2022 Member | 2022 Member | 2022 800 E. City Hall Avenue, Suite 1201 800 E. City Hall Avenue 800 E. City Hall Avenue Norfolk, VA 23510 Norfolk, VA 23510 Norfolk, VA 23510 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] ce) Dr. Noëlle M. Gabriel Ms. Christine Smith Miss Georgia Simpson Member | 2024 Member | 2022 Student Representative 800 E. City Hall Avenue, Suite 1201 800 E. City Hall Avenue 800 E. City Hall Avenue Norfolk, VA 23510 Norfolk, VA 23510 Norfolk, VA 23510 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] ce) Norfolk Public Schools 2020-2021 Academic Year Calendar Summer: NPS Closed Fridays Governance Team 2020-2021 July 2020 1: New Year’s Day – NPS Closed January 2021 3: Independence Day S M T W T F S 4: Students Return S M T W T F S Holiday – NPS Closed 1 2 3 4 6: Grade Reports Distributed 1 2 18: MLK Day – NPS Closed 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 3 4 5 7 8 9 28: Quarter 2 Grades Close ◉ 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 29: Teacher Records Day (No students) 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 24 25 26 27 ✴ 29 30 26 27 28 29 30 31 31 24-25: New Teacher Orientation 1: Beginning of 3rd Quarter 26: Professional Development – August 2020 February 2021 S M T W T F S 10: Grade Reports Distributed S M T W T F S Division 1 15: President’s Day – NPS Closed 1 2 3 4 5 6 27: Professional Development – 17: 100th Day of School Building Level with CAB support 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 7 8 9 11 12 13 Mr. Rodney A. Jordan Dr. Sharon I. Byrdsong 25: Professional Development: in ◉ Ms. Adale Martin for new teachers 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Superintendent building 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Chair | 2022 Vice Chair | 2024 31: Teacher Pre-service Week 800 E. City Hall Avenue 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Early Release Day 800 E. City Hall Avenue, Suite 1201 800 E. City Hall Avenue 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Norfolk, VA 23510 Norfolk, VA 23510 Norfolk, VA 23510 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 30 31 28 ) 1-4: Teacher Pre-service Week 7: Labor Day – NPS Closed September 2020 5: Interim Progress Grades Close March 2021 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 8: Beginning of 1st Quarter 17: Grade Reports Distributed 17: Professional Development: in 1 2 3 4 5 18: Professional Development – 1 2 3 4 ✴ 6 building 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Division 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Early Release Day Early Release Day 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 14 15 16 ◉ 18 19 20 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 27 28 29 30 28 29 30 31 9: Interim Progress Grades Close 12: Columbus Day – School in October 2020 2: Good Friday April 2021 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S session Early Release Day 15: Professional Development – 1 2 3 Quarter 3 Grades Close 1 ✴ 3 5-9: Spring Break Division 4 5 6 7 8 10 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ✴ 12: Beginning of 4th Quarter Ms. Tanya K. Bhasin Mr. Carlos Clanton Ms. Lauren D. Campsen Early Release Day 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 14: Grade Reports Distributed 11 12 13 15 16 17 Member | 2022 Member | 2022 Member | 2022 21: Grade Reports Distributed ◉ 800 E. City Hall Avenue, Suite 1201 800 E. City Hall Avenue 800 E. City Hall Avenue 18 19 20 22 23 24 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Norfolk, VA 23510 Norfolk, VA 23510 Norfolk, VA 23510 ◉ 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 29 30 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] ce) 2: Quarter 1 Grades Close 14: Interim Progress Grades Close 3: Election Day – Virtual Teacher November 2020 May 2021 26: Grade Reports Distributed Day (No Students) S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 31: Memorial Day – NPS Closed 4: Beginning of 2nd Quarter 1 ✴ 3 4 5 6 7 1 11: Veterans Day – NPS Closed 8 9 10 11 12 ◉ 14 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 13: Grade Reports Distributed 9 10 11 12 13 15 25: Early Release Day 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 ✴ 26-27: Thanksgiving Break – NPS 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Closed 23 24 25 ◉ 27 28 29 29 30 30 31 December 2020 June 2021 11: Interim Progress Grades Close 14-17: High School Exams S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 21-31: Winter Break Early Release Day 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 25: Christmas – NPS Closed 17: Students’ Last Day 6 7 8 9 10 ✴ 12 Quarter 4 Grades Close 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Dr. Noëlle M. Gabriel Ms. Christine Smith Miss Georgia Simpson 18: Teacher Records Day (No 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Students) 13 14 15 16 18 19 Member | 2024 Member | 2022 Student Representative ✴ 800 E.