THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 11, 1994 TAG: 9408090146
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: COVER STORY
BACK TO SCHOOL
LENGTH: Long : 279 lines
The following is basic information about the beginning of the school year and important school policies. SCHOOL HOURS
High schools will hold classes from 7:25 a.m. to 2:05 p.m.
All middle schools will hold classes from 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., with the exception of Rosemont, which will hold classes from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nineteen elementary schools will hold classes from 9 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. They are: Bay View, Bowling Park, Calcott, Campostella, Crossroads, Fairlawn, Granby, Jacox, Monroe, Norview, Oceanair, Roberts Park, St. Helena, Sewells Point, Sherwood Forest, Tidewater Park, Willard, Willoughby and Young Park.
Fourteen elementary schools will hold classes from 9:30 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. They are: Camp Allen, Chesterfield, Coleman Place, Ingleside, Larchmont, Larrymore, Lindenwood, Little Creek, Oakwood, Ocean View, Poplar Halls, Suburban Park, Tarrallton and Taylor.
Tanners Creek Elementary will hold classes from 7:35 a.m. to 1:55 p.m.
Ghent will hold classes from 9:15 a.m. to 3:35 p.m. MEAL PRICES
Lunch: High schools, 95 cents; middle schools, 90 cents; elementary schools, 85 cents. Adults are charged a la carte. The reduced student meal price for lunch is 25 cents.
Breakfast: The cost of a full-price student breakfast is 50 cents. The student reduced-price breakfast is 15 cents. Adult breakfast is on an a la carte basis.
How to apply for reduced meal prices: If you now get food stamps or AFDC for the child you are applying for, the application must have the child's name, a food stamp or AFDC case number (which is in your notification letter) for the child and the signature of an adult household member. If you are applying for a foster child who is the legal responsibility of the courts, the application must have the child's name, the child's ``personal use'' income and an adult signature.
If you do not list a food stamp or AFDC case number for the child, the application must have the child's name, the names of all household members, the amount of income each person got last month and where it came from, the signature of an adult household member and the Social Security number for that adult or the word ``none'' if the adult does not have a Social Security number. IMMUNIZATIONS
Immunizations for preschool children should be age appropriate. The records for these students must be reviewed by the public health nurse.
All other students must meet the following requirements:
Three DPT, with one after the fourth birthday.
Three OPV or eIPV, with one after the fourth birthday.
One measles (except to enter kindergarten or grade six, then two are required).
One rubella.
One mumps.
Pre-kindergarten requires a physical exam within 12 months prior to date of entry.
Kindergarten through grade 7 requires a physical exam within 12 months prior to date of entry.
A tuberculin skin test is required for all students pre-kindergarten through grade 12 within 12 months prior to date of entry. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
Virginia law requires all students enrolled in the public schools to have a federal Social Security number. Parents/legal guardians are requested to provide the Social Security number of their children upon enrollment. REPORT CARDS
Report cards will be distributed to high school students Feb. 3 and June 21.
Middle school students will receive report cards Nov. 18, Feb. 3, April 17 and June 21.
Elementary school students will receive report cards Nov. 17, Feb. 1, April 18 and June 16.
Interim evaluations will be distributed to high school students Oct. 14, Nov. 18, Dec. 22, March 10, April 17 and May 23.
Middle school students will receive interim evaluations Oct. 14, Dec. 22, March 10 and May 23.
Elementary school students will receive informal progress reports Oct. 12, Dec. 21, March 8 and May 22. CALENDAR
Sept. 7 - First day of school
Nov. 11 - Veterans Day
Nov. 14 - Teacher records day
Nov. 15 - Parent-teacher conferences (secondary and elementary)
Nov. 24 and 25 - Thanksgiving holiday
Dec. 23 to Jan. 2 - Winter holidays
Jan. 16 - Lee/Jackson/King Day
Jan. 30 - Teacher records day
Feb. 20 - Presidents' Day
March 13 - Parent-teacher conferences (secondary and elementary)
April 7 - Teacher records day
April 10 to 14 - Spring holidays
May 29 - Memorial Day EARLY SCHOOL CLOSINGS
Schools will close early June 13, 14, 15 and 16. MAKE-UP DAYS
Inclement weather make-up dates will be designated as circumstances require. The first of the single day holidays after an inclement weather closing will be used as a make-up day. TEXTBOOK FEES
Textbooks for children in kindergarten through 12th grade are free.
The cost for adult education is $1.25 per hour for a one-credit course and $1.60 per hour for a non-credit course. For non-Virginia residents the cost of tuition for over-age secondary students is $6,030. For over-age elementary students the cost will be $4,370. For in-state but out-of-city students, tuition is $4,473 for secondary, $2,813 for elementary. TRANSPORTATION
Buses are scheduled to arrive on site 10 to 15 minutes prior to the opening of school. The buses are scheduled to depart the site in the afternoon seven minutes after school is dismissed. CUSTODY
All custody cases are to be referred to the Department of Pupil Personnel Services. Persons who have assumed guardianship of a child/children, as well as those who are not legal guardians and are attempting to register a child/children in school, must have a special permit from the department of pupil personnel services before enrollment. Persons who do not have legal custody need to call pupil personnel services for instructions.
Permits are required in all cases regarding custody. Petitions pertaining to custody, notarized statements and special powers of attorney are not to be accepted at the schoolhouse.
Students who are 18 or older and are not living with a parent/guardian are required as a prerequisite for enrollment to present a notarized statement signed by the owner of the residence indicating that the student does reside at the stated address. This notarized statement is also to be cosigned by the student requesting enrollment.
Students who have reached their 20th birthday prior to the first day of a given school year are not to be enrolled without a permit from the department of pupil personnel services. SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Because each teacher from kindergarten to high school will have particular preferences for crayons, notebooks, binders, pens, etc., parents are encouraged to wait until school starts before buying their children's supplies. Teachers give out lists on the first day of school describing exactly what supplies are needed. SPECIAL ENROLLMENT
Non-residents and non-immigrants may enroll only if the parent/guardian presents the following information at the time of enrollment: A permit issued by the senior director of pupil personnel services indicating that tuititon has been paid or otherwise resolved. The student is permitted to enroll, subject to stipulated conditions. KINDERGARTEN AGE
A child may enter kindergarten if he or she is 5 by Sept. 30. A child whose 5th birthday falls between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31 may enter kindergarten only under the following criteria:
Must wait until the ninth-day enrollment report to determine if space is available.
Must pass the Brigance test to demonstrate readiness.
Must pay a tuition fee of $2,578. INSURANCE
A school accident insurance plan is available throughout the school year to all students. While such a plan is not mandatory, students are encouraged to participate in this program or in some other accident insurance plan. DISCIPLINE
The School Board has approved and the administration has implemented the rules and procedures in a pamphlet called ``4 R's: Rules, Rights, Regulations and Responsibilities.'' A copy is given to each student. Parents should read it.
Parents and students should be aware that the following violations are cause for a 10-day suspension or a suggested expulsion:
Possession, use or distribution of alcohol, drugs or other narcotics
Carrying, storing on school property, using or possessing any razor blades, knives, pipes, rifles, hand guns, pistols (starter, cap, look-a-like) or any other weapons. HOMEWORK
Time guidelines for homework are:
Grades K-1 - no more than 30 minutes per night
Grades 2-3 - no more than 45 minutes per night
4-6 - 60 minutes per night
Grades 7-8 - 20 minutes per subject per night
Grades 9-12 - 30 minutes per subject per night PTA
Each school has its own Parent-Teacher Association. Parents interested in joining should call the school for information. The cost of membership varies. NEW ADMINISTRATOR
Fred Oliver joined Norfolk Public Schools on July 1. Oliver is the new assistant to the superintendent for continuous improvement. Oliver's primary charge is to improve the academic performance of all students. SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS
Ulysses Turner, chairman, Atlantic Apartment Rentals, 840 Church St., Suite D, 23510, 622-9285
Robert F. Williams, vice-chairman, 161 West Leicester Ave., 23503, 583-2960
Anna G. Dodson, 6422 Knox Road, 23513, 853-5583
Junius P. Fulton III, Robinson, Madison, Fulton and Anderson, 256 W. Freemason St., 23510, 627-5215
Robert L. Hicks, Mirman and Hicks, 4968 Euclid Road, Virginia Beach, 23462, 499-9609
Anita O. Poston, Vandeventer, Black, Meredith and Martin, 500 World Trade Center, 23510, 446-8600
Joseph T. Waldo, Pender and Coward, 192 Ballard Court, Greenwich Centre, Fourth Floor, Virginia Beach, 23462, 490-3000 VOLUNTEERS
Norfolk Public Schools welcomes and encourages participation in your child's school. For information about volunteering, please call informational services at 441-2237. STATISTICS
Pupil/Teacher Ratio - 18.4 students for every teacher. Average classroom size in elementary schools: 22.5 students; in middle school, 25.3 students; in high school, 21.5 students (based on 1993-94 figures).
1994-95 General Fund Budget - $205,703,487
Projected Enrollment - approximately 34,000
Number of Schools - 5 high schools; 8 middle schools; 35 elementary schools; 9 auxillary facilities.
Number of employees - approximately 4500 full-time employees EMERGENCY CLOSINGS
Schools close early or do not open only in situations where the students' and staffs' safety is a factor. The primary reason for closing is inclement weather. When possible, the decision is made the night before so that parents have advance notice. This is not always possible, but officials attempt to make the decision in a timely manner. Once made, the message is conveyed to area news media, and bulletins are placed on local television, radio and news channels. MEDICATION POLICIES
Norfolk Public Schools has in place a policy regarding the administration of medicine and treatment. Such will be administered during school hours upon the written order(s) of a physician or licensed nurse practicioner. The approved administration of medicine and treatment forms require the witnessed signature of the parent/legal guardian. The witness must be either medical or school office personnel. If the duration of the order exceeds six months, or if there is a change in the order, then a written renewal is required. NUMBERS TO CALL
Questions about:
Individual teacher or school - call the school in question
Free or reduced price lunches - 441-2111
Bus schedules or stops - 441-5729
School assignment - 441-2237
Adult and vocational education programs - 441-2957
Special education - 441-2491
Work permits - 441-2607
Homework Hotline - 441-2256
Scholarship assistance - 441-2256
Discipline questions - 441-2811
General information - 441-2237 ILLUSTRATION: Chart
HOW TO CONTACT YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL
[Includes school name, address, phone number and contact person for
Norfolk High Schools, Middle Schools, Elementary Schools and
Auxiliary Facilities]
For copy of chart, see microfilm
THE RIGHT BUS
Look for school bus schedules for the upcoming year in the Aug.
25 issue of The Compass.
KEYWORDS: NORFOLK SCHOOLS
by CNB