THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 3, 1996 TAG: 9610010126
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Jon Glass
LENGTH: 65 lines
Students one day soon may have to study a little harder to participate in sports and other extracurricular activities in the city's public schools.
The School Board last week discussed the idea of requiring students to receive at least a C average to take part in such activities. That would raise the standard now used, which was set by the Virginia High School League and requires athletes and students in other extracurricular activities earn only a D average.
Board member Joseph Waldo asked that Superintendent Roy D. Nichols Jr. prepare a report evaluating the impact of raising the academic bar. Nichols said the report should be ready within a month.
Locally, Suffolk and Portsmouth school boards already have raised the required grade level for participation in extracurricular activites to a C, and Virginia Beach is considering it. Report sought on building needs
To get a better idea of how much money is needed for capital improvements during the next five to 10 years, School Board member Anita Poston has asked for an audit of building needs.
Poston asked for an outline of maintenance and repair needs and also details of the space needed to eliminate about 130 mobile classrooms throughout the city.
The request grew out of a joint meeting with City Council members recently in which the board presented council with a wish list of $50 million in building and maintenance projects through the year 2004.
Poston said a more detailed and specific report is needed ``so we can present realistic'' figures to the city.
Superintendent Nichols estimated his staff could complete such a report by January. Board approves goals
The School Board last week adopted goals for the year that emphasize student literacy. The school system this year began a reading initiative to make sure children are proficient readers by third grade. Under the plan, students reading below grade level by end of third grade will be retained.
In a shift from past practices, the board adopted only one goal this year: ``Ensure extraordinary achievement by all Norfolk public school students through an intense focus on teaching of literacy: reading and writing.''
The board adopted three strategies to reach the goal:
Establish attainable standards for literacy in kindergarten through third-grade that prepare students for promotion, and stress literacy in every subject at all grade levels.
Encourage parents and other community members to help schools make all students proficient in reading and writing. Volunteers will engage in activities that help students learn.
Establish standards to ensure a desirable teaching and learning environment in every school. Teacher honored
Pamela Slobe, the city's Teacher of the Year for 1995-96, recently received a plaque and $500 award for use in her classroom from the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.
Slobe, a special education resource teacher at Northside Middle, was honored at a banquet at the Masonic Temple on Granby Street. Also recognized were Virginia Beach and Chesapeake teachers. by CNB