November 2014 Parent Newsletter

I.C. Norcom
High School
School Newsletter
HOME OF THE MIGHTY GREYHOUNDS
NOVEMBER
2014
The Mighty Greyhound Football Team
The Mighty Greyhounds
Football Team is nothing
short of excellent!! Led by
Coach Larry Archie, we
commend them, and are
always proud to be fans as
well as supporters. The
Greyhounds will play Lake
Taylor High School at home
on Nov. 7th at 7pm. You are
ALWAYS NO. 1 TO US
SCHOOL ACCREDITATION NEWS
On behalf of our
principal,
November
2014
Dr.Rosalynn Sanderlin
Mrs. Boykins & The Greyhound Marching Band
Coach Bowman & The
Greyhound Cheerleaders
The Virginia Department of
Education has approved
“Conditional Accreditation”
Status for I.C. Norcom High
School. Dr. Sanderlin would
like to thank the faculty and
staff for helping to reach this
important goal. Let us
continue on our journey to Full
Accreditation end of year
status for I.C Norcom High
School
See back page for cover story
On October 25th, our Band earned the
title as Grand Champions! They will
venture to Kings Fork High School on
November 1st and will also travel to the
National Band Competition in Atlanta,
GA on Nov. 7 - 9th! Great job Mrs.
Boykins & students!!!!
On Nov. 25th, our ladies
earned 2nd Place at the
Eastern District Competition
and are now on their way to
Regional’s on Nov. 1st at
Glenn Allen High School in
Glen Allen VA! Way to go
Coach Bowman and Squad!!!
Community Priorities
Workshop Award Winner
Top Three Priorities
Priority # 1
Communication
Workshop participants indicate a need for increased communication by use of advanced technology such as; text
messaging, voice mail, Email, PowerSchool bulletin board, and Parent Portal.
Priority #2
Student Discipline
Workshop participants indicate a need for implementing a proactive response to discipline, an increased use of Positive
Student Recognition, (rewards and awards) and the practice of rendering consistent discipline dispositions.
Priority #3
Career & College Readiness
Participants indicate the need for increased parent workshops that focus on the college application process, and an
increase of the number of career days held during the year.
COMMUNITY PRIORITIES WORKSHOP RECAP
The workshop began with an introduction and overview of events from Dr. Rosalynn
Sanderin, Principal. Dr. Sanderlin gave a detailed overview of the significant gains I.
C. Norcom High School has achieved since her tenure. Significant gains can be
attributed to a change in instructional staff with three new assistant principals, Mr.
William Taylor, Ms. Bernadette Smith, and Mr. Shawn Millaci, a new graduation
coach and new instructional staff. Major contributing factors include a change in the
instructional focus implementing the use of the Johns Hopkins Instructional Math
Model (TAMS), use of the
Indistar school improvement monitoring tool, and an increase of division wide
support. Dr. Sanderlin provided a power point that displayed the hard work and
dedication faculty and staff have put into placing I. C. Norcom on the path to success.
Breakout sessions and dialogue were led by Jessica Harding and Howard Clark,
Administrative Interns. Community stakeholders, parents, faculty, and students were
placed into groups and were asked to brainstorm and collaborate to create a list of
top priorities for I. C. Norcom High School. Groups were further broken down and
reorganized to reflect a representative from each main group. Having a community
stakeholder, parent, faculty member and student in sharing ideas gave a fresh
perspective and allowed for constructive dialogue. The finale of the breakout
sessions began with a gallery walk. The gallery walk allowed participants to peruse
through top priorities listed by the many different groups. The top three priorities
were selected and a representative from each group was responsible for the sharing
of their possible solutions with the workshop. We ended the evening with closing
remarks from Ms. Smith, Assistant Principal, and enjoyed a delicious meal, where
the discussion on top priorities continued. An evaluation sheet was distributed and
an overwhelming majority of participants were extremely satisfied with the
evening’s events. There was a call to dramatically increase the occurrence of the
workshop so that a continuous dialogue between the community and school can
continue. We look forward to our next workshop in January 2015.
Solution #1
Communication
I. C. Norcom High School is committed to
addressing and creating solutions to the top
three priorities discussed during the Community
Priorities Workshop. Below are news articles that
address each priority. These articles include not
only future solutions, but also programs and
events that are Greetings from the I. C. Norcom
School Counseling Department. The Guidance
department uses the daily bulletin section of
PowerSchool to disseminate information to our
parents and local community. In addition, we
send letters, use
ConnectEd, and post event dates and times on
the website. We also provide information
sessions on graduation requirements, college/
career readiness, and SOL testing. In the
future, we have targeted information sessions
for students who may be in jeopardy of not
graduating. Directions for how to access the
school website, how to use parent portal and
how to access power school announcements are
listed at the end of the article. We look forward
to meeting with you soon!!
- Mrs. Tamika Brice
Guidance Director
Parent Portal Access, Power School Announcement Directions, and Website
Access
1.See your child’s school counselor to receive your Parent Letter
which contains your Access ID and Access Password.
2. Log in into Power Teacher Parent Portal from any computer with high speed
internet access. Type: https://powerschool.pps.12.va.us/ public/home.html into
the web browser.
3. Click Create Account. Fill-out the form including all requested information.
Make sure to use a valid email address.
4.Once you are logged in, On the left hand side, click School Bulletin for School
Announcements
5.Detailed instructions may be found at:
http://pps.k12.va.us/parents/parent_portal.
Scan the QR Code for more detailed instructions:
To complement I.C Norcom High Schools rich legacy of teaching and learning, a
new and improved website was designed. Log on to I.C Norcom High Schools
website by typing http://nhs.ppsk12.us/ in your browser.
Once you enter, you will find invaluable information for all stakeholders. There are
menus dedicated to students, parents, community, and staff. The interactive
calendar, located in the top left of web page, highlights daily activities and future
events. In an effort to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the site, email
Sidney McDonald [email protected] or Dexter Jackson-Heard
[email protected] for any errors or suggestions. The web
team is eager to address any concerns and show complete virtual transparency in
the life of I.C. Norcom High School.
FEDERAL CARDS
As you all know, Federal Cards help with the funding of our school.
Since September 30, 2014 we have made it our mission to get all
federal cards distributed in a timely fashion. Parent/Guardians, we
need your help! Let’s all put our best foot forward to ensure that each
Federal card is turned in! Federal cards can be turned into the main
office.
BY: Alicia McNeil
Emotional or behavioral issues in special education fall
under the category of Emotional Disturbance (ED). Emotional
Disturbance refers to a number of different, but related, socialemotional disabilities. According to the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act ED is defined as a condition exhibiting
one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of
time and to a marked degree that adversely affects a child’s
educational performance. The characteristics are as follows: A)
An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual,
sensory, or health factors, B) An inability to build or maintain
satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teacher,
C) Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal
circumstances, D) A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or
depression, E) A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears
associated or school problems. These characteristics which help
identify a student as having a behavior disorder are
demonstrated in a variety of settings, with little consideration or
understanding of social or cultural roles.
Many students that have emotional or behavioral disorders
perform one or more years below grade level academically. Most
of these students exhibit significant deficiencies in reading and
math. Also, they show a deficient in social skills as well. It is vital
to implement strategies that address the needs of the individual
student so that they can be successful in the classroom. Some
strategies that can be used are (1) break assignments into
“chucks” to avoid overwhelming the student, (2)seat them in
close proximity to teacher, towards the front , (3) provide
opportunities for students to assume responsibilities,(4) be
positive and supportive .

4th - Voting Day (School
Closed)

5th - Mid Term Exams
6th & 7th - Mid Term Exams

(Early Release Students Only)

11th - Veteran’s Day
(School Closed)

17th - Report Cards Go Home

17th-21st - SOL Writing Test

19th - PTA Meeting 6 p.m.

26th - Early Release
(Students/Staff)
Next Issue: Specific Learning Disability

27th &28th Thanksgiving Break
I.C. Norcom High School
1801 London Boulevard
Portsmouth, Virginia 23704
757-393-5442 * 757-393-5449 (FAX)
Dr. Rosalynn Sanderlin, Principal
October 24, 2014
Dear Parents and Guardians:
The Superintendent of Public Instruction recommends that the Board of Education approve the request for a
rating of Conditionally Accredited for I.C. Norcom High School from the Portsmouth City School Board. The
approval of this rating is contingent on the superintendent of Portsmouth City Public Schools entering into an
agreement with the Superintendent of Public Instruction that details the essential actions that must occur in the
2014-2015 school year to improve the achievement of the students in this school. This agreement must be signed
by both parties by December 12, 2014 or the school will revert to a designation of Accreditation Denied.
Rationale: Based on 2013-2014 test data, I.C. Norcom High School has demonstrated improvement in student
achievement in reading, mathematics, science, and history and has currently met the accreditation benchmarks
in English, science, and history. The Graduation and Completion Index has increased for the last three years
from 79 in 2012 to 83 for the current year. The school division has committed to significant staffing changes
within the mathematics department for the 2014-2015 school year and is piloting a new mathematics instructional
model, Transition to Advanced Mathematics (TAM) program.
I.C. Norcom High School State Accountability – Accreditation Designation
Based on Statewide
Assessments in
Year
Accreditation Rating
Area(s) of Warning
N/A
2002-2003
Provisionally
Accredited/Needs
Improvement
2001-2002
2003-2004
Provisionally
Accredited/Needs
Improvement
2002-2003
N/A
2004-2005
Accredited with Warning
2003-2004
Science
2005-2006
Fully Accredited
2004-2005
N/A
2006-2007
Fully Accredited
2005-2006
N/A
2007-2008
Fully Accredited
2006-2007
N/A
2008-2009
Fully Accredited
2007-2008
N/A
2009-2010
Fully Accredited
2008-2009
N/A
2010-2011
Fully Accredited
2009-2010
N/A
2011-2012
Accredited with Warning
2010-2011
GCI
2012-2013
Accredited with Warning
2011-2012
Mathematics, History, GCI
2013-2014
Accredited with Warning
2012-2013
Mathematics, GCI
2014-2015
TBD
2013-2014
Mathematics, GCI-Provisional
Federal Accountability Pass Rates by Assessment Year
State Pass
Assessment
Type
I.C. Norcom High School Pass Rates
Rates
20062007
20072008
20082009
20092010
20102011
20112012
20122013
20132014
20122013
20132014
Reading
90%
86%
88%
87%
85%
84%
80%
82%
75%
74%
Writing
87%
86%
86%
89%
83%
83%
80%
63%
76%
75%
Mathematics
85%
85%
82%
78%
76%
38%
52%
59%
71%
74%
Science
81%
82%
82%
82%
83%
84%
66%
75%
81%
80%
History
87%
84%
91%
91%
55%
62%
72%
77%
85%
84%
I.C. Norcom High School Graduation and Completion Index
Year
Index
2011
78
2012
79
2013
80
2014
83
If you have any additional questions regarding our status to I.C. Norcom High School or if you would like
additional information about our ongoing improvement efforts, please contact the school at 757-393-5442.
Best Regards,
Dr. Rosalynn Sanderlin
Principal
CONGRATULATIONS
TO I.C. NORCOM
HIGH SCHOOL