[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6244260,"mediaKeyId","3230637-d5fa3d64e770f4b8cba18b911fab5006","parentId",3230637,"title","School Board approves initial bylaws, contract to join Region 2 regional recovery program","audioSeconds",52,"startMs",5864000,"endMs",5916000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3230637-d5fa3d64e770f4b8cba18b911fab5006&start=5864&end=5916","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3230637-d5fa3d64e770f4b8cba18b911fab5006/thumbnail_5864000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6244260/Virginia/School-Board-approves-initial-bylaws-contract-to-join-Region-2-regional-recovery-program","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244260-f40b37ed1322eba7faf663e67a374c97/orig.mp4?Expires=1771088031&Signature=o5chgK14vFbkP~5aYNNt8o3PPKkkL9bSVuv42zqWfDyEhVUZxO7NqRI1XF-6hTpckbqwPNYFnS88GwRa4JTBlUy9mh2~rfAL5dp~0BPDrMRdCiImHNf6Q8CAV0dcET8bcQcS2pyc3sy9U8fZfB~xi-fvuHcquMT4urRVvCPH2pVwDSjbmlCMxau6LDjBUOPRGE5ZDoW-HPQLiB0upW~JNqO30jEE7b7XWmYR439BDOeMpReIiDg5ewZJ7AUoQCDEww0u7OececAuTU2UI-3fE2I6HQsCYWR13-XeTEy4uFrtKExWIrrv7EK9Mhxcihn1UaZJsAXJRhWC0ProVAb8PA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Norfolk City Public School","date","2025-05-08T16:31:59.087Z","article","The Norfolk School Board voted on May 7 to approve initial bylaws and an initial contract to participate in a new Region 2 regional recovery program intended to open in August, the board was told.

The board moved and seconded approval of the initial bylaws and contract and recorded a roll‑call vote in which all members voted in favor. The motion to “accept this initial contract and approve the initial bylaws and contract for the new regional recovery board” was made by Doctor Martin and seconded by Miss Thomas; the clerk called the roll and recorded unanimous approval.

Staff said the contract is being coordinated across multiple divisions, that Virginia Beach has received initial General Assembly funding and is leading the contracting process, and that minor edits remain possible before signature. The board was told the superintendent has the authority to sign the contract but that the board’s vote signals approval to move forward; if any significant changes arise staff will return to the board.

Board members confirmed the program’s local name will be Harbor Hope House. No further action was required at the work session because the vote authorized staff to proceed with finalization and signature processes consistent with the approved text.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Work Session: 5-7-25","oneSentenceSummary","The Norfolk School Board approved initial bylaws and a contract to participate in a new Region 2 regional recovery program, with the program to be called Harbor Hope House; the board voted unanimously to authorize the superintendent to finalize documentation.","taxTitle","NORFOLK CITY PBLC SCHS, School Districts, Virginia","taxId",14513,"location","Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6244265,"Norfolk outlines free summer STARS, credit recovery and enrichment programs for 2025",311,4989000,5300000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3230637-d5fa3d64e770f4b8cba18b911fab5006&start=4989&end=5300","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3230637-d5fa3d64e770f4b8cba18b911fab5006/thumbnail_4989000.jpg","/articles/6244265/Virginia/Norfolk-outlines-free-summer-STARS-credit-recovery-and-enrichment-programs-for-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244265-b6ba3c99404558e65f34ace907425f3a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771088031&Signature=eQhbFuSnOfmBSJFX98O5jDD2zq9zfYzWmOqqMWm~WD1BQtZqjJLWPV4SpcT0Iq1AZIJxcY1S4hMIBPhareG7Ipk3TDyeBrROWaLSgjd9nkydkTZtNNpLQoXwwx9Ux6Zt4NO7aSCNRoRrT-ZC0WTBix15ig01laM7UZaV2iFk4zQOgSXRSVQGehjd4gphDiJt4X4AgJMeArcM9Dt1mD5QHToyWgj5YJ12QGNw3JUv86o~cZClm58J8P5YSXRy4QCFap-yPB7FJCJtlCD4IM6ydur7ZwyUlfUuCwYUwGx-XvPZT5GHmKmWezaFehLuYjemf8zGnu9GL9n3Em3hYR3ChA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Norfolk Public Schools presented a summary of the district’s 2025 summer programs at the May 7 School Board work session, describing expanded in‑person and hybrid options designed to support remediation, credit recovery and enrichment at no cost to families.

The district’s Summer STARS (Successful Thinkers Are Ready Students) offerings include elementary programming across 13 sites, a 4‑year‑old summer literacy camp, Camp Einstein (pre‑algebra readiness for rising sixth graders), a Summer Arts Academy, Green STEM experiences and English Learner newcomer programming. Middle‑school sites will consolidate programming at a single middle school this year to consolidate costs and coordinate transportation, the presentation said. High school summer school will run in a hybrid model (in person two days per week, live online two days per week) with host sites and synchronous online instruction.

District staff said programs will continue to be free for students and families. For students who were unsuccessful in a course during the regular year, the STARS credit‑recovery options provide condensed instruction (summer retakes typically use 70–140 hour models). Students seeking initial credit will use Virtual Virginia course options at no cost. The district also said it retains a supply of MiFi devices (acquired during the pandemic) that can be activated for students without home Internet access and that Chromebooks will be distributed on the first day of summer school when needed.

Staff cited program outcomes from summer 2024: among students enrolled in summer school, 50.7% showed reading improvement from spring to fall and 35.1% showed mathematics improvement over the same interval. The district said those results are consistent with expectations for targeted remediation and that expanding AP camps and credential boot camps remain part of the plan.

Board members asked about Extended School Year eligibility (IEP driven) for students with disabilities and about targeted supports to help students off track for Advanced Studies diploma pathways; staff said ESY eligibility remains an IEP team decision and reiterated summer options for credit recovery and Virtual Virginia initial‑credit routes.

No board vote was taken. The administration said applications for many summer programs had just closed and programming will proceed as described.","The district presented its summer program plan: elementary Pre‑K through high school offerings—free to families—focused on remediation, enrichment, credit recovery, AP prep and supports for students with disabilities; the division reported positive interim outcomes from the 2024 summer program.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6244268,"Board debates change to agenda‑setting language and BYOD rules; IT chief explains filtering process",1487,3077000,4564000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3230637-d5fa3d64e770f4b8cba18b911fab5006&start=3077&end=4564","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3230637-d5fa3d64e770f4b8cba18b911fab5006/thumbnail_3077000.jpg","/articles/6244268/Virginia/Board-debates-change-to-agendasetting-language-and-BYOD-rules-IT-chief-explains-filtering-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244268-d32a403dd9218c5f85b0799ae5177a68/orig.mp4?Expires=1771088031&Signature=nAgyHXYu6JtiidEL4AORXC1zeIWtOf5JboTrA7NBOExXG-Egi~Mv7UqD8zo35pwVcwOCl7ADndc1GiZQ-dm-oOQazvchC3g0ofhfbxBZr92mQNLiV4K-0-FWbnFWSBGdrpgNpBpWkl9jvgjRDX-C5OXgn8f05G2QlGDdB~1J98mhVmMS8O1pLwcTP-tRerxqINHT9dFRTTmrfOhFO~Ly8m2jGEwv3m~rPl6nkwgfl7r84bixge~cbRZ~JZg5aCmdE-DHfGVUa5I10U3spLzxFmDjPWq1~Vfuc-EJu6DEjS3KvNv~X9WbA6C8BDDPFS18dLnb2qlU5N8dejoKYBHNig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","School Board members debated proposed wording changes to the agenda‑preparation policy and reviewed updates to device and cell‑phone rules at the May 7 work session, with district staff answering procedural and technical questions.

Colonel Poston raised concern about a policy edit that changes “inclusion” to “consideration” for future agenda items, telling colleagues the wording could reduce a member’s ability to have items placed on the board agenda. “Our business here as a body is free exchange of ideas,” Colonel Poston said, arguing that the change alters “how we conduct our business.” Other board members described their practice of seeking consensus on future items, and the chair and superintendent said the chair traditionally works with the superintendent to set agendas.

On technology policy, staff described two related items: proposed Board Policy GAB and regulations on Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) that were updated to align with Executive Order 33 concerning cell phones in schools. District staff summarized the change: student personal devices may be used before and after school but BYOD use is not permitted during the school day under the updated regulation.

Board members pressed practical questions about enforcement and access. One board member asked whether teachers or administrators will record cell‑phone policy violations and how many warnings are tracked before discipline; staff said discipline entries are recorded in the student information system (Synergy) by school administrators after a teacher issues a warning and reports the incident. The superintendent acknowledged the administrative burden and said she would work with the chief of staff and principals to streamline procedures.

Jesse Zimora, senior director of IT, described the district’s web filtering system (Lightspeed) and white‑listing process for blocked educational resources. “Any teacher that needs access to a website … can file the Help Desk or call (757) 628‑3900,” Zimora said; he told the board that white‑list requests can be handled quickly and that the division ranks among the most secure networks in the state following audit. Zimora also described a process whereby department or subject specialists can be allowed to validate and request white‑listing for specific resources (for example, art images) so teachers can access needed materials.

Board members asked staff to return the policies for a vote at the business meeting; staff said proposed text will appear on the business agenda for formal action.","Members debated replacing the word “inclusion” with “consideration” in the agenda‑preparation policy and discussed revisions to the BYOD/cell‑phone policy tied to Executive Order 33. Norfolk IT described same‑day white‑list procedures and Lightspeed filtering safeguards.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6244269,"Norfolk Public Schools expands Emerging Scholars program; retesting finds ~30% newly identified as gifted",241,1425000,1666000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3230637-d5fa3d64e770f4b8cba18b911fab5006&start=1425&end=1666","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3230637-d5fa3d64e770f4b8cba18b911fab5006/thumbnail_1425000.jpg","/articles/6244269/Virginia/Norfolk-Public-Schools-expands-Emerging-Scholars-program-retesting-finds-30-newly-identified-as-gifted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244269-5cafd576b062c0aeee0c4e59701ed3ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771088031&Signature=AOK82PNcLCqmG7HgUviSt4A7taKclwWcTc5c5yhlTmmtKYRB-v9PZu4iZ4XnDOvAY0Tw4281bt5t~Yh3gI9Jxqn-PmzUPF5Dxt3Qis1Lu~I-pxqugwhMYkg7M7c~4RhCiCngbeKkKLDMA7Vem3SQZ0-rdYJ96Ou2zdf7ydDRElDhbD5NhrkCAuMsK4N5kHSTnXWE5vd5h~twU5zTdu1EsU3vQKFHzCfotjKPgeORSoywxs9fw3evf4jj~zWKprbRY2CWhSzlRcxxyr7ZZlpwy3RJZcgmNoT6q5zXOwpz1~VNBc0Eci2tcFns4ejNpjdh9NfymKouXhJA24DCpvWZ1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carla Stead, Norfolk Public Schools’ lead for gifted and academic career services, briefed the School Board on May 7 about the division’s local plan for gifted education and the Emerging Scholars talent‑development program.

“First, we focus on equity and opportunity,” Stead said, summarizing the division’s approach. “Our goal is to support talent development for all students by expanding access to enrichment and advanced learning, not just for those that are formally identified gifted.”

Stead described a multi‑level services framework (levels 1–4) that ranges from districtwide enrichment to formal identification and intensive gifted services. The Emerging Scholars program uses local norms: first‑grade universal screening via the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) identifies students who score in the top 15% at their school even if they do not meet the state 85th‑percentile threshold for formal processing. Those students are clustered in grades 2–4 and receive weekly pull‑out strength development with the gifted resource teacher; students are retested in fourth grade for formal identification.

Stead said the first cohort retest produced a notable outcome: “Of the 109 students retested, nearly 30 percent were newly identified as gifted after receiving services.” She contrasted that result with the broader 2022 cohort screening, which produced smaller identification rates. Stead also said both Emerging Scholars and formally identified gifted students showed lower rates of chronic absenteeism than the general student population.

Stead described other supports: the division’s use of CogAT as a universal screener, increased referrals (up 30% over two years), teacher and parent workshops to identify potential, and partnerships for professional development on twice‑exceptionality. At the secondary level she noted that AP, IB and honors classes serve academically advanced students even if not labeled gifted and that the division will continue targeting professional development and staffing (full‑time gifted resource teachers at elementary schools and shared GRTs at middle and high schools).

Board members asked follow‑up questions about Newcomer and special‑education populations, school‑level variation in identification rates, and whether the Emerging Scholars approach suggests a broader schoolwide enrichment model. Stead said the district is tracking English learners and students with disabilities more intentionally and has provided professional development in partnership with William & Mary on twice‑exceptionality.

The board did not take formal action. Stead said the division will begin the next local plan revision process this summer and present a draft to the board in June 2026 before submission to the Virginia Department of Education in October 2026.","District officials described a talent‑development approach that pulls top local scorers into weekly enrichment and then retests; 109 students retested from the initial cohort yielded nearly 30% newly identified as gifted, officials said.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6244270,"Norfolk schools report cohorts off track for Advanced Studies diplomas; district outlines remediation steps",1082,63000,1145000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3230637-d5fa3d64e770f4b8cba18b911fab5006&start=63&end=1145","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3230637-d5fa3d64e770f4b8cba18b911fab5006/thumbnail_63000.jpg","/articles/6244270/Virginia/Norfolk-schools-report-cohorts-off-track-for-Advanced-Studies-diplomas-district-outlines-remediation-steps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244270-d630360619120343dac43cfae012ab87/orig.mp4?Expires=1771088031&Signature=fl7SfGbXCs~gLckCEckiJQRK9VLGX0b3GGFza4LD9JWORrnIDOqIQnmzhggrbKwgjVD1HJ5hn79VqyZVByqGp6QNblUpm63r5vArUVq6NwTUqj1ilz3zpo0~nalCsIWioUI-pf2TG1wz73y~BtSUyOXnHiEjjmUig6ouaOgdQ-Ik5Gy6rEg7PGs2djulE5ya6nuj~0HO678x4cECdyZ9G-RuGDm7foFUE8JnUaJ9jPFjUGDj4ZELkLBQLsqqjTIuMoGehsl~MuWflgbpL9j6KxAWFui2d~hYSBDmOTzFkmDLevWax-NgVID~7PxcL-tSXbrXGhZF2IYXp665yKjPDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Norfolk Public Schools officials told the School Board on May 7 that two student cohorts are off track to meet district targets for Advanced Studies diplomas and described steps the division will take to increase verified credits and course access.

At the work session, staff member Dr. Pohl said the district’s Goal 5 aims for graduates to meet the state average for Advanced Studies diplomas by the class of 2027. “Goal 5 is focused on graduates receiving Advanced Studies diplomas, and the goal is to meet the state average by the class of 2027,” Dr. Pohl said.

The presentation separated the goal into two measures. Measure 5.1 tracks the 2027 cohort, with a target of 47% by the end of the school year; staff reported the cohort declined 0.6 points from quarter two to quarter three and is currently “off track” under the district’s metric. Dr. Pohl said the 2027 cohort’s failure rate in mathematics is 4.9 percentage points better than the division average and in social studies is 7.1 points better; English and science are the subjects of highest concern. The 2027 group is “11 points below their target for quarter 3,” Dr. Pohl said.

Measure 5.2, tracking the 2026 cohort (rising seniors), has a goal of 35% for this school year. Staff reported a 0.1 point increase from quarter two to quarter three but said the cohort remains “off track” and is 5.2 points below the target. Dr. Pohl noted a slight rise in students failing math (1.1 percentage points) and history (0.9 points).

Board members asked for context and details. One board member, citing the Virginia Department of Education, walked through graduate counts and the proportion who received Advanced Studies diplomas in recent years, saying the share “is going down.” The same board member asked about access for students from historically underserved communities; Dr. Pohl described course‑offerings decisions tied to student requests, use of Zoom to share scarce course sections between schools, and expanded options through Virtual Virginia so students may take single online courses without enrolling in a full virtual academy.

On interventions, Dr. Pohl said content offices will expand remediation to help students earn verified credits (the combination of course credit and SOL passage required for some diploma elements), schools will provide opportunities to submit missing work, and school counselors and councils are reviewing course selections to improve students’ eligibility for Advanced Studies diplomas. He emphasized earlier intervention—particularly exposure to world language courses in middle school and ninth grade—and added that next year’s 4x4 schedule could make it easier for students to double up on language courses and return to an Advanced Studies pathway.

Board members asked for subgroup and school‑level breakdowns; Dr. Pohl said the district’s data warehouse (PowerSchool) can produce demographic and school‑by‑school reports and that the strategic‑plan reports include demographic breakdowns of access to AP, IB and dual‑enrollment opportunities.

The board did not take formal action on the report. Officials said they will continue remediation, tutoring partnerships with universities, targeted professional development for teachers, and academic‑career planning intended to reengage students and increase the percentage on track for Advanced Studies diplomas.

Looking ahead, staff reiterated that many students now being tracked for the Advanced Studies diploma were in middle school during the COVID pandemic—an influence the presenters cited in explaining lingering course gaps—and that district leaders expect multi‑year efforts (including middle school focus and schedule changes) will be required to move cohort percentages toward the targets.","Norfolk Public Schools officials told the School Board that the classes now tracked for 2026 and 2027 are behind district targets for earning Advanced Studies diplomas and outlined remediation, scheduling and family‑engagement steps intended to improve outcomes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

School Board approves initial bylaws, contract to join Region 2 regional recovery program

Norfolk outlines free summer STARS, credit recovery and enrichment programs for 2025

Board debates change to agenda‑setting language and BYOD rules; IT chief explains filtering process

Norfolk Public Schools expands Emerging Scholars program; retesting finds ~30% newly identified as gifted

Norfolk schools report cohorts off track for Advanced Studies diplomas; district outlines remediation steps