Summer School 2008
Guide to Elementary Summer Programs

Mission Statement The mission of Virginia Beach City Public Schools, in partnership with our entire community, is to ensure that each student is empowered with the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the challenges of the future.

GENERAL INFORMATION
This guide provides students and parents with specific information about the elementary programs that are available in summer school.  Students and parents should review this publication and consult with teachers to determine which programs may be appropriate.  When selecting a program, it is important to remember that all courses offered in the Virginia Beach City Public Schools are available on a non-discriminatory basis.

Students and parents should note that all programs are dependent on sufficient enrollment and the availability of qualified and appropriately endorsed instructional staff.  Also, enrollment in some courses may be limited due to the availability of equipment and space at a particular school.

Program information for enrichment and special education are provided in separate documents.

ATTENDANCE AND CONDUCT
Students are expected to be in attendance each day. Any student whose behavior is disruptive and interferes with classroom instruction will be dismissed by the summer school principal.  The Code of Student Conduct outlines the expectations for student behavior.  Students will be subject to suspension or dismissal from classes if they violate policies with regard to student conduct.  Adherence to the School Board code of dress also shall be maintained:  "All students are expected to wear dress appropriate to the occasion; extreme or ostentatious apparel or appearance is to be avoided.  Any article of clothing or accessory which advertises alcohol or an illegal substance, depicts lewd graphics, displays offensive or obscene language, or is gang-related is forbidden."

REGISTRATION
Only students whose parents are residents of Virginia Beach are eligible to attend summer school classes. 
Non-public elementary school students, whose parents are residents of Virginia Beach, may pick up a registration form after April 26, 2008, from the elementary school in their attendance zone. Parents may register their child(ren) for summer classes according to the information provided in the course descriptions.  Students who have been removed from their home or enrolled school as a result of disciplinary infractions are not allowed to attend summer school at that site.

TRANSPORTATION
Schools have been grouped together to form transportation clusters. Bus transportation will be available for the programs in this guide from neighborhood pickup points within the cluster to designated summer school sites. Specific bus route information will be available in each school by June 11, 2008, and in the Beacon by Sunday, June 15, 2008. Bus information will also be available on the Summer School section of the Virginia Beach City Public Schools Web site, www.vbschools.com. If you would like to be notified when the bus schedule is posted on the Web site, please subscribe to vbschools x-tra. Transportation is provided only within the transportation clusters.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL REMEDIAL SUMMER PROGRAM (K-5)
Registration:	April 25, 2008 - May 9, 2008 Return student registration forms, provided by the school, to the school office
Deadline:	Friday, May 9, 2008 (Forms received after May 9, 2008, will not be accepted)
Dates:	June 23 - July 30, 2008, Monday - Thursday
Times:	8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Locations:	See transportation/attendance clusters.
Tuition:	No charge.
Transportation:	Bus transportation will be provided to designated summer school sites from neighborhood pickup points within the cluster.

The Elementary School Remedial Summer Program provides for remedial instruction in the areas of language arts or mathematics for students who need additional support with the Virginia Beach Objectives (which include the Standards of Learning - SOL) in order to succeed at the next grade level and to pass the SOL test in grades 3-5. For students who fail the English and/or mathematics SOL tests in grade 3-5, enrollment in summer school may be considered a remediation recovery program. The principal will notify parents prior to summer school if the student is a candidate for remediation recovery during summer school.

In grades 1-5, instruction is provided in either language arts or mathematics based on the greater need as determined by the home school teacher.  The Summer School Program for kindergarten will provide instruction in both language arts and mathematics. Summer school attendance will not determine promotion or retention.  Tuition is free, and transportation is provided within the transportation cluster.

Upon completion of the summer program, an Academic Assessment Checklist will be completed to record student progress toward remediation goals. Copies will be provided to parents and the student’s home school.

Questions regarding summer school should be directed to the home school principal.

ELIGIBILITY - KINDERGARTEN AND GRADE 1

Students in grades K-1 are eligible to attend the remedial summer school program if they meet one or more of the following criteria:

* Will be predicted based upon 3rd period grades. Students who are registered for summer school based solely on report card grades and receive a 3 or 4 for the fourth period will lose their eligibility.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS - GRADES 2-5
Students in grades 2-5 who meet the eligibility requirements in either language arts or mathematics must attend summer school.  Students who qualify to attend programs in both subject areas should participate in the area of greatest need as designated by the classroom teacher.  Parents who do not register a child who meets these requirements for summer school must sign a waiver form.

Students in grades 2-5 must attend summer school if they meet one or more of the following criteria:

* Will be predicted based upon 3rd period grades. Students who are registered for summer school based solely on report card grades and receive a 3 or 4 (grade 2) or a "C" or above (grades 3-5) for the fourth period will lose their eligibility.