Chronicles of The North

Week of September 28, 2026

The Administrative Leadership Team at Northside consist of the following individuals:

• Mrs. Letisha Lawrence, Principal
• Mrs. Stephanie Ogborn, Assistant Principal
• Mrs. Angela Grimsley, Dean of Student
• Mrs. Shayna Hart, Dean of Student
• Mrs. Malika Gray, Office Manager
• Ms. Michelle MacFarlane, Student Data Specialist
• Mrs. Joan Stokes, School Counseling Department Chair

Mrs. Letisha Lawrence, has served as the principal at Northside Middle since 2020. Prior to joining the Northside family, Mrs. Lawrence served as an assistant principal, dean of students, department chair for History/Social Science, team leader and teacher at the middle and high school levels within Norfolk Public Schools. Mrs. Lawrence is passionate about encouraging civic participation and supporting the social, emotional, and academic success of all children. Educating the whole child.

Mrs. Lawrence earned her Bachelor of Arts from North Carolina Central University, Masters Degree in School Administration and Supervision and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Education Specialist/School Administration from Cambridge College.

We are excited to welcome Mrs. Ogborn as our new Assistant Principal!

With 30 years of experience in education, Mrs. Ogborn brings a wealth of knowledge, dedication, and passion for serving students and school communities. She has proudly spent 24 years with Norfolk Public Schools, serving in a variety of roles at Lake Taylor High School, Azalea Gardens Middle School, Academy for Discovery at Lakewood, and Granby High School.

Throughout her career, Mrs. Ogborn has been committed to building strong relationships, supporting students and staff, and creating positive school communities where all students can thrive. She is excited to bring her experience and passion for education to her new role as an Assistant Principal.

Education is truly a family affair for Mrs. Ogborn, as her husband also works for Norfolk Public Schools.

Please join us in welcoming Mrs. Ogborn to her new role. We are excited to have her leadership, experience, and dedication as part of our school community!

asknorthside@nps.k12.va.us- should be used for any communication with Northside. Parents reporting Covid/Flu symptoms and positive Covid/Flu should also use this email. Please make sure you let us know the following: Student's Name, date symptoms started, and date tested positive. This will help us expedite the response.

NorthsideAttendance@nps.k12.va.us should be used for any communication regarding absences from school including absence notification, and submitting excused notes.

The school district will not be issuing physical copies of the Student Handbook with Standards of Student Conduct this year. Parents and students should review district policies and procedures using the digital copy provided below and on the school district's web site which can be found HERE.

• Tuesday, September 15th- Thursday, October 15th- Hispanic Heritage Month
• Thursday, September 24th - End of Interim
• Monday, October 5th- Parent Teacher Conference Day- School Closed for Students
• Monday, October 5th - Friday, October 9th United Way Spirit Week
• Tuesday, October 13th- Specialty Program Night @ NHS
• Tuesday, October 27th- End of 1st Quarter
• Thursday, October 29th & Friday, October 30th- Picture Day (During PE Class)

Lunches are assigned based on the student's grade level during bell 5/6. Each lunch period is 30 minutes.

STUDENTS MUST REMAIN IN THE CAFETERIA AND ARE NOT PERMITTED TO WALK AROUND THE BUILDING.

Students may bring their own lunch to school. NO FOOD DELIVERIES ALLOWED AND STUDENTS MAY NOT LEAVE CAMPUS FOR FOOD, DRINK, ETC. Students and parents are reminded that we do not accept food deliveries from DoorDash, GrubHub, etc. This creates a safety and security issue for our students and staff. Students and parents are not allowed to have food delivered to school for any reason. Child Nutrition Services provides free breakfast and lunch to all students daily.

District-Wide Parent Teacher Conference Day, October 5, 2026. Conferences will be on a first come basis from 8:00am-3:00pm. Please note teachers will be unavailable from 12:00pm-1:00pm due to lunch.

According to research, regular school attendance plays an important role in a student’s achievement and success. Attendance tips for a successful year:

1. Establish a regular bedtime and morning routine.

2. Avoid appointments and extended trips during school hours.

3. Keep track of your child’s attendance using ParentVue.

4. Emphasize the importance of regular school attendance with your child.

5. Discuss and address any anxiety, barriers, or negative feelings your child may have about school.

6. Communicate with the school and ask for help if needed

Contact our Attendance Technician Janay Mosley at jmosley123@nps.k12.va.us if you need support with your student's attendance.

The mission of the International Welcome Center is to provide a place where international families feel at home, celebrated for their cultures, and supported with the tools and connections need to thrive in both Norfolk Public Schools and the community.

The students at Northside Middle School are committed to being Respectful, Responsible, and Safe! We demonstrate this commitment throughout all areas of the building. Our students work to earn STAR Rewards by demonstrating their contributions to our RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE, and SAFE school community.

Here at Northside we have Students That Are Ready to Succeed (STARS). Our Northside STARS are doing great things, and we want to reward their positive work towards the goals of improving literacy, attendance and accountability. Our goal is to nominated students each week and them recognized them as part of our STARZ shout outs. If you would like to help Northside provide incentive to our students, please consider donating items form our Amazon Wishlist linked below.

Virginia Public School cell phone requirements, Executive Order 33, will be enforced. Students must follow expectations for the use & storage of personal electronic devices during the school day. f a student is found with electronic devices out or using them during the school day, they will be confiscated and NPS school district procedures on returning the devices to the student and then the parent will be followed. Students who fail to comply with a directive from a school staff member to turn over the device when visible and/or being used, will face additional consequences per the school district's discipline leveling system.

1. Basic Principle: Certain body parts must be covered for all students at all times.

Clothes must be worn in a way such that private parts, midriffs, buttocks, and breasts are fully covered with opaque fabric. All items listed in the “must wear” and categories below must meet this basic principle.

2. Students Must Wear:

● A Shirt/Dress (with fabric in the front, back, and on the sides under the arms), and/ or

● Pants/Shorts/Skirts or the equivalent (for example, athletic wear or leggings), and

● Shoes

*Courses that include attire as part of the curriculum (for example, professionalism, public speaking, and job readiness) may include assignment-specific dress, but should not focus on covering bodies in a particular way or promoting culturally-specific attire. Activity-specific shoe requirements are permitted (for example, athletic shoes for PE).

3. Students Cannot Wear:

●Violent language or images.

● Images or language depicting drugs or alcohol (or any illegal item or activity).

● Hate speech, profanity, pornography.

● Images or language that creates a hostile or intimidating environment based on any protected class or consistently marginalized groups.

• Hat or hoodies on their heads in the building

●Any clothing that reveals undergarments.

● Swimsuits (except as required in class or athletic practice).

● Accessories that could be considered dangerous or could be used as a weapon.

●Any item that obscures the face or ears (except as a religious observance).

Effective October 1, 2026, Norfolk Public Schools Athletics will implement a clear bag requirement for all spectators attending all athletic events. Clear bags up to 16" x 16" x 8" and small clutches up to 5" x 7" x 3/4" will be permitted. Diaper bags and American with Disabilities Act (ADA) or medically necessary items are exempt from the clear bag requirement.

Additionally, all bags and personal items are subject to search at all Norfolk Public Schools sports-related events.

The following bags will no longer be allowed at Norfolk Public Schools sporting events:

• Backpacks (Solid or Clear)

• Cooler Bags (hard or soft-sided unless medical)
• Duffel Bags

• Laptop/Camera Bags

• Luggage of any kind
• Non-clear Drawstring Bags
• Non-clear Tote Bags
• Purses

Prohibited items cannot be held in the stadium. Please return them to your vehicle. Spectators are also encouraged to leave valuables at home. Norfolk Public Schools is not responsible for any items left in vehicles during athletic events.

Prior to participation in any NPS school-sponsored activity, each student-athlete must complete and submit the following to their school's Athletic Director on an annual basis -

1. Sports Physical: must be completed by a physician within the past 14 months and clear the student-athlete to participate in athletics. Once the physical expires (14 months from the date of the physician’s signature), the student-athlete will become ineligible and cannot participate in any capacity until a current physical has been turned into the Athletic Director or Athletic Trainer. This includes during the middle of an athletic season.
2. Cardiac Arrest, Concussion, & Heat Related Illness Preparticipation Forms: reviewed and signed by parent/guardian and student-athlete
3. NPS Athletics Sportsmanship Acknowledgment Form: reviewed and signed by parent/guardian and student-athlete.

For middle school sports eligibility criteria, click here.

The cost for a physical is $22.00. Electronic payment will only be accepted through the GoFan app.

September 28th @ 5:00pm

Baseball: Northside Vs. Ruffner @ BTW HS

Track & Field -Outdoor: Northside Vs Azalea Gardens/Blair/Norview @ Lake Taylor HS

September 29th @ 5:00pm

Track & Field -Outdoor: Northside Vs. Field Events @ BTW HS

September 30th @ 5:00pm

Track & Field -Outdoor: Northside Vs Azalea Gardens/Norview @ Norview HS

October 1st @ 5:00pm

Baseball: Northside Vs. Lake Taylor School @ BTW HS

Softball: Northside Vs. Lake Taylor School @ BTW HS

For complete Schedule, click here.

Main Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30am - 3:00pm

Enrollments 8:00am - 1:00pm, Monday-Friday by appointment only

Email: AskNorthside@npsk12.com
Website: https://nsms.npsk12.com/
Location: 8720 Granby Street Norfolk, VA 23503
Phone: 757-531-3150
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northsideorf

Instagram: @northsideorf