PRINCIPAL'S UPDATE

Greetings Maury Family,

We are thrilled to report a successful start to the school year! Thanks to the collective efforts of our students, staff, and families, we are already making tremendous strides in key areas. Student attendance has improved significantly with more students arriving on time and ready to learn each day. Additionally, we’ve seen a notable increase in participation in our extracurricular activities, showcasing the dedication and enthusiasm of our students.

September is Attendance Awareness month. Every school day matters. Regular attendance helps students stay connected, builds confidence, and keeps learning moving forward.

Families are invited to Maury High School’s Open House from 5:30–6:55 p.m. Please report directly to your student’s first-period class upon arrival. The first bell will begin promptly at 5:32 p.m., and the building will close promptly at 7:00 p.m.

We look forward to building on this positive momentum throughout the year and are excited to continue working together to make this year a great success for all.

As always, if I can provide any additional support or answer any other questions, please do not hesitate to call the main office for assistance at (757) 628-3344.

Warmest regards,
Ms. Karen Berg
Principal, Maury High School

📅 Important Dates – Fall 2026

🍂 September

• September 17 • Open House 5:30pm

🎃 October

• October 5 • Parent/Teacher Conference Day
• October 6 - Class of 2027 Information Night
• October 9 • Homecoming
• October 14 PSAT test
• October 14 Future Fest
• October 15 ASVAB test
• ⭐ October 27 • End of First Quarter

Families are invited to Maury High School’s Open House from 5:30–6:55 p.m. Please report directly to your student’s first-period class upon arrival. The first bell will begin promptly at 5:32 p.m., and the building will close at 7:00 p.m.

Semester-long classes will meet for 17 minutes, while year-long A/B classes will meet for six minutes. Five-minute transitions are built into the schedule for families traveling between classes.

Open House Schedule

• 5:30–5:32 p.m. — Report to First-Period Class

• 5:32–5:38 p.m. — 1A

• 5:38–5:43 p.m. — Transition (for year-round classes)

• 5:43–5:49 p.m. — 1B

• 5:49–5:54 p.m. — Transition

• 5:54–6:00 p.m. — 2A

• 6:00–6:05 p.m. — Transition

• 6:05–6:11 p.m. — 2B

• 6:11–6:16 p.m. — Transition

• 6:16–6:22 p.m. — 3A

• 6:22–6:27 p.m. — Transition

• 6:27–6:33 p.m. — 3B

• 6:33–6:38 p.m. — Transition

• 6:38–6:44 p.m. — 4A

• 6:44–6:49 p.m. — Transition

• 6:49–6:55 p.m. — 4B

School Counselors and Graduation Coaches will be available in the Media Center (Library) on the first floor.

Nurse Marissa will be available in the clinic on the second floor.

Virtual Peace of Mind will be available in the foyer.

We look forward to seeing you!

Electronic Devices Policy Enforcement

Maury High School will continue to enforce the Virginia Law and Norfolk Public School's guidelines regarding electronic devices. All electronic devices should be off and put away. before entering the building.

Virginia public schools enforce a mandatory "bell-to-bell" cellphone ban. The restrictions originated from Executive Order 33, which was issued by former Governor Glenn Youngkin on July 9, 2024. The policy requires all personal electronic devices—including cellphones, smartwatches, and tablets—to be turned off and stored away from the first morning bell until the final dismissal bell.

Chronology & Evolution of the Policy

• July 2024 (Executive Order 33): Governor Youngkin signed Executive Order 33 to establish a "cell phone-free education" initiative to counter student distraction and the youth mental health crisis. It ordered the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to formulate statewide guidance.
• September 2024 (Final VDOE Guidance): The VDOE finalized rules defining "cellphone-free" as "bell-to-bell," expanding the restriction to include lunch periods and time between classes.
• January 2025 (Local Enforcement): All local school districts were required to officially adopt and enforce the policies.
• Mid-2025 (Initial Codification): Governor Youngkin signed SB 738, formally writing the executive order's baseline restrictions into state law.
• April 2026 (Stricter Mandate): The restriction was expanded when SB 108 was signed into law. This legislation closed previous loopholes by prohibiting all student cellphone and smart device use across school grounds for the full duration of the school day. This effectively eliminated the localized exceptions that some districts previously granted for high school lunch hours or passing periods.

Students can view their schedules in StudentVUE or ParentVUE (see links below).

• To log into StudentVUE, students should use the first part of their student email and the last five digits of their student ID number.

• Parents can now reset their own ParentVUE password by selecting "Forgot Password" on the login page. Be sure to use the email address associated with your Synergy account.

Below you will find the links to access both ParentVue and StudentVue:

HRT (Hampton Roads Transportation) will be coming to Maury High School on September 16th to issue HRT Freedom Passes. They will be in the auditorium to issue and distribute Freedom passes from 9:00am until 1:00pm. I will pass on relevant information as the date approaches. To help speed up the process, students can complete the application process prior to the event so that they will just need to take their picture and get their Pass issued to them. The application can be located by simply Googling: "HRT Freedom Pass" or by using the link below.

The Student Freedom Pass provides people ages 13-17 years old with unlimited free rides on Hampton Roads Transit’s bus, ferry, and light rail services. Service is available in the cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach. In all cases, the Student Freedom Pass will expire two months after the student’s expected high school graduation date, or the 18th birthday, whichever is later. Any exceptions to this policy will be handled on a case by case basis. Parents can enjoy the time and money they will save when they stop chauffeuring and leave the safe and reliable driving to Hampton Roads Transit.

Please remind your student not to trespass on private property during or after school hours. Students should remain on school property unless they have permission to leave campus and should always respect our neighbors and surrounding community. Please note that trespassing may result in charges being filed. Thank you for helping us keep our school and community safe.

The ASVAB test will be administered on October 15th. Link is below.

Lunches are assigned based on the student's location in the building during their bell 3. Each lunch period is 30 minutes. The first week back of in-person learning, bell 3 teachers will tell students what lunch they have.

Students may bring their own lunch to school. NPS Child Nutrition Services will be open when students return. Child Nutrition Services provides free breakfast and lunch to all students daily.

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

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.

Students may not leave during lunch and eat off of school property, or go and get food and bring it back to school. This creates a safety and security issue for our students and staff. Students who are caught leaving school grounds for any reason will be searched upon arrival and will receive discipline consequences per the Student Handbook with Standards of Student Conduct.

Maury High School’s School Counseling Team is here for you! We are available to assist parents and students with the following:

- Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Concerns

- Academic Advising

- Scheduling Parent Teacher Conferences

- College and Career Planning

- Referrals for Special Education Testing and 504s to support students with disabilities and medical conditions

- Collaboration and communication with teacher to resolve issues

- Individual meetings with students to identify needs and find solutions

2026–2027 Maury High School College Visit Schedule

Maury students are encouraged to attend these upcoming college and program visits to learn more about academic opportunities, admissions, and campus life.

September 2026

October 2026

E-Link is now available for parents and students to access student bus information.

• B = Bus
• W = Walker
• A blank field means no bus has been assigned.

• Seniors - seniors can be approved to only take four classes as long as they are on track to graduate. Please keep in mind that any senior athlete must be enrolled and passing a minimum of 5 classes in order to be eligible to play per VHSL Rules and Regulations.
• Any Senior who has an excused bell, will not be excused until a paper form is returned. Once the excused form is returned and approved, these students will receive their pass.
• All 9th, 10th, and 11th graders must have a full schedule.

Students requesting permission for a late arrival or early release may complete the form below and submit it to Ms. Hess in Student Support Services, Room 205.

To be approved, students must be on track to graduate and have passed all required SOL assessments. Students who still need to pass an SOL assessment ARE NOT eligible.Students may only leave the campus with a school-issued and authorized early dismissal pass. Please see Ms. Hess in 205 for more information.

Students who leave school early must exit the building at the conclusion of their last class of the day. Students may not loiter around the building or stand around in the main foyer. They must go directly to either their vehicle, parent pick-up, ride share pick-up, HRT bus stop, or walk (for those who normally walk to/from school). Exceptions will be made for inclement weather, in which students will be allowed to remain in the foyer.

Students who attend the Governor’s School for the Arts leave at approximately 12:30 PM. Transportation will be provided from Maury to the Governor's School. The bus will pick them up in front of the school on Shirley Ave.

NTC buses are parked on Debree Avenue outside the Band Room entrance.

• AM Classes: Buses leave Maury at 7:25 a.m.
• PM Classes: Buses leave Maury at 10:25 a.m.

For scheduling purposes, NORSTAR students are given NTC 4BDAY. This accommodates class time and transportation. The bus for NORSTAR will arrive at 12:35 on the DeBree side of the building.

Students who wish to park in the student parking lot must complete the Virginia Department of Education Parking Pass Application. See Ms. Hess in 205 for more information.

Hello Rising Seniors and all Cohort 2027 Commodores!

Nurse Marissa has contacted the parent or guardian of any student who still needs the Meningococcal vaccine for senior year via MAIL. All letters were mailed out March 18th, 2026.

If your student has already received the vaccine, please send a copy of the record to mdiefenderfer961@nps.k12.va.us or bring it to the school clinic.

Please visit myirmobile.com to access state immunization records.

Thank you, and we look forward to helping our Commodores stay safe, healthy and ready for senior year!

Maury Athletics is committed to excellence both on and off the field. Our student-athletes demonstrate dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship while proudly representing the Commodores in a wide range of competitive sports. We believe athletics play an important role in building character, leadership, and school spirit.

For more information about athletic programs, eligibility, or upcoming events, please contact our Athletic Director, Mr. Tommy Staples, at tstaples@nps.k12.va.us.

We invite all stakeholders to stay informed about the development of the new Maury High School.

Updates, planning information, and project milestones are available on the district’s Educational Planning webpage.

You may access the most current information here:
https://www.npsk12.com/our-division/educational-planning/new-maury-high-schoo

Thank you for your continued support and engagement in this important project.

Hello! My name is Marissa Diefenderfer, MSN, RN. I am the school nurse at Maury HS. I am here to provide you with health services and education to support your student's health. Please contact me for any concerns regarding your student's health. My email is mdiefenderfer961@nps.k12.va.us.

Harris Teeter’s Together In Education program gives schools a chance to earn funds when you link your VIC card and shop Harris Teeter brands. Harris Teeter has donated over $27.4 million to Together In Education schools since 1998!

When you shop Harris Teeter brands, a percentage of your purchase will be donated to Maury once your VIC card is linked. There are NO limits to how much you can help Maury!

Please remember to link your card every year and THANK YOU. Maury can receive when you purchase items from Harris Teeter. All you have to do is register using the button below:

Our code is: 3993

Darius Blount ACCESS Advisor

www.accesscollege.org

Office: Room 215

Maury High School (M-F)

322 Shirley Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23517

P:(757) 550-4015

F:757-628-3361

Emails: dblount@accesscollege.org / dblount2@nps.k12.va.us

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

Do you want to take the ACT? Click on the link to find information on it!

Free Financial Aid Help Desk

Article: 2025-38-571
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Child Care Center Operators, Teachers, Non-teaching staff
Contact: Brittany Everett, Postsecondary Access and Success Specialist, brittany.everett@doe.virginia.gov

Help is available for Virginia students and families who are filling out the recently available Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) announced a financial aid help desk and a new series of free webinars to support completion of the application.

Students can text “Hello” to 434-478-4003 and receive answers to their financial aid questions from an expert within 24 business hours. The service is available at no cost to Virginia students and is part of SCHEV’s efforts to ensure that no student leaves financial aid funding on the table.

In addition to text-based support, SCHEV has partnered with uAspire, a national non-profit focused on college affordability, to host a six-part webinar series for students and families. Each one-hour session offers guidance on the following financial aid topics:

• FAFSA Completion
• Financial Aid for Current College Students
• Scholarship Basics and Tips
• Next Steps After the FAFSA
• Financial Aid Offer Review
• Summer Steps for Financial Aid

Registration links and details are available on the financial aid events webpage.

1. App: Search for “Vector Alert” in the App Store to download for free

2. Phone: 757.255.7461

3. Text: Text your tip to 757.255.7461

4. Email: 2110@alert1.us

5. Web: http://2110.alert1.us

Students and families can easily report tips on bullying, harassment, drugs, vandalism, threats of violence, or any safety issue through Vector Alert. When you submit a tip, be sure to use the division’s identification code: 2110 in your communication. Every tip Vector Alert receives about a safety concern will be immediately logged into the system. The NPS administration will be notified to investigate and take appropriate action. As always, tips may be submitted anonymously. Working together, using Vector Alert, we can make our division a safer place to work and learn!

Facebook—https://www.facebook.com/Maury1911

Twitter—@Maury19111

Webpage: https://www.npsk12.com/mhs

Who is in the PTSA?

Parents/family members, teachers and staff, and students.

What do we do?

· Support a scholarship for a graduating senior.

· Support projects initiated by the student PTSA representatives such as the student lounge and peer mentoring project.

· Support students and their families during emergencies.

· Help students receive what they need to be successful in school, including: school supplies, food, clothing, and shoes.

· Provide opportunities for Maury families build a sense of community.

What do we need?

· Volunteers willing to accept opportunities to serve students, faculty and administration when needs arise.

How can I be involved?

Renew your membership or join inline at https://maury.memberhub.com

Follow us on Facebook: Maury PTSA

Email: kberg@nps.k12.va.us
Website: https://www.npsk12.com/mhs
Location: 322 Shirley Ave, Norfolk, VA 23517, USA
Phone: (757) 628-3344
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Maury1911
Twitter: @Maury19111

Principal

Karen Berg kberg@nps.k12.va.us

Assistant Principals

Christine Bouziane cbouziane@nps.k12.va.us

Tamara Dunn tdunn@nps.k12.va.us

Joy Gallop jgallop@nps.k12.va.us

Michael McCracken mmccracken@nps.k12.va.us

Alexis Rogers acrogers@nps.k12.va.us

School Counselors

Zuri Cannon-Department Chair zcannon@nps.k12.va.us

Serge Bengono sbengono@nps.k12.va.us

Frank Brown fbrown2@nps.k12.va.us

Sammie Logan slogan593@nps.k12.va.us

Cornel Parker coparker@nps.k12.va.us

Theresa Rave trave684@nps.k12.va.us

Tiffany Williams twilliams1@nps.k12.va.us

Sheena Cox-Transcript Analyst scox1@nps.k12.va.us

Department Chairs

CTE –Allison Copeland acopelan@nps.k12.va.us

English – Rebecca Otto raotto@nps.k12.va.us

Foreign Language –Mignonne Bratten mbratten@nps.k12.va.us

Fine Arts – Danielle Krasner dkrasner@nps.k12.va.us

Health/PE – Jennifer Parker jparker@nps.k12.va.us

History – Kayla Shook kshook@nps.k12.va.us

Math – Kaleem Morris kmorris@nps.k12.va.us

Science- Donna Mitchell dmitchell1@nps.k12.va.us

Special Education Katie Lewis kflewis@nps.k12.va.us

MHSP Program Coordinator

Travis Mansell MHSP tmansell@nps.k12.va.us

Academic Rigor

Tanya Scott- Department of Academic Rigor

-Gifted Education/Identification

-Governor's School for the Arts Liaison

tscott@nps.k12.va.us

Office Hours: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
Student Hours: 7:25 am - 2:05 pm

Website: https://www.npsk12.com/mhs
Location: 322 Shirley Ave, Norfolk, VA 23517, USA
Phone: (757) 628-3344
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Maury1911
Twitter: @Maury19111