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Lower Academy

Information Session

Raising the Bar in K - 12 Education

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Welcome & Introductions

Samantha Dunn

Lower Academy Director

Donna Michael

Lower Academy

School Counselor

Anna Fowler

Collegiate & Testing Support

Dr. Melissa Blackwell

Superintendent

Karen Conley

Assistant Academy Director K-12

Jamie Johnson

Director of Exceptional Children

Amanda Highfil

Director of Business

Brad Williams

Director of Technology

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Who Are We?

We are Neuse!

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Core Values and Mission

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Core Themes of NCS

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Strategic Objectives of NCS

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K-12: NC Standard Course of Study

K-2 Phonics: Heggerty

K-5 ELA: Wonders

K-5 Math: Eureka Math

K-5 Phonics Word Their Way

6-8 ELA: StudySync

4-8 Stemscopes

K-8: IXL

K-8: NWEA Map

K-3 MClass Testing/Dibels 8

EOGs/EOCs

Enhancements/Electives

Curriculum

Matthews:

Wonders: Strengthens literacy skills through BL providing Phonics, Reading and writing skills instruction. Scaffolding opportunities throughout and addresses the students that are below, on or above grade level in reading. Informational text aligned with Science/SS curriculum topics. Online component for students that really provides the home - school connection.

Eureka Math: follows all NC state standards and common core standards. Addresses math literacy and fluency. Moves students from concrete to pictorial to abstract math. Problem solving (talk about it /write about it.)

StudySync - variety of format represented through a variety of time periods - writing intensive

All are intertwined are connected to our skill needs - specifically IXL assessment data

Each area of the curriculum informs how we address our students needs

IXL: Online platform that provides individualized learning opportunities for students that are directly connected to Wonders, Eureka Math, Study Sync and Map scores. Student diagnostic tool identifies what individual students need and provides personalized skill activities for the student.

MAP allows to track progress on national level - NCS out performs national levels. National growth goal is based on 1 year’s growth. NCS’s goal is 1.25. Test given 3 times per year. F-W-S. Test is adaptive: it adjusts to student’s correct or incorrect answers.

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Battle of the Books - both academies
8th grade/High School robotics
Middle/High School Band
National Jr. Honor Society/Honor Society
Spelling Bee
JoCo Works
Math Counts
Middle/High School sports
Summer camps provided by coaches and athletes
Junior/Senior Prom
Homecoming
Girls on the Run (Grades 3-5)
International Travel Opportunities (High School)

Extra-Curriculars

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Portrait of a Cougar

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Grades K-3

A Day in the Life of a Cougar Cub

Combination of individual, small group and whole group instruction

Students are able to explore as they work in small group centers while also being provided the support they need to grow and be successful as independent learners.

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Grades 4-5

A Day in the Life of a Cougar Cub

In grades 4–5, students switch classes for Language Arts, Science, and Math.

Students engage in a variety of learning formats, including small group instruction, individualized learning opportunities, and collaborative activities.

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LEAVE WITH MORE at NCS

A Day in the Life of a Cougar

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Exceptional Children’s Services

Services

Inclusion/ Co-Taught Support
Pull-out Support
Occupational Course of Study (OCS)
Related Services (Speech, OT, PT)
Additional Support-
English Language Program (EL)

For additional information contact:

Jamie Johnson

jjohnson@neusecharterschool.org

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Student Services / Counseling

Who Are We

Donna Michael

Lower Academy Counselor

(K-5)

Amy McGinnis

Upper Academy Counselor

(6-12)

Keeli McLamb

College & Career Advisor

Anna Fowler

CCP Liaison & Testing

Coordinator

What Do We Do

Academic
Classroom support
Goal setting
Academy Transition
Strengths & areas of growth

College & Career
Life Skills
College & Career advising

Personal & Social Skills
Interpersonal skills
Emotion Management
Problem solving/coping skills

Delivery

Curriculum

Second Step

Weekly In-Classroom Sessions

WayFinder

Student Counseling & Planning
Individual & Small groups
Develop problem-solving strategies & coping skills
Coordination of goals, abilities & interests to create a unique path

Responsive Services
Consultation
Community referrals
Behavioral support
Crisis support-MKV, SPP

System Support
Building connections between school and community
Professional Development

McGinnis/Cummings

Note Silent Partner Program

Whole Child Support, with a focus on relationships, not just academics. Getting to know students & families is cornerstone of success

Ultimate Goal - Helping students discover within themselves the abilities and confidence they need to deal with whatever life throws at them (Romero, G., Passaic High School, NJ)

Team of three School Counselors: Lower grades K-5; Upper grades 6-12;
Teaming on kids approach - counselors work closely with teaching teams, administrators, and EC services to proactively identify and address student concerns and support success

Direct Student Services: Individual planning & goal setting; individual/small group counseling, classroom lessons, responsive services for students, parents/legal guardians, teachers
Indirect Student Services: Program development & maintenance; Consultations with all stakeholders, building and maintaining connections btw school & community

Classroom lesson focus

SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) - Evidence-based, Second Step
8th-Grade - preparation for high school/college/career readiness (JOCO Works, CFNC, Rising 9th-grade expectations and planning)

Transitions - support students/families to transition confidently from 5th to 6th grade, 8th to 9th grade - COUGAR CAMPS
Schoolwide/Family Support - Anti-Bullying, Great Kindness Challenge, Blood Drive, Silent Partners, McKinney Vento, Food Drives, etc.

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Carpool

Video links

K-1 Carpool

2-5 Carpool

6-12 Carpool

K-12 Morning Carpool: 7:20 a.m. - 7:42 a.m.

(Tardy sign in begins after 7:42 a.m.)

K-12 Afternoon Carpool: 3:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. (ish)

Carpool Tags will be handed out by your child’s homeroom teacher.

Please have your car tag visible in the windshield.

Attend carpool with the youngest sibling!

Late Arrival/Early Dismissal Policy- p. 71

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Other Policy/Handbook Updates

P. 16- AI Usage Policy, Homework and Project Policy

P. 17- Late Work Policy

P. 20- Exam Exemptions (Teacher Made, non EOC)

P. 21- Technology Usage Policy

P. 61- Dress Code Policy

P. 73- Make Up Work Policy

P. 78- School Campus Expectation Policy for Adults

P. 119-121- Cell Phone Policy

Aligns with General Statute: § 115C-76.100.

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My Hot Lunchbox

Restaurants we Partner With: My Hot Lunchbox QR Code

Monday: Nik’s Pizza

Tuesday: Quiznos

Wednesday: Buffalo Wild Wings

Thursday: Slim Chickens

Friday: Pizza Hut

How to create an account:

Go to https://ordernow.myhotlunchbox.com/sign-up
Click “Create Account” under the customer field
Fill in all required fields to create your account and be sure to add a profile for each individual you are ordering for!

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After School Care

Ivy Camps- Grades K-8 Register Here!

Any Questions? Contact:

neusecharter@ivycamps.org

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Community Building

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Annual community events build character, relationships and a sense of togetherness. A few of the events you can expect to enjoy this year:

Open House

New To Neuse Meetups

Fall Festival

Character Parade

Holiday Sing-a-Long

Field Day

Band Concerts

NCS Traditions

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Volunteer with NCS!

We are always looking for parents to become involved in their child’s education! Did you know that we have a volunteer application you can fill out to come help us!

Here is how you fill out the application!

Go to the involvement tab, and click on volunteer application.

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Become an NCS Parent Ambassador

If you are a huge fan of Neuse Charter School and would like to help plan fun events, donate goodies, and support our Neuse community become a member of the Parent Ambassadors. If interested please fill out the following form: PA Sign Up

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Donate to NCS!

Neuse Charter School is incredibly grateful and would not be what it is without your continued support. All funds raised go directly back into Neuse Charter School.

Both unrestricted donations, as well as donor-directed gifts, are used to support the staff and students of NCS in a variety of ways, including:

Staff Back-to-School Dinner Celebration
Student Backpacks and Supplies
Athletic uniforms and gas provided for travel to and from games

Please visit Giving to NCS

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Communication

If a 919-626-xxxx number shows up on your caller id it is Neuse Charter School calling you.

The Lower and Upper Academy Directors update out blog’s weekly with important information. Please check the blogs on the schools website.

Navigate to “Current Families,” “Lower Academy” or “Upper Academy,” then click on blog.

If you have any concerns, please send us an email:

Samantha Dunn: sdunn@neusecharterschool.org

Tyler Grady: tgrady@neusecharterschool.org

Karen Wynns: kwynns@neusecharterschool.org