Newton County Schools

Retrieving Items from School

• How will students retrieve personal items from the school (medicine, notebooks, book bags, band equipment, lunch boxes etc.)?
  
  School nurses will contact parents of students who have medication remaining at schools to make arrangements for the pickup of those items. Each school principal is notifying parents of the schedule to retrieve personal items from school. Parents should check the school website and reach out to the principal if they have questions. Also, principals will provide a School Messenger call with specific directions. See below for general schedule:

• May 18-20, 2020 Elementary Schools
• May 19-21, 2020 High Schools-distribution of items for Graduation by Jostens' staff (EHS 5/19; NHS 5/20; AHS 5/21)
• May 20-22, 2020 Middle Schools
• May 26-29, 2020 High Schools-including distribution of diplomas

School Nutrition Program

• Will funds on school meal accounts be available next year?
  
  All school nutrition household balances are carried over to the next school year.
  
  
• Will I get a refund on the money I have in my child’s lunch account?
  
  All school nutrition household balances are carried over to the next school year. Parents or guardians unsure of their balances and/or requesting a refund are required to submit an email to snprefunds@newton.k12.ga.us. In the email, please include the following information:
  
  1. A short statement requesting a refund
  2. Parent(s) or Guardian(s) names
  3. Current household address
  4. Student(s) names
  5. Student(s) enrolled schools
  
  All refund requests are processed within two weeks of email request. Checks will be sent via USPS mail to the current address provided in the email request.

After School Program

• Will I get a refund on the money I have in my child’s afterschool account?
  
  Yes. Refunds have to be issued individually to over 800 accounts. Parents will receive a refund to their account by 4/17/2020.

Assignments/Grades/Promotion & Retention

• How will students be graded for the work they complete through distance learning?
  
  Grades will be recorded if the grades improve a student's average. Submitted assignments and grades will be used as evidence of student learning and mastery.
  
  
• How will NCSS calculate student's final grades?
  
  Kindergarten: Kindergarten students will continue to be assessed using the Kindergarten Report Card (GKIDS)
  
  Grades 1-5: Students will not receive a grade for the 4th quarter. They will receive a Pass/Fail based on their 3rd quarter grade, which will lead to a Pass/Fail for second semester and a Pass/Fail for their final grade.
  Students should use the work packets and online learning experiences to improve their 3rd quarter grades.
  
  Grades 6-8: Students will receive a numerical grade for middle school courses. Every effort will be provided to students, who were not passing at the second semester 9-week progress reporting period, to improve their grade. If the grade for the end of 2nd semester is lower than the 2nd semester 9-week progress grade, then the 2nd semester 9-week progress grade will post as the final grade for 2nd semester. If the grade for the end of 2nd semester is higher than the 2nd semester 9-week progress grade, then the end of the 2nd semester grade will post as the final grade. 
  
  Grades 9-12: High school courses will be reported as numerical grades for the purpose of GPA calculations. All students enrolled in high school courses must post a numerical grade of 70% or higher to receive credit for the course. As a district, during COVID-19, we have adopted a “Hold Harmless” grading philosophy. “Hold Harmless” means that a student’s fourth 9-weeks grade cannot decrease the third 9-weeks grade.
  
  Students are encouraged to continue improving their overall GPA for post-secondary options and scholarships.
  
  Local high schools will monitor the academic progress of all seniors to ensure that they remain on track for graduation.
  
  
• How will schools determine promotion/retention?
  
  Grades K-5: Students will not be retained for the 2019-2020 school year unless they were identified as retention candidates prior to March 13th. Students in need of additional support will participate in targeted intervention in the 2020-2021 school year. Communication in the form of a letter and/or final report card will be sent to parents.
  
  Grades 6-8: If the student receives a final grade below 70%, the school's principal will consider the evidence of first semester grades, third quarter progress, and distant learning work to make the final decision for promotion/retention of a student. Every effort will be provided to students, who were not passing at the second semester progress reporting period, to improve their grade. Communication in the form of a letter and/or final report card will be sent to parents.
  
  Grades 9 -12: High school courses will be reported as numerical grades for the purpose of GPA calculations. All students enrolled in high school courses must post a numerical grade of 70% or higher to receive credit for the course. In order to be classified as a sophomore, junior or senior, students must meet the specified credit requirements which can be found in the 2019-2020 Student Handbook.
  
  
• Since school has been cancelled, do students have to complete their assignments?
  
  Though we are not in the physical school building, school continues. The last day of school is May 22, 2020.
  Teachers will continue to provide students with assignments which will be accepted until May 15, 2020.
  
  
• How do I return my student's work packets?
  
  Each school will have containers outside their building where instructional work should be deposited. It is also appropriate to take a picture or scan the assignments to be emailed to the appropriate teacher.
  
  

High School Specific Questions

• How do I find out if my child is selected for STEM or ALANHS?
  
  The date for notification for the STEM and the ALANHS programs has been extended. All candidates will be notified on April 24th.
  
  
• Will students have a Prom?
  
  All high schools will host their proms on July 18. Each school will provide additional information to students as soon as possible.
  
  
• Will students have a graduation ceremony?
  
  We intend to host a virtual Commencement Ceremony for each high school on Saturday, May 23, 2020, followed by an “in-person” Commencement Ceremony hosted at each school on August 1, 2020 (times will be communicated.) Should the August 1, 2020 Commencement Ceremonies not be possible due to continued health guidelines and requirements, the alternate date is scheduled for December 19, 2020 at each high school. We will continue to monitor updates from our state leaders, Georgia Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Newton County Board of Health to ensure our plans comply with health guidelines and recommendations.
  
  
• How will seniors receive their diplomas?
  
  Diplomas will be distributed during the week of May 26, 2020 should conditions permit. We will continue to monitor updates from our state leaders, Georgia Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Newton County Board of Health to ensure our plans comply with health guidelines. Directions for picking up diplomas will be provided by each school at a later date.
  
  
• How will seniors receive their caps and gowns?
  
  Jostens will host Outdoor/Drive-Thru deliveries for seniors who have paid their account. The dates were previously scheduled in April; however, due to the shelter-in-place Executive Order, the delivery date for caps and gowns will be rescheduled. Information regarding the dates and pick up times will be provided by each high school.
  
  
• How do we get refunds for senior/junior dues?
  
  Senior and junior dues cover a variety of activities and items throughout the year. Refunds will vary from school to school. Therefore, each high school will communicate with juniors and seniors the amount (if any) that will be refunded. Should you have questions, please contact your school principal.
  
  
• When will sophomore class ring ordering take place?
  
  The spring ring presentation for current sophomores will be rescheduled for the fall with delivery in the winter.

Newton County Theme School

• Will parent volunteer hours be waived at the theme school for the 2020 school year?
  
  Volunteer hour requirements will be waived for the 2019-2020 school year. All volunteer hours completed during the 2019-2020 school year will rollover to the 2020-2021 school year.
  
  
• What is the application and lottery process for students who wish to enroll in Newton County Theme School?
  
  Parents can scan or take of picture of the application and email this information to ncts_frontoffice@newton.k12.ga.us . Please do not scan or email Social Security Cards or Birth Certificates. We will host a virtual lottery using a computerized random number generator.
  
  
• What is the application and lottery process for kindergarten students that wish to enroll in Newton County Theme School?
  
  Kindergarten applications will be accepted on April 20th and 21st. Parents can scan or take a picture of the application and email this information to ncts_frontoffice@newton.k12.ga.us. Please do not scan or email Social Security Cards or Birth Certificates. NCTS will host a virtual lottery using a computerized random number generator. More information regarding the lottery will be provided by the Newton County Theme School.
  
  
• What is the application and lottery process for enrolling 1st - 8th graders in Newton County Theme School?
  
  Applications will be available online on May 1st. Applications will be accepted on May 27th and 28th. Parents can scan or take a picture of the application and email this information to ncts_frontoffice@newton.k12.ga.us. Please do not scan or email Social Security Cards or Birth Certificates. A placement test will be given to students who did not take the Iowa Assessment or any nationally normed assessment during the 2019-2020 school year.
  
  
• I did not sign my letter of intent for NCTS. Will my child(ren) be allowed to return to the school next year?
  
  NCTS will contact parents who have yet to submit their letter of intent, as a courtesy, for the 2020-2021 school year. These parents will have the opportunity to email the letter of intent to hanson.tina@newton.k12.ga.us.

Refunds

• How will refunds be handled?
  
  Email request for refunds will be handled at the school level. Checks will be sent via USPS mail to the current address provided in the email request. Please email your school principal. In the email, please include the following information:
  
  1. A short statement requesting a refund
  2. Parent(s) or Guardian(s) names
  3. Current household address
  4. Student(s) names
  
  
• How do we get refunds for senior/junior dues?
  
  Senior and junior dues cover a variety of items and activities that take place throughout the year. Refunds will vary from school to school. Therefore, each high school will communicate with juniors and seniors the amount (if any) that will be refunded.

Testing

• Will there be any state-wide online testing?
  
  All state-required spring tests have been cancelled.

Yearbooks

• How do I get a yearbook that was paid in full?
  
  Once Governor Kemp’s Executive Order to shelter-in-place has expired, and we are certain it will not be renewed, a plan for distribution of yearbooks will be communicated to parents and students by each school principal.

Textbooks

• How will textbooks be collected?
  
  Once Governor Kemp’s Executive Order to Shelter in Place has expired and we are certain it will not be renewed, a plan for the retrieval of textbooks will be communicated to students and parents by each school principal.

New Student Registration

• How will students register for school?
  
  If you wish to register for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year, please access the registration page at the following link on the Newton County School System’s website: https://www.newtoncountyschools.org/parents/registration.
  Complete the registration packet and gather the required documents. When you have completed your registration packet, you may email/mail (via the USPS) it, with the supporting documents, to the school principal. If you wish to register your child for the 2020-2021 school year, please visit our website in late June or early July for a listing of summer registration dates.
  
  Pre-K Registration: Pre-K enrollment is assigned on a first come, first served basis. Please click the link for instructions on how to download and complete your Pre-K registration packet. Once your packet is completed, please contact Ms. Ware at 678-491-5736 to have your child’s name and information added to our Pre-K waiting list.
  
  Kindergarten Registration: For the 2020-2021 school year, students entering Kindergarten who were not enrolled in the Newton County School System for Pre-K during the 2019-2020 school year should check our website in late June or early July for a listing of summer registration dates.

2020-2021 School Calendar

• Will the school calendar be revisited for the 20-21 school year?
  
  We are reviewing calendar options in the event that an adjustment is necessary.

Special Education

• Can we conduct virtual IEP meetings for students with disabilities?
  
  Teachers will participate in training the week of April 13th to conduct virtual IEP meetings. The priority for IEP meetings is as follows: Summary of Performance meetings (seniors who are graduating or not returning in FY21, Special Needs PreK to Kindergarten, 5th to 6th grade, and 8th to 9th grade). The GaDOE has waived timelines for IEP meetings and current IEPs will not expire. If additional IEP meetings are needed, a determination will be made on a case-by-case basis.
  
  
• Will students with disabilities receiving speech and other related services, receive those services during this time?
  
  All Speech and Related Services (OT, PT, APE) will begin April 20th. Service Providers will participate in training the week of April 13th using WebEx Meetings to provide these services to students. Suggested activities were sent to parents the week of March 16th in an effort to provide additional support until direct services could be provided.
  
  
• What if a child has already been evaluated for special education consideration, but the eligibility meeting has not been held?
  
  For those students who have completed the evaluation and are awaiting an eligibility meeting, within the coming weeks, meetings will be scheduled. Teachers will participate in training the week of April 13th for conducting virtual IEP/eligibility meetings. We will focus on those meetings that must be held prior to the FY21 school year. These meetings include Summary of Performance (seniors exiting) and transition meetings (SNPK to Kindergarten, 5th to 6th, and 8th to 9th). Once these meetings have been conducted, our focus will turn to eligibility meetings.

Counseling

• My child is struggling with disappointment right now, what do I do?
  
  Students: Starting the week of April 13, 2020, all students will have access to rethinkED on their Clever platform. Counselors are currently assigning grade level appropriate videos, quizzes, and games for students.
  
  Parent Account Information: Please see the rethinkED Parent/Guardian document for additional information.