🎉 Big News for Norton! 🎉
Norton City Public Schools has officially earned the Virginia Community Schools Designation from the Virginia Department of Education!
This designation is awarded through a rigorous application and review process that recognizes schools demonstrating strong alignment with the Community School model and a sustained commitment to high-quality implementation.
The process was developed in partnership with current community school leaders and the Virginia Community Schools Task Force to ensure consistency, accountability, and excellence statewide.
To earn this designation, divisions were required to:
✔ Demonstrate measurable progress in implementation (emerging, maturing, or excelling levels)
✔ Provide evidence-informed action steps for continued improvement
✔ Show strong partnerships that support students and families
This year, nearly 60 sites across 13 school divisions earned this recognition — and we are proud to be one of them!
The following divisions were recognized by VDOE:
Arlington Public Schools
Carroll County Public Schools
Dickenson County Public Schools
Grayson County Public Schools
Henrico County Public Schools
Loudoun County Public Schools
Norton City Public Schools
Nottoway County Public Schools
Petersburg City Public Schools
Radford City Public Schools
Roanoke City Public Schools
Washington County Public Schools
York County Public Schools
Being a Virginia Community School means Norton City Public Schools:
💙 Supports the whole child — academically, socially, and emotionally
🤝 Builds strong partnerships with families, agencies, and community organizations
📚 Expands academic enrichment and after-school opportunities
🏥 Connects families with health, wellness, and wraparound services
🌱 Removes barriers so every child can thrive
For our small, rural division, this designation affirms what we already know:
Rooted in Community. Growing Every Child.
Thank you to our staff, students, families, and partners who made this possible. The work continues — and we are proud to lead it together.
#VirginiaCommunitySchools #NortonCitySchools #RootedInCommunity #GrowingEveryChild #VACommunitySchools #VDOE
Norton City Public Schools has officially earned the Virginia Community Schools Designation from the Virginia Department of Education!
This designation is awarded through a rigorous application and review process that recognizes schools demonstrating strong alignment with the Community School model and a sustained commitment to high-quality implementation.
The process was developed in partnership with current community school leaders and the Virginia Community Schools Task Force to ensure consistency, accountability, and excellence statewide.
To earn this designation, divisions were required to:
✔ Demonstrate measurable progress in implementation (emerging, maturing, or excelling levels)
✔ Provide evidence-informed action steps for continued improvement
✔ Show strong partnerships that support students and families
This year, nearly 60 sites across 13 school divisions earned this recognition — and we are proud to be one of them!
The following divisions were recognized by VDOE:
Arlington Public Schools
Carroll County Public Schools
Dickenson County Public Schools
Grayson County Public Schools
Henrico County Public Schools
Loudoun County Public Schools
Norton City Public Schools
Nottoway County Public Schools
Petersburg City Public Schools
Radford City Public Schools
Roanoke City Public Schools
Washington County Public Schools
York County Public Schools
Being a Virginia Community School means Norton City Public Schools:
💙 Supports the whole child — academically, socially, and emotionally
🤝 Builds strong partnerships with families, agencies, and community organizations
📚 Expands academic enrichment and after-school opportunities
🏥 Connects families with health, wellness, and wraparound services
🌱 Removes barriers so every child can thrive
For our small, rural division, this designation affirms what we already know:
Rooted in Community. Growing Every Child.
Thank you to our staff, students, families, and partners who made this possible. The work continues — and we are proud to lead it together.
#VirginiaCommunitySchools #NortonCitySchools #RootedInCommunity #GrowingEveryChild #VACommunitySchools #VDOE
❄️ Snow Day Announcement ❄️
Good news, Raiders!
Tomorrow, Friday, February 6, 2026, will be a traditional SNOW DAY—no virtual learning.
We want to thank our families and educators for their hard work, flexibility, and dedication to the education of our students during our recent virtual learning days. Your support truly makes a difference.
We’re hoping for a full week of school next week and are looking forward to welcoming students back into our buildings soon. Until then, please stay safe, enjoy some extra family time, and have fun in the anticipated snow! ☃️
See you soon!
Good news, Raiders!
Tomorrow, Friday, February 6, 2026, will be a traditional SNOW DAY—no virtual learning.
We want to thank our families and educators for their hard work, flexibility, and dedication to the education of our students during our recent virtual learning days. Your support truly makes a difference.
We’re hoping for a full week of school next week and are looking forward to welcoming students back into our buildings soon. Until then, please stay safe, enjoy some extra family time, and have fun in the anticipated snow! ☃️
See you soon!
From Norton City Schools: Important Information:
In anticipation of possible virtual learning days due to inclement weather, the Food Services Program will send two days of meals (breakfast and lunch) home with students on Friday, January 23, 2026.
👉 This does NOT mean that virtual learning has been scheduled.
Additionally, in anticipation of the predicted winter storm and the State of Emergency issued by the Governor of Virginia, city staff, custodians, and administrators are taking proactive steps to ensure that—if school days are missed—we can return to in-person instruction as quickly and safely as possible.
As part of this preparation:
John I. Burton High School and NEMS parking lots will be closed beginning at 4:00 PM today.
Please remove all vehicles from these areas by 4:00 PM and do not enter the lots after that time.
We appreciate your cooperation and support as we work to keep our facilities safe and ready, with the goal of being in school as soon and as much as feasible.
Thank you for your understanding and partnership.
In anticipation of possible virtual learning days due to inclement weather, the Food Services Program will send two days of meals (breakfast and lunch) home with students on Friday, January 23, 2026.
👉 This does NOT mean that virtual learning has been scheduled.
Additionally, in anticipation of the predicted winter storm and the State of Emergency issued by the Governor of Virginia, city staff, custodians, and administrators are taking proactive steps to ensure that—if school days are missed—we can return to in-person instruction as quickly and safely as possible.
As part of this preparation:
John I. Burton High School and NEMS parking lots will be closed beginning at 4:00 PM today.
Please remove all vehicles from these areas by 4:00 PM and do not enter the lots after that time.
We appreciate your cooperation and support as we work to keep our facilities safe and ready, with the goal of being in school as soon and as much as feasible.
Thank you for your understanding and partnership.
7th Grade Dance Info: This is a reminder that the 7th grade dance is Friday, December 18th from 6:00 pm until till 9:00 pm at NEMS cafeteria. Main entrance doors will open at 6:00. Formal pictures with Mrs. Tiller will begin at 6:30. Parents can line up in Wise Pickup line at 9:00. Thank you!
7th grade field trip update: 7th grade students will go to the Career Commons Career Fair tomorrow if we are on a regular schedule. Students need to pack their own lunches for this field trip. Any student who has not returned a permission slip needs to bring it tomorrow or a handwritten note. If we are on a 2 hour delay, the field trip will be rescheduled for a later date.
Due to inclement weather and school closure on Friday, December 12, 2025, the 7th grade dance will be rescheduled for Friday, December 19, 2025.
Note for 7th Grade Parents/Guardians:
As we continue to monitor the upcoming weather forecast, we wanted to send out information regarding the 7th Grade Dance scheduled for this Friday, December 12, 2025.
If the forecasted weather results in school being closed on Friday, December 12, 2025, the 7th Grade Dance will be rescheduled for Friday, December 19, 2025.
We will provide a final update as soon as a decision is made regarding school operations on Friday. Thank you for your understanding.
Due to the uncertainty of the forecasted weather we will NOT be running a bus for the Raiders After School program. Students who choose to stay must be picked up by a parent.
7th Grade Parents: Due to the significant winter weather currently forecasted for both Thursday and Friday, and out of an abundance of caution to ensure all students have the opportunity to test without disruption, we have made the decision to move the Civics SOL test to Wednesday, December 10, 2025.
We will have The Raider Afterschool Program today, but we will not run a bus. Please make sure to be in the pick up line by 5:30.
Thank you!
Norton City Schools will be on a 2-hour delay tomorrow, Wednesday, December 3rd.
Christmas in the City by Communities in Schools will be on December 12th from 6:00-8:00 in the JIB cafeteria and there will be different Christmas activity stations, including painting, gingerbread house making, ornament making, coloring, and games will include Snowball Toss and Reindeer Antler Ring Toss. There will also be some raffle prizes given away and Santa will be there to take pictures and the JIB choir will be doing a short performance. Pizza, Christmas cookies, and refreshments will be provided.
Norton City Schools Job Opportunity:
https://nortoncityschoolsva.sites.thrillshare.com/page/job-opportunities-page
https://nortoncityschoolsva.sites.thrillshare.com/page/job-opportunities-page
Norton City Schools Job Opportunity:
https://nortoncityschoolsva.sites.thrillshare.com/page/job-opportunities-page
https://nortoncityschoolsva.sites.thrillshare.com/page/job-opportunities-page
The Raiders After School Program will still run on normal schedule today. The only change is that we will not run a bus today. If you stay you will need to be picked up at 5:30. Thank you
This year's International ShakeOut Day is October 16, when millions of people worldwide will participate in earthquake drills at work, school, or home!
At 10:16 a.m. on 10/16, NEMS will join millions of people across the Southeast U.S. practicing in earthquake safety.
On Tuesday, October 14, 2025 the Raiders After School Program will not be running a bus. Students will need to be picked up from the program. Thank you!
Reminder: Norton City Schools will dismiss at 12:30 today, Friday, October 3, 2025.
Reminder: Norton City Schools will dismiss at 12:30 on Friday, September 19, 2025.
This is a reminder that Norton City Schools will be closed on Monday, September 1, 2025 for Labor Day.