NNPS Youth Development receives national Magna Award

Posted: March 13, 2024

Newport News Public Schools was selected as a 2024 Magna Awards silver winner in the over 20,000 enrollment category for its Youth Development Department. The 29th annual Magna Awards program was sponsored by the National School Boards Association's flagship magazine, American School Board Journal.

"We are honored and very proud to have the Newport News Public Schools Youth Development programs honored on a national stage," said Superintendent Dr. Michele Mitchell. "Our hard-working staff continues to find innovative ways to reach and support students and their families."

The 2024 Magna Awards program focused on innovation in education while recognizing school district programs that solved a challenge with creativity and out-of-the-box strategies. Criteria also included programs exhibiting success over time, having longevity and sustainability, and the ability to be replicated by other school divisions with similar conditions and resources.

A grand prize and silver award winners were recognized in each enrollment category: under 5,000 enrollment, 5,000-20,000 enrollment, and over 20,000 enrollment. NNPS was one of 18 winners-three Grand Prize winners and 15 Silver Award winners-across the nation to receive this honor.

"It is so inspiring to see our work acknowledged in this way along with other school divisions across the country," said Director of Youth and Family Engagement Bridget Adams. "I thank our Youth Development team as well as the hundreds of school-based staff members who lead positive youth development efforts in their schools every day.

"Their hard work, creativity and commitment are the reasons that we can do what we do. We also applaud the leadership in the school division for their support and investment in this critically important work that sets us apart from most other school divisions."

NNPS Youth Development was honored for its unique infrastructure of dedicated school-based teams who increase the division's ability to implement evidenced-based programming at every school, including specialty schools and Juvenile Detention. NNPS positive youth development initiatives build essential skills and empower students to lead, serve and contribute, beginning at pre-K and continuing through grade 12.

Actual student outcomes demonstrate that students who are involved in school activities have better attendance and grades and fewer discipline incidents, according to research. Every student is encouraged to participate in at least one club, sport or other enrichment activity.

Youth Development emphasizes student empowerment and leadership, inclusivity, positive school culture and mentoring while teaching important social and emotional skills.

The infrastructure also facilitates collaboration between schools and community partners, including government agencies, businesses, faith-based and civic organizations who, instead of reaching out to individual schools, can connect with the centrally coordinated Youth Development team, according to Adams. This makes it easier to connect more students to experiential learning opportunities that benefit students, schools, families and the community.

For example, NNPS Youth Development's My Brother's Keeper/My Sister's Keeper and Level Up Programs, which benefit more than 500 students at 11 schools, are made possible through the City of Newport News Gun Violence Intervention Prevention grant. Each program, which emphasizes mental health support, skill building and mentoring, is facilitated by a school-based site director and dozens of community partners, including the Newport News Police Department, Department of Human Services, mental health service providers and several local non-profit agencies.

"The ease of implementation, reach and impact of the work is only possible because of the youth development infrastructure," Adams said.

The school division, along with other Magna Award winners, will be featured in the April issue of American School Board Journal. Youth Development Department representatives will be honored at a reception for the winners at the NSBA's annual conference in April.

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