Ny'Ala Lewis starts the school day off right and enjoys it until the last bell.
\r\nThe preschooler at Marshall Early Learning Center revels in both the indoor learning atmosphere and the outdoor playground area.
\r\n\"I like to play,\" Lewis said. \"I like to learn and go to stations.\"
\r\nThose stations include activities such as dramatic play and building with blocks, which are part of the classroom routine students are learning.
\r\n\"We can build a house,\" Lewis said.
\r\nNewport News Public Schools Preschool provides 4-year-olds a high-quality early childhood experience in preparation for kindergarten readiness. Families can apply starting in March for students who would enter preschool in the fall.
\r\nIn a classroom at Marshall, Lewis sat in a blue beanbag chair that was one of a bunch around the outer two edges of a white rug decorated with brightly colored handprints. Low shelves of children's books lined the rug against the wall on the other two sides. Small tables and chairs take up the other half of the room.
\r\nMarshall staff members describe Lewis as a confident, outgoing and energetic student. She has a love for learning and displays many characteristics of good citizenship, they added.
\r\n\"Ny'Ala's a class leader,\" said Yvonne Poulson, preschool teacher. \"She helps other students learn. She really, really loves school. She comes in bubbly every day - happy.\"
\r\nLewis is ready to start the day with morning experiences and stations.
\r\n\"When we go to morning meetings, she's always ready to share,\" Poulson said. \"And she loves to read books.\"
\r\nLewis' favorite story is an alphabet book that helps students to learn their letters. She loves making friends and playing together with other students both in school and on the playground.
\r\nMarshall's playground includes a toy train that is a particular favorite.
\r\n\"I like the slide and I like to climb on the monkey bars and hang upside down,\" Lewis said. \"I like to go on the choo-choo train and press the thing on top and make the noise inside the choo-choo train.\"
\r\nOutside of school, Lewis enjoys playing with her mother and has a new dog at home.
\r\nWhat's the best thing about Marshall?
\r\n\"Learning,\" Lewis said.
","body2":"","publish_date":"Dec 19, 2024","image_1_path":"241219093201121_2024-lewis.jpg","image_1_caption":"","image_2_path":"241219093201121_2024-lewis2.jpg","image_2_caption":"","image_3_path":"","image_3_caption":"","image_4_path":"","image_4_caption":"","image_5_path":"","image_5_caption":"","url":"https://sbo.nn.k12.va.us/news/archive/2024-12-19_STUDENT-SPOTLIGHT--Marshall-Early-Learning-Center-Preschooler-Ny-Ala-Lewis.html","news_id":"4208"},{"headline":"Heritage and Menchville soar at REC Aerial Drone Competition","blurb":"","description":"Heritage and Menchville soar at REC Aerial Drone Competition","body":"Students from Heritage High School and Menchville High School soared to new heights at the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation's Aerial Drone Competition held on December 14 at NASA Langley Research Center.
\r\nBoth teams demonstrated exceptional skill and determination in advancing to the semifinals in a competitive field, according to Kevin Nelhuebel, STEM instructional specialist for Newport News Public Schools.
\r\nThe Menchville High School team earned special recognition with the Airmanship Award, celebrating their precision, teamwork and excellence in drone operation. This prestigious accolade underscores the team's dedication to mastering the art of drone navigation and serves as a proud achievement for the school, according to Nelhuebel.
\r\n"The success of these teams would not have been possible without the outstanding guidance and support of their coaches and mentors," Nelhuebel said.
\r\nFor Heritage High School's team, recognition goes to faculty members Jacole Hendrick, Lenise Cowling and Eric Tyson for their invaluable contributions. At Menchville High School, special thanks go to Dr. Michael Shumate, Kevin Green, Christopher Rambali and James Shaffer for their dedication and leadership.
\r\nShumate and Hendrick, the STEM Leads for Menchville and Heritage High Schools, respectively, played a pivotal role in the success of the drone program, according to Nelhuebel. Both embraced the drone program as their school's STEM initiative, providing visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to their teams' success.
\r\n"The commitment shown by both schools has not only ensured their success, but also helped set the foundation for growing this program across the division," Nelhuebel said. "By setting an example of excellence, Heritage and Menchville have established a model for other schools to follow as the program continues to grow."
","body2":"","publish_date":"Dec 17, 2024","image_1_path":"","image_1_caption":"","image_2_path":"2412170929191219_2024-dronecompetition1.png","image_2_caption":"","image_3_path":"2412170929191219_2024-dronecompetition2.png","image_3_caption":"","image_4_path":"2412170929191219_2024-dronecompetition3.png","image_4_caption":"","image_5_path":"2412170929191219_2024-dronecompetition4.jpg","image_5_caption":"","url":"https://sbo.nn.k12.va.us/news/archive/2024-12-17_Heritage-and-Menchville-soar-at-REC-Aerial-Drone-Competition.html","news_id":"4207"},{"headline":"NNPS hosts Legislator Day, signs partnership with Riverside Health","blurb":"","description":"Newport News Public Schools signed a partnership with Riverside College of Health Science to enhance career pathways for students at the Governor's Health Sciences Academy at Warwick High School on December 11 as part of the school division's annual Take Your Legislator to School Day event.","body":"Newport News Public Schools signed a partnership with Riverside College of Health Sciences to enhance career pathways for students at the Governor's Health Sciences Academy at Warwick High School on December 11 as part of the school division's annual Take Your Legislator to School Day event at the school.
\r\nNNPS and Riverside officials celebrated their collaboration and signed the official agreement before attendees toured the GHSA and NNPS Legislative Liaison Patrick Finneran outlined the school division's key legislative priorities for the upcoming General Assembly session. Senator Danny Diggs, Delegate Shelly Simonds, Delegate Chad Green and a representative from Senator Mamie Locke's office were in attendance.
\r\n\"We are excited about the future pathway opportunities that the Riverside partnership will bring and the ways that the program develops our graduates into vital medical personnel here in their own community,\" said Marjo Holthaus, program administrator for the GHSA.
\r\nRobin Nelhuebel, president of the Riverside College of Health Sciences, described how a longtime informal partnership with the GHSA has evolved into the larger commitment of a formal partnership. The geographic proximity of Riverside to Warwick, along with the approximately 400 students attending the GHSA and graduating either career or college ready, combined for a perfect fit to try to address the shortage of professionals in the healthcare fields.
\r\nRudolph Vazquez-Lozada, a senior in the GHSA, described how his experience with caring teachers and staff in the program has helped him grow more outgoing during his high school years and prepared him for his plan to become a heart surgeon.
\r\n\"I'm grateful for everything this program has given me,\" Vazquez-Lozada said. \"It's been a life-changing experience and I'm proud to share it with others.\"
\r\nThrough the Riverside partnership, GHSA students will benefit from specialized clinical education support provided by RCHS faculty and gain access to meaningful clinical experiences. This collaboration enhances the rigorous academic curriculum offered by GHSA and provides students with invaluable exposure to real-world health care environments, preparing them for successful careers in the health care field, according to Riverside.
\r\nRiverside will provide professionals from nursing and allied health disciplines to guest lecture in classroom as well as simulation lab settings, programmed visits to Riverside's multiple high-tech simulated patient care labs and preferred admissions for GHSA graduates into RCHS undergraduate programs.
\r\nThe day's GHSA tour showed attendees the clinic, lab and classroom facilities that provide a setting for hands-on learning. Students guided their visitors through various stations demonstrating skills they are learning in their medical classes.
\r\nThe new partnership with Riverside will expand those opportunities in a variety of ways.
\r\n\"Through this incredible initiative, we will see our students grow into compassionate, capable professionals who are ready to make a difference in our community,\" Holthaus said.
","body2":"","publish_date":"Dec 11, 2024","image_1_path":"","image_1_caption":"","image_2_path":"2412110412271227_leg1.jpg","image_2_caption":"","image_3_path":"2412110412271227_leg2.jpg","image_3_caption":"","image_4_path":"2412110412271227_leg3.jpg","image_4_caption":"","image_5_path":"2412110412271227_leg4.jpg","image_5_caption":"","url":"https://sbo.nn.k12.va.us/news/archive/2024-12-11_NNPS-hosts-Legislator-Day--signs-partnership-with-Riverside-Health.html","news_id":"4205"},{"headline":"ACT partners award $500,000 grant to Newport News Education Foundation","blurb":"","description":"ACT partners award $500,000 grant to Newport News Education Foundation","body":"BayPort Credit Union, Ferguson, Newport News Shipbuilding and Virginia Natural Gas awarded a $500,000 grant to the Newport News Education Foundation in a surprise announcement on December 10 at Watkins Early Childhood Center.
\r\nThe companies established a community partnership to fund the three-year, $500,000 transformational grant called Accelerating Change Together. The grant aims to invest in the Hampton Roads nonprofit community, build upon education and develop a skilled workforce that benefits the nation.
\r\n\"BayPort Credit Union, Ferguson, Newport News Shipbuilding and Virginia Natural Gas understand that by addressing the education and workforce gaps now, we can contribute to the growth of our community and the stability of our community for today and for tomorrow,\" said BayPort President/CEO Jim Mears.
\r\n\"I'm honored to present the current year's Accelerating Change Together half-million dollar grant to the Newport News Education Foundation to support the Newport News Public Schools' new teacher initiative.\"
\r\nNNEF's board and members accepted the grant of behalf of the foundation. The NNEF supports NNPS by connecting business and industry to the preparation of students for their futures, which includes raising private sector funds for those efforts.
\r\n\"On behalf of the foundation, I want to thank you all for supporting us,\" said Dale Mingilton, NNPS foundation and corporate partnership liaison.
\r\n
The ACT Grant focuses on education and workforce development. The first grant was awarded to Virginia Beach City Public Schools to support the addition of a new two-year, half-day Advanced Technology Center renewable energy technologies program.
\r\nAs the recipient of the second grant awarded, NNPS will use the funds to support its New Teacher Institute.
\r\n\"On behalf of the City of Newport News, thank you to our partners,\" said Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones in acknowledging all of the sponsors. \"Thank you so much for what you do for our community.
\r\n\"We would not be this amazing city or region without you. This money is going to help multiple things. It's going to help our Newport News Education Foundation. Whether it's ESL or getting prepared or whether it's recruiting or retention, it's going to be extremely helpful.\"
","body2":"","publish_date":"Dec 10, 2024","image_1_path":"","image_1_caption":"","image_2_path":"2412110402171217_nnef.jpg","image_2_caption":"","image_3_path":"","image_3_caption":"","image_4_path":"","image_4_caption":"","image_5_path":"","image_5_caption":"","url":"https://sbo.nn.k12.va.us/news/archive/2024-12-10_ACT-partners-award--500-000-grant-to-Newport-News-Education-Foundation.html","news_id":"4204"},{"headline":"Students design mazes for laser beams at Engineering Design Challenge","blurb":"","description":"Students design mazes for laser beams at Engineering Design Challenge","body":"Fifth graders representing each elementary school competed in the first Newport News Public Schools' Engineering Design Challenge of this school year on December 5 at Newsome Park Elementary School Science, Technology and Math Magnet.
\r\nAt these competitions, students do not know what the challenge is until it is given to them with the materials needed to plan and design a real-world task in the allotted time period. MAZE Craze was the theme of the problem they were presented to solve.
\r\n"Today's challenge will test your creativity, teamwork and your critical thinking," said Tami Byron, NNPS STEM instructional supervisor, as she got ready to unveil the instructions.
\r\nWorking in groups, students were tasked with the problem and career focus of working as laser optical engineers in training to design and construct a maze that directed a laser beam to a specific target. The challenge encouraged students to collaboratively apply engineering design practices, problem-solving in a real context and future-ready skills, along with other STEM skills.
\r\nThe Jefferson Lab served as NNPS' community partner for the event. The Engineering Design Challenge is part of the school division's ongoing STEM education initiative emphasizing skills in science, technology, engineering and math. The competition also introduces students to various careers available in STEM fields.
\r\n"One thing I always like to say is when we're doing teamwork, we are as smart as harnessing all of the brilliant minds in the room, "Lisa Surles-Law, science education manager at the Jefferson Lab and Chairman of the Newport News School Board.
\r\n"So what does that mean for you for your team? That means everyone needs to participate. If you're collaborating in your team, make sure that everyone's involved because their input is going to make us all better."
\r\nKnollwood Meadows Elementary School placed first, with An Achievable Dream Academy taking home second place and a third-place tie occurring between Greenwood Elementary School and Saunders Elementary School.
\r\nStudents in middle and high schools will participate in the next Engineering Design Challenge on March 28 at Crittenden Middle School. The final challenge for this school year will be for second and third graders on May 16 at Newsome Park Elementary School.
","body2":"","publish_date":"Dec 06, 2024","image_1_path":"","image_1_caption":"","image_2_path":"2412061222151215_2024-mazecraze1.jpg","image_2_caption":"","image_3_path":"2412061222151215_2024-mazecraze2.jpg","image_3_caption":"","image_4_path":"2412061222151215_2024-mazecraze3.jpg","image_4_caption":"","image_5_path":"2412061222151215_2024-mazecraze4.jpg","image_5_caption":"","url":"https://sbo.nn.k12.va.us/news/archive/2024-12-06_Students-design-mazes-for-laser-beams-at-Engineering-Design-Challenge.html","news_id":"4202"},{"headline":"NNPS teachers earn gold stars for financial literacy education","blurb":"","description":"NNPS teachers earn gold stars for financial literacy education","body":"Four Newport News Public Schools career and technical education teachers were honored with W!SE's 2023-24 Gold Star Teacher Award for their students' successful performance on the W!SE Financial Literacy Certification Test: Hope London and Lisa McAlister at Denbigh High School, and Kimberly Grant and now-retired Reginald Neely at Warwick High School.
\r\nTo earn the Gold Star Award, a teacher must have at least a 93% passing rate on the W!SE Financial Literacy Certification Test in at least one class during the school year.
\r\nW!SE-Working In Support of Education-is an educational organization dedicated to building financial literacy, fostering business and social entrepreneurship, and preparing students for college and the global workplace.
\r\nThe organization's literacy certification program provides high school students with financial education and the opportunity to become certified financially literate by successfully passing the W!SE Financial Literacy Certification test.
","body2":"","publish_date":"Dec 03, 2024","image_1_path":"","image_1_caption":"","image_2_path":"","image_2_caption":"","image_3_path":"","image_3_caption":"","image_4_path":"","image_4_caption":"","image_5_path":"","image_5_caption":"","url":"https://sbo.nn.k12.va.us/news/archive/2024-12-03_NNPS-teachers-earn-gold-stars-for-financial-literacy-education.html","news_id":"4200"},{"headline":"Miss Virginia shares power of music with McIntosh Elementary School students","blurb":"","description":"Miss Virginia shares power of music with McIntosh Elementary School students","body":"Miss Virginia Carlehr Swanson visited McIntosh Elementary School to share her community service initiative Bridging the Divide: Music is Unity with students on the morning of November 25.
\r\nIn partnership with the Sing for Hope organization, Swanson spoke about the power of music and how her lifelong interest in it led to her studying it and to her reign as Miss Virginia. Woodside High School senior Kodiak Kehoe, a senior in the Arts & Communications Magnet program, performed on one of Newport News Public Schools’ Sing for Hope painted pianos that's housed at McIntosh.
\r\nWhen she was in eighth grade, Swanson visited and sang to her grandmother during a rehabilitation stint in a nursing home. Noticing the impact on all of the patients, Swanson began performing in schools and nursing homes to help others feel more connected through music.
\r\n"It brings us together as a community," Swanson said, noting the various spaces such as music class, religious setting or concert where people can unify to experience the same song at the same time.
\r\n"Everyone at a concert is connected through that power and love of music. And it speaks without words; music has the ability to express feelings."
\r\nAn accomplished pianist and vocalist, she went on to study music while earning a bachelor's degree and two master's degrees. Swanson, who grew up in Richmond, is currently a Ph.D. student at the University of Virginia specializing in critical and comparative studies in music.
\r\nAsking students what their favorite songs are, Swanson pointed out that music expresses feelings, tells stories, connects cultures and preserves history. Music also reduces stress, improves heart health and boosts memory.
\r\n"It also tells our stories," she said.
\r\nStudents participated in a call-and-response type sing-a-long and got a chance to ask their own questions during the visit.","body2":"","publish_date":"Nov 25, 2024","image_1_path":"","image_1_caption":"","image_2_path":"2411250235351135_2024-missvirginia1.jpg","image_2_caption":"","image_3_path":"2411250235351135_2024-missvirginia2.jpg","image_3_caption":"","image_4_path":"2411250235351135_2024-missvirginia3.jpg","image_4_caption":"","image_5_path":"","image_5_caption":"","url":"https://sbo.nn.k12.va.us/news/archive/2024-11-25_Miss-Virginia-shares-power-of-music-with-McIntosh-Elementary-School-students.html","news_id":"4199"},{"headline":"NNPS Telecommunications students honored by VSBA for kindness video","blurb":"","description":"The Virginia School Boards Association selected the Newport News Public Schools Telecommunications program's video \"Kindness Goes a Long Way\" as the winner in the Kindness in Sports category of its 13th Annual High School Student Video Contest.","body":"The Virginia School Boards Association selected the Newport News Public Schools Telecommunications program's video \"Kindness Goes a Long Way\" as the winner in the Kindness in Sports category of its 13th Annual High School Student Video Contest.
\r\nThe VSBA celebrated the creativity and voices of Virginia's high school students as it announced the award recipients November 20 at its annual convention's opening session in Williamsburg. The winning videos were showcased for an audience of educational leaders.
\r\nTelecom's video features sportscasters calling a track meet where one runner trips another coming around the track, quickly followed by the next runner sacrificing his third-place finish to stop and help up his fallen opponent.
\r\nSeniors in the Telecommunications program create the video from start to finish as one of their first projects for the school year, according to Telecommunications Supervisor Ray Price.
\r\n\"They all sat down and came up with what it was going to be, how it was going to look and they worked together on it,\" Price said. \"You either acted in it or you were part of the production team. That's what makes it so neat; it's a collaboration of the entire senior class.\"
\r\nThis year's contest theme of kindness inspired students from across the Commonwealth to submit 30-second videos showcasing unique perspectives on the power of kindness in three categories: Random Acts of Kindness, Kindness and Mental Health, and Kindness in Sports, according to the VSBA. The winners were chosen from 28 impressive entries.
\r\nTelecom is an annual participant.
\r\n\"We have some really neat ones that we've done,\" Price said. \"We had one that was Honorable Mention and we think most of them are really good. And we do use them on our NNPS-TV channel as public service announcements.\"
","body2":"","publish_date":"Nov 22, 2024","image_1_path":"","image_1_caption":"","image_2_path":"","image_2_caption":"","image_3_path":"","image_3_caption":"","image_4_path":"","image_4_caption":"","image_5_path":"","image_5_caption":"","url":"https://sbo.nn.k12.va.us/news/archive/2024-11-22_NNPS-Telecommunications-students-honored-by-VSBA-for-kindness-video.html","news_id":"4196"},{"headline":"NNPS students Read with Malcolm at two reading rallies","blurb":"","description":"NNPS students Read with Malcolm at two reading rallies","body":"Former college and professional football player Malcolm Mitchell emphasized his other life's passion during two high-energy presentations the morning of November 21. These days he is an advocate for reading, spreading his message about the magical power of books far and wide.
\r\nMitchell held Read with Malcolm reading rallies as the entire schools packed the gymnasiums at Sedgefield and Newsome Park elementary schools. Each student received a copy of his children's book "The Magician's Hat," which is one of two he has written.
\r\n"Newport News Public Schools and E3: Elevate Early Education co-hosted the events.
\r\n"I learned that if I wanted to be my best, I needed to be a reader," Mitchell said. "I am here today because I want to encourage you to be the best reader that you can be."
\r\nWhile speaking to local students, Mitchell wove in threads about his football career and the importance of reading to success in any endeavor. The events featured a magic show, Mitchell reading "The Magician's Hat" and telling his personal story of how he struggled with reading before learning to unlock the many messages that books hold.
\r\nMitchell is a native of Valdosta, Ga., who played college football at the University of Georgia from 2011 through 2015. He was drafted by the National Football League and played the 2016 season at wide receive for the New England Patriots, which won the Super Bowl that season.
\r\nAfter retiring because of knee problems after one year of professional football, Mitchell expanded his Read with Malcolm youth literacy initiative by establishing his nonprofit Share the Magic Foundation.
\r\nHe talked of striving as a youngster to practice reading as much as he practiced football, with reading proving much more difficult for him. His interactive presentations emphasized reading to succeed and encouraged students to aim high and continue reading throughout their lives.
\r\n"The point of the book is whatever you want to be when you grow up, there's a book out there to help you," Mitchell said.
","body2":"","publish_date":"Nov 22, 2024","image_1_path":"","image_1_caption":"","image_2_path":"2411220802291129_2024-readwithmalcolm1.jpg","image_2_caption":"","image_3_path":"2411220802291129_2024-readwithmalcolm2.jpg","image_3_caption":"","image_4_path":"2411220802291129_2024-readwithmalcolm3.jpg","image_4_caption":"","image_5_path":"2411220802291129_2024-readwithmalcolm4.jpg","image_5_caption":"","url":"https://sbo.nn.k12.va.us/news/archive/2024-11-22_NNPS-students-Read-with-Malcolm-at-two-reading-rallies.html","news_id":"4195"},{"headline":"STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Warwick High School 12th grader Rudolph Vazquez-Lozada","blurb":"Student in the Governor's Health Sciences Academy magnet program","description":"Spending high school immersed in healthcare suits Rudolph Vazquez-Lozada perfectly. He plans to work in a medical setting and figured it's never too early to start.","body":"Spending high school immersed in healthcare suits Rudolph Vazquez-Lozada perfectly. He plans to work in a medical setting and figured it's never too early to start.
\r\nVazquez-Lozada got interested in all things healthcare after starting treatment for eczema as a child. As he listened to a presentation about the various Magnet and Specialty Programs that Newport News Public Schools offers when he was in middle school, the Governor's Health Sciences Academy at Warwick High School seemed like a natural fit.
\r\n\"I became really interested because I knew that I was able to gain hands-on activities and experiences with this program, and learn a lot more about healthcare and medicine,\" Vazquez-Lozada said.
\r\nNow a senior and student leader, Vazquez-Lozada visited middle schools this fall to recruit students. He explained the benefits of the GHSA and its three pathways of study - therapeutic services, diagnostic services, and biotechnology research and development.
\r\n\"Some kids have told me that I've inspired them to continue their pathway through medicine and healthcare,\" Vazquez-Lozada said. \"Because initially they were scared and shy because they thought it was something really hard that they couldn't achieve. I've had some middle school boys be scared of gender norms - because many of them want to be nurses.\"
\r\nVazquez-Lozada is president of Warwick's chapter of HOSA-Future Health Professionals and founded Warwick's chapter of Student Organ Donation Advocates among many extracurricular activities along with his stellar academic performance. Being at GHSA has led to networking, internships and mentors he couldn't have accessed elsewhere, he said.
\r\nThe versatile program allows students to earn professional licenses and certificates to qualify them to work immediately after graduation, as well as preparing them for further training or college.
\r\n\"I'm in the therapeutics strand, which is more hands-on because I do eventually want to become a heart surgeon, more specifically a cardio-thoracic surgeon,\" Vazquez-Lozada said. \"It's a very interesting program that you can do in high school because many of the classes, depending on the pathway you choose, are different topics that you take.\"
\r\nWhile immersed in the community of his high school program at Warwick, he developed from a shy introverted student into a confident leader, Vazquez-Lozada said. After graduation, he is planning to attend college followed by medical school.
\r\n\"I've just been really glad to have access to these opportunities and these resources offered at the school,\" Vazquez-Lozada said, thanking his teachers who are willing to help students with anything and freely share their experiences in the healthcare field to help plan careers and futures.
\r\n\"I'm just really happy and it's inspiring that we have that here at the Governor's Health Sciences Academy. It's truly amazing that we have teachers like these people.\"
","body2":"Visit Student Spotlights on the Newport News Public Schools website.
","publish_date":"Nov 19, 2024","image_1_path":"2411191140231123_rudolph.jpg","image_1_caption":"","image_2_path":"2411191140231123_VazquezLozadaRudolph.jpg","image_2_caption":"","image_3_path":"","image_3_caption":"","image_4_path":"","image_4_caption":"","image_5_path":"","image_5_caption":"","url":"https://sbo.nn.k12.va.us/news/archive/2024-11-19_STUDENT-SPOTLIGHT--Warwick-High-School-12th-grader-Rudolph-Vazquez-Lozada.html","news_id":"4193"}]);