Each year, students find new and different ways to create innovative designs with canned food donations they have collected.
\r\nNewport News Public Schools students showed off their skills at the Youth Volunteer Corps of Hampton Roads Annual Canstructure Competition April 26 at Patrick Henry Mall.
\r\nCanstructure is a benefit for the Foodbank of the Virginia Peninsula where teams of students collect and find innovative ways to use hundreds of cans of food to build a unique three-dimensional work of art. This year's theme was "Oh, the Places You'll Go!"
\r\nAll 18,844 of the cans collected were donated to the Foodbank upon completion of the competition.
\r\nAn Achievable Dream Academy collected the most cans and received the most points to earn the Grand Champion overall award.
\r\nFor middle schools, Ella Fitzgerald Middle School was the winner with Gildersleeve Elementary School honored as runner-up. Richneck Elementary School was runner-up in the elementary school category.
\r\nDenbigh High School was the runner-up in the high school category.
\r\nElementary school teams constructed their canstructures at their respective schools and judges visited prior to Saturday to record each team's presentation. Middle and high school teams built their canstructures at the mall with their innovation and creativity on display for community members to see happening in real time.
","body2":"","publish_date":"Apr 28, 2025","image_1_path":"","image_1_caption":"","image_2_path":"250428031321421_2025-canstructureanachievabledreamacademy.jpg","image_2_caption":"An Achievable Dream Academy team","image_3_path":"250428031321421_2025-canstructureellafitzgerald.jpg","image_3_caption":"Ella Fitzgerald Middle School team","image_4_path":"","image_4_caption":"","image_5_path":"","image_5_caption":"","no_link":"","url":"https://sbo.nn.k12.va.us/news/archive/2025-04-28_Students-get-creative-with-donated-food-at-Canstructure-Competition.html","news_id":"4288"},{"headline":"Ella Fitzgerald Middle School celebrates 50th school year on namesake's birthday","blurb":"","description":"Ella Fitzgerald Middle School celebrates 50th school year on namesake's birthday","body":"Ella Fitzgerald Middle School celebrated its 50th birthday year as a school on namesake Ella Fitzgerald's birthday on April 25.
\r\nMusic, speeches and the reading of a commemorative proclamation issued by Newport News Public Schools were part of the morning celebration in front the school. A new outdoor seating area was opened and dedicated during the festivities, which were themed in the purple and white colors with the music notes motif that illustrates the school's Jazz mascot.
\r\nSenator Danny Diggs, School Board Vice Chair Dr. Terri Best and School Board members Rasheena Harris and Maritsa Alger joined a large number of Fitzgerald students who were in attendance.
\r\nNNPS Superintendent Dr. Michele Mitchell made welcoming remarks, Fitgerald Principal Dr. Jaraun Ransome spoke about honoring the past while embracing the future, and Best read the official proclamation.
\r\nEighth grade student and Student Council Association President Kahlan Melrose provided greetings, seventh grader and Morning Announcer Derek Perez-Rodriguez led the Pledge of Allegiance and sixth grader and Student Ambassador Isabella Norman gave a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald.
\r\n\"Ella Fitzgerald showed us that no matter where you come from or what challenges you face, you can rise above them,\" Norman said. \"She faced hard times, really hard times. But she never gave up. She used her voice not just to sing, but to inspire, to break down barriers, to bring people together. She had grace, determination and she always stayed true to herself.
\r\n\"And that's what we try to do here at Ella Fitzgerald Middle School. We work hard; we lift each other up; we celebrate who we are and where we come from, just like Ella Fitzgerald did. She reminds us to find our voice, to believe in ourselves, and to dream big.\"
\r\nRansome individually introduced numerous former EFMS principals who were in attendance, as well as several teachers and staff members who had been part of the school's family during earlier years. He also credited the former principals, teachers and staff who weren't present.
\r\n\"Today we are gathered not only to celebrate a birthday, but to lift up a legacy, to honor the name above our doors-Ella Fitzgerald-and the journey that's brought us 50 years strong as a school, a home and a heartbeat of this community,\" Ransome said.
\r\nHe went on to thank the current staff and faculty, while expressing utmost excitement for the school's future and the difference its current and future students will make in society.
\r\n\"To the students-this is all for you,\" Ransome said.
\r\nThe school's Echoes of Ella JAZZ Ensemble directed by Eleanor Johnston entertained those in attendance with their renditions of \"The Star Spangled Banner\" and \"It' a Lovely Day Today.\" Adina Harris, who attended then-Dozier Middle School as a student from 2006 to 2009 and has been Fitzgerald's chorus teacher since 2023, sang \"Hero.\"
\r\nConstruction of the new outdoor area was completed with aplomb just in time for the ceremony by Eric Johnson, an eighth grade math teacher at EFMS, and a group of dedicated students. It will be used as an outdoor classroom and gathering space in front of the school.
\r\nThe structure served as the stage for remarks and performances, and was enjoyed by students and attendees, in preparation for being part of many more memories still to be made.
\r\n\"Today is a milestone anniversary to mark the contributions and history of Ella Fitzgerald Middle School to our community and to our city,\" Mitchell said. \"Thank you so much for being a part of it.\"
","body2":"","publish_date":"Apr 25, 2025","image_1_path":"","image_1_caption":"","image_2_path":"250425021038438_2025-EFMS1.jpg","image_2_caption":"","image_3_path":"250425021038438_2025-EFMS2.jpg","image_3_caption":"","image_4_path":"250425021038438_2025-EFMS3.jpg","image_4_caption":"","image_5_path":"250425021038438_2025-EFMS4.jpg","image_5_caption":"","no_link":"","url":"https://sbo.nn.k12.va.us/news/archive/2025-04-25_Ella-Fitzgerald-Middle-School-celebrates-50th-school-year-on-namesake-s-birthday.html","news_id":"4287"},{"headline":"Newport News Council PTA honors PTA Reflections contestants","blurb":"","description":"Newport News Council PTA honors PTA Reflections contestants","body":"The Newport News Council PTA recognized the creative works of 30 students who participated in the 2024-2025 National PTA Reflections competition at an awards ceremony on April 21 at Woodside High School.
\r\nThis year’s theme was "Accepting Imperfection."
\r\nStudents participated in the appropriate division for their grade level and submitted their completed works of art in one or all of the available arts categories: dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts.
\r\nNewport News sent 14 entries to the state competition and two were honored with the Award of Excellence from the Virginia PTA: Ella Fitzgerald Middle School student Logan Galatro in the visual arts category, Middle School Division and Woodside High School students Cayden Sierra and Deisy Ruiz-Hernandez in the film production category, High School Division.
\r\nThe National PTA's Reflections program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts which boost student confidence and success in the arts and in life, according to the organization.
\r\nEach year, over 300,000 students in Pre-K through grade 12 create original works of art in response to a student-selected theme. This 50+ year-old program helps them explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life.
","body2":"","publish_date":"Apr 22, 2025","image_1_path":"","image_1_caption":"","image_2_path":"250422125753453_2025-ptareflections.png","image_2_caption":"","image_3_path":"","image_3_caption":"","image_4_path":"","image_4_caption":"","image_5_path":"","image_5_caption":"","no_link":"","url":"https://sbo.nn.k12.va.us/news/archive/2025-04-22_Newport-News-Council-PTA-honors-PTA-Reflections-contestants.html","news_id":"4285"},{"headline":"2025 Health Science Summer Camp","blurb":"","description":"2025 Health Science Summer Camp","body":"","body2":"","publish_date":"Apr 02, 2025","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":"","no_link":"","url":"https://fitzgerald.nn.k12.va.us/doc/healthsceincessummercamp.pdf","news_id":"4275"},{"headline":"Statement Reaffirming Commitment to Public Safety, Education, and Due Process for All Residents","blurb":"","description":"Statement Reaffirming Commitment to Public Safety, Education, and Due Process for All Residents","body":"","body2":"","publish_date":"Feb 07, 2025","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":"","no_link":"","url":"https://sbo.nn.k12.va.us/news/archive/2025-ice.pdf","news_id":"4241"},{"headline":"Reafirmando el compromiso con la seguridad publica, la educacion y el debido proceso para todos los residentes","blurb":"","description":"Reafirmando el compromiso con la seguridad p�ºblica, la educaci�³n y el debido proceso para todos los residentes","body":"null","body2":"","publish_date":"Feb 07, 2025","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":"","no_link":"","url":"https://sbo.nn.k12.va.us/news/archive/2025-icespanish.pdf","news_id":"4240"},{"headline":"Magnet and Specialty Programs at NNPS","blurb":"","description":"Magnet and Specialty Programs at NNPS","body":"","body2":"","publish_date":"Jan 03, 2025","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":"","no_link":"","url":"https://sbo.nn.k12.va.us/magnet/","news_id":"4225"},{"headline":"Middle School at NNPS","blurb":"","description":"Middle School at NNPS","body":"","body2":"","publish_date":"Jan 01, 2025","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":"","no_link":"","url":"https://sbo.nn.k12.va.us/middleschool/","news_id":"4227"},{"headline":"Ella Fitzgerald Middle School Hub","blurb":"","description":"Ella Fitzgerald Middle School Hub","body":"null","body2":"","publish_date":"Oct 07, 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":"","no_link":"","url":"https://linktr.ee/EFMSProud","news_id":"4158"},{"headline":"7 reasons to join our PTA","blurb":"","description":"7 reasons to join our PTA","body":"","body2":"","publish_date":"Sep 19, 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":"","no_link":"","url":"https://fitzgerald.nn.k12.va.us/img/pta.jpg","news_id":"4147"},]);