NNPS broke ground on new Huntington Middle School
Newport News Public Schools (NNPS) celebrated the start of construction of the new Huntington Middle School with a groundbreaking ceremony in September.
Local and state elected officials, Huntington alumni and staff and members of the community gathered with NNPS officials and city leaders to look forward with excitement toward the next chapter for the historic school site. Construction of the school is a partnership between NNPS and the City of Newport News and is one of multiple public amenities planned for the same block.
Congressman Bobby Scott, Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones and School Board Vice Chairman Dr. Terri Best, a former Huntington High student, spoke to the assembled crowd. Two Huntington Middle School eighth graders participated, with Patience Traynum providing greetings and Jaliyah Lamons reading a poem.
Construction of the new 600-student state-of-the-art middle school is projected to be completed, with the school to open in 2026 at the site of the former Huntington High School and Huntington Middle School at 29th Street and Wickham Avenue.
Warwick senior serving as School Board student representative for 2024-25
Razvan Verde, a senior at Warwick High School, is serving as the student representative to the Newport News School Board for the 2024-25 school year.
Verde brings leadership and team-building skills to the position. He is founder/president of the Warwick UNICEF Club and a member of the National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Key Club, Governor’s School Student Advisory Board, debate team, tennis and golf teams, and he volunteers for several community organizations. Last school year, he served on the Student Advisory Group on Education, a group of high school students who meet with Superintendent Dr. Michele Mitchell regularly to share their perspective and personal insight on initiatives and issues. Verde is on SAGE again this school year and will serve as co-chair with Dr. Mitchell.
NNPS employees complete Clerical Apprenticeship Program
Newport News Public Schools employees who completed the Clerical Apprenticeship Program this year were presented with their certificates this fall. The NNPS Apprenticeship Program is a professional development and state certification program that combines hands-on career training and practical classroom learning. During the two-year process, apprentices gain a deeper understanding of school and division operations and how their work fits into the division’s strategic plan and supports students. The program is the only one in Virginia administered by a school division through the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry’s Apprenticeship Office. The customized courses enhance the apprentice’s skills and talents. The school division has programs in four occupational areas: Child Nutrition Services, Custodial Services, Transportation and Clerical.
