A physics class at Douglas S. Freeman High School may be the first to grow oyster mushrooms in moon dirt for NASA’s international Plant the Moon Challenge. The group of high-schoolers, led by their physics teacher Orien Altman, certainly do have a challenge ahead of them – they were given only $200 to do what even NASA scientists haven’t been […]
Education
46 Henrico educators earn or renew National Board certification
Twenty-two Henrico County educators have earned the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification for the first time – the most from any school division in Virginia and the 16th largest such group in the nation. Another 24 county educators renewed their certifications. The teachers completed a rigorous certification process, which included submitting videos of their teaching, a portfolio of […]
Reynolds CC, UR professors receive state Outstanding Faculty Award
The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and Dominion Energy announced the 11 recipients (including two from local schools) of the 2024 Outstanding Faculty Awards on March 5. The annual awards recognize faculty members at Virginia’s public and private colleges and universities who “exemplify the highest standards of teaching, scholarship, and service.” Carrie Humphrey, a full-time instructor and the […]
Va. legislature earmarks $100,000 for review of special education dispute resolution system
The Virginia General Assembly proposed in its budget an outside review of the state’s special education dispute resolution system, through legislation designed to address compliance concerns raised by the federal government and parents. Lawmakers are proposing to direct $100,000 to the Virginia Commission on Youth to hire a consultant to examine the dispute resolution system, which has been criticized for failing […]
Henrico School Board to review possible changes to 2025-2026 school calendar
Henrico School Board members will review the proposed 2025-2026 school calendar at a work session March 14 before voting on the calendar at a monthly meeting April 18. The proposed calendar was drafted by the Henrico Schools’ Calendar Committee. While it currently has one first day for the entire division, the school board is considering a staggered start for the […]
Freeman High School principal named REB Award-winner
Kaechele ES principal earns runner-up recognitionThe principal of Douglas S. Freeman High School has been awarded a $10,000 cash grant and an additional $20,000 for his plans to launch a new soccer program that will serve students from diverse backgrounds. John Marshall, the principal at Douglas Freeman since 2019, received the 2023-24 REB Award for Distinguished Educational Leadership from The Community Foundation and the REB […]
Henrico Schools launches youth mental health program following increase in suicide-risk screenings
Henrico Schools and county leaders announced a new comprehensive mental healthcare plan for HCPS students and families at a public meeting March 8. The Henrico CARES program will staff schools with more mental health professionals and better connect students and families to private or community mental healthcare providers. The initiative will help remove the barriers to accessing mental health services […]
‘Arrive Alive’ campaign aims to reduce teen crashes
To help reduce car accidents involving teen drivers this summer, the Virginia State Police and Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety have launched the Arrive Alive campaign through state schools. The campaign emphasizes the importance of wearing seat belts, driving safely, and avoiding drugs and alcohol while out with friends. Statistics released by Virginia State Police show that […]
‘It’s a lot more than ‘Stop, drop and roll’’
Henrico firefighters launch new K-5 program to teach fire safety to the next generationAt Highland Springs Elementary March 7, Gus Tyson, a firefighter with the Henrico County Division of Fire, is suited up in full gear – coat, boots, mask, helmet, and all – to show the young students that under all that heavy equipment is a familiar face. Taking off his mask, Tyson says, “It’s still me! I’m still firefighter Gus.” Just […]
League of Women Voters accepting applications for Youth Council program
To encourage youngsters to learn more about democracy and how they can make a difference, the League of Women Voters of Virginia is launching a new program that will provide opportunities for students to get involved in local and state elections. The Youth Council program is open to second, third, and fourth-year high school students in Virginia. Students will be […]