Sierra Jenkins
The Virginian-Pilot
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Past articles by Sierra:
Hampton University invites Ukrainian students to study on its campus this summer
Hampton university will take in 50 to 100 students who have been studying in Ukraine and extent the opportunity to allow those students to stay at the institution after the upcoming semester. → Read More
Hampton school officials vote to start year before Labor Day
Hampton City schools decided to start classes before the holiday and recommended additional spending for its 2022-23 budget. → Read More
More Hampton Roads school districts looking to start school year before Labor Day
Five out of six Peninsula school districts will begin classes one week before the usual start date. Only Gloucester, York and Williamsburg-James City counties began classes before the holiday this school year. Newport News and Hampton will follow suit for the 2022-23 academic year. → Read More
Virginia Beach school board member says educating children who didn’t grow up speaking English ‘not sustainable’
Several school officials and community members Friday condemned claims made by Virginia Beach board member Victoria Manning in a social media post saying it’s “not sustainable” to continue teaching students who speak English as a second language (ESL). The Facebook post which singles out Latin American students. → Read More
Just what is a ‘divisive concept’? Without real answers, educators are concerned about their implications in public schools.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin promised parents he would eliminate critical race theory in schools, a term that has become a framework for anything controversial. But some are raising concerns that it’s an attempt to roll back progressive efforts to provide Virginia K-12 students with an equitable, inclusive education. → Read More
Virginia judge sides with 7 school boards, including Hampton, over Youngkin’s mask order
An Arlington County Circuit Court judge issued a temporary injunction Friday, suspending a mask option for students listed in an executive order from Gov. Glenn Youngkin. → Read More
Christopher Newport University starts year-long search for its 6th president after Paul Trible’s retirement
CNU Chief of Staff Adelia Thompson will serve as interim president starting July 1, and Trible will take on a temporary chancellor position for the 2022-23 academic year. → Read More
Hampton joins 6 Virginia school districts in lawsuit over Youngkin’s mask order
The joint lawsuit aims to restore the power school board preside over its division as outlined in the Virginia Constitution, Hampton City Schools said. → Read More
Masks will be optional for students in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake; Portsmouth makes them mandatory
Hampton Roads’ largest school division opted Thursday night to make wearing masks optional — as school boards around the region raced to make decisions before Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s executive order goes into effect. → Read More
Old Dominion University joins the nation’s top classified research universities with highest Carnegie Classification
The Carnegie Classification ranked the university as a “Research 1″ doctoral university in December. Higher education institutions who receive this status are considered ones that are producing the highest level of research. → Read More
New COVID surge is forcing Hampton Roads schools into hard choices
Only one district implemented plans for individual schools to go virtual since students returned from winter break on the heels of a surge in COVID-19 cases driven by the omicron variant. Others have quarantined entire classrooms or deployed school administrators to fill in for teachers who are out. → Read More
6 Chesapeake schools switching to virtual learning next week because of COVID-19 outbreaks
At least six Chesapeake schools will switch to virtual learning starting Jan. 10. → Read More
Chesapeake police investigating social media threats toward school board members
Police are investigating social media threats toward Chesapeake School Board members after a Dec. 31 special meeting that ended in masks being reinstated. → Read More
Some Virginia universities will require COVID-19 boosters. Here’s a list.
University officials moved to require booster shots after federal guidance suggests the additional dose protects people from severe illness and helps mitigate the virus. Here's a list of universities across Virginia mandating one. → Read More
COVID-19 cases in long-term care facilities are increasing; vaccines help residents and workers stay safe, experts say
Last year, outbreaks in Virginia's eastern district, which includes Hampton Roads, peaked around 35 in December, compared to 36 this year as of Friday, according to the Virginia Department of Health. → Read More
Rebuilding a robotics team: Norview High after-school program looks to community for support
A robotics club at Norview High School asks for community support to compete in this school year's regional competition in Richmond. In addition to monetary donations, the team's director is searching for mentors to help coach students as they build on their technical skills. → Read More
Christopher Newport University delays spring semester start date
The university announced late Thursday that classes will begin Jan. 10, instead of Jan. 5 when classes were originally scheduled. → Read More
Masks still required in Virginia Beach public schools after board votes against making them optional
The proposal failed after the division’s school board member hashed out the decision Monday during a special meeting. Three board members requested the meeting be held after an attempt to add agenda items to Tuesday’s meeting. → Read More
A fatal shooting with 1,100 people at the scene: Menchville High killing has Newport News officials asking “Why?”
An initial investigation showed an argument during a basketball game Tuesday night led to an altercation between the two teenagers in the parking lot. A Warwick High School student was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, use of a firearm and possession of a firearm on school property. → Read More
Teachers’ salaries could increase by 10% in Northam’s proposed budget
In his final budget, Northam will aim to increase teacher salaries by 5% each year, a total of 10.25%. And when matched by local funding, the pay raise will place Virginia teachers about the national average. → Read More