Newport News Public Schools Welcome Students Back with Excitement and Enthusiasm

The Start of a New Chapter

As the bell rang on August 26, the hallways of Newport News Public Schools came alive with the sound of yellow buses rolling in and students bounding into the classrooms. The start of the 2024-25 school year marked a fresh beginning for the district's 41 schools, as teachers and staff had been preparing for weeks to welcome their students back.

For many educators, the return of students was a moment of great excitement and anticipation. As Jessica Sigsbee, a new second-grade teacher at Dutrow Elementary School, noted: "Every teacher I know has been working hard to prepare for the upcoming school year. We're all so excited to welcome students and families back to school."

A Superintendent's Odyssey

Superintendent Dr. Michele Mitchell began her tour of visiting each of the 41 NNPS schools on the first day, starting at the SCOT bus lot and then making her way to Woodside High School for a meet-and-greet with students.

"I am beyond excited to welcome our students back to Booker T. Washington Middle School," said Principal Karen Bazemore-Person. "I look forward to an amazing year filled with growth, new opportunities, and unforgettable firsts."

Community Support

The school community was abuzz with activity as Christopher Newport University student-athletes greeted students arriving at numerous elementary schools throughout the city. CNU athletic teams also positioned themselves at key intersections in Newport News with signs encouraging drivers to be extra cautious now that schools were back in session.

"I am starting my 30th year of teaching, and I am as excited now as I was during my first year," said Stacey Hester, a math teacher and Hines Middle School's 2024-25 Teacher of the Year. "I love helping young minds grow, and I'm looking forward to helping my new students reach their full potential."

New Faces in the Classroom

This school year also saw the arrival of several new teachers, including Seth Carter, a first-year teacher in eighth-grade English at Hines Middle School. "There is nowhere in the world I would rather be right now than in the classroom," he said. "Our future sits in these seats. We owe our children literacy and preparation for an ever-evolving world."

Other new teachers include Briahna Switzer, who will teach third grade at General Stanford Elementary School, and Dr. Jaraun Ransome and Katherine Jenn, the principals of Ella Fitzgerald Middle School and Riverside Elementary School, respectively.

A New Year Awaits

As students settle into their new classrooms, they are filled with anticipation for the year ahead. For teachers and staff, it's a chance to form lasting connections with their students and watch them grow and thrive.

"I am incredibly excited to start the school year and engage with our dynamic students and dedicated staff," said Dr. Ransome. "I look forward to fostering a positive and inspiring environment where every student can thrive and reach their full potential."