NNPS Youth Development

08/27/2026

This morning BLE Recruit Class 42, welcomed students at Jenkins, Palmer, and Watkins. There were lots of hugs, high fives, smiles, and LOTS of honorary police officer stickers!

Thank you Newport News Police Department for bringing that first week back to school energy and excitement!

08/24/2026

What a great start to the 26-27 school year! Thank you to our community partners who showed up and showed out across the city to make sure our students and staff felt welcomed and excited about the first day of school!

08/21/2026

Tonight was the final Friday for Night Nets this summer! Our team has enjoyed partnering with the City of Newport News, VA - Government to help provide activities and a fun and safe place for our youth to gather every Friday night. Shout out to the many community partners who make this possible each year!

08/19/2026

Our department had a great time facilitating "Play with Purpose" for the News Parks & Recreation - Athletics Youth Development Day!

What a fabulous group of staff committed to making a difference in the lives of young people. Our goal was simple - laugh and learn. We definitely achieved it!

Thank you for your continued partnership, and for the incredible work you do every day to support young people! , Inc. @ & Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula

08/03/2026

Congratulations to Chanté Lawrence and her amazing students on being featured in this month's !

Chanté is a dynamic leader whose passion, innovation, and commitment inspire all of us to do better for every student, every day. We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition and the positive impact she continues to make in our schools and community.

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07/20/2026

Newport News Parks & Recreation - Athletics Friday Night Nets is serving up fun all summer long with exciting games, activities, and opportunities for students to connect and grow!

A huge thank you to our incredible NNPS Youth Development partners, Matt Thomas from our Technology Department and Blundercheck Chess, and talented art teachers Tiffany Murchison and Tandrea Mayfield, for sharing their time, passion, and expertise to make these evenings even more engaging.

Want to learn chess or sharpen your skills? Blundercheck Chess will be at the Achievable Dream Tennis Center every Friday in July, welcoming players of all experience levels, from complete beginners to seasoned competitors. Come join the fun!

07/06/2026

Check out another great opportunity at Night Nets on Fridays throughout the month of July!

06/11/2026

RISE! students participated in the End-of-Year Banquet which was a wonderful evening filled with inspiration, reflection, and celebration. We honored the accomplishments of our young men from across Newport News Public Schools.

Throughout the year, RISE! students participated in mentoring, leadership development, college and career exploration, cultural enrichment experiences, and community service opportunities. At the banquet, students shared their personal journeys, reflected on lessons learned, and celebrated the bonds they have built along the way.

We were especially proud to recognize our graduating seniors and hear from RISE! alumni who shared how the program helped shape their paths beyond high school.

A heartfelt thank you to our families, mentors, community partners, and sponsors for their unwavering support. Your investment in these young men continues to make a lasting impact.

Congratulations to all of our RISE! students! We are proud of your growth, resilience, leadership, and determination. The future is bright, and we can't wait to see what you accomplish next!

06/08/2026

Congratulations to the 2025 - 2026 STAND Award Winners - Warwick High School , Booker T Washington Middle School, Discovery STEM Academy , Hilton Elementary School , and Knollwood Meadows Elementary School. The STAND Award honors schools for their exceptional efforts in establishing a student-led, year-long campaign to discourage bullying and harassing behaviors while promoting a positive school culture. Thank you to all schools for taking a STAND for young people!

06/04/2026

We had a complete ball at our final Pawsitive Patrol visit of the year! Today, students and staff from eight schools received visits from our furry friends. Lots of smiles, pets, and laughter was a great way to spend a Wednesday! We are grateful to our friends at AK9I for the continued partnership and the joy their furry friends bring every time they come hang out with us!