| Newport News Educational Foundation
NNEF Programs
| Board of Directors
WHAT IS THE NEWPORT NEWS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION?
The Foundation is a diverse group of citizens who support the Newport
News public school division in its efforts to prepare students for
the world of work. Members bring to the Foundation their expertise
in business, education and industry, as well as skills in community
and military leadership.
Since it was formed in 1992, the Foundation has hosted a number
of forums with community leaders to discuss important education
issues and has held annual events honoring outstanding high school
students. The Foundation is a committee of Greater Peninsula NOW,
which works toward improving the quality of life in Newport News
and throughout the Peninsula.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Underlying the Foundation's commitment is the belief that a strong
public education system is essential to a healthy and viable community.
Students rely on the skills and knowledge they obtain in school
to compete successfully in their chosen educational, career and
life endeavors.
How well students learn the lessons of school and citizenship will
have an impact on them, their families, their employers and their
community. To support the school division in offering the children
of Newport News the best education possible, the Foundation:
- provides opportunities for members of the school, business,
professional and military communities to exchange ideas;
- supports restructuring the educational curriculum to broaden
and improve opportunities for all students;
- reviews educational standards and identifies needs;
- supports applications for grants and other awards;
- supports efforts to obtain necessary resources from state
and federal government;
- assists in promoting legislative initiatives that will
improve education; and
- recognizes and celebrates our children as the future of
Newport News, the Virginia Peninsula, and beyond.
HOW CAN BUSINESSES AND SCHOOLS WORK TOGETHER?
Partnerships between educators and business have given rise to
programs such as Academic Tech, which integrates academic and technical
education from ninth grade through two years of post-secondary education,
and An Achievable Dream, a unique public/private effort that helps
third- through eighth-graders succeed in school.
Although programs may focus on different age groups or academic
areas, all strive either to help students achieve in school, to
introduce them to career and work options, or to ease the transition
to college or additional training.
Other examples of community and school collaborations are programs
that provide mentors and role models for students from business
and industry; research facilities that introduce young people to
high-tech work settings; professional organizations that provide
internships, scholarships and programs for students; and policies
by businesses that encourage employees to tutor young people and
participate in school activities.
HOW CAN I HELP GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE AN INSIGHT INTO THE BUSINESS
WORLD?
As a parent, neighbor, friend or business owner, you can help students
make the transition to the world or work easier by sharing information
about your business or career.
- Discuss with young people the experiences and education
that led to your career choice.
- Give specific examples of how the skills students learn
in school--math, writing, or others--are used in your job.
- Bring an interested young person to your work site for
a tour.
- Let students know the importance of managing
time wisely and how that skill will help them in the work world.
- Ask young people what their interests are and what they
are doing to pursue them.
- Talk about how setting personal and career goals will
help them make better choices about further education or training.
- Consider offering internship or apprentice opportunities
at your business.
- Suggest to your professional organization that it offer
a student scholarship or stipend.
NNEF
Programs
Wayne D. Lett Scholarship
The Wayne D. Lett Scholar Program is a merit-based award of $6,000 given to a Newport News public school senior in the Teachers for Tomorrow program. The program is administered by the Newport News Educational Foundation as a tribute to Wayne D. Lett, Ed.D., a former superintendent of Newport News Public Schools. The student chosen as the Wayne D. Lett Scholar will receive an offer of employment as a teacher in the Newport News school system upon graduation from college. The recipient must commit to teach in Newport News for three consecutive years after graduation. The recipient will also have the option to complete a student teaching assignment in the school division.
More information
Salute to Success Student Recognition Banquet
The Newport News Educational Foundation created the Salute to Success Student Recognition Dinner in 1993 as a visible means of honoring academic achievement by students in Newport News Public Schools. The event recognizes top high school students: National Merit, National Achievement class valedictorians, salutatorians, and in grades 9 through 11 who have the highest grade point average in their class.
More information
Teacher Incentive Mini Grants
The Teacher Incentive Mini Grant program recognizes and supports classroom teachers who create programs designed to provide Career Pathways experiences to students in Newport News Public Schools. The program supports innovative approaches and creative ideas by funding Career Pathways opportunities not supported by school budgets. Additional details and an application form will be posted in October, 2008.
Teacher Recruitment and Retention
The Newport News Educational Foundation Teacher Retention and Recruitment Committee works with the NNPS to foster a supportive work and community environment that will attract and keep good teachers. The Committee helps administer the Wayne D. Lett Scholarship and is working to establish a directory of incentives for teachers, including discounts to stores and businesses on the Peninsula. If you would like to offer a discount to teachers and other staff in Newport News Public Schools, email patrick.finneran@nn.k12.va.us.
NNEF
Board of Directors
OFFICERS
Dr. Robert Leber; Northrop Grumman - Newport News
NNEF President
Lynn G. Grimsley; RE/MAX Peninsula
NNEF President-Elect
Guy G. Levy, DDS
NNEF Vice-President
Tracee Carmean, Riverside School of Health Careers
NNEF Treasurer
Janet H. Tyler; Jefferson Lab
NNEF Secretary
MEMBERS
Clark Baldwin
Advantis Real Estate Services Company
Laura W. Barnes
Verizon
Thomas R. Brooks, CPA
Witt, Mares & Company, PLC
Rhonda Bunn
Canon Virginia, Inc.
Brig. General James E. Chambers
U. S. Army Transportation Center
Jerome F. Clark
Suntrust Bank Hampton Roads
Everette A “Teddy” Hicks, Sr.
School Board Chairman
Gordon L. Gentry, Jr.
TowneBank Peninsula
Donna Grubbs
Newport News Council of PTAs
Thaddeus B. Holloman, Sr.;
Old Point National Bank
Allen R. Jones
Dominion Physical Therapy
Ty Joubert
United Way of the Virginia Peninsula
Barbara Hays Kamp
David, Kamp and Frank, LLC
John W. McMillan, Jr.
Retired
Stewart P. "Tom" Mitchell
Retired
John A. Munick, Jr.
Drucker & Falk, LLC
Ashby C. Kilgore, Ed.D.
Newport News Public Schools
McKinley L. Price, D.D.S.
Dr. McKinley L. Price, D.D.S., PC
Patricia Robertson
Mary Immaculate Hospital
Kipp D. Rogers
Passage Middle School
Walter S. Segaloff
The Warwick Group
Bobby Surry
Menchville High School
Jeff Stodghill
PMA, Inc.
Charles Taylor, Ed.D.
Thomas Nelson Community College
The Honorable Paul S. Trible
Christopher Newport University
Sybil Wheatley
W. M. Jordan Company
Wesley C. Wilson, Ed.D.
C & W Associates
Alan S. Witt, CPA
Witt, Mares & Company, PLC
Joseph R. Witt
Ferguson
STAFF
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