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Chesapeake highlights VHSL champions, Smith Tech ribbon cutting, STEM and service-learning trips and community donations
Summary
The superintendent highlighted VHSL state champions from Chesapeake schools, the official ribbon cutting for Smith Tech at Oscar Smith Middle School, a NAS Oceana STEM day for fifth graders, a Flight 93 memorial trip for Grassfield students, teacher recognition by Old Dominion University, and community donations to district schools.
Superintendent Brian Cotton (speaker identified in the transcript as —Doctor Cotton') used his report to present multiple recognitions and program highlights across the district.
Athletics and VHSL honors: The board recognized 2024-25 Virginia High School League (VHSL) spring champions and all-state athletes across track and field, soccer, tennis, baseball and softball from Chesapeake high schools. Officials named individual state finishers and records, including state records in the shot put and discus and first-place finishes in outdoor track events. Coaches and students were invited forward for recognition.
Smith Tech ribbon cutting and programs: Cotton noted the official dedication and ribbon cutting for the Smith Tech School of Computer Science, Innovation and Design at Oscar Smith Middle School and thanked partners at Old Dominion University. He said Smith Tech students wore shirts reading "We are the beginning. We are Smith Tech" and described the program's enthusiastic start.
STEM day, teacher recognition and trips: Fifth graders from the district's elementary and intermediate schools attended a NAS Oceana STEM Day. Grassfield High School students visited the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pa., in partnership with the Gary Sinise Foundation. Old Dominion University recognized special-education teacher Lindsey Wood of Hickory Elementary through ODU athletics' "Extra Yard for Teachers" program. Western Branch High School students participating in the Teachers for Tomorrow program attended a Virginia Tech VTeach conference.
Community donations: Cotton closed by thanking Placer American for donating $1,500 each to Carver Intermediate, Truett Intermediate and Georgetown Primary, and the New Chesapeake Men for Progress for donating $500 each to five district schools and the Chesapeake Center for Student Success.
Why it matters: The items showcase extracurricular, career-pathway and community partnership activities that the superintendent said benefit student learning and community relations. Several items (Smith Tech ribbon cutting and VHSL honors) included direct student recognition.
No board action was required for the recognitions; these were informational and ceremonial items included in the superintendent's report.
