New Kent County

In the 2024-2025 school year, all Early Learning (preschool) programs must use a vetted curriculum, as approved by the Virginia Department of Education. The approved curriculum list was reviewed by teachers and division leaders. The Early Learning staff, along with division representatives, received demonstrations of two approved curricula. Frog Street was chosen as the curriculum of choice for NKCPS. We now invite the community to review this selection. CLICK HERE to review the available times and sign up. At the date and time of your choosing, you may visit the Department of Innovation and Student Services at 11801 New Kent Highway to review the curriculum and provide feedback.

The New Kent County School Board will meet for a Regular Meeting on Monday, December 4, 2023, in the New Kent County Administration Building Boardroom at 5:00 pm for Closed Session with the Regular Session following at 5:30pm. The meeting will be available virtually on The New Kent Schools YouTube channel. The Agenda for the meeting is available on BoardDocs.

New Kent County Public Schools is seeking volunteers to become lunch monitors at our three elementary schools: George W. Watkins Elementary, New Kent Elementary, and Quinton Elementary. Volunteer lunch monitors will assist full-time staff during lunch hours (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for students. The role offers flexible scheduling, allowing community members to contribute without a significant time commitment. To apply as a volunteer lunch monitor, please CLICK HERE to access the online application. Join us in giving back to the community and making a positive impact on the school experience for local children. Your support is greatly appreciated.

New Kent County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Nichols was recently featured in District Administration. The article and YouTube interview can be found on their website (link below). Writer Matt Zalaznick highlights Dr. Nichols' positive use of social media for community engagement and his focus on ensuring New Kent County Public Schools' students find post-graduate success through the "Three E Pathways:" employment, enlistment, and enrollment.

Over the last few months, National Beta members from New Kent Elementary School and New Kent Middle School have been working hard to prepare their entries for the National Beta Convention. In June, they were able to celebrate that hard work with three NKES students placing in the following competitions: Colton Simmons with third place in fourth grade social studies, Ethan Shannon with sixth place in fifth grade social studies, and Harrison Rodgers with 10th place in fifth grade math. NKMS students also placed with Jeremiah Martin earning second place in the sixth grade science competition and the NKMS Junior Beta Club project proposal team of Lily Newman (eighth grade), Skylar Weedon (eighth grade), Aubrey Loucks (seventh grade), Alyssa Luntzer (seventh grade), and Martin (sixth grade) taking fourth place.

New Kent County Public Schools has been recognized with an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo) for their program Changing Public Perception Through Social Media. The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services and community for residents.

New Kent County Public Schools' has added an SMS text message feature to our communication platform, SchoolMessenger Communicate. Parents and guardians are encouraged to sign up to receive official NKCPS communications via text.

On Monday, April 17, 2023, on her first day in her new position, VDOE Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Lisa Coons visited New Kent High School with Chief of Staff Dr. Jeremy Raley and Assistant Superintendent of Data, Research, Technology and Security Dr. David Myers. She toured the facilities and observed CTE courses in action with building and district administrators. After the classroom visits, the VDOE guests, district leaders, and CTE classes convened for an assembly. During the assembly, Mr. Christopher Valdrighi, New Kent High School principal, introduced New Kent County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Nichols. Dr. Nichols thanked the VDOE guests and acknowledged the NKCPS School Board members in attendance: Ms. Sarah Grier Barber, Ms. Andrea Staskiel, and Ms. Kristin Swynford. He also noted that New Kent Education Foundation President Mr. Alan Files and Bridging Communities Regional Career & Technical Center Governor’s STEM Academy Executive Director Dr. Julie Ellis were present. Dr. Nichols then turned the podium over to Dr. Coons. Dr. Coons expressed how impressed she was with the NKCPS CTE program and particularly with the work of Mr. John Aughenbaugh, New Kent High School CTE teacher and department chair, has put into developing the NKCPS CTE program. She then announced that he is the 2024 Virginia Region 1 Teacher of the Year. Dr. Coons stated, “You know, I’m incredibly inspired by you, inspired that Virginia has amazing teachers like you, and [I] really want to recognize you as the Regional Teacher of the Year for Virginia Department of Education.” When she made this announcement, the stage curtains pulled back to reveal the New Kent High School cheerleaders and drum line with a banner to recognize Mr. Aughenbaugh’s achievement. Mr. Aughenbaugh took the podium and spoke about his work and the importance of CTE courses. There was a brief reception afterwards in the New Kent High School Media Center, which allowed Mr. Aughenbaugh an opportunity to celebrate with leadership and speak one-on-one with Dr. Coons about his work. Mr. Aughenbaugh will now advance to the state level of the Teacher of the Year competition. Dr. Nichols states, “John Aughenbaugh is incredibly deserving of being named the Region 1 Teacher of the Year. He is a strong advocate for career and technical education. Mr. Aughenbaugh has rebuilt the engineering program and expanded opportunities for New Kent High School students. He makes our school division better with his leadership.”

On Friday, April 14, 2023, New Kent County Public Schools division and school leaders surprised the building Support Staff of the Year winners. The winners will also be celebrated at a special event on June 1st. See information about each of our winners below:

Ms. Alyssa DiMarino, a College of William & Mary Teacher in Residence at New Kent Elementary School, has been selected by the William & Mary department of Curriculum & Instruction as a 2023 Teacher of Promise. The Teachers of Promise Institute was established in 2004 to identify and recognize the best prospective teachers from college and university schools of education across Virginia. The 2023 Teachers of Promise Institute will be held March 24-25, 2023, at the Thomas R. Fulghum Conference Center in Midlothian. The William & Mary Teacher in Residence program is a partnership between William & Mary and New Kent County Public Schools that provides graduate students in Curriculum & Instruction seeking initial licensure with an opportunity to complete student teaching requirements as a paid internship. For more information about the Teachers of Promise Institute, visit http://www.teachersofpromiseinstitute.com/. To learn more about the William & Mary Teacher in Residence program, visit https://education.wm.edu/academics/oteps/teacher-in-residence-program/index.php#:~:text=W%26M%20Teachers%20in%20Residence%20become,over%20instruction%20in%20the%20classroom.

Worrell Named VCTM Elementary Math Educator of the Year Ms. Megan Worrell, a math support teacher at New Kent Elementary School, has been named as the Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics Elementary Educator of the Year. This recognition began with a nomination from a colleague who believes her contributions show passion, ingenuity, and dedication to the field of mathematics education. Additionally, nominees must have at least five years of teaching experience; be a current classroom teacher, math resource teacher, or math specialist; and have made notable accomplishments in teaching mathematics. Ms. Worrell will be recognized for her work during the VCTM 2023 Annual Conference on Friday, March 17, at George Mason University. NKES administration celebrated Worrell on site with a certificate and flowers on February 9 (see image below). In addition to her role as a math support teacher, Ms. Worrell serves as the NKES webmaster and as a member of the School Leadership Team and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Team. For more information about VCTM, visit https://www.vctm.org/.

On December 29, 2022, the U.S. Department of Education awarded the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) the five-year, $15 million federal grant for Virginia’s Comprehensive Approach to Recruitment and Retention of School Mental Health Professionals. New Kent County Public Schools Department of Exceptional Education and Students Services is collaborating with the Virginia Department of Education office of Student Services as a partnering division in this grant award to increase the number of qualified mental health service professionals providing school-based mental health services to students.

On Friday, January 6th, division and school leaders surprised the building Teacher of the Year winners. On Wednesday, January 11th, the Division Teacher of the Year, Mr. John Aughenbaugh of New Kent High School, was announced and recognized. He will represent New Kent County Public Schools at the state level of the competition. See information about all of our winners below:

Irvin Acree, a custodian at New Kent High School, was selected by our partner SSC Services for Education for their employee recognition program called GEM (Great Employees make Magic). Acree was chosen as New Kent's GEM of the Year, the Regional GEM of the Year, and the Division GEM of the Year. There are only four Division GEM award winners selected out of SSC's more than 10,000 employees nationwide for both the Higher Education and the K12 Division of SSC. District and school leadership attended a holiday gathering for NKCPS SSC employees at the high school on Monday, December 12, where Irvin was presented with his award. "We are so very proud of [Mr. Acree] and his recognition. It is well deserved; he's simply THE BEST!" stated NKCPS Chief Administrative Officer Haynie Morgheim.

Dr. Brian Nichols Named 2022 Superintendent to Watch by NSPRA Dr. Brian Nichols has been selected as a 2022 Superintendent to Watch by the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA). Nichols joins just 24 other superintendents nationwide who were selected for the honor in recognition of their innovative and effective use of technology to engage and inform the school community, and to expand two-way communication and outreach efforts. “I am humbled and honored to be selected. I am proud to be the superintendent of such a dynamic division with an incredible team of teachers and staff,” stated Nichols. Nichols showcases the work of Team New Kent through various media forms and by being a constant advocate for the county and his team. “This year’s honorees understand just how important effective communication is in building trust and relationships with families, employees, students and community members in their districts,” said NSPRA Executive Director Barbara M. Hunter, APR. “These emerging leaders have proven to be dedicated champions of innovative communication efforts to advance their district’s success.” NSPRA had a record number of nominations this year—nearly 60—and many exceptional candidates, making the selection process very competitive. Since the 2015-16 school year, NSPRA has recognized 127 school district leaders as Superintendents to Watch. Honorees must have fewer than five years of experience as a superintendent and must demonstrate dynamic, fast-paced leadership with strong communication at its core. Visit www.nspra.org/superintendents-watch to learn more about this award. About NSPRA As the leader in school communication, NSPRA serves more than 2,500 members who work primarily as communication directors in public school districts and education organizations throughout the United States and Canada. NSPRA provides high quality professional development programming through on- demand learning, an annual National Seminar, webinars, online forums and resources. For more information, visit NSPRA’s website at www.nspra.org.