GRADUATION
EDUCATION
HCPS graduates listed Pages 11-14
Special ed teacher celebrated after first year with HCPS
PAGE
19
Vol. 5 No. 40 | Richmond Suburban News | June 17, 2020
Board announces plans to consider school names NAACP plans to appeal recent dismissal of lawsuit By Jim Ridolphi for Ashland-Hanover Local
Axselle said. “We believe that racism and hatred have no place in our schools, our comASHLAND — Hanover County munity, or our society.” School Board members will meet on Superintendent Michael Gill expandTuesday, June 23, to discuss the names ed on those comments. “The and mascots of Lee-Davis division administration shares High School and Stonewall the board’s belief that racism, Jackson Middle School. hatred and any type of intimiBoard chair John Axselle dation has absolutely no place announced the intentions of in our school division,” he said. the board to schedule a closed “We share in the commitment session meeting that will take to make that a reality; to conplace before members gather tinue to open lines of commufor their regular July meeting nication; and to build on our to address an issue that has own understanding through been highlighted by recent dialogue, professional developAXSELLE protests across the nation. ment and engaging in cultural Axselle said at last Tuesday’s regular competency and additional training for meeting that details of the meeting will be staff and students.” announced when available. Board members returned from last “As a public body, we are entrusted week’s closed session meeting with no with serving and educating students from announcements. diverse backgrounds. Without exception, The board last addressed the issue in we remain united in our commitment 2018 when a 5-2 vote in favor of retainto provide every child with the high- ing the names and mascots prevailed. est quality education possible in a safe, Last August, the Hanover Chapter of the healthy and nurturing environment,” see BOARD, pg. 8
Alternate school board meeting draws a crowd Group demands change in county schools’ names By Jim Ridolphi for Ashland-Hanover Local ASHLAND -- About 150 people showed up at the Central Office of Hanover County Public Schools for what was described as a community school board meeting in Ashland last Tuesday, about an hour before the regular meeting of the Hanover County School Board was to get underway in the ongoing virtual format. Several former students and parents spoke to a crowd that showed its support with numerous banners and frequent applause. Alicia Neumann, one of the Together see ALTERNATE, pg. 9
Jim Ridolphi/Ashland-Hanover Local
About 150 people showed up at the Central Office of Hanover County Public Schools for what was described as a community school meeting in Ashland last Tuesday. Several former students and parents addressed the crowd.
Superintendent goes virtual to talk to grads
GILL
(Editor’s note: With commencement ceremonies being celebrated in a virtual world, Dr. Michael Gill, superintendent of Hanover County Public Schools, shared with us his message for members of the Class of 2020.) Every year, keynote speakers across the country inevitably provide encouragement to graduates, but they also caution them
about the rapidly changing nature of the modern world in which we live, and in which you will be charged with navigating. And … it’s true. The world is an amazing place, but the pace can also be incredibly demanding. COVID-19 has challenged us to rethink every aspect of our daily lives, and
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see GRADS, pg. 5