Early childhood education and development is taking the spotlight this month in Alexandria.
This morning (April 7), Alexandria City Public Schools and city leaders recognized the first-ever Month of the Young Child at the Early Childhood Center at Minnie Howard. The school system is building on the annual National Association for the Education of Young Children‘s (NAEYC) Week of the Young Child (April 5-11) with a month of planned activities.
A new historic interpretation sign now stands at Alexandria City High School's Minnie Howard Campus, commemorating five young Black students who integrated the formerly all-white Minnie Howard Elementary School in 1960.
The sign, unveiled Saturday during a special ceremony attended by more than 100 people, honors Judy Belk, Vickie Belk, Marie Bradby, Deborah Bradby, and James O. Bradby – known as the "Minnie Howard Five."
Fifty-five years after Black students walked through the doors of the original Minnie Howard School for the first time, a plaque will be installed honoring those whose efforts made it possible.
The historic marker, which will honor the efforts of two families who targeted the Alexandria School Board’s segregationist policies, is set to be unveiled in a ceremony on March 8.
After reverting to virtual learning two days before winter break due to multiple fights, Alexandria City High School fully reopened with extra security guards and new safety measures at both high school campuses.
The additions include extra security guards at the ACHS King Street and Minnie Howard campuses, new security protocols at weapons screenings, more hallway monitoring, security duty stations in high-traffic areas and increased lunch supervision, according to an email from the Alexandria City Public Schools to ALXnow.
It’s been an interesting workweek in Alexandria, even with Christmas landing on Wednesday this year.
The week was still full of news.
The Alexandria School Board on Thursday unanimously directed the superintendent to start a naming process for the athletic field complex at Alexandria High School’s Minnie Howard Campus, and to consider naming it in honor of former Mayor Kerry Donley.
The field complex is under construction until summer 2025. It includes a synthetic turf field for lacrosse, field hockey and soccer, as well as basketball and futsol courts, bleachers and a walking path.
Good Friday morning, Alexandria!
☀️ Today’s weather: Expect sunny skies and a high of approximately 68 degrees, accompanied by a west wind ranging from 5 to 7 mph. As the night rolls in, the sky will remain clear, with the temperature dropping to an estimated low of 49 degrees while a southwest wind blows at about 6 mph.
Early voting starts next week in Alexandria.
There are a number of voting options for those who can’t wait or make it to vote in-person at their home precinct on election day Nov. 5.
Alexandria’s brand-new, year-round indoor pool in the new Minnie Howard Campus (2795 West Braddock Road) is now open to the public.
The new facility features a 25-meter competition pool, diving boards, a training pool and more.
After two years under construction, city leaders cut the ribbon today on Alexandria City High School’s new Minnie Howard Campus.
The $190 million project for the 343,000-square-foot, five-story satellite campus can hold up to 1,600 students — double the capacity of its 1950’s-era predecessor. The building will be home to six career and technical education academies, which administrators say will allow students to pursue their interests.
Alexandria leaders will cut the ribbon on the Alexandria City High School’s five-story, $190 million Minnie Howard Campus next week.
The new 343,000-square foot facility at 3801 W. Braddock Road doubles the capacity of its 1950’s-era predecessor, and can hold 1,600 students. Construction started two years ago, and the new facility will open for students on the first day of the next school year, August 19, according to Alexandria City Public Schools.
