Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School

New names for ACPS sports facilities, library and courtyard receive final approval

Published December 19, 2025 at 11:30AM

The home crowd at an ACHS Titans varsity football game, Sept. 19, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Four facilities at Alexandria City Public Schools are getting new names to reflect beloved figures in the city, including a former mayor and a longtime teacher.

The Alexandria City School Board voted last night (Thursday) to rename the athletic field complex at Alexandria City High School’s Minnie Howard Campus, ACHS’ Parker-Gray Stadium field, the Media Center at Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School and the courtyard at the Early Childhood Center. These are the newly approved facility names and their community namesakes.

News

Annual Rosemont 4th of July celebration canceled for second straight year

By James Cullum

Published June 23, 2025 at 2:45PM

The Rosemont July 4 celebration isn't happening in 2024 because of a construction project at Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School (via Facebook)

So much for sinking local politicians with perfectly thrown baseballs at the bullseye of the dunking tank, because the annual Rosemont 4th of July has been canceled for the second straight year.

The closure isn’t due to the heat. For decades, the festivities have been held in the playground and athletic fields of Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School (600 Russell Road). They were held off last year due to a window replacement project. That work will continue this summer, as will the library renovations.

News

Alexandria City Public Schools names Principal and Teacher of the Year

By James Cullum

Published May 9, 2025 at 9:30AM

Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School Principal Suzanne M. Hess (in green) and James K. Polk Elementary School teacher Sharon Phox (to her right) with ACPS Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt (on left) and the School Board, May 8, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Teaching kids is challenging, and on Thursday (May 8) Alexandria City Public Schools named two of its best the principal and teacher of the year.

School Board Chair Michelle Rief and Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt presented the awards to Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School Principal Suzanne M. Hess and James K. Polk Elementary School third-grade teacher Sharon Phox.

News

School Board greenlights renaming process for three ACPS facilities

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 4, 2025 at 5:30AM | Updated April 4, 2025 at 9:28AM

The crowd at Alexandria City High School's Parker-Gray Stadium on Sept. 17, 2021. (Via Elijah Walter Griffin, Sr.)

The Alexandria City School Board has approved starting the naming process for three school facilities.

At its April 3 meeting, the board approved initiating the naming process for the Early Childhood Center courtyard, Naomi L. Brooks Media Center, and Parker-Gray Stadium field.

News

Petition submitted to rename Parker-Gray Stadium field at Alexandria City High School after NFL linebacker alum Keith Burns

By James Cullum

Published April 3, 2025 at 2:15PM | Updated April 3, 2025 at 2:31PM

Alexandria City High School's homecoming football game against West Potomac on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021 (staff photo by James Cullum)

What’s in a name? Everything.

The School Board will consider three naming requests for Alexandria City Public Schools facilities at its meeting on Thursday night (April 3). One request is to rename Alexandria City High School’s Parker-Gray Stadium Field after Keith Burns, a 1990 graduate of the school and 13-season NFL linebacker.

News

Alexandria Health Department offering blood lead level testing today and Friday

By Vernon Miles

Published October 3, 2024 at 3:30PM

Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School (image via Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School/Facebook)

After lead exposure shut down Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School last week, the Alexandria Health Department (AHD) is offering walk-in blood lead level testing today (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday).

According to Eve Elliott, communications officer for AHD, testing is being offered today from 1-6 p.m. and Friday from 1-6 p.m. The testing is free and available to all students, staff, faculty and volunteers. The Alexandria Health Department will not check class or faculty lists.

News

Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School could reopen next week after lead exposure

By James Cullum

Published October 2, 2024 at 9:00AM

Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School (image via Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School/Facebook)

Alexandria City Public Schools is working to reopen Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School by next Monday (Oct. 7) — a week-and-a-half after the school closed due to a lead exposure.

ACPS staff are deep-cleaning the entire school (at 600 Russell Road) after an environmental contractor found lead particles last Thursday (Sept. 27) in a kindergarten classroom, a fourth grade classroom, the school clinic and the main office. The school closed the following day, and students and staff transitioned to remote learning.

News

Alexandria Health Department working on providing blood lead level tests for elementary school students and staff

By Vernon Miles

Published October 1, 2024 at 3:30PM

Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School (image via Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School/Facebook)

The Alexandria Health Department said it is working to provide lead testing for students, faculty and staff at Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School, which closed after possible lead exposure.

Testing for lead requires a blood test. According to the Alexandria Health Department:

News

Alexandria elementary school still closed after lead exposure last week

By Vernon Miles

Published September 30, 2024 at 11:30AM

Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School (image via Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School/Facebook)

Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School in the Rosemont neighborhood remains closed today (Monday) after being closed last week due to a lead exposure incident at the school.

Principal Suzanne Hess sent a letter to the school’s community last Thursday saying contractors at the school for window replacement work discovered lead in two classrooms.

News

Rosemont’s annual July 4 celebration canceled by school window replacement project

By James Cullum

Published June 6, 2024 at 10:45AM

The Rosemont July 4 celebration isn't happening in 2024 because of a construction project at Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School (via Facebook)

Bad news for Alexandrians pining to dunk local politicians in the frigid depths of the dunking tank at the annual July 4 celebration in the city’s Rosemont neighborhood. Due to a construction project that will replace all exterior windows at Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School, the event has been canceled.

The celebration is traditionally held in the playground and athletic field area of the school.