Sergio Neal for A Better Portsmouth Education

06/17/2023

Good morning! Congratulations to all graduates of the class of 2023! This has been a wild ride but you all made it! The words for today and forever for this class should be dedication, determination, and perseverance! We are all proud of you and wish you the very best in all your future endeavors!

05/09/2023

Happy National Teachers Appreciation Week! There are many ways to say thanks and hopefully this post brings a laugh and thanks to all of our teachers!!

01/23/2023

Good afternoon! Here are some of the education related bills that are being considered during the 2023 General Assembly session. It is very important for everyone to pay attention to these as they affect our public education system, which is the foundation of everything else that happens in our city and state.

01/13/2023

PPS Superintendent Dr. Elie Bracy, III has been installed as the president of the Urban Superintendents Association of America, made up of more than 150 superintendents who serve in both the United States and Canada. Read more here: https://www.ppsk12.us/news/recent_news/dr__bracy_to_serve_as_u_s_a_a_president

12/25/2022

Father God....we thank you for your grace, mercy, and forgiveness throughout this season. We have reached the reason for the season. We thank you for your one and only Son and the wisdom to believe in Him. Lord we ask for a blessing and a lesson as we transition into a new year. Father, we want to thank you for those who made it this far and we want to lean on you for understanding for those who did not. Merry Christmas Father and Happy New Year.

In Jesus name we pray,
Amen.

12/15/2022

Good morning! Don't forget that tonight is the last regular school board meeting for 2022! 7pm sharp is the start time and it will be held in the City Council Chambers on the 6th floor of City Hall. Register to speak as a non agenda speaker by contacting Kathy Chambliss, School Board Clerk, by no later than 5pm today by email or phone. That contact information is as follows:

[email protected]
757-393-8751

12/14/2022

Good afternoon! I just wanted to say great job to Brighton Elementary School for the Holiday Extravaganza that was put on yesterday! Shout out to all of the students, staff, and parents who made the event a success and brought a smile to the faces of so many people. There is talent in the student body so watch out Portsmouth....some stars are going to buzz outta Brighton and on to the next level!!

11/03/2022

Good evening Portsmouth family!! I promised I would vote and post my ballot. Here it is! Now, I know there may be some surprises here. And while I personally support these as my candidates of choice, I would encourage anyone to do real research on all candidates before making their choices. I did want to make a point of announcing that my school board choices (with the exception of myself, I'm not seriously running but put my name down as a marker that this is my actual ballot), are chosen for many reasons but one is very, very, very clear. They have NOT been involved in the political drama in this city. Secondly, I believe that even if all of them are not elected, it gives me hope that more positive change will happen in our school system and the perception of public education in this city will improve greatly. Lastly, let me say this for the record. There are candidates on this ballot that I would have voted for if they were running for a second term on the school board and not for a city council seat. I am concerned that some of the positive influence that they have had on the school board in changing policy and procedure as well as implementing innovations such as mindfulness may end up being flipped upside down in the wrong hands. On the city council side, there is one incumbent candidate who I have not always agreed with, but has been a voice of reason as of late and has been one of the pioneers for transparency. I just was convinced he was not going to run again as he initially said.

In short, please vote either before early voting ends or on November 8th. The real change begins after that and we all should be a part of it.

10/24/2022

Good afternoon. I just wanted to share a bit of information with parents, students, and citizens who are concerned with Portsmouth Public Schools. There has been a bomb threat at a second school in a week. For all to know, communicating a bomb threat is a class 5 felony for those over the age of 15 and a class 1 misdemeanor for those over the age of 15. That means if convicted, the penalty comes with at least 1 year of incarceration. It really doesn't make sense to risk your freedom over a practical joke or whatever one may want to call it. If we knew better, we would do better.

Table of Contents » Title 18.2. Crimes and Offenses Generally » Chapter 5. Crimes Against Property » Article 1. Arson and Related Crimes » § 18.2-83. Threats to bomb or damage buildings or means of transportation; false information as to danger to such buildings, etc.; punishment; venue

10/15/2022

Good afternoon! I just wanted to take a moment to provide you all with a quick update. I have been vetting, researching, and scoping out candidates for both Portsmouth School Board and City Council. It has been a long process and I'm going to be honest, it's not easy. I'm going to vote early this year and I will post a picture of my ballot when I do. Hopefully, this will help those who are undecided to make an informed decision. Thank you all for following!

09/06/2022

Good morning! Happy First Day of School Portsmouth Public Schools! So much excitement in the air! Parents , please be a source of encouragement for our teachers, students, staff, and each other throughout this school year. Be a beacon of hope for all and most importantly, an extra shield of safety and security for all. We are going to declare that God will guide us into making the best choices for our school community. Be blessed and full of glee as we take on school year 2022-2023!

09/01/2022

Good evening! I just wanted to thank Portsmouth Public Schools and the leadership for listening to me and other members of the community who advocated for a weapons detection system in our schools. I spoke before the school board on several occasions asking for this system to be looked into and put in place in our schools. School safety is always worth the investment and the return is always priceless!!

The school board approved the purchase of one system for each middle and high school at a recent meeting.