12 The Hampton Roads Messenger


Volume 11 Number 6


Around Hampton Roads Head Start & Chesapeake Public


Schools Preschool Initiative If your child will be three (3) years of age, on or before September 30, 2017, he/she may be eligible for Head Start. If your child will be four (4) years of age, on or before September 30, 2017, he/she may be eligible for Head Start or the Chesapeake Public Schools Preschool Initiative (CPI). CPI is a FREE FULL-DAY program designed to give eligible children opportunities to create a firm educational foundation that can be used to achieve academic and social success.


CPI eligibility screenings will begin March 1, 2017. For more information, download a flier below, email Julia.Webb@cpschools.com, or call the CPI Office at (757)547-0153.


Foundation raises an additional


$4,000 for scholarship Hampton, Va.- Thanks to an end-of-the-year fundraising campaign, the Hampton Education Foundation raised an additional $4,000 for the Michael Canty Memorial Scholarship.


The Michael Canty Memorial Scholarship was established in 2011 in memory of Dr. Michael Canty, known to most as just “Mike.” According to the Hampton Education Foundation, many words have been used to describe Mike – loving, devoted family man, good friend, educator, public servant, and all around nice guy. Mike passed away in October 2010 after a battle with lymphoma.


Mike had an extensive background in education and was passionate about children and youth, and in particular, the underserved, “at risk” youth in the City of Hampton. He touched many lives during his time in Hampton, working at the Virginia School for the Deaf, Blind and Multi-Disabled, as principal of Hampton High School, as the director of InSync Partnerships, and finally as the City of Hampton’s Neighborhood Offices Service Manager.


Mike had a special place in his heart for those who have to struggle a bit more than most, but who nevertheless, find success. His heart was with those who seize opportunities when they present themselves, and despite obstacles, keep focused on their goals.


The $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to a Hampton City School high school student who embodies the values that Mike cherished.


March 2017


Two Newport News firefighters recognized statewide Newport News, Va.- At the Virginia Fire Rescue Conference in Virginia Beach last weekend, two Newport News firefighters were recognized for their achievements. Lieutenant Sidney Lucas received the Governor’s Fire Service award and was named Virginia Firefighter of the Year; and Assistant Fire Chief Robert Lee was awarded the Executive Fire Officer certification from the National Fire Academy.


“We are so very proud of Assistant Fire Chief Robert Lee and Lieutenant Sidney Lucas for these outstanding accomplishments,” said Newport News Fire Chief R. B. Alley. “Their leadership, commitment and service to the citizens of Newport News truly benefit our community.”


Lieutenant Lucas, a Navy Veteran who served in Operation Enduring Freedom, has been instrumental in promoting and advocating for Mental Health Awareness in Virginia’s Fire Services. Lieutenant Lucas began his career as a volunteer firefighter with the Belle and Cedar Grove Volunteer Fire Departments in West Virginia in 1999. He has been a member of the Newport News Fire Department since 2006 and currently serves as Safety Officer for the Department. As a participant of the Regional Safety Officer’s Work Group and State Behavioral Health Committee for the Fire Service, he has continuously influenced the development of multiple policies and programs including, the Respiratory Protection program, the Fire Ground Rehabilitation Cancer Prevention and Awareness program, Hazardous Communications program and the Mental Health Awareness in the Fire Services program. Sidney is also the Virginia State Advocate for the Fallen Firefighter’s Foundation at the National Fire Academy.


Assistant Fire Chief Lee, who has been with NNFD since 1994, earned the prestigious Executive Fire Officer certification through a program that provides senior fire officers with a broad perspective on the various facets of fire and emergency services administration. This program helps prepare the current and future Fire Chiefs in America’s Fire Service for the many challenges, opportunities and threats of the 21st century. This is a four- year program that requires the candidates to attend classes at the Fire Academy campus in Emmitsburg, Maryland for two weeks each year to receive hands on instruction and training. The required training covers the topics of Executive Development, Executive Analysis of Community Risk Reduction, Executive Analysis of Fire Service Operations and Emergency Management and Executive Leadership. Each Chief Officer is required to complete an applied research paper after each year’s program on a topic that relates to the candidate’s organization. This research paper is graded for each topic area to allow the chief officers to demonstrate the knowledge obtained and the lessons learned and to find real life solutions to problems and issues that the fire service is currently facing.


PIXELFEST 2.017 Art Show Norfolk, Va.- Calling all artists! Exhibit your original gaming-related art at Norfolk's dedicated gaming festival!


Norfolk Public Library’s (NPL) Slover Library presents PixelFest 2.017 for the second year this April 7 – 9, 2017. This year’s event includes an opportunity for artists to showcase their original gaming-related work to an audience of all ages.


Artwork can be 2-dimensional, 3-dimensional or screenshots of programs artists have created. All art must be original with gaming-related themes.


Pieces may be dropped off at the Concierge Desk at Slover beginning Friday, March 3 through Monday, March 6 during regular library hours. The exhibit will run Friday, March 10 through Sunday, April 9 on the 2nd floor. All works must be picked up Friday, April 14 or Saturday, April 15 during regular library hours.


For additional details and submission information contact Debra Burrell, Arts Manager, Norfolk Arts at debra.burrell@norfolk.gov.


Portsmouth’s “Hook a Kid on


Golf” program wins grant The Middle Atlantic Professional Golfers’ Association (MAPGA) has announced that they have selected the City of Portsmouth as one of the 2017 winners of the MAPGA Player Development Grant. The MAPGA grant is being awarded to Portsmouth for the City’s introductory “Hook a Kid on Golf” program which will introduce the game to underprivileged Portsmouth youth.


The Department of Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services will use the MAPGA grant funds of $1,000 to purchase several sets of youth golf clubs for the program. These new golf clubs will assist the City in its mission to make the game more accessible. The “Hook a Kid on Golf” program is designed to eliminate the financial obstacles which sometimes prevent youth from learning and loving the game.


The Department of Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services will conduct the “Hook a Kid on Golf” program at The Links at City Park, located at 140 City Park Avenue, in July 2017. The program registration dates will be announced later in the Spring.


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