Author: Sukainah Abid-Kons
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Sukainah Abid-Kons, Contributor
Harrisonburg school leaders call for Virginia to dial back changes affecting English learners
In early 2025, students, teachers, and administrators were informed of a big change: the amount of time English-learning students (ELs) would have to reach proficiency would be cut dramatically. While English learners previously had up to 11 semesters to learn English before their performance in Virginia’s Standards of Learning tests began to count, they would now have three semesters.
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Kohen says he won’t run for school board again this fall; Board selects new leaders
While the first school board meeting of 2026 included a change in leadership roles, it also signaled a changing of the guard with the announcement that the longest-tenured current school board member wouldn’t seek re-election this fall.
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HHS biology teacher ‘knows how to bring her classroom to life’
In Anna Henkel’s biology class at Harrisonburg High School, students are likely to get a spoiler alert: “I’m going to ruin your life by making you see biology everywhere,” she tells them.
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City schools to explore creating an athletics academy
Superintendent Michael Richards announced a task force has been formed with the intent to create an athletics academy, similar to other interdisciplinary learning programs like the Fine Arts Academy at Harrisonburg High School.
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City schools look to Blue Ridge Community College to fill its career and technical education void
The plan for the Harrisonburg City Public Schools’ new career and technical education program, once the district withdraws from Massanutten Technical Center, will rely heavily on the area’s community college.
Heading into winter, Navigation Center offers ‘huge blessing’ for those facing housing insecurity
The city’s nearly one-year-old Navigation Center, which is aimed at helping those struggling with housing, sits at the end of a long driveway off North Main Street. Its exterior is lined with potted plants that offer a splash of color to the white building. Inside, chairs line the walls to seat those waiting to check in, and a common room offers those seeking daytime or overnight services a place to sit and socialize. In a separate part of the building, the sleeping area holds neat rows of beds, each with a storage locker, bedside table and a small closet.
City schools to try out AI training pilot program for teachers
The Harrisonburg City Public Schools next month will launch a pilot program in some classrooms to training teachers on AI programs that could assist them.
Seeking to be ‘proactive,’ city schools apply consistent emergency plan across campuses
For the first time, Harrisonburg City Public Schools are using a uniform Emergency Action Plan. On paper, the change is relatively small, but school leaders say the effects will lead to swifter and more organized responses to emergencies.
