In the Hampton Roads region, combined state and local sales taxes add up to 6% to 7%.

Virginia has offered the sales tax holiday for more than a decade, usually in early August to coincide with the back-to-school season. Last year the holiday was delayed until October because of problems during budget negotiations.

Eligible tax-free items include school supplies that cost $20 or less per item, as well as clothing and footwear that cost $100 or less per item. Eligible emergency preparedness products include portable generators for $1,000 or less and gas-powered chainsaws for $350 or less. Some Energy Star and WaterSense products for home or personal use are also eligible.

Sports gear, protective equipment and accessories are not eligible. A full list of eligible items can be found online at tax.virginia.gov/virginia-sales-tax-holiday.

Nour Habib, nour.habib@virginiamedia.com

Nichelle Stone, who was appointed last year to fill a vacated seat until the special election, had originally filed to complete the term. She was the only candidate. But Stone has vacated her seat and withdrawn from the race, leaving it open.

“I was very honored to be appointed,” Stone said in an interview on Monday. But she said she had to leave the position and withdraw from the race to spend more time with her family because of unexpected personal matters.

The special election will be held with the general election Nov. 5. Individuals interested in running must live and be registered to vote in the Ward 5 District. If no candidate files by the deadline, the seat will be listed on the ballot with a write-in option.

The winning candidate will serve the remainder of the unexpired termthrough the end of 2026.

Stone was appointed in November after Lauren Campsen resigned because of health reasons.

Nour Habib, nour.habib@virginiamedia.com

The students were looking for microplastics as part of the weeklong Camp Answer environmental science program. The camp allows students to study a community problem and develop solutions. This year, they were studying littering.

“This is a camp that brings out thinkers and doers,” said Monique Taylor, who has taught Camp Answer for four years.

Taylor takes students to sites and on neighborhood walks to track litter and check for microplastics — tiny bits of plastic that result from degraded plastic items such as bottles. They can be harmful to wildlife and aquatic animals. The students use an app — Marine Debris Tracker — to log the litter. They bring samples back to the classroom to check them under a microscope.

One of the biggest hits is when they check food from fast food locations.

“Once they’ve seen it — oh boy, the spark is now here,” she said.

Malik Jones, 12, said as he pulled apart a chicken nugget under a microscope and saw strings of microplastics inside. He had one word for the discovery: “Disgusting.”

Studies have found that microplastics can get into processed food through conveyor belts, packaging or workers’ clothes. The Churchland Middle School student said he feels motivated to encourage people to stop littering.

Waters Middle School student Alisia Staton, 13, signed up for the camp so she could do something productive during the summer. Alisia enjoyed the experiments and contributing to a solution by picking up trash during their neighborhood walks.

The students have made a poster showcasing their findings, which will be featured on the division’s website and used to help spread awareness about the impact of littering on the environment.

The camp has also sparked longer-term interest, including for Daijha Riddick, a sophomore at Chesapeake’s Western Branch. Riddick attended Camp Answer when she was a middle schooler in Portsmouth and she now, after graduation, wants a career as a water quality specialist. She came back this year as a volunteer.

“I see myself in them,” she said.

During camp, students also made reusable lunch bags from beeswax to minimize their use of disposable plastic sandwich bags. Janae Washington, a 13-year-old at Churchland Middle School, said the activity helped her understand the importance of using alternative materials. She looks forward to sharing the idea with her friends and family.

Nour Habib, nour.habib@virginiamedia.com

The board passed the change in a 5-1 vote and is expected to approve the accountability framework at its August meeting.

The board began revising the system last year. A 2023 report from the secretary of education and the superintendent of public instruction recommended splitting the evaluation system into two, similar to most other states.

Critics said the combined system masked changes in academic achievement, such as not reflecting lower test scores after the pandemic.

The new system will look at student readiness, growth and proficiency. Parts of the system — including performance descriptors — were approved this summer. The new model will use four descriptors to label school performance: Distinguished, On Track, Off Track and Needs Intensive Support.

Board member Anne Holton, who cast the no vote, said Thursday she was concerned that the new descriptors essentially amounted to an A through F system. Holton said she also believed student growth should be weighted higher on the school performance report cards.

During the public comments portion of the meeting, several people spoke for and against the new system. Representatives from the Virginia Association of School Superintendents, Virginia School Boards Association, the Virginia PTA and the Virginia Education Association voiced concerns, particularly about the category descriptors and the low weight for student growth.

Those who favored the new plan, including a representative from the School Board Member Alliance, said prioritizing proficiency over growth will raise expectations and better serve all students. The School Board Member Alliance is a conservative-leaning Virginia organization that supports school board members and some boards have used it as an alternative to the Virginia School Boards Association.

As presented at Thursday’s meeting, the new framework would weigh mastery — or proficiency — at 50% to 65% of a school’s overall score, varying across school levels. Growth would account for 20% to 25%. Other indicators include readiness and graduation rates.

Nour Habib, nour.habib@virginiamedia.com

“The Philadelphia Eleven” follows the story of 11 women who were ordained into the Episcopal priesthood at a church in Philadelphia in 1974, in violation of the church rules at the time.

“This film tells a story that continues to resonate today as women seeking ordination continue to face resistance, disrespect and exclusion from roles reserved by men for men,” states a press release from the Old Donation.

This year is the 50th anniversary of the milestone, but women in many faiths continue to fight for full inclusion. Last month, the Southern Baptist Convention ousted an Alexandria church for affirming that women can serve in any pastoral role. Southern Baptist doctrine states that only men can serve as pastors, though some interpret that to mean only senior pastors must be male.

The screening is free and open to the public, but registration is required; visit olddonation.org.

Nour Habib, nour.habib@virginiamedia.com

I discovered this little gem the first year I moved to the area while I was looking for kid-friendly places. And kid-friendly it is, with a dedicated play area featuring dolls, toy cars, a pretend kitchen and a ton of books. It kept our kids — and everyone else’s — busy till the food arrived.

I ordered the veggie breakfast bowl, which included an egg frittata, sauteed breakfast potatoes, avocado slices, grape tomatoes and green peppers, drizzled with a delicious garlic sauce. It was perfectly seasoned and filling. I got mine without meat, but there is an option to add bacon, sausage or turkey kielbasa.

My husband indulged his sweet tooth and ordered the French toast. The fluffy order was topped with a hazelnut chocolate spread and tempered with banana slices. The syrup was served on the side.

At its heart, Persnickety Crane is a coffee shop. Though my husband and I rounded out our meals with a regular medium roast, the cafe serves a variety of coffee creations. I’ve previously enjoyed its cappuccino and a Persnickety Mocha. They also serve tea, including a London Fog, which is a classic Earl Grey black tea with lavender or vanilla syrup and steamed milk.

My children ordered kids’ hot chocolates, which came out first in smaller versions of the grown-up mugs. The drinks were the perfect temperature — there were no tears because of burned tongues. The whipped cream on top was a hit, as always.

My 8-year-old enjoyed her Custom Grazer off the kids’ menu. The order lets you choose two items and she picked French toast dippers and fruit. She finished her plate. I chose a mini charcuterie board for my picky 4-year-old. Fruit, crackers and cheese slices came out on a cute round board. The cafe has several other items, including bagels and breakfast burritos. It also serves salads and sandwiches for lunch. Fresh pastries are always available. Service is fast and friendly.

The atmosphere at Persnickety Crane is laid back. No one will look twice if your toddler has a small tantrum, but at the same time, you’ll be able to have a conversation with adults without having to raise your voice.

It’s also a great place for parents who need to get some work done — the play area can keep a child busy for 20 minutes of uninterrupted focus time. I saw a couple of moms with laptops that Saturday morning, who were working while easily keeping an eye on their kids, thanks to the seating arrangement.

Plenty of non-parents also enjoy the cafe. A young couple at a nearby table played chess while waiting on their food, checking the set out from the cafe’s large stock of board games.

The store, in a small strip mall, also hosts numerous events. “Sip and Plant” and “Birdhouse Building” workshops were advertised for early August.

Nour Habib, nour.habib@virginiamedia.com

___

If you go

Where: 209 Village Ave C, Yorktown

Hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day

Prices: Coffee/tea $3 to $7. Food $5 to $15.

Details: 757-975-7001; persnicketycranecafe.com

What does that mean?

Starting in kindergarten, students already are building the blocks that lead from self-awareness to community awareness and, ultimately, career awareness and readiness. The approach seeks to help students answer three questions: Who am I? What do I want? How do I get there?

Last summer, the division was named the first Ford Next Generation Learning K-12 Community in the nation. Ford NGL, which is supported by the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Co., focuses on getting more businesses and community groups involved in schools so students are better prepared for careers when they graduate. The division’s high school academies became part of the Ford NGL Community in 2017.

Chief Academic Officer James Harris said the division recognized that this work couldn’t be limited to the high schools.

“We knew we had to backwards-map this, which is why we started in kindergarten to ensure that we align our efforts,” he said.

The program for younger students has been piloted over the past year and implementation for third through eighth grade begins this fall. Kindergarten through second-grade experiences will continue in the pilot phase at some schools this year. The division refers to the approach as “signature experiences.”

In kindergarten, students begin with observing and recognizing growth. For example, they’ll learn about plant growth in their “Kinder Garden,” then draw self-portraits each quarter to recognize their growth. At the third grade level, that self-awareness would include keeping reflection journals and gratitude jars, then culminating with a “Museum of Me” exhibit at the end of the year, a visual representation that the student creates.

In fourth grade, students would focus on community and participate in activities such as visiting city council and creating an advocacy campaign. In fifth grade, the focus shifts to careers with visits to industry partners and a “reverse career fair” where students would take on the role of a business and make a presentation at the end of the year.

The focus becomes more local in middle school with students learning about the maritime industry or navigating the Hampton Roads Transit system.

Though the activities are not unique to Hampton schools, division officials say the approach works because it is more strategic and intentional. Experiences are layered and written into the curriculum, giving all students the same opportunities.

Nour Habib, nour.habib@virginiamedia.com

The lawsuit was one of two brought in February by the ACLU of Virginia on behalf of transgender students. The York County student was a high schooler at the time of the filing. The transgender girl is referred to as “Jane Doe” in the complaint because of safety concerns.

The claim stated that at least one teacher refused to use the student’s “correct first name,” but instead used only her last name. According to court documents, the school division addressed the situation by rearranging the student’s class schedule.

The court on Monday granted the state’s request to dismiss the case because of sovereign immunity, meaning the department can’t be sued except in specific circumstances outlined by law. The original complaint had pointed to waivers granted through the Virginia Administrative Process Act and the state argued that it was filed too late to be considered under the act.

Following the hearing, Wyatt Rolla,  ACLU of Virginia senior transgender attorney, and Andrew Ewalt, a partner in Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, released the following statement: “The Virginia Department of Education didn’t want to defend its anti-trans model policies in a court of law because it knew they can’t stand up to scrutiny. Its policies harm the very students they’re supposed to protect, and they’ve already resulted in discrimination that violates state and federal law — like the discrimination our client experienced when the York County Public School system allowed her teacher to refuse to use the affirming name both the student and her mother provided.”

Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration has focused heavily on what it refers to as parental rights in education. The 2023 model policies require parental permission for students to go by nicknames and preferred names and pronouns that do not match their official school records. The policies also require that parents provide permission before students can receive school counseling services about gender.

Another element of the policies is that teachers, staff and other students cannot be compelled to use a person’s preferred pronouns in “any manner that would violate their constitutionally protected rights.” The policies have been controversial since their release and protesters have spoken against them at board meetings across the state, including in Virginia Beach and Newport News.

In response to Monday’s decision, Attorney General Jason Miyares’ office said he is pleased with the court’s ruling and proud to secure the win. This month, he authored an amicus brief in a Supreme Court case on parental rights. The case was brought by the group, Parents Protecting Our Children, against a Wisconsin school district seeking to stop the district from enforcing its guidance on gender identity support.

In the brief, supported by 15 other states, Miyares wrote, “The parent-child relationship is directly harmed when a school district tells ‘minor students that secrets from their parents—including an entire double life at school — are not only acceptable, but will be facilitated by the District.’ ”

Miyares adds that the case presents the opportunity for the Supreme Court to reiterate that government officials can’t interfere with parents’ rights “just because the government officials believe that they know better.”

Nour Habib, nour.habib@virginiamedia.com

Earlier this month, Youngkin issued Executive Order 33 with cellphone restrictions to promote the health and safety of students. The order directs the VDOE to guide school boards on cellphone-free education policies and procedures. Boards must implement the new policies by the end of the year.

The VDOE has scheduled several meetings throughout the state. The local meeting will be held 4:30-6 p.m. Monday at Tallwood High School at 1668 Kempsville Road.

To register to attend, or to share feedback online, visit www.doe.virginia.gov/cell-phone-free-education.

Nour Habib, nour.habib@virginiamedia.com

His “quest” since he started teaching 20 years ago has been to answer this. He’s brought drones into his classroom to explain how math ties in with flight. He’s taken kids on indoor skydiving field trips to experience free fall.

When school starts again this year, he’ll have a new real-life experience to share — from a 10-day circumnavigation expedition around Iceland.

Zahraoui, who teaches at Portsmouth’s Churchland High School, is one of 35 Grosvenor Teacher Fellows this year. The fellowship is open to K-12 teachers in the U.S. and Canada. Among this year’s other destinations are the Galapagos, Antarctica and Alaska.

Zahraoui will set out for his expedition at the end of July. He expects to participate in data collection, observe volcanic landscapes, go on glacier walks and measure glacial retreat. He also will learn from expert navigators aboard the National Geographic Explorer vessel. The opportunities will be lesson fodder for his calculus, algebra and geometry classes.

The fellowship is sponsored by the National Geographic Society and Lindblad Expeditions and is “aligned with both companies’ commitment to shaping the next generation of planetary stewards,” according to a news release.

The fellows teach various topics, including math, science and world religion. Zahraoui said the interdisciplinary nature of the fellowship also drew him in. His shipmate will be a social studies teacher and he expects to have conversations about the social ramifications of the expedition and how it ties into mathematics. Another possibility is how the region’s economics are changing because of the melting ice caps.

The fellowship is named for Gilbert M. Grosvenor, chairman emeritus of the National Geographic Society, in recognition of his work supporting teachers and promoting geography education. Fellows commit to two years of supporting National Geographic’s education initiatives after their expedition, including conducting webinars, creating resources and mentoring other educators.

Submissions for the 2025 Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship will open in the fall.

Nour Habib, nour.habib@virginiamedia.com