County officials call for action on gun violence as community mourns death of Highland Springs student
This week, the Highland Springs community mourned the shooting death of a high school student.
Leaders called for an end to the gun violence that takes the lives of students each year.
“I’M TIRED OF BURYING KIDS”
Hundreds gathered at Highland Springs High School on Monday evening to mourn the death of Jaheim “Jah” Dickerson, a 16-year-old student at the school who was shot and killed early Saturday in Eastern Henrico.
Dickerson was a standout player on the state-champion Springers’ basketball team. His friends, family and teammates described him as bright, fun, loving and loyal, with an infectious smile and an intense competitive spirit.
Highland Springs High School Principal Ken White, who has been in his role for four years, urged the community to come together to stop the violence.
“The senselessness, the gun violence, the fighting in our community has to stop. I’m tired of burying kids,” White said. “People have a whole lot to say about Highland Springs, a whole lot to say about the East End. We as a community have to do better. Once we stand up and do better as a community, we will move forward. I firmly believe that.”
Hundreds mourn slain Highland Springs student, leaders call for end to violence
NEW SCHOOLS COMING
A new childcare center is set to open in the Innsbrook area by early summer.
Vakul Goel, the owner and operator of the center, said that his own children’s experience with local childcare inspired him to open up a center of his own.
“I live in Henrico, I work in Henrico, I call it home,” he said. “I want to work with the community and for the community to provide the quality care that I always longed for, for my neighborhood.”
Celebree School to open in Henrico’s Far West End, more to follow
UPHOLDING PROMISES
Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed several education bills into law last week, including one controversial bill that will involve red flagging a significant portion of the classical literary canon.
A controversial bill introduced by Henrico state senator Siobhan S. Dunnavant (R) requires local school boards to implment policies to require notifying parents of any sexually explicit content used in class, give them to opportunity to review the content, and provide alternative materials if requested.
Youngkin credits the bill with fulfilling his campaign promise to give control back to parents.
Youngkin signs bill to red flag sexually explicit material in schools, along with more education laws
That’s all for this week! Thanks for reading.
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