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Community Message: Vehicular Accident at Mount Vernon Honor Academy

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Community Message: Vehicular Accident at Mount Vernon Honor Academy

At approximately 12:15 p.m. today – Wednesday, September 11, 2024 – a car struck the side of Mount Vernon Honor Academy, causing damage to a wall. The car hit in the area of the building where drop-off and dismissal are conducted, but no students were in the immediate area when the accident occurred. There were no injuries to staff members or students.

The building was promptly evacuated, and police and firefighters arrived at the scene shortly after as a matter of precaution. Students were evacuated to the playground, where they were supervised while police and firefighters analyzed the scene. Fluids were leaking from the vehicle, which caused a fear of fire risk. The fluids were later identified as windshield washer fluid. 

The school principal was on the scene to direct students and staff in the immediate aftermath, and District administrators arrived shortly after. Student safety is the Mount Vernon City School District’s highest priority, and the decision to precautionarily evacuate the building was made quickly to avoid any risk to student wellbeing. 

There was also a concern of structural damage due to where the vehicle hit the building. Building damages were assessed by structural engineers, who were on the scene immediately after the accident occurred. The building was deemed safe, with no structural damage or compromising of the building’s structural integrity. Students returned to their classes shortly after 1 p.m.
 

Dr.DemarioStricklandSuperintendent
Community Message: Welcome Address from Dr. Demario A. Strickland, Superintendent of Schools

Greetings Mount Vernon, 

Thank you for entrusting your children’s education to me as Superintendent of Schools for the Mount Vernon City School District. Over the past few weeks, I have spent time getting to know the community of Mount Vernon, and I am impressed with the pride that fills the city. I am looking forward to making sure that residents are filled with that same pride for the schools that their children attend. I am excited to step in and get right to the important work of improving our District and achieving our shared vision of success. 

Inductees during hall of fame ceremony.
State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thomspon, Congressman George Latimer and the late Elise Finch-Henriques get inducted into the MVHS Hall of Fame

The Mount Vernon City School District inducted former State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thomspon, Congressman George Latimer and the late Elise Finch-Henriques into the Mount Vernon High School Hall of Fame Saturday morning. Families, loved ones, administrators, educators, colleagues and community members gathered at Mount Vernon High School to celebrate this prestigious induction.

Photo left to right: Dr. Smith, Trustee Lorna Kirwan, Trustee Adriane Saunders, In-House Counsel Royce Russell, Trustee Helene Thompson Njenga
Community Message: Thank you message from Acting Superintendent to outgoing trustees

Dr. K. Veronica Smith, Acting Superintendent:

As their terms as trustees of the Mount Vernon City School District come to an end, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Trustee Adriane Saunders, Trustee Lorna Kirwan, and Trustee Helene Thompson-Njenga for all they have done for our District during their time in office. They served as champions for education, always making decisions to better serve the children of Mount Vernon. Our District will wear the mark of the work they have done for years to come, and I am so appreciative of everything we were able to accomplish together for our scholars.

Valedictorian giving speech at graduation.
MVHS and RTA graduate 274 from the Class of 2025 at Memorial Field ceremony

Graduates from Mount Vernon High School and Rebecca Turner Academy walked the stage at Memorial Field on Wednesday evening, as 274 from the Class of 2025 received their diplomas. Students waved and smiled to their families and friends in the packed stadium as they took their places at the front of the ceremony, accompanied by percussion from the Ice Cold Performing Arts, a group made up of Mount Vernon students.

Click here to view the full photo gallery!