Colonial Place & Riverview · Norfolk, Virginia
James Monroe Elementary joined neighbors for a conversation about learning, student safety and community support, alongside updates on CPRV.net, neighborhood projects and plans for 2027.
Meeting: November 9, 2026 · 6:30 p.m.
By Pooya Mohit, President · Recap published November 10, 2026
The November 9 meeting of the Colonial Place and Riverview Civic League brought neighbors together for an update from James Monroe Elementary School Principal Jade Fleming and her team, questions about safe routes to school, and news from across CPRV. We also explored improvements to CPRV.net, heard financial and neighborhood safety reports, and looked ahead to the 2027 membership and community calendar campaign.
Thank you to everyone who joined us at Kingdom Embassy Ministries or online. The conversation continued the school discussion from our October School Board forum, with an opportunity to hear directly from James Monroe and identify practical ways our neighborhoods can help.
In this recap: James Monroe Elementary · 38th Street safety · Website improvements · Officer reports · Community projects · Meeting photos
Our neighborhood school
We welcomed Jade Fleming, Mary Tromba and Jasmine Addison for a presentation about James Monroe Elementary’s students, staff and school community. Their display brought the school’s guiding ideas into the room: Believe. Engage. Achieve.
Principal Fleming highlighted the school’s “Meets Expectations” performance designation and described academic progress, including stronger results in math. The Virginia Department of Education’s school quality summary also lists James Monroe at that performance level. Reading remained an area of focus in the discussion.
The team described a caring, supportive learning environment, safety protocols, staff collaboration and small group instruction. Fleming reported class sizes of approximately 13 to 16 students at the time of the meeting and explained how leadership team members also worked with students in classrooms. These figures reflected the update shared that evening.
School expectations were presented through SOARS: Safe, Ownership, Achieve, Respect and Serve. The team also shared examples of student recognition, family events, community partnerships and school celebrations, along with updates on music instruction and the strings program.
Parent participation and community relationships were recurring themes. The presentation included partnerships with Old Dominion University and other organizations, plans for a community resource closet, and opportunities for neighbors to support school staff and special events. Families and residents can learn more through James Monroe Elementary’s official website.
A priority for follow through
Neighbors raised concerns about students walking or biking to school, particularly the need for stronger crossing support on 38th Street. The conversation included crossing guards, crosswalks, transportation limits and the importance of keeping student safety central as school attendance patterns change.
Fleming acknowledged the concern. CPRV committed to coordinating with the school and helping direct the issue to the appropriate Norfolk Public Schools and city contacts. We also planned to share information about the city’s review process for school area improvements, including crosswalks and speed tables.
These remained follow-up requests. No new crossing guard assignment, crosswalk or speed table was announced as approved during the meeting. We will continue the conversation with the school and share confirmed information as it becomes available.
Your neighborhood resource
We opened with a walkthrough of recent website improvements designed to make neighborhood information easier to find between meetings. The navigation now more clearly connects events and meetings, community news, neighborhood information, city resources and Civic League contacts.
The newsletter hub and newsletter archive offer more ways to browse and stay connected. Expanded city resources and neighborhood safety information bring useful links together, while the bylaws page includes an easy finder and search tools.
Our environmental and community improvement section continues to grow with project stories, Plant of the Month features and ways to participate. Take a look around, subscribe to the newsletter and share the resources with a neighbor.
Officer reports
Treasurer Dave Wolfe reported $16,497.46 in total monetary assets. Reported receipts included $35 in memberships, $288 in advertising and $0.09 in checking account interest.
The community resource officer’s safety report covered October 12 through November 9. No violent crimes were reported during that period. The report included seven larcenies from vehicles, with five occurring during a single overnight spree on October 28 into October 29.
These figures reflect the reports shared at the meeting. For neighborhood safety contacts and reporting resources, visit CPRV’s neighborhood safety page.
Neighbors making things happen
Wes Stewart outlined the upcoming membership drive, coordinated with the calendar campaign. Krissy Mohit shared the community photo calendar project and announced a $5 senior discount. Calendar purchases include 2027 Civic League membership, and the campaign graphic was to be updated to make that clear. See the November newsletter’s calendar preview or contact media@cprv.net for release information.
Delia Cercel shared updates on neighborhood cleanup and the successful crape myrtle pruning effort. CPRV volunteers and Norfolk Master Gardeners pruned 97 crape myrtles across eight streets. Read the full pruning recap for the story and photos.
Planning continued for a Repair Café, with a need for neighbors who can help sew, mend or repair household items. Contact environmental@cprv.net to connect with Delia and learn how to help.
The Social Events Committee recapped recent happy hours and previewed holiday activities and a hat and glove drive for James Monroe Elementary. Details were still being finalized for the website and social channels. Keep an eye on upcoming events for confirmed announcements.
The evening closed with a brief discussion about the disappearance of trash and debris behind Dirty Buffalo. No explanation or responsible party was confirmed during the meeting.
Keeping the conversation going
Our follow through centered on three school connections: coordinating on 38th Street crossing concerns, sharing information about the city’s school area safety review process, and contacting Fleming about future support for school staff and special events.
Neighbors can help by joining the membership drive, volunteering for the Repair Café, and watching for the calendar and holiday announcements. Have a neighborhood photo, story, activity or idea to share? Email media@cprv.net or board@cprv.net.
Hear the full conversation
The full recording includes the school presentation, community questions and officer and committee reports.
Recording length: 1 hour, 4 minutes, 17 seconds.
Recording passcode: !33Low%K
Quick answers
The November 9 meeting featured James Monroe Elementary Principal Jade Fleming and her team, school crossing concerns on 38th Street, CPRV.net improvements, financial and safety reports, and plans for membership, calendars and community projects.
The 2027 community calendar campaign includes 2027 Civic League membership with a calendar purchase. Krissy Mohit also announced a $5 senior discount at the meeting. Contact media@cprv.net for calendar release information.
No new crossing guard assignment, crosswalk or speed table was announced as approved. CPRV planned to coordinate with James Monroe Elementary and the appropriate school division and city contacts on concerns about 38th Street.
The next meeting is Monday, December 14, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at Kingdom Embassy Ministries, 645 Mayflower Road, Norfolk, with online attendance available through the meetings page.
Join us in December
Our next general members meeting is Monday, December 14, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at Kingdom Embassy Ministries, 645 Mayflower Road, Norfolk, VA 23508, with online attendance available. Visit the meetings page for current details and the Zoom registration link.
Thank you to the James Monroe Elementary team, Kingdom Embassy Ministries, our officers and volunteers, and every neighbor who joined the conversation. Each question, introduction and offer to help strengthens the connection between our schools and our community.
Meeting notes
This recap draws on the November 9 meeting summary and photographs, with linked public resources for additional context; it is a summary of the discussion, rather than formally approved meeting minutes.
