March is VSBA Equity in Education Month
In an effort to encourage equity in education, the VSBA Board of Directors has designated the month of March as VSBA Equity in Education Month. For more information on the month-long webinar series, a copy of the governor’s proclamation and additional resources follow the link above.
2021 VSBA Title IX: Best Practices In Training & Compliance
With claims of sexual harassment and sexual misconduct hitting newsstands everywhere, Title IX coordinators and other senior staff need to be confident in their knowledge and enforcement of their divisions’ policies. Prevention and thorough investigations are the best ways to…
In their own words: What students have learned in a year away from school
Things happened fast on Friday, March 13, 2020. At 7:47 a.m., Hampton City Schools tweeted that Andrews Prek-8 School would close after a person from the school came in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19. At 10:30 a.m., a school in Williamsburg closed after a volunteer…
Hanover teacher finalist for national math and science teaching award
A Hanover County Public Schools teacher is one of four finalists from Virginia in the running for the 2020 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Whitney Wells-Corfield is a fifth-grade teacher at South Anna Elementary School. She has taught for…
Outbreak at Loudoun high school linked to cheerleading competition
At least a dozen students at Independence High School in Loudoun County, Virginia, have tested positive for COVID-19, after many had recently returned from a club cheerleading competition in Richmond, according to NBC Washington. Club sports, which often involve…
Lynchburg City School Board approved budget raises concerns among parents, educators
The Lynchburg City School board approved its operating budget Tuesday for the 2021-2022 school year, but it’s raising some concerns. “The budget, as it was presented, reads like a wish list,” said Andrew Glover, founder of the Conservative Parents of Lynchburg group. Glover…
MC in-school learning days likely to rise
Middlesex County Public Schools (MCPS) officials announced March 10 that they plan to go to a four-day a week in-school instructional program starting Monday, April 12. At a March 8 school board meeting, the Middlesex County School Board (MCSB) expressed confidence in…
Prince William School Board wants two-track plan for fall, in-person and virtual
The Prince William County School Board asked Superintendent Steven Walts to present a plan that would offer 100% in-person learning by the fall semester, signaling to parents that fully in-school instruction would likely be available for families who want it come next school year…
New app lets Norfolk families track their students’ buses
Norfolk Public Schools has launched an app that allowed families to monitor the school bus their child is on, as well as get daily school bus transportation information. The “Here Comes the Bus” application went live for families to use on Wednesday. The app includes: Notifications…
Hampton Roads high school and college seniors hopeful for traditional graduation ceremony after new guidelines announced
Ceremonies for high school and college graduates this spring will be closer to normal. Gov. Ralph Northam announced new guidelines for graduation ceremonies this week, but don’t expect to see packed arenas full of thousands of family members and friends. Northam…
Fairfax County Public School’s academic calendar under fire for not ‘pursuing equity’
Ahead of Thursday’s critical vote, the Fairfax County School Board has received 16,000 emails and a petition signed by nearly 500 students. The issue? The school system’s academic calendar. Members of the Muslim, Hindu, and Jewish communities believe they are not being…
Charlottesville, Albemarle County schools prepare for in-person graduations following Northam’s announcement
They may not be full of the usual hugs and handshakes, but in-person graduations look to be moving ahead in Virginia. The guidance from Gov. Ralph Northam says outdoor graduation ceremonies can host up to 5,000 people or 30% of the venue’s capacity, whichever is less…
Education, public safety, economic development: 3 priorities in Danville budget
The Danville City Council is preparing its 2022 budget. City Manager Ken Larking presented his proposed 2022 budget to Danville City Council on Tuesday night. Larking listed three top priorities for 2022: a focus on education, economic development and public safety. There’s…
Dozens of grants awarded to teachers in Louisa County
Louisa County School Superintendent Doug Straley, division administrators, and School Board members gathered Wednesday, March 17, to hand out 34 Innovative Grant awards to teachers for a diverse number of programs. Programs included studying birds, a store run by students…
Teachers to get over $10 hourly raise for summer school in Rockbridge County
In an effort to encourage more teachers to participate in summer school, Rockbridge County Public Schools is upping the pay it offers this summer. School officials say they realize more students need the summer help now more than ever while recognizing teacher fatigue…
Hand sanitizer donated to 4 Prince George County Schools
Four Prince George County Schools were given several gallons of hand sanitizer from Cintas Corporation, a national workplace and safety supplies provider. L.L. Beazley Elementary, South Elementary, William A. Walton Elementary and Prince George High School were each given…
Roanoke Valley high schools excited to host in-person graduations
Pomp and circumstance will be returning to Virginia high school graduations this spring. Gov. Ralph Northam (D-VA) has announced limited in-person ceremonies will be allowed. The Governor’s draft plans allow for 500-person indoor gatherings in person, or 30 percent…
Virginia First Lady Pamela Northam visits Chesapeake middle school to celebrate district’s success during pandemic
Virginia First Lady Pamela Northam visited Oscar Smith Middle School Thursday to celebrate the academic achievements of the students and staff during COVID-19. According to Chesapeake Public Schools, Northam met with district and school leadership to discuss the…
FCPS in Virginia updates school learning model
The school board for Frederick County Public Schools in Virginia voted to expand in-person learning for students. Starting April 12th, students in grades 2-12 will be able to go to school for in-person learning four days a week instead of two. Students on both the Hybrid A and B…
School board approves plan for increased in-person classes
Orange County Public School (OCPS) students can return to four-day, in-person learning beginning April 12. At a worksession Monday, the Orange County School Board unanimously approved a plan presented by Superintendent Dr. Cecil Snead that would elevate the existing…
Local schools produce yearbooks under difficult circumstances
Elementary, middle and high school yearbooks serve to immortalize a year of school life. Across the glossy pages, you would typically find headshots, class photos and snapshots from sporting events, pep rallies and school fundraisers. The last few pages, left blank quickly become filled..
Bristol, Virginia school superintendent pushes for school infrastructure funding
Billions of dollars are headed to Virginia because of the recent federal stimulus bill. Superintendent of Bristol, Virginia Schools Keith Perrigan said a large amount of money will also be headed to school divisions based on student needs. There is around $3 billion that will be…
VSBA School Board U
School Board U is an area of the VSBA website filled with learning opportunities for school board members to explore important topics related to your service on the school board. Complete certain courses and earn a certificate for your hard work. For more information visit the member section of the VSBA website. School board members and division staff, please check your email to find the log in and password information or contact VSBA.
2021 VSBA Business Honor Roll Open Now
Local businesses have the power to shape community attitudes about public schools. Every spring, the VSBA Business Honor Roll provides a way for local school divisions to recognize local businesses for their support, especially as schools face increasing budget uncertainty…