VSBA Showcases for Success Deadline Monday, March 8
As a means of encouraging community awareness and positive press coverage of public education, the Virginia School Boards Association is inviting school divisions to recommend programs and initiatives that would serve as appropriate “Showcases for Success” in public…
March 17, 2021, VSBA March Hot Topic
Join us as we gather virtually for an informative and important conference. This conference will be focusing specifically on multiple hot topics in education. You will hear from three leaders in public education throughout the event speaking on the topics of Race and Equity…
Local educators bringing new African American history course to Virginia classrooms
There have been a lot of changes to Virginia classrooms this year, but one has been a few years in the making. It’s a new African American history class and students right here in southwest Virginia are helping to develop the course. For Franklin County High School history…
Two teens with epilepsy championed Seizure Safe School bill. Now it awaits governor’s signature.
Jamie Van Cleave spent her junior year in York County adjusting to remote learning, battling seizures and advocating for legislation that will make schools safer for students with epilepsy. She hopes her senior year will bring the chance to earn her driver’s license. Jamie, along with…
City School Board Hears First Reading Of New Inclusivity Statement
At a Harrisonburg School Board meeting Tuesday, members heard the first reading of an inclusivity statement that has been drafted by the Superintendent’s Equity Advisory Council over the past few months. An updated inclusivity statement has not been adopted by the board…
Roof repair, new schools discussed for PECPS
A joint meeting of the finance committees for Prince Edward County School Board and the Board of Supervisors on Wednesday, March 3, featured a discussion about the leaky roofs of the elementary school and preliminary thoughts about a new elementary and high schools…
Page Co. Public Schools to offer more in-person learning days
Page County Public Schools announced on Wednesday more in-person learning days will be provided for students, with some students starting as early as next week. The school district says on March 8, elementary school students in third grade through fifth grade will begin…
Hampton schools propose 5% pay raise for employees
Teachers and other school employees in Hampton would get 5% raises next school year under a budget presented Wednesday night to the School Board. It’d be the largest raise for the district in years. The district has given steady 2-3% raises over the last few years, but new…
Students from Blacksburg and Ireland talk world issues with US and European legislators
High school students from right here in Southwest Virginia and Dublin, Ireland presented their ideas on world issues to officials in both countries. It’s part of the Bridge the Pond program. We first introduced you to what students were working on back in January. Since then, students…
Three fourth grade students win awards for essays on America’s first president
Three local youth got a chance to shine in the limelight last week when the George Washington Research Paper Competition culminated with an awards celebration for students, their parents and teachers. The competition, open to all fourth grade students in the county, is sponsored…
PWCS Board Resolution to Encourage Staff to Get COVID-19 Vaccine Fails
More than 10,400 Prince William County School employees have opted to receive the COVID-19, but hundreds still have not. On Mar. 3, the board considered whether to officially encourage all employees, who are able to, to promptly receive their vaccinations. The resolution failed…
COVID-19 halts high school football games in Norfolk, Chesapeake
COVID-19 is halting, even canceling local high school football games as students begin to return to classrooms. The football game between Great Bridge and Hickory in Chesapeake, originally scheduled for Friday, March 5, has been canceled. The game between Granby …
Northam tours career tech programs at Louisa County High School
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam stands in front of a classic car on a lift in the Auto Tech III Lab Thursday at Louisa County High School. The Governor toured the school speaking with students and teachers in a variety classroom settings who are participating in-person…
Snow day killer? Virginia schools can opt for remote learning during inclement weather.
Virginia lawmakers insisted there will still be snow days for public school students, though the General Assembly recently passed legislation allowing unscheduled remote learning during inclement weather. “I have heard this bill referred to as ‘the killer of snow day dreams,’” said…
Virginia Beach providing resources beyond the classroom this summer
Virginia Beach City Public Schools is already offering a face-to-face learning option to students, and Chief Academics Officer Kipp Rogers says that will be no different during summer school. What will be different are the other programs the city will offer. “Time is of the essence, and…
Schools’ $41 million budget increase raises issue of future funding
The $744.7 million operating budget approved by the Chesterfield School Board last Thursday represents the largest single-year investment in employee compensation in the county’s history, including a $23.2 million plan to alleviate salary compression that will result in an average…
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…
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.