November 18-20, VSBA Virtual Annual Convention
The VSBA Annual Convention is the largest and most anticipated VSBA meeting of the year. While this year our Annual Convention may look a little different, and we won’t get to see your smiling faces in person, we hope you’ll find our event schedule to be just as enriching and…
On-time graduation rates improve in Grayson County
On-time graduation rates have just been released by the state, and Grayson County Schools has seen a huge improvement. Superintendent Kelly Wilmore has made it his mission to improve the graduation rate. He said five years ago it was at 88%, but now it’s coming in at…
Hampton schools faced 65 classrooms without teachers before changing reopening plan
After lunch Wednesday, a student in Amber Collins’ kindergarten class at Hunter B. Andrews School made an announcement: She needed to throw up. Collins quickly sent her to the bathroom, but another girl immediately turned around and told Collins, “She has COVID…
APS Makes Decision Not to Participate in Winter Sports
While many schools in Virginia will start their winter sports seasons next month, Arlington Public Schools will not follow suit. Some parents and a School Board member urged Superintendent Francisco Durán to reverse course on this decision during the School Board meeting held that…
Handley students reflect on what’s at stake for them this election
Although most students at Handley High School are not old enough to vote, they had the opportunity to share their political views in a mock election at the school on Tuesday. About 267 of the estimated 1,300 students in the school, or 20%, participated. Students could vote for…
Lynchburg-area school divisions announce 18 new positive cases of COVID-19 this week
School divisions in the Lynchburg area announced 18 new positive cases of COVID-19 this week, bringing their collective total to 138 cases since their school year began. Nelson County Public Schools announced Friday a staff member at Nelson County High School tested…
Danville Public Schools to purchase more technology, sanitation equipment with second round of coronavirus relief funding
Local school systems have until the end of the calendar year to make decisions on how to spend the second round of allocated coronavirus relief bill funding granted by Gov. Ralph Northam in early October. Danville Public Schools was the recipient of $954,608, and…
With members still questioning some new 2020-21 rules, VHSL vows to ‘look at’ guidelines released last week
Virginia high school teams, after a prolonged break because of the pandemic, are one month away from the official start of sports. But as member schools and state officials weigh in on return plans — sometimes offering opinions on different ends of the spectrum — there are still…
Region VIII Superintendents talk reopening concerns
On November 4, 2020, the Region VIII Superintendents held their regular monthly meeting, which coincided on the day following a National General, State, and Local Election. Region VIII comprises Amelia, Appomattox, Brunswick, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Greensville…
Superintendents meet virtually with legislators to discuss school issues
School superintendents from across the region met virtually with legislators on Thursday morning to discuss issues schools are facing during the pandemic. The meeting was part of the annual Virginia School Boards Association “Take Your Legislator to School” event. The region…
Petersburg schools to remain closed until at least February, virtual learning to continue
Schools in Petersburg will remain closed for the forseeable future, and students will continue to learn virtually and remotely, the Petersburg School Board has decided. Petersburg City Public Schools will continue to instruct students on a fully virtual basis until February 5, 2021, the…
Despite rising COVID-19 cases, school board sticks with plan to launch hybrid instruction Nov. 10
Prince William County schools are moving forward with a plan to bring pre-K and kindergarten students back into school buildings for in-person learning starting Tuesday, Nov. 10, despite current health metrics that show the county to have the highest rate of COVID-19 infections…
During election week like no other, teachers help students make sense of it all
The students, it turns out, had many of the same questions as the grown-ups. Why is it taking so long to count the votes? Is there any evidence of voter fraud? Who came up with this electoral college idea? When is this going to be over? In classrooms — and on Zoom screens…
Shenandoah Valley couple pays off Waynesboro’s school meal debt
Waynesboro Public Schools had about $18,000 in school meal debt until one couple in the city decided to make a generous donation. The school nutrition supervisor, Tammy Coffey, said she was very surprised when she opened the envelope with $20,000 in it. She said it helps just…
Briefing on public education in light of pandemic coming up
The Virginia Department of Education will be holding a briefing with state legislators on the status of public education in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The PreK-12 Issues Briefing will take place Nov. 12 and 13 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. During it, members of the House and…
Wednesday November 18, 2020 Early Bird Session at the VSBA Annual Convention
Student Achievement and Success During Times of Uncertainty: The Early Bird session participants will gain various insights pertaining to the importance of a high quality systems approach relating to the core business of teaching and learning as well as establishing a…
Attending the VSBA Annual Convention: Make Plans to Attend the Connectivity Session
Learn how to log in to the virtual convention and update your attendee profile, view session information and create your personalized schedule, find exhibitors and convention sponsors and use the message and chat features to engage with other attendees. Information to log in to…