January 25-26, 2021, VSBA Capital Conference, Virtual
Advocacy by local school board members is a year-round job but is never more critical than when the Virginia General Assembly is in session. With the Virginia State Capitol and Pocahontas Building closed to visitors for the unforeseeable future, it is imperative for school…
January 26, 2021, VSBA Orientation for New School Board Members and Superintendents, Virtual
Becoming a new school board member or superintendent is an honor and a privilege. Enjoy a successful and less stressful transition by attending the VSBA Orientation for New Board Members & Superintendents. Many important topics will be covered, including the roles and…
Spotswood High School Teacher Receives Prestigious Certification
Owen Longacre was wrapping up filming for a portfolio he was creating to submit to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards the day before the Gov. Ralph Northam shut down schools in March. It was the final video that Longacre needed to create of him teaching his…
Virginia’s ‘Teacher of the Year’ carries message of love
At first glance, Anthony Swann’s fifth grade classroom is no different from any other. Students sit at their laptops on a recent December morning, completing reading assignments as the Rocky Mount Elementary teacher walks around the room answering questions. A white…
After 49 years on the job, Virginia Beach bus driver still excited to take her students to school each day
After 49 years on the job, Marge Moore still mops and sweeps her bus every day, trying to set a good example for her students. She keeps the vehicle at her house so she can wash it on the weekends — and she makes sure to wax it every other month. When it’s especially frigid and…
Teacher wants to help instructors share stories amid virus
Falling Creek Middle School teacher Emma Clark refused to teach in person when called back to the classroom. For weeks her job was in limbo and her paycheck withheld. Now she’s back in the virtual classroom, where she wanted to be all along and hoping to create a safe space for…
Henrico high school students can now apply for specialty, career training
Applications are open for Henrico Public School students to inquire about specialty and career training, the district announced on Saturday. Students can take classes in a variety of subjects, including agriculture, construction, communications, health science, computer systems and…
Waiting for news
The gossip was that the Virginia High School League’s Executive Committee had a meeting early in the week and that there would be some big news coming regarding its future actions in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic. Well, maybe half of that statement turned out to be true…
Falls Church School Board, Renaming Committee Applicants Sought
Falls Church City Public Schools put out a callout for applicants to fill an upcoming school board vacancy and a renaming committee. The Falls Church City School Board seeks is seeking applications to term of School Board member Lawrence Webb, who will resign on…
Two months from season, high school football coaches suggest strategies to keep games on
With less than two months until the first scheduled high school football games in Virginia, local coaches are working now to solve potential problems before they come up. “This is my 21st year of education, and I’ve seen things in kids this year, from anxiety to depression,” said…
Reading assessments show youngest Prince William County students struggling
Reading assessments for Prince William County’s youngest students show a dramatic increase in the number of students struggling to read at grade level from last year. According to the state’s Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS), the number of Prince William…
Monroe robotics gearing up for spring competition
With the difficulty of planning for social distancing, modified school schedules and with many students attending school virtually or in a blended format, after-school activities have taken a big hit this year. Thanks to one dedicated coach, the high school robotics team is already working…
Mechanicsville Elementary students donate 500+ sock pairs to homeless organization
Students at Mechanicsville Elementary School collected more than 500 pairs of socks for those in need this holiday season. A total of 569 sock pairs will be donated to Homeward, an organization that works to prevent, reduce and end homelessness in the Richmond area…
NEW- Virginia Freedom of Information (FOIA) Training
The requirements of FOIA impact every school board meeting, from initial notice of the meeting to what must be included in the minutes. Board members’ thorough familiarity with FOIA helps school board meetings flow smoothly and shows the community that the board is committed…