February 18, 2021
NewsDaily NewsFebruary 18, 2021

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…

Up to 250 spectators will be able to watch Virginia high school football games this season
Just before football season begins across Virginia, more people will now be able to watch these games in-person. Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday that he’s allowing up to 250 spectators at outdoor events, which includes outdoor high school sporting events, as long as…

Will the House put the brakes on the electric school bus bill again?
For the second year running, Senate legislation that would expand an electric school bus program being piloted by Dominion Energy is losing momentum in the House of Delegates. The bill was abruptly put on hold for the day Tuesday as it came up for a final vote in the House…

Students return to in-person learning in Fairfax, Loudoun counties
Some students in two of Virginia’s largest school systems — Fairfax and Loudoun counties — are returning to classrooms Tuesday. For some, it’s the first time since a December 2020 spike in COVID-19 cases that sent all students home to learn, and others for the first time since the…

Bipartisan teen driving safety bill passes Virginia General Assembly unanimously
Virginia Republicans and Democrats have come together in the General Assembly for a cause everyone could get behind. A teen driver safety bill introduced by local Del. Martha Mugler passed unanimously through both the House and Senate. Mugler (D-Hampton) represents…

Hampton expected to say Wednesday when more grades can return to classrooms
District leaders expect to give an update on when more students might return to classrooms at a virtual Hampton School Board meeting Wednesday evening. Some students in pre-K and kindergarten and certain students with disabilities are scheduled to return on Monday, a…

Kindness tree in some classrooms
Wednesday is Random Acts of Kindness Day. Melanie Bailey of Rockingham County Schools explains a kindness tree in some of their classrooms. For information on Random Acts of Kindness Day, click here:  https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/…

Montgomery County Public School Board hears plan to move more students into classroom
Montgomery County Public Schools has laid out its plan to get more students in the classroom for more time during the week. The district said its goal is to provide a safe and equitable learning environment for students. “Our hope is that the information that we are going to…

York County Schools grade 7-11 students returning to classrooms through hybrid model starting Feb. 22
The rest of York County Schools students are heading back to classrooms, through a hybrid model, by March 8.Following a meeting between York County School Division Superintendent Dr. Victor Shandor, Virginia Superintendent of Instruction Dr. James Lane, and other…

Co-op education – A great learning tool
Washington & Lee High School senior, Kylee Rose, has a three-year work experience that most students of her age only dream of. Rose has been working part-time at the Westmoreland State Park in a number of duties. Recently promoted to assistant office manager, she was carrying…

Moody MS 8th-grader wins spell-off to repeat as HCPS Spelling Bee champ
Ananya Nanduru of George H. Moody Middle School won a spell-off Jan. 26 to repeat as Henrico County Public Schools’ Divisionwide Spelling Bee champion. The eighth-grader bested Hollie Kim, an L. Douglas Wilder Middle School sixth-grader, to win the tiebreaker, held…

School budget talks continue
Things got a bit tense between two School Board members during budget talks at Wednesday’s (Feb. 3) meeting. As Superintendent Chuck Winkler laid out the different scenarios of raises, salary scale adjustments and step increases, Charles Rittenhouse (Cunningham) asked what…

Norfolk Public Schools provides nutrition assistance to students amid pandemic
Feeding children who learn virtually from their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic has proved to be a major logistical challenge in many Hampton Roads communities. Norfolk is no exception. In the fall of 2020, Norfolk Public Schools received a $200,000 grant from No Kid…

Virginia Beach teachers’ association readies for collective bargaining push
The Virginia Beach Education Association, which represents nearly one-third of the division’s roughly 5,000 public school teachers, is starting its push for collective bargaining rights, setting up a possible fight with the administration and school board in the coming months. The effort…

Superintendent plans for RPS to be fully in-person during 2021-22 school year
Jason Kamras says the tentative plan for the 2021-22 school year is for Richmond Public Schools to be fully in-person and to maintain a virtual pathway for families to remain virtual. “I would agree with all of the board members how important it is that we recognize the…

VSBA Legislative Update Blog
During the Virginia General Assembly session, VSBA lobbyists regularly provide updates via our legislative blog. In addition to the Legislative Blog, VSBA will also be filming quick video updates to keep you informed on what is happening throughout the year. Those videos, as available, will be posted on our Video Blog page.

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.