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…
Winchester School Board selects new chairwoman
The Winchester School Board has selected Marie Imoh to be its new chairwoman for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year. Imoh was selected as chair by board members during the organizational portion of a special meeting held Thursday night. Karen Holman will…
Staying The Course
The college experience looks a lot different right now. There is no going to football games or frat parties — of at least, there shouldn’t be. So, it elicits the question of whether high school seniors are deciding to wait a year or more before applying in the hope that the world will “normalize”…
VEA calls for all-virtual learning until school staff vaccinated
A state association is calling for all public schools to shift to all-virtual learning until school staff members can be vaccinated against COVID-19. The Virginia Education Association issued the call Friday, due to a surge in cases of the virus across the Commonwealth. “Governor [Ralph]…
Hampton Roads schools wait to see if Virginia begins year-round instruction
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and officials with the state Department of Education are thinking about extending school next year. On Wednesday, Northam briefly mentioned some plans to get students back on track next school year. “One of the things we are entertaining is looking…
Fairfax County Public Schools employees will have access to COVID vaccine in 1b group
The COVID-19 vaccine will be available to Fairfax County Public Schools employees during the 1b group vaccination, the Superintendent announced in a letter on Sunday. He announced that he received confirmation of the “positive announcement” from a health director on Sunday…
Charlottesville City Schools updates restraint and seclusion policy
Charlottesville’s School Board is revising some of its policies to prevent use of physical restraint and seclusion in school. During its meeting Thursday, January 7, the board deemed physical restraint and seclusion only necessary in case of an emergency, citing examples like a…
Roanoke Co. Public Schools to bring fourth-graders back to class
Roanoke County Public Schools’ “Return to School” plan will bring fourth-graders back in the classroom for five days per week beginning January 25. According to an announcement from the division Saturday, all fourth-grade courses will be completely virtual January 21 and 22 to…
Virginia lawmaker proposes 4.5% teacher pay raise
For Kristina Kearney, teaching kindergarten requires a lot of time and commitment and it’s become especially challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. “It has taken a toll. I’m not going to lie; it has taken a toll,” Kearney said. “It’s tiring because you’re sitting in front of a computer…
Virginia considers year-round schooling for next school year
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said year-round schooling is one of the options on the table to help students who have fallen behind with at-home learning. Northam said discussions are already underway, and if the year-round school is approved, it may start next year. He said state…
At AHES’s Green Schoolyard Initiative, outdoor hands-on lessons await students
Albert Harris Elementary School STEM teacher Laurie Witt and Principal Renee Brown can’t wait for students to return to school – because there’s an entire interactive learning garden waiting outside for them. Now in its second year, the Green Schoolyard Initiative, situated in…
More than a third of Henry County Public Schools students are failing classes under virtual instruction
More students are failing classes this year under virtual learning, the Henry County School Board learned Thursday. Out of 6,821 total students in Henry County Public Schools, 2,432 — or 36% of the student population — are failing at least one course, and 1,759 are failing two…
Young students failing to hit literacy benchmarks in Virginia Beach has doubled since the pandemic began
In Virginia Beach public schools, the number of young students failing to hit key literacy benchmarks has nearly doubled since the most recent data before the pandemic began, The Virginian-Pilot has learned. The declines in literacy assessments are a sign that virtual classes
‘An incredible honor’: Hanover career counselor receives national recognition
A counselor at Hanover County Public Schools has been recognized with a national award. Shannon Edwards, a career counselor at Atlee and Patrick Henry high schools, won the 2020 Association for Career and Technical Education’s Counseling and Career Development…
Northam announces committee on inclusive education
Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday the 38 members of a new advisory committee that will make recommendations on culturally relevant and inclusive education practices in Virginia’s public schools. The Culturally Relevant and Inclusive Education Practices Advisory…
VSBA Employer Commendation Submissions Open Now
Would you like to thank your employer for supporting you and your work as a school board member? Every January, the VSBA Employer Commendation Program provides school board members with the opportunity to thank their employers for providing the support and/or…