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…
February 17, 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…
Virginia Beach Superintendent changes course, pushes for students to return to school
The leader of Virginia Beach public schools is calling for some of the division’s students to start returning for in-person classes on Jan. 19 despite Hampton Roads’ number of new coronavirus cases and positive rate continuing to climb. Aaron Spence, the superintendent of the region’s…
A Virginia school division hosts a beta project for SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet.
How do you hold remote classes if kids can’t access the internet? That’s what officials in the Wise County Public Schools division questioned when the pandemic halted in-person learning last year. Prior to the COVID-19 health crisis, the division estimated that approximately 20%…
Franklin Co. schools to host Facebook live sessions
Franklin County Public Schools is hosting three, hourlong Facebook live sessions to provide updates to parents, students and the community about the return to school plan for the second semester of the school year Sessions will be every Thursday (Jan. 7, 14 and 21) from 5:30 to…
FCPS return to school update, in-person instruction held off for at least another month
Fairfax County Public Schools held a work session Tuesday afternoon to bring an update on the return to in-person instruction. During the meeting, FCPS Superintendent, Dr. Brabrand, gave a presentation outlining upcoming return to school dates that look similar to dates outlined at…
Roanoke County Public Schools to bring back varsity athletics
After weeks of pressure from parents and students, sports will be coming back in Roanoke County. The school board approved a limited return to play Tuesday afternoon, voting 4-1 in favor. Winter sports, including basketball and wrestling, will start practicing Wednesday. Any …
Local school districts adjust to combat failing grades amid pandemic
Local school divisions are reporting an increase in the number of students who failed at least one course in the first quarter of the 2020-21 academic year — a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic that mirrors a national trend. The uptick in failing grades follows…
Newport News Public Schools postpones return to in-person learning
Newport News Public Schools has postponed students’ return to in-person instructions. In a letter sent to families Tuesday, Superintendent George Parker III cited the city’s high COVID-19 case rate level for the latest decision. “The most recent COVID-19 update from the Peninsula…
Teachers, parents react to Henrico’s school reopening plan
Henrico County Schools announced Tuesday it would delay the return of elementary school students to in-person learning two weeks due to the post-holiday spike in COVID-19 cases. Students in pre-K through second grade had been scheduled to return to in-person learning…
Kinne to join Hamilton baseball team
A lifelong dream for Mattison “Matt” Kinne came into focus when he recently signed to play collegiate baseball at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York. Kinne had a signing ceremony in Richmond with his Family and his showcase team, RISE Baseball, Tuesday December 22…
Superintendent: Lee County Public Schools transition to remote instruction through Jan. 15
Lee County Public Schools will begin remote learning starting immediately, according to division superintendent Brian Austin. A release from Austin on Wednesday, January 6 says the transition is effective immediately. Students will remain virtual through Friday, January 15…
Northam announces advisory committee tasked to recommend inclusive, culturally relevant learning practices in Virginia’s public schools
Governor Ralph Northam announced the members and leadership that will make up the new advisory committee tasked with making recommendations on culturally relevant and inclusive education practices throughout Virginia’s public schools. The Culturally Relevant and…
Louisa County Public Schools welcomes 2 new electric school buses
Louisa County Public Schools now has two electric school buses in their fleet. LCPS welcomed the buses on Tuesday. The school district is one of the first school divisions to receive electric buses as part of Dominion Energy’s Electric School Bus Program. Dominion Energy…
February is VSBA School Board Appreciation Month
Salute the service of the almost 850 school board members in Virginia in February 2021 during School Board Appreciation Month. The theme — 115 Years of Providing Leadership Advocacy and Support — reflects the partnership of the Virginia School Boards Association with local…