July 20, 2021, VSBA Conference on Education
Join hundreds of school division leaders from across Virginia at the 35th Annual VSBA Conference on Education. We are pleased to have Governor Ralph Northam in attendance, with our afternoon keynote presentation from the Aldrin Foundation! There will also be a time for…
Tuesday meeting will discuss police in Winchester schools
A generation of school shootings has led to police being stationed at schools around the nation and a backlash against the practice in recent years.Proponents say school resource officers increase security, build rapport with students and serve as good role models. Opponents say…
Special Report: Stopping the summer slide for students
The “summer slide” is always a concern for families and educators, but especially after a full school year of hybrid learning during a pandemic. Many administrators and teachers say there is no need to worry if families take advantage of learning programs. Schools and local…
Twins take unusual path to teaching careers
Twins Abby and Amber Palmieri are newly hired preschool teachers for Roanoke County Public Schools (RCPS). Abby will be teaching at Cave Spring Elementary in the fall; Amber, at Green Valley Elementary. Dr. Richard Turner, formerly the principal at William Byrd High School, and…
HHS Class of ’21 Gathers Together For First Time In A Year
Getting to graduation was not an easy feat for Harrisonburg High School student Aliyah Williams. Hurdle after hurdle was presented to the senior, but whenever she thought she’d hit rock bottom, she thought of her father, who never allowed Williams to give up. “You can be at…
Dispute brewing over anti-bias lessons at Albemarle middle school
Anti-bias lessons piloted this spring at Henley Middle School have prompted a range of comments to Albemarle County School Board members and dueling petitions from parents for and against the lessons. A group of parents’ concerns, comments and criticisms come as the…
Schools offering expanded summer school opportunities to combat pandemic learning loss
After a year of school closings and distance learning, local educators said they’ve seen a significant learning loss for students both academically and from a social-emotional standpoint. “Teachers are trained to work with students in person,” said Greg Johnston, the executive…
KF valedictorian didn’t lose his focus through COVID-19
Gabe Jackson didn’t try to become valedictorian, but through his hard work in the classroom and the weighted grade-point-average that comes with taking International Baccalaureate classes, he graduates from King’s Fork High School with top honors. “I got straight A’s, and…
Prince William weighs $1,600 bonus for teachers, staff; most get coin in Loudoun as pandemic thanks
The Prince William County School Board is set to vote Wednesday on a plan that would provide financial thanks to Virginia teachers and staff in a one-time bonus — up to $1,600 each — at the end of the pandemic-riddled academic year. However, in neighboring Loudoun County, most…
Bedford County Public Schools works to address bus driver shortage
Bedford County Public Schools is struggling to recruit and retain bus drivers, and administrators are getting creative with ideas for how to address the shortage. At Thursday’s Bedford County School Board meeting, Mac Duis, chief operations officer, and LeeAnn Calvert, director of…
86% of Charlottesville students in grades 3-11 are identified as gifted
Charlottesville’s gifted education program is much more diverse than it was a year ago, following a series of changes made over the last two years. Beverly Catlin, the division’s gifted coordinator, said 86% of students were identified as gifted this spring, following changes…
Summer school programs spike by hundreds
School is not out for summer in Martinsville, Henry and Patrick counties. In fact, after a year of virtual classes because of the pandemic, collectively the three school districts may have one of the most well-attended summer programs on record. “We are offering summer school for…
Education about race, guidelines about transgender children come to Botetourt County
A journalism maxim states that newspapers provide the first, rough draft of history. With its Pulitzer Prize-winning 1619 Project, The New York Times Magazine created a history that is being taught in schools. Botetourt County’s school system, like every other one across the…
2021 VSBA Media Honor Roll- Nominations Now Open!
Reporters and local media outlets play an important role in public education. School division leaders rely on responsible reporting by local media representatives so that our community members receive timely information about division initiatives and programs. Considering the…