<a href="https://www.vsba.org/meetings-conferences/capital-conference/">January 25-26, 2021, VSBA Capital Conference, Virtual
</a>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…

<a href="https://www.vsba.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/New-Board-Member-and-Super-Orientations-Brochure.pdf">January 26, 2021, VSBA Orientation for New School Board Members and Superintendents, Virtual</a>
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 &amp; Superintendents. Many important topics will be covered, including the roles and…

<a href="https://www.nbc12.com/2020/12/20/henrico-student-beats-region-statewide-tech-contest/">Henrico student beats region in statewide tech contest
</a>A J.R. Tucker High School student won the regional award for a statewide computer science competition, scoring him a new laptop. Shon Bennett was the Central Virginia winner of the 2020 “Computer Science In Your Neighborhood” contest. The annual contest is hosted by the…

<a href="https://www.nbc12.com/2020/12/20/no-kid-hungry-grants-million-va-schools-nonprofits/">No Kid Hungry grants $2.4 million to Va. schools, nonprofits
</a>In an effort to keep Virginia children nourished and healthy, a nonprofit has donated $2.4 million to schools and organizations in the commonwealth. The grants will help school districts and local organizations fund staffing, equipment costs, and the expansion of programs that are…

<a href="https://www.wfxrtv.com/news/local-news/lynchburg-central-virginia-news/lynchburg-city-schools-education-foundation-awards-classroom-innovation-grants/">Lynchburg City Schools’ Education Foundation awards classroom innovation grants
</a>A total of 35 classroom innovation grants have been awarded to teachers with Lynchburg City Schools. The grants, totaling $77,749.15 have been awarded by the Board of Directors with Lynchburg City Schools’ Education Foundation, Inc. The program, now in its 29th year…

<a href="https://wjla.com/news/local/-fcps-parents-warn-against-mental-health-days">'Kids are not pawns': Fairfax Co. parents angry about organized teacher mental health day
</a>Liberty Justice Center sent the Fairfax Education Association (FEA), the county’s largest teachers union, a letter warning further legal action if they take another ‘organized’ mental health day. Liberty Justice Center (LJC) said it represents several Fairfax County Public…

<a href="https://dailyprogress.com/news/local/education/albemarle-preschool-program-works-to-overcome-pandemic-hurdles/article_8a75bbb8-4329-11eb-8a12-9f320ca6a1c9.html">Albemarle preschool program works to overcome pandemic hurdles
</a>In August, Alison Soubra and Debbie Shelor, preschool teachers at Greer Elementary, weren’t sure how they were going to pull off virtual learning with 4-year-olds. “We are a learn-through-play-based program,” Shelor said. “How in the heck are we going to impact children’s play…

<a href="https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/virginia-beach/john-b-dey-elementary-staff-put-together-winter-meal-bags-for-students/">John B Dey Elementary staff put together winter meal bags for students
</a>School may be on winter break, but the need for food never takes a holiday. Cafeteria workers at John B Dey Elementary School in Virginia Beach started handing out winter meal bags to students Monday. 4,500 bags, to be exact. It might not look like the Santa’s workshop you’d…

<a href="https://www.wavy.com/community/local-high-schoolers-support-children-in-need-through-angel-tree-program/">Local high schoolers support children in need through ‘Angel Tree’ program
</a>Students and staff from Smithfield High School’s “Beta Club” provided gifts to twenty local children. According to a school spokeswoman, their annual “Angel Tree” program prompted the group to purchase dolls, LEGOs, sports equipment, and other items. The group also collected…

<a href="https://www.wdbj7.com/2020/12/21/buena-vistas-parry-mccluer-middle-school-hands-out-goodie-bags-to-its-families/">Buena Vista’s Parry McCluer Middle School hands out goodie bags to its families
</a>Teachers and staff from Parry McCluer Middle School were out front Monday passing out goody bags to the families of their students. Each bag included a movie coupon, some popcorn and candy, a special ornament and a bell to ring on Christmas Eve. ”And it’s to ring, to spread the…

<a href="https://www.thetidewaternews.com/2020/12/18/girls-run-for-their-own-sakes/">Girls run for their own sakes
</a>With COVID-19 precautions in place, the nine members of the Franklin contingent participated in a Girls on the Run event on Dec. 12, a first for the city. The start and finish line was a balloon arch at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center. The activity was the first of two in…

<a href="https://heraldcourier.com/news/local/washington-county-high-school-teacher-of-the-year-discusses-challenges-facing-teachers/article_23ccaa04-5926-56d1-84bc-0f14d35e2631.html#tracking-source=home-top-story">Washington County High School Teacher of the Year discusses challenges facing teachers
</a>Mary Beverly sipped a morning cup of coffee last week as she prepared to face a computer screen instead of her classroom of students at Abingdon High School. The halls of the high school — like all of the other schools in Washington County — are once again empty as…

<a href="https://www.suffolknewsherald.com/2020/12/21/return-to-school-winter-sports-for-suffolk-public-schools-still-on-hold/">Return to school, winter sports for Suffolk Public Schools still on hold
</a>As COVID-19 case counts and health metrics denoting a surge continue in Suffolk, Western Tidewater and the Eastern Region, winter sports activities will continue to be suspended, Suffolk Public Schools has announced. However, students in specialized programs will continue to go…

<a href="https://www.vsba.org/services/board-training-development/new-virginia-freedom-of-information-foia-training/">NEW- Virginia Freedom of Information (FOIA) Training
</a>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…