<a href="https://www.vsba.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/March-Hot-Topic-Brochure.pdf">March 17, 2021, VSBA March Hot Topic</a>
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…

<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/hf83gcp">Call for Proposals for Conference on Education: Deadline Friday, Feb. 26
</a>The ever-popular Annual VSBA Conference on Education is taking proposals for the 2021 virtual event on July 20, 2021. Mini workshops are a fast-track way of learning. Workshop presenters make short, informative, fast-paced presentations while attendees viewing can ask questions and make connections within the chat box the entire time while your presentation is being streamed….

<a href="https://www.dailypress.com/news/education/dp-nw-school-house-bill-20210222-ldnij3vpr5gvfhudc3iqihe6xe-story.html">Bill requiring schools to open full-time in fall advances with bipartisan support
</a>A bill requiring full-time in-person instruction next school year took another step Monday toward becoming law. The House Education Committee voted 17-3 to report the bill, an amended version of a one-sentence bill passed by the Senate earlier this month, to the full House of…

<a href="https://newsadvance.com/news/local/education/lynchburg-area-school-divisions-look-at-increasing-summer-school-options/article_9952a361-1474-54d7-92f1-2c8b821ae815.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1">Lynchburg-area school divisions look at increasing summer school options
</a>School divisions in the Lynchburg area are exploring extended summer school opportunities for students who might be falling behind. With COVID-19 mitigation strategies in place, schools in the Lynchburg area have not been able to offer full-time in-person instruction to many…

<a href="https://wset.com/news/local/pulaski-co-public-schools-speaks-out-against-gov-northams-spectator-limit">Pulaski Co. Public Schools speak out against Gov. Northam's spectator limit
</a>Pulaski County Public Schools shared a post on their Facebook page Sunday morning in response to Gov. Northam's newly amended executive order. Gov. Northam held a press conference on Wednesday to discuss the amendments to the existing executive order. As of…

<a href="https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/henrico-schools-return-to-in-person-learning">Some Henrico students will return to in-person learning Monday
</a>Some Henrico students in pre-K through second grade will have the option to return to school for in-person learning beginning Monday. School leaders said they are prepared for the students' arrival and posted a video saying that every student will have a protective barrier…

<a href="https://www.nbc12.com/2021/02/22/prince-george-high-school-counselor-recognized-virginia-kindness-week/">Prince George High School counselor recognized for ‘Virginia Kindness Week’
</a>Prince George High School counselor Anna Payne was recognized by the Virginia Department of Education as part of the VDOE’s first-ever Kindness Week across Virginia. Virginia Kindness Week, which is celebrated from February 14-20, shines a light on the simple day-to-day acts…

<a href="https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-board-of-supervisors-announce-teacher-pay-raise">Chesterfield Board of Supervisors announce teacher pay raise
</a>The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors announced Monday they will allocate $10 million to fund pay raises for more than 4,700 teachers in the county. teacher pay raise. The pay raise is included in school funding for fiscal year 2022. Chesterfield County Government officials…

<a href="https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/local/mycity/newport-news/newport-news-public-schools-giving-free-meals-to-students/291-f6ce1f6c-5c29-4baa-b8c5-52bef828d648">Newport News Public Schools giving free meals to students
</a>Newport News Public Schools have started distributing free meals to their students as some kids start in-person learning while others are at home under virtual schooling. Starting Monday, the school division will give out meals twice a day at various locations throughout Newport…

<a href="https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2021/02/23/halifax-county-schools-return-to-in-person-learning/">Halifax County Schools return to in-person learning
</a>Students in Halifax County returned to the classroom for the first time in nearly a year on Monday. Students were originally supposed to return last week; however, weather and power outages caused schools to remain closed until Friday. Monday was the first-time Pre-K…

<a href="https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/hampton/select-students-in-hampton-city-schools-return-to-the-classroom/">Select students in Hampton City Schools return to the classroom Monday
</a>Some Hampton City School students will head back to the classroom starting on Monday. The school district has been learning only virtually. Pre-K, kindergarten, and select pre-k through 12 students with disabilities who are served in self-contained environments will get the chance to…

<a href="https://www.wavy.com/news/education/back-to-school/franklin-city-school-board-approves-phase-in-plan-to-get-students-back-to-in-person-instruction-in-march/">Franklin City School Board approves phase-in plan to get students back to in-person instruction in March
</a>The Franklin City School Board approved the revised phase-in plan to get students back into the classroom in March. The plan will have students on the hybrid learning plan coming back to in-person instruction on March 15. The board approved the decision at the February 18 meeting…

<a href="https://newsadvance.com/news/local/education/bedford-county-public-schools-looks-to-dismantle-suspension-center-continue-behavioral-supports-at-base-schools/article_b7c367d8-9898-5f02-95cd-6d7fbf90a63f.html">Bedford County Public Schools looks to dismantle suspension center, continue behavioral supports at base schools
</a>Bedford County Public Schools is working to improve behavioral and mental health support for its students by shifting services offered at the Alternative Education Center to the division's base schools. In a presentation to the Bedford County School Board at its Thursday night meeting…

<a href="https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/chesapeake/chesapeake-parents-seeking-more-transparency-consistency-from-school-board/">Chesapeake parents seeking more transparency, consistency from school board
</a>Parents of students in Chesapeake are asking for more transparency from the school board. Members of an advocacy group, Chesapeake Advocates for Responsible Return to School, reached out to 10 On Your Side after seeing that COVID-19 metrics, the “Responsive Return…

<a href="https://www.dailypress.com/virginiagazette/va-vg-education-committee-0206-20210222-nrlx5v5acfc4tk3lcmihxii5we-story.html">Local educators represent region on new statewide advisory committee
</a>Several local educators from the region will serve as members on a new statewide advisory committee aimed toward developing recommendations on culturally relevant and inclusive education practices for public schools. The Culturally Relevant and Inclusive Practices…

<a href="https://www.insidenova.com/headlines/updated-del-roems-bill-to-expand-after-school-meals-passes-state-senate/article_428f5a42-72d7-11eb-a1e6-0b604f1773c4.html">Del. Roem's bill to expand after-school meals passes state Senate
</a>That’s the core of a bill proposed by Del. Danica Roem, D-13th, and passed 39-0 by the state Senate Monday. The bill is now on its way to the governor for signature. The law will mandate that Virginia public schools eligible for a program that funds no-cost after-school meals do…

<a href="https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4169580501604123661">Lunch &amp; Learn Session 5: February 23, 5:00-6:00 PM</a>
Join three of VSBA’s Business Affiliates to hear about the products and services they offer to help your division meet its goals. Session five includes: Managing Risks &amp; Reducing Costs on Capital Construction, From Striving to Thriving. Creating a Stronger, Healthier Community through Strategic Planning, and Strategies for Identifying and Completing Small Projects.

<a href="https://u3352875.ct.sendgrid.net/ss/c/qiFDLNv_nH48tAE0aRgYbzN7mWhM2jHRaapUU29SJunMNZEvcBx_2F1s7MKoShYZ944rUXHjig0is7q1L2DjeIjtLYf_4c0vPq3hOeY1TZI/39h/zUahEOrOTB2IV6Sbi3JiuA/h17/vP_1jqhY20xxPs7NvPjY71aia4t3T0mutWn60GUt1dM">2021 VSBA Business Honor Roll Open Now
</a>Local businesses have the power to shape community attitudes about public schools. Every spring, the VSBA Business Honor Roll provides a way for local school divisions to recognize local businesses for their support, especially as schools face increasing budget uncertainty…