<a href="https://www.vsba.org/meetings-conferences/conference-on-education/">July 20, 2021, VSBA Conference on Education
</a>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…

<a href="https://heraldcourier.com/news/virginia-alliance-hosting-crumbling-schools-tour/article_905a664b-4dfb-597f-bd2e-bb52fb931cd3.html">Virginia alliance hosting 'crumbling schools tour'
</a>An alliance of state organizations is hosting a “crumbling schools tour” and inviting local, state and federal lawmakers to participate. Virginia’s Coalition of Small and Rural Schools is working with six other organizations, including the Virginia School Boards Association, Virginia…

<a href="https://www.nbc12.com/2021/06/18/richmond-community-members-demand-action-high-school-construction-with-wythe-cant-wait-town-hall/">Community members demand action on high school construction with ‘Wythe Can’t Wait’ town hall
</a>Richmond city leaders and the school board are still at odds over the construction of a new George Wythe High School. Friday, community members stepped up and demanded action at a ‘Wythe Can’t Wait’ community town hall meeting. The Richmond Community Coalition is…

<a href="https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/local/mycity/hampton/hampton-high-school-grads-reflect-share-their-stories-of-resilience/291-852abd68-b1c2-4211-b827-0b5a609f5351">Bethel High School grads reflect, share their stories of resilience
</a>The Hampton Coliseum roared with cheers from loved ones. "I really can't explain it. I really want to hop out of this chair right now and do a little dance move," said Kaylan Brown, a member of Bethel High School's Class of 2021. He was also in The Transportation, Analytics…

<a href="https://roanoke.com/news/local/education/montgomery-co-schools-draft-plan-for-upcoming-school-year/article_8e1f2468-cfb3-11eb-baf8-e7e6562133cb.html">Montgomery Co. schools draft plan for upcoming school year
</a>Montgomery County Public Schools is preparing for the 2021-22 school year, a period when many districts expect students to return to classrooms en masse. MCPS officials have drafted a health and safety plan that provides guidelines on how the district will operate in the…

<a href="https://newsadvance.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/lynchburg-kicks-off-program-to-promote-workforce-development-cleaner-city/article_75038d0a-d041-11eb-8725-a7ab38119b33.html">Lynchburg kicks off program to promote workforce development, cleaner city
</a>Applause greeted the group returning to the shaded pavilion Wednesday morning, fluorescent orange trash bags in tow. They were the last stragglers to return to the base camp set up in Miller Park, part of a group who had spent the morning picking up the litter that clogs city side…

<a href="https://www.insidenova.com/headlines/northam-forms-task-force-to-study-more-inclusive-school-calendars-and-meals/article_e266cda2-cfed-11eb-8ef0-a3b28fcaae6c.html">Northam forms task force to study more inclusive school calendars and meals
</a>Gov. Ralph Northam has formed a new task force charged with identifying best practices for implementing culturally and religiously inclusive school calendars and serving school meals that accommodate more dietary restrictions. The task force is divided into two subcommittees, one…

<a href="https://www.pilotonline.com/news/education/vp-nw-last-day-school-20210618-yfhnqfikovfg3ik5fhx2h3o3x4-story.html">Virginia Beach teachers end the school year and kick off summer with can-can tradition
</a>When the last of her students had boarded their bus, Christina Fulton stopped, took a deep breath and turned to her fellow teachers. “What a year,” the second-grade Kempsville Elementary School teacher said, punctuating each word with emphasis. The driver…

<a href="https://www.news.vcu.edu/article/Virginia_middle_and_high_school_students_to_compete_in_VCUhosted">Virginia middle and high school students to compete in VCU-hosted STEM competition
</a>Teams of Virginia middle and high school students will present innovative solutions to real-world challenges related to cybersecurity, computer science and technology in a virtual competition hosted by the Center for Innovation in STEM Education at the Virginia Commonwealth…

<a href="https://martinsvillebulletin.com/news/local/education/watch-now-henry-county-school-board-member-asks-if-local-businesses-are-getting-their-fair/article_57cc5a32-cf7e-11eb-b48a-ff187e2d8b5c.html">Henry County School Board member asks if local businesses are getting their fair share of contracts
</a>Benjamin Gravely, the Iriswood District representative, had a question for his fellow members of the Henry County School Board, who had gathered Thursday to close out their budget for the concluding fiscal year. Are local businesses getting their fair share of the contracts the school…

<a href="https://patch.com/virginia/woodbridge-va/prince-william-county-public-schools-pwcs-appoints-catherine-porter-lucas">Prince William County Public Schools: PWCS Appoints Catherine Porter-Lucas As Associate Superintendent For Middle Schools
</a>Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) has appointed Catherine Porter-Lucas as associate superintendent for middle schools. Porter-Lucas fills a newly created role as a second associate superintendent for middle schools, joining William Bixby who also serves in the role…

<a href="https://dailyprogress.com/community/greenenews/lifestyles/day-reflects-on-42-years-caring-for-greene-s-children/article_f5ec2dea-ceb2-11eb-81c7-937d1789a98c.html">Day reflects on 42 years caring for Greene’s children
</a>Debbie Day’s second-grade class at Ruckersville Elementary School spent a beautiful “Beach Day” outside June 2, playing games and celebrating the end of another successful year. Just three days before the beginning of her official retirement, Day’s party of preference was one…

<a href="https://richmond.com/news/state-and-regional/virginia-first-lady-visits-stafford-preschool-touts-importance-of-early-childhood-education/article_98a89145-c904-5366-ae20-df4d00ba2618.html">Virginia first lady visits Stafford preschool, touts importance of early childhood education
</a>The preschoolers squealed as the tiny frog Virginia first lady Pamela Northam had brought to show them jumped from her hand. “Friends, can you show me your calm bodies so we don’t scare the frog? Can you show me your scientist eyes?” Northam asked. The children sat still…

<a href="https://dailyprogress.com/news/local/education/charlottesville-approves-limited-application-based-virtual-school-option/article_d91daf62-cfb7-11eb-8c7a-2f4e31877b2a.html">Charlottesville approves limited, application-based virtual school option
</a>The Charlottesville school division wants to bring all students back into the buildings next school year but will offer a limited virtual option for students in third through eighth grades. Families interested in the virtual option will have to apply, and principals will look at how a student did…

<a href="https://www.vsba.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2021-VSBA-Advocate-for-Education-Award-nomination-form.pdf">Application Process is Open- 2021 VSBA Advocate for Education Award!</a>
The importance of advocacy and grassroots engagement is a central component of the Virginia School Boards Association. It is imperative for board members to engage the stakeholders of their community including parents, business, community and higher education leaders, local…