<a href="https://www.vsba.org/resources/initiatives/equity-in-education-month/">March is VSBA Equity in Education Month
</a>In an effort to encourage equity in education, the VSBA Board of Directors has designated the month of March as VSBA Equity in Education Month. For more information on the month long webinar series, a copy of the governor’s proclamation and additional resources follow the link above.

<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.washingtonpost.com/local/education/alexandria-public-schools-remote-option-fall/2021/03/04/4c721014-7d35-11eb-b3d1-9e5aa3d5220c_story.html">Early signs that pandemic fallout will linger into next academic year in Alexandria
</a>In early evidence of how the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic may linger in education, officials with Alexandria City Public Schools said they have begun planning for some families who will want to remain all-virtual in the 2021-2022 school year. The Northern Virginia…

<a href="https://richmond.com/news/local/education/statewide-kindergarten-enrollment-is-down-13-chesterfield-seeing-biggest-drop-in-richmond-area/article_e19abdfd-849e-56fd-91d7-53821ef26f57.html#utm_source=richmond.com&amp;utm_campaign=%2Fnewsletter-templates%2Fbreaking&amp;utm_medium=PostUp&amp;utm_content=bf3514ce8a70b4d8b827b5123646ef1bd41401f5">Statewide kindergarten enrollment is down 13%; Chesterfield seeing biggest drop in Richmond area
</a>The ability to delay kindergarten enrollment in Virginia combined with the coronavirus pandemic that has upended schooling for the past year, has created an uptick in the state’s youngest learners not starting their public education on time. Delayed kindergarten enrollment, also…

<a href="https://www.wjhl.com/news/regional/virginia/gov-northam-deflects-calls-to-increase-fans-allowed-at-high-school-sports/">Gov. Northam deflects calls to increase fans allowed at high school sports
</a>After months of anticipation, Friday night football is finally back. Now, many are calling on Gov. Ralph Northam to increase the number of fans allowed at high school sports. Gov. Northam’s updated executive order, which took effect on Monday, classifies high school sports as…

<a href="https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/wise-co-public-schools-hope-to-expand-space-based-broadband-to-more-homes-by-summer/">Wise Co. Public Schools hope to expand space-based broadband to more homes by summer
</a>Wise County Public Schools have launched virtual learning to a level out of this world. While internet and broadband lack in most rural parts of the county, Wise County officials, alongside school district officials, have come up with a solution through a partnership with SpaceX. In…

<a href="https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/suffolk/virtual-victories-suffolk-teachers-reflect-on-year-on-virtual-learning-as-they-prepare-to-welcome-students-back/">Suffolk teachers reflect on year of virtual learning as they prepare to welcome students back
</a>This month, we are celebrating local school teachers’ ‘Virtual Victories’ during the coronavirus pandemic.  Many teachers in Hampton Roads already returned to in-person teaching, or they’re getting ready to, and we want to highlight their efforts to go above and beyond. Daniel…

<a href="https://www.wric.com/news/education/richmond-public-schools-hosting-virtual-town-halls-this-week-to-discuss-2021-22-school-year-calendar/">Richmond Public Schools hosting virtual town halls this week to discuss 2021-22 school year calendar
</a>Richmond Public Schools is hosting virtual town halls this week discussing the 2021-22 school year calendar. RPS families will have the opportunity to weigh in and ask questions as RPS considers new approaches to post-COVID-19 learning. The first zoom meeting is tonight at…

<a href="https://martinsvillebulletin.com/news/local/education/henry-county-public-schools-prepare-for-students-to-return-to-classrooms-on-a-hybrid-basis/article_5762cc22-7ed2-11eb-bc5c-6736a024b0a3.html">Henry County Public Schools prepare for students to return to classrooms on a hybrid basis
</a>Roughly a third of students in Henry County Public Schools have opted so far to continue fully virtual learning when school buildings reopen on a limited basis starting Wednesday, officials said. In a return to school update to the Henry County School Board on Thursday evening…

<a href="https://wset.com/news/local/lynchburg-virginia-city-schools-kicks-off-new-student-family-engagement-effort-coronavirus">Lynchburg City Schools kicks off new student, family engagement effort
</a>Connecting with students during the COVID-19 pandemic has been a difficult task for many school districts across Virginia. Lynchburg City Schools is taking a new approach to meet and connect with students where they already are. LCS' administration and teachers kicked off a…

<a href="https://www.dailypress.com/news/education/dp-nw-northam-gloucester-visit-20210308-qfmhwper5bbrlnlyximxmmeqmm-story.html">Northam stops by a Gloucester elementary school, touts reopening 1 year into pandemic
</a>On March 7, 2020, Virginia reported its first case of COVID-19. Little has been the same since, as Gov. Ralph Northam noted in a visit to Bethel Elementary School in Gloucester on Monday. A few days later, Northam ordered schools across the state to close. “We didn’t know what…

<a href="https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2021/03/08/martinsville-city-schools-students-back-in-class-after-nearly-a-year-of-virtual-learning/">Martinsville City Schools students back in class after nearly a year of virtual learning
</a>Students of Martinsville City Public Schools are headed back to the classroom on Monday for the first time since last March. Martinsville City and Halifax County Public Schools are the last districts in our region to bring students back. Not all students are returning yet. Only pre-k…

<a href="http://www.yourgv.com/news/education/more-halifax-county-students-return-to-classes-monday/article_bbc5636c-7f88-11eb-811c-936c28e48622.html">More Halifax County students return to classes Monday
</a>With students in pre-K through third grade, special education students and English Language Learners back in the classroom since Feb. 22 and with students in grades fourth, fifth, sixth and ninth returning Monday, its time for Halifax County School Board to determine what’s next….

<a href="https://www.pilotonline.com/news/education/vp-nw-virginia-beach-summer-school-20210306-4muqcncp3nbyxgaubatozyqcui-story.html">Virginia Beach ramps up summer school programs after year disrupted by pandemic
</a>During normal school years — that didn’t include a pandemic — the Virginia Beach public school summer offerings are mainly targeted to those who failed a class or want to take a new subject to get ahead. But after a year that severely disrupted education, the school division is…

<a href="https://fredericksburg.com/news/local/fredericksburg-looks-at-moving-council-elections-to-november-starting-this-fall/article_a24c83ca-b456-57f6-a8dc-28222f9a1d48.html">Fredericksburg looks at moving council elections to November starting this fall
</a>Fredericksburg Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw and City Council members don’t believe there is a good way to navigate recent General Assembly legislation requiring the city to move its elections from May to November. The bill—SB1157—overrides Fredericksburg’s charter for…

<a href="https://dailyprogress.com/news/local/education/watch-now-charlottesville-families-scrambling-without-enough-school-buses/article_39cd189e-7f5d-11eb-87c5-879850b8b6e8.html">Charlottesville families scrambling without enough school buses
</a>With not enough bus spots for all Charlottesville elementary students heading to school Monday, schools and parents scrambled to organize carpools, put together walking groups and figure out other alternative modes of transportation for students. Parent- teacher…

<a href="https://www.vsba.org/meetings-conferences/regional-spring-network-forums/">2021 VSBA Spring Regional Meetings- Register Today!
</a>Join VSBA and School Board Members from across your region for an evening of performances, student art, and presentations. Spring Regional meetings will take place from the beginning of March thru the beginning of May. Click the link above to check the date for your region and to get registered for free.

<a href="https://www.vsba.org/meetings-conferences/title-ix-workshop/">2021 VSBA Title IX: Best Practices In Training &amp; Compliance
</a>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…