<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.winchesterstar.com/education/winchester-teachers-group-urges-2-week-pause-in-in-person-classes-as-covid-cases-rise/article_7971b57c-4643-5d1e-8003-fa51cb9ee83e.html">Winchester teachers group urges 2-week pause in in-person classes as COVID cases rise
</a>The Winchester Education Association asked the city's School Board on Monday night to pause in-person instruction for two weeks as COVID-19 rates continue to rise in the area. "With infection rates across the Commonwealth increasing, with positive cases still increasing in our…

<a href="https://www.pilotonline.com/news/education/dp-nw-dyslexia-pandemic-tutoring-20210113-z322sjl33nbgzcnypkchhgghym-story.html">Students with dyslexia face challenges in virtual learning. One former teacher is making it her business.</a>
Dyslexia is one of the most common learning disabilities. The International Dyslexia Association estimates 15-20% of the population could have some symptoms. A neurological condition that makes reading more difficult, some of the most effective strategies to help students include…

<a href="https://richmond.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/northam-says-state-revenue-increase-bodes-well-for-teacher-raises/article_4bb96b45-c0e8-57ab-8244-d1f40cf6d9e1.html">Northam says state revenue increase bodes well for teacher raises
</a>Virginia’s revenue collections soared in December, increasing the possibility that the General Assembly will have more money to spend on budget priorities — including raises for teachers — in the session that began on Wednesday. A 15% increase in revenues un December…

<a href="https://richmond.com/news/local/education/dunnavant-morrissey-petersen-to-introduce-budget-amendment-requiring-schools-to-open-in-person-to-receive/article_e149f819-531c-5f1a-a127-b51985b8c04c.html">Dunnavant, Morrissey, Petersen to introduce budget amendment requiring schools to open in person to receive state funds
</a>Three Virginia lawmakers say schools hoping to receive state dollars next year should be required to open for in-person learning in the fall. At the Science Museum of Virginia on Wednesday, state Sens. Joe Morrissey, D-Richmond; Siobhan Dunnavant, R-Henrico; and…

<a href="https://www.insidenova.com/headlines/prince-william-county-schools-lose-first-employee-to-covid-19/article_928e113a-5501-11eb-98d0-d390236709d3.html">Prince William County schools lose first employee to COVID-19
</a>A "beloved" and long time custodian at Potomac View Elementary School in Woodbridge recently died of COVID-19, the school division confirmed Tuesday. Dinora Mejia was a 20-year employee of Prince William County schools and a daytime custodian at Potomac View…

<a href="https://www.thecentersquare.com/virginia/most-virginians-support-state-aid-for-school-choice-opportunities-during-pandemic/article_ebddf962-552e-11eb-9c79-ab71c76b0aec.html">Most Virginians support state aid for school-choice opportunities during pandemic
</a>With public schools in Virginia failing to offer in-person classes five days a week, a majority of residents support measures for the state to provide financial support for parents who have opted to enroll their students in alternative education systems, according to a poll released this …

<a href="https://www.wtkr.com/news/virginia-beach-city-public-schools-superintendent-to-propose-new-plan-for-delayed-return-to-in-person-learning">Update: Virginia Beach School Board votes to accept superintendent's plan for delayed return to in-person learning
</a>Students in the area's largest school district could begin returning to class on February 1. It's a decision that came down from the Virginia Beach School Board during a Tuesday night meeting that went until around 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday. The board voted to accept the…

<a href="https://www.wavy.com/news/health/coronavirus/norfolk-public-schools-cancels-winter-sports/?fbclid=IwAR0mm1RLeEfgMx5BkKscBmhF1_6NlrD2fArlFJizyfn6PpKxZJH5NQft3ZM">Norfolk Public Schools cancels winter sports
</a>Norfolk’s public schools won’t have winter sports in 2021. The district is the latest in Hampton Roads to cancel the season due to the pandemic. Chesapeake, Hampton and Newport News just canceled earlier this week. “After careful review of current health conditions and metrics…

<a href="https://www.dnronline.com/news/harrisonburg/outdoor-learning-coming-this-spring-to-city-schools/article_4e15e0b4-f022-5504-947f-311f36925f08.html">Outdoor Learning Coming This Spring To City Schools
</a>Sometimes, you have a good idea and then implementing that idea becomes a necessity. That is how outdoor classrooms have evolved for Harrisonburg City Public Schools. Creating outdoor learning spaces has been on the division and School Board’s radar for some time. Look at the…

<a href="https://www.vtnews.vt.edu/content/vtnews_vt_edu/en/articles/2021/01/univlib-floyd-schools-virtual-learning.html?fbclid=IwAR0mm1RLeEfgMx5BkKscBmhF1_6NlrD2fArlFJizyfn6PpKxZJH5NQft3ZM">Virginia Tech collaboration helps equip teachers with tools and resources for virtual learning
</a>Sneakers squeak against the gymnasium floor and the aroma of chicken nugget day fills the halls. Lockers slam closed, backpacks rustle about, and number two pencils scratch across loose leaf paper. These are the traditional sights and sounds for Floyd County Schools, but…

<a href="https://wtop.com/fairfax-county/2021/01/fairfax-co-schools-to-open-covid-19-vaccine-appointments-for-employees/">Fairfax Co. schools to open COVID-19 vaccine appointments for employees
</a>Employees of Virginia’s largest school system can start getting vaccinated against the coronavirus as early as Saturday. Some Fairfax County Public Schools staff can begin scheduling appointments Thursday. The school system detailed a timetable of when staff can…

<a href="https://richmond.com/news/local/education/in-hanover-1-261-more-students-request-to-come-back-to-school-for-the-second/article_cdd48830-fa59-53dd-a19d-b4634e78de1d.html">In Hanover, 1,261 more students request to come back to school for the second semester; most can come back, but not all
</a>Hanover County schools Superintendent Michael Gill put it best Tuesday night when he called the school division’s choice plan, which allows parents to choose between virtual and in-person learning, a “massive jigsaw puzzle” — one with 16,346 moving parts. School leaders told the…

<a href="https://www.whsv.com/2021/01/13/vea-president-urges-all-virtual-instruction-until-teachers-vaccinated/">VEA President urges all-virtual instruction until teachers vaccinated
</a>The President of the Virginia Education Association is calling for public school systems to shift to all-virtual instruction until staff members can be vaccinated. In a brief statement released on Friday, President James J. Fedderman encouraged the shift in the learning format based on…

<a href="https://www.wtkr.com/news/chesapeake-public-schools-staff-begin-receiving-covid-19-vaccinations?fbclid=IwAR2SRFqSbm6fxHvWU2oEeBNaJuhw20jJKyfBmZbudTPF6Q3YnSZ2TJIqDBk">Chesapeake Public Schools staff begin receiving COVID-19 vaccinations
</a>Chesapeake Public Schools started receiving COVID-19 vaccinations on Wednesday. Seven hundred teachers and staff poured into Deep Creek High School over the course of the day. Superintendent Dr. Jared Cotton said they have another 700 staff members scheduled to…

<a href="https://www.vsba.org/resources/recognition/employer-commendation-program/">VSBA Employer Commendation Submissions Open Now
</a>Would you like to thank your employer for supporting you and your work as a school board member? Every January, the VSBA Employer Commendation Program provides school board members with the opportunity to thank their employers for providing the support and/or…