<a href="https://www.vsba.org/meetings-conferences/legislative-advocacy-conference/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">September 23, 2021 VSBA Legislative Advocacy Conference, Registration Open for In-Person Event</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">In 2021, Virginians will decide who will lead the Commonwealth by electing the next Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General, as well as deciding control of the Virginia House of Delegates. Being informed on the issues shaping Virginia and learning how to advocate on…</span>

<a href="https://www.nbc12.com/2021/08/05/gov-northam-announces-vaccine-requirement-state-employees/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Gov. Northam announces vaccine requirement for state employees</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">Virginia Governor Ralph Northam is mandating state employees get a COVID-19 vaccine. On Monday, he announced Executive Order 18, which requires proof of vaccination for at-will, classified, waged and other salaried employees in the executive branch...</span>

<a href="https://www.studyfinds.org/school-buses-covid-19/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Will school buses lead to students spreading COVID-19 this fall?</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">School buses are notorious for being cramped and overcrowded during the school year. It’s a combination that’s a major concern for both parents and educators as a new school year rapidly approaches. However, a new study finds, if officials take the proper precautions...</span>

<a href="https://www.wdbj7.com/2021/08/03/botetourt-county-elementary-schools-see-more-kindergartners-this-year/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Botetourt County elementary schools see more kindergartners this year</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the weeks leading up to a new school year, the focus for teachers is on classroom preparations. For kindergarten teachers at Colonial Elementary, there are even more materials to prep than in previous years.“Last year we had 63 kindergartners among three classes...</span>

<a href="https://dailyprogress.com/lifestyles/schools-find-ways-to-keep-gardening-lessons-blooming/article_f2f52fd5-5043-504e-9e75-9cb65754a962.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Schools find ways to keep gardening lessons blooming</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">Like gardening in general, school gardening has become hugely popular during the pandemic, with families and teachers saying its hands-on lessons can be applied to many subjects.Finding the expertise, labor and funding to keep a school garden going can be tough. But some...</span>

<a href="https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2021/08/04/southwest-virginia-school-divisions-see-covid-19-cases-in-students-before-classes-begin/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Southwest Virginia school divisions see COVID-19 cases in students before classes begin</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">As coronavirus cases rise across the Commonwealth, many parents are now wondering how to keep their children safe.Some local school divisions are seeing cases among their students before classes even start. With just weeks or even days until the first day of school...</span>

<a href="https://www.wavy.com/news/education/back-to-school/we-are-virginia-partners-with-chesapeake-public-schools-for-supply-drive/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">‘We are Virginia’ partners with Chesapeake Public Schools for supply drive</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">A local organization is planning to host a school supply drive for Chesapeake Public School students. According to WAVa (We are Virginia), they’ve partnered with Chesapeake schools for a “Stuff the Bus” event.The two supply drives will be held at the following locations from…</span>

<a href="https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/virginia/fairfax-county-vaccination-clinics-before-school-begins-cdc-transmission-substantial/65-4823b64d-9d1f-4a59-b16d-bc7acef25d2d"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Schools open vaccination clinics as COVID-19 transmission rates in VA counties grow</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">Officials in Fairfax County continue to urge people to get vaccinated as the level of COVID-19 community transmission reached "substantial" per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay made the recommendation for... </span>

<a href="https://www.wdbj7.com/2021/08/04/montgomery-county-public-schools-votes-universal-masking-beginning-school-year/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Montgomery County Public Schools votes for universal masking at beginning of school year</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">Montgomery County Public Schools is the first district in the New River Valley to vote for universal masking. The announcement was made late Tuesday night. The school board says its decision comes as the delta variant has prompted changes in guidance from state and federal...</span>

<a href="https://www.smithfieldtimes.com/2021/08/03/transgender-policy-vote-set-for-aug-12/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Transgender policy vote set for Aug. 12</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">Isle of Wight County’s School Board is set to vote Aug. 12 on a series of proposed policy changes pertaining to transgender students. Per a state law passed last year, Virginia school boards have until September to adopt transgender-inclusive policies pertaining to the use…</span>

<a href="https://richmond.com/community/powhatan-today/pcps-makes-masks-optional-in-school-buildings-federal-mandate-means-coverings-required-on-bus/article_8cbf4ee6-f4e2-11eb-9bc5-df14464997b4.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">PCPS makes masks optional in school buildings; federal mandate means coverings required on bus</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">Powhatan County Public Schools (PCPS) recently released guidance for the start of the 2021-2022 school year that includes masks being optional in school buildings but not on the bus, continued health and safety measures, and a loosening of restrictions on students and visitors.</span>

<a href="http://vsbalegislativeupdate.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">VSBA Legislative Update Blog- Stay Up to Date on the General Assembly Special Session</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">Stay tuned for the latest updates out of the latest updates from the special session by visiting the VSBA Legislative Update Blog. If you have questions about the special session be sure to reach out to VSBA Government Relations Specialist, J.T. Kessler. </span>

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