<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://richmond.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/general-assembly-passes-bill-to-move-all-spring-municipal-elections-to-november/article_a18ddf32-efa3-5a2a-bb6b-0c6c22230ec2.html">General Assembly passes bill to move all spring municipal elections to November
</a>The Virginia General Assembly gave final passage Monday to a bill to move any municipal elections still held in the spring to November. Voting rights groups and residents in favor of the proposal said it would boost voter participation. But as the bill moved through the Democratic…

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ralph-northam-legislation-coronavirus-pandemic-virginia-d097e292abf6245344d2d086bc19fec3">Virginia Democrats make push on return to in-person school
</a>Virginia House Democrats unveiled legislation Monday that would require public school districts to offer at least some access to in-person learning by the 2021-2022 school year as educators continue coping with the coronavirus pandemic. The bill, which has the support of House…

<a href="https://vpm.org/news/articles/20426/lawmakers-call-for-volunteers-to-fill-teacher-gap">Lawmakers Call for Volunteers to Fill Teacher Gap
</a>State Senators Siobhan Dunnavant (R-Henrico) and Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax) called on Gov. Ralph Northam to form a Teachers Reserve Corps on Monday to address a statewide teacher shortage. Their proposal calls for largely unpaid volunteers to fill in for educators that can’t…

<a href="https://heraldcourier.com/news/school-divisions-pursue-virtual-academy/article_03a3580a-abc2-573f-9803-673155ee47b2.html">School divisions pursue virtual academy
</a>A proliferation of online learning, spurred by concerns over COVID-19, is prompting at least 10 Southwest Virginia school districts to work toward establishing a regional virtual academy. Bristol Virginia Superintendent Keith Perrigan, who also serves as president of the Virginia…

<a href="https://wtop.com/fairfax-county/2021/02/va-student-who-named-mars-rover-excited-for-mission-broadcast/">Va. student who named Mars rover excited for mission broadcast
</a>A Virginia middle-schooler has a special reason to celebrate when NASA’s next rover lands on Mars on Thursday. In between online middle school classes, 14-year-old Alex Mather will be paying close attention to NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover, because he named it. “I’m…

<a href="https://www.wjhl.com/covid-19-keeping-schools-safe/washington-county-va-schools-moving-to-4-days-of-in-person-learning-feb-25/">Washington County, Va. Schools moving to 4 days of in-person learning Feb. 25
</a>Washington County, Virginia Schools will move to four days of in-person learning for all grade levels beginning Thursday, Feb. 25. In-person learning will take place on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Wednesdays will be remote learning only. School officials say there…

<a href="https://www.rappnews.com/news/schools/school-board-and-county-bos-discuss-elephant-in-rcps-budget/article_59b2ce48-7025-11eb-9b74-973559f90118.html">School Board and County BOS discuss ‘elephant’ in RCPS budget
</a>It’s budget season for the Rappahannock County Public Schools, and at Tuesday night’s joint meeting between the School Board and the County Board of Supervisors local officials had a candid conversation about the school division’s declining enrollment. “This is very much an…

<a href="https://wjla.com/news/local/7-on-your-side-sources-prince-georges-students-wont-be-back-in-classrooms-until-april?fbclid=IwAR2tHUU6mXdEmj64jUr3Pt2OtXKP0dmSAGAs6RuQlAMdGeS1bjxeA-LbtS8">Prince George's students won't be back in classrooms until April
</a>Sources tell ABC7's Brad Bell that Prince George's County schools won't invite students back into physical classrooms before April. At that point, there will be a gradual resumption of brick-and-mortar learning, starting with a small group of students who are most in need of in-person…

<a href="https://www.wdbj7.com/2021/02/16/amherst-middle-school-teachers-named-ambassadors-of-kindness/">Amherst Middle School leaders named Ambassadors of Kindness
</a>Three leaders at Amherst Middle School have been named Ambassadors of Kindness by the Virginia Department of Education, Office of the Governor and Amherst County Public Schools. The honors were given at a virtual assembly Tuesday to Principal Mr. Kelly Holmes, Assistant…

<a href="https://www.winchesterstar.com/winchester_star/fcps-official-named-to-statewide-group-that-will-create-reopening-resource-for-schools/article_54b715a6-4332-5045-a728-5c5c991a0f6a.html">FCPS official named to statewide group that will create reopening resource for schools
</a>Frederick County Public Schools Assistant Superintendent for Instruction James Angelo has been named to a statewide group that will develop guidance for school divisions throughout Virginia on safely reopening schools this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Angelo is…

<a href="https://www.whsv.com/2021/02/16/some-virginia-teachers-express-concerns-for-in-person-learning/">Some Virginia teachers express concerns for in-person learning
</a>Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced earlier this month that each school district needs to have in-person learning options by March 15th. Kathy Beery is a retired teacher from the Shenandoah Valley and a strategy team member with Virginia Educators United, a grassroots…

<a href="https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2021/02/16/salem-city-schools-working-on-summer-plans-to-help-students-catch-up/">Salem City Schools working on summer plans to help students catch up
</a>Getting students caught up from the pandemic could take months or years. Like many other school divisions, Salem is planning for summer. “We expect to have a much larger credit recovery summer school for middle and high school students than ever before. Probably the…

<a href="https://www.nbc29.com/2021/02/16/charlottesville-schools-superintendent-rosa-atkins-tapped-head-state-workgroup-fighting-learning-loss/">Charlottesville Schools Superintendent Rosa Atkins tapped as head of state work group fighting learning loss
</a>The next step for Virginia’s schools is getting students back in the classroom to start combating the learning loss that might have happened over the last year, and that effort is being led from right here in Charlottesville. Charlottesville City Schools Superintendent Rosa Atkins has…

<a href="https://www.nbc29.com/2021/02/16/virginia-schools-may-soon-be-required-have-in-person-option/">Virginia schools may soon be required to have in-person option
</a>The Virginia House Education Committee is debating legislation aimed at getting students back to school. A subcommittee unanimously advanced the bill on Monday, February 15, but there are still hurdles to cross before it becomes law. The Senate already passed legislation earlier…

<a href="https://www.vsba.org/resources/recognition/business-honor-roll/">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…

<a href="https://www.vsba.org/news/vsba-launches-school-board-u/">VSBA School Board U</a>
School Board U is an area of the VSBA website filled with learning opportunities for school board members to explore important topics related to your service on the school board. Complete certain courses and earn a certificate for your hard work. For more information visit the member section of the VSBA website. School board members and division staff, please check your email to find the log in and password information or contact VSBA.