Celebrate VSBA Equity in Education Month March 2020
March marks the beginning of the first ever VSBA Equity in Education Month, sponsored by Sodexo. This month long initiative was created by the VSBA Board of Directors in an effort to encourage divisions to evaluate and share how we are serving students equitably. VSBA has created a
toolkit
for divisions to use to plan relevant activities throughout the month of March.
During the month of March VSBA will also be hosting a series of webinars focusing on a range of topics pertaining to aspects of equity in education. There will also be two podcast episodes in the month of March featuring Dr. John B. Gordon, Superintendent of Suffolk City Schools, and Dr. Janice Underwood, Virginia's Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
We look forward to learning more about what equity looks like in each of your divisions and encourage you to share with us and one another by using #EquityInActionVA on all social media. For more information, and resources for Equity in Education Month visit the VSBA website
here
. To view the signed proclamation issued by Governor Northam click
here.
March will also mark the beginning of the VSBA Regional Spring Network Forums. The forums feature dinner, student entertainment, awards and updates on key education issues and association events. These events are designed to gather board members to discuss issues facing your region, share ideas, and provide you an opportunity to feel supported. Your regional chair is your representative on the VSBA Board of Directors and is your direct link to the activities on the board; your input is invaluable to them. For a complete schedule and brochures for each meeting click
here
. I look forward to seeing everyone as we travel around the Commonwealth this spring.
Thank you for all that you continue to do to support public education in Virginia.
GP
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Executive Director
Gina G. Patterson
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Issue Highlights
VSBA Leadership Spotlight: James Coleman
Spotlight Article on Caroline County
Public Schools
Recap: NSBA Advocacy Institute
Communications Tip
VSBA Equity in Education Month Webinar Series
School Board Appreciation Month in Photos
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Virginia Well Represented at NSBA Advocacy Institute.
February 2-4 school board members from all over the United States attended the National School Boards Association’s Advocacy Institute, including twenty from Virginia. The Color Guard from T.C Williams High School in Alexandria City presented the colors to kick off the Institute. Board Members attended general sessions that featured speakers including Pulitzer Prize winning columnist Eugene Robinson, political advisor Mark McKinnon, FCC commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, as well as a panel session with top aides from Congress. Virginia attendees met with Education Aides from Senator Kaine and Senator Warner’s offices, as well as representatives from Virginia House Delegations to successfully advocate on behalf of public education in the Commonwealth.
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(l to r) Carlos Clanton (Norfolk City), Judith Brooks-Buck (Suffolk City), Adale Martin (Norfolk City)
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2020 General Assembly Session
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Check in regularly for legislative updates from the VSBA government relations staff on the 2020 session in Richmond.
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(l to r) Allyson Pate (Winchester City) with Representative Jennifer Wexton
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Virginia delegation visits with staff from the offices of Senator Kaine and Senator Warner
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A Conversation on Communication
Samantha Bosserman, Director of Communications and Board Development
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Now that you have made it through your first month as a new or a refreshed Governance Team, it is time to lock down how you would like to communicate with your team. This seems like a simple process, but it is an important one to ensure that communication lines are open for all members of the school board and the Superintendent.
First, does everyone have each other’s phone numbers? This seems like an easy box to check, but there may be a member who does not know how to get a hold of another member. Take some time to share your contact information so that everyone knows the best way to get a hold of you. Does the board know how the Superintendent prefers to communicate? Does he or she prefer a text ahead of a call, a call to the office line or a call to a cell phone? How do the board members prefer to communicate to each other? Is one board member unable to speak on the phone during the day so evening and weekend calls are better? Does one board member have a long commute so you know you can speak with them from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. each day?
Have a conversation about how you would like to communicate with each other, communicate with the Superintendent and what your board protocols are on communicating with the public. Having open lines of communication between all members of the Governance Team will help your team work efficiently and help mitigate any communication related challenges in the future.
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VSBA Profile in Leadership- Meet James Coleman, VSBA Board of Directors, Legislative Positions/Federal Relations Committee Chair
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Where is your hometown?
Richmond, Virginia
How long have you been a school board member?
I have been a school board member for six years
Was there a teacher or administrator that has had a lasting effect on your life?
I am inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr.
What is your motto as a board member?
My motto is "it's all about the kids." At the end of the day, how will my decisions impact kids?
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James Coleman
Lynchburg City School Board
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What is your pie-in-the-sky vision for education?
My pie-in-the-sky vision for education is that all students experience optimal well being in fully funded schools.
What do you consider your greatest accomplishment as a school board member?
I would consider my greatest accomplishment to be encouraging engagement at all levels in support of public education in Lynchburg and beyond.
What do you feel is the best benefit of being a member of the VSBA?
I think the greatest benefit is the exposure to some of the greatest public school advocates in the world with demonstrated practices of distinction to help kids.
How do you define advocacy?
Advocacy to me means representing the voiceless, vulnerable and venerable in society before decision makers expressing their views and wishes concerning their lives.
Why is advocacy important to you and your role as a school board member?
I'm a fighter for the rights of those who are often unheard. Quality education afforded to all is my goal in advocacy and what must be done to make this happen.
Advocacy can be intimidating to some people. What advice do you have for them on ways to gradually become more engaged in advocacy?
Find your passion, do your research, understand the process and go after it!
What is the most challenging aspect of advocacy and how do you work to overcome it?
Convincing partisan politicians to do what is right for kids, because it is right for kids, and for all the right reasons. Overcome this by developing a one on one personal relationship with elected and appointed officials and their staff.
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Division Spotlight: Caroline County Public Schools
In each newsletter VSBA will spotlight a recent initiative or best practice taking place in a school division in Virginia. If you have a story you would like to submit for inclusion in the spotlight section of the VSBA Newsletter, please contact Samantha Bosserman, director of communications and board development, for more information. We look forward to hearing about the great things going on in your divisions.
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Service Learning Alive In Caroline County Public Schools
Submitted by Caroline County Public Schools
The power of school and community partnerships can be readily observed in Caroline County. In June of 2019, Caroline’s Habitat for Humanity received a $2.3 million Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This grant affords Habitat two years to build ten homes in Caroline County, VA. Seeing a natural opportunity for Caroline County Public Schools students to become civically engaged, Dr. Sarah Calveric, CCPS Superintendent, met with Jason Tickle, Director of Caroline’s Habitat for Humanity, to brainstorm how the two entities could collaboratively serve the Caroline community while simultaneously offering relevant learning opportunities to students.
The Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grant builds modern, energy-efficient homes that allow qualifying residents to take advantage of a payment that is no more than 30 percent of their income. The lower payment is made possible through the combination of a 1% interest rate, “sweat equity” (work on the house by the buyer), donated materials, and volunteer labor. Tickle noted that while contractors are hired to support site work, the prospective owner has to provide 65% of the construction labor on each of the homes with assistance from the project manager.
Enter CCPS staff and students. Superintendent Calveric shared, “Who better to build a home for than an income eligible CCPS teacher, administrative assistant, or custodian - and who better to construct the homes than our very own students.” So to spread the word, Habitat for Humanity visited each CCPS school and department to share their mission and educate staff about the Self-Help Grant qualifying criteria and application process. Just as integral to the message, school board office staff eagerly highlighted students’ future involvement and community contributions. Calveric noted that not only will students enrolled in the CTE Building and Trades and CAD/Engineering programs create 3D home replicas and prefabricate the homes’ walls, but a number of students pursuing advanced CTE coursework will conduct field work side by side with the project manager and buyers to raise the walls. Beyond homebuilding, the fine arts and graphic design classes will create Habitat safety characters promoting OSHA standards and craft home renderings for program participants. And like any healthy construction site, all builders must stay hydrated and fed to support a solid build. Habitat’s site will be no different as Caroline High School’s culinary arts department will prepare and serve meals to the many volunteers on site. Calveric closed by sharing, “This service-learning project will provide our students with a broader awareness of the local economy and our community’s needs, offer various opportunities for meaningful community engagement, and connect classroom content to relevant and real-world experiences.”
As a small, rural school division nestled between Richmond and Fredericksburg, Caroline County Public Schools is committed to creating graduates who are 3E Ready: Enrolled, Enlisted, and/or Employed. The school division’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity not only sharpens students’ 5Cs - creative thinking, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and citizenship, it provides authentic and relevant learning experiences that connect the classroom to the community!
The Habitat for Humanity groundbreaking was held on October 5, 2019. CCPS leaders, USDA representatives, faith and civic leaders, and state and locally elected officials joined Habitat officials for this community celebration. The first five houses are scheduled to begin in November and the second round of houses in late spring of 2020. Future Habitat homeowner, Tyreia Shepherd, was beaming with excitement as she threw dirt in the air with a shiny gold shovel alongside her daughters, Zoe-12 and Zurii-6. Dr. Calveric noted, “These are our students - these are our families, and we will stand beside them from beginning to end on this life changing journey.”
Pictured below: (left to right) McWayne Williams, Construction Manager, Dr. Sarah Calveric, Superintendent; Mr. John Copeland, School Board Member; Mrs. Nancy Carson, School Board Member; Jason Tickle, Director of Caroline’s Habitat Program.
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Thank You School Board Members!
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Thank you for your service and dedication to Virginia's public schools. As we all know, serving as a school board member can be one of the most rewarding, yet challenging experiences.
Thank you, school board members, for all that you do for our students and for the future of public education.
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News Tidbits: Stories and Studies from Around the Country
Governor Ralph Northam’s African American History Education Commission is seeking community input as it examines how to strengthen African American history education and the Virginia history education standards in the Commonwealth’s public schools. The Commission is launching a series of public listening sessions in February and March. For more information follow the link in the title.
A
three-part serie
s by the Education Commission
that explores ways that states fund education for special student populations and school characteristics. More information and the complete three-part series can be found at the link in the title.
Grand Canyon University (GCU) and ASBA are partnering to present a webinar series on school trauma. As a Virginia School Boards Association member, you are able to take advantage of this free, four-part webinar series. Participants will examine what trauma is, how it impacts students and teachers and dive deeper into how to deal with trauma in K-12 settings. For more details and to register, visit the link in the title.
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2020 VSBA Showcases for Success
WHAT IS THE VSBA SHOWCASES FOR SUCCESS?
As a means of encouraging community awareness and positive press coverage of public education, the Virginia School Boards Association is inviting school divisions to recommend programs and initiatives that would serve as appropriate “Showcases for Success” in public education. Last year, 116 programs were profiled and the list was shared with journalists, school board members, superintendents, legislators, and top state officials. Press coverage was generated statewide, and this project served to be an effective tool for disarming the critics of public education. We are compiling a new list for 2020, and these successful programs will be showcased on the VSBA web site for the entire year.
WHAT IS THIS YEAR’S FOCUS?
The focus of the 2020 VSBA Showcases for Success is
The Profile of a Virginia Graduate.
HOW MANY PROGRAMS/INITIATIVES CAN A DIVISION SUBMIT?
Each division can submit up to 3 programs/initiatives (simply use this form multiple times).
HOW DO I SUBMIT?
WHAT IS THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION?
Monday, March 2, 2020
WHO DO I CONTACT IF I HAVE A QUESTION?
Jessica Blythe, director of membership services, at
jessica@vsba.org
or 434-295-8722
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VSBA Affiliate Member Profiles
In each Issue of the VSBA Newsletter, we will feature three VSBA Affiliate Members.
Thank you for your support of the VSBA and Virginia's public education system.
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Holman Capital
Our mission is to be the top public sector debt, private equity, and management solutions provider to governments, educational institutions and health systems nationwide.
Jane Taubman
Phone: (949) 403-0022
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Cooper Carry
A national firm offering urban design/planning, environmental graphics design, historic rehabilitation, landscape architecture, interior design.
Maureen O’Hara Wiechert
Phone: (703) 519-6152
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Standard Solar
A leading solar energy company specializing in the development and financing of solar electric systems nationwide.
John Finnerty
Phone: 240-479-1519
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UPCOMING EVENTS, WORKSHOPS, & WEBINARS
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February 25, 2020, 12:00 p.m.- 1:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Online
DETAIL: If one of the most conservative cities in the country can produce one of the “greenest” school divisions in the country, then so can you. It’s all about changing the culture within your organization. During this presentation, you will learn how Virginia Beach City Public Schools is transitioning the school division towards a sustainable future. Attendees will hear from a Superintendent who grew up on the Chesapeake Bay and understands the impact that we are having on our natural environment, a Chief Operations Officer who approaches conflict resolution and culture change through the lens of an ex-Naval Aviator and Base Commander, and finally, an ex-Navy SEAL who, over the last eighteen years, has applied skills developed within the Special Operations community to achieve this critical mission objective.
March 18, 2020
LOCATION: Wytheville Meeting Center, Wytheville, VA
DETAIL:
The Future Workforce: Empowering all Virginia's Learners for a Rapidly Changing World-
How do we empower all learners today and prepare them for a rapidly changing world? A driving force behind this change is technology. It affects the way we live, the way the world works, and the kinds of skills people need to thrive. Technology also presents unique opportunities for learning. Come and examine the future of learning and explore how schools should be preparing graduates. This conference will bring together dynamic speakers addressing issues that are important and relevant to every school division regardless of locality.
March 24, 2020
LOCATION: VSBA Conference Center, Charlottesville, VA
DETAIL:
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 manage risk and foster a safe and healthy school environment. Participants will learn the basics of Title IX, best practices regarding Title IX policies, and recent case law relating to sexual harassment of students, gender discrimination, and employee training requirements. In addition, participants will walk away equipped with tools to help administrators spot, prevent, and investigate claims of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
April 2, 2020
LOCATION: VSBA Conference Center, Charlottesville, VA
DETAIL:
The Guidelines for Uniform Performance Standards and Evaluation Criteria for Superintendents developed by the Virginia Department of Education provide a wealth of information regarding the new requirements. Filtering through this document to determine what is required and what is optional requires focused attention. For some, the changes to their current evaluation model may be minor, while others face major revisions in order to be in compliance with the regulations. This workshop is designed to provide small group support to superintendents and board members responsible for assessing and updating their evaluation model. Participants will have the opportunity to review the guidelines in detail and then use them as they draft their own models. Individual consultation and support will be provided throughout the session as participants work on their revisions.
April 17, 2020
LOCATION: Chesterfield Career and Technical Center, Chesterfield, VA
DETAIL: Join us for the 2020 VSBA Hot Topic Conference in Midlothian, VA. This conference brings together dynamic speakers addressing issues that are important and relevant to every school division. Attendees will hear from professionals about important issues relating to and leading to student success. We will hear first-hand experiences of creating school cultures for engagement and wellbeing, communication and strengthening board governance, and mental health initiatives for changing student populations. Attendees will also learn about workforce readiness updates.
Sponsored by:
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2020 VSBA Regional Spring Network Forum Schedule
These meetings bring together board members, superintendents, and guests for dinner, networking, keynote speakers, legislative updates, and outstanding student entertainment. The Spring Network Forum also features the presentation of the Regional Art Contest Winners. We encourage all to attend their regional meetings. This is a great opportunity to network with other board members in your region and share best practices. For detailed brochures for each forum
click here.
CENTRAL—March 4, 2020 (Host Division: Orange County)
SOUTHSIDE—March 5, 2020 (Host Division: Dinwiddie County)
SOUTHERN—March 16, 2020 (Host Division: Amherst County)
EASTERN—March 19, 2020 (Host Division: Essex County)
TIDEWATER—March 30, 2020 (Host Division: Isle of Wight County)
VALLEY—April 22, 2020 (Host Division: Waynesboro City)
SOUTHWEST—April 23, 2020 (Host Division: Smyth County)
NORTHEASTERN—May 4, 2020 (Host Division: Alexandria City)
BLUE RIDGE—May 6, 2020 (Host Division: Henry County)
For more information, and to view the 2020 yearly conference schedules please visit:
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200 Hansen Road, Charlottesville, VA 22911
Tel: 434-295-8722 Fax: 434-295-8785
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