Open houses, transition programs and meet-the-teacher nights.
School calendars are filling up with events that invite students and families to the building to prepare for the new school year.
Virginia Beach Middle School (VBMS) administrators and staff recently took their back-to-school efforts into the community to visit current VBMS students and meet future Seahawks at the Atlantis Apartments’ Neighborhood Community Day Aug. 15.
VBMS Principal Sandi Brown explained the rationale for the community outreach.
“This [was] a great opportunity to build relationships and establish trust,” said Brown, adding that it was a “fun-filled three hours that laid the groundwork for an awesome school year.”
VBMS guidance department director Lavell White noted that such outreach helps to “strengthen student-parent connections and spend time with the families we serve.”
On the sunny, Saturday afternoon, VBMS staff played four square and enjoyed lunch with students, parents and other Atlantis Apartments residents. The middle school had its own information table stocked with back-to-school packets and prize giveaways such as VBMS stickers and vouchers for free P.E. uniforms.
When rising eighth-grader Davontae stopped by the neighborhood event, he was greeted with smiles, hugs and high fives from VBMS staff. “Look at you” said Brown enthusiastically. “You’re so tall! Last year you were as tall as me, and now you are a head taller.”
Davontae said he’s excited about the new school year and even more excited about the start of football practice later this month. He and Brown talked about the new football coach, and Davontae visited with other VBMS staff members and students.
Brown hopes the staff’s visit to the neighborhood “will mean a lot to the students.” Judging by Davontae’s smile while talking to staff, it made a difference to at least one.