Recently Added – Page 4

Drivers test skills in school bus roadeo

On a recent Saturday, an overcast sky and occasional falling mist failed to dampen the enthusiasm of nearly two dozen school bus drivers as they tested their skills at the annual School Bus Roadeo on an obstacle course set up at Birdneck Elementary. Each driver begins the day by taking two written tests grading general…

Teacher Forum roundtable event asks: What’s your superpower?

Shazam! In an instant Kellam High School’s central commons area was instantly transformed into something that would activate anyone’s spidey senses. Up in the sky—or risers, it wasn’t a bird, or a plane. It was the Three Oaks Elementary School fifth-grade chorus performing a medley of heartfelt super hero songs. One could say that the…

Tweet, Tweet: #VBEdChat Promotes Growth and Excellence

Educators across the division are invited to join the monthly #VBEdChat, a Twitter chat hosted by Teacher Forum and the Office of Professional Growth and Innovation specifically designed for the Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) community. “In so many ways, teaching can be an isolating profession in that we come into our classrooms, close…

Exhibit showcases talents of art teachers through May 15

The Teaching Artists Exhibit is held annually to showcase the creative talents of the school division’s elementary, middle and high school art teachers. The exhibit at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art is open through May 15. A reception will be held Tuesday, May 10, from 6-8 p.m. to celebrate the exhibit and the work…

Marlin named VBCPS TCE Counselor of the Year

Congratulations to Robert Marlin, Jr. for being named VBCPS Technical and Career Education (TCE) Counselor of the Year. This is the second time in his VBCPS career he has earned the honor. Marlin became the school guidance director at the Virginia Beach TCE Center in July and coordinates its recruitment efforts and application process, develops…

Students say teachers are awesome, cool (and a little crazy)

The votes are in, and teachers are “kind, cool, smart, silly and rockin’!” At least, that’s what students in kindergarten through second grade tell us. Some are even considering becoming teachers themselves. Others shared they have different careers in mind. In the words of one second-grader, “I would not like to be a teacher because I really want to…

Congratulations to the 2015-16 Tagged By The Superintendent recipients

Spring 2015: Crystal Andrews, Adult Learning Center James Spruill, Advanced Technology Center Kathryn Davey, Alanton Elementary School Karen Crain, Arrowhead Elementary School Tamara Hamlin, Bayside 6th Grade Campus Kiersten Schiffbauer, Bayside Elementary School Nancy Grimstead, Bayside High School Leanne Criscitiello, Bayside Middle School Cheryl Valeriano, Birdneck Elementary School Mark Bacon, Brandon Middle School Grace Unger,…

Barefoot earns top TCE teacher honor

Kudos to Jason Barefoot for receiving the Technical and Career Education High School Teacher of the Year Award. This honor is bestowed upon educators who demonstrate leadership, innovation and community involvement. Applicants must be a member of a career and technical professional organization, participate in a live interview with the selection panel, and are required…

Winborne named Master Dance Educator of the Year

Valerie Winborne, Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) gifted dance program chairperson, has been named the Pre-kindergarten-12th grade (P-12) Master Dance Educator of the Year for 2016. Presented annually by the National Dance Society, the award recognizes excellence in dance education in school divisions. Winborne has taught in the division’s Gifted Dance Education Program at…

Annual VBCPS school report cards posted online

The 18th Annual School Report Cards are now available on vbschools.com. These report cards share each school’s progress toward achieving various accountability measures – local, state and federal – and give a snapshot of each school’s demographics. For example, school report cards provide school information about student and staff characteristics, such as mobility rates, average…

Two Woodstock teachers accepted to 2016 Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy

Congratulations to Woodstock Elementary School teachers Stephanie Wyman and Cherie Brogan for their selection to the 2016 Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy. They are two of six teachers selected from Virginia and 154 teachers selected nationwide. According to the academy’s website, the program is “a weeklong, all-expense-paid, professional development program for third- through fifth-grade teachers that equips…

Digital learning on display at Anchor School Showcase

Students and staff at the school division’s 11 Digital Learning Anchor Schools have been tinkering, troubleshooting, experimenting, exploring, creating and collaborating with technology for months now. That’s by design, explained Chief Academic Officer Amy Cashwell. “It’s not every day you’re given a project in which you can really tell schools, ‘We’re going to give you…

VBEF to award $125,000 in teacher and schoolwide grants

Next school year marks the 25th anniversary of the Virginia Beach Education Foundation (VBEF). To mark this milestone, the Foundation will award $125,000 in teacher and schoolwide grants to deserving educators throughout the school division. VBEF grants are awarded to support innovative and engaging projects that are not funded through the school division’s budget. Spring…

Update on Secondary Grading Practices Conversation: A message from Dr. Spence

Colleagues, For months, we’ve been sharing news with you about important committee work around fair and equitable grading at the secondary level and our need to have more consistent practices from school to school. At the request of the School Board, the group reviewed research and talked to experts in hopes of answering questions such…

Anchor Schools share lessons learned at showcase April 20

Digital Learning Anchor Schools were established this year to study best practices in digital learning and device implementation. You’re invited to see examples from this initiative as well as hear about lessons learned during the Digital Anchor School Showcase April 20, from 5:30-7 p.m. at Great Neck Middle School. Students and staff from the following…

Tickets still available for VBEF Pearls of Wisdom event April 16

The Virginia Beach Education Foundation’s (VBEF) Pearls of Wisdom Oyster Roast and Barbecue will be held Saturday, April 16, 1-5 p.m. at 24th Street Park at the oceanfront. Each ticket includes an all-you-can-eat buffet of raw and roasted oysters, pork barbecue, fried fish, chicken, Hatteras-style clam chowder and beverages. The event also features free entertainment by…

AP pathways is one of many professional learning opportunities offered to VBCPS staff

Even though class was not officially underway, this room was abuzz with students eager to share their homework. Although it may sound like any Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) classroom at the beginning of a block, this class was a bit different since students were experienced VBCPS Assistant Principals (APs) participating in the final…

Wear purple April 15 to celebrate the Month of the Military Child

The school division will join schools and organizations across the nation in celebration of “Purple Up! For Military Kids” day Friday, April 15. By wearing purple, students and staff will show their support of the strength, sacrifices and contributions of military-connected children. The event features the color that symbolizes the combination of all branches of…

Proposed changes to 2017 health care offerings

Limited drug and network changes for the 2017 health plan have been designed to help better manage costs for employees and the City/Schools. These proposed changes, along with projected rates (monthly premiums based upon 12 months), were shared with City Council and the School Board. At the City Council’s request, each upcoming year’s total health…

Jenna Free named 2017 VBCPS Citywide Teacher of the Year

Jenna Free, an English teacher and Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow (VTfT) instructor at Tallwood High School, has been named the 2017 Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) Citywide Teacher of the Year. Superintendent Dr. Aaron Spence made the announcement this morning in a surprise visit to one of Free’s AP English classes. A National Board…