April 2013 archive

Lunch or Not Lunch, That Is The Question!

Some unusual recent inquiries to the Virginia Department of Education have prompted responses that are, quite frankly, to the point and perhaps for some, disappointing.  Two burning issues which prompted a response by Superintent’s Memo last week are: how is the planning period time length established for middle /secondary teachers and is lunch required? First, the …

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School Discipline and Miranda Warnings

A recent School Law Blog in the April 26 Education Week  edition presents a scenario that administrators need to careful to avoid. When a student is suspected or discovered with involvement of illegal activities in school, the building administrators need to exclude the School Resource Officer (SRO) in the initial office investigation conversation.  Establishing student guilt …

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Virginia Board of Education April 2013 Meeting

The Virginia Board of Education held two meetings during the week of April 22nd, 2013.  The Board met on Wednesday, April 24 for the Planning Session. This meeting is devoted to a review of education topics presented by Department of Education Staff members and education practitioners in the Commonwealth from schools and central office staff. The …

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Virginia Schools Earn Green Ribbon Awards

The Virginia Department of Education announced on April 23, 2013 that two Virginia schools were among the  64 schools nationwide recognized this week by the U.S. Department of Education as Green Ribbon Schools. The Green Ribbon Schools Program recognizes energy efficient and environmentally friendly schools with programs that promote environmental awareness and literacy, community engagement and …

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You Are The Leader That Deals With A Crisis..Others Depend On Your Responses

The tragedy in Boston on April 15 reminds us that danger is a hidden facet of our personal and professional lives that is waiting to strike and cause havoc.  The Boston tragedy was unfortunately not an isolated disaster and as you well know, has become an issue in public schools.  Along with learning and developing …

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Good Principals Do Make A Difference

 This blog will not be a revelation for many principals as you already know that student success comes from good teaching which is derived from good school leadership. It is, however, nice to read this in print and realize that efforts to create positive school climates and support good teaching practices are recognized and appreciated. The …

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Hampton Roads Next Stop on Board President’s Listening Tour

 Virginia Board of Education President David M. Foster continues his listening tour of state school divisions this week with a two-day visit to Hampton Roads.  He will be in this area of Virginia April 18-19. The tour is designed to give parents, teachers, local school board members, administrators and interested citizens an opportunity to express …

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VASSP Conference and Exposition, June 23 – June 26, 2013

 86th Annual Virginia Middle and High School Principals Conference & Exposition June 23 – June 26, 2013 (School Law Clinic, School Data as a Leadership Tool Workshop June 23, 2013) Virginia’s only statewide conference for middle level and high school principals is the Annual Virginia Middle and High School Principals Conference & Exposition.  For 85 …

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‘Tis the Season for Senioritis

If you are a high school administrator, you most likely are aware of a condition common among high school seniors often referred to as “Senioritis.”  It generally becomes more prevalent in May or June, but cases have been reported as early as March. This condition appears as seniors realize that graduation is near and they …

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Are You Considering Blended Learning With Your Staff?

Blended Learning is getting attention here in Virginia and in other states as an update on a former teaching technique that has been given a new name. If you are in the process of using this teaching technique or just considering it, there is a new source of information recently published that you may want to reference. In Education …

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