Virginia Beach City Public Schools is opening a survey to learn more about the perceptions of the community regarding starting school before the Labor Day holiday.

The General Assembly passed new legislation amending provisions in the Code of Virginia regarding the setting of school calendars and the first day that students may be required to attend school. Accordingly, it is no longer necessary for school divisions to seek waivers to begin the school year prior to Labor Day.

We are asking the community to weigh in on whether they prefer a pre-Labor Day start or would like to keep the start of school post-Labor Day.

For the past four years, Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) has been engaging in conversations regarding a possible shift in school start times. Following the School Board of the City of Virginia Beach’s vote in November to approve a resolution to change school start times, VBCPS administration began developing four schedule options that would provide adolescent students more sleep time.

VBCPS is seeking input on those four options from students, staff members, parents and Virginia Beach community members.

Superintendent Dr. Aaron Spence has formed a Blue Ribbon Panel on School Safety and Security, which is bringing together community leaders and security experts to analyze Virginia Beach City Public Schools’ (VBCPS) current security practices and procedures.

In announcing the panel, Dr. Spence stressed that our schools are safe places for students to learn and for staff to work. This is a proactive measure with the goal of determining what security measures are working well and how additional resources might be leveraged to further improve school safety.

This spring, panel members will visit schools, review plans and speak with staff before making recommendations to the School Board this summer. To aid the panel in its work, administration would like to gather input from students, parents, staff and members of the community.

Dr. Spence and the Blue Ribbon Panel will host two community meetings Tuesday, May 15, at Kellam High School. However, those who are unable to attend are encouraged to take the following survey to share their thoughts and insight on safety procedures and practices in VBCPS. An overview of current safety measures in place is available on the school division website, vbschools.com.

Thank you for your participation.

The VBCPS Calendar Committee has been at work planning options for both the 2018-19 school year and the 2019-2020 school year. 

Last month, the School Board directed the committee to include professional learning for staff, limit the use of adjusted dismissal days, make staff days and professional learning days on Mondays and Fridays when possible and make winter break as long as possible. With this input in hand, the Calendar Committee created two calendar options for both the 2018-19 and 2019-2020 school years. 

These options are now available for community review and feedback. Click here to review the calendars and provide your feedback. 

Thank you for your time and input!

Please review the two proposed options for the 2017-18 school calendar year and let us know what you think.

We are planning for the 2017-18 school year. With recommendations to include professional learning for staff, limit the use of adjusted dismissal days, make staff days and professional learning days on Mondays and Fridays when possible and make winter break as long as possible, two calendar options for the 2017-18 school year were developed.

Please review the two options and let us know any thoughts or concerns you may have.