The Virginia Beach City Public Schools has long been devoted to celebrating the diversity of its students, faculty and staff who richly contribute to the progress and accomplishments of the school division. The cultural vastness of Virginia Beach schools yields characteristics of ethnicity, ageism, national origin, physical and mental ability, gender, religion, race, and military status establishing a true multicultural hub that mirrors the globalization of our world.
In 1996, the Virginia Beach School Board further established its commitment when it recognized the differences among us by including diversity in the School Board's seven strategic goals as follows:
- Expanded Instructional Opportunities Through Data-Driven Curriculum
- Safe Schools and Effective, Well-disciplined Environment
- Effective, Efficient Use of Resources to Create Quality Educational Opportunities
- Technology Integrated into Our Curriculum and Instruction
- Recognition of Our Diversity – Respect for All People
- Quality Work Force: Trained and Accountable for Performance
- Meaningful Involvement of Community, Parents and Partners
Asian/Pacific Heritage Month Asian/Pacific Heritage Month began in 1979 as Asian Heritage Week, established by congressional proclamation. From then until 1993, the period for recognizing Asian/Pacific Americans was created by congressional proclamation each year. President George Bush, on October 23, 1992, signed legislation into law that made May of each year Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. This month has been designated for the recognition and celebration of the collective accomplishments of Asian Pacific Americans, who comprise many ethnic groups with diverse backgrounds, histories, languages, and cultures.
Better Hearing and Speech Month Better Hearing and Speech Month is sponsored by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association to raise public awareness about how to identify, prevent, and treat speech, language, and hearing disorders. Helen Keller once noted that of all her impairments, she was perhaps troubled most by her lack of speech and hearing. She elaborated that while blindness separated her from things, her lack of speech and hearing separated her from people – the human connection of communication.
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month All Americans are encouraged to take part in regular physical activity and increase their knowledge about health benefits of exercise during National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports sponsors month-long activities to educate about the importance of regular physical activity and healthy eating habits to help reduce stress and lower the risk for many chronic health conditions.
National Sight-Saving Month To alert the public to the value of eye care and safety and the early detection of eye problems is the essence of National Sight-Saving Month. Eyecare professionals agree that ultraviolet (UV) radiation can have a significant impact on the quality of eye health. Understanding the hazards of UV radiation is the focus the month’s observance.
Older Americans Month Historically, Older Americans Month has been a time to acknowledge the contributions of past and current older persons to our country, in particular those who defended our country. All U.S. Presidents since John F. Kennedy have asked the entire nation to pay tribute in some way to older persons in their communities. In was in 1980 that the month’s name was changed from Senior Citizens Month to Older Americans Month, and the 2008 theme is: “Working Together for Strong, Healthy and Supportive Communities.”
The DIVERSITY CONNECTIONS HOTLINE hotline is a service for all Virginia Beach citizens who have an interest in promoting unity within our public schools and our supporting communities. Through this hotline residents can express their comments about ethnicity, gender, race, language, physical and mental ability, religious beliefs, socioeconomics, and other diverse matters occurring among students and employees of the Virginia Beach Public Schools.
Call: 757.263.2222
E-mail: joanneh.lucas@vbschools.com
For information on the Diversity Task Force, contact the Office of the Assistant Superintendent for High Schools at 757.263.1170 or through the Diversity Hotline at 757.263.2222 or e-mail joanneh.lucas@vbschools.com.
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