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Two Virginia Beach schools recognized as national models for college and career readiness

Great Neck and Salem Middle schools in Virginia Beach have once again received distinction as AVID National Demonstration Schools. This elite designation has been awarded to only 200 of 8,000 AVID schools in the United States and around the world. AVID National Demonstration Schools exhibit a college and career readiness culture through rigor and high expectations for all students throughout the school.

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VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (March 13, 2023) – The City of Virginia Beach, in partnership with the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia, will hold a series of community listening sessions between March 25 and April 3. Residents will have an opportunity to provide their input on the City’s election system and how they elect their representatives. Feedback will be captured by the event moderators and provided to City Council in a final report.

Two Virginia Beach schools recognized as national models for college and career readiness

Great Neck and Salem Middle schools in Virginia Beach have once again received distinction as AVID National Demonstration Schools. This elite designation has been awarded to only 200 of 8,000 AVID schools in the United States and around the world. AVID National Demonstration Schools exhibit a college and career readiness culture through rigor and high expectations for all students throughout the school.

Students with "EllRay Jakes is Magic!" book

Ask any Virginia Beach fifth grader what they’re reading in March, and they’ll all answer the same thing — “EllRay Jakes is Magic!” That’s because Virginia Beach City Public Schools is participating in an exciting literacy program called All District Reads, which puts a free book into the hands of every fifth grader and encourages them to read aloud and discuss the story with their families, classmates and community.

VA STAR

In this age of information technology, it is vital that students have access to technology tools to support their classroom learning. To assist families who do not have a home computer, the Virginia Student Training and Refurbishment (VA STAR) program, coordinated through the Virginia Beach Education Foundation, provides free, refurbished computers to identified students to support academic achievement.
 

How does it work?

Group of people at VA STAR

Through VA STAR, students in the Computer Systems Technology class at the Advanced Technology Center refurbish donated computer equipment from individuals, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, state agencies and private companies. The computers are re-imaged with Windows 10 software and come with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) already installed. Through participation in the program, students work toward earning industry-standard certifications, which can pave the way for both higher education and well-paying jobs.
 

Who is eligible to receive a computer?

Students are selected to receive a computer through an application process. School staff, including teachers or school counselors, can recommend a child for participation in the program or a parent or guardian may submit an application directly to the Office of Strategic Communications. In order to be selected, families must meet the following requirements:

  • The student must be currently enrolled in a Virginia Beach City Public School;
  • The family cannot have a working desktop or laptop computer at home; and
  • A parent/guardian must attend a brief informational session at the time the computer is received.

What is the cost to participate?

The donated computers are distributed at no cost to families. Due to a limited supply of computers, families are sometimes placed on a wait-list before receiving a computer.

How do I apply?

Submit an application to the Office of Family & Community Engagement by email, by fax to 757.263.1010 or by mail to VBCPS Office of Family & Community Engagement, 2512 George Mason Drive, Virginia Beach, VA, 23456. Families may also pick up and return completed applications at their neighborhood school.