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Two Virginia Beach schools recognized as national models for college and career readiness
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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Community Listening Sessions Scheduled March 25 – April 3 ​​​​​​​ to Gain Resident Input on Future Election System

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
Two Virginia Beach schools recognized as national models for college and career readiness (opens in new window/tab)

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
VBCPS plans a magical month of reading with All District Reads (opens in new window/tab)

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.

COVID-19

Positive cases:

  1. Any student or staff member who tests positive for COVID-19 must isolate at home for 5 days, from onset of symptoms or test date if asymptomatic, regardless of vaccination status. Individuals may return to work/school after day 5 if they are fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medications and symptoms are improving. Masks should be worn on days 6-10.
  2. The Virginia Beach Department of Public Health (VBDPH) will monitor cases for possible clusters or outbreaks.
  3. Notification to families regarding increased case activity will be initiated by the school nurse/health services with approval of the principal after three positive cases in general education classes and 1-2 cases in special education classes.

Exposures:

  1. For persons who have a recent confirmed or suspected exposure to an infected person (regardless of vaccination status), quarantine is no longer recommended. These individuals may continue to attend programming as long as they remain asymptomatic.
  2. Testing: Persons who have had recent exposure may consider testing for COVID-19 on or after 5 days following exposure (or sooner if they are symptomatic). Test kits are available upon request.
  3. Masks: Those who have an exposure should consider wearing a mask for 10 days following exposure.

Reporting:

  1. Family: Families should report positive test results to their child’s school nurse. The nurse will document the case and provide guidance regarding isolation expectations
  2. Staff: Staff should report positive cases to their supervisor/principal and report to the school nurse (if applicable) during work hours or by emailing healthresponseteam@vbschools.com.
  3. Afterhours and weekends: Cases may be reported on the next school/workday.

Sick at school:

  1. Students who are ill during school hours will be evaluated by the school nurse. Students with symptoms of COVID-19 and/or a fever will be sent home for at least 24 hours.
  2. An eMed BinaxNOW test kit will be offered to parents/ staff who are ill or have been exposed to COVID-19. Results of the test must be sent to the school nurse.

     

  3. If testing is not done, the person must isolate at home for 5 days after the onset of symptoms or obtain a return to work/school note from their physician after evaluation.
  4. If test is negative and the student/staff member continues to have symptoms, the family should consult with PCP for an alternative diagnosis.
  5. Students who are ill must wear a mask and wait in the isolation room until a parent arrives to pick them up.

E. Return to school/ work after positive COVID-19 diagnosis:

Individuals may return to work/school after day 5 as long as they are fever-free for 24 hours and not using a fever reducing medication, symptoms are improving. Masks should be worn on days 6-10 (following start of symptoms).

Mitigations:

  1. Screening: Students and staff should screen for symptoms daily. If symptomatic, they should stay home and test.
  2. Vaccinations: Vaccination is the leading public health prevention strategy to combat the COVID-19 pandemic according to the Virginia Department of Health. VBCPS continues to partner with the VBDPH to identify opportunities to host clinics. Those interested in getting vaccinated can check with their health care provider or find a location to get vaccinated or boosted https://vaccinate.virginia.gov/.
  3. Ventilation: HEPA filters are in every classroom, clinic and isolation room. Windows will be opened when conditions permit.
  4. Hand washing, respiratory etiquette and covering coughs are encouraged and reinforced.
  5. High-touch surfaces will be disinfected daily. Deep disinfecting will be done on a case-by-case basis in coordination with VBDPH.
  6. Masks:
    1. Are optional for staff and students.
    2. Are recommended when community level is at medium or high, day 6-10 post positive test, and post exposure for 10 days.
    3. Must be worn when a student becomes ill at school. Employees whose job duties include providing medical care to students or staff who are known to have or suspected to have COVID-19 must wear a mask when performing those duties.
    4. KN95 masks are available for staff after completing the following form: (Voluntary Respirator use form). School based staff can request masks from the school administration. Non-school based employees should contact their supervisor.
    5. KN95 masks for students are available upon request by parent or guardian. Parents may request KN-95 masks by contacting their school’s main office.

Diagnostic Testing:

VBCPS offers at-home rapid antigen test kits to families and staff who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have had a known exposure to COVID-19. The test kits are eMed BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Home Tests. They should be used with the eMed telehealth proctor.