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Virginia Beach City Public Schools Music Education Program Receives National Recognition for 16th Year

For the 16th time, Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation. Now in its 26th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement for providing music access and education to all students.

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Virginia Beach City Public Schools Music Education Program Receives National Recognition for 16th Year

For the 16th time, Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation. Now in its 26th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement for providing music access and education to all students.

2025 Citywide Volunteers of the Year

Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) values and promotes active engagement of the community in all our schools. The Office of Family and Community Engagement coordinates many volunteer opportunities for community members to interact and contribute to the academic achievement of our students and the overall continuous improvement of VBCPS.

2025-26 federal grant information presented to Virginia Beach School Board

The Virginia Beach School Board received information about proposed federal grant applications at its May 13 meeting. For the 2025-26 school year, Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) would receive approximately $21.6 million in formula grant funds through programs authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA).

Summer EBT Info

Virginia SUN Bucks

Virginia SUN Bucks helps eligible families with the cost of groceries during summer break when most schools are not in session. In 2025, each school-aged child that meets the program requirements receives a one-time payment of $120. Benefits will be issued either on a family's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card or a pre-loaded Virginia SUN Bucks card that looks like a debit card.

The Virginia SUN Bucks benefit can be used to purchase groceries like fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, dairy and meat at grocery stores, farmers markets and other places that accept SNAP EBT benefits.

The good news is many families automatically qualify for Virginia SUN Bucks and will not need to apply to receive this benefit. If your family receives SNAP or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits or your child receives meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), your child automatically qualifies for SUN Bucks. Most children who receive income-based Medical Assistance are also automatically eligible for SUN Bucks because their income is under the eligible income level.

Benefits of Summer EBT:

  • Help parents and caregivers buy healthy foods for their children.
  • Give families the flexibility to select foods that fit their culture and lifestyle.
  • Improve food security and diet quality for participating children.

Program Requirement:

Virginia SUN Bucks eligibility for students attending non-CEP schools:

  • Students directly certified for free or reduced-price meals through matching to the SNAP, TANF, Medicaid income-eligible, or foster care data in the DC file are eligible.
  • Students extended DC eligibility from another student in the household are eligible.
  • Students determined free eligible through categorical eligibility without application because of their status as homeless, migrant, runaway, foster care placement, are eligible.
  • Students determined free or reduced-price eligible by a meal application are eligible.

Virginia SUN Bucks eligibility for students attending Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools**

  • Students directly certified for free or reduced-price meals through matching to the SNAP, TANF, Medicaid income-eligible, or foster care data in the DC file are eligible for Summer EBT.
  • Students extended free or reduced-price DC eligibility from another student in the household are eligible.
  • Students determined free eligible through categorical eligibility without application because of their status as homeless, migrant, runaway, foster care placement, are eligible.

For students who have not previously established NSLP eligibility by one of these approved methods, or if eligibility status is unclear - parents or guardians may download the application from the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) website at https://www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/sunbucks/eligibility/ and mail the completed form to:

Virginia Department of Social Services
Attn: Virginia Sun Bucks
5600 Cox Road
Glen Allen, VA 23060

Students are not automatically qualified for SUN Bucks by VBCPS meal application and will need to apply online through the Virginia Department of Social Services VDSS website.

Virginia Launches New Program to Improve Food
Access for Kids During Summer Break

In summer 2024, Virginia will launch Summer EBT, a new grocery benefits program that will provide families $120 for each eligible school-aged child to buy groceries when school is not in session. Summer is a time when many children lose access to the free and reduced-price meals they get at school, and when households might need a little extra help putting meals on the table. Most families will get these benefits automatically, but some parents will need to apply.

Benefits of Summer EBT:

  • Help parents and caregivers buy healthy foods for their children.
  • Give families the flexibility to select foods that fit their culture and lifestyle.
  • Improve food security and diet quality for participating children.

Eligibility and Enrollment:

Summer EBT eligibility for students attending non-CEP schools:

  • Students directly certified for free or reduced-price meals through matching to the SNAP, TANF, Medicaid income-eligible, or foster care data in the DC file are eligible.
  • Students extended DC eligibility from another student in the household are eligible.
  • Students determined free eligible through categorical eligibility without application because of their status as homeless, migrant, runaway, foster care placement, are eligible.
  • Students determined free or reduced-price eligible by a meal application are eligible.

Summer EBT eligibility for students attending Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools:

  • Students directly certified for free or reduced-price meals through matching to the SNAP, TANF, Medicaid income-eligible, or foster care data in the DC file are eligible for Summer EBT.
  • Students extended free or reduced-price DC eligibility from another student in the household are eligible.
  • Students determined free eligible through categorical eligibility without application because of their status as homeless, migrant, runaway, foster care placement, are eligible.

Students without previously established NSLP eligibility by one of these methods, and whose family size and income meets the USDA NSLP income eligibility guidelines, will have the opportunity to apply for Summer EBT directly through the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) later this summer. This includes students attending a CEP school who have not been determined eligible by DC or categorical eligibility. All students in a CEP school are NOT automatically eligible for Summer EBT. VDSS will accept applications by phone or on a paper form that will be available for download from their website and submitted by mail. Virginia Beach City Public Schools will not be responsible for accepting or approving SEBT only applications. Households can apply for benefits in July 2024 by visiting www.virginiasunbucks.com

**CEP Schools

If you have any questions, please contact your local Social Services Office or visit their website at https://www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/sunbucks/. Please note that the Office of Food Services at Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) and your child’s home school are not responsible for the distribution of SUN Bucks benefits and are unable to assist with the application process or the issuance of funds.

Help Families in Your Community:

  • Please spread the word to families in your community! Let households know about the new Summer EBT program.
  • Please encourage families who are eligible to apply and ensure their mailing address is up to date.
  • Please inform households that immigrant and non-U.S. citizens are also eligible for Summer EBT. Participation does not impact immigration status.
  • Please visit vbschools.com for more information.
  • Finally, please encourage families who may have eligible children to apply online at www.schoolcafe.com or pick up the paper application from their children’s schools.

Thank you for helping us fight against child hunger and support healthier diets!