School Division Examples

Best Practices from VSBA’s Take Your Legislator to School Month Take Your Legislator to School Month is an initiative by VSBA to promote a closer relationship between public education and the Virginia General Assembly. Each year, VSBA encourages local school divisions to invite their state legislators to visit their schools during the month of November. Over the past few years, there are many best practices from local school divisions all across the Commonwealth of successful visits and meetings with local legislators. In 2015, Winchester Public Schools observed VSBA Take Your Legislator to School Month with a visit by Congresswoman Barbara Comstock, Senator Jill Vogel, and Delegate-elect Chris Collins. The Daniel Morgan Middle School scholars took the legislators on a tour of the building and highlighted the innovative programs in their school. After the tour, school officials shared accomplishments and challenges of the school division as well as their legislative priorities. The time was well spent interacting with the legislators, establishing new relationships and strengthening existing relationships. Bristol City has welcomed their legislators, Senator Bill Carrico and Delegate Israel O’Quinn, for a “Take Your Legislator to Lunch” program. During the lunch a wide variety of public education topics were discussed with the main focus on funding for schools. School funding is always a hot topic to discuss with your local legislators. In Lynchburg City Schools, three area legislators took a tour of the Career Tech program and the new Heritage High School, which opened for students this fall. Delegate Kathy Byron, Delegate Scott Garrett, and Senator Steve Newman met with school officials for a quick tour of the current Heritage High School Career Tech wing. The legislators met students and teachers in the LCS Cyber Security, Building Trades, and Certified Nurse Aide classes. Following the tour of the current school, legislators got an up-close look at what’s in store for the future of HHS as they went on the construction site of the new, state-of-the-art building that is designed to meet the educational standards of 2015. The tour proved to be informative and beneficial, while giving LCS an opportunity to showcase the positive impact the new building will have on the students and community of Lynchburg. In 2014, the Hampton City School Board joined forces with the Hampton City Council and Delegates Mamie BaCote, Gordon Helsel, Jeion Ward and Senators Mamie Locke and John Miller for the ribbon cutting at Kecoughtan High School’s Governor’s Architecture and Applied Arts STEM Academy. After the ribbon cutting, legislators toured the new academy, the Spratley Gifted Center and Cary Elementary. In Henry County, Senator Bill Stanley and Delegate Les Adams visited the Magna Vista Warriors. The legislators learned about the nationally acclaimed horticulture program, the only program of its kind in the area. Students enrolled in horticulture expand their knowledge of science and art during a sequence of courses that includes instruction in floral design, landscape design, and plant production and management. Delegate Margaret Ransone visited Montross Middle School in Westmoreland County. During her visit, she visited several classes where she spoke on the topic of bullying and how important to understand how one’s actions affect others. Following her remarks, the delegate hosted a question and answer period where students peppered her with numerous questions, including how to pass a bill, the duties of a legislator, and how voting districts are formed. The students were invited to visit Richmond during the upcoming General Assembly session and watch the state government in action. A follow-up field trip was planned for February 2015. The Carroll County School Board welcomed Senator Bill Stanley and Delegate Jeff Campbell where they were treated to a breakfast of local foods made by the Carroll County High School culinary arts class. The legislators also received a tour of the new STEM lab, used cutting-edge technology in the division’s pre-engineering class, and held a discussion with school officials on budgetary challenges. If you’re looking for more ideas for TYLTSM, check out the VSBA Take Your Legislator to School Month Guide for School Boards and School Administrators on the VSBA website at http://www.vsba.org/resources/take_legislators_to_school/. .

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