Some education bills meet the chopping block while others continue on; Black History Month is 'not just about the wins, but also the journey'
It’s Crossover for the Virginia General Assembly, and of the 28 education bills introduced by Henrico delegates, 12 have made it through committee so far while 16 have been voted down.
Dr. Monica Manns, chief of equity and diversity for Henrico Schools, talked to Varina High students about Black History Month and her personal experience as a Black educator. Tuckahoe Middle School was recognized by the Special Olympics USA for its inclusive sports.
Which will become law?
Bills that would ban college legacy admissions, promote safer gun storage around minors, and implement more restorative disciplinary practices in schools are among the pieces of legislation that have made it out of committee so far in the Virginia General Assembly.
Failed bills include legislation about “outing” transgender students to their parents, restricting addictive social media sites for users under 18, and removing criteria for parents to provide homeschooling.
Of the 28 bills involving education introduced by eight different lawmakers that represent parts of Henrico County, 12 have made it through the legislative session so far while 16 have been pushed to next year or left to die in committee as of Feb. 20.
Dr. Manns on Black history
Many figures in Black history often are summed up by just a phrase or title: Martin Luther King Jr. – civil rights leader; Rosa Parks – refused to give up her seat on the bus; Toni Morrison – acclaimed author; Duke Ellington – famous jazz pianist.
The same type of summation is possible for Monica Manns – chief equity, diversity and opportunity officer for Henrico Schools, longtime educator, holder of five degrees.
But although those achievements might make for a great LinkedIn headline or Facebook “About Me” section, Manns doesn’t believe they’re necessarily reflective of her story or the journey she took to achieve her successes.
“What I believe about my life is it’s a testament to showing up, it is not always a testament to winning,” Manns said.
Tuckahoe wins with inclusivity
On Feb. 8, students at Tuckahoe Middle School cheered on their classmates of all abilities as they faced off against another unified basketball team from Quioccasin Middle School.
Athletes on the school’s inclusive basketball team were beaming as their peers chanted their names and ecstatically celebrated each basket.
Tuckahoe was one of nine Virginia schools named a National Unified Champion by the Special Olympics USA this month. The award celebrates the school’s unified sports teams, which include both students with and without intellectual disabilities.
Photos of the week
Families at Glen Allen Elementary’s Family Culture Night (photo creds to @gaespta)
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