Blog Archives

Student Surveys in VBCPS required by VA Dept of Health

10/20/2021

I have received a number of questions related to surveys being conducted in Virginia Beach Schools. I would like to share detailed information regarding one of those surveys that many are asking about.

Under state law 32.1-73.8, government schools are required to cooperate with the distribution and collection of certain surveys.

3 middle schools (Bayside, Landstown, and Salem) and 5 high schools (First Colonial, Green Run, Landstown, Salem, and Tallwood) were randomly selected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to participate in the Virginia Youth Survey sponsored by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).

Some further details about the surveys:

The school division and schools are mandated by the Code of Virginia to participate.
The survey is voluntary and anonymous for students.
The survey administration must be completed by November 22.
The survey includes items about safety, violence (including parental violence and sexual violence), weapons, bullying, suicide, tobacco, alcohol, other drug use, body weight, nutrition, physical activity, sexual behaviors and sexual orientation (high school only), gender identity, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE), mental health, and other health-related issues topics.
As required by School Board Policy 5-67 when surveys address areas of protected information, VBCPS is using an active parental consent process.
A total of 479 parents of students in classes selected by VDH to participate will be mailed information about the survey and a consent form at least 30 days prior to survey administration.
Only those students whose parents return a signed consent form giving permission for their child to participate will be administered the survey in mid-November.

Here are copies of the surveys.

High School Survey

Middle School Survey

Sexually explicit and Pornographic Materials made available to VA Beach Students

10/7/2021

7 Comments

I was made aware by the media to be on the lookout for sexually explicit materials in our schools. Then I was notified by a parent of some concerning books that were available in our school libraries.

One book is called Gender Queer. Up until this book was brought to light in the media a couple of weeks ago, it was on the shelves in our VA Beach Public Schools. The book is pure pornography. It is a graphic novel so not only does it have sexually explicit language, it provides images of people having oral sex and using sex toys among other images. This book can be currently checked out in the VB Public Libraries. It is my understanding that it is still available to juveniles in the library. It is so explicit that I will not share it here on my website.

The other book also referenced in the media link above is Lawn Boy. This book was also on the shelves of Virginia Beach Schools.

I also discovered that the book "The Bluest Eye" is an approved book to be used in VA Beach High school curriculum. I have the book and have confirmed what is in it. This book in detail describes a father raping his daughter multiple times. Here is a link to one excerpt. (Caution this is disturbing but I believe parents need to be aware of what is available to their children in VB Schools)

I brought these and a couple of other books to the attention of the Superintendent. He told me via email that the book Gender Queer has been permanently removed from the shelves when it was reported to them a couple weeks ago. Lawn Boy has been suspended pending review.

I have called for a review of the process of approving books. I have asked who approved these books and whether or not disciplinary action was taken against whoever approved the book "Gender Queer". I was told that no disciplinary action has been taken and it doesn't appear that it will be.

I have asked the School Board Chair for the topic of Sexually Explicit Books to be added to the School Board agenda on Oct 26th.

7 Comments

Transgender Regulations quietly implemented

10/1/2021

0 Comments

When the School Board voted to approve allowing the Superintendent to create the regulations for Transgender students (I voted no), I asked why we weren't being provided with those regulations prior to the vote. I was told by our School Board attorney that the SB Chair told her not to make the draft public. I was also told that the Superintendent would inform the public once the regulations were finished.

So, I received an email from our Media Dept that the regulations were completed and would be sent to parents.

Then I received a long "newsletter" and at the bottom in small print it included a link to "policy updates" but never mentioned the transgender policies. When you click on the link it takes you to a confusing page that lists over 50 policy/regulation updates.

As I expected, those in charge just didn't want the public to be informed. Here are the actual regulations that are now being implemented. Read for yourself....

Here is the link that the Supe's office provided in the newsletter: https://www.vbschools.com/about_us/our_leadership/school_board/policies_and_regulations/updates

Summary:
1. Any student can use any restroom or locker room of their choice and staff cannot question it.
2. A student may choose to be called a different name or pronoun without a parent's permission or knowledge.
3. If a student or employee refuses to use a certain pronoun, they could be charged with bullying and harassment. The pronouns that will be used are "he, she, they".
4. Students of the opposite sex may be able to share the same overnight accommodations on overnight trips.

0 Comments

Student Surveys in VBCPS required by VA Dept of Health

High School Survey

​Middle School Survey

Sexually explicit and Pornographic Materials made available to VA Beach Students

Transgender Regulations quietly implemented

Sign up here to receive updates

Archives

Categories

Middle School Survey