An architectural consulting firm told the Albemarle County School Board on Thursday that the county would soon need new high school facilities to accommodate growing enrollment and implement innovative educational programs. “We have to look at what the competition is doing around the world and around the country, and do what makes sense for the […]
Category: How we learn
We report on how we learn and grow, with a special focus on children, their parents and caretakers, and the equity of our education system.
Posted inHow we learn
Students enjoy summer library hours at Meriwether Lewis Elementary
When summer rolls around, school libraries usually shut down and go dormant as students go on break — but that’s not the case at Meriwether Lewis Elementary School in Albemarle County. On Tuesday afternoon, children of various ages were curled up with books, playing games on tablets and eagerly checking out library materials. “This is […]
Posted inHealth and safety, How we learn
Review of Fed Up: A Body Positive Intern’s Perspective on the Documentary
You may have heard that Katie Couric, successful news anchor and former Wahoo, will be coming this November to talk about Fed Up, her star-studded documentary about obesity in America, which will be screened at the Virginia Film Festival this year. As an intern in the Body Positive program of the Maxine Platzer Lynn Women’s […]
Posted inHow we learn
Students can be helped by rankings and rigor
In a recent Community Voices post (Students support Albermarle’s move to end class rankings, March 31), Monticello High School seniors Lasha Campbell, Sebastian Glickman and Leah Coleman argued that “class ranks are unfair to students” and “aren’t as important as they are made to seem,” approving of the recent decision to end the practice in […]
Posted inHow we learn
Ida Mae Craddock, Albemarle Lab Schools
Ida Mae Craddock, Librarian, Albemarle Lab Schools What is the most challenging aspect of your job? The most challenging aspect of the job is meeting the needs of such a diverse group of curious students. Finding the time, resources, and equipment necessary is not always easy, but is an amazing and wonderful professional challenge. What’s […]
Posted inHow we learn
Aaron Eichorst, Charlottesville City Schools
Aaron Eichorst, Coordinator of Fine & Performing Arts, Charlottesville City Schools What has been the most challenging aspect of becoming an administrator? One of the more challenging aspects of becoming an administrator is meeting the needs of the myriad groups and individuals that I serve; our teachers, other administrators, parents, the local cultural community […]
Posted inHow we learn
Virginia misses preschool funding opportunity
By Robert Pianta and Nicole Dooley This month, we learned that Virginia decided not to apply for the latest round of the federal Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge grants. A successful application would have meant up to $45 million to fund more effective early-education programs for Virginia’s youngest citizens. Virginia’s decision to not […]
Posted inHow we learn
Schools could take a lesson from Finland
As a former Virginia teacher, I am concerned about the direction in which our educational system is moving. From my perspective solutions to our educational woes lie in a collective will in our country to do whatever is necessary to prepare children to be successful in life – beginning at birth. Investing in children’s education […]
Posted inGovernment and public institutions, How we learn
Supervisors approve office building for UVA health system
The Albemarle Board of Supervisors has approved a rezoning that will allow the University of Virginia Health Services Foundation to construct what will be the second-largest office building in the county. The rezoning came Wednesday despite objections from residents of the adjacent Buckingham Circle neighborhood, which is located to the west of the intersection of […]
Posted inGovernment and public institutions, How we learn
UVa increasing efforts to reduce vehicles
The University of Virginia has set new goals in its quest to reduce the number of single-occupancy vehicles used by employees in their daily commute. While removing cars from Grounds might have an environmental benefit, the effort is primarily designed to make way for more buildings. “If we can reduce the number of parking spaces […]
