Public Comments for 01/23/2024 Education - K-12 Subcommittee
HB65 - Students who receive home instruction; participation in public school interscholastic programs.
Dear committee members- As a military homeschooling family who has recently settled in Virginia, I was very disappointed to learn that homeschooling students are rarely allowed to partake in local public school offerings. I support any bill that opens up opportunities for all youth to take advantage of their local school’s programs. I do not however agree with being charged a “reasonable fee” for these activities. We already pay school taxes and get nothing in return. Thank you for your time.
Each year Bedford County continues to see a significant rise in the number of students who receive educational instruction at home. This substantial and growing population of home educated students represents a wide array of diverse religious, ethic, and ideological backgrounds which enriches our community as a whole. Home educated children in our county deserve to and are entitled to participate in public school interscholastic/intramural programs. Notably, the parents in our community who are educating their children at home, have been and will continue to pay the taxes that make it possible for public school programs to exist. It is a moral imperative that bills HB17, HB411, and HB65 are passed in order to elevate all children in Bedford County. Thank you
As a father and coach of Home Schoolers I want to show support for HB17, HB65, and HB411. Many of these kids including my son was bullied out of public schools. My son was diagnosed with ADD and made public school and being bullied tough. But with action packed sports like baseball he fits in. Unfortunately there comes a time in Recreational sports for them to move on due to age. The anxiety this causes my son and other athletes I coach of having to choose home school with no sports or going to Public Schools so they can play sports is tough to watch our kids go through. I ask you to consider the roughly 70,000 reported homeschoolers in our state and the character building that sports brings to our young people. Every year the homeschool list grows larger and leaves more kids left to give up sports. For my kids and the kids I coach I can tell you sports and church are the biggest social interactions these kids get. Thank you for your time and God Bless you all!
HB271 - Public secondary schools; naloxone procurement, possession, and administration.
HB360 - Public Instruction, Superintendent of; duties, fixed and actual school staffing ratios.
HB411 - Students who receive home instruction; participation in interscholastic and intramural programs.
Please vote yes for HB 17 and HB 411. Our students deserve to play school sports and participate in club activities. As homeschooling parents we can easily accommodate a traditional school day for our children. Where we struggle is after school interest based clubs and recreational sports once our children have aged out of typical rec leagues. Exposure to STEM fields as a homeschool parent is cost prohibitive. If our children were allowed to attend after school clubs they would be able to utilize county resources that were funded with our tax dollars.
As a school board member and a previous teacher and home school mom, I see a great need for children and even adults to engage in physical activity on a regular basis in order to be physically and mentally healthy. Homeschooling is very expensive, especially in this economy when raising a family on only one income is nearly impossible anymore. This is especially difficult for underprivileged families. Paying extra in order for a child to engage in organized team sports is even more expensive. Considering the fact that homeschool parents are paying the same taxes as public school parents in order for public schools to operate but get none of the benefits, I believe allowing homeschool students the opportunity to participate in school sports is a great way to help them socialize without sacrificing the benefits of homeschooling. Please vote YES and pass this bill which has similarly already passed in 20 other states. I’ve always thought of Virginians as being early adopters rather than late adopters. Schooling our children is changing throughout the world. Facilitating these changes rather than interfering with them, should be our goal as the education leaders of our great state of Virginia. Let’s lead the way to educational reform by making educating our children more affordable and less cumbersome to our Virginian homeschool families. Thank you!
I homeschool and my children have always participated in community sports. They are getting older and want to participate in more competitive leagues. Our tax dollars are already funding the local public schools, so we believe that in order to be fair and equal, our children should be able to participate in public school’s sports and other offerings. Our family of 8 very much supports this bill.
My name is Isabel Chu and I’ve been a homeschool parent in the Fairfax County since the pandemic. I have a 9 yr old son who loves soccer and chess. We have attempted to join after school chess programs in various elementary schools without any success. We were denied time after time by the elementary schools we contacted. My son would love to play in public school sports teams, but given the rejections from the after school programs, we know that wouldn’t happen unless changes are made. Public school sports access should be available to all kids for the health and benefits of all the kids in the Virginia commonwealth. It is for this reason I strongly urge you to support HB 411 and HB 17. Thank you for your time and consideration!
Each year Bedford County continues to see a significant rise in the number of students who receive educational instruction at home. This substantial and growing population of home educated students represents a wide array of diverse religious, ethic, and ideological backgrounds which enriches our community as a whole. Home educated children in our county deserve to and are entitled to participate in public school interscholastic/intramural programs. Notably, the parents in our community who are educating their children at home, have been and will continue to pay the taxes that make it possible for public school programs to exist. It is a moral imperative that bills HB17, HB411, and HB65 are passed in order to elevate all children in Bedford County. Thank you
I am writing in support of Delegate Griffins bill pertaining to home schooled children being able to participate in extraculicular and intramural activities. ( The Tebow Bill) This is a matter of fairness. The parents of these children and grandparents ( ( I am one), have paid significant sums in taxes to support public schools.. All citizens are " shareholders" in our public schools and should have the right to have their children ( resident ) partake in these activities. Thank You Jen Lazowski
As a father and coach of Home Schoolers I want to show support for HB17, HB65, and HB411. Many of these kids including my son was bullied out of public schools. My son was diagnosed with ADD and made public school and being bullied tough. But with action packed sports like baseball he fits in. Unfortunately there comes a time in Recreational sports for them to move on due to age. The anxiety this causes my son and other athletes I coach of having to choose home school with no sports or going to Public Schools so they can play sports is tough to watch our kids go through. I ask you to consider the roughly 70,000 reported homeschoolers in our state and the character building that sports brings to our young people. Every year the homeschool list grows larger and leaves more kids left to give up sports. For my kids and the kids I coach I can tell you sports and church are the biggest social interactions these kids get. Thank you for your time and God Bless you all!
HB497 - Public secondary schools; naloxone procurement, possession, and administration.
Vote in favor of: HB1039, HB732, HB686, HB603, HB498, HB497, HB482, HB386, HB253, HB224, HB215, HB134, and HB41. I would recommend including additional language in HB41 that addresses voter registrations in public schools. Being an active voter is part of our civic duty and participation in our democratic process should be taught and encouraged. Voter registration drives should be occurring in all public high schools in the Commonwealth.
Vote YES
seconding what my family and friends have said and taught me as we examine these bills together- 134- YES 214- YES 224- YES 253- YES 386- YES 398- YES 497- YES 498- YES 603- YES 686- YES 732- YES
134- YES to fentanyl training to save lives and decrease stigma. It is overdue 214- YES 224- YES 253- YES civic engagement encouraged 386- YES 398- YES incredible practice to prevent punishment and foster healthy development 497- YES 498- YES 603- YES 686- YES 732- YES Nalaxone critical and life saving
134- YES to fentanyl training to save lives and decrease stigma 214- YES increase safety and change culture 224- YES to save lives with training 253- YES students' voices are critical and will teach power of speaking up for themselves 386- YES 398- YES restorative justice changes lives and prevents school to prison pipeline. Lynchburg has found restorative practices to be so impactful that a federal grant was just awarded almost 1M to continue 497- YES SAVE LIVES 498 YES save lives 603 YES save lives reduce stigma 686 YES 732 YES save lives
HB603 - Public elementary and secondary schools; programs of instruction on mental health education.
Virginia ranks 48th in providing access to mental health care for youth, and suicide is the second leading cause of death for 10-24 year olds. Ninety-one percent of Virginians live in an area with a shortage of mental health professionals resulting in 60% of Virginia's youth with major depression not receiving treatment. The Virginia PTA supports HB603.
Vote in favor of: HB1039, HB732, HB686, HB603, HB498, HB497, HB482, HB386, HB253, HB224, HB215, HB134, and HB41. I would recommend including additional language in HB41 that addresses voter registrations in public schools. Being an active voter is part of our civic duty and participation in our democratic process should be taught and encouraged. Voter registration drives should be occurring in all public high schools in the Commonwealth.
Vote YES
This bill provides more specifics to the existing statute for mental health instruction so that the previous requirements are actually implemented. Previous attempts have resulted in uneven implementation around the state, and little to no monitoring or accountability. Students are hurting, and the need is urgent. This will ultimately address the lingering issues of ignorance and stigma surrounding mental health. The end goal is that students begin learning about mental health throughout K-12 education, that we all have mental health, that it is part of everyone's overall health, and when we aren't feeling right the sooner we talk about it with someone, then the sooner we can get help and the better the outcomes. It all starts here.
seconding what my family and friends have said and taught me as we examine these bills together- 134- YES 214- YES 224- YES 253- YES 386- YES 398- YES 497- YES 498- YES 603- YES 686- YES 732- YES
134- YES to fentanyl training to save lives and decrease stigma. It is overdue 214- YES 224- YES 253- YES civic engagement encouraged 386- YES 398- YES incredible practice to prevent punishment and foster healthy development 497- YES 498- YES 603- YES 686- YES 732- YES Nalaxone critical and life saving
134- YES to fentanyl training to save lives and decrease stigma 214- YES increase safety and change culture 224- YES to save lives with training 253- YES students' voices are critical and will teach power of speaking up for themselves 386- YES 398- YES restorative justice changes lives and prevents school to prison pipeline. Lynchburg has found restorative practices to be so impactful that a federal grant was just awarded almost 1M to continue 497- YES SAVE LIVES 498 YES save lives 603 YES save lives reduce stigma 686 YES 732 YES save lives
HB647 - Public education; student literacy measures.
The Virginia PTA supports HB647
HB732 - Public schools; opioid antagonist administration, etc.
PLEASE GO TO HENRICO SCHOOL BOARD MEETING MARCH 14, 2024 LINK BELOW. READ THE LAST COMMENT ON PAGE 9 AND THE THIRD COMMENT ON PAGE 27. THIS IS WHY MARIJUANA SHOULD NOT BE LEGAL https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/henrico/Board.nsf/files/D3CJHX4D404E/$file/Written%20Comments%203-14-24.pdf
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As the lobbyist for Prince William County Schools, I regret that, due to a doctor’s appointment, I cannot attend the Monday afternoon meeting of this subcommittee. Please know that PWCS fully supports Del Sewell’s HB 732. Further, we strongly prefer HB 732 over other Naloxone bills before the House Education Committee. PWCS would prefer that any Naloxone bill reported out of committee provide funding for procurement of Naloxone. Thank you for your consideration. Jim Council. (804) 347-0503
Vote in favor of: HB1039, HB732, HB686, HB603, HB498, HB497, HB482, HB386, HB253, HB224, HB215, HB134, and HB41. I would recommend including additional language in HB41 that addresses voter registrations in public schools. Being an active voter is part of our civic duty and participation in our democratic process should be taught and encouraged. Voter registration drives should be occurring in all public high schools in the Commonwealth.
Vote YES
seconding what my family and friends have said and taught me as we examine these bills together- 134- YES 214- YES 224- YES 253- YES 386- YES 398- YES 497- YES 498- YES 603- YES 686- YES 732- YES
134- YES to fentanyl training to save lives and decrease stigma. It is overdue 214- YES 224- YES 253- YES civic engagement encouraged 386- YES 398- YES incredible practice to prevent punishment and foster healthy development 497- YES 498- YES 603- YES 686- YES 732- YES Nalaxone critical and life saving
134- YES to fentanyl training to save lives and decrease stigma 214- YES increase safety and change culture 224- YES to save lives with training 253- YES students' voices are critical and will teach power of speaking up for themselves 386- YES 398- YES restorative justice changes lives and prevents school to prison pipeline. Lynchburg has found restorative practices to be so impactful that a federal grant was just awarded almost 1M to continue 497- YES SAVE LIVES 498 YES save lives 603 YES save lives reduce stigma 686 YES 732 YES save lives
The Virginia Association of School Nurses (VASN) support this bill. VASN strongly urges that every school have a school nurse. With the added stock medication in schools, it is imperative that the proper assessment is conducted prior to administration. Betsy Looney President VASN
HB777 - Students, certain; enrollment and provision of free public education.
Please consider adding language to this bill that ensures students who have Individual Education Plans will also have their plans preserved if they are placed in the Foster Care system. Considering that typically these are hostile situations where a parent is fighting the locality, there needs to be some barrier to the students and the parents rights as they are going through the process. In my family’s case, there was wrong doing and criminal activity identified as the perpetrators were the employees of the Fairfax County Department of Social Services. These bad actors intentionally stripped out all of the services that were written into my daughters IEP so my daughter would have less federal procedures in place to protect her from what the County employees were doing to her and my family.
Dear Chairwoman Simonds and members of the subcommittee, Our names are Ryan Carp and Divya Sharma, and we are students in the State and Local Government Policy Clinic at the University of Virginia School of Law. The views we express in this testimony are our own, and not those of the University or the Law School. We have had the privilege of working with Delegate Callsen to develop this legislation, and we ask that you vote for HB 777. Placement and living instability can wreak havoc on a child’s educational progress. Virginia already offers some educational protections to children in the foster care system. Specifically, children in formal foster care placements have the flexibility to either enroll immediately in a school in their new jurisdiction or to stay in their current school when placed outside of their district. HB 777 extends these educational protections so that they also apply to children who transition out of foster care and children in informal kinship care (also known as alternative living arrangements), limited to the end of the ongoing school year. As a result, HB 777 will provide two significant benefits for Virginia’s most vulnerable children. First, it will offer educational stability for every child involved in the foster care system. This stability will help these students (1) maintain continuity in education, (2) preserve important relationships, and (3) find a source of security during a very traumatic time. Second, HB 777 will eliminate the need to delay beneficial transitions in living arrangements until the end of the school year out of fear of disrupting the child’s education. Instead, the child’s family and local DSS can prioritize the child’s well-being without having to sacrifice their educational progress. Ultimately, by giving all children involved in the foster care system the option to prioritize educational stability, school enrollment will no longer serve as a barrier to viable placements and children will experience better long-term educational and social outcomes. For these reasons, and those that will be given by Delegate Callsen, we strongly urge you to vote for HB 777. Thank you so much! Ryan Carp and Divya Sharma
HB17 - Students who receive home instruction; participation in interscholastic programs, fees, etc.
Please support this bill, as taxpayers who decide to home school still deserve the benefits of extracurriculars. Thank you!
Please vote yes for HB 17 and HB 411. Our students deserve to play school sports and participate in club activities. As homeschooling parents we can easily accommodate a traditional school day for our children. Where we struggle is after school interest based clubs and recreational sports once our children have aged out of typical rec leagues. Exposure to STEM fields as a homeschool parent is cost prohibitive. If our children were allowed to attend after school clubs they would be able to utilize county resources that were funded with our tax dollars.
Dear committee members- As a military homeschooling family who has recently settled in Virginia, I was very disappointed to learn that homeschooling students are rarely allowed to partake in local public school offerings. I support any bill that opens up opportunities for all youth to take advantage of their local school’s programs. I do not however agree with being charged a “reasonable fee” for these activities. We already pay school taxes and get nothing in return. Thank you for your time.
My name is Isabel Chu and I’ve been a homeschool parent in the Fairfax County since the pandemic. I have a 9 yr old son who loves soccer and chess. We have attempted to join after school chess programs in various elementary schools without any success. We were denied time after time by the elementary schools we contacted. My son would love to play in public school sports teams, but given the rejections from the after school programs, we know that wouldn’t happen unless changes are made. Public school sports access should be available to all kids for the health and benefits of all the kids in the Virginia commonwealth. It is for this reason I strongly urge you to support HB 411 and HB 17. Thank you for your time and consideration!
Each year Bedford County continues to see a significant rise in the number of students who receive educational instruction at home. This substantial and growing population of home educated students represents a wide array of diverse religious, ethic, and ideological backgrounds which enriches our community as a whole. Home educated children in our county deserve to and are entitled to participate in public school interscholastic/intramural programs. Notably, the parents in our community who are educating their children at home, have been and will continue to pay the taxes that make it possible for public school programs to exist. It is a moral imperative that bills HB17, HB411, and HB65 are passed in order to elevate all children in Bedford County. Thank you
As a father and coach of Home Schoolers I want to show support for HB17, HB65, and HB411. Many of these kids including my son was bullied out of public schools. My son was diagnosed with ADD and made public school and being bullied tough. But with action packed sports like baseball he fits in. Unfortunately there comes a time in Recreational sports for them to move on due to age. The anxiety this causes my son and other athletes I coach of having to choose home school with no sports or going to Public Schools so they can play sports is tough to watch our kids go through. I ask you to consider the roughly 70,000 reported homeschoolers in our state and the character building that sports brings to our young people. Every year the homeschool list grows larger and leaves more kids left to give up sports. For my kids and the kids I coach I can tell you sports and church are the biggest social interactions these kids get. Thank you for your time and God Bless you all!