Suffolk Public Schools

The monthly Suffolk School Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, September 12, 2024 at City Hall - 442 W. Washington Street in Suffolk, VA. For information on addressing the Board, please visit our Suffolk Public Schools website.

The public meeting of the school board work session will begin at 5 p.m. to discuss the following information items: Cell Phone Policy, Capital Improvement, and School Board Engagement. Following the discussion, the board will take a recess and reopen the public meeting at 7:00 p.m. The full agenda for this meeting can be found on the Electronic School Board (ESB) website: https://suffolk.ic-board.com/ . In the event you are unable to attend in person, all school board meetings are streamed live on our Suffolk Public Schools YouTube Channel: Suffolk Schools.

The month of September is Suicide Prevention Month and September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. During Suicide Prevention Month, Suffolk Public Schools takes this opportunity to highlight the significance of suicide and the importance of reducing the stigma of reaching out for help, knowing how to talk to others about suicidal thoughts, and understanding what resources are available for those in need. Please find links to helpful resources below:

• What to do if You're Worried About Suicide: A Parent's Guide to Helping A Child in Distress
• Suicide Prevention Brochure for Parents
• What Parents Need to Know about Suicide Prevention (free virtual course)

We are STRONGER TOGETHER! Join the Western Tidewater Community Services Board, Suffolk Public Schools and a host of community collaborators in this FREE community event bringing awareness to suicide among youth. Hear from a teen panel and speakers with lived experience. This event is open to youth and their families. To register for the event, visit www.wtcsb.org/shatterthesilence.

The Virginia Children’s Engineering STEM Institute is a dynamic event designed to inspire and equip Pre-K to Middle School teachers and students with innovative strategies in STEM education. Featuring keynote speaker and Suffolk Public Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. John B. Gordon III, the institute will explore hands-on engineering challenges, creative problem-solving, and the integration of STEM across the curriculum, aligned to the VA Standards of Learning.

Participants will gain valuable insights and tools to foster a love for STEM in young learners, preparing them for future success in an increasingly technological world! To register for this event, please complete the VCEC STEM Registration Form.

The Arts is an essential part of a complete education. This week, Suffolk Public Schools is celebrating National Arts in Education Week. During this week, we are reminded how the arts inspires us, making learning fun and memorable. It helps to foster creativity, critical thinking and teamwork! Ms. Sarah Patton, Art Teacher at King's Fork High School states, "All humans desire to express themselves creatively. It [Art] empowers students to find their unique voices. There's truly something for everyone in Art." For more information about National Arts in Education Week, visit www.arteducators.org.

September is Attendance Awareness Month, a nationwide recognition of the connection between regular school attendance and academic achievement. This month highlights the importance of mobilizing schools, families, and community partners to promote the importance of school attendance. Research shows that missing as few as two days every month, or ten percent of the school year, can have a significant impact on students. Students who miss between two and four days in September are more likely to be chronically absent throughout the school year. When students improve their attendance rates, they improve their academic prospects and chances for graduation and promotions!

This event is open to ALL Suffolk Public Schools students!

Suffolk Public Schools will be taking an eSchool update overnight from Wednesday, September 11th to Thursday, September 12th. The process will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday through 8:00 a.m. on Thursday. During this time eSchool, the Teacher Access Center, and the Home Access Center will be offline.

September 8th is National Grandparents' Day! Suffolk Public Schools will celebrate Grandparents' Week September 9-13th. If you are a grandparent and you would like to have lunch your grandchild during Grandparents' Week, please contact the student's school for additional details and information.

Nominations are now being accepted for Suffolk Public Schools employees to be recognized for the school division's "STAR Achiever" honor. Recipients will be selected from YOUR nominees, who, through actions big or small, have made a positive impact on you or your school community. Nominations for the first quarter will be accepted NOW through October 14, 2024. To submit a nominee, please use the link provided: https://forms.gle/1TTtvF8hJWwGiukZA

Nominations are welcomed by students, staff, parents and community members. Selected employees will be highlighted on our SPS social media platforms and on our division's website. Each individual will also receive a special gift for being selected as a 2024-2025 STAR Achiever!