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In its August meeting, the Buena Vista School Board voted to follow Virginia’s most recent model policies on gender non-discrimination.
The model policy for 2023-2024 is similar to the last year’s and will not cause any new changes in Buena Vista Schools, according to Superintendent Tony Francis.
Significant change to the model policies did, however, happen in 2022, after the election of Gov. Glen Youngkin.
Notably, schools are now required to inform parents if a student requests a change of name, pronouns or bathrooms.
Suicide Prevention
Training Taken
Buena Vista third through 12th grade teachers participated in suicide prevention training earlier this year.
The program, called Smart Talk, was to help teachers recognize suicide warning signs so they can connect students with mental health resources.
This is a preventative measure, Superintendent Tony Francis said, though he acknowledged that more students are struggling with mental health issues since the pandemic.
The program was offered through the Rockbridge Area Prevention Coalition.
