School Board meets to discuss changes and address public concerns 

At their meeting on Tuesday, September 22, the Loudoun County school board met to discuss pressing matters to come up after the first two weeks of virtual school. Amongst other issues, they debated the implementation of a hybrid format in stages – currently slated to begin with K-2 students as early as October 27. They also addressed changes to first semester grading requirements, voting to temporarily allow summative assessments to make 25% of a quarter grade (as to not cram in more unnecessary assessments), as well as clarifying on the more elusive aspects of the curriculum for teachers and students. 

Click here to watch the meeting video from Tuesday:

https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/loudoun/Board.nsf/Public# 

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the second woman to be appointed the US Supreme Court, passed away at age 87

On September 18, 2020, we received news of the Supreme Court justice’s death after a fierce battle fought against cancer. Ginsburg, affectionately known as the “Notorious R.B.G.”, fought tirelessly fought against discrimination on the basis of sex and is credited as one of the essential figures of pasing legislation responsible for the freedoms women have today. However, the unrelenting turn-around of the President, urging that he must be allowed to appoint a new candidate soon after hearing of her passing, has stirred up major controversy regarding a policy upheld before the last presidential election. 

https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/18/politics/ruth-bader-ginsburg-dead/index.html 

Protests erupt across the country after ruling in Breonna Taylor case

Months after the killing of Breonna Taylor by two Louisville police officers, the grand jury has finally made a decision regarding the charges brought against the three officers involved on Wednesday, September 24. Despite the following institution of legislation against no-knock warrants and compensation given in response to Taylor’s mother’s lawsuit, they resolved to indict only one officer – on account of the possible endangerment of her neighbors as they shot haphazardly around their apartment. Shortly after this announcement, anger at this further injustice was seen expressed on social media and demonstrations were quickly renewed nationwide to support the release of evidence revolving around the jury’s decision.

https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/breonna-taylor-protests-09-24-2020/index.html