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Virginia Beach schools, special education leaders re-examining student seclusion policies

May 27, 2025 Guest User

A photo of Josh Sikes sits in his mother, Julie Sikes, apartment in her Newport News, VA apartment, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. 11-year-old Josh Sikes died last November days after he was restrained in his SECEP classroom at Pembroke Elementary School in Virginia Beach. Photo by William Tiernan.

The treatment of a fourth grader in a special education classroom prompts administrators to question tactics, policies following VCIJ at WHRO investigation.

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In Education Tags Autism, SECEP, schools

How secure is your child’s data in Virginia’s virtual classrooms?

May 21, 2020 Chris Tyree
IDtheft.300.jpg

A review of dozens of school policies by the Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism revealed incomplete or inconsistent rules for guarding student data, despite a 2015 state law enhancing protections. Many district policies appeared to be based on 50-year-old state guidelines originally intended to protect information about student health and report cards

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In Education Tags data privacy, school security, students, schools

Schools struggle to provide mental health resources during Coronavirus Crisis

May 7, 2020 Chris Tyree
Illustrations by Julie M. Elman

Illustrations by Julie M. Elman

Virginia school administrators say they are struggling to provide mental health services during the coronavirus pandemic, even as vulnerable students continue with online studies away from regular counseling and support.


As school systems move to virtual learning, school counseling resources, deemed critical to student wellness by the U.S. Department of Education, are unable to provide in-person therapy for high-risk students. The alternative treatments -- online sessions or new therapists from community services boards -- could fall short in continuing care and supporting students during the pandemic, mental health professionals say.

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In Education, Health Tags Covid, mental health, schools, children

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