The Hughes Center

02/20/2026

February has been full of meaningful learning at South Boston Day School. Ms. Blair’s class kicked off a new unit on Chinese New Year with a focus on the Year of the Horse, a symbol of strength, freedom and momentum. Students have been exploring holiday traditions and even practicing writing Chinese symbols to match the theme. It’s a creative way to connect culture and literacy.

Ms. Cindy’s class has been celebrating Black History Month by learning about a different influential Black American each week. In conjunction with their Letter of the Week, B, students have been discovering the story of Bessie Coleman, the first African American and Native American woman pilot.

We’re proud of our students for embracing new cultures, important history and inspiring leaders throughout the month.

02/19/2026

Students and staff at the South Boston Day School proudly celebrated the 7th Annual Virginia Kindness Week. This year, the statewide campaign supported the important work of the Cameron K. Gallagher Foundation, helping raise funds and awareness for teen mental health. Together, we showed that kindness can make a powerful difference.

Each day featured a special theme centered on love. We celebrated the love of animals with special furry guests, the love of friendship with a festive Valentine’s Day party and spread cheer throughout our community with thoughtful random acts of kindness.

Kindness is not just a week, it is who we are!

02/18/2026

What a sweet and joyful Valentine’s Day celebration we had at the Danville Day School! From creative crafts to plenty of delicious treats, our students enjoyed a day filled with fun.

A heartfelt thank you to our parents who sent in treats and goodies to make the day special for our students and staff. And a special thank you to our staff who planned, organized, decorated and brought everything together. Your dedication made this celebration memorable. ❤️

02/17/2026

Last week for Valentine’s Day, we shared a little love and snacks with our teachers and staff during the school day in our Residential Program. We appreciate all their hard work, and they deserved a sweet treat! 🩷 🍬

02/13/2026

February is a time to honor the strength, resilience and achievements of Black individuals whose contributions continue to shape our communities. Throughout Black History Month, we are celebrating their impact and recognizing the importance of learning, reflection and unity.

02/12/2026

January brought plenty of snow and ice, but The Hughes Educational Center Christiansburg kept moving forward with exciting updates to their PBIS behavioral system.

The team opened the Phoenix Bank and Trust along with the new Phoenix Store, giving students a hands‑on way to learn about responsibility and positive behavior. Students earn school money by showing good behavior and using coping skills throughout the day.

At the end of each week, they can visit the school bank, check their balance and decide whether to save their money or spend it at the store. Learning when to save and when to spend is a valuable life skill, and our students have enjoyed exploring what matters most to them.

A great start to the year for the Phoenix community.

02/11/2026

Staff from the South Boston Day School traveled to Virginia Beach on February 7 to take part in the annual Special Olympics Virginia Polar Plunge. Director of Education Liz Hoskins, administrative assistant Jalessa Miller, teacher assistant Michelle Pancoast and Danville Day School teacher Karen Aaron joined the Area 15 Halifax County team and bravely plunged into the frigid water with a wind chill of minus 2 degrees.

Together, the team raised more than $7,000 in support of Special Olympics Virginia. We were proud to support an organization that provides inclusive sporting opportunities for our students and communities. It was an unforgettable experience for an important cause, and we’re already looking forward to next year!

02/10/2026

January brought plenty of snow and ice, but the Hughes Educational Center Christiansburg still found a meaningful way to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Students learned about Dr. King’s life, his impact and his role in the civil rights movement. The reception was thoughtful, and many students walked away with a deeper understanding than they had before.

They also took part in an activity inspired by the “I Have a Dream” speech, writing their own dreams and hanging them in the common area for everyone to see.

02/05/2026

We want to recognize two recent Employees of the Month who make a difference every day.

Nestassia is always willing to help others and volunteers whenever support is needed. She works wonderfully with our students and consistently shows patience, kindness and care.

Tyronza is a strong team player who always goes the extra mile to help keep operations running smoothly. She does great work with all of our kids and brings reliability and dedication to everything she does.

Thank you both for your hard work, positive attitudes and commitment to our school community. We appreciate you! 🧡

01/26/2026

Empathy is a vital part of maintaining strong mental health. 💙

When we practice empathy, we connect with others on a deeper level, build stronger relationships and create a sense of belonging. Being understood and showing understanding to others can reduce feelings of isolation and strengthen our emotional well-being.

In a world that can feel overwhelming, empathy reminds us we're not alone. Let's lead with compassion, for ourselves and for others.

Empathy is a cornerstone of compassionate, Trauma Informed Care. By understanding and connecting with individuals' experiences, empathy helps create a safe, ...

01/22/2026

Our director of Business Development, Ali Blair, joined Courtney Evans from Liberty Point Behavioral Healthcare at the i2i Conference in Winston-Salem, NC.

They made meaningful connections and came back feeling energized by the ongoing changes and progress in behavioral health and mental health services. It’s always a pleasure to meet others working toward a stronger continuum of care!

01/19/2026

Today we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his enduring message of service, compassion and unity.

May this day inspire us to lift one another up and work toward a more caring and connected community.