Roanoke City superintendent tired of 'bad rap' given to schools

Leadership Roanoke Valley highlights positive in schools

ROANOKE, Va. – The Chamber of Commerce Leadership Roanoke Valley Education Program went to Roanoke City schools on Wednesday to learn about what they are doing right.
 
The theme was "Celebrating Education: How Roanoke City Schools ARE Measuring Up."

School leaders wanted to highlight the positive things going on in schools and inspire people to get involved.

The day started at William Fleming High School, where the group heard from the principal about how graduation rates and test scores have gone up.

Sixty Leadership Roanoke Valley participants were part of the day. Organizers and the superintendent hope everyone walks away with information on how they can be ambassadors for the school system.

"It's important to do this because we need to engage people more into Roanoke city schools. Sometimes city schools can get a bad rap, and we want to highlight the positive aspects that are going on at the schools," said LaTron Brown, who helped organize the event.

"I am really tired of the bad rap this district gets. We are pretty good. I would like to have that be recognized and I hope that this group will help me because I am tired of people not thinking that we're good, because we are," said Dr. Rita Bishop, Roanoke City Public Schools superintendent.

The group toured multiple schools to learn about programs like Forest Park, career and technical programs and high schools.
 


About the Author:

You can see Jenna weekday mornings at the anchor desk on WSLS 10 Today from 5-7 a.m. She also leads our monthly Solutionaries Series, where we highlight the creative thinkers and doers working to make the world a better place.