Back To School | Education Headlines

This school district is battling against chronic absenteeism. Here’s how.

The district hired a team of attendance agents to find the cause of why students were not coming to school.

Ready for bed? Unwind your kids with these tips, tricks

Regardless of the time of year, or how old your kids are, it's important to have a system in place to wind them down at the end of the day.

Free community college? How this solution is working for in-demand industries

Why a focus on Virginia’s most in demand industries could be the answer to less student debt.

Fewer college courses for adult learners who get credit from work, life experience

Credit for Prior Learning focuses on what on-the-job skills people learned and how that translates to college classes.

Delays due to lack of school bus drivers

Nearly 30 busses were delayed in Roanoke this morning, some by an hour

Lynchburg school bus drivers protest for collective bargaining agreement

The protest is part of an effort to get city leaders on board with collective bargaining for bus drivers

Roanoke non-profit collects backpacks for students in need

The non-profit said at least 240 backpacks have been donated so far, and some of the donated bags will be given directly to students. The rest will go out to schools as donations.

See something, say something: Anonymous tip lines successful in stopping possible school threats, attackers

School districts around the country are working to beef up security measures. This school year, safety of students is top of mind more than ever. That's why school systems like Roanoke City are having to rethink the way they do things.

Amherst leaders approve funds for more school resource officers

Amherst County Public Schools will see more school resource officers soon, thanks to a ruling by the Amherst County Board of Supervisors.

Hollins University partners with local schools to fight teacher shortage

To help close the gap in teaching shortages, Hollins University is offering local school divisions the opportunity to help teachers get the education they need.

Tough paw prints to fill: Former Falling Branch Elementary therapy dog sets the ‘bark’ for a new one

A new furry friend is helping students as a calming presence at Falling Branch Elementary School.

Danville Public Schools to add safety measures

Thursday’s discussion revolved around the use of metal detectors.

Henry County Career Academy prepares students to enter the workforce

Henry County leaders are ensuring that the next generation is prepared to start new careers after graduating high school.

‘Effective solutions:’ Virginia Education Association addresses teacher shortages

On Thursday, Governor Youngkin signed an Executive Directive to address those shortages. But some of the ideas set forth in the Directive did not offer serious investments that would move the needle on the issue, according to the President of the Virginia Education Association.

Authorities issue 303 summonses in school zones during back to school week in Roanoke

Safety is top of the mind in and out of the classroom this year, and each school day starts on the road.

3 tips to help avoid ‘senioritis’

The term actually is listed in dictionaries, and it’s one that every parent of a high school senior will hear plenty from counselors, teachers and principals.

Should colleges be concerned with monkeypox spread on campuses?

Some health experts are concerned about the number of monkeypox cases in the U.S. as students are back to school. The CDC says there are more than 18,000 confirmed cases in the country. The Biden Administration declared it a public health emergency.

Unsafe conditions lead to safety concerns in Montgomery County schools

Tensions were high during a school board meeting in Montgomery County Monday night.

Precautionary measures parents can take to protect their kids against COVID-19

COVID-19 cases in our area continue to be at high levels with more than 700 new cases in the last week.

Bedford County Sheriff's Office hires 14 more school resource officer's

The hires are thanks to a state grant

You’re getting Googled already: A social media guide for teens

Have you thought about your reputation today? … Your online reputation, that is?

Salem High School renovations almost complete

As Salem High students prepare to head back to the halls, they can also prepare to see some exciting new changes to their school.

WATCH: ‘Solutionaries: Safer Schools’

Our Solutionaries team tracks down solutions to one of the scariest, most terrifying problems plaguing parents—school safety.

Roanoke County School Board discusses youth risk survey results

The data showed a decrease in the use of alcohol and marijuana amongst students. However, the survey found a significant increase in mental health concerns.

Danville student credited for saving lives after teen brings gun to school

Police say they were told a 15-year-old boy had a weapon in his book bag

Therapy dogs provide comfort for Virginia Tech students

Students are heading back to the classroom in schools and universities across the region, and one local university has some furry friends to ease first day stress.

Step up your school lunch game: A guide

Many parents have the packed-lunch thing down to a science: Throw a sandwich, an apple, some veggies or chips into a lunchbox, and call it a day. ... Let's spice up the menu, shall we?

Roanoke Valley schools rethink school security

Research shows 81% of the time, a K-12 school attacker is going to tell someone their intention before it happens.

Adopt these habits to make your kids lifelong readers

The value of reading cannot be overstated. No matter how old or young your children are, have you read with them today?

Former VP Pence among guests to speak at Liberty University’s fall convocation

On Friday, Liberty University’s Office of Spiritual Development announced that the 48th Vice President Mike Pence will join Liberty students and staff on September 14 during Convocation in the Vines Center.

Back-to-school: 5 tips for parents to help children start the year off right

It doesn’t matter how old your child is, back-to-school time is a mixture of excitement and nerves for everyone, especially as we navigate through this coronavirus pandemic.

Healthy back to school habits for kids

Here are some tips to keep your kids healthy as they head back to school

Adam Oakes tragedy inspires anti-hazing presentation

Adam Oakes was a freshman at Virginia Commonwealth University and died from a fraternity incident in 2021. Now, his family is traveling to colleges and universities across Virginia to educate students about hazing.

Martinsville, Roanoke County among local school districts with rising SOL passing rates

Educators said despite the rise, SOL passing rates are still not back to what they were pre-pandemic

Roanoke City school employees kick off the school year with annual convocation

At the RCPS convocation, every school employee comes together and goes over plans to ensure success for every student.

New technology is being used to enhance safety at Roanoke County Schools this year

New technology is being used at Roanoke County Schools this year to enhance safety for students and teachers

Lynchburg’s ‘Men2School’ shows support, encouragement on LCS’s first day of school

A group called “Men2School” is made up of church members, fraternities, and other organizations with the goal of helping kids start off on the right foot by holding up signs of encouragement and shouting messages of support.

16-year-old charged after bringing firearm to school in Henry County

Deputies said that the School Resource Officer at Bassett High School detained the student, and no one was hurt

Keep these things in mind if you’re posting back-to-school photos

Parents, you may be eager to post photos of your children heading back to school, but be careful – that could turn into a hotbed for hackers.

Virginia Tech YMCA Encourages sustainability during move-in

The transition to college is a difficult, and expensive, one for many students. That’s why one local organization is stepping in to make the move to a dorm a little easier.

‘Park it on the Market’ raises $20k for Roanoke City Schools

ALCOVA Mortgage raised over $20,000 for Roanoke City Schools to help give kids the supplies they need to feel ready to go back to school.

Lynchburg City Schools students to get free meals

Lynchburg City students won't go home hungry this year.

5 steps to take if you want to graduate high school early

More and more students are taking advantage of the opportunity to graduate high school early, mostly a semester early in December or January.

Driving in back-to-school traffic? Here’s what you should keep in mind

As students return to the classroom, you can expect to share the road with more school buses, and flashing school zone lights are not the only thing drivers should be on the lookout for.

Horizon Behavioral Health starts campaign to help students struggling with mental health

A 2020 study shows an increase in Lynchburg high school students feeling sadness and hopelessness over the past five years.