High schools across southwest Virginia prepare for in person graduation
ROANOKE, Va โ High school graduation is a day most seniors never forget. Ralph Northam announced plans are being made to make sure they can go on in-person, school divisions are optimistic about in-person ceremonies at the end of this school year. โTo me, itโs the culmination of 12 years of school itโs the ultimate day for our high school students,โ Franklin County High School Principal Jon Crutchfield said. Some school divisions like Roanoke City and Martinsville are still reviewing the new guidance issued by Northam. โFranklin County is such a tight-knit community it is probably one of the top four or five attended events in our county,โ Crutchfield said.
Mixed reactions to virtual learning requirement for Virginia schools reopening
ROANOKE, Va. โ Though a school reopening bill passed the Virginia Senate, the virtual component is getting mixed reactions from school superintendents and teachers. If Grayson County uses Virtual Virginia, it could cost the district about $1,200 a year per student. โIf you want a virtual component then you need to put some money in the SOQ [Standard of Quality] to cover that virtual component and not leave us shorthanded,โ he said. โThis is going right back to no child left behind unfunded mandates from years ago.โAdWilmore said this piece of legislation is micromanaging and Henry County Schools agrees. As a parent and a teacher, Franklin County High School Teacher Kim Ellis said virtual learning needs to be on the table because of safety.
As schools go virtual, Grayson County is sticking with in-person education
Grayson County Schools announced it will continue regular classes indefinitely, with social distancing procedures in place. [Carroll County schools will shift to virtual amid surge in coronavirus numbers]Superintendent Kelly Wilmore believes his school district is safe because of the rural make-up of Grayson County. In total, Grayson County has had 587 COVID-19 cases, with 44 hospitalizations and 22 deaths, according to VDH. She said she understands Wilmoreโs decision because children may not be able to learn remotely in Grayson County. โWe know that in Grayson County, going virtual is not really an option.โWilmore said he has plans to adjust if an outbreak occurs in Grayson County, but remains confident his kids can make it to the end of the year without having to go virtual.
Southwest Virginia school cleared to open after being damaged by weekend earthquake
INDEPENDENCE, Va. โ A southwest Virginia school district is delaying its start, but not because of COVID-19. After careful examination, including notes and cell phone pictures, structural engineer Todd Poff gave the cracks at Independence Elementary School his stamp of approval. Grayson County Superintendent Kelly Wilmore points to a crack at Independence Elementary School as structural engineer Todd Poff takes notes. Grayson County Schools Superintendent Kelly Wilmore was at a school on Sunday when the earthquake happened. The other two schools in the county with cracks from the earthquake were still being assessed as of late Monday afternoon.