LYNCHBURG CITY SCHOOLS

There’s a new center dedicated to teaching students coping skills during their suspension.

Happy Tuesday! As you’re sipping your morning coffee, check out the Morning Sprint for the news of the day.

A new tax rate in the city have some public services questions what impact it will have on them.

Nearly 40 people are set to speak at Tuesday night's Lynchburg City Counsel meeting in opposition to real estate tax cuts.

Students at four Lynchburg elementary schools were reading and reading ... and reading some more for this year’s Read-A-Thon.

On Tuesday night, the Lynchburg City Council voted to terminate the 30-year-old agreement with the Lynchburg Board of School Trustees.

Lynchburg City Schools received nearly $10 million in federal funding to purchase 25 new electric school buses.

Lynchburg City Schools opens a new Restorative Suspension Center

Lynchburg City Schools offer a variety of career and technical education classes.

Those in the Hill City looking for a career opportunity in education should mark their calendars for upcoming hiring events.

The school board discussed a competitive salary proposal at Tuesday night's school board work session.

Lynchburg City Schools said E.C. Glass High School and Dearington Elementary School are on lockout due to police activity in the community.

Lynchburg City Schools has been awarded an $8.4 million federal grant to better support students with their mental health needs.

LCS is proposing pay increases for teachers and staff in next year’s budget.

Lockdowns and lockouts at schools in Lynchburg City have been lifted, according to school officials, but dismissals will be delayed.

Bus drivers at Lynchburg City Schools say they want a collective bargaining agreement in hopes of getting better policy, benefits and pay.

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.

Lynchburg City Schools wants to make sure all students are fed this year.

Lynchburg City School leaders addressed their staffing shortage and new hires Monday, days after 10 News reported that they were sidestepping our questions.

After Lynchburg City Schools held a news conference last week and told 10 News it was “too early to tell” how many teachers and staff members they have for the upcoming school year, we wanted to follow up – and now LCS is dodging our questions.

In a school board meeting Tuesday night, Lynchburg City Schools discussed what’s to come as they work to create an LCS Facilities Master Plan.

Lynchburg City School students will head back into the classrooms on August 16.

The study was sent to students in grades 5-12, as well as their families and LCS staff members.

The LCS Education Foundation partnered with businesses in the Hill City and Forest to host the event, as a way of thanking staff members and building teamwork.

Lynchburg City Schools announced its Teacher of the Year Tuesday -- and the winner is from Heritage High School!

A report shows that Lynchburg City Schools could close multiple elementary schools, forcing consolidation and rezoning for students.

The Lynchburg Police Department is investigating a firearm violation at a local high school Friday afternoon.

Tuesday’s shooting at Lucy Addison Middle School in Roanoke marks the fourth incident in our region in one week -- raising safety concerns at local schools.

10 News reached out to several localities, companies, and school divisions — without discussing specifics about their security strategies.

Lynchburg City Schools is asking City Council to support an 8% raise for all teachers and staff.

School leaders said they are focusing on growth.

That man is James Mozee, who dedicated a half century to education, teaching African American students during segregation.

Horizon has 17 staff members working with 22 schools throughout Lynchburg and its surrounding counties, helping students ages four to 18.

The Virginia High School League will soon be running with a familiar Hill City face.

Beginning next week, all Hill City schools will be able to enroll students and staff for weekly tests with 24-hour results.

Both Lynchburg City Schools and Pulaski County have schools reverting to online lessons.

A local school district is making it easier for students and staff to get tested for COVID-19.

LCS hosted its first hiring event this fall to fill some big gaps.

School leaders plan on hosting one conversation a month through May. There will be different topics throughout the schoolyear, and the first discussion focused on family engagement.

One Lynchburg school is celebrating 40 years of its theatre program by welcoming back alumni to be part of the show.

They created 40 care packages for young patients at Lynchburg General Hospital.

In a recent survey among tenth graders in Lynchburg, 96.8 percent reported they had not used drugs in the last 30 days.

She visited the Hutcherson Early Learning Center, which is dedicated to preschool children and some students with special needs.

The LEA sent a survey to its roughly 400 members on Sept. 3, to ask how LCS employees feel as they begin the school year.

Frustration over transportation has been a hot topic to start the new school year in Lynchburg.

Like many parents, Tiffany Martin says she received an online link from school leaders with bus information. However, their family’s information was incomplete, so she filled out a complaint and was forced to pick up her children.

For many families, the new school year comes with cautious optimism.

Leaders say they could revisit the policy in the near future, depending on the number of COVID-19 cases in the Hill City.

Local school districts now have the final say on COVID-19 guidelines for returning to the classroom, and leaders are responding to new recommendations from Virginia’s Department of Education and Department of Health.

The group needed about 6,000 signatures, but they'll be about 1,400 short.

New changes are coming to Lynchburg City Schools for the upcoming school year to compensate for staffing shortages.

Lynchburg City Council determined appointments for three-year terms of office to each school district in a closed session on Tuesday evening.

The group has until the end of June to collect 6,000 signatures. As of June 8, they have about 2,000.

The LCS board voted 7-1 on June 1, approving the curriculum for the upcoming school year. It includes changes to two existing high schools classes and adding a third one focused on those who want to get into education.

School leaders we spoke with Thursday say they’ll continue to enforce COVID-19 guidelines, like social distancing and masks; but they’re focused on face-to-face instruction.

There was a surprise celebration Tuesday as Lynchburg City Schools announced its Teacher of the Year.

They say they still plan on having kids back in the classrooms five days a week, but students in middle and high schools will be on an A-B modified block schedule.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – There was a heated exchange between Lynchburg City Council members and school leaders over the LCS budget. Councilmember Chris Faraldi questioned school board chairman Dr. James Coleman during the March 30 work session over what he called compensation. The more than $100 million operating budget would give board members the opportunity to receive health coverage and a $2,400 stipend. “The Virginia code gives local school boards the opportunity to do what our local board did,” said Dr. Coleman as part of his response. The budget also includes LCS asking the city for nearly $40 million, which school leaders say is the same request as last year.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – School leaders in Lynchburg are looking back on the pandemic. The district held a virtual breakfast with the superintendent Thursday. “Education has changed, and so have we at Lynchburg City Schools. During our time when we have been leading with care, we’ve had to connect with our students and families differently,” said Superintendent Dr. As some students return to the classroom four days a week, school leaders are also working on summer programs and having in-person learning five days a week this Fall.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Lynchburg City School board approved its operating budget Tuesday for the 2021-2022 school year, but it’s raising some concerns. “The budget, as it was presented, reads like a wish list,” said Andrew Glover, founder of the Conservative Parents of Lynchburg group. The $126 million plan appears to show more spending on administration than schools, but school leaders say they’ll still have ‘CARES’ funding available to help cover costs. Karl Loos, president of the Lynchburg Education Association, says now’s not the time for certain hires. School leaders will present the budget to the city council on March 30.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – ‘Operation Student Engagement’ is the latest mission for Lynchburg City School leaders. The new campaign has teachers and staff traveling to neighborhoods to interact with the community, answer questions and have fun with students. LCS made a stop to the Dearington Apartments Monday to hand out food, instructional materials, school supplies and prizes. LCS plans to hold more community events throughout the Summer in preparation for the Fall. That’s when they anticipate offering in-person instruction five days a week.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Lynchburg City School leaders said they’re increasing the number of in-person instruction days for some of their youngest learners. Officials announced Wednesday that pre-k through second-grade students will return for in-person instruction four days a week starting on Tuesday, April 13. The students will return to in-person instruction four days a week from Tuesday-Friday with Monday as a remote learning day for all. “We anticipate that for the Fall, we will have an in-person learning opportunity for our students five days a week,” said Pugh. 10 News asked about it during Wednesday’s news conference, and school leaders said they are looking into it.

ROANOKE, Va – During Black History Month, 10 News continues to recognize the contributions and accomplishments of African-American leaders across southwest Virginia. As time went on and she continued her path in educational leadership, Edwards became the first Black female superintendent at Lynchburg City schools. “I grew up in poverty with, with two parents, neither who finished school,” Martinsville City Schools Superintendent Zeb Talley said. Verletta White will soon wrap up her first year as superintendent with Roanoke City Schools. “Representation matters because perspective matters,” Roanoke City School Superintendent Verletta White said.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Lynchburg city and health leaders have transformed the former T.J. Maxx store in the Candler’s Station Shopping Center into a mass vaccination site. The fire department partnered with Lynchburg City School nurses Monday to distribute vaccines to nearly 450 essential workers who fall in Phase 1b. “This is going to be able to bring our students, hopefully, back full-time once we’re able to get COVID under control. So, this is one of the first steps in being able to do that,” said Lynchburg City Schools nurse coordinator Andrea Bryant. “We do have people here that are essential workers that are 65 and older; and we have essential workers here that are under the age of 65, but they fall into the essential worker category,” said Wormser.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Lynchburg City Schools is expanding its nutrition program by catering to some students, both literally and figuratively, with a new van. “Once I get my routes and everything done, study what I need to study and get my addresses straight, I’m off and running,” said Jason Croumpton, a school nutrition delivery driver. LCS will now deliver meals to nearly 250 students who chose to learn remote-only and lack transportation to curbside locations. We had been delivering meals on bus routes,” Morris said. AdWith only one van, routes will be spread out Tuesdays through Fridays.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – More Lynchburg students are choosing to return to the classroom for the second semester. Amy Pugh, the school district’s deputy superintendent, said about 62% of students are enrolled in the hybrid module, compared to 55% last semester. Meanwhile, Lynchburg City Schools is working to improve virtual learning by providing more than 400 hotspot devices to families, as well as iPads for younger students. Students who may be struggling in their studies will also have more opportunities for support, including live-chat virtual tutoring and extended deadlines to complete assignments.

Lynchburg officials talk COVID-19 vaccine LIVE: City, health and school officials in Lynchburg are discussing coronavirus vaccination efforts Posted by WSLS 10 / WSLS.com on Friday, January 22, 2021Officials from the city of Lynchburg, Centra, the Virginia Dept. of Health and Lynchburg City Schools are holding a joint press conference at 10:30 a.m. on Friday. The purpose of the press conference will be to talk about their recent partnership and to discuss COVID-19 vaccination efforts, mass vaccination plans and other coronavirus-related information.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – While some parts of Virginia roll into the Phase 1-B vaccine distribution stage, others are still behind in the first phase. Lynchburg is one area waiting to shift into Phase 1-B — and teachers are part of that next group. Karl Loos, president of the Lynchburg Education Association, says teachers and staff are still coming in close contact with students and one another, even on a hybrid schedule. Crystal Edwards said she’s working closely with the Department of Health to find out when the vaccine will be available. “Once [vaccines] get here, it’s going to take some time for us to administer both sets of shots.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – E.C. Glass High School is getting an upgrade with an artificial athletic field. The Lynchburg City School board approved a construction contract Tuesday — worth about $980,000. Steve Gatzke, LCS senior director of finance and operations, tells 10 News it will be big enough for practices but not games. “Widthwise, I believe it is the same as a regulation football field; but lengthwise it will only be around 100 yards, basically no endzones,” Gatzke said.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – As in-person learning resumes this week in Lynchburg, not everyone is happy about it. One parent started an online petition against the city’s ‘Return to Learn’ initiative due to concerns about rising COVID-19 cases. “We just want what’s best and what is needed – not wanted but needed. Everybody in the world wants to go back to work. Everybody in the world wants to go back into the classroom and be with their students, be with their teachers, and go back to life as normal.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Lynchburg City Schools announced it will return to a hybrid schedule next week. For students at Paul Munro Elementary, that means it will be the first time they’re back in the building since a fire at the school in November. Lynchburg fire marshals said a heater caused the fire inside a second-grade classroom. Though it was contained to one room, excessive smoke damage caused issues to other areas of the building. Gatzek said the incident caused about $175,000 in damages, but the school is insured.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – School leaders in Lynchburg voted Tuesday night to delay the return to a hybrid schedule by a few days in January due to a possible spike in COVID-19 cases after the holidays and travel. Initially, the plan was for students to return to a hybrid schedule on January 4, which is the first day back from winter break. The Lynchburg School Board voted 7-2 Tuesday night in favor of shifting to Phase Two remote learning for all students from January 4 through 8. As of now, the new plan is to return to the hybrid schedule on January 11. The school board also voted 5-4 in favor of athletics to move to Phase Two for January 4 through 8 as well.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – As the coronavirus continues to spread across Virginia, another area school district will be virtual until next year. Lynchburg City Schools announced Monday that for the remainder of the week, all learning will be virtual. [Where are Virginia’s coronavirus cases? The hardest-hit group in the school district is the transportation department, which has six of its seven office staff members in quarantine. The school district is going from Phase 3 hybrid to Phase 2 remote.

Heritage Elementary School in Lynchburg will be closing its doors due to coronavirus. The change will go into effect on Thursday and last until Dec. 18, according to Cindy Babb, communications coordinator for Lynchburg City Schools. Below is the full statement:

LYNCHBURG, Va – One week after a fire broke out inside Paul Munro Elementary, Lynchburg City School officials are still working to repair the damage. Lynchburg fire marshals said a heater caused the fire inside a second-grade classroom. Although it was contained to one room, excessive smoke damage caused a greater issue. “There was some, I think, paper material and some plastic [near the heater], and that’s where most of the smoke damage came from, was the plastic burning,” said Gatzek. Students were already on a hybrid schedule, but have switched to remote learning full-time — at least through the holidays.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Parents in Lynchburg are collecting signatures, hoping to change the way the city’s school board is governed. The group, Conservative Parents of Lynchburg, is requesting a referendum be placed on next year’s ballot. Andrew Glover, founder of the parents’ group, says it would create more accountability and reduce possibilities of conflict of interest. You cannot collect these petitions online because they need to be witnessed, the entire process is a manual-signature process,” Glover said. The group collected a thousand of the 6,000 signatures needed and has until July.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Lynchburg City School Board spent Friday morning presenting their legislative goals for this school year. The group discussed their agenda virtually with lawmakers including Senator Mark Peake and Delegate Wendell Walker. Their goals include focusing on students' mental health, strengthening broadband access and supporting funds for social workers in schools. Crystal Edwards says despite COVID-19, they’re trying to make sure students have a normal school experience. “We owe it to ourselves to work together to make sure that this pandemic does not rob our children of childhood,” said EdwardsNearly 8,000 LCS students are currently spending three days in virtual learning while attending in-person classes the other two days.

Roanoke’s Task Force to Reduce Gun Violence will meet today. The department has also hired a crime mitigation specialist, who will go to crime scenes and work with victim’s loved ones. Today is the last day of the Foster Fuels Spread the Warmth Coat Drive. Radford University President, Brian Hemphill, will deliver the State of the University address today. He will talk about the accomplishments of the past year and talk about the path forward.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Lynchburg City Schools is taking the next step towards projects that will impact students for generations. The LCS school board approved its Capital Improvement Plan Wednesday, which includes $65 million for projects they’d like to complete over the next five years. That plan is being submitted to the Lynchburg city council for approval. The proposal features a new Sandusky Elementary School. But before the city council votes on a new Sandusky Elementary, LCS must complete a report on the conditions of every school building.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Some students in Lynchburg City Schools returned to the classroom on Tuesday for the first time since March. The district’s “Return to Learn” plan includes students having the opportunity to attend in-person classes twice a week. Crystal Edwards, superintendent of Lynchburg City Schools. Edwards said next week, students in grades 3-6 will be coming back to the classrooms. And then two weeks after that, on October 27th, we’ll open the doors for our high school students to come back, as well as our 7th and 8th graders," said Edwards.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Lynchburg City School leaders said they’re ready to bring students back to the classroom even though some teachers disagree. Parents can still choose to keep their children on virtual learning and hybrid students will have the option to return to remote learning. Lynchburg City Schools Deputy Superintendent Amy Pugh said something is missing in education without in-person instruction. The Lynchburg Education Association responded with three major concerns:Safety for Lynchburg City Schools staff and the people they live with. “It’s made it much more difficult than it needed to be," said Lynchburg Education Association President Karl Loos, who teaches at Dunbar Middle School.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Officials say students in Lynchburg will start returning to classrooms on a hybrid schedule. According to a post on the Lynchburg City Schools Facebook page, students will be broken up into two groups — Cohort A and Cohort B. Students in Cohort A will be in school on Tuesdays and Wednesdays with remote learning on Thursday and Friday, and Cohort B will be in school on Thursdays and Fridays with remote learning on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Monday will be a remote learning day for all students. Parents will reportedly be told what cohort their child is in as soon as possible.

This has been uncharted territory for everybody, said Ethel Reeves, the Director of Equity and Community Relations for the school system. In Campbell County, Thursday marks day three for Pre-K through 5th grade students who chose to come back to school and learn in person. Which we hope as school goes on that will work itself out, said Clayton Stanley, the assistant superintendent for Campbell County Public Schools. We wanna try to get in some of the more intensive support need students back in, said Janenne Daniels-Bosher, director of special education. Middle and high school students in Campbell County will start in-person learning on Tuesday.

LYNCHBURG, Va. Lynchburg City Schools most vulnerable students are heading back to the classroom Tuesday. School leaders have plans to bring in about 240 children with special needs to learn in person, this includes 60 to 70 I.E.P students and 170 English learners. Some English-learning students will also return to school, but some parents have opted to keep their children learning online. Special education leaders briefed school board members Tuesday about their safety plans to check temperatures as well as provide lunch and transportation for the students. School officials said its still a work in progress to get other students back in the building.

The Bedford County Board of Supervisors will meet today to discuss how to spend money received from the CARES Act. A lane closure in Lynchburg could impact your commute starting today. The school system will begin giving out lunches for all students at bus stops today. Starting today, the school system will add dinner to its breakfast and lunch programs. You can pick up breakfast, lunch and dinner between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily at one of 29 sites in the city.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Some Lynchburg parents said it’s going to be a community effort to help make virtual learning work for all students. “So, we are having to figure out accommodations for my youngest who’s supposed to be in preschool with Lynchburg City Schools. She said it will take a community effort to make virtual learning work but she believes the school district made the right decision. “I think we, as a Lynchburg community, really need to step up. We need to step up and help our parents,” Citty said.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – The start of the fall semester will be 100% virtual for students in Lynchburg City Schools. On Tuesday night, school leaders voted in favor of 100% remote learning instead of a hybrid plan that features virtual learning coupled with in-person instruction. Students will begin the year with virtual learning, then transition to in-person learning. This comes one week after the school board voted to reopen schools with the hybrid plan. For more information on the “Return to Learn” plan for Lynchburg City Schools, click here.

Tuesday night Lynchburg school leaders called for a special meeting to pick a learning option for students next month. They got voted down ultimately because the school board realizing they we need to have and focus on in student learning,” Glover said. ORIGINALThe Lynchburg City school board voted Tuesday night to approve their original plan to reopen schools. The plan involves PreK-5th grade students attending school in-person two days a week starting on August 24, 2020. The school board could continue their discussion on August 4th at their regular meeting.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – “It’s going to keep students safe, it’s going to keep staff safe,” said Lynchburg Education Association President Karl Loos about the reasoning for calling for all Lynchburg City Schools students to start the year learning remotely. Loos said the association believes an all-virtual start to the school year is the safest option and also prevents a potentially chaotic situation in the event someone in a school tests positive for COVID-19. The school district’s spokesperson said the district has a health mitigation plan in place. On Tuesday, the Lynchburg City School Board is holding a special meeting to look at three different options for the upcoming school year. The frequency of in-person learning will be determined based on data available at that time.

LYNCHBURG, Va. Some Lynchburg educators are calling for a return to school that is 100% virtual. Other than a few exceptions for students with special needs or IEP teams who determine that in-person instruction is necessary, the Lynchburg Education Association is asking for the fall semester to be held exclusively online. As it stands right now, Lynchburg City Schools will reopen for the fall with a combination of in-building, hybrid and remote learning. There are financial implications of in-person instruction too, according to the LEA. The LEA asks for the school board to make the change to 100% virtual learning prior to staff reporting for work on Aug. 4.

Meanwhile sixth grade through high school students will stay online until Sept. 8. This date will help give school leaders two weeks to evaluate their process and bring older students back. We are going to require that students who ride the bus wear the mask for the duration that they are on the bus, Edwards said. Teachers will be checking temperatures at the schools and not on the bus like some LCS parents would prefer. Temperature dependence on a really, really hot day we may not get an accurate day read or on a really, really cold day we may not get an accurate reading, Edwards said.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Lynchburg school leaders spoke Wednesday afternoon about the division’s plan to reopen schools this fall. Lynchburg City Schools on upcoming school year Lynchburg City Schools leaders are explaining what the upcoming school year will look like. Posted by WSLS 10 / WSLS.com on Wednesday, July 8, 2020LCS leaders, as well as members of the Return to Learn committees spoke.

ROANOKE, Va. Roanoke City Schools kicks off its Virtual Summer Reading Program today. Cox Communications will distribute free books to students at today kickoff at Round Hill Elementary at noon. Today, we will hear from community educators about their efforts to prevent unnecessary car heat deaths. Lynchburg City Schools will talk more today about its plan for school this fall. The Return to Learn committees and school system leadership will talk about what school will look like for students.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Week two of feeding kids got off to a fast start on Monday morning at E.C. Glass High School after school district officials held a news conference to discuss last week’s effort. “I’ve never been more proud to be a superintendent," Lynchburg superintendent Dr. Lynchburg City Schools employees load food onto buses Monday to be delivered to students. (WSLS)“In our first week of school closures, LCS School Nutrition prepared and served over 11,000 breakfasts and 11,000 lunches,” School Nutrition Director Beth Norris said.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Some local students are using their time off from school to help bring smiles to local seniors. Four students from Jefferson Forest High School gathered in the Elms of Lynchburg retirement home parking lot on Monday afternoon, carrying homemade signs in their hands and smiles on their faces. “It was so exciting.”Jefferson Forest senior Melanie Pratt credits her father for the idea. We have other things to think about, yes, because we are seniors but we’re also thinking about the other seniors," Rosado said. Judging by the smiles and waves from the seniors in the retirement home, the message seemed to have gotten across.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Crews are at the scene of a crash involving a van and a Lynchburg City Schools bus near FunQuest in Lynchburg. Graves Mill Road was temporarily shut down near the business, but opened shortly before 3:45 p.m., according to Lynchburg police. The driver of the van was transported to a hospital with minor injuries. The accident is under investigation and no charges have been filed at this time. Stay with 10 News for updates on this story.

LYNCHBURG, Va. - In September, you will see a video with some Lynchburg City School students on social media platforms. Lynchburg City Schools is kicking off a new campaign to remind parents and students about the importance of attendance. Right now, you can find the "Don't Sleep on School" posters at River Ride Mall and soon city buses and buildings. Last year, Lynchburg City Schools had about 8,200 students enrolled and nearly 1,300 students missed 18 days or more. "It doesn't sound like a lot to a parent, 'My child just missed two days of school a month.'

LYNCHBURG, Va. - Former Virginia governor and U.S. Sen. Mark Warner paid a visit to Lynchburg to talk about the costs and benefits of higher education and what schools and communities can do to help students succeed. Glass High School to commend Lynchburg City Schools on their efforts to help students navigate their academic futures. Warner added that four-year college degrees aren't right for everyone, so he said it's time for educators to get more creative to help students reach their potential. They ought to know by major what their chances of getting a job (are) and how much that job would pay," Warner said. Warner said the challenge will be getting Congress to vote on the new bill, which he will push for once the Senate reconvenes.

LYNCHBURG, Va. - Kenron Joyner, Attlia Garcia and Amiyah Garner are some of the 500-plus seniors who will graduate from E.C. Since the seventh grade the students have been a part of the federal program called GEAR UP, Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. "It's stress-relieving know that you don't have to do it by yourself, that people are there to help you," Joyner said. On Wednesday, Lynchburg City Schools and Beacon of Hope kicked off their GEAR UP event to motivate the seniors before the application process this fall. Listening to alumni success stories, seniors also received information about scholarships and how to mange their time throughout the school year.

LYNCHBURG, Va. - Lynchburg City Schools is collecting supplies at both Walmarts in Lynchburg this weekend. School leaders say their goal is to fill an entire school bus. Some people were seen donating backpacks full of supplies Friday. The drive helps students in the area who depend on these donated supplies. Schools leaders say that if people can't make it out to either Walmart this weekend, they'll still take supplies throughout the school year.