State Superintendent encourages families to apply for free meals
Virginia is expanding eligibility for free meals during the 2022-2023 school year through funding provided by the General Assembly in the state budget. Students with families at or below 185% of the federal poverty level are eligible for free meals. Previously, students from families with an income at or below 130% of the poverty level were eligible for free meals.
Mike Young named ACC Coach of the Year, Cavaliersโ Hauser named to All-ACC 1st team
In his second year with the Hokies, Young guided a team picked for an 11th-place finish in the preseason to a No. 3 seed ties the highest Virginia Tech has ever earned in the ACC Tournament. Youngโs selection marks the third time the ACC Coach of the Year honoree has come from Virginia Tech and the first time since 2008 (Seth Greenberg). Wright is the second Georgia Tech player to earn ACC Player of the Year honors and the first since Dennis Scott in 1990. Wright, who ranks sixth in the league in blocked shots with 38, also earned a spot on this yearโs All-ACC Defensive Team.
Community divided over Washington and Lee Universityโs name
LEXINGTON, Va. โ Virginiaโs Washington and Lee University says that there are deep divisions over its name as the nation continues to grapple with its racial past. The school was named for founding father George Washington and Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. Lee was a president of the university and is buried in a campus chapel. The school surveyed students, parents, faculty and alumni. In July, faculty voted to remove Leeโs name and sent a recommendation to the schoolโs board of trustees.
โItโs been crazyโ: Families making virtual learning, full time jobs work
ROANOKE, Va. โ Schoolโs in session and weโre learning how families are making this year work despite the challenges. โIt was a little stressful trying to figure out how the online learning was going to go. Itโs one of several remote learning sites for kids to go during the day while parents work. When theyโre back in the classroom home life will settle down at night too for Melendez and her kids. Some of the kids are still learning how to navigate to turn in assignments, homework, things like that.โOverall, Melendez says its going well.
Pittsylvania County school cafeteria worker tests positive for coronavirus
PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. โ A Pittsylvania County School staff member has tested positive for COVID-19, according to school leaders. The school division said the employee works in one of its cafeterias but did not release his or her name or where he or she works. Superintendent Mark Jones told 10 News that all appropriate health and safety measures were taken with this case. The school began online learning on August 24 and Jones said the school board will review the countyโs coronavirus data and make a decision on when students will return to school in-person.
Truck driver in crash with school bus helps free trapped students before he collapses
BACON COUNTY, Ga. โ A man driving a rental truck that collided with a school bus in Georgia helped free trapped students before he collapsed and died. Ten students were on the bus at the time of the crash, authorities said. Both Grayer and the bus driver helped children get out of the bus after the crash, Georgia State Trooper Shane Copeland told WSAV, NBC's affiliate in Savannah. He said footage from the bus surveillance camera showed Grayer lifting seats to release children trapped underneath. The bus driver, Jerry Sweat, was also injured and taken to a hospital, WSAV reported.
Lynchburg Education Association calls for an all-virtual start to the school year
LYNCHBURG, Va. โ โItโs going to keep students safe, itโs going to keep staff safe,โ 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 districtโs 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.
United Way of the New River Valley Stuffs the Bus with school supplies
CHRISTIANSBURG Families are still preparing for the start of school, but an annual tradition helped get school supplies for kids in need. United Way of the New River Valleys Stuff the Bus donation site set up shop on Main Street in Christiansburg. The program to donate money and school supplies launched at the beginning of the month. Executive Director Sara Bohn said a fair share of people stopped at the bus to give what they had. The kids...we need to get them off to a great start for their life, with anything we can do to make that happen, Bohn said.
Refusing to return citing unsafe conditions: some CA teachers on next school year
SAN JOSE, Ca. Some California teachers said Friday they are refusing to go back into the classroom next month until conditions are safe in this COVID-19 era, a move that may set a trend for teachers throughout the state. The San Jose Teachers Association said in-person instruction is unsafe and one parent agrees, according to a report from KNTV. Now that teachers are refusing to go back into the classroom, the district is taking another look at that plan. Its going to be a big challenge and a big hole in their education.San Jose teachers are following the California Teachers Association lead.
This is our opportunity: Botetourt County principals social media message urges togetherness
BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. A Botetourt County principal has a strong message for the community ahead of the upcoming school year. Colonial Elementary principal Tammy Riggs is asking people to think about what they can do to help students adjust to the changes that will be in place. On Monday, she posted her message on the schools Facebook page, and it received a lot of positive response. Soooooooooooo...Fast forward a few months: We are trying to figure out a way to get our kids back to school safely. We brainstormed all different options and arrived at a 2 day/week option or something similar in many public school divisions.
Roanoke schools answer some common questions ahead of coming school year
On Tuesday, Roanoke City Public Schools Transition and Restoration Task Force is trying to answer some questions. Phase II expands to the option of partial in-person learning for preK up to 3rd grade, students with special needs, and English Language Learners. Phase III includes the option of in-person learning for all students with strict physical distancing guidelines. Q: If Phase III allows for in-person learning, why canโt all kids attend school each day? A: While Phase III does allow for in-person learning, the guidelines require strict social and physical distancing measures.
Roanoke City elementary teachers create class photo with Bitmojis
ROANOKE, Va. School certainly looked a lot different this year and for one local elementary school that includes their class photos. Since schools shut down across the commonwealth back in March, Monterey Elementary students missed out on their annual class picture. Teachers at Monterey in Roanoke City got creative and made Bitmoji class pictures. The principal says it took each teacher about four hours to create the entire class photo. Strother says the response from students and parents has been overwhelmingly positive.
Roanoke school leaders expect bus delays Wednesday afternoon
ROANOKE, Va. - School leaders in Roanoke expect delays when it comes to busing students home after school Wednesday afternoon. Justin McLeod, director of public relations and marketing for the school district, made the announcement to parents, staff and the school board at 1 p.m. Wednesday. In the statement, McLeod said that leaders are aware of the issues with transportation and "are working diligently to resolve them." Anyone with questions or concerns can call Durham School Services, the transportation provider for Roanoke schools, at 540-970-3000. You can also contact the school board office at 540-853-2382.
School leaders remind drivers about importance of bus safety
ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. - School leaders are reminding drivers to be on the lookout for school buses. That's why local school leaders are reminding you to stop and slow down. According to the DMV, the area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children. Roanoke County leaders said drivers frequently pass buses, putting children in danger. If you know you're getting caught by a school bus, find another route," said Chuck Lionberger, Roanoke County Public Schools community relations specialist.