WINCHESTER - For the first time, the commonwealth's top teacher of the year is an employee of Winchester Public Schools (WPS). Jeffery W. Keller, a history instructor at Handley High School, was named the 2024 Virginia Teacher of the Year Thursday evening by Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

Comment Gift Article A panel of federal appellate judges ruled Tuesday that the admissions process at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, a prestigious magnet program in Fairfax County, does not discriminate against Asian American applicants, as argued by a group of parents opposing the admissions changes.

Dozens of people nodded and smiled knowingly as Arnold Ambers recounted his experience as a student at Douglass High School in Leesburg. "Douglass High School was not only a place of learning. It was home, and we treated it like home. Every time a teacher told us to do something, we did it.

By Kelley Gaskill Art students from Nandua Middle School are part of a painting showcase called "Use your Voice." The young artists chose topics they felt strongly about such as environmentalism, bullying, mental health, community pride and more to compose paintings that bring awareness to the issues.

Lynchburg City Schools announced the hiring of new principals for two Hill City elementary schools this week, tapping Lori McVicar as the next principal of Robert S. Payne Elementary School and Jason Giambrone as the next principal of Dearington Elementary School for Innovation, according to a news release from the school division.

The Prince William County Public School system has convened a task force to review its grading policy, making it the latest Virginia school system to evaluate how student work is graded. Superintendent LaTanya McDade told the school board Wednesday that the task force includes teachers, administrators, central office employees and administrators.

PETERSBURG - With little fanfare and only one public comment, City Council unanimously passed its $117.27 million budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year Tuesday night. The final plan, roughly $10 million higher than the 2022-23 budget, includes a 2% pay increase for firefighters and no hike for police officers, and a 7% salary increase for the Social Services department.

The bi-monthly paper, South River Press, a project started by fourth-grade teachers Tori Smith and Jaimie Hensley, brought together 46 students from two classrooms to report on the stories within the elementary school. After publishing the first edition in November 2022, the fourth graders are now working on their last issue for this school year.

INDEPENDNECE - Division Superintendent Kelly Wilmore updated the Grayson County School Board on several renovation projects at their May meeting. Wilmore said the renovations have been completed on the bottom floor of Independence Middle School and workers had moved to the second floor.

Pulaski County students may be getting out of school at the end of May, but for many students the summer is another chance to learn and grow. Some take advantage of athletic or 4-H camps, while others follow up additional scholastic opportunities.