The virus also remains unpredictable, and nearly every locality in the state is at high levels of community transmission - a factor that, along with varying vaccination rates, can impact a classroom.

"It is an investment in the power of hope for a better future for our community," he said. "Starting today, the question of 'Can I afford to go to college?' will never be asked by a school-aged student in Martinsville-Henry County. As of this moment, the financial barrier of attending college has been removed for an entire generation."

Monday, Gov. Ralph Northam praised several school systems around Virginia for helping vaccinate children age 12-15, but called out Highland County for having the lowest rate among that age group in Virginia. Highland has only a 17 percent vaccination rate of children who are eligible, with Patrick County close to that range.

A major share of the estimated 20,000 Chromebooks that were distributed to Richmond students last year to help them connect to virtual classes have yet to be recovered or accounted for, the Free Press has been told. Insiders told the Free Press that between 7,000 and 9,000 of the laptop computers were not turned in when the school year ended.

Prince William County's school resource officers - police officers assigned to work in public middle and high schools - could soon operate under a new set of rules regarding when students are subject to arrest for misbehaving in school.

Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras appeared to have undermined a key tenet of the School Board's approved three-year-old school improvement plan, Dreams4RPS, with decisions about the cafeteria operation and the delivery of food that were made before schools reopened earlier this month.

"When a staff member is required to quarantine, it certainly has an impact on the demand for substitutes to fill vacancies," Moser wrote in an email.

Sun Gazette Newspapers provides content to, but otherwise is unaffiliated with, InsideNoVa or Rappahannock Media LLC.] Fairfax County Public Schools is among five school districts across the commonwealth recognized as "School Divisions of Innovation" by the State Board of Education for designing and implementing alternatives to traditional instructional practices and school structures to improve student learning and promote college- and career-readiness and good citizenship.

ALEXANDRIA, VA - Graduation rates increased for the class of 2021 at Alexandria City Public Schools, according to data released Thursday by the Virginia Department of Education. The on-time graduation rate for the class of 2021 was 91 percent, up from 82 percent in 2020.

by: Avi Scott Posted: / Updated: NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Norfolk Public Schools will provide free, one-to-one online tutoring through FEV Tutor. Students in grades three through 12 can receive tutoring in core subjects such as math, English, science, and social studies. Additionally, students can schedule tutoring each week or access a live tutor 24/7.

DANVILLE, Va. (WDBJ) - Danville Public Schools will start providing free meals for students.

PULASKI CO., Va. - Pulaski County Public Schools scheduled four Friday virtual days in October due continuing issues with staffing. As we've reported, there have been multiple issues this school year. Pulaski County went virtual for the last Friday in September as well.

Despite the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on education, a high percentage of the class of 2021 graduated on time - a trend seen both locally and across the state.

ANNA MEROD, The Winchester Star WINCHESTER, Va. (AP) - Kerry Higdon's 10-year-old son Kol has attended private school, public school, and a Montessori school, but he never thrived no matter what type of school. "He's so bored that he acts out," said Higdon, who lives in Edinburg.