RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC)- As students return to the classroom, Virginia is putting millions in additional funding towards more school counselors and other support staff. The new policies from the General Assembly are being implemented at a time when pediatricians across the state are reporting an alarming decline in the mental, behavioral, academic and physical health of their patients.

Distressed by at least one candidate's opinions and philosophy in this fall's general election for Madison County School Board, a former teacher decided late last week to become a write-in candidate herself. Catherine R. "Cathy" Weaver of Madison announced Thursday night her candidacy joining incumbent Nita Collier and challengers Mesha Jones, Charles Sheads Jr., and Christopher Wingate on the November 2, 2021, ballot.

Shawn Printz works in human resources at both Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community and Harrisonburg City Public Schools, returning to the latter in January. This year, after two years of work, Printz saw his two worlds collide with the creation of the Nurses Aide program that launched this year.

AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. About 50 people attended the Augusta County School Board meeting Thursday night. It was heated at times -- like when people called board members "cowards" for wearing masks and forcing students to wear them.

by: Keyris Manzanares Posted: / Updated: HOPEWELL, Va. (WRIC) - Hopewell City Public Schools is now offering free COVID-19 testing for staff and students. The school district partnered with the Virginia Department of Health and Mako, a medical testing company to provide drive-thru testing to any staff or students who have symptoms, have been exposed to others who are positive or who are in quarantine.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - On top of the stresses of a normal school year, some teachers are mentally preparing for the worst that COVID-19 could bring to their classroom. "I've never felt this uncertain this close to game time," said Menchville High School math teacher Kyle Lumsden.

Thursday, Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) students will head back to school for the new year. Around Virginia, commonwealth officials say districts are supposed to have policies for transgender students adopted no later than the start of the new year.

When the school board that oversees this town's tiny district of about 730 students voted on a safety plan over the summer, there was no discussion of masks. School administrators had drawn up a plan that did not require them, and one board member who believed they should be mandated did not even raise the question.

BATH COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) - Bath County Public Schools has stopped in-school instruction through Friday, September 17. Schools are closed Tuesday because of a shortage of transportation staff that's preventing the operation of school bus routes, according to the school district. That shortage is expected to continue through the 17th.

LaTanya McDade is starting her first year as Prince William County's new school superintendent focused on two very different tracks. In the near-term, she faces the day-to-day challenge of trying to educate almost 90,000 students during a pandemic.

A Virginia judge postponed Tuesday a trial in a lawsuit brought by three teachers challenging Loudoun County Public Schools' policy requiring staff to use transgender students' chosen pronouns. Loudoun County Circuit Judge James E. Plowman Jr. decided to delay the trial after he granted a motion last week to let two of the teachers join the lawsuit and allow their amended complaint.

GILES COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) - Giles County Public Schools will move to virtual learning Wednesday through Friday, September 8-10. The school district says that's because of the "continued high transmission rate within our communities and the inability to provide the vital functions that are necessary to run a school system effectively and safely (e.g.