Local Government, Civic Affairs and Education
Teachers in several area school systems report for work next week as a new school year gets ready to begin; in many areas, the hallway bells will ring well before Labor Day. And three years after the pandemic struck, schools are still coping with its impacts. In Franklin County, new Superintendent Kevin Siers says the learning loss there was less than in many other school systems, but it remains one of the main ongoing COVID-related challenges they face, and another is dealing with the COVID-related loss of both learning and students’ socialization skills. And as WFIR’s Evan Jones reports, a third challenge involves working with parents more than students:
Both major political parties are set to spend many millions of dollars in this year’s General Assembly races, and our political analyst says there is one local contest likely to capture a good portion of that attention — and money. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:
CLICK HERE to learn more about the 4th State Senate District from the Virginia Public Access Project
Meta’s answer to Twitter has a policy that’s giving some potential users pause. WFIR’s Emma Thomas has details:
Photo: From Margaret R. Baker Charitable Foundation, Inc. Facebook page
The legacy foundation of a local businesswoman announces a scholarship opportunity. WFIR’s Emma Thomas has more on the Margaret R. Baker Foundation’s open scholarship:
Stephanie Sullivan. Courtesy photo.
Tomorrow at Charter Hall in downtown Roanoke a sold-out event will celebrate the Rescue Mission of Roanoke’s 75th anniversary. The keynote speaker will talk about the services her organization provides in the Boston area to the homeless – and how that translates to conditions here in Roanoke. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
A foundation that aims to support Roanoke’s Parks Department recently celebrated the completion of its first major project. But a recreation manager says the real goal is to raise awareness about funding needs. WFIR’s Emma Thomas has that story: