Local Government, Civic Affairs and Education
Christian Darrisaw – Ian Price photo
Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman – and former Virginia Tech Hokie – Christian Darrisaw took advantage of a bye week for his NFL team and returned to the Ronald McDonald House of Southwest Virginia to deliver a personal check for $10,000 today. Last year Darrisaw became an Ambassador for Ronald McDonald House, which provides temporary living spaces for those in the valley while a child receives medical care. Ronald McDonald House is also seeking donated supplies as it reopens in phases after being shuttered last year during the height of the pandemic.
Virginia Tech-Carilion School of Medicine students who are also members of the Refugee and Immigrant Medical Association are raising money via an art auction that starts this Sunday – “An Afghan Crisis Fundraiser.” The story from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Annette Lewis-TAP G Marrano photo
The first Bringing Hope Home fundraising campaign raised much more than the announced goal – in fact six figures better – and now TAP hopes for the same type of public and corporate response this time. The story from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Total Action for Progress presented its 2021 Cabell Brand Hope Award today, to Carilion President and CEO Nancy Howell Agee for her dedication to communities in southwest Virginia. Agee also said she was accepting the Cabell Brand Hope Award – named for the founder of TAP – on behalf of everyone at Carilion that has been working through the pandemic over the past 18 months. Agee calls herself a “positive person”:
Live music is back at Mill Mountain Zoo after a pause in 2020 when “Brew at the Zoo” returns tomorrow night. Local beer from Three Notch’d and the band Monster Atlantic -along with a food truck – makes for a unique way to experience Roanoke’s mountaintop zoo. Brew at the Zoo runs from 5-30 to 8pm tomorrow at Mill Mountain Zoo. Tickets are 20 dollars for non-members in advance online; 25 dollars at the door. Kontessa St. Clair is Guest Services Manager:
The Local Environmental Agriculture project- or LEAP- has partnered with organizations, businesses and schools across the region to promote local produce during a special event this month. With the story, WFIR Intern Reporter Caroline Moore:
Farm to School events in October:
On Wednesday, Oct. 6, families can attend an apple tasting event at Morningside Urban Farm (off Morgan Avenue SE) at 7 p.m. On Friday, Oct. 8 at 2:30 p.m., LEAP’s Mobile Market will stop at the Downtown Public Library (706 S. Jefferson St.) to give away harvest-themed books and provide a taste of local food. On Saturday, Oct. 16, the public is invited to hear music, participate in an apple tasting, and purchase local food from area farmers at the Grandin Village Farmers Market, from 8 a.m. to noon, (located in the parking lot behind Grandin Road). On Saturday, Oct. 23, from 1 to 2 p.m., Kat Pascal from FarmBurguesa and Jerry Conner from Four Oaks Farm will be at Kids Square (1 Market Square) leading a cooking demonstration and giving away farm treats. On Friday, Oct. 29, from 12 to 3 p.m., the Science Museum of Western Virginia (1 Market Square) will host Zucchini with a Zing, a vegetable-inspired scientific experiment. Museum admission is free for SNAP/EBT recipients. The program is free to all with the price of admission.
From Roanoke County Public Schools: The Roanoke County School Board has approved a proposal to add several early dismissal days in October, November and December to allow teachers time for planning for differentiated learning and remediation, contacting parents, working with individual students and offsetting time spent covering for other teachers because of a significant shortage of substitute teachers.
Beginning Oct. 15, schools will have one early dismissal day or a closed day each week.
Oct. 15: School closed (teacher workday from home)
Oct. 20: Two hour early dismissal (originally was a three-hour dismissal)
Oct. 27: Two hour early dismissal
Nov. 2: Schools closed for Election Day
Nov. 10: Two hour early dismissal
Nov. 17: Two hour early dismissal
Nov. 24-26: Schools closed for Thanksgiving (originally, Nov. 24 was a three-hour early dismissal day, but now schools are closed on Nov. 24)
Dec. 1: Two hour early dismissal
Dec. 8: Two hour early dismissal
“We have talked with many of our teachers and principals over the last few weeks and know that everyone is working incredibly hard to meet the needs of our students,” said Dr. Ken Nicely, superintendent of Roanoke County Public Schools.
“Investing in our staff’s preparation time is one way we can take care of these public servants who are taking care of the children of our community,” said Jason Moretz, chairman of the Roanoke County School Board.
In addition, the school board approved an increase in the daily pay rate for substitute teachers and instructional assistants.
Teacher substitutes (with a college degree): $140 per day (up from $100)
Teacher substitutes (non-degree): $125 per day (up from $85)
Instructional assistant (all): $110 per day (up from $76-$85)
“We are doing everything we can to try to recruit more substitute teachers and instructional assistants,” said Jim Bradshaw, director of human resources for Roanoke County Public Schools. “We hope these temporary pay increases will encourage more people to consider becoming a substitute for us.”
Volvo Trucks and the Pulaski County Board of Supervisors have gifted $24,000 dollars to Pulaski County Middle School for new teaching equipment and technology – to help further outfit a new STEM lab at the school. School system officials say its about equipping todays students “with 21st century, STEM-enriched technological skills.” The Pulaski County STEM Academy is designed to give students in grades 9 through 12 the opportunity to explore career paths.