School leaders and health advocates in Roanoke County are sounding the alarm about the dangers of smartphones in the hands of children.

Roanoke County Public Schools announced Wednesday that, after 8 years as Superintendent, Dr. Ken Nicely will retire at the end of the school year. Dr. Nicely has been with RCPS for a total of 33 years.

Roanoke County Public Schools announced that “Halftime Live” will be returning for its sixth season.

Local police are actively investigating a report of a bomb threat at Hidden Valley High School in Roanoke County, according to school officials.

Kids are getting ready to head back to school, and divisions are urging drivers to be extra careful as you’ll see more school buses out on the roads.

School districts across Virginia have been making tweaks to their cell phone policies to align with Governor Glenn Youngkin's executive order.

Several students from Roanoke County Public Schools are being praised for teaming up to raise money for school supplies for kids in need.

The Roanoke County Public School Board will discuss grading policies for K-2 students at today’s school board meeting.

According to the attorney for Autumn Bushman’s family, Bill Stanley, Roanoke County Public Schools say the district is not responsible for the 10-year-old’s suicide.

As the school year comes to a close, Roanoke County Public Schools is excited to celebrate the achievements of its high school graduates.

The energy was high and the smiles even brighter at the Salem Civic Center as Hidden Valley High School kicked off graduation week in Roanoke County.

The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors is set to approve the county’s budget and the budget for Roanoke County Public Schools during its meeting Tuesday afternoon.

Two public schools in the Roanoke County district, William Byrd Middle School and William Byrd High School, will be closed on Tuesday due to a power outage, according to school officials.

A Roanoke County teacher is being honored at the state level.

Emotions ran high Thursday night during an explosive Roanoke County School Board meeting, just weeks after the suicide of a 10-year-old girl who was allegedly bullied.

The Roanoke County Public School’s Backpack Run returned for its 12th year!

Roanoke County is gearing up for the annual Backpack Run, organized by the Roanoke County Public Schools Education Foundation.

Roanoke County Public Schools (RCPS) announced the return of March MATHness, a district-wide math competition that combines education with the excitement of tournament-style play.

Rhodes earns February's Education Impact award from WSLS-10 and Blue Eagle Credit Union

Montgomery County Public Schools is offering free mental health help for students even when they’re not in the classroom through a service called Reach Out by Gaggle.

The Cardinal STEM Academy program with Green Valley Elementary went to East Tennessee university this past Saturday and competed against schools from Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia and South Carolina and showed incredible success.

The Roanoke County Police Department investigated and determined the post targeting the William Byrd campus was not credible, according to a statement from Roanoke County Public Schools.

Hidden Valley Middle School experienced two days of swatting incidents, according to the school’s website.

Proposed ordinance would ban new tobacco and vape stores near schools and day cares in Roanoke County.

Roanoke County Police have identified the missing person who was found dead near Cave Spring High School on Oct. 8.

Several schools are currently in secure mode as police investigate an incident in the Vinton and southeast Roanoke County area, according to Roanoke County Public Schools.

Officials held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $75.9 million project Monday afternoon.

Every year, Virginia public schools are required to send a report on student behavior to the state’s Department of Education, which is called the Student Behavior and Administrative Response.

Students are heading back to the classrooms and several school divisions in Southwest Virginia have made some changes to keep kids safe.

Under the new policy, teachers won't be able to allow cell phones at all during classroom time

For some school districts, in 10 days students will be stepping into a new school year. This past weekend people donated school supplies of all kinds to the Load the Bus event to help students in need kickstart their year.

Roanoke County Public Schools are partnering with Walmart’s Load The Bus program again during Tax-Free weekend this August.

Roanoke City Public Schools, Salem City Public Schools, Roanoke County Public Schools and Craig County Public Schools are all partnering with Walmart’s Load The Bus program again during Tax-Free weekend this August.

The Virginia Department of Education will be holding a Commonwealth Conversation on July 31 to talk with locals about the future of their attempt at cell-phone free education.

The Roanoke County School Board is conducting a survey to decide whether or not they should change their mobile device policy.

Beginning July 1, families can apply for the VDSS Virginia Sun Bucks program.

The Golden Apple is the highest award given to a Roanoke County teacher.

The school division is trying to get local and national companies to donate money, equipment, and time.

A weapon was found in a student vehicle at William Byrd, prompting the school to go into secure mode, according to Roanoke County Public Schools.

Roanoke County Public Schools is seeking input to name a new career and technical education (CTE) facility.

William Byrd High School was evacuated Thursday due to a possible gas leak, according to school officials.

Students at William Byrd High School have been evacuated as a result of a possible gas leak, according to Roanoke County Public Schools.

A gun was found in a Roanoke County middle school bathroom during a basketball game Wednesday night, according to Roanoke County Public Schools.

A boy is in custody after a “disturbing” social media post involving a gun was made Friday.

Students missing school constantly is a problem in the Commonwealth.

Here you can find live coverage of the halftime performance from one of Roanoke County’s high schools.

Glenvar High School students welcomed a special guest on Thursday.

Here you can find live coverage of the halftime performance from one of Roanoke County’s high schools.

Local schools are expanding programs to make sure students are prepared to work.

Each Roanoke County high school now has an artificial turf field.

Wednesday was the first day back at school for some districts. And in Roanoke County, Superintendent Dr. Ken Nicely welcomed students back at Masons Cove Elementary School.

Experts say some of the most common stressors for back to school are financial stress for parents and student anxiety for the new school year.

Sherry Howard, the mother of a transgender daughter, says she is worried about the new policies regarding transgender students.

Labor shortages have been no stranger since the COVID-19 pandemic. One major area of these shortages has been in school systems.

The Roanoke County School Board voted to unanimously approve multi-million dollar funding for construction projects, school leaders announced on Thursday night.

A Penn Forest Elementary School teacher is being honored for going above and beyond to make her students feel heard.

The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors is proposing a record breaking $130 million to fund a Career and Technical Education Center and renovate two elementary schools.

A new partnership between the Navy and Roanoke County Public Schools was formalized today at William Byrd High School. A ceremony marked the official start of the Navy National Defense Cadet Corps.

Water service has been restored at Glenvar Elementary School in Roanoke County, according to Chuck Lionberger, director of community relations at Roanoke County Schools.

Local school systems all around the Commonwealth are recruiting teachers. On Saturday, a job fair for Western Virginia kicks off in Salem.

Educators said despite the rise, SOL passing rates are still not back to what they were pre-pandemic

New technology is being used at Roanoke County Schools this year to enhance safety for students and teachers

As students return to the classroom, you can expect to share the road with more school buses, and flashing school zone lights are not the only thing drivers should be on the lookout for.

You can earn up to $1,500 in bonus money for certain jobs.

The event will go on throughout Tax-Free weekend at four Walmart's across the Roanoke Valley.

On Monday, RCPS said that they will be hosting two meetings to discuss the new CTE center that would be built at 6521 Peters Creek Road in Roanoke to replace the existing CTE facility at the Burton Center for Arts & Technology.

On Monday, the Roanoke County Public Schools announced that this year’s Load the Bus event is in full swing and will be held until August 7, the last day of Virginia’s Tax-Free Weekend.

Roanoke County purchases land for new CTE center that will eventually replace the facility that houses the Burton Center for Arts and Technology.

The duties of a school resource officer are broad, from mentoring and educating to keeping the school safe.

A volleyball coach at Hidden Valley Middle School has been charged with indecent exposure and obscene sexual display, according to the Roanoke County Sheriff’s Office.

A Northside Middle School teacher was awarded a top teaching honor for her unwavering dedication and commitment to her students.

Current and former officials with Roanoke County schools are now facing a $19 million lawsuit.

A school system official says the more support they get, the more they can provide to teachers and students

Roanoke County Public Schools wants to remind parents that masks will be required for students in schools.

During a special meeting on Thursday, the Roanoke County School Board voted to reverse the mask decision it made earlier in the week.

An unexpected work session vote Tuesday by the Roanoke County School Board to get rid of the school-wide mask mandate if and when Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin reverses the current public health order.

Teachers and staff at Roanoke County Public Schools recently received appreciation bonuses and incentives, but some aren't happy with the amounts.

Roanoke County Public Schools celebrated reachers and announced the winners of its annual Golden Apple awards.

With less than a week until Election Day, one group of races to keep an eye on is that for the open seats on the Roanoke County School Board.

Two school districts in Southwest Virginia just voted to make masking optional this upcoming school year, Botetourt County and Franklin County.

Students at William Byrd Middle School and William Byrd High School will not have classes on Friday because of a power outage across both schools.

Roanoke County School Board announced a number of new hires Thursday evening, including a role that garnered attention last month.

Some Vinton students have the opportunity to get their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine during the school day on Friday.

The head football coach for Lord Botetourt High School has filed a defamation lawsuit against several Roanoke County officials.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – In-person running events have returned to the Roanoke Valley. The Backpack Run 5K and 10K races at Green Hill Park attracted about a hundred participants Saturday morning. The race was organized by Roanoke County Public Schools, and money from registrations benefits the district’s education fund. District spokesperson Chuck Lionberger believes this is the region’s first in-person running event since the COVID-19 pandemic intensified last year. “We’re thrilled to be able to provide an opportunity for runners who are just itching to get back on the course,” Lionberger said.

Roanoke County votes to allow high school sports in limited capacityROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – More students in Roanoke County will be able to return to in-person learning. Over the course of the next month, hybrid students in grades 5-12 will be going from a two-day in-person hybrid schedule to a four-day in-person hybrid schedule. Students who are fully online can elect by March 15 to return to in-person learning; however, requests will only be approved if there is space available. Students who are hybrid but want to go fully online now can elect to do that as well. The school division plans to make the new schedules work based on 3-foot social distancing and mask-wearing.

NEW RIVER VALLEY, Va. – Virginians are eagerly awaiting the COVID-19 vaccine, but Phase 1-b looks different across the Commonwealth. Wednesday, she gave an update about vaccine distribution and said they’re getting about 4,000 to 5,000 vaccines a week. She attributes their success to the NRV Public Health Taskforce, the Medical Reserve Corps and community support. And the other is what is the supply, not only of the vaccine, but the capacity of that local health district? The New River Valley Health District launched a new vaccine hotline for people to ask questions at 540-838-8222, while the Giles County hotline is 540-921-0035.

ROANOKE, Va. – Fourth-grade students on the hybrid schedule will return to in-person instruction five days a week beginning Jan. 25, according to Roanoke County Public Schools. The school district said that to help facilitate this expansion, all fourth-grade classes will be 100% online on Jan. 21 and 22 to allow staff time to prepare classrooms for additional students. Fourth-grade students who are currently receiving 100% online instruction have the option to continue with 100% online instruction or switch to full-time in-person instruction, according to the school district, which added that the deadline to switch to in-person instruction is Jan. 15. District officials said students also will be required to wear masks or facial coverings, including on the school bus. I want to commend our elementary physical education teachers for being adaptable and helping us bring fourth-grade students back to school full-time.”In late October 2020, the district’s Return to School plan expanded bringing back third-grade students for full-time in-person instruction, according to the district.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – Starting Wednesday, some student-athletes in Roanoke County will head back to practice for the first time this school year and will soon be allowed to compete against other county schools. Varsity sports will resume in limited capacity following a decision by the school board Tuesday. The board voted 4-1 during a school board work session. Glenvar High School senior Claire Lucas said cheerleading is critical to her life and she wants to get back to it. Roanoke County is the latest division to deviate from the initial plan, despite not meeting the COVID-19 benchmarks set by health officials for resuming athletics.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – Roanoke County Public Schools gave its students the choice to learn all-online this semester. Director of Secondary Instruction Mike Riley said that will not become mandatory for all students, despite other school districts switching to all-virtual learning. Their decisions follow the Virginia Education Association’s request for all school districts in the commonwealth to go online until mid-January. In a video posted to the organization’s page, VEA president James Fedderman said he wants school districts to take extra measures for safety during the holidays. Roanoke County reports 10% of all-online middle school students and 14% of all-online high school students are failing classes, compared to 5% of in-person middle school students and 6% of in-person high school students.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – A local education leader is sharing his story after his battle with COVID-19 left him in the hospital for eight days. Roanoke County School Board chairman Mike Wray said he contracted COVID-19 in a community setting, not at school. “My oxygen levels dropped significantly, and the medical staff had to take action,” said Wray, in a statement released Tuesday. Leaders with Roanoke County Public Schools said they continue to encourage families to practice social distancing. The district’s cleaning and disinfecting program, according to school leaders, features “multiple levels” of cleaning with an anti-viral solution throughout the day.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – In a survey conducted by the Roanoke County Education Association, 80% of responders prefer remote learning after Thanksgiving through the 2020 holiday season. 688 Roanoke County Schools’ staff members responded to the survey. “We know that some students are better off learning in school face to face, but we are also aware the children depend on the adults in their lives to take care of them. The Association, according to their position statement, would prefer remote learning from November 30, 2020 through January 19, 2021. READ THE FULL STATEMENT FROM THE RCEA:

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – The current state of Roanoke County Public Schools is anything but normal in 2020. Roanoke County schools began the year with a hybrid plan of having some students in the building and other working remotely. “We are also working to develop and promote a culture of kindness, respect and responsibility in our schools,” said Wray. “Roanoke County Public Schools is implementing a nationwide program called Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, or PBIS. There are three main tenants of the PBIS program at Roanoke County Public Schools – Be Safe, Be Respectful and Be Responsible.”Licensed mental health professionals, known as “life coaches” on campus, are positioned at schools across the system and readily available.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – School leaders with Roanoke County Public Schools shared an update Friday night regarding the district’s response to Gov. Ralph Northam’s announcement of new gathering restrictions and mask guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Virginia. Starting Monday, students will be required to wear masks in school, even when they are seated six feet apart, according to Superintendent Dr. Ken Nicely. Nicely said school leaders are working with local health leaders to develop joint criteria by which games can be played. The criteria will be “directly linked” to public health metrics from the Virginia Department of Health and the CDC, Nicely said.

ROANOKE, Va. – Roanoke County Public Schools has announced 15 new coronavirus cases since Monday. According to the district’s coronavirus dashboard, there are nine staff members that have tested positive and six students. As of Nov. 4, there is a total of 1,792 coronavirus cases in Roanoke County with 68 new cases on Wednesday. To see a total list of coronavirus cases in K-12 schools in our region, click here.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – One student has tested positive for coronavirus at Cave Spring High School. Roanoke County Public Schools announced this positive case Friday and said that no students or staff have been identified as at risk for exposure. This positive case notice was sent to parents and guardians of Cave Spring High students out of courtesy, according to Superintendent Dr. Ken Niceley. He said parents and guardians do not need to take any further action.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – Green Valley Elementary Schools announced that a staff member tested positive for coronavirus on Friday. School officials said they gave been working with the health department and determined that no other students or staff were exposed to this case. Staff was told they do not need to take any further action and the notice was out of courtesy, according to the announcement.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – Keeping enough staff this school year continues to be an issue for some school systems. “I can honestly say this year has probably been the most challenging,” said Jim Bradshaw, Roanoke County Public Schools Director of Human Resources. We’re more than a month into the school year and local school systems say they’re short substitutes for the classroom and for buses. Roanoke County bus drivers get $2,000 and bus aides get $1,000. Certified positions are like teachers, while classified positions include secretaries, instructional assistants, etc.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – Two people at Mountain View Elementary School in Roanoke County have tested positive for COVID-19, according to school leaders. In a letter sent to families on Wednesday, leaders with Roanoke County Public Schools said a student has tested positive for COVID-19. The RCPS COVID-19 dashboard also reflects a staff case of COVID-19 reported this week at Mountain View. “Close contact” is considered less than 6 feet, for at least 15 minutes, with or without a mask. You can see the latest COVID-19 numbers in Roanoke County Public Schools by visiting the district’s COVID-19 dashboard.