More than 500,000 kids tested positive with COVID-19 in the U.S. within three weeks in August. With vaccination rates low in children, health experts say keeping kids safe in school can be difficult.

Division Superintendent Dr. Oskar Scheikl said the transportation department is working to have the issues straightened out by next Wednesday.

They are aiming for weekly testing of students and staff to keep a lid on outbreaks.

Bridgewater College welcomes back students new and old.

As students return to the classroom, some parents worry for their children’s safety, and they are asking for virtual learning options. Some parents are also concerned over the lack of substitute teachers and proper social distancing.

James Madison University starts classes on Wednesday and almost all of its over 21,000 students are back in Harrisonburg.

WEB started in the summer with “WEB Day” when rising sixth graders were invited to get a tour of their new school. They also got to do crafts and ask older students questions. The day is led by the eighth grade WEB leaders.

Jon Venn, Chief Human Resources Officer with Staunton City Schools, says Staunton schools are currently hiring in a few positions.

Back-to-school traffic is expected at this time of year, but some are saying it’s worse than usual, especially at places like Wilson Memorial High School.

On Monday, surrounded by school supplies, volunteers at Augusta Expo in Fishersville got them sorted for 29 schools in Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County.

Monday night’s Rockingham County School Board meeting was moved to the Spotswood High School auditorium in anticipation of the large crowd in attendance.

Shenandoah County Public Schools has announced that beginning Monday, August 9, all students, staff, teachers, and visitors are required to wear face coverings while inside our schools. Masks are also required on all school transportation.

The school board met last night to discuss their back-to-school plan, and members talked about a statewide mandate that says schools must follow what the CDC recommends.

With COVID-19 cases rising across the country and throughout the Shenandoah Valley, local school officials are updating mask guidance for the classroom.

The best discounts on back-to-school items are actually in the last week of August and early September; however, a survey by the financial website NerdWallet found that only 8% of parents who back-to-school shop spread out that shopping out throughout the year.

As students across the Valley get ready to go back to school, leaders are deciding what that will look like. The Waynesboro School Board met Tuesday, July 27 to discuss their back-to-school plans.

West Virginia University has released guidance regarding COVID-19 testing requirements ahead of the 2021 Fall Semester.

All the books tell stories that highlight different languages, food and unity.

“I can remember the kids looking at me and being like Ms. Davis, what’s going on and I was like I don’t know,” explained Staunton High School science teacher Heather Davis.

Last week the school division was notified they have the second-highest graduation rate in the state at 98%.

On the Rockingham County Board of Supervisors’ agenda Wednesday is hearing a proposed plan for a Montessori school in Mount Crawford called “New Beginnings.”

“It’s not just an error in calculation, It’s detrimental,” Hardy County Schools Superintendent Sheena VanMeter explained.

Shenandoah County Public Schools announced the expansion of in-person learning opportunities for students in its hybrid learning model on Wednesday, March 10.

Page County Public Schools announced on Wednesday more in-person learning days will be provided for students, with some students starting as early as next week.

The Senate already passed legislation earlier this month that requires Virginia’s schools to provide both an in-person and virtual option. Now, the House is considering similar expectations, but that would provide parents and schools more flexibility.

Virginia House Democrats have unveiled legislation that would require school districts to offer at least some access to in-person learning by the 2021-2022 school year.

Just three weeks in, Staunton Schools’ Superintendent reported a successful start to the hybrid program Monday night during a school board meeting.

Rockingham County Public Schools is kicking off in-person learning by providing free breakfast and lunch for students at school and for those who are attending classes from home.

On Friday, Governor Ralph Northam announced that all Virginia school divisions should make in-person learning options available by March 15. Harrisonburg City Public Schools says the school division already complies with the guidance.

A school board member in Augusta County says it’s time to start talking about getting kids back in school four days a week. He was not the only one who advocated for that Thursday night during a school board meeting in Verona.