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.

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.

“Certainly this reinforces a lot of the things that we have already put in place and certainly relieves a lot of anxiety for a lot of folks that are working so hard to ensure we are giving proper education to our children as best we can in a pandemic,” Eric Bond explained.

“This week to see the kids come back, to see the looks on the teacher’s faces to see the children so excited to be back in school, I’ve been borderline euphoric,” Staunton City Schools superintendent, Dr. Garett Smith.

The Virginia Department of Health has released new guidance for divisions to follow when reopening PreK-12 schools.

Delegate Tony Wilt (R-Broadway) filed legislation to establish a school remediation task force on Wednesday.

Richmond Animal Care and Control is searching for information after a dead dog was found inside a crate at Byrd Park.

“Even though the pandemic was the impetus for setting this up, it’s clear this is something that would be helpful even when everything is back in person,” Mendonca explained.

Staunton, Augusta, and Waynesboro school districts plan to virtually bring students back this week.

Page County Public Schools announced Thursday the school district will continue with full remote learning for the next two and a half weeks.

“We were successful in bringing students back in the fall and we made sure we followed all the CDC guidelines. We’ve been in contact with the Virginia Department of Health during all of this,” said Dr. Deborah Greubel, MBU’s chief health officer and a lead on the university’s pandemic response team.

The Virginia Education Association (VEA) is now calling for schools across the state to move to all-virtual instruction through at least mid-January.

75% of parents worry about their children falling behind in school.

“I think it has worked as well as a hybrid model can. We’ve tried to make improvements where we needed to but overall, I think our hybrid model has worked very well,” the superintendent explained.

Page County Public Schools announced Friday the school division will transition to fully remote learning for the next two weeks.

Online learning has been an adjustment for both teachers and students, and isolation has taken a toll on mental health.

As middle schoolers and elementary school students returned physically back to class, the school division said they had a low number of COVID-19 cases reported.

Staunton City Schools, Augusta County Public Schools, Waynesboro Public Schools and the Central Shenandoah Health District released a statement Wednesday to remind students and families how to stay safe as we approach the holiday season.

Page County Public Schools will now be serving meals at no charge to all children 18 and under, according to a press release from the division.

Shenandoah County Public Schools will require students over the age of five to wear masks at all times inside school facilities, even when six-foot physical distancing is maintained.

On Monday, teachers and staff at Rockingham County Public Schools welcomed students back to the classroom for the first time in months.

Harrisonburg City Public Schools announced in a letter on Monday its current hybrid schooling model will remain the same for the remainder of the semester.