INSIDER
LIST: Here’s a full list of closures for schools and emergency services
Read full article: LIST: Here’s a full list of closures for schools and emergency servicesSevere weather will be impacting our area over the next two days, and many school districts are delaying arrival or closing altogether on Friday, Sept. 27.
Bedford Co. Schools teacher placed on leave after being charged with sexually assaulting child
Read full article: Bedford Co. Schools teacher placed on leave after being charged with sexually assaulting childA Bedford County Public Schools teacher has been placed on leave after being charged with sexually assaulting a student in another district.
Free meal options available for children and families in various school districts in our region
Read full article: Free meal options available for children and families in various school districts in our regionDuring summertime, several schools still want to make sure that kids get breakfast and lunch.
Parents react to potential changes in Bedford County Public Schools
Read full article: Parents react to potential changes in Bedford County Public SchoolsIf you have students in Bedford County, the school board wants to hear from you. There are possible changes coming to the district and all the proposals include closing an elementary school.
Back to school safety and security: Bedford County Public Schools
Read full article: Back to school safety and security: Bedford County Public SchoolsBedford County Public Schools serves more than 9,000 students across 13 elementary schools, three middle schools and Staunton River, Liberty and Jefferson Forest high schools.
Bedford County School Board to vote on controversial policy Thursday
Read full article: Bedford County School Board to vote on controversial policy ThursdayThe Bedford County School Board is slated to vote on a policy that outlines how controversial issues will be addressed in the classroom on Thursday.
Bedford County Schools show substantial SOL score increases, expected to be fully accredited
Read full article: Bedford County Schools show substantial SOL score increases, expected to be fully accreditedBedford County Public Schools announced substantial increases in their preliminary SOL scores this year.
12 schools in Bedford County offering students free meals this year
Read full article: 12 schools in Bedford County offering students free meals this yearStudents at select schools in Bedford County will be getting free meals this school year thanks to the federal Community Eligibility Provision meal program.
‘A Knight with Kendall’ raises more than $11K for Jefferson Forest High School’s theatre program
Read full article: ‘A Knight with Kendall’ raises more than $11K for Jefferson Forest High School’s theatre programThousands of dollars are headed to Jefferson Forest High School’s theatre program thanks to “A Knight with Kendall.”
‘Drag extravaganza’ receives support after concerns, moves show to Lynchburg
Read full article: ‘Drag extravaganza’ receives support after concerns, moves show to Lynchburg‘A Knight with Kendall,’ originally promoted as a ‘drag extravaganza,’ took centerstage at Lynchburg’s Academy Center of the Arts on Thursday after it was moved from Jefferson Forest High School due to residents’ concerns.
Bedford County Schools to move event promoted as ‘drag show extravaganza’ due to public concern
Read full article: Bedford County Schools to move event promoted as ‘drag show extravaganza’ due to public concernBedford County Public Schools has decided to move an event called “A Knight with Kendall” after residents in the area voiced their concerns.
Bedford County offers free meals for students, USDA extends nationwide program
Read full article: Bedford County offers free meals for students, USDA extends nationwide programThe school system can continue providing meals thanks to USDA extending several nationwide waivers, including the Summer Food Service Program, which went into effect Monday.
More than a dozen structures damaged in Bedford County after severe weather hits
Read full article: More than a dozen structures damaged in Bedford County after severe weather hitsAfter assessing 50 structures, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management says only 15 sustained damage during Friday morning’s severe weather in Bedford County. We’re told three of those were destroyed.
Petition in favor of masks reels in support for Bedford County families with special needs kids
Read full article: Petition in favor of masks reels in support for Bedford County families with special needs kidsThey’ll vote on whether to abide by Youngkin’s executive order or leave the mandate in place for one more week.
Bedford County School Board votes to end mask requirements, contact tracing
Read full article: Bedford County School Board votes to end mask requirements, contact tracingBedford County Public schools voted to end masks requirements and contact tracing for K-12 students at a board meeting Thursday night.
Bedford County puts pedal to the metal to solve school bus driver shortage
Read full article: Bedford County puts pedal to the metal to solve school bus driver shortageThey’re offering classes to prepare people for the written portion of the bus driver exam. Once you pass, the district will train you on their buses.
Bedford County schools offering accommodations for those not wanting to wear a mask for medical reasons
Read full article: Bedford County schools offering accommodations for those not wanting to wear a mask for medical reasonsBedford County Public Schools are presenting parents with options if they’re seeking medical exemptions for their children to wear masks.
Bedford County school leaders step out, law enforcement steps in during mask mandate outbursts in school board meeting
Read full article: Bedford County school leaders step out, law enforcement steps in during mask mandate outbursts in school board meetingDozens of parents packed the Bedford County School Board meeting Thursday to voice their concerns over the new mask mandate.
Bedford County’s Pack the Bus event provides school supplies to students
Read full article: Bedford County’s Pack the Bus event provides school supplies to studentsIf you couldn’t make it Wednesday, the store manager says you can donate supplies the first weekend of August—which is Walmart's back-to-school, tax-free weekend.
Bedford County Schools names new superintendent
Read full article: Bedford County Schools names new superintendentBEDFORD COUNTY, Va. – Bedford County Public Schools has appointed a new superintendent. Dr. Marc Bergin was named the school district’s new superintendent after a unanimous vote by the school board on Thursday. “Bedford County is a beautiful place to live and work, and our schools have an impressive track record of achievement,” Bergin said. Prior to that, he served for three years as the Deputy Superintendent of Moore County Public Schools in North Carolina, an economically diverse community with a similarly sized school division to Bedford County. “With family still residing in Lynchburg, we have frequented the area and are delighted to be able to live and work in Bedford County.”He will assume his new position with Bedford County Public Schools on June 1.
What’s News Today: School changes, education discussions
Read full article: What’s News Today: School changes, education discussionsToday will be a remote learning day for Bedford County Public Schools. To make up for time missed due to vaccines, the Instructional Collaboration Day on April 28th will now be a regular school day. The Steering Committee for the Future of Education Task Force in Lynchburg will meet today. The task force was formed to help drive the long-term success of city schools. AdThe Roanoke Valley Resource Authority will meet today to discuss the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
Bedford County fully vaccinates 450 public school employees
Read full article: Bedford County fully vaccinates 450 public school employeesBEDFORD COUNTY, Va. – Nearly 450 Bedford County public school employees received their second COVID-19 vaccine dose on Tuesday. Since September, Bedford County has offered in-person instruction five days a week for Pre-K through sixth grade, and at least two days a week for grades seven through 12. While there is a virtual option, Huggins believes returning to a typical school day takes some strain off parents. Patricia Knox, the school division’s physical and mental health supervisor, hopes more shots in arms means more children returning to classrooms. Out of an abundance of caution, Bedford County canceled in-person classes Wednesday.
Bedford County elementary school extends virtual learning due to positive COVID-19 cases
Read full article: Bedford County elementary school extends virtual learning due to positive COVID-19 casesUPDATE - Jan. 28, 2021GOODVIEW, Va. - Some Bedford County elementary school students will be virtual for another week. The school division announced Thursday that Stewartsville Elementary School’s will now be fully virtual until Feb. 8. This decision is due to several staff members having to quarantine due to potential exposure to the virus. ORIGINAL STORY - Jan. 24, 2021Stewartsville Elementary School is temporarily closed due to positive COVID-19 cases within the school. Officials said this decision was made because several staff members had to quarantine due to potential exposure to the virus.
Bedford County School Board votes to delay start of athletic competitions due to COVID-19 concerns
Read full article: Bedford County School Board votes to delay start of athletic competitions due to COVID-19 concernsBEDFORD COUNTY, Va. – School leaders in Bedford County are choosing to delay the start of school athletic competitions due to the number of COVID-19 cases in the community. In a special meeting Thursday night, the Bedford County School Board voted 4-3 in favor of delaying the return to athletic competitions. Board chair Martin Leamy was one of three board members who voted against the delay. The board adopted a matrix using guidelines and CDC data for local COVID-19 case numbers and positivity rates. School leaders said those numbers are guiding their decisions and the numbers just aren’t where they would like to see them.
Bedford County teachers training for virtual learning
Read full article: Bedford County teachers training for virtual learning“We were able to see some of the gaps we had, what training we needed,” Karen Woodford, chief learning officer, said. Woodford said their more tech-savvy teachers were trained two weeks ago on a free state-provided platform called Canvas. They’re doing video modules. “It’s a module where we teach them what good blended learning looks like, different ways they can interact and build relationships with their students.” Woodford said. They feel like they’re learning a lot, not only about good teaching strategy, but how to do that in a blended learning environment,” Woodford said.
Bedford County Public Schools superintendent to leave position in 2021
Read full article: Bedford County Public Schools superintendent to leave position in 2021The current superintendent of Bedford County Public Schools, Dr. Doug Schuch, will not renew his contract when it expires in June 2021. Schuch has served as superintendent since 2009. Schuch announced the news at Thursday nights Bedford County School Board meeting. Read the full transcript from Dr. Schuch:
Bedford County school leaders working to resolve federal civil rights complaint
Read full article: Bedford County school leaders working to resolve federal civil rights complaintBEDFORD COUNTY, Va. - Bedford County Public Schools has shared the steps it will take a resolve a complaint alleging that the division violated federal civil rights laws. As 10 News previously reported, the Office for Civil Rights within the U.S. Department of Education opened an investigation into an alleged "racially hostile environment" at Jefferson Forest High School. On Monday, the school division shared a copy of a resolution agreement in regard to the OCR complaint. The agreement details the steps that the school and division will take to resolve the complaint, including that OCR may visit the school division and interview staff and students. Bedford County Public Schools released a statement Friday, saying it "firmly believes that it has not violated any federal civil rights laws."
US Dept. of Education investigating 'racially hostile environment' at Bedford County school
Read full article: US Dept. of Education investigating 'racially hostile environment' at Bedford County schoolBEDFORD COUNTY, Va. - An office within the U.S. Department of Education is opening an investigation into an alleged "racially hostile environment" at Jefferson Forest High School, according to Bedford County Public Schools. The school division released a statement, saying it "firmly believes that it has not violated any federal civil rights laws." The Office for Civil Rights within the U.S. Department of Education notified the school division earlier this year about the investigation, according to Bedford County Public Schools. Bedford County Public Schools did not explicitly mention an incident. Upon receiving the notice, the school division promptly complied with OCRs request for information and records related to the allegations.
Hundreds of gifted students in Bedford County teach others about science
Read full article: Hundreds of gifted students in Bedford County teach others about scienceBEDFORD, Va. - A gifted field day themed around science. Two hundred gifted children from various Bedford County Public Schools spent the day showing off their intellectual skills at the Sedalia Center. Students taught their peers about a branch of science, a science concept and a contributing scientist. Organizers say the annual event allows parents to meet and share resources, and gives gifted students a chance to meet one another, too. "Gifted students are qualitatively different from other students and so whenever we can that emotional and social support for them, we think that's really important," Anne Barrow, gifted resource teacher with BCPS, said.
Consolidation, renovations considered for Bedford County elementary schools
Read full article: Consolidation, renovations considered for Bedford County elementary schoolsBEDFORD COUNTY, Va. - Bedford County Public Schools are considering consolidating, renovating or building new elementary schools to address a growing population and aging buildings. Thursday night, the school board was presented with an elementary school study. School board members Susan Kirby and Martin Leamy are opposed"If you consolidate them, you're looking at closing community schools," said school board member Susan Kirby. Bonnie Ellefson's grandkids went through Bedford Schools, and she loves the small-town feel. The district closed Body Camp and Thaxton elementary schools in 2014, which was met with criticism.