โA life is pricelessโ: Virginia Military Institute to receive $13 million for security upgrades
VMI stands out when it comes to how often officers drill and the tools in every police car.
Roanoke City Schools to get $20,000 as part of blue light education
New research shows a certain spectrum of blue light is phototoxic and doctors are worried it could cause short term problems like digital eyestrain and long term disease like age related macular degeneration.
Bedford County School Board votes to end mask requirements, contact tracing
Bedford County Public schools voted to end masks requirements and contact tracing for K-12 students at a board meeting Thursday night.
![โThe Avengers lives changed entirelyโ: Salem senior wins scholarship comparing high school experience to Marvel movies](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/L82yvhxNYc8dci7chWx8VWoMpaY=/800x450/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/07-02-2021/t_8c51232c4da446c69607225f23700ca7_name_image.jpg)
โThe Avengers lives changed entirelyโ: Salem senior wins scholarship comparing high school experience to Marvel movies
High school and Marvel comics. The two donโt really go together, but for one senior they do.
![Free summer math challenge helps kids stay up on skills, practice](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/X6ycnj8j0fCQRKpBLsBndp_CjAI=/640x360/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/ZCUTZCGCRJH67KGRIB6GWDWPFM.jpg)
Free summer math challenge helps kids stay up on skills, practice
If you want your kids to stay up on their math skills this summer or maybe they need some extra practice, you can sign them up for the Summer Math Challenge.
![Community college offers no textbook classes](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/ShmUzgKvaWOu5ZD4qvtqmcscJcY=/640x360/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-gmg.s3.amazonaws.com/public/QUXF2VJW25DRNOP5OW5XMQCTEQ.jpg)
Community college offers no textbook classes
WYTHEVILLE (WCC) - Going to college just got a little bit less expensive for students at Wytheville Community College (WCC). WCC now offers students significant savings by providing classes this fall that do not require them to buy books or supplemental course materials. Nearly 20 courses with almost 30 sections will not require a textbook or will use materials that cost less than $40. Last year, WCC's administration committed to offering a "zero" textbook cost degree, the Associates of Arts and Sciences in Science with a Specialization in Mathematics. In addition, WCC's schedule also includes low or no-cost textbook option courses in Administrative Support Technology, Business, Communication Studies and Theatre, Health, Humanities, Information Technology Database, and Information Technology Essentials.
![Virginia Department of Education releases SOL scores](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/Pq8NQZ2Vid93CKHfe_gaUd4uGQY=/640x360/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-gmg.s3.amazonaws.com/public/24ZRS7PSVVC7RAAESLTXFFZWQ4.png)
Virginia Department of Education releases SOL scores
RICHMOND (WSLS 10) - The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) released its statewide, division-level and school-level pass rates on Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments taken last school year. 80-percent of students achieved proficient or advanced scores in reading, and the same percentage passed tests in mathematics, compared with 79 percent in both subjects in 2014-2015. Eighty-three percent passed grade-level or end-of-course SOL tests in science, compared with 82 percent previously. Of Virginia's 1,822 public schools, 915 improved in mathematics, 904 in reading and 939 in science. VDOE expects to convert all mathematics and reading SOL tests in grades 3-8 to the computer adaptive format by fall 2017.
![Wythe County Schools see improvement on SOL](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/sOtKB7EXBDrKb0rBvwl7E9rySc8=/640x360/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-gmg.s3.amazonaws.com/public/VWNPAKBZYRFL7KNTT6F4SJGQHI.jpg)
Wythe County Schools see improvement on SOL
WYTHE COUNTY (WSLS10) Wythe County Public Schools have seen tremendous growth on their Standards of Learning Tests. The county has seen a 200% percent growth from all the subjects combined on the tests. Dr. Jeff Perry, the Wythe County Schools Superintendent said he saw an increase in scores this year because teachers were taking a different approach in preparing students for the SOL. In 30 areas of the SOL, the biggest gains for Wythe County Schools are in Reading 3, with scores improving 15%. Which is good for students like some at Max Meadows Elementary where the principal said she's glad to see an increase in scores.
![Virginia receives a top rating for Special Education](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/a5IKn1p4JEOtU2AAyAgO1WGOLxM=/640x360/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-gmg.s3.amazonaws.com/public/YO4U5URHFBAK7OPLB74OIUSU5A.jpg)
Virginia receives a top rating for Special Education
RICHMOND (WSLS 10) - Virginia has earned the highest possible rating from the U.S. Department of Education for the fourth year in a row. "This rating reflects the passion Virginia special educators have for helping students with disabilities achieve their full potential as students and as members of their communities," Superintendent of Public Instruction Steven R. Staples said. "The details of the federal report also provide a list of areas where our school divisions may need additional guidance and support from the state." The state earned the maximum number of points possible on all 10 compliance indicators - including indicators related to the disproportionate identification of minority students for special education services and disciplinary actions. The 2016 IDEA state report cards are based on data from the 2013-2014 school year.
![Goodwill helps local children learn about STEM](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/4Dhlk6lLGQe5-Hdwcka6njRrV0I=/640x360/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-gmg.s3.amazonaws.com/public/MZ73SGAFX5GINIKKH4TG4M465U.jpg)
Goodwill helps local children learn about STEM
ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - A new STEM focused camp is making learning fun for disadvantaged children in the Roanoke Valley. Teachers at Goodwill's Youth Science Camp work with local kids to connect them with subjects like science, technology, engineering, and math. The program manager at Goodwill said there's a lack of opportunity in STEM learning for some families -- and this camp wants to change that. "I like it because it gives the children a lot of experience with the science," said parent Marlene Campbell. "Just to be that visual sensory stem learning, that just speaks wonders because some children don't get that opportunity."
![Radford Adventure Club meets with parents, enrollment down](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/7JBTEi8r8cTBTKN59Z-wiWIhp6g=/639x360/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-gmg.s3.amazonaws.com/public/5KDZ5IWZVNCDJKHEMDXRWCVOT4.png)
Radford Adventure Club meets with parents, enrollment down
RADFORD (WSLS 10) - Parents got a chance to voice their concerns Wednesday night at the Radford Adventure Club, after two employees were arrested last week. The club's founder talked about changes the club is making to keep kids safer. The club's founder, Donna Thornton-Roberts, has been meeting individually with parents all week. Thornton-Roberts said the state requires criminal background checks every three years, and that these convictions did not show up during their check. She said she was also not aware of the previous crimes as they were going on, but that those actions are not acceptable for Radford Adventure Club employees.
![VCU to host school safety symposium](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/Xy77dc_BYtj4PEQ5Qz29Yk6lZ1A=/640x360/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-gmg.s3.amazonaws.com/public/44J3DKZWHZA67AD4PJDJXYSGPU.jpg)
VCU to host school safety symposium
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia Commonwealth University will host a school safety symposium next week. The university says the day-long gathering of school safety experts, officials and educators is set for May 17. The keynote address will be given by Kenneth Trump, president of National School Safety and Security Services, a school safety consulting firm based in Cleveland. Among the topics to be discussed are "robocall" school threats, how and when to connect with school communities on threat issues, whether social media is a help or hindrance and the changing roles of school security and resource officers. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
![Patrick Henry High School Teacher is Roanoke's Teacher of the Year](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/Jf_fAkYsKyKODTx_4EpehVOWEvA=/640x360/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-gmg.s3.amazonaws.com/public/FLV2KEDMGZDVJPEKJZQ4LS252U.jpg)
Patrick Henry High School Teacher is Roanoke's Teacher of the Year
ROANOKE (WSLS 10) Roanoke City Public Schools named Leslie "Nicole" Doherty as Roanoke's Teacher of the Year. She has been a teacher for 12 years, all at Patrick Henry High School. She grew up in Roanoke and actually graduated from Patrick Henry. This is the second year in a row a teacher from Patrick Henry High School has received this honor. Ms. Doherty received a $1,000 check from Hughes Associates Architects and Engineers.
![Architects design the new Bedford Middle School as a 'school of the future'](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/K7O6aoqIIj3W_R9vmGYLK6o_NyY=/640x360/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-gmg.s3.amazonaws.com/public/NE3DH64AN5BCLALRUESU6FP3WI.jpg)
Architects design the new Bedford Middle School as a 'school of the future'
BEDFORD (WSLS 10) - Architects are finalizing plans for a new Bedford Middle School. The school will be built next to Liberty High School. When Bedford reverted from a city to a town, a new middle school was part of the agreement. The Bedford County Board of Supervisors approved $44 million for the new middle school and a new, upgraded gym at Liberty High School. Construction of the new middle school is expected to start this fall.
![Roanoke County Schools community meeting planned for Wednesday](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/4SZkY3xinPOhWODqz2yUAD1AiJA=/640x360/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-gmg.s3.amazonaws.com/public/ORG7MA74NNA5XN7NRRRFJ3BGVY.jpg)
Roanoke County Schools community meeting planned for Wednesday
ROANOKE COUNTY (WSLS 10) - Windsor Hills District school board member Jason Moretz and incoming Cave Spring District member Mike Wray will be holding a South County Community meeting at Cave Spring Middle School on December 2, 2015 at 6 p.m. This meeting will give the community to meet Mr. Moretz and Mr. Wray as well as address any comments or concerns. Roanoke County Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Greg Killough, will be in attendance.