Discussions will center on Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s executive order to restrict the use of cell phones in public schools.

The Virginia Department of Education is releasing its final guidance on creating cell phone-free education in the Commonwealth on Monday, and you have until Sunday to provide feedback.

Henry County Public Schools serves about 7,100 students and is made up of 13 schools, including Magna Vista and Bassett High Schools.

The Henry County School Board has named a new superintendent.

Henry County Public Schools are letting students out earlier than usual Friday (Sept.30).

UPDATE - Sept. 24, 2022 10:20 a.m.

Seven substitutes will start the year.

Some consider lunch time the most important part of the day for young students.

School leaders we spoke with Thursday say they’ll continue to enforce COVID-19 guidelines, like social distancing and masks; but they’re focused on face-to-face instruction.

HENRY COUNTY, Va – Students in Henry County have returned to the classroom for the first time since late last year. One-third of students decided to return to a hybrid learning schedule. Students at Laurel Park Middle School were welcomed back with handmade signs from their teachers Wednesday morning. The school division says about half of its staff members got vaccinated, playing a big part in returning to the classroom. The school division also expects an increase in summer school this year since instruction will be offered in-person.

HENRY COUNTY, Va. – Just one week before Henry County public school students were set to return to the classroom, on Monday, the district announced it would remain virtual indefinitely, delaying its plan to return to hybrid learning due to a rise in COVID-19 cases. “Looking at the cases in our community, just don’t lend themselves to do that safely at this time,” said Monica Hatchett, the director of communications for Henry County Public Schools. School officials track COVID-19 cases and exposures at least once a week. School leaders said it was a difficult decision with new data showing more than a third of students are failing at least one class, according to Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Lisa Millner. “Research says that the best place for K-12 students is to be in front of a teacher.

HENRY COUNTY, Va. – Henry County plans to resume its hybrid learning, it’s just not clear when that will happen. On Monday, the school division announced that it would “postpone its return to hybrid instruction until cases in our community have improved significantly.”Because it is critical for our students to receive high quality instruction each day, it is our goal to ensure that... Posted by Henry County Public Schools on Monday, January 11, 2021In early November, the school division switched to fully virtual learning, planning to return to in-class learning on Jan. 19. Along with delaying the return to hybrid learning, winter activities and competitions will be postponed until hybrid instruction resumes.

HENRY COUNTY, VA. – A growing number of schools in our area are reversing course after bringing students back to the classroom within just the last few weeks. Henry County Schools announced Thursday they’re going back online until mid-January. Monica Hatchett of Henry County Public Schools knows online learning isn’t ideal, but as the virus continues to spread school is becoming a logistical nightmare. Franklin County High School, a middle school and its tech school announced a recent move back to virtual learning through Thanksgiving break. Based on data and the recommendation of health officials, Roanoke City Public Schools is prepared to pivot as needed.

HENRY COUNTY, Va. – Another school division is going virtual. Starting on Monday, Nov. 9, Henry County Public Schools will be in virtual learning until Jan. 19. The shift is due to the continued increase in community coronavirus cases.

ROANOKE, Va. – Several area schools are closing on Thursday due to potential weather impacts related to the tropical storm warning. Zeta to move directly over our area as a tropical depression Thursday]Below is a list of all of the school closings and delays across our region. In addition to the closings listed below, Henry County Public Schools will operate virtually on Thursday. We have discontinued our phone system and all status changes must be submitted online. Click here if you’re using the WSLS 10 app or having trouble seeing the list.

MARTINSVILLE, Va. – Meadow View Elementary School will continue operating virtually for another two weeks due to two staff members testing positive for coronavirus. The staff members are quarantining after being exposed to COVID-19. Edmonds said in an announcement to the school’s families that they are taking these steps for exposed staff to quarantine out of an abundance of caution. As a result, remote learning for all students will continue until Oct. 26. All other Henry County schools will open for in-person learning on the hybrid plan beginning on Oct. 12.

HENRY COUNTY, Va. – Whitney Calloway was hard at work in her classroom at Meadowview Elementary School even though students weren’t there. “I like the virtual classroom just because there is flexibility in where you work,” Calloway said. Her own children, all Henry County Public Schools students, were there with her. Mason Calloway, 8, checks out some math equations on his iPad. “Making sure that when we sit down to do school we focus, we get it done first,” she said.

HENRY COUNTY, Va. – “I fell in love with her as soon as I saw her,” said Bassett High School freshman MaKayla Dillon. The Virginia Hereford Association awards two heifers each year as scholarships to high school students across the state. This year, both scholarship winners are from Henry County. Bassett High School agriculture teacher Cameron Kolinski said this is a great learning opportunity for the students. The calves Paisley and Rose produce will be given to next year’s scholarship winners.

HENRY COUNTY, Va. - Festival organizers are asking for the public's help to support a local school district. The Wine by the River festival will be held Oct. 12 at the Smith River Sports Complex in Henry County. This year, the proceeds will go to Henry County Public Schools. This is the fifth year for the festival, but organizer Tanya Martin says a lot of people still dont know about it. The festival is hosted by the Matthew Wayne Wade Foundation, a nonprofit created to honor local resident Matt Wade, who died unexpectedly in 2010.