NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - The number of students graduating on time in the commonwealth has steadily increased over the last few years, with positive effects that will reach well into the future, according to the Virginia Department of Education.

Students these days want welding torches, keyboards, curling irons and training with other tools of the trades, so Roanoke Valley school divisions are investing in new learning spaces while discussions begin to explore regionalized aspects of career and technical education.

Jen Peeler, mom of a kindergartener and a third-grade student who attend C. Hunter Ritchie Elementary School, shared a photo of her children's bus stop the morning of Oct. 20. In an effort to show appreciation for their bus driver, Kortney Heflin, the children made posters and drew pictures with chalk on the street to welcome her.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - A kindergartener in Virginia is showing his love for his classmates by hugging them after each school day. WVIR reports that the boy, Shanon Wells, is known as the hugger in chief at Johnson Elementary in Charlottesville. Principal Summerlyn Thompson says the hugs have become commonplace.

Unvaccinated students and staff in Newport News will spend less time in quarantine now if they're exposed to the coronavirus. Nancy Carlson, the district's supervisor of health services, told the school board last week that district was shortening its requiredquarantine period from 14 to 10 days.

SUFFOLK, Va - The Suffolk Public School Board voted for an early release for students every other Wednesday starting November 10. Superintendent John Gordon III says this will lessen the burnout for teachers. "The one goal during these early release dates is to give teachers back planning time.

(WFXR) - Two school districts in southwest Virginia are dealing with delayed or canceled bus routes for Monday as a bus driver shortage impacts schools across the country. According to Bedford County Public Schools, students at Moneta Elementary School, Staunton River Middle School, and Staunton River High School who usually ride bus 24 will be [...]

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - The public school system throughout the commonwealth could be getting multiple boosts after the Virginia Board of Education prescribed a number of benefits at its business meeting last week. The suggested upgrades are to the Standards of Quality, which deal with the foundational instructional programs and support services all schools must provide and drive around 85% of state funding for local school divisions.

HENRICO, Va. (WWBT) - A Henrico mental health advocate supports the recent decision of some school systems to add mental health days into the school calendar especially after an experience on Friday hitting close to home. "I got an emergency call from my son's school saying he had a meltdown," said Dr. LaKesha Roney, a mental health therapist.

Fearing that Richmond Public Schools employees are on the "brink of burning out - even leaving," Superintendent Jason Kamras has announced that the school system will be closed the entire first week of November, including two days "in the interest" of employees' mental health. Richmond schools already were slated to be closed Tuesday, Nov.