Education

  HILLSVILLE — The $300,000 grant from the Tobacco Commission and interim financing of $168,000 from the Carroll Industrial Development Authority will fund the expansion of the Crossroads Institute in Galax. 

Oliver McBride, executive director of the Crossroads Institute, approached the IDA at its regular meeting Monday to ask for assistance to acquire the former Church of Latter Day Saints just off Cranberry Road, adjacent to the educational and entrepreneurial facility.

 HILLSVILLE — In a candid moment during Monday's student announcements broadcast at the intermediate school, English and mass media instructor Dana Burnette received Carroll's teacher of the year award.

Schools Superintendent Greg Smith and Principal Chuck Thompson joined Burnette in front of the camera set up for the video feed, ostensibly to talk about a fund raising effort for the school.

 INDEPENDENCE — For the first time in Virginia Standards of Learning history, all Grayson County schools are fully accredited.

Director of Instruction Steve Cornett made the announcement during a Grayson County School Board meeting Oct. 11. Those in attendance applauded.

Grayson accreditation status is based on 2009-10 SOL results. 

HILLSVILLE — Given the chance, a Carroll elementary student would likely find a virtual tour of the Smithsonian museums more engaging than filling out a worksheet in class.

But if the teacher isn't able to bring the network up, then that student might just end up bent over those papers.

It's not that the worksheet isn't a time-honored educational tool. It's just that the virtual field trip via the Internet would capture that child's attention and keep it.