🌱 Possible School Attendance Change Coming + Walk To End Gun Violence

Hello, neighbors! We survived Monday it seems so I'm back with a Tuesday edition of the Roanoke Daily, which includes updates on:

• School Board to vote on new Virginia law about explicit material
• Roanoke College's "Toy Like Me" event
• Gold's Gym hosts a bench press competition

Hi ho Silver away!

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy and colder; p.m. rain.

High: 38 Low: 36.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. The Roanoke County School Board will vote soon on whether or not it will adapt its policies to comply with a new state law requiring parents to be notified of all material being taught that is deemed "sexually explicit." The proposal, which the writers say was taken directly from guidance issued by the Virginia Department of Education, was presented to the board at last Thursday's meeting and will require teachers and administrators to review materials during the summer break so parents can be notified 30 days ahead of time. (Roanoke Times)
2. Also on the school board to do list is the possible adjustment of attendance zones for some students at certain county schools due to the county's challenging geography, essentially being laid out in a hollowed out circle like a doughnut around Roanoke City. The primary issue is overcrowding at some schools while others have as many as 150 students less than their floor plans and square footage allow. The school board would like to balance that out by shifting some students to other schools in the not too distant future. The next steps in the process will likely be community meetings, surveys, and mailings to impacted households. (Vinton Messenger)
3. Residents, churches, and city leaders came together in northwest Roanoke on Saturday morning for a walk to end gun violence. The walk was organized by Hill Street Baptist Church and Reverend Preston Tyler said the route was planned specially to go by area churches. "We’re trying to bring the awareness to the churches and let the churches know we’re all going to stand together. We’re all going to work together and bring gun violence down," he said. He was joined by city councilman Joe Cobb, chairman of the Gun Violence Prevention Commission, and many others as they walked and chanted "Prayers up! Guns down!" (WSLS)
4. Roanoke College hosted 'Toy Like Me' Sunday in which volunteers made modifications to existing toys so that they would better reflect the child who was going to own and play with them. Dolls, action figures, and stuffed animals were all altered to have cochlear implants, insulin pumps, and other medically necessary devices. The event has been held annually since 2016 and Hope Keller, president of the Toy Like Me student club, said, "It matters because it’s an opportunity to not only advocate for people with disabilities but to provide children with toys that look like them and make them feel seen and valued." Once completed, the toys are donated to area families and organizations. (WDBJ)
5. Gold's Gym recently held a bench pressing competition fundraiser for Healing Strides, a Roanoke area nonprofit who uses horses to assist veterans with PTSD. Competitors raised over $1,000 for the charity by lifting as much as 400 lbs. of weights. Gold's Gym General Manager J. Boudreaux said he wanted to help out because "I’m a vet myself for two branches of the service. A bunch of my family are veterans. I have some good friends that are veterans. And the work that they do out there is unparalleled."

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Today in Roanoke:

• Women of the Chamber Networking Social at The French Farmhouse (4 p.m.)
• Hollins Distinguished Speaker Series Presents Beth Macy (7 p.m.)
• Line Dancing with Angela & Kamronn at Corned Beef and Co. Bar and Grill (7 p.m.)
• GOTE at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "A young Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was hit by a car and rushed to the Center—the speckling in the red of her cap means she is this year’s baby, older birds have a solider red cap." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "We had a wonderful time celebrating our veterans at the Virginia Veterans Parade, complete with appearances from the Patrick Henry and William Fleming marching bands and the Patrick Henry and William Fleming JROTC units!" (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "BRRRR it's chilly today! We wouldn't be surprised if your feline friend has found the warmest spot in the house to nap. Have you ever wondered why your cat may choose to sleep in direct sunlight even when it's warm?" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• The Agape Center Vinton-Roanoke: "We would like to thank our friends at COLONIAL BAPTIST in Blue Ridge for coming out to help us during our operating hours this past Saturday! With their help we were able to get a lot of people served and projects done!" (The Agape Center Vinton-Roanoke via Facebook)
• Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge: "The Grandin Village Holiday Children's Parade is always a fun start to the holiday season in Virginia's Blue Ridge! The parade is next Saturday, November 19 at 11:00 a.m. Parade Info: http://bit.ly/3E18rnJ" (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge via Facebook)

Alrighty. There you have it! You're in the loop. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with a new update!

— Ian

About me: Ian Graham is a novelist, screenwriter, and freelance contributing writer. He is a firm believer in being yourself… unless you can be Batman. Always be Batman. To connect with Ian you can visit him on Facebook and Instagram. He doesn't bite. Except on full moons.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Roanoke Daily? Contact me at roanoke@patch.com