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Montgomery County school transportation officials say they are reviewing video surveillance footage on school bus No. 40 after the bus and another vehicle were involved in an accident on Thursday morning.

The school system transferred 36 Kipps Elementary students to another bus after the accident, which occurred about 8:10 a.m. on Merrimac Road outside Blacksburg. The school's nurse checked students and no one was injured, said Rebecca Mummau, transportation director.

"There's not a story here," she said. "I'm not sure where all the pandemonium started exactly."

According to Virginia State Police report, a Hyundai travelling south on Merrimac slid across the road and "struck" the school bus, driven by 39-year-old Palela Diane Lopez. The bus was driving a 30 mph in the 55 mph zone. The jeep was travelling at 30.

The school system sent a replacement bus because of "how long it takes the police to investigate," Mummau said.

No one was cited in the crash, state police said.

When students arrived at school, four left for the day complaining of injuries. All had returned to school today, said Lois Graham, director of elementary education.

Mummau said there was little the school system, or the driver, could have done to prevent the accident. She blamed it on wet road conditions. The police report said the road was wet, but did not cite fault. The report estimated about $6,000 in damages to the bus.

Brian Kitts, Kipps' principal, sent a letter home to parents of children on the bus, telling them that a minor accident had occurred, and asked parents to call if they had questions.

"I don't think we had any major problems," Mummau said.

Why not go ahead and start the celebration early? A week from today, students, staff and faculty at Auburn Elementary will celebrate the school's 10th birthday. Get your AES tales prepared.

Technically, i it's a belated birthday. The big day passed when the doors opened last week, but formality means nothing when it's time for birthday cake!

The celebration, in the form of a reception, will take place in the school's cafeteria -- The Riner Diner -- at 4 p.m. Sept. 5. Former and current staff, students and faculty, as well as the community are invited.

The party runs 'til 8 p.m.

I'm spending most of the day in Staunton working on an article I suspect could draw some concern and inspire others.

A 13-year-old Blacksburg student, inspired in her own right by a news article, is leaving home to attend college. Classes begin Sept. 1 at Mary Baldwin's PEG (Program for the Exceptionally Gifted."

Allison Cartwright, the child of two former Virginia Tech Cadets, confesses to a love of clothes, music and, well, law and math. She'll take part in a four-day orientation program beginning today and matriculate with 18 and 19-year-olds next week.

You can read more about her, and the transition, in the Current later this month.

Until then, weigh in. How young is too young to start in higher education? What implications do you see from the shift in norm?

Apparently a few kids at Christiansburg High School aren't worried about the dire forecasts of the news industry.

Or, maybe they actually are listening. Students in Kim Gross's journalism classes are hopping on the online news bandwagon, and posting school-centered news stories online this semester. And, Gross is looking toward starting a schoolwide broadcast news show for the Demons as well.

The idea is to place flat-screen monitors throughout the school's commons area for the student body to watch while they eat and mingle and lunch. The implications, she said, could be widespread and used for events such as graduation down the line.

Although Gross admits she's stalled now, she hopes to get the show going as early as next year. Until then, students will begin producing broadcast news spots that could be posted online.

The results are in. The College Board has released state data, and while a few New River Valley schools are saying they don't have individual district information, Montgomery County Superintendent Tiffany Anderson was quick to praise the class of 2008 for their work.

Here's the news release she sent out.

In 2008, students in Montgomery County Public Schools continued to exceed the state and national mean score on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). The school division has implemented various initiatives over the last few years to help students prepare for college in their high school course work. The school division began offering the PSAT to tenth grade students to ensure that all students are prepared early for the SAT. Students also have the opportunity to attend the Southwest Virginia Governor’s School, which allows them to take advanced college level courses. An increase in the number of dual enrollment classes, virtual school offerings, distance learning courses, and expanded Advanced Placement (AP) course offerings have prepared students for the SAT.

“We are so proud of our students, staff, and parents for this accomplishment,” stated Dr. Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent. Dr. Anderson shared that the district’s goal is to ensure every student is prepared to enter the career or college of their choice when they graduate from Montgomery County Public Schools.

And, with further digging, we actually have average scores for the district. Here they are:

Verbal -- 542
Math -- 538
Total -- 1080
Writing 523

For more of Montgomery's numbers, read my story in the Current.

It's a big day in the world of standardized testing. The College Board is slated to release the results of students' Advanced Placement and SAT tests. The College-bound seniors 2008 data will give us an idea of just how well students in the state, and in various counties, are doing in that realm.

We'll take a look at both state and local data at newrivervalley.com and roanoke.com

Classrooms in Radford City's schools are full today, and with the buzz of new school bells comes new project plans for the district.

The school board is slated to meet Tuesday to discuss a few of their priorities for the coming year. Topping the list is:

* Completing construction of the new Belle Heth school
* Finding ways to update McHarg Elementary
* Adding personal finance and economics to high school required electives.

You can see the full list here.

What do you think the focus of the city schools should be?

The New York Times has a story this week that rings true in the NRV -- the growing cost of school lunches.

People in the article attribute it to the price of gasoline, which local nutrition leaders say is the same issue here. Food prices are rising, yet the feds aren't paying out any more to even out the cost.

The result? Higher prices, and likely even higher ones in years to come, says Montgomery County nutrition director Michael Marcenelle,

In Montgomery County, elementary school students now are paying $1.90 for lunch and middle and high-schoolers are spending $1,95 (those who actually eat in the cafeteria)

As those in the Times' story said, it's something they have to do, but for parents even a nickle bump could be a lot.

Now, I was recently hanging out in the "Riner Diner" over at Auburn Elementary, and the food looked tastey, so maybe the cost is worth it?

What do you think?

The school year is young, and in some cases in the NRV still to come, but I wanted to talk about what's happening in Washington, D.C. this fall.

Cash for good behavior.

Yep, the Washington Post is reporting on that the district's superintendent, Michelle Rhee, plans to offer middle-school students a point system for turning in homework, going to class and showing good manners. The kids can earn up to 50 points per month, at $2 per point.

A maximum of $2.7 million has been set aside for the program, the Post said.

Now, I've not heard of this locally, but I know parents who give their kids cash for good grades. What do you think of this incentive move?

The argument can be made that people get paid to work, so why shouldn't students get paid to work. Rhee calls it "radical intervention" for the area's dismal schools.

What do you call it?

No one, including parents, can smoke on the grounds of Pulaski County's schools. That includes sporting events.

To make certain that hits home before tonight's first home football game, Thomas Brewster, the county's assistant superintendent, sent me a copy of the substance abuse policy and made sure to note that school grounds include games at Dobson Stadium.

Because the school is a drug-free zone, he said, it makes no sense for anyone to light up during sporting events.

Just a reminder before you root for the Cougars.