1st day of classes brings changes for Va. schools

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FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) — About 400,000 Virginia students are heading back to school in the Washington area and will find some changes this year.

In Fairfax County, one of the biggest changes is the elimination of early release Mondays for elementary students. That will provide more instructional time and could eliminate the need to add makeup days for snow.

The county is also opening a second building for Bailey’s Elementary after converting a five-story office building to relieve overcrowding. Fairfax expects to enroll nearly 187,000 students, making it the largest school division in Virginia.

In Prince William County, 600 teachers have joined the school system. It will enroll 86,000 students.

High school students in Alexandria will find new city-issued computer tablets, and Arlington students can take American Sign Language classes for the first time.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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