New this week #
School surveys seek parent input #
We want to hear from you about the culture of your child’s school. Communication should come from each school providing a link to the Building Ranks School Culture survey for you to complete. Each link is school-specific, so if you have children in multiple schools, we encourage you to fill out one survey for each school. Surveys will be open through Dec. 9. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Today is the deadline for specialty center and governor’s school applications #
Eighth grade students have until 11:59 p.m. Dec. 2 to submit specialty center and governor’s school applications. Details are here.
Seniors invited to read to students for community service hours #
High school seniors can volunteer to read to students at Hening, Ettrick, Curtis or Ecoff elementary schools and receive community service hours. MEGA Mentors is organizing the volunteers. Get details about this opportunity here (including a link to the application form), and learn more about MEGA Mentors at megamentors.org.
Disney is coming to Virginia #
Big news! Four Chesterfield County elementary schools are the first in Virginia selected to stage Disney musicals at no cost: bit.ly/3ioQlEV. Virginia Repertory Theatre has been awarded a grant from Disney to bring Disney Musicals in Schools to Chesterfield County Public Schools. This is the first time Disney Musicals in Schools, which works to create sustainable theater programs in under-resourced elementary schools, has been connected to any school in Virginia. These Title I schools will participate in the first year of the two-year program: Bensley Elementary, Crestwood Elementary, Harrowgate Elementary and Reams Elementary.
Holiday fun x 2 #
Hop aboard the CIS Express: Communities In Schools of Chesterfield is hosting CIS Express in Hampton Park again. This free, family friendly and educational holiday light tour is a chance to celebrate the holidays while supporting Chesterfield students. The mission of Communities In Schools is to surround high-need students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.
- Using an app on your phone, you can drive the route any night Dec. 10-23 and see fabulously decorated homes. Connected to the CIS mission and the 11 schools served by CIS, the tour includes audio you can listen to along your drive.
- There is a live event 5:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 16: CIS will be at the first stop of the tour, Woodlake United Methodist Church, to greet participants with a hot cocoa and cookies cafe, a photo opportunity with Santa, live music and more.
- Register (it’s free) to get your tour package before the start of the tour.
Enjoy cookies with Santa: Don’t keep Santa waiting! The jolly old elf will be available 4-6 p.m. Dec. 3 at 13900 Hull Street Road for photos and a ho-ho-ho lot more family fun. Admission is $15 per person (children 1 and younger are free). Check out the flyer, then get tickets at bit.ly/CookiesWithSantaCTC. Proceeds will support baking classes at the Chesterfield Career and Technical Center.
Honoring student achievements #
High school students from throughout Chesterfield County Public Schools were honored Nov. 28 in the first ever Superintendent’s All-County Awards Celebration, which will be held quarterly.
- About 100 students were named to all-county teams, and another 100 received honorable mentions.
- One student was selected Player of the Year in each of these areas: competition cheer, girls volleyball, boys volleyball, girls cross country, boys cross country, marching band, field hockey, golf, football defense and football offense.
- A Coach/Director of the Year was also recognized in each area.
R.E.B. Awards for Teaching Excellence #
We are celebrating our eight outstanding educators who won R.E.B. Awards for Teaching Excellence. This video focuses on elementary school winners at Old Hundred Elementary, Gates Elementary and Chesterfield Virtual School. This video focuses on middle and high school winners at Providence Middle, Bird High, Cosby High, Monacan High and Manchester High.
Winter break #
- Winter break for students at all Chesterfield County schools will be Dec. 19-Jan. 2; the first day back will be Jan. 3. Download complete student calendars at bit.ly/CCPScals.
- In a change from previous years, school offices and the Career and Technical Center @ Hull will be open during winter break but will be closed Dec. 23-27 and Dec. 30-Jan. 2.
Virginia survey for parents of children in special education #
All parents of school-aged children and youth with disabilities who receive special education services in Virginia are encouraged to complete the Virginia Department of Education’s annual parent involvement survey no later than Dec. 16.
Questions? Contact Family Engagement Specialist/Special Projects Coordinator Chiquita Seaborne at 804-225-3898 or Chiquita.Seaborne@doe.virginia.gov.
Upcoming dates #
- December is Universal Human Rights Month and Learn a Foreign Language Month.
- Dec. 1-7 is National Handwashing Awareness Week.
- Dec. 2 is Special Education Day.
- Dec. 3 is International Day of Persons With Disabilities.
- Dec. 4 is National Cookie Day.
- Dec. 5-9 is Inclusive Schools Week.
- Dec. 5-11 is Computer Science Education Week.
- Dec. 7 is National Letter Writing Day.
- Dec. 7 is Pearl Harbor Day.
- Dec. 10 is Human Rights Day.
- Dec. 15 is Bill of Rights Day.
- Dec. 16-24 is Las Posadas.
Seeking feedback #
Chesterfield County Public Schools seeks feedback on its use of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund. Please click here to submit comments or ideas.
SAFE annual meeting is Dec. 6 #
The annual Substance Abuse Free Environment meeting is planned for Tuesday, Dec. 6 at CTC @ Hull (13900 Hull Street Rd.). During the meeting, SAFE will highlight their 2022 Young Adult Survey data, prevention and recovery outreach happening in Chesterfield County, and the keynote speaker will be Dr. Caroline Cobb of VCU. Her talk is called “Who’s Vaping What?” See the flyer here and those who wish to attend may register here.
In case you missed it... #
Aviation art contest #
The Virginia Department of Aviation invites students ages 6-17 to compete in the 2023 International Aviation Art Contest. Artwork must be postmarked by Jan. 10, 2023.