New This Week #
Black History Month #
February is Black History Month. In partnership with Virginia State University, Chesterfield County offers events throughout the month. Click here for a downloadable events flyer.
Feb. 15 job fair planned for high-needs schools #
CCPS is looking for highly qualified candidates for all vacancies at high-needs schools.Â
- Ettrick Elementary
- Falling Creek Elementary
- Bellwood Elementary
- Hopkins Elementary
- Chalkley Elementary
- Salem Middle
- Matoaca Middle
- Carver Middle
- Falling Creek Middle
- Meadowbrook High
- LC Bird High
Teachers, counselors, and librarians at these schools receive a $3,000 stipend in addition to their regular salary. Interested candidates must submit an application in advance. Once applications are screened, the human resources team will send qualified candidates invitations to interview. Candidates who wish to be considered for an interview must apply by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 12. The invitation-only job fair will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 15 from 4-6 p.m. Click here to apply.
Elementary teacher job fair is Feb. 25 #
We are looking for elementary teachers! Chesterfield County Public Schools will host an in-person elementary teacher job fair on Saturday, Feb. 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. We are seeking highly qualified applicants in the area of elementary education, including special education and ESL applicants who wish to teach in an elementary school.Â
Interested applicants must apply in advance. Once applications are screened, the human resources team will send qualified applicants an invitation to interview. Candidates who wish to be considered for an interview must apply by Feb. 19 at 11:59 p.m. Click here to apply.
Feb. 6-10 is National School Counseling Week #
Feb. 6-10 is National School Counseling Week, an annual recognition designed to focus public attention on the contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems. As Chesterfield County continues to grow and change, so do the needs of students and schools. As a result, the role of the school counselor has changed. Today, school counselors help meet the diverse academic, social and mental health needs of our students.
Chief Cafe at Monacan High #
Students bake and sell treats and coffee to teachers and staff at Monacan High School and Gordon Elementary every week. The Chief Cafe is a school-run business that lets the students get real-world experience.
Budget process is moving forward #
Remaining School Board budget work sessions will begin at 4 p.m. on Feb. 7 and Feb. 13 in the Public Meeting Room (10001 Iron Bridge Road). Budget details and documents are available here. The budget proposed Jan. 24 by Superintendent Merv Daugherty has three main priorities:
- Recruitment and retention
- Maintaining service levels given student growth and inflation
- Critical service level increases
Learn more about the budgeting process by watching the video below. See it here in Spanish.
Possible Feb. 21 change to school calendar #
The Chesterfield County School Board was asked to consider closing schools on Feb. 21 to accommodate county election activities surrounding the special election to fill the U.S. House seat in the 4th Congressional District held by the late Rep. A. Donald McEachin. Many Chesterfield County schools are polling places.
The recommendation has been made that students receive learning materials to complete at home on Feb. 21 if schools are closed on that day. School buildings would be open Feb. 21, and 12 month employees would report to work that day.
The School Board will vote on this item in its Feb. 7 regular meeting.
Virginia Council on Women essay contest #
The Virginia Council on Women encourages female high school students to enter its STEAM-H essay contest. Focusing on science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics and health care, the annual contest is open to Virginia women in their senior year of high school who hold at least a 3.0 GPA for the merit-based awards and a 2.5 GPA for the need-based scholarships. Entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. March 15. Get more information here.
Safe water initiative #
As part of our efforts to provide a safe and secure environment for students and staff, CCPS is working in partnership with Chesterfield County Government to test drinking water throughout the school division.Â
The testing schedule for schools that are identified for testing this year is now available on the school division’s website.
In 2020, the Virginia General Assembly enacted new legislation regarding testing for drinking water in schools. The legislation requires school boards to develop and implement a program to test for lead in drinking water.
The Chesterfield County Risk Management’s Environmental Health Safety Office, in partnership with the Chesterfield County Public Schools Facilities Department, has developed a plan that provides guidance to meet these requirements. A triennial testing program has been developed for all school buildings, with prioritization of facilities built before 1986. Each school will be tested every three years. For more information or to see the testing schedule, visit the division website Health and Wellness page and scroll down to Safe Water Initiative.
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.
Upcoming dates #
- February is Black History Month.
- February is Career and Technical Education Month.
- February is VSBA School Board Appreciation Month.
- Feb. 3 is the 100th day of school (regular school calendar).
- Feb. 5-11 is Future Business Leaders of America Week.
- Feb. 6-10 is National School Counseling Week.
- Feb. 8 is Crossing Guard Appreciation Day.
- Feb. 11 is International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
- Feb. 12-18 is Random Acts of Kindness Week.
- Feb. 12-18 is Virginia Kindness Week.Â
- Feb. 13-17 is VSBA School Board Clerk Appreciation Week.Â
- Feb. 13-17 is Take Your Family to School Week.
- Feb. 14 is Valentine’s Day.
- Feb. 17 is Random Acts of Kindness Day.
- Feb. 20 is World Day of Social Justice.
- Feb. 20 is Presidents Day.
- Feb. 21 is International Mother Language Day.
- Feb. 22 is School Bus Driver Appreciation Day.Â
- Feb. 23 is Digital Learning Day.
- Feb. 27-March 3 is Public Schools Week.
In case you missed it... #
Feb. 8 Coffee + Conversation focuses on self-regulation #
Children are not born knowing how to control their emotions and behaviors. This discussion, led by Ginger Dotter of Chesterfield County Mental Health Support Services, will include strategies parents and caregivers can use to help children and teens learn to regulate their emotions and behaviors effectively. Coffee and Conversation events are held on Wednesdays from 1-2 p.m. via Zoom. Register here for this free event.
Celebrate outstanding teachers #
Nominate outstanding #oneCCPS teachers for R.E.B. Awards for Teaching Excellence! The program is accepting nominations through 5 p.m. Feb. 21. About 15 central Virginia teachers are selected each year to receive amazing grants up to $15,000 to support professional development. Award winners have earned graduate degrees, climbed mountains, traced their ancestors and met peers from around the world — all to continue their love for learning and to pass it on to their students. Details can be found at www.cfrichmond.org/reb.
#oneCCPS students share how to act on school buses #
Watch #oneCCPS students share how to act on school buses. A special thank you goes to Specialty Center for the Arts theater students and teacher Taylor Bernhard, Thomas Dale High and the Transportation Department for helping to create this important safety message.
Suicide prevention information #
Be smart about mental health. Chesterfield County Public Schools is partnering with the Chesterfield Suicide Awareness and Prevention Coalition and the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention to hold More Than Sad suicide prevention presentations. The virtual sessions for parents and caregivers will be offered in English and in Spanish at 7 p.m. March 13. Details are available here.
College students invited to apply for Chesterfield County internships #
Chesterfield County invites college students to apply for its 2023 internship program and get a firsthand look at how local government operates. During the internship, which runs May 30 through Aug. 3, interns will be introduced to local government operations. Applications will be accepted through Feb. 12. The intern pay rate is $14 per hour for undergraduate students and $16 per hour for graduate students. Go to chesterfield.gov/internships for more information.
Disability Education & Transition Conference is Feb. 4 #
Join over 400 general and special educators, parents, and other professionals throughout Virginia to learn how to better educate children and young adults with disabilities. Meet and share ideas with other attendees during the networking luncheon, visit with exhibitors, spotlight educators in the annual Educator Awards and participate in IEP consultation meetings. The event is hosted by the Virginia Down Syndrome Association. It will be held at the Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa in Short Pump from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4. Find more information here.Â