On Tuesday, Feb. 7, the Chesterfield County School Board voted to close 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 School Board was asked to consider this change at its Jan. 24 meeting.
- Feb. 21 will be considered an asynchronous learning day, and students will receive learning materials to complete at home that day. Â
- School buildings will be open on Feb. 21, and 12-month employees will report to work that day.
- Reminder: Schools and school offices will be closed Feb. 20 for Presidents Day. This holiday has been scheduled since the school calendar was adopted in 2021.
Our outstanding school counselors #
Each year, Chesterfield County Public Schools recognizes outstanding school counselors who go above and beyond in order to maximize student success and promote access and opportunity for all students. Congratulations to these top school counselor leaders who are all in for all students:
- Outstanding First Year Counselor of the Year: Airiana Merritt at Ettrick Elementary and Christina Mejia at Chalkley Elementary
- Outstanding Elementary School Counselor of the Year: Allison Piotrowski at Marguerite Christian Elementary
- Outstanding Middle School Counselor of the Year: Kelsi Wilkins at Falling Creek Middle
- Outstanding High School Counselor of the Year: Cori Jackson at Thomas Dale High
Thank you, crossing guards! #
Feb. 8 was Crossing Guard Appreciation Day in Virginia, and our schools with crossing guards made sure they know they are appreciated.
Advanced academic advice for high school #
Learn about advanced academic coursework, college readiness and how students can earn college credit while in high school during virtual gatherings in February. Chesterfield County Public Schools is hosting informational sessions to help students who will be in high school in 2023-24 make the most of their academic schedules:Â
6:30 p.m. Feb. 15 for rising 11th and 12th graders and their families: Click here to register. The meeting link will be emailed to you the afternoon of Feb. 14.
6:30 p.m. Feb. 22 for rising 9th and 10th graders and their families: Click here to register. The meeting link will be emailed to you the afternoon of Feb. 21.
Prekindergarten applications are open #
Prekindergarten applications are open for the 2023-24 school year. Prekindergarten is a free, full-day program for 4-year-olds, and transportation is provided in accordance with school system guidelines. Click here for more information or to apply.
CCPSOnline opens registration for summer and 2023-24 school year #
CCPSOnline offers high school flexibility. Students can take some or all of their classes in a no-walls, no-bells, no-limits virtual environment. Registration for summer courses and for the 2023-24 school year is open through April 28. Students should talk to their school counselor about including CCPSOnline in their schedule.
Feb. 13 is final budget work session #
The final School Board budget work session will begin at 4 p.m. 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
In Case You Missed It #
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.
Job fairs planned for high-needs schools and elementary teachers #
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.
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.
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.
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.