New This Week #
Big awards for career and technical education #
Congratulations to the Virginia Governor’s Academy for Engineering Studies at Bird High for winning the Secondary CTE Program Award for Region 1.
Two career and technical education programs within Chesterfield County Public Schools won recognition in the Virginia Department of Education’s Creating Excellence Awards in June 2023:
- The Virginia Governor’s Academy for Engineering Studies at Bird High won the Secondary CTE Program Award for Region 1. The Virginia Governor’s Academy for Engineering Studies provides a program of studies that allows exploration of engineering career fields while building student understanding of the core skills necessary for postsecondary education. Rigorous curriculum and lab experiences prepare students for rapidly changing, technology based fields.
- Chamber Chesterfield/Chamber RVA won both the Region 1 and the statewide Secondary Business and Industry Partnership Award for their support of work-based learning in Chesterfield County Public Schools. The chambers embraced the Chesterfield County Public Schools initiative by providing thousands of work-based learning experiences and tens of thousands of work-based learning experience hours. During the 2021-22 school year, Chamber Chesterfield and Chamber RVA led 241 local business partners in providing permanent connections beyond work-based learning experiences for graduating seniors. More than 80 business partners reached 500+ students through a student job fair, resulting in 351 full-time employment contracts being offered to students worth approximately $12.2 million in economic impact to the Chesterfield region.
CCPS will soon begin using a new messaging platform #
Chesterfield County Public Schools is moving to a new communications platform called Apptegy for sending emails, text and phone messages to families and staff members.
There will be no changes in how families and staff members receive messages from the school or school division. However, those who have shared their cell phone number with the school division will receive a one-time text notification that says CCPS is now using Apptegy.
Families and staff members should receive this message on Tuesday, June 20. No action is required after the message is received.
Summer hours #
- During the summer, Chesterfield County Public Schools is open 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and is closed on Fridays. Summer hours continue through Aug. 11.
- Chesterfield County Public Schools will be closed on June 19 for Juneteenth and will be closed July 4 for the Fourth of July.
Middle and high school families: Take advantage of free tutoring this summer #
Tutoring will remain available throughout the summer. Chesterfield County Public Schools is offering free online tutoring services for students in middle and high school via Stride Tutoring. Head to oneccps.org/tutors to get started:
- Students can reserve time for online video meetings with tutors licensed in subject areas in which they need additional support.
- Students and families select a tutor based on expertise and availability to fit your schedule, with tutoring available in the evenings and on weekends.
- Students do not need a teacher referral to schedule a tutoring session.
- There is no limit to the number of tutoring sessions at this time. Tutoring is being offered to provide an additional tool to help secondary students succeed.
- There is no cost to students/families. To provide this service, Chesterfield County Public Schools is using federal ESSER funds provided to address the impact of COVID-19 on schools.
Updates to school calendars #
The Chesterfield County School Board made changes to school calendars during its June meeting. Up-to-date calendars in English and in Spanish are posted on the school system’s website. BoardDocs has additional details about these calendar changes:
- The 2023-24 traditional and year-round calendars were updated to note that the April 10 holiday will be reviewed closer to the date so that the school holiday coincides with Eid al-Fitr.
- The 2024-25 traditional calendar was updated to add Oct. 3 as a holiday and remove Dec. 20 as a winter break date.
- The 2024-25 traditional calendar was also updated to note that the March 31 holiday will be reviewed closer to the date so that the school holiday coincides with Eid al-Fitr.
Next school year #
It’s summer break now, but back-to-school preparations are underway.
- Children entering kindergarten this fall or older students who are new to Chesterfield County need to register as soon as possible with Chesterfield County Public Schools. The school system website provides registration information, including a find-my-school widget.
- July 17 is the first day of the 2023-24 school year for Bellwood and Falling Creek elementary schools, which follow a year-round calendar.
- Aug. 21 is the first day of the 2023-24 school year for all other schools in Chesterfield County.
- Up-to-date calendars in English and in Spanish are posted on the school system’s website.
Swarm the Park #
Families are invited to Swarm the Park for a honeybee festival 10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 24 at Rockwood Park. Hosted for the 12th year by the Rockwood Park Backyard Beekeepers Association, the event will feature free activities for kids, bee-centered displays, food trucks and more. The beekeepers website has more information.
In Case You Missed It #
Free meals for children this summer #
Through the summer meals program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, children can receive free breakfasts and lunches at sites throughout Chesterfield County. Please note that meals must be eaten on site.
- On a first come, first served basis, free breakfast and lunch will be available to all children ages 1-18.
- Texting “food” or “comida” to 304-304 provides information about nearby meal sites.
- If you have questions, call Chesterfield Food and Nutrition Services at 804-743-3717.
These sites will offer free meals Mondays through Thursdays June 26-July 20 (closed on July 4) unless other days/dates are specified here:
- Bellwood Elementary (June 5-15): breakfast 8:45-9:15 a.m.; lunch 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Beulah Elementary: breakfast 7:10-7:45 a.m.; lunch 10-11 a.m.
- Crestwood Elementary: breakfast 9-9:25 a.m.; lunch 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Davis Elementary: breakfast 7:10-7:45 a.m.; lunch 10-11 a.m.
- Ecoff Elementary: breakfast 7:10-7:45 a.m.; lunch 10-11 a.m.
- Enon Elementary: breakfast 7:10-7:45 a.m.; lunch 10-11 a.m.
- Falling Creek Elementary (June 5-15): breakfast 9-9:30 a.m.; lunch 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Gates Elementary: breakfast 7:10-7:45 a.m.; lunch 10-11 a.m.
- Harrowgate Elementary: breakfast 7:10-7:45 a.m.; lunch 10:25-11:25 a.m.
- Jacobs Road Elementary: breakfast 9:15-9:45 a.m.; lunch 11:15 a.m.-noon
- Matoaca Elementary: breakfast 7:25-8 a.m.; lunch 10-11:10 a.m.
- Reams Road Elementary: breakfast 7:10-7:45 a.m.; lunch 11-11:30 a.m.
- Elizabeth Scott Elementary: breakfast 7:10-7:40 a.m.; lunch 10:25-11 a.m.
- Carver Middle: breakfast 8:45-9:15 a.m.; lunch 10:20 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
- Bird High (July 10-20): breakfast 9:50-10:05 a.m.; lunch noon-12:30 p.m.
- Meadowbrook High: breakfast 9-9:25 a.m.; lunch 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- CTC@Hull (June 12-15): breakfast 7:50-8:20 a.m.; lunch 11:15-11:45 a.m.
- CTC@Hull (June 26-July 20): lunch 11:30 a.m.-noon
- CTC@Courthouse (June 5-8): breakfast 7:50-8:20 a.m.; lunch 11:15-11:45 a.m.
- Archangel Michael and St. Anthony Church (Mondays and Wednesdays July 3-Aug. 2): breakfast 9:30-10 a.m.; lunch noon-1 p.m.
- Chesterfield Farmers Market (Wednesdays June 28-Aug. 9): lunch 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Free lunches for children at Chesterfield Farmers Market #
On summer Wednesdays, the Food and Nutrition Services Department of Chesterfield County Public Schools will provide free lunches to children at the Chesterfield Farmers Market. All children younger than 18 are eligible to receive a lunch between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Wednesdays from June 28 through Aug. 9 at the market, which takes place at 6701 Mimms Loop in the Chesterfield County government complex. There’s no need to RSVP; the first 75 children to arrive will receive a free lunch to eat on site. This is a new initiative for Food and Nutrition Services, which plans to partner with local growers to include local ingredients and offer nutrition education. Call 804-743-3717 for more information.
#HuguenotStrong #
The Chesterfield County School Board and Board of Supervisors sent this message to Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, Richmond School Board and Richmond City Council:
It is with profound sadness that we write on behalf of the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors, School Board, and our entire community to express condolences for the senseless loss of life that occurred following the Huguenot High School graduation ceremony.
Following news of Tuesday’s tragedy, staff with Chesterfield Mental Health Support Services reached out to the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority to offer assistance with any support needed. Though no immediate support was requested, we know these situations are fluid and subject to change. Therefore, Chesterfield’s offer of support is open-ended as we stand with the City of Richmond and offer any assistance to help you contend with the long days ahead.
We are keeping the families of those who died, those who were injured, and all present or impacted by the events of June 6 within our hearts and countless prayers.
To the Huguenot Class of 2023, our deepest sympathies.
Nominate Hall of Famers by June 30 #
Nominations are open through June 30 for the next inductees into the Hall of Fame of Chesterfield County Public Schools. Nominees should be memorable educators and volunteers who made a significant difference in Chesterfield County schools. Full details and a simple nomination form are available at bit.ly/CCPShall.
Chesterfield County Public Schools has been served by outstanding people across more than 150 years. Whether teachers, administrators, support staff or community volunteers, the nationally recognized school division has been supported by individuals who have given their time and talents to help students and schools succeed.
In recognition of this exceptional work, Chesterfield County Public Schools and the Chesterfield Education Foundation annually honor individuals for their superior contributions by inducting them into the Hall of Fame. See the first two Hall of Fame classes here: oneccps.org/hall_of_fame_honorees. Questions? Contact the Office of Family and Community Engagement at 804-639-8690, ext. 1111.