New This Week #
Letter to families from Dr. daugherty #
Dear parents and guardians,
I write with a great deal of respect for you and in appreciation of your support for Chesterfield County Public Schools students and staff. However, I must address a concern currently affecting student and staff morale and academic performance: rude behavior toward school personnel.
I am asking you, as the parents and guardians of our students, to please be thoughtful in your actions toward teachers and other school staff members. Language and comments made in person or on Facebook and other social media should never be insulting, obscene or abusive.
- You want the very best for your child.
- Teachers and school staff also want the best for your child.
- When problems arise during the course of a student’s school experience, we all want to resolve those problems.
You are the most important person in your child’s life. Teachers and school staff are also important adults connected to your child. When we show mutual respect and an understanding that we all have children’s well-being at heart, then we more quickly and easily resolve problems.Â
Courtesy and kindness make a difference as we work together to do what is right for each student. Please respect the professionals at your school. When you have concerns or questions, the best way to get information is to communicate with school staff. Teachers, school counselors, assistant principals and principals are the adults most directly involved in each student’s school life. They will work with you and your student to seek resolutions to problems or answers to questions.
We sometimes make mistakes, but you have my promise that we are working to improve. While keeping sight of the many positive things that occur each day in classrooms, let’s resolve differences in a calm and orderly manner. This will show students that everyone is working together in a supportive fashion.
We have reached the fourth and final marking period of this school year, so let’s have a strong, rewarding finish. Thank you for your understanding. It is truly an honor and pleasure to serve as superintendent of Chesterfield County Public Schools.
 Respectfully,
Dr. Mervin B. Daugherty
Did you know? #
Speak up to support fully funding the school system’s 2024 financial plan. Call or email members of the Board of Supervisors directly or provide written comments via the Chesterfield County budget feedback form. Please email your state representatives in the General Assembly and send your feedback to the Governor’s Office.
This weekend: Secondary Fine Arts Showcase #
The Secondary Fine Arts Showcase will take place 9 a.m.-4 p.m. March 25 and noon-4 p.m. March 26 at Thomas Dale High. There will be displays of visual art by middle and high school students plus all-county musical performances in guitar, fiddle, jazz band and middle school band. The displays and performances are free and open to the community.
- Throughout March (Youth Art Month and Music in Our Schools Month), Arts Fest offers opportunities to see and hear the talents of Chesterfield County Public Schools students.Â
- Paintings, drawings, sculptures and other visual art by elementary and prekindergarten students are on display through April 8 in Chesterfield County Public Library branches and the Perkinson Center for the Arts and Education. Library hours are 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The Perkinson Center is open 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays.
- Art by students in the Chesterfield Virtual School and CCPSOnline is on display 24/7 in online galleries at oneccps.org.
Diaper Drive #
Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Families First and Infant, and Toddler Connection of Chesterfield are seeking the community’s help in collecting new children’s diapers and baby wipes for its 10th annual Diaper Drive.
Families First and Infant & Toddler Connection of Chesterfield are two programs of Chesterfield County’s Department of Mental Health Support Services.
As part of the drive, residents and businesses are encouraged to purchase new, unopened packages of diapers – specifically diaper sizes 5, 6, and 7 – to assist hundreds of families across the county and Colonial Heights enrolled with Families First – a nationally accredited program of Healthy Families Virginia, which provides family support services to first-time parents to ensure their children are healthy, well-adjusted individuals ready to start school by age 5. The drive also assists Infant & Toddler Connection of Chesterfield, which provides early intervention support and services to infants and toddlers from birth through age 2 who are not developing as expected or have a medical condition that can delay normal development.Â
This year’s Diaper Drive looks to beat last year’s record by collecting more than 55,000 baby diapers for the organizations.
Individual residents can drop-off their donated baby diapers and wipes at:
- MHSS Rogers Building; 6801 Lucy Corr Blvd. Chesterfield, 23832
- Chesterfield Infant Program; 9711 Farrar Court, Suite 140 North Chesterfield, 23236
- Any Chesterfield County Public Library branch locationÂ
Interested organizations, groups, neighborhood associations or businesses should contact Ashley Rogers, Families First Program Coordinator at rogersa@chesterfield.gov; or Leslie Pakula, Infant Program Manager, at pakulal@chesterfield.gov to receive official Diaper Drive marketing material, and to arrange a time to drop-off their donations in-person at the MHSS Rogers Building.
Spring break #
Chesterfield County Public Schools students will be on spring break April 3-7. Also, March 27 is a three-hour early release day for students in schools that follow the traditional calendar.
Student-grown plants on sale April 15 #
Student-grown vegetables, herbs, annuals, perennials and native plants will be available at the annual plant sale at the Chesterfield Career and Technical Center @ Courthouse, 10101 Courthouse Road. The event is open to the public 8 a.m.-4 p.m. April 15.
Students in urban agriculture plant systems and greenhouse production will sell more than 250 varieties of plants they have grown using only certified organic amendments. Along with the plant sale:
- Students in baking and pastry and culinary arts will sell refreshments.
- Work by students in commercial photography and digital arts will be on display.
- Other student-created items for sale will include herbal products, fresh vegetables, flower arrangements and handmade soaps.
The plant sale will accept cash, checks and credit cards, with proceeds supporting Chesterfield Career and Technical Center programs. Questions? Call 804-768-6160, ext. 1037.
American Legion will host job fair #
American Legion Post 186 will host a job fair for those who are looking for a career in education as well as many other fields of employment. The fair will be held on Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 901 Otterdale Rd.
In Case You Missed It #
Weekly info from Chesterfield County #
If you are interested in countywide news, events, business developments and more, then subscribe to Chesterfield County’s weekly e-newsletter, Happening in Chesterfield.
Kindergarten preregistration is open #
Children who will be 5 years old by Sept. 30 can start kindergarten in the 2023-24 school year. Online preregistration is now open, so families can start the enrollment process online. CCPS kindergarten kickoff week will be April 17-21.
Save the date: Job fair for students is April 13 #
On April 13, Chesterfield County Public Schools will host its second annual Student Job Fair for high school students. A variety of employers will be available at the event offering short- or long-term employment opportunities with an option to interview students during the job fair. Students are asked to preregister if they plan to attend and follow this schedule if possible:
- 4 p.m. — Students whose last name starts with A- H
- 5 p.m. — Students whose last name starts with I -O
- 6 p.m. — Students whose last name starts with P- Z
April 4 is deadline for openings on advisory committees #
Advisory committees established by the Chesterfield County School Board are one way community members connect with their local schools. Advisory committee members are appointed from each of the county’s five magisterial districts and include parents, teachers, staff members, students and others interested in helping Chesterfield County Public Schools achieve its vision of creating a better tomorrow. Click the application button at bit.ly/BdCom to apply by April 4 if you are eligible and interested in these openings:
- Bermuda District seat on Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee (partial term ending June 30, 2023)
- Midlothian District seat on Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee (partial term ending June 30, 2025)
- Matoaca District seat on Student Health Advisory Board (partial term ending June 30, 2024)
- Wellness expert (food and nutrition) seat on Student Health Advisory Board (partial term ending June 30, 2023)
Enrollment is open for Chesterfield Virtual School #
Chesterfield Virtual School enrollment for 2023-24 is underway. Chesterfield County students in grades K-8 can be part of Virginia’s first virtual school:
- Enrollment for new students to the Chesterfield Virtual School begins by completing this form before March 31.
- Current students will remain enrolled in Chesterfield Virtual School, unless they are on a waiver. Current students who are on a waiver must fill out this form before March 31.
Virtual students who intend to return to their school of residence are asked to fill out this form and go to their school of residence to enroll for 2023-24 before April 28.
Prekindergarten applications are open #
Prekindergarten applications are open for the 2023-24 school year. Prekindergarten is a free, full-day program, and transportation is provided in accordance with school system guidelines. Prekindergarten serves 4-year-olds who face economic and environmental risk factors that may impact kindergarten readiness. Click here for more information or to apply.
CCPSOnline registration is open 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.