Get Ready to Show Up for a Great School Year
To prepare to show students a world of knowledge, new teachers started work on Aug. 7 and all teachers return on Aug. 14. Now is the time for families to prepare students for a great school year.
Calendars are online in English and in Spanish. Aug. 21 is the first day of school for schools following a traditional calendar, but students in some grades return Aug. 21. Be sure to review the calendar so that your student shows up ready to learn on the right day.
Families can find back-to-school information on the school system website. Gathered together in one place is information about registering for school, transportation, school supplies and more.
The latest information on school meals is online, including opportunities for free and reduced-price school meals and an app that shows what’s on the menu.
Also on the back-to-school page are links to digital versions of the parent handbook in English and in Spanish. The parent handbook also contains the standards for student conduct, which in previous years was printed as a separate document. Each student will receive a printed version of the handbook at the beginning of the school year.
Families are encouraged to share their back-to-school photos with the school system via this link. Show us the excitement and energy that a new year generates!
Check Your Student's Transportation Information for 2023-24
Preliminary bus route information is available via the Versatrans e-Link platform. As student registration continues, routing information may change. It is important to periodically check for changes to your student’s bus route before the start of school.
Bus stops are assigned according to the address that is listed for your student in the school system’s student database. To check or make changes to transportation arrangements, contact your school’s registrar or log into ParentVUE where you can view or update this information. Any change to student transportation arrangements should be made as soon as possible.
Please note: Once updates are entered into ParentVUE, it takes 3-4 days for schools to process this information. After the information is processed, transportation changes will appear on the Versatrans e-Link platform.
Communicating with the transportation team
Web-based communication form: The Transportation Department may be contacted through a web-based communication form that will help to quickly direct your question or concern to the appropriate team member.
New phone system: The Transportation Department or any transportation area office may be reached by calling 804-748-1656. When prompted, you must enter the first 3 letters of your student’s zoned school. Please note that through Aug. 11, offices are open Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.- 5 p.m. Beginning on Monday, Aug. 14, offices will be open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Resources and help
Work Begins on New Middle School
School and county leaders broke ground this week on the 13th middle school in Chesterfield County Public Schools, the largest school system in central Virginia. While the school is referred to currently as the West Area Middle School, its permanent name will be chosen before the school opens for students in August 2025. The three-story school is being built in the Matoaca District next to Westerleigh Parkway. Built for 1,800 students, the school positions sixth, seventh and eighth graders on separate floors. Learn more on the school system’s website
Disney Musicals in Schools Performances Create Moments of Magic
Let’s have a round of applause for this spring’s Disney Musicals in Schools performances: They were all smashing successes! In partnership with Chesterfield County Public Schools, Virginia Repertory Theatre selected four Title I elementaries to participate in the program, which is provided at no cost to the schools: Bensley, Crestwood, Harrowgate and Reams Road. Learn more about Disney’s first connection in Virginia.
We’re Hiring Instructional Assistants
Chesterfield County Public Schools is hiring instructional assistants during a job fair 4-6 p.m. Aug. 16 at Providence Middle, 900 Starlight Lane. Registration is strongly preferred but not required.
Instructional assistants get a $2,000 bonus and are eligible for benefits.
Instructional assistants support teachers and students.
Instructional assistants work six hours for 183 days per year.
The job includes classroom duties (recording grades, correcting work), helping students with academics, supervising students at times and more.
Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Every job available within Chesterfield County Public Schools isposted on the school system’s website, including positions for teachers, cafeteria staff, substitute teachers, administrators, instructional assistants, facilities employees, bus drivers and more. Find a job that makes a difference: Work in Chesterfield County Public Schools!
How to Make Sure Your Child’s Chromebook is Ready for the Start of School
To help students show up ready to learn at the start of school, now is the time to make sure Chromebooks are working. Here’s what to do:
Locate your child’s Chromebook and charger.
Plug in the Chromebook, and charge it up.
Check for major damage.
If the Chromebook is damaged or not working, then the technology team is ready to help! Starting Aug. 7, there are dozens of technical support sessions to help all families. Bring the problem Chromebook to any middle school or high school during service desk hours.
All families can get Chromebook help at the site and time that is most convenient. If the dates and times do not work for you, then please don’t worry: Your child will be able to get Chromebook help when school starts. If your children are new to Chesterfield County Public Schools, then they will receive Chromebooks when they start school. Questions? Contact the help desk at 804-639-8933.
Join Our Team: We Are Looking for People Who Want to Make a Difference
Chesterfield County Public Schools is hiring teachers, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, administrators, classroom aides and many other positions. Every available job is posted on the school system website. Working in public education makes a difference now — and for years to come in the lives of Chesterfield County students.
Get Required Vaccines Before School Starts
Vaccines for incoming kindergarten students
The Virginia Department of Health has shared flyers in English and Spanish regarding required vaccines for students starting kindergarten. Documentation of vaccines must be provided to your school before a student may start school. Learn more about kindergarten registration on the division website.
Vaccine requirements for rising seventh graders
There are some vaccines that students must have before entering seventh grade. Last year, many people had challenges in late summer getting appointments in time for the start of school. Your student may not be able to start school on time if they do not have required immunizations.
Virginia students are required to get these vaccines before entering seventh grade:
Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap): The Tdap vaccine is required by law for all students entering seventh grade.
Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY): Students are required to have one dose of MenACWY vaccine before entering seventh grade.
Human papillomavirus (HPV): The HPV vaccine is required by law for students entering seventh grade. After reviewing educational materials approved by the Board of Health, the parent/guardian may elect for their student not to receive the HPV vaccine with no additional paperwork required by Chesterfield County Public Schools. Ask your health-care provider about the benefits of the HPV vaccine.
You can fulfill these vaccine requirements now and mark this item off the back-to-school to-do list. Make a wellness appointment with your health-care provider. Additionally, the Chesterfield County Health Department offers immunizations by appointment only for children age 18 and younger. To schedule an appointment, call 804-768-7454.
Vaccine requirements for high school seniors
There are some vaccines that students must have before entering 12th grades. Your student may not be able to start school on time if they do not have required immunizations. Virginia students must meet the following vaccine requirement before entering 12th grade:
A minimum of two doses of meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) vaccine are required by law before students enter 12th grade. The first dose should be administered before entering seventh grade. The final dose should be administered before entering 12th grade (given on or after the 16th birthday). Meningococcal vaccines help protect against the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease.
Make a wellness appointment with your health-care provider to get vaccines for your child. Additionally, the Chesterfield County Health Department offers immunizations by appointment only for children age 18 and younger. To schedule an appointment, call 804-768-7454.