HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
Sept. 15-Oct. 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month.
Elizabeth Scott Elementary, home of the Spanish dual immersion program for Chesterfield County Public Schools, kicked it off today by welcoming students with music and teachers wearing heritage attire.
At Matoaca High School, students who are fluent Spanish speakers taught students in Chef Mineo’s culinary classes how to make El Salvadoran pupusas.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SHOW UP READY TO LEARN?
What does it mean to show up ready to learn? Check out this video from Superintendent Merv Daugherty on how students can come to school with the right mindset to make the most of their learning opportunities.
IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO BECOME A SCHOOL BUS DRIVER! #
Chesterfield County Public Schools is hiring school bus drivers during a job fair 4-6 p.m. Sept. 19 at Bailey Bridge Middle, 12501 Bailey Bridge Road. Online registration is preferred but not required to attend the job fair.
Work where you will make a difference
Competitive pay starting at $23 per hour
Full-time benefits and up to $3,000 in bonuses
Get paid during free training for commercial driver’s license
The job fair will also offer opportunities to work as bus attendants and day porters. Full details and registration are available here.
LEARN ABOUT NOMINATION PROCESS FOR U.S. SERVICE ACADEMIES
Middle and high school families are invited to learn about U.S. service academies and their congressional nomination process through a program hosted by Congressman Rob Wittman. Students will also be able to meet with officials from the academies and ask questions. The event will be held 9-11 a.m. Sept. 30 at the Virginia War Memorial (621 S. Belvidere St., Richmond, VA). See the flyer for more information. If you have questions, call 804-401-4120.
“I AM HOPEFUL BECAUSE …” IS REFLECTIONS THEME
PTAs in Chesterfield County schools encourage students to participate in the Reflections program, providing opportunities for recognition and access to the arts (which boost student confidence and success in the arts and in life). This year’s Reflections theme is “I am hopeful because …”.
Each school’s PTA sets the deadline for students to submit their creations. Reflections information from the National PTA is available here.
Each year, over 300,000 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 create original works of art in response to a student-selected theme. This year’s theme is “I am hopeful because…” This 50+ year-old program helps them explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life.
Students participate in the appropriate division for their grade: Primary (Pre-K – Grade 2), Intermediate (Grades 3-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), High School (Grades 9-12), Special Artist (All grades welcome). They submit their completed works of art in one or all of the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts.
HIGH SCHOOL STADIUMS: INFORMATION AND PROTOCOLS
The largest school system in central Virginia, Chesterfield County Public Schools prioritizes safety. These security procedures are in place at high school stadiums; some are updates from previous years while most are reminders about procedures already in place:
Bags, posters, noise makers, balls and outside food/beverages are not permitted at athletic events. Face masks may be worn for health reasons but may not cover the entire face (for example: no ski masks).
RMC uses metal detectors at stadium entrances. There is no re-entry after leaving.
Chesterfield police officers work at every game. Also, school-based administrators and staff members are on site.
Parking lots are monitored for loitering.
Middle school students and all younger guests must be accompanied by an adult. High school students who are dropped off must have a ride waiting to pick them up as soon as the game ends.
Game tickets may be purchased online through Gofan.co or in person with cash. Attendance limits are in place, and tickets may sell out online in advance.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Spencer Turner is a Persona de Poder, one of 16 people of will and power being honored by Radio Poder for contributing to the advancement and development of Virginia’s immigrant and Latino communities through example, word and action.
In fall 2022, he joined Chesterfield County Public Schools as a student re-engagement case manager, working to connect with students who have left school and encourage them to continue their education. Previously, Turner taught in Henrico County, Richmond and international schools in Brazil and Peru. He is also a co-founder of CapazIT, which supports the career growth, language access and wellness of newcomer communities. CapazIT offers interpreter training programs, community mental health awareness sessions and professional skills sessions that include networking opportunities for refugee and immigrant communities.
PROGRAM PLANNED: HOW TO TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT VAPING
According to the Virginia Department of Health, more than one in four high school students and one in 10 middle school students reported vaping in the last 30 days. Join team members from the Office of Family and Community Engagement and presenter Barbara Burke to discuss the dangers of vaping and how to talk to your kids about it.The program will help families:
Gain an understanding of the risks of substance use during adolescence and the young adult years
Learn about different types of electronic smoking devices and how to recognize them
Gain information about the health risks and trends in use among young people
Address myths, trends and concerns about vaping and marijuana use in young people
Get information and resources needed to address this issue with children
There are two opportunities to attend. Click the links below to learn more and to register for this free program.
Sept. 26 at CTC @ Hull (13900 Hull Street Road), 6:30-7:45 p.m.
Oct. 12 at Thomas Dale High School – main campus (3626 West Hundred Road), 6:30-7:45 p.m.
CLOSED SEPT. 25
Chesterfield County schools and school offices will be closed Sept. 25.
SOLVING PROBLEMS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE
Everyone within Chesterfield County Public Schools works to support students and help them grow into strong young people. When problems arise that get in the way of learning, schools want to connect with students and families to solve those problems.
But we can only solve problems that we know about, so communicating to school staff members is how problem-solving starts.
When parents have a concern, the best path is to begin with the adults most directly involved in your student’s school life: teachers, school counselors, coaches, assistant principals and principals. Most problems can be solved by connecting with one or more of these professionals. If the first school employee is unable to resolve the situation, then this chart shows the next step to take. (It may be tempting to jump over steps, post on social media or contact a news organization, but those actions will not be as helpful for your student as following this problem-solving process). See the chart in Spanish.
SECOND TURF FIELD TO OPEN
Monacan High will hold a ribbon-cutting for its new Sprinturf Ultrablade field at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 15 before the football game against Cosby High. This is the second turf field in Chesterfield County Public Schools; the first was unveiled in August at Bird High.
Synthetic turf allows fields to be used year-round, by eliminating downtime for grass growth and reducing rain delays. In addition to renewing the multipurpose fields, these projects improve accessibility, event areas and drainage. The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors covered the $2 million cost for each site, and the county Parks and Recreation Department managed the project in coordination with Chesterfield County Public Schools. The Bird and Monacan fields are intended to serve school and county activities for eight to 10 years. In the future, other high school fields will be evaluated for synthetic turf.
APPLY SEPT. 18-21 FOR CHRISTMAS MOTHER HELP
Families can request help from the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Christmas Mother during application review at the Chesterfield Fairgrounds (10300 Courthouse Road):
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 18-19
noon-7 p.m. Sept. 20
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 21
Get details and an application (in English and Spanish) on the Christmas Mother website. Applications will also be available at the fairgrounds on review days. Children will not be allowed on site during application review