Schools Open for a New Year
Aug. 21 was the first day of the 2023-24 school year for Chesterfield County schools that follow a traditional calendar (only Falling Creek and Bellwood elementaries follow a year-round calendar). In this video, Superintendent Merv Daugherty welcomes students and families to a new year. To see happy images from the start of school, watch the video above and check out the school system’s social media:
Showing Up for the 2023-24 School Year
They say 80% of success is showing up, so we’re encouraging students, staff members and families to show up. If we all show up as our best selves this school year, then is there any doubt that great things will happen?
Show up ready to learn. That means being in school each day and putting in the work.
Show up with kindness. That means having a great attitude and connecting with the people around us.
Show up for each other. That means being helpful, doing what’s right and knowing that we are better together.
As you can see in the first-day photo, Bon Air Elementary second graders in Peter Pisarek’s class showed up ready to learn in a classroom that encourages kindness.
Award-Winning Educator
Thomas Dale High teacher James Thompson received the Angelique Clarke Social Studies Teacher Leader Award on Aug. 15. His achievement was announced while he was attending a virtual professional development session for all secondary history teachers in Chesterfield County Public Schools. Sponsored by the Virginia Credit Union, the award is given annually in memory of CCPS social studies teacher Angelique Clarke. Celebrating on the cellphone is retired teacher Dick Anthony, a mentor for Thompson.
Parent Survey About Special Education Services
Parents of school-age children and youth with disabilities who receive special education services are asked to complete the Virginia Department of Education annual parent involvement survey. The survey is open through Dec. 15. Please complete one survey for each of your children who received special education services in the 2022-23 school year. If you have questions, please email Chiquita Seaborne or call 804-225-3898.
Turf Takes the Field
The first turf field in Chesterfield County Public Schools officially opened Aug. 24. Before the Bird High Skyhawks hosted the Rapids of James River High to kick off football season, a ribbon-cutting took place on the 50-yard line of Bird High’s new Sprinturf Ultrablade field. Video of the ribbon-cutting will soon be available on the school system’s YouTube channel.
Among the student groups who will benefit from Bird High’s turf field are the football team, marching band, cheerleaders, field hockey team, lacrosse team, soccer team and track and field team. Synthetic turf allows the field to be used year-round, by eliminating downtime for grass growth and reducing rain delays. In addition to renewing the multipurpose field, this project improves accessibility, event areas and drainage.
Sprinturf Ultrablade fields have been installed at Bird High and at Monacan High (where a September ribbon-cutting is planned). The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors covered the $2 million cost for each site, and the county Parks and Recreation Department managed the projects 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.
September Dates
Chesterfield County schools and school offices will be closed Sept. 1 and Sept. 4 for Labor Day.
Chesterfield County schools and school offices will be closed Sept. 25
CIS Has Launched Services at Two New Schools
Beginning this school year, Communities In Schools of Chesterfield will provide services at Hening Elementary and Carver Middle School. Ribbon-cutting ceremonies were held last week to celebrate these new programs.
CIS services range from basic needs like a bed to sleep in at home to mental health supports to ensure students’ wellbeing. Ultimately this work leads to higher graduation rates for the county’s most economically disadvantaged students.
With the addition of programming at these two schools, CIS-C now serves a total of 13 schools and 13,000 students in Chesterfield County Public Schools through its research-based and data-driven dropout prevention model.
It’s Easy to Recognize Teachers and School Employees
At the roots of a strong public school division are an exceptional faculty and staff and a committed base of community supporters. Here are two ways community members can acknowledge the work of teachers and school employees:
Game Changers: To recognize the game-changing work of Chesterfield County Public Schools employees, the school system recognizes Game Changers each month. Game Changers are those who step up to meet the needs of students; offer support and access to resources that assist their colleagues; provide an extra layer of support for families outside of the classroom; and who generally make a positive and sometimes life-changing difference in the lives of students, families and their colleagues.. To recognize a Team Chesterfield Game Changer, complete this nomination form.
Someone You Should Know: Someone You Should Know is a video series designed to share stories about interesting people working in Chesterfield County Public Schools. You can see the videos on the #oneCCPS YouTube channel. Nominate teachers and staff members by filling out the super-simple form.
‘Who Gets in and Why’ Author to Speak via Virtual Session
Learn how colleges select their freshman class with bestselling author Jeff Selingo, who immersed himself in the world of admissions for a year. Author of “Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions,” Selingo will dispel entrenched notions of how to compete and win at the admissions game, reveal why families have much to gain by broadening their notion of what qualifies as a “good” college and explain how the pandemic impacts admissions. Offered by the Chesterfield County Public Library, this virtual program will take place 2-3 p.m. Aug. 30. Register here for the free program, which will be recorded and can be viewed later.
Sept. 5 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. Advisory committee members who are appointed by the School Board must reside in the district they represent.
Under Virginia’s open government requirements, meetings are generally required to be held in person. If you are unable to meet in person, please note that in your application under “availability for meeting attendance.” Click the application button to apply by Sept. 5 if you are eligible and interested in these openings:
Audit and Finance Committee
Clover Hill District (July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025)
Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee
Dale District (partial term ending June 30, 2025)
School Health Advisory Board (Wellness experts may be appointed from any magisterial district but should be subject matter experts with experience in the field.)
Bermuda District (partial term ending June 30, 2024)
Expert on employee wellness (July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2026)
Helpful Information for Families
Here’s information to help start the school year strong:
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. 22. 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.
A free menu app makes it easy to find out what is being served in Chesterfield County Public Schools. MealViewer users create a free account, choose the school they are interested in, then view detailed nutritional information (including possible allergens) about the entrees and side dishes available each day.
Tired of searching every morning for cash to pay for meals or a la carte items in school cafeterias? Setting up an account on MySchoolBucks.com can help you ensure your children have money for school meals.
Families may apply each year for free or reduced-price school meals. The online application is available in English and Spanish. A paper application is available upon request from the school office or Food and Nutrition Services. At 40 Chesterfield County schools covered by the community eligibility provision, all students receive free school meals (Families at those schools do not need to submit an application.):
Elementary schools: Bellwood, Bensley, Beulah, Bon Air, Chester Early Childhood Learning Academy, Chalkley, Marguerite Christian, Crenshaw, Crestwood, Curtis, Davis, Ecoff, Enon, Ettrick, Falling Creek, Gates, Harrowgate, Hening, Hopkins, Jacobs Road, Matoaca, Providence, Reams Road, Salem Church, Elizabeth Scott and Wells
Middle schools: Carver, Elizabeth Davis, Falling Creek, Manchester, Matoaca, Providence and Salem Church
High schools: Bird, Carver College and Career Academy, CTC@Courthouse, Thomas Dale, Matoaca, Manchester and Meadowbrook.
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.
College Awareness Program for English Learners
Chesterfield County Public Schools invites English learners to a two-part college awareness program. This flyer offers details in Spanish and in English about the 6 p.m. sessions on Sept. 5 and Sept. 11 at the Career and Technical Center @ Hull, 13900 Hull Street Road. Register by calling 804-706-6073 or 804-706-6075.
How Visitors Check in at Schools
As we move into the 2023-24 school year, we want to remind families about the visitor check-in process that is in place at all Chesterfield County schools. We welcome visitors, but it is important that we all follow the measures in place for the safety of our students and staff. We cannot make exceptions to this process:
When visiting the school, please press the doorbell at our main entrance. Someone from our office will respond and ask why you are visiting. Once you enter the school, go to the office to check in. Our office has a computer set up where visitors can check in by scanning government-issued identification cards that have barcodes printed on them. After you scan your ID, simply follow the directions on the screen. If you are not able to scan your ID, someone in our office will help you. Visitors must present a valid form of identification to be granted access beyond the school office or to pick up a student.