HERE’S WHAT IT MEANS TO SHOW UP
They say 80% of success is showing up, so we’re encouraging students, staff members and families to show up. This video features Team Chesterfield discussing what that means. 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. Show up with kindness. Show up for each other.
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.
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.
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.
CLOSED SEPT. 25
Chesterfield County schools and school offices will be closed Sept. 25.
RESOURCES FOR FAMILY MEMBERS RAISING CHILDREN
Grandparents and other relatives raising a child are invited to a free resource fair 10 a.m.-noon Sept. 13 at the Central Library (7051 Lucy Corr Blvd.). Get support from Chesterfield County Public Schools and these county departments:
Social Services (financial assistance and child care)
Mental Health Services
Parks and Recreation
Juvenile Justice
Aging and Disability Services
Questions? Contact Alexa van Aartrijk at VanAartrijkA@chesterfield.gov or 804-717-6592.
DATES THAT MAY BE USEFUL
A helpful list of recognitions for the coming school year is available here. Monthlong recognitions in September include attendance awareness, suicide prevention awareness and Hispanic heritage (Sept. 15-Oct. 15). Additional recognitions include
Sept. 8 is International Literacy Day.
Sept. 10-16 is National Arts in Education Week.
Sept. 11 is Patriot Day (anniversary of 9/11).
Sept. 17-23 is Constitution Week.
BEHAVING ON SCHOOL BUSES
Behaving the right way is part of how we show up for each other. Watch the video to see Chesterfield County students offer real-life advice on how to act safely on school buses. Additional information is available on the school system’s website.
WELCOMING VOLUNTEERS INTO SCHOOLS
Just as we encourage students and teachers to start the new year strong, we ask that families start strong as well by volunteering in schools. Volunteers play an important role in schools to support student well-being, promote literacy, support classroom innovation and help grow life-ready graduates. We are always better together! Details are on the school system website.
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.
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: bit.ly/CCPSgc.
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 (youtube.com/user/ccpsva). Nominate teachers and staff members by filling out the super-simple form at bit.ly/CCPSsomeone.
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