March 5 is an asynchronous learning day
March 5 is an asynchronous learning day, which means students learn from home. Student calendars are available online.
Middle schoolers build model homes
Robious Middle eighth graders studying engineering systems with Mildred Britt learned about architectural engineering, construction engineering and real estate, then created model homes. See how students showcased their learning during a real estate open house.
Students who want to become teachers have until March 15 to apply for Mirror Me
Family connections run deep in Chesterfield County Public Schools, and Mirror Me is part of that because it supports students who want to return to Chesterfield classrooms as teachers. Chesterfield values a diverse teacher workforce, and Mirror Me seeks to identify and hire more teachers who mirror our student population.
Through Mirror Me, CCPS high school juniors and seniors can enroll in dual-enrollment courses at no cost, will be connected with a mentor teacher and during college will receive financial support. In addition to CCPS juniors and seniors, Mirror Me is open to Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia State University students interested in becoming teachers. When Mirror Me participants graduate from VCU or VSU with a teaching degree, they receive priority hiring with Chesterfield County Public Schools.
To take advantage of Mirror Me opportunities, students must apply by March 15. Details about Mirror Me are online, including the application form in English, in Spanish and in four other languages. Email any questions to Dr. Carmen Waterford, coordinator of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Registration opens for free prep sessions for students
Chesterfield County Public Schools is offering free sessions to help high school students:
SOL Academies are open to any student who passed a class but did not pass the corresponding SOL end-of-course test.
The W!se Academy is open to any student who passed the economics and personal finance class but did not pass the W!se financial literacy test and who needs a career and technical education credential to graduate.
April 10 is the deadline to register for April 15-25 sessions. The academy webpage has more information, including registration links for every session:
This could be your path to nursing
Chesterfield County Public Schools offers practical nursing as an adult education course. Practical nursing is a 24-month program designed to prepare students to enter the health field. Applications are being accepted through May 31 for Practical Nursing 1. Download an application packet online or pick one up at 10101 Courthouse Road (use door 3). The class will meet 6-9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays starting Aug. 5. Additional information about the program is available on this webpage.
Practical nursing students will learn in the classroom, lab and hospital/nursing home, completing at least 1,075 hours in class and 412 hours in a clinical setting. Practical Nursing 1 costs $2,000 per semester; it is a two-semester program so the total cost is $4,000. Virginia Career Works grants to help with tuition may be available. Students who successfully complete Practical Nursing 1 qualify to take Practical Nursing 2. Questions? Call 804-768-6140.
Thinking ahead to 2024-25
Prekindergarten serves 4-year-olds with the greatest need, helping them prepare for kindergarten. Applications are being accepted now for the 2024-25 school year. This webpage has details and links to the application form in English and in Spanish.
CCPSOnline classes are open to students in grades 9-12. With learning available 24/7 in a no-bells, no-limits virtual environment, the flexibility of CCPSOnline classes can help high school students create the schedule they want. CCPSOnline registration for summer 2024 and for the 2024-25 school year is open through April 28, and the website offers details including registration form.
Chesterfield Virtual School is open for Chesterfield County students in grades K-8. As Virginia’s first virtual school, the Chesterfield Virtual School provides the opportunity to learn with teachers from across the country and students from all over Chesterfield County. The Chesterfield Virtual School works for students who are self-sufficient and self-driven. Enrollment for new students is open through April 28, and the school website offers details including registration form.
We’re hiring bus drivers March 6
Help spread the word to friends and family: Chesterfield County Public Schools is hiring school bus drivers during a job fair 4:30-6:30 p.m. March 6 at Falling Creek Middle (4724 Hopkins Road). Candidates are encouraged but not required to register in advance. If you have questions, email careers@ccpsnet.net or call 804-748-1405.
Work where you will make a difference
Competitive pay starting at $23 per hour
Full-time benefits
Eligible for bonuses (pending budget approval)
Get paid during free training for commercial driver’s license
We’re hiring for summer school
Chesterfield County Public Schools is hiring for hundreds of summer school jobs. Summer school will run June 24-July 18 (Monday-Thursday). This flyer offers details about summer jobs. If you are interested, go to bit.ly/CCPSjobs to apply for:
Summer school principals
Building liaisons
PK-12 teachers (general and special education, ESL, substitutes) and extended day teachers (PE, music, art, world language, STEAM)
Librarians
Counselors
Testing coordinators
Instructional aides (general and special education)
Secretaries
Nurses (RNs and LPNs)
Clinic assistants
Security monitors
Transportation
Food services
“Split Up” film focuses on divorce
Reserve your free tickets for “Split Up,” which will be shown at 6:30 p.m. March 5 in the CTC@Hull auditorium. The 50-minute film features a dozen teens looking back at childhoods marked by divorce. “Split Up” is a practical and emotional roadmap for teens and young adults navigating divorce — and a cautionary tale for divorcing parents. The film gives us the teens' perspective on divorce: no adults, no experts, just teens speaking the powerful truth of what is on their minds and in their hearts as they reflect on their family situation. Their wisdom, candor and humor give courage to other children and encourage parents to make better choices as they move through divorce.
Chesterfield County Public Schools will show free documentary films for families and educators on these Tuesdays:
“Split Up” on March 5
“Anxious Nation” on March 12
“Deej” on March 26
See the programs for families page on the school system’s website for details about this film series. Organized by the Office of Family and Community Engagement, the FACE FWD film series will explore cultural competency, social-emotional development and adolescent support. Tickets are free, but reservations are required via Eventbrite. Each film will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Career and Technical Center @ Hull, 13900 Hull Street Road, Midlothian, VA 23112.
Youth gambling is topic of March 6 Coffee & Conversation
A virtual Coffee & Conversation discussion will focus on youth gambling and gaming. The Family and Community Engagement Office of Chesterfield County Public Schools will host the free webinar 1-2 p.m. March 6, and a representative of Chesterfield Mental Health Prevention Services will be the featured speaker. Click here to register and to see upcoming Coffee & Conversation topics.
March 6 is deadline for openings on advisory boards
Advisory committees established by the Chesterfield County School Board 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 appointed by the School Board must reside in the district they represent. Click the application button at bit.ly/BdCom to apply by March 6 if you are eligible and interested in these openings:
Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee
Bermuda District (partial term ending June 30, 2026)
School Health Advisory Board
Clover Hill District (partial term ending June 30, 2024)
Dale District (partial term ending June 30, 2025)
Online trainings focus on special education advocacy
The Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center and the Virginia Department of Education are offering online trainings in March:
March 4-25: Special Education Advisory Committee online self-paced training seeks to help members and other interested participants understand the role of local Special Education Advisory Committees in Virginia and build a more effective and efficient advisory committee.
8-11:30 a.m. March 16: Special Education Advisory Committee live virtual training seeks to help members and other interested participants understand the role of local Special Education Advisory Committees in Virginia and build a more effective and efficient advisory committee.
March 4-25: Building Strong Parent Advocates online self-paced training will help families build a solid foundation to understand the special education process while empowering them to be their child's best advocate.
Dates that may be useful
March is Women’s History Month, Youth Art Month, Music in Our Schools Month and VSBA Equity in Education Month. Click here to see additional commemorations, including:
March 1 is Arts Across Virginia Day.
March 1 is National Speech and Debate Education Day.
March 1 is Maintenance Worker Appreciation Day.
March 1 is National Employee Appreciation Day.
March 2 is Read Across America.
March 3-9 is National School Social Work Week.
March 3-9 is National Foreign Language Week.
March 4-8 is National School Breakfast Week.
March 11 is the start of Ramadan.
March 11 is Johnny Appleseed Day.
March 12 is Equal Pay Day.
March 14 is Pi Day.
March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day.
March 17-23 is National Poison Prevention Week.
March 25 is Holi.
March 31 is Easter.
Seeking feedback
Chesterfield County Public Schools seeks feedback on its use of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund. Please click here to submit comments or ideas.
School Board adopts budget; please advocate for state funding
The School Board adopted the FY 2025 budget yesterday. Budget details are available online, as is a video of the School Board meeting. The school system’s $913.7 million budget reflects commitment to continued educational excellence and addresses three sets of priorities:
Compensation and required increases: Providing a 4% salary increase to employees and allowing for increased costs for services and state-mandated increases
Maintaining service levels: Continuing the quality education and support services our community values
Additional needs: Addressing other needed items for schools based on final state revenue numbers
Through this video message, Superintendent Mervin B. Daugherty encourages families to advocate for state funding for schools by reaching out to state legislators. Find out who your legislators are by clicking here.
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.)
Stay current with CCPS
Here are ways to stay up to date with Chesterfield County students, staff members and schools:
Check out oneccps.org and school websites.
Follow #oneCCPS social media:
Facebook (facebook.com/chesterfieldschools)
Instagram (instagram.com/oneccps)
YouTube (youtube.com/ccpsva)
LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/oneccps)
Sign up for a weekly digital newsletter (bit.ly/CCPSconnect).
Watch Chesterfield EdTV on Comcast channel 96 and Verizon channel 26.
Video guide and other resources for families of students in special education
Guide to special education: Available from the Virginia Department of Education is the Virginia Family's Guide to Special Education. The department developed this new guide to help those involved in special education, whether as families, teachers, school administrators, advocates or students. Meeting the needs of children with disabilities requires an understanding of rights and responsibilities, which include the child’s rights and the school’s responsibilities to meet their needs. This guide includes a description of the special education process and what is required during each step of that process. The guide is currently available in English; translations will soon be available in Spanish, Arabic, Amharic, Urdu and Vietnamese.
New video guide: The Virginia Department of Education has released a video guide to the special education evaluation process. These video modules provide parents, families and other stakeholders a brief but comprehensive overview of the special education process on these topics: introduction to video series, identification, evaluation, eligibility, individualized education program, reevaluation, early intervention and what’s next. Each module is designed to be viewed as a stand-alone resource or viewed in succession.
Website: Lots of helpful information is available on the special education for families webpage of the Virginia Department of Education.