Arts Fest spotlights student creativity and ability
March is celebrated nationally as Youth Art Month, Music in Our Schools Month and Theater in Our Schools Month. Throughout March, Chesterfield County Public Schools Arts Fest offers opportunities to see and hear the talents of students in visual and performing arts programs. The displays and events are free and open to the community.
Visual arts
Paintings, drawings, sculptures and other visual art by elementary and prekindergarten students will be on display March 1 through April 8 in every branch of the Chesterfield County Public Library and the Perkinson Center for the Arts and Education.
Library hours are 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The Perkinson Center is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays.
This link provides details of which schools are exhibiting at each site.
Performing arts and visual arts
The Secondary Fine Arts Showcase will take place 9 a.m.-4 p.m. March 23 and noon-4 p.m. March 24 at Cosby High. In addition to displays of visual art by middle and high school students, the Secondary Fine Arts Showcase will feature performances in dance, theater and music (technology assisted music, fiddle fest, all-county jazz band and all-county middle school band).
Visual and performing art exhibitions by students in the Chesterfield Virtual School and CCPSOnline will be on display 24/7 in online galleries at oneccps.org
Serving up a CCPS app!
Chesterfield County Public Schools has a new mobile app to help you easily know what’s happening. The app connects with school websites, so there will always be something new to view. Get started by downloading the free Chesterfield Schools app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play store, then dive in to discover all of the information at your fingertips. Choose which schools to follow — be sure to follow the school district too — then you can find out what’s for lunch, see a calendar of events, find out when teams are playing and more.
Elizabeth Scott Elementary teacher selected as nation’s Bilingual Teacher of the Year
The top bilingual teacher in the United States teaches at Elizabeth Scott Elementary. Vivian Rivera-Maysonet was selected as the 2024 Bilingual Teacher of the Year by the National Association for Bilingual Education. She is the fourth grade Spanish dual language immersion teacher at Elizabeth Scott Elementary, the only Chesterfield County elementary school to offer Spanish dual language immersion.
This is not her first big award: In 2022, Rivera-Maysonet was selected as the top Teacher of the Year for Chesterfield County Public Schools.
A teacher for more than 20 years, she joined the Elizabeth Scott Elementary faculty in 2020. She previously taught English in Puerto Rico before moving to the United States in 2017 after the devastation of Hurricane Maria. In this video clip, Rivera-Maysonet shares how bilingual instruction changes lives.
Building new schools
Chesterfield County Public Schools has three schools under construction. Click here to see updates for Falling Creek Middle replacement, west area middle school (permanent name coming soon) and Davis Elementary replacement.
Speech and debate successes
Chesterfield County Public Schools made a splash Feb. 9-10 when James River High hosted a Virginia district qualifier for the National Speech and Debate Association. There were 22 schools and 186 students from across the state competing to qualify for the national tournament. Chesterfield schools won these sweepstakes trophies:
James River High finished second overall for the whole tournament.
In speech, Cosby High took second overall and James River took third overall.
In debate, Clover Hill won fourth overall.
Watch "Anxious Nation" and "Deej": March 12 and March 26 are final dates in film series
Two films remain in the documentary series organized by Chesterfield County Public Schools for families and educators. See the programs for families webpage for details. Tickets are free, but reservations are required via Eventbrite.
Reserve your free tickets for “Anxious Nation,” which will be shown at 6:30 p.m. March 12 in the CTC@Hull auditorium. In 2022, the U.S. Surgeon General warned of a mental health crisis among adolescents, especially anxiety disorders. “Anxious Nation” explores how anxiety shows up in children and provides insights into managing mental health. The mission of the producers of the film is to create a unified community for people struggling with anxiety that encourages open dialogue and the sharing of coping strategies. By shining a light on this often-hidden issue, the film seeks to create a more compassionate and understanding society that supports those grappling with anxiety.
Reserve your free tickets for “Deej,” which will be shown at 6:30 p.m. March 26 in the CTC@Hull auditorium. The film tells the story of D.J. Savarese. Abandoned by his birth parents, he finds a loving family that helps him learn to communicate. As he makes his way through high school and dreams of college, he advocates on behalf of non-speaking autistic people, embraces filmmaking and poetry and discovers what having a voice can truly mean.
Region 1 Superintendent of the Year
Superintendent Merv Daugherty is the Superintendent of the Year for Region 1, which covers 15 localities in central Virginia. The Virginia Superintendent of the Year will be chosen from the state’s eight regional honorees, and the winner will be announced during the Virginia Association of School Superintendents conference in April. For an overview of the superintendent’s career and accomplishments, check out this interview with Dr. Daugherty taped during the National Conference on Education.
Black History Month at Matoaca Elementary
During Black History Month, Matoaca Elementary fifth graders researched famous African Americans, then built “bottle buddies” representing the people they researched. This video shows how this innovative project connected student learning in the library, STEAM lab and art room.
Get to know Chesterfield Virtual School
Walls, a roof and a floor are the only things other schools have that the Chesterfield Virtual School does not.
The first virtual school in Virginia, Chesterfield Virtual School is open for Chesterfield County students in grades K-8. School days begin at 7:45 a.m. with morning meetings. Before students are dismissed for the day at 2:15 p.m., teachers cover all core academic subjects. After-school clubs offer additional connections for students. The Chesterfield Virtual School also offers gifted instruction, honors classes, special education and ESL.
Enrollment for new students is open through April 28, so act now if your child is interested in becoming a Viper. The school website offers details, including a link to the registration form.
The Chesterfield Virtual School works for students who are self-sufficient and self-driven, offering them the opportunity to learn with teachers from across the country and with students from all over Chesterfield County.
Register now for CCPSOnline (summer and 2024-25)
Get ahead. Catch up. Create a schedule that works for you. That’s what CCPSOnline offers students in grades 9-12. With learning available 24/7 in a no-bells, no-limits virtual environment, CCPSOnline offers flexibility. This video covers CCPSOnline basics, and students can talk to their school counselors about how CCPSOnline may fit into their schedule. Students must register by April 28 to be part of CCPSOnline this summer or during the 2024-25:
CCPS is accepting prekindergarten applications
Prekindergarten 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. A free, full-day program, prekindergarten helps 4-year-olds with the greatest need prepare for kindergarten. A limited number of prekindergarten spots are available at these sites:
Chester Early Childhood Learning Academy serving Bellwood, Bensley, Beulah, Marguerite Christian, Curtis, Ecoff, Enon, Gates, Harrowgate, Salem Church, Elizabeth Scott and Wells elementary schools
Bon Air, Davis, Chalkley, Crenshaw, Crestwood, Ettrick, Evergreen, Falling Creek, Greenfield, Hening, Hopkins, Jacobs Road, Matoaca, Providence and Reams Road elementary schools
March 13 Coffee & Conversation to focus on gifted learners
A virtual Coffee & Conversation discussion will focus on gifted learners. The Family and Community Engagement Office of Chesterfield County Public Schools will host the free webinar 1-2 p.m. March 13, and the school system’s gifted support specialist will be the featured speaker. Click here to register and to see upcoming Coffee & Conversation topics.
Presentation details dangers of vaping
Parents Against Vaping is offering a virtual presentation titled “Dangers of Vaping: What Parents Need to Know in 2024.” Register here for the free presentation scheduled for 6 p.m. March 12. The presentation will repeat on May 12, Sept. 10 and Nov. 19, and more information is available here.
Reading together as a family is webinar topic
March is National Reading Month, which makes it a great time for families to read together. The Virginia PTA and Virginia Department of Education invite families to a free webinar to learn about best practices in reading instruction and how families can support students through all stages of learning to read. Register here for the 7 p.m. March 13 webinar. Also, PTA resources for family reading are available here.
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.
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
School Board approves budget; please continue to advocate for state funding
The School Board approved the FY 2025 budget at its Feb. 22 meeting. Budget details are available online, as is a video of the School Board meeting. The school system’s $913.7 million operating 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.
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:
will help families build a solid foundation to understand the special education process while empowering them to be their child's best advocate.
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.