Upcoming dates
Here are upcoming dates on student calendars; you can view complete calendars online:
For Bellwood and Falling Creek elementary schools:
March 15 is a three-hour early dismissal day for students.
March 18-28 is intersession.
March 29 is a holiday for students and staff members.
Spring break is April 1-5.
April 10 is a holiday for students and staff members.
For all other schools:
March 22 is a three-hour early dismissal day for students.
March 29 is a holiday for students and staff members.
Spring break is April 1-5.
April 10 is a holiday for students and staff members.
Calling all 2024-25 kindergartners!
Children who will be 5 years old by Sept. 30 can start kindergarten in the 2024-25 school year. Online preregistration is now open, so families can start the enrollment process and get details about required documents. There is also an in-person component to registering for kindergarten, and elementary schools are planning a variety of ways to welcome new families April 15-19 during kindergarten kickoff week.
Registration opens for summer camps
Summer camps offer a chance to explore new areas, and registration is open now! Chesterfield County Public Schools is offering four different camps in 2024, and they are expected to fill up fast. Get the details about Camp EPIC, Cultural Arts Camp, Team SKILLS and World Language Camp.
Camp EPIC (Exploring Pathways in Careers) offers exciting, hands-on career experiences for students who will be in grades 5-8 in 2024-25. Camp EPIC costs $150 and runs 8 a.m.-4 p.m. June 10-13 (Monday through Thursday) at two sites:
CTC@Courthouse: CyberWatch, Dental Discoveries, Energy Explorers, Farm to Table, Just Desserts, Motor Sport Legends, Next Level Chef, Pet Pals or Robot Wranglers
CTC@Hull: Animation Nation, Beauty Stars, Just Desserts, Next Level Chef, Pet Pals, Rescue 911!, Robot Wranglers, Top Model or True Detective
Cultural Arts Camp offers visual arts, music, STEAM, physical activity and world language for students who will be in grades 1-6 in 2024-25. Cultural Arts Camp runs 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and the cost is $165 for each two-week session.
June 24-July 3 at Old Hundred Elementary (Camp is closed July 4.)
July 8-18 at Beulah Elementary
Team SKILLS is a basketball camp for students who will be in grades 5-8 in 2024-25. Campers will improve basketball skills, develop teamwork and learn important life lessons. Team SKILLS runs 8 a.m.-noon Monday through Thursday in the Midlothian Middle gym, and the cost is $75 for each one-week session.
June 24-28
July 1-3 (Camp is closed July 4.)
July 8-11
July 15-18
World Language Camp features daily rotations through four languages and cultures: French, Spanish, German and Latin. Students who will be in grades 2-5 in 2024-25 will enjoy memorable and meaningful activities. Camp runs 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and the cost is $115 for each one-week session.
June 24-27 at Old Hundred Elementary
July 8-11 at Beulah Elementary
Scholarship opportunities
The Chesterfield Education Foundation supports multiple scholarships for graduating seniors. Applications may be submitted through March 26. Learn more about scholarships here.
Have you seen the news?
The winter edition of CCPS on the Go is on its way to every Chesterfield County home. This award-winning publication is full of information about Chesterfield County Public Schools. Designed to improve the reach of our communication, the publication is initially funded through federal relief funds. Digital versions in English and Spanish are available on the school system’s website.
Bellwood’s Gallery of Greatness
As part of Black History Month, students at Bellwood Elementary presented a living wax museum — Gallery of Greatness — featuring African Americans whose contributions have shaped history. Via this video, you’re invited to tour the gallery too.
Keep showing up!
Throughout this school year, we’re encouraging students, staff members and families to show up:
Show up ready to learn, like this Manchester High student.
Show up with kindness.
Show up for each other.
If we all show up as our best selves, then is there any doubt that great things will happen? This video illustrates what it means to show up.
Board of Supervisors schedules community meetings about budget
Approved Feb. 22 by the Chesterfield County School Board, the FY 2025 budget for Chesterfield County Public Schools now moves on to the county government. County Administrator Joe Casey presented his proposed budget (including school funding) on March 13 to the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors.
Members of the Board of Supervisors will host community meetings focused on the budget:
Midlothian District: 6:30-8 p.m. March 14 at Midlothian Library (100 Millworks Crossing)
Dale District: 6:30-8 p.m. March 18 at Beulah Recreation Center (6901 Hopkins Road)
Matoaca District: 6:30-8 p.m. March 19 at CTC@Hull (13900 Hull Street Road)
Clover Hill District: 6:30-8 p.m. March 20 at North Courthouse Road Library (325 Courthouse Road)
Bermuda District: 6:30-8 p.m. March 21 at Thomas Dale High School auditorium (3626 W. Hundred Road)
Spanish-speaking town hall: 6:30-8 p.m. March 25 at Beulah Recreation Center (6901 Hopkins Road)
Facebook Live: 6:30-8 p.m. March 25
Matoaca District: 6:30-8 p.m. March 26 at Matoaca Elementary School (20300 Halloway Ave.)
Chesterfield Virtual School offers a lot
First grade teacher Amy Estes believes the Chesterfield Virtual School has a lot to offer K-8 students and families. Here’s what she says about her students. Chesterfield Virtual School is enrolling new students 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. Students can attend class from anywhere, so Chesterfield Virtual School works well for many families (including those who travel frequently, families with a parent who works from home, etc.). Questions? Call 804-818-5630.
Today’s the Mirror Me deadline for students who want to become teachers
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.
Support Chesterfield Education Foundation
The Chesterfield Education Foundation will receive 100% of sales at Chopt in Midlothian between 3-9 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19. Learn more about Chopt Gives Day.
April 28 is deadline to register for CCPSOnline for this summer and next school year
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:
Details and registration for summer classes are available here.
Details and registration for classes for the 2024-25 school year are available here.
March 20 Coffee & Conversation to focus on IEP team
A virtual Coffee & Conversation discussion will focus on building bridges among IEP team members. The Family and Community Engagement Office of Chesterfield County Public Schools will host the free webinar 1-2 p.m. March 20, and a representative of the Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center will be the featured speaker. Click here to register and to see upcoming Coffee & Conversation topics.
“Deej” is final film in documentary series
“Deej” is the final film in the documentary series organized by Chesterfield County Public Schools for families and educators. 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.
You’re invited to celebrate with Communities In Schools
Communities In Schools of Chesterfield is turning 30 and is celebrating this milestone of serving our most in-need students by throwing a big party on April 13. A Game Night Gala: Feel Like a Kid Again will be a dressy evening full of games, food and drink, entertainment, raffle prizes and more. Tickets may be purchased here. Proceeds will support the work of CIS to wrap resources around students so they can achieve academic success and reach graduation. CCPS employees can get discounted tickets by using CCPS30 promo code.
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
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, school announcements and more.
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
Registration open 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
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.
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.