Chesterfield County Public Schools -

Have a great spring break! Note: Calendar change for April 8

Spring break is April 1-5.

In consultation with the School Board it was decided that on Monday, April 8, Chesterfield County schools will dismiss students three hours and 15 minutes early. All after-school activities are canceled for the afternoon of April 8. Families and employees should make arrangements for this change, which is being made out of an abundance of caution in connection to the April 8 solar eclipse and our traditional release times.

• This early dismissal means buses will return students to their bus stops three hours and 15 minutes earlier than scheduled:

  • If your school’s regular dismissal is 2:05 p.m., then April 8 dismissal will be 10:50 a.m.

  • If your school’s regular dismissal is 2:15 p.m., then April 8 dismissal will be 11:00 a.m.

  • If your school’s regular dismissal is 2:40 p.m., then April 8 dismissal will be 11:25 a.m.

  • If your school’s regular dismissal is 3:00 p.m., then April 8 dismissal will be 11:45 a.m.

  • If your school’s regular dismissal is 3:55 p.m., then April 8 dismissal will be 12:40 p.m.

• April 8 is the first day students return to classes after spring break. 

The decision to close early is connected to the solar eclipse that will cross North America on April 8. The eclipse will occur during the hours that our schools usually dismiss students for the day. The majority of Chesterfield County students travel by school bus, then walk from bus stops to their homes. During the transition from school to home on April 8, it would be tempting for students to view the eclipse without eye protection. After serious consideration for student safety and in consultation with the School Board, Chesterfield County Public Schools decided to close schools early on April 8 to allow time for students to arrive home safely. 

Schools will follow the inclement weather guidance as it pertains to release of staff and monitoring for completion of bus runs. Further guidance will be forthcoming for other offices.

Central Virginia is not in the path of totality, but the moon will obscure about 80% of the sun here. The April 8 eclipse will begin in our area at 2:02 p.m., will be darkest at 3:19 p.m. and will end at 4:31 p.m. While we will not experience a total eclipse, a partial eclipse can be just as dangerous to eyes. CCPS families and employees are urged to follow eclipse guidelines, including always using safe solar glasses or viewers. NASA’s website offers detailed information about how to safely view an eclipse.

Senior students can find jobs during April 24 event

On April 24, Chesterfield County Public Schools will host its third annual student job fair for high school seniors. More than 75 employers will be offering short- or long-term jobs, and students may interview and get hired on the spot.

Student entrepreneurship will be on display at the second annual Student Business Expo at the Meadowbrook Academy for Developing Entrepreneurs. Open to the community, the event will take place 6-7:30 p.m. April 15 in the auxiliary gym of Meadowbrook High, 4901 Cogbill Road.

More than 40 student-created and student-run businesses will set up booths. Many will have products for sale, others will conduct market research, and some will test prototypes. Products include beef jerky, fresh and preserved flowers, hair care products, jewelry, snacks, personalized clothing and more.

It is not too early to get state-required vaccines.

• Rising seventh graders: Virginia students are required to get certain vaccines before entering seventh grade. The Virginia Department of Health provides information in English and Spanish. 

• Rising seniors:

  Virginia students are required to get certain vaccines before entering 12th grade. The Virginia Department of Health provides information in

  English and

  Spanish.

Minutes With Merv: Learn about School Board responsibilities

In this video, Superintendent Merv Daugherty talks with Chesterfield County School Board Chair Dot Heffron about the work of the board. Details about the Chesterfield County School Board are posted on the school system’s website.

Chesterfield Virtual School: engaging lessons without distractions

Jennifer Corvais sees how the Chesterfield Virtual School makes a difference for the middle schoolers she teaches:

“I truly love teaching at Chesterfield Virtual School because I am able to provide engaging lessons using innovative technology that encourages collaboration and flexibility where students can achieve their educational goals while honing digital literacy skills. Teaching virtually also gives me the opportunity to really get to know my students and to be able to help them faster and without the distractions that are in an in-person classroom so that they are able to overcome hurdles in their learning without getting behind. It is also nice that students are able to be comfortable while they are learning, and don’t have to worry about the social situations that can potentially have a negative impact on their learning.”

Chesterfield Virtual School is enrolling K-8 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.). Click here for a one-page overview of the school.

Make your move toward CCPSOnline by April 28

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.

Schools prepare to greet new kindergarten families

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. This video in English and in Spanish is a quick overview of how to enroll your child in kindergarten. 

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. Schools will share details with families after they start the enrollment process online. School websites will also carry kindergarten information.

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

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

Autism is focus of April 9 events

Autism is the focus of two community gatherings April 9 at First Presbyterian Church (4602 Cary Street Road in Richmond). Both gatherings are free and will include time for questions from the audience. Register here for:

• 10:30 a.m. presentation by Dr. William Therrien, professor and director of the STAR initiative at the University of Virginia

• 6 p.m. conversation between Dr. Therrien and Dr. Belva Collins, professor emeritus of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and the University of Kentucky.

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.