Early dismissal on April 8
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.
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.
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.
April 10 holiday
Chesterfield County schools and school offices will be closed on Wednesday, April 10.
Registration opens April 11 for in-person summer school
Fill in learning gaps. Strengthen skills. Get ahead. Whatever your motivation, summer school can help make summer count! Summer programs are available for students with and without an individualized education program who meet the criteria detailed on the summer learning page. Scroll to the bottom of that webpage for answers to frequently asked questions and contact information for each area of summer school.
Registration opens April 11 for in-person summer school and closes May 28.
CCPSOnline summer registration has been open for weeks and closes April 26 for students interested in taking high school credits online.
Thinking ahead to 2024-25 for kindergarten, prekindergarten, CCPSOnline and Chesterfield Virtual School
Kindergarten registration is underway for children who will be 5 years old by Sept. 30. Online preregistration for the 2024-25 school year is available here, along with information and links to help families with the enrollment process.
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.
Summer camps offer fun
Summer camps are a fun way to explore new areas. Chesterfield County Public Schools is offering four different camps. 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.
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.
Team SKILLS is a basketball camp for students who will be in grades 5-8 in 2024-25.
World Language Camp features daily rotations through French, Spanish, German and Latin for students who will be in grades 2-5 in 2024-25.
Last call for Hall of Fame tickets
The Chesterfield County Public Schools Hall of Fame is inducting six new members, and you can be there to recognize their outstanding accomplishments in support of students and schools:
Jim Alberston, teacher and coach
Betsy Stark Barton, teacher and history specialist
Joann Crowell-Redd, principal and director of human resources
Donna Dalton, chief academic officer
Patricia B. Lancaster, teacher and administrator
Sandra Silvestre, teacher
The new honorees will be inducted April 11 during a gala event, presented by the Chesterfield Education Foundation in partnership with TowneBank. The gala is open to the public; tickets can be purchased at bit.ly/24CCPSfame for $65. Proceeds from the Hall of Fame Gala will support MEGA Mentors. The six new honorees will join previous Hall of Fame inductees, who are featured in this digital gallery.
We’re hiring bus drivers April 11
Chesterfield County Public Schools is hiring school bus drivers during a job fair 4:30-6:30 p.m. April 11 at Manchester Middle, 7401 Hull Street Road. Registration is requested but not required before attending the job fair.
Work where you make a difference
No experience required
Earn $23 per hour (could be higher if you have experience)
Get paid during free training for commercial driver’s license
Full-time benefits
Bonuses possible (pending budget approval)
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.
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.
High school seniors can register here for the job fair. Registering as soon as possible is a good idea, because registered students will receive interviewing and resume resources to help prepare for the event. The student job fair will take place 4-7 p.m. April 24 at CTC@Hull, 13900 Hull Street Road.
April 15: Support student entrepreneurs
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.
For the first time, the Student Business Expo is open to all K-12 students in Chesterfield County Public Schools — not only students attending the Meadowbrook Academy for Developing Entrepreneurs. Interested student entrepreneurs can fill out this form to participate on April 15.
Vaccine information for rising seventh graders and seniors
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.
Student plant sale set for April 20
More than 250 varieties of student-grown vegetables, herbs, annuals, perennials and native plants will be available at the annual plant sale at the Chesterfield Career and Technical Center @ Courthouse, 10101 Courthouse Road. Treats from baking and culinary students will also be for sale. The event is open to the general public 8 a.m.-4 p.m. April 20.
Before heading to the sale, you can watch this video to see how students get hands-on experience in all aspects of agriculture, floriculture, plant systems and greenhouse production. Proceeds will support Chesterfield Career and Technical Center programs. Cash and checks are preferred; credit card sales carry a 5% fee. Questions? Call 804-768-6160, ext. 1037.
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
Self-esteem is topic of April 17 Coffee & Conversation
A virtual Coffee & Conversation discussion will focus on boosting children’s self-esteem. The Family and Community Engagement Office of Chesterfield County Public Schools will host the free webinar 1-2 p.m. April 17, 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.
Spring Into Wellness on April 29
Families are invited to a mental health resource fair organized by Chesterfield County Public Schools. Spring Into Wellness will take place 4:30-7:30 p.m. April 29 at CTC@Hull (13900 Hull Street Road). Registration is required for this free event. In addition to more than 30 wellness vendors, speakers will cover these topics:
Motivation and goal setting for tweens and teens
Understanding your child’s nature for happier parenting
College prep and student wellness
Annual survey about parent involvement in 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 parent involvement survey. The annual survey is open through Dec. 13. Please complete one survey for each of your children who received special education services in the 2023-24 school year. You can access the 13-question survey at these links:
Parents have online access to frequently asked questions (scroll to “indicator 8” for information about the parent involvement survey). Parents also have online access to printable versions of the survey in English and the survey in Spanish. If you have questions, then email Chiquita Seaborne or call 804-418-4672.
Promoting resilience and preventing suicide
The Chesterfield Suicide Awareness and Prevention Coalition is hosting an event
for clinicians and Chesterfield County community responders in order to highlight how community response to suicide builds community resilience. Laura J. Clark, owner of LJC Consulting, will be the keynote speaker. “A Community Approach to Promoting Resilience and Preventing Suicide” will take place 9 a.m.-noon May 17 at Brightpoint Community College in the Nicholas Center (13101 U.S. Route 1). Tickets are free but must be reserved by May 5 using this link.
Essay contest for 8- to 12-year-olds
Students ages 8-12 are invited to write a one-page essay about how an older adult has positively influenced them. Submit the essay by April 22 to AgingResources@chesterfield.gov or mail them to the address on the bottom of this flyer, which provides additional details.
Need help with grocery bills?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program can help families buy groceries. SNAP benefits are based on how many people are in your household, income, expenses, etc. It’s easy to apply, and details are provided in English, Spanish, Urdu, Arabic, Vietnamese and Amharic.
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.