Registration is open 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.
Which name will you vote for?
Otterdale Middle School
Otterdale Branch Middle School
Otterdale Grove Middle School
Which of those options should the School Board select as the name of the new middle school under construction on Westerleigh Parkway? You can make your preference known by voting here. Get more information about the naming process in this School Board memo.
May the force be with you on May the 4th!
The Chesterfield Police Activities League invites families to explore new galaxies with books during the third annual “Star Wars” Reading Day. In addition to reading, the event will include a costume contest, silent auction of collectibles, giveaways and more. All ages are welcome 10 a.m.-2 p.m. May 4 at the North Courthouse Road Library (325 Courthouse Road).
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, 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.
Team SKILLS is a basketball camp for students who will be in grades 5-8 in 2024-25.
features daily rotations through French, Spanish, German and Latin for students who will be in grades 2-5 in 2024-25.
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.
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.