Chesterfield County Public Schools -

Competing at world championships

Congratulations to the Robohawks of Bird High School! They are competing in the FIRST Robotics world championship in Houston against 600 teams from around the world. The competition runs April 17-20 and is being livestreamed at www.twitch.tv/firstinspires.

April 22: west area elementary school meeting

At a community meeting on April 22, school leaders and representatives from design and construction partners will share exterior color options for the new west area elementary school façade, and members of the community will be able to vote for their favorite choice. Additionally, plans for interior features will be shared along with an overview of the construction process and timeline.

WHAT: Vote for the new west area elementary school façade colors and see interior design features

WHEN: 6 p.m. on April 22

WHERE: Moseley Elementary (7100 Magnolia Green Parkway, Moseley, VA 23120)

When it opens in 2026, the new elementary school is expected to primarily draw students from Grange Hall Elementary and Moseley Elementary zones. Attendance zones have not been determined and will not be discussed during the April 22 meeting. Information from the community meeting, including online voting for the façade color, will be available on oneccps.org starting April 23.

At its Feb. 22 meeting, the Chesterfield County School Board approved the fiscal year 2025 capital improvement program, which includes construction of the west area elementary school. The project is funded through a Chesterfield County bond referendum approved by voters in November 2022. The building will accommodate up to 1,000 students and will be located near Westerleigh Parkway next to the new west area middle school.

April 30: west area high school meeting

At a community meeting on April 30, school leaders and representatives from design and construction partners will share exterior color options for the new west area high school façade, and members of the community will be able to vote for their favorite choice. Additionally, plans for interior features will be shared along with an overview of the site plan, construction process and timeline.

WHAT: Vote for the new west area high school façade colors and see interior design features

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. on April 30

WHERE: Cosby High (14300 Fox Club Parkway, Midlothian, VA 23112)

When it opens in 2027, the new high school is expected to primarily draw students from the Cosby High zone and will likely affect the Manchester High and Midlothian High zones. Attendance zones have not been determined and will not be discussed during the April 30 meeting. Information from the community meeting, including online voting for the façade color, will be available on oneccps.org starting May 1.

At its Feb. 22 meeting, the Chesterfield County School Board approved the fiscal year 2025 capital improvement program, which includes construction of the west area high school. The project is funded through a Chesterfield County bond referendum approved by voters in November 2022. The 12th high school in Chesterfield County, the school will accommodate up to 2,400 students and will be located at 17500 Duval Road.

Virginia’s top literacy teacher

Lisa Signorelli, reading specialist at Falling Creek Middle, is Virginia’s top literacy teacher. The Virginia State Literacy Association selected her as the 2024 Ofie T. Rubin Reading Teacher of the Year. Believing that every student can thrive with reading in a supportive environment, Signorelli launched a family book club at Falling Creek Middle and co-created a free bookmobile that connects with neighborhoods near Falling Creek Middle and Meadowbrook High.

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6-10

Teachers are awesome, so let’s prepare now for Teacher Appreciation Week, which is May 6-10:

• In its April meeting, the Chesterfield County School Board kicked off teacher appreciation by recognizing Teachers of the Year. 

• Watch for your school’s Teacher of the Year to be featured on Chesterfield County Public Schools social media: Facebook, Instagram and X.

• Take part in the annual Thank a Teacher campaign run by the Virginia Lottery by sending a digital thank you note from the comfort of your home. Teachers will receive the notes during Teacher Appreciation Week. Four lucky teachers will win big prizes.

• The National PTA has great ideas about showing appreciation to teachers.

Crestwood Elementary embraces series reading

What happens next? Young readers want to find out so they keep reading books in series like “The Baby-Sitters Club,” “Mia Mayhem,” “Who Would Win?” and “Nate the Great.” Watch this video to learn more about Crestwood Elementary’s approach to independent reading.

Superintendent announces retirement

Superintendent Mervin B. Daugherty announced April 9 that he is retiring. June 30 will be his last day on the job. Dr. Daugherty has spent nearly 50 years in education. “It has been my honor to lead Chesterfield County Public Schools. Our students, teachers, families and community are second to none,” he said. “I will miss being part of this outstanding organization.” Read more here.

Interested in switching to a career in education?

If you are passionate about education, have a bachelor’s degree and want to explore pathways to becoming a licensed teacher, then sign up for a virtual or in-person session to learn more:

• virtual: 4-5 p.m. April 30

• in-person: 5-6 p.m. May 1 at Swift Creek Middle, 3700 Old Hundred Road

Register here for the session that works for you. Learn more about CCPS partner iteach and how it can help you become a teacher.

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

• See the flyer for more information

  .

Summer camps are filling fast

​​​Summer camps are a fun way to explore new areas. Chesterfield County Public Schools is offering four different camps. Cultural Arts Camp is completely full, but you can still get the details about and register for 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. 

• World Language Camp

  features daily rotations through French, Spanish, German and Latin for students who will be in grades 2-5 in 2024-25.

Regulating emotions is topic of April 24 Coffee & Conversation

A virtual Coffee & Conversation discussion will focus on emotional regulation strategies for people who have ADHD and executive function challenges. The Family and Community Engagement Office of Chesterfield County Public Schools will host the free webinar 1-2 p.m. April 24, and Amie Davies of New Agenda executive function coaching will be the featured speaker. Click here to register and to see upcoming Coffee & Conversation topics.

Keep Kids Alive Drive 25

May 1 is an awareness day for Keep Kids Alive Drive 25, a nonprofit working to make streets safer for all who walk, cycle, play, drive and ride. 

• On average, more than 100 deaths occur each day from speeding vehicles (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).

• 94% of traffic deaths are the result of specific behaviors: speeding, not buckling up, distracted driving (including cellphone use), drinking and driving, stoplight/stop sign running and more (Federal Highway Administration). 

• 500 children younger than 14 are killed each year while walking in what should be their safe haven — their neighborhood (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).

Make a difference by observing speed limits, using seatbelts and sharing the message of Keep Kids Alive Drive 25.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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