Friday family update

New this weekUpcoming dates

  • May 27: Schools and school offices will be closed.

  • May 28: This is the last day to register for in-person summer school.

  • May 29: This is the final day of this school year for students at Bellwood Elementary and Falling Creek Elementary.

  • May 31: This is the last day of school for students in all schools except Bellwood Elementary and Falling Creek Elementary.

  • June 24: In-person summer school starts.

May 28 is deadline for summer school registration

Registration for in-person summer school closes May 28. 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.

July 9: El Librotazo is the place to be

El librotazoChesterfield County Public Schools invites all students and families to El Librotazo, the big book party. El Librotazo is brand new, so you may wonder, “What is it?”

El Librotazo will take place 5-8:30 p.m. July 9 at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds (10300 Courthouse Road). Every child can choose up to five books to keep. That’s right: Every child from birth through high school will get books for their home libraries. That’s why this is a big book party!

El Librotazo is free. Thanks to support by the Chesterfield Education Foundation and Dominion Energy, there is no cost to attend, take home books or enjoy fun and food at El Librotazo. Families are asked to register by July 1 for free tickets at bit.ly/CCPSlibro.

Books for all ages will be available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Vietnamese, Pashto and Dari. But books are just one part of El Librotazo:

  • An obstacle course and big inflatables will be available, along with crafts led by the Children’s Museum of Richmond and games led by Chesterfield Parks and Recreation.

  • Music and cultural performances will add to the fun.

  • Hot dogs, popsicles and popcorn will be served.

  • A fire truck and police vehicle will be there for children to see.

  • About 20 community groups will provide helpful information for families.

Chromebooks can power summer learning

There’s no need for learning to stop during summer break. Students will keep their Chromebooks over the summer so they can access district-purchased curriculum.

Students in grades K-5 can access their My Backpack apps: DreamBox (math), Lexia Core5 (literacy) and myON (literacy). Students in grades 6-11 will be able to access general math classes in ALEKS. 

Here are tips for families:

  • Screen time: If students have a hard time regulating their screen time, families can set up a schedule that works for them to determine when students can use their Chromebook. 

  • Content filter: The school system’s CIPA-compliant content filter and Google Safe Search are enabled even when students are at home. If families have questions about what their students have accessed on the Chromebook, they can look at the student’s Chrome history. Click on the three dots in the top right corner ( ⠇), then click on ⭮ History.

  • Starting Aug. 7, students will begin to see content for the 2024-25 school year on their Chromebooks.

Be sure to complete special education survey about parent involvement

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.

in case you missed itPlease share your thoughts during superintendent search

Your opinion matters in the search for the next superintendent of Chesterfield County Public Schools. To gather community input, the Chesterfield County School Board has scheduled in-person community meetings and launched an online survey. Information gathered through this inclusive, research-based approach will help the School Board develop a leadership profile and selection criteria for the next superintendent. More information about the superintendent selection process is available on the school system website, oneccps.org.

Survey

All Chesterfield County residents and school employees are invited to provide their thoughts via an online survey at this link. Parents are encouraged to complete the survey, which will be open through June 3. If your children (especially high school students) would like to fill out the survey, then please send them the link and encourage them to answer the survey questions.

Community meetings

Six in-person community meetings and one virtual community meeting will allow Chesterfield County residents and school employees to share information about what they value in public education and what attributes they want in a superintendent. Scheduled throughout the county, the community meetings are open to all:

  • 6:30 p.m. May 21 at Thomas Dale High (3626 W. Hundred Road)

  • 6:30 p.m. May 22 at Meadowbrook High (4901 Cogbill Road)

  • 6:30 p.m. May 28 at Manchester High (12601 Bailey Bridge Road)

  • For Spanish speakers: 6:30 p.m. May 28 at Manchester Middle (7401 Hull Street Road)

  • 6:30 p.m. May 29 at Clover Hill High (13301 Kelly Green Lane)

  • 6:30 p.m. May 29 at Midlothian Middle (13501 Midlothian Turnpike)

  • Virtual community forum: 6:30 p.m. May 30; click this link to join the meeting and use 422400 as the pass code 

What do you think of the proposed 2025-26 calendar?

At the May 14 School Board meeting, a draft student calendar was proposed for the 2025-26 school year. The calendar includes:

  • 178 instructional days

  • Two-week winter break and one-week spring break aligned with largest Region 1 school divisions

  • Aug. 18-19 start of school

  • March 30-April 3 spring break

  • May 29 end of school

The draft calendar for students was created after surveying regional calendars and neighboring districts and getting input from school employees, students and community members. Before the School Board votes to approve the calendar, we’re seeking additional feedback:

Student calendars for the coming 2024-25 school year are available in English and Spanish on the school system’s website.

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

Register your incoming kindergartner now

Kindergarten registration continues 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. 

We’re hiring instructional assistants

Chesterfield County Public Schools is hiring instructional assistants during a job fair 4-6 p.m. June 3 at Providence Middle, 900 Starlight Lane. Registration is strongly preferred but not required.

  • Instructional assistants support teachers and students.

  • The job includes classroom duties (recording grades, correcting work), helping students with academics, supervising students at times and more.

  • Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Every job available within Chesterfield County Public Schools is posted on the school system's website, including positions for teachers, cafeteria staff, substitute teachers, administrators, instructional assistants, facilities employees, bus drivers and more. Find a job that makes a difference: Work in Chesterfield County Public Schools!

Special education trainings offered for families

Virginia Alternate Assessment Program participation decision-making tool

The Virginia Department of Education Office of Instructional Services and the Office of Special Education Family Support and Special Facilities are offering a live, virtual training event providing an overview of the new Virginia Alternate Assessment Program participation decision-making tool. The training will be 6:30-7:30 p.m. June 5. Registration will be limited to 100 participants, so register here as soon as possible. If you have questions, then call 804-750-8645 or email Deborah.Johnson@doe.virginia.gov.

Opening Doors — Unlocking Potential

The Technical Assistance Center for Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing at the Partnership for People with Disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University, in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Education, will bring together professionals and families from across Virginia to engage in dialogue, discussion and learning methods to strengthen academic outcomes for children who are deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind. Register for Opening Doors — Unlocking Potential, a June 20-21 training event in Glen Allen. There is a fee to attend; families may apply for scholarships. If you have questions, then email yurechkot@vcu.edu.

How to watch #CCPS24 graduations

About 4,700 Chesterfield County Public Schools students will receive high school diplomas during graduation ceremonies May 20-28. Graduates and families are encouraged to use #CCPS24 and #oneCCPS when sharing on social media.

In-person attendance is by invitation only, but every graduation will be livestreamed via YouTube (depending on internet strength at the graduation venue). Here are direct links to each school’s graduation:

After 2024 graduation season ends, all of the videos will be available via this YouTube playlist: bit.ly/CCPS24.

June 3-4: end-of-year medication pickup

Parents and guardians must pick up their children’s medications from the school clinic, but the medications must be available for student use through the last day of school on May 31. All remaining student medications, including over-the-counter medications, may be picked up from the school clinic during normal school hours June 3-4.

After 4 p.m. June 4, all leftover medications will be packed and turned over to the Chesterfield County Police Department for disposal. Once medications are packed for police collection, they cannot be retrieved so it is important for parents to pick up medications on time. Late pickups are not permitted, and medications cannot be stored at the school during the summer.

All medications must be picked up even if your student will attend summer school. At the beginning of summer school, parents will need to provide children’s medication to the summer school coordinator at your child’s summer site. Please contact your child’s school nurse to request a copy of the medication order for all medications being administered during summer school.

Check out the updated CCPS special education info

The special education page of the school system’s website has been updated. Online information outlines the special education process from referral to development of an individualized education program. In addition to the webpage, families can regularly find state and local information in this newsletter.

Private school placement survey seeks info from parents and students

The Virginia Department of Education has a survey for students who attend a licensed private day school and another survey for their parents:

Dec. 13 is the deadline. Families with more than one child receiving special education services in a licensed private day school should complete a survey for each child. Printable versions are available: parent survey and student survey. If you have questions, then email Hank Millward or call 804-887-5000.

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.