Summer break
This is the last day of school for students in all schools except Bellwood Elementary and Falling Creek Elementary. (May 29 was the final day of this school year for students at Bellwood Elementary and Falling Creek Elementary.) Have a great summer, everyone! And be sure to check your inboxes for this newsletter each Friday for info to help prepare for a great 2024-25 school year.
International achievement
Congrats to Meadowbrook’s Team YAPPERS for achieving the best crop growth of any high school team in the world! They earned this international recognition in the Plant the Moon Challenge by growing cucumbers in a 50-50 mix of potting soil and simulated moon regolith (lunar rocks and dust). This video shows how Meadowbrook High students taught by Belinda Henriques excelled in the Plant the Moon Challenge.
Offered each fall and spring, Plant the Moon Challenge is a global science experiment and research challenge to examine how vegetables can grow in lunar or Martian soil. NASA will use information from the Plant the Moon Challenge when it returns to further explore the moon. Learn more here.
It’s not too late to watch #CCPS24 graduations
About 4,700 Chesterfield County Public Schools students graduated during high school ceremonies May 20-28. A video of every graduation is available via this YouTube playlist: bit.ly/CCPS24. Lots of photos from every graduation will be shared online soon.
Free meals at Wednesday farmers market
Again this summer, families will find more than fresh produce at the Chesterfield Farmers Market. In partnership with local growers, CCPS Food and Nutrition Services will be at the market 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. each Wednesday from June 5 through Aug. 14 serving up free lunches for children 18 and younger. This video shows how Wednesday meals work. The Chesterfield Farmers Market sets up at 6701 Mimms Loop in the Chesterfield County government complex.
Dr. D's Retirement Book Bash: Help connect Chesterfield County children with books
Help Dr. Merv Daugherty turn the page to his next chapter and provide books to children! In partnership with the Chesterfield Education Foundation, funds raised at Dr. D’s Retirement Book Bash will connect Chesterfield County children with free books. Join with special guest author Meg Medina in your most fun summer cocktail attire for an evening of fun and fundraising. The event is Thursday, June 13, 6-8:30 p.m. at The Hidden Oaks (2149 Reymet Road, North Chesterfield). Purchase tickets and learn more about sponsorship and donation opportunities at bit.ly/DrDBookBash.
Help students succeed and stay safe
Retrieve your student’s medication June 3-4
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.
Superintendent search survey closes June 3
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 were held May 22-30.
Summer school waitlist opens
May 28 was the deadline to register for most summer opportunities. Students registered after May 28 will be added to a waitlist and will only be able to participate if space becomes available. Transportation will not be provided to students registered after May 28. Transportation is not provided to camps. The summer school page is located here.
Resources for mental health and counseling services
This video offers helpful information for families about mental health and counseling resources. The providers in this video participated in a Spring Into Wellness event earlier, then helped create this virtual fair. Watch for information (in this order) from:
Richmond Center for Eating and Anxiety Disorders
Comfort Zone Camp
Soaring for Change
Circle of Wellness
A Peace of Mind Counseling Services
Chesterfield County Mental Health Department
Healing Sounds
Family Services
Brothers’ Keeper
Positive Paths Wellness Coaching
T.R.I.N.I.T.Y.
Rush Community Group
Healing Circle Counseling
Sources of Strength
The Light Beyond Supportive Services
HCA Tucker Pavilion Behavioral Health Services
Be SMART
Commonwealth Autism
My Spectrum Counseling and Coaching
Every Age Every Stage
Fig Tree Therapy
Chesterfield County Mental Health Support Services
Hidden Roots Mental Health
Chesterfield summer bingo
In partnership with a local influencer, Chesterfield County government has collaborated on a Chesterfield summer bingo board to encourage residents and visitors to get out and about to experience all that Chesterfield has to offer. This works like a traditional bingo board; once you complete five activities and share them on social media, you’ll win a prize. Complete the entire bingo board and you’ll win a grand prize! This flyer includes a QR code linked to the bingo board and a list of rules. Questions? Email harte@chesterfield.gov.
Safety event will take place June 8
Families are invited to a summer safety event 10 a.m.-1 p.m. June 8 at Swift Creek ER, 14720 Hancock Village St. All ages will enjoy the event, which includes bike helmet fitting, swim safety, car seat installation, games, food trucks and more. Details are here.
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.
July 9: El Librotazo is the place to be
Chesterfield 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.
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:
Review the draft 2025-26 student calendar.
Submit comments by June 3 to calendarcomments@ccpsnet.net.
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.
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.