Friday Family Update

New this weekStudent vaccinations offered at school sites

In July, the Chesterfield Health Department will offer vaccination clinics at school sites for rising seventh graders and 12th graders. The clinics will run 10 a.m.-1 p.m. July 1 and July 18 at Bird High School and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. July 11 at Matoaca High School. The Chesterfield Health Department will offer the required school vaccines for rising seventh and 12th grade students with no out-of-pocket costs, regardless of what insurance pays. Details about vaccines are available here.

Before Aug. 20:

  • Rising seventh graders need vaccines for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap), meningococcal (ACWY) and human papillomavirus (HPV).

  • Rising 12th graders need a second dose of the meningococcal (ACWY) vaccine.

The clinics are open to any student who is accompanied by a parent/guardian. For students attending summer school at Bird High or Matoaca High, parents/guardians can send in a signed consent form (provided in English and provided in Spanish) rather than accompanying their student. Virginia law requires children in public schools to be immunized against certain diseases unless the parent/guardian provides a religious or medical exemption or opts out of the HPV vaccine pursuant to Virginia Code §32.1-46 and Virginia Administrative Code 12VAC5-110-80. 

Partnership with police department

Chesterfield County Public Schools and the Chesterfield County Police Department have a close connection, working as partners to protect students and school staff members. A memorandum of understanding, which is updated regularly, provides a framework for the partnership. The Chesterfield County School Board invites public comment on an updated memorandum of understanding. Email comments to ccpsinfo@ccpsnet.net before Aug. 4.

Fire safety

S.A.F.E. ProgramEach year, fourth graders learn about fire safety through a partnership with Chesterfield County Fire and EMS. The initiative includes classroom activities, getting to know firefighters, practicing in the fire safety house and information about how families can create home safety plans. This video shows how the safety and fire education program, sometimes called SAFE, works in Chesterfield County Public School.

We’re hiring school security officers

Chesterfield County Public Schools is hiring school security officers for the 2024-25 school year. A job fair will be held on Wednesday, July 17 from 2-4 p.m. to interview qualified candidates. Candidates who wish to be considered for an interview at this event must apply by Monday, July 15 at 11:59 p.m. Please note the job fair is not an open-invitation or walk-in event. Qualified applicants will be invited after their application is reviewed. More details, including the location of the event, will be sent to you if you are invited to the event.

Here are the job descriptions and links to apply now:

Virginia Sun Bucks offers money for summer groceries

Virginia Sun Bucks will provide a one-time $120 per child benefit to help qualifying families buy summer groceries. Starting July 1, information will be available at VirginiaSunBucks.com. Families will be automatically enrolled in Virginia Sun Bucks if they receive SNAP or TANF; participate in an income-eligible Medical Assistance program; or applied for and received free or reduced-price school meals in 2023-24. This flyer details how to apply for Virginia Sun Bucks. 

Happening now: Summer tech support for Chromebooks

Summer tech support is easily available for Chromebooks that aren’t working right. Chesterfield County Public Schools students keep their Chromebooks over the summer so they can continue learning via My Backpack apps for grades K-5 and ALEKs for grades 6-11.

Families who need tech support are welcome to go to any of these locations Monday-Thursday from June 24 through July 18 (closed July 4):

  • Chalkley Elementary library: 8-9:30 a.m.

  • Marguerite Christian Elementary library: 8-9:30 a.m.

  • Crenshaw Elementary library: 9:30-11 a.m.

  • Crestwood Elementary library: 9:30-11 a.m.

  • Ettrick Elementary library: 8-9:30 a.m.

  • Evergreen Elementary library: 8-9:30 a.m.

  • Hening Elementary library: 8-9:30 a.m.

  • Old Hundred Elementary library: 9:30-11 a.m.

  • Elizabeth Scott Elementary library: 8-9:30 a.m.

  • Spring Run Elementary library: 8-9:30 a.m.

  • Wells Elementary library: 8-9:30 a.m.

  • Winterpock Elementary library: 8-9:30 a.m.

  • Manchester Middle library: 9:30-11 a.m.

  • Midlothian Middle Room 412: 9:30-11 a.m.

  • Providence Middle library: 9:30-11 a.m.

  • Bird High TSA office/library: 9:30-11 a.m.

  • Cosby High TSA office: 9:30-11 a.m.

  • James River High TSA office: 9:30-11 a.m.

  • Matoaca High TSA office: 9:30-11 a.m.

If you are not able to visit during those tech support times, then you can set up an appointment 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday June 10-Aug. 15 (closed July 4). To set up an appointment, email this information to chromebook@ccps.incidentiq.com: student name, student number, Chromebook asset tag number, brief description of issue, time and date you would like to schedule appointment and your preferred location (choose from sites listed above).

Students in grades 1-12 who are new to Chesterfield County Public Schools can pick up Chromebooks before school starts or can wait until the start of school to get Chromebooks. Incoming kindergartners will receive their Chromebooks when school starts. If you have questions, then email helpdesk@ccpsnet.net.

New students invited to experience a school bus

Starting school brings a lot of firsts, including a child’s first ride on a school bus. Before school starts, kindergartners and prekindergartners are invited to get acquainted with a Chesterfield County Public Schools bus during My First School Bus. Families can register for one of these upcoming opportunities, which are free:

  • July 22: 4:30-5:30 p.m. and 5:45-6:45 p.m. at Midlothian Library

  • July 23: 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Central Library

  • July 24: 4:30-5:30 p.m. and 5:45-6:45 P.M at Clover Hill Library

  • July 25: 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 10:45-11:45 a.m. at Bon Air Library

  • July 26: 9:30-10:30 a.m. at LaPrade Library

  • July 29: 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Enon Library

  • July 31: 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Chester Library

  • Aug. 2: 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 10:45-11:45 a.m. at North Courthouse Road Library

  • Aug. 5:

    5:30-6:30 p.m. at Ettrick-Matoaca Library

in case you missed itCalling all incoming kindergartners!

CCPS kindergartner If you have not yet registered your incoming kindergartner to attend school in 2024-25, then now is the time to act. 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. 

Summer hours and dates

  • During the summer, Chesterfield County Public Schools is open 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and is closed on Fridays. Summer hours start June 10 and continue through Aug. 9.

  • Chesterfield County Public Schools will be closed July 4.

School Board approves $1 billion operating budget

The School Board approved a $1 billion balanced operating budget for fiscal year 2025 at a special called meeting on Monday, June 17. The revised budget includes items in the budget approved by the School Board in its Feb. 22 meeting. Additional funding from the state means that priorities beyond the Feb. 22 approved budget can be addressed including paid parental leave for qualifying employees and funding for annual substitutes, school security officers and more.

The revised budget, in part, includes these items:

  • $17.4 million in compensation and technical updates, including

    • 4% salary increase for employees 

    • Increased costs for services and state-mandated increases 

  • $11.5 million for maintaining service levels and required increases, including

    • $2.7 million for reading specialists

    • $1.1 million for bilingual liaisons

    • $7.7 million to various initiatives to continue the quality education and support services our community values

  • $31.7 million in additional adjustments, including

    • $4.5 million for annual substitutes

    • $4.2 million for school security officers

    • $3.4 million for high-needs schools bonuses

    • $2.5 million for paid parental leave for qualifying employees

    • $2.5 million for major maintenance

    • $2.2 million for ESL instructors

    • $2 million for instructional assistant and custodian bonuses

    • $1.9 million in targeted compensation increases 

    • $1 million for school bus replacement

    • $1 million for increased substitute pay

    • $1 million for additional counselors

    • $800,000 to move assistant principals to 12-month status starting Jan. 1, 2025 (Note: An email sent on June 17 incorrectly said “move associate principals to 12-month status.” It is actually assistant principals who are moving to 12-month status.)

    • $700,000 for additional bilingual liaisons 

    • $100,000 for Communities In Schools expansion

The bulleted items do not represent an exhaustive list of what was included in the FY 2025 budget. See all of the budget materials presented at the June 17 School Board meeting. The School Board’s revised budget will be sent to the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors for consideration as part of the Chesterfield County budget at a future Board of Supervisors meeting.

Chesterfield County Public Schools serves summer meals

first market lunchFree lunches plus fun at Wednesday farmers market: For the second summer, families will find more than fresh produce at the Chesterfield Farmers Market (6701 Mimms Loop). In partnership with local growers, Chesterfield County Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services will be at the market 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. each Wednesday through Aug. 14 serving up free lunches and fun activities for all children 18 and younger. This video shows how Wednesday meals work.

Free meals at multiple sites: At multiple summer school sites, free breakfasts and lunches will be available Monday through Thursday from June 24 through July 18, unless otherwise specified. Sites will be closed July 4. These sites are open to all children who are 1-18 years old. Meals are first come, first served and are the same for all children. Children must remain on-site while eating their meals. Children who are not attending summer school can check in at the school’s front office. Details are available online. Families can also find summer meals by texting “food” or “comida” to 304-304.