Chesterfield County Public Schools -

Summer hours

Through Aug. 9, Chesterfield County Public Schools is open 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and is closed on Fridays.

Partnership with police department

Excellence in career and technical education

Chesterfield County Public Schools career and technical education programs won big awards from the Virginia Department of Education. Two programs won regional recognition, with one going on to win a statewide award in the Virginia Department of Education Creating Excellence Awards program.

The early childhood education program won the Region 1 award for CTE Program of the Year. Latoya Harvey Harrington leads the program, which is based at the Chesterfield Career and Technical Center @ Courthouse and co-located at the Chester Early Childhood Learning Academy, a prekindergarten within Chesterfield County Public Schools. The early childhood education program is a two-year program for high school juniors and seniors that prepares them to foster the social, emotional, physical and cognitive growth of young children. At the Chester Early Childhood Learning Academy, early childhood education students work in prekindergarten classrooms with children ages 3 to 5. This program prepares students for the child development associate certification, ultimately advancing their careers and contributing to the status of the profession.

The Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Advisory Committee for the Chesterfield Career and Technical Center @ Courthouse won the statewide award for CTE Advisory Committee of the Year after first winning the Region 1 award. Will Willis heads the HVAC/R program and has assembled an advisory committee of 40+ owners and top employees that meets twice annually. The committee reviews the curriculum and instructional resources and gives feedback for areas that need improvement based on current industry standards. The members also volunteer in the classroom monthly to present to students about career awareness, career opportunities and achieving universal EPA certification. Advisory committee members help coordinate and judge SkillsUSA competitions. They also participate in trades interview days to give students the opportunity to interview for part-time employment, full-time employment and work-based learning experiences.

Heart Safe Schools

So far, six high schools in Chesterfield County Public Schools have achieved designation as Heart Safe Schools through Project ADAM, which is led by the Children’s Hospital of Richmond. This means the schools have taken steps to implement a quality sudden cardiac arrest program to promote a safe environment for students, staff and visitors. Congratulations to these schools for being prepared in the event of a cardiac arrest:

• Meadowbrook High School

• Clover Hill High School

• James River High School

• Matoaca High School

• Midlothian High School

• Monacan High School

Turnip the Beet

Food and Nutrition Services and its summer farmers market lunch site recently won national recognition. Chesterfield County Public Schools was one of only 55 programs across the United States to achieve gold level status in the Turnip the Beet awards sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The awards honor summer meal programs that go the extra mile, and CCPS Food and Nutrition Services definitely does that by providing delicious, nutritious lunches at the Chesterfield Farmers Market. Each summer menu is planned with a child's palate in mind along with the goal of providing fresh items with pizzazz. For example, meals have included marinated sliced cucumbers, chilled corn salad, grilled zucchini, chunks of melon in a honey dressing, smoothies, etc. 

This summer, families are continuing to enjoy lunches at the Chesterfield Farmers Market (6701 Mimms Loop). In partnership with local growers, Chesterfield County Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services is 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.

C-Fit Community offers mini-grants for positive programs

Student 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. 

We’re hiring school security officers

Chesterfield County Public Schools is seeking school security officers during an in-person job fair. To be considered for the job fair, candidates must submit an application here no later than July 15. School security officers are highly visible throughout their school in order to ensure safety, order and discipline. Most open positions are in elementary schools (salary range of $36,000 to $45,258). A few positions are available in middle schools or high schools (salary range of $44,000 to $55,315). Job requirements include at least two years experience in security or law enforcement and a high school diploma/GED certificate. Qualified applicants will be invited to the job fair, which will take place July 17.

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.