Get the scoop on school breakfasts and lunches
This tasty CCPS in the Know video is serving up information about school meals. Watch to find out why breakfasts and lunches matter and how Chesterfield County Public Schools helps keep tummies from growling. For in-depth details about school meals, head to bit.ly/foodCCPS.
CCPS in the Know is a new video series giving quick-but-helpful insights into central Virginia's largest school system. If you have a question, then ask it here. We’ll answer as many as we can via CCPS in the Know.
Back-to-school information is easy to find
Schools open soon for the 2024-25 school year (except Bellwood Elementary, which follows a year-round calendar and opened July 22 for students). Student calendars are posted online. Families can find back-to-school information on the school system website. Gathered together in one place is information about registering for school, transportation, school supplies and more.
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:
In-person: 4:30-5:30 p.m. August 12 at Cosby High School, 14300 Fox Club Pkwy
Register here for the session that works for you. Learn more about CCPS partner iteach and how it can help you become a teacher.
Virtual: 4-5 p.m. August 14
Is there something special about your bus stop? We want to know!
Each year, #oneCCPS documents the fun and excitement of the first days of school through photos and videos. This year, we would like to find out where the most fun and festive bus stops are so we can be there as students gather to head off to school. Families, what is special about your bus stop? To learn more and submit, visit bit.ly/CCPSFirstDay.
Required vaccines for incoming seventh and 12th grade students
Some vaccines are required for students in seventh grade and 12th grade to start school on time.
By Virginia law, students entering seventh grade must have the tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, or Tdap vaccine, and the meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) vaccine.
The human papillomavirus, or HPV vaccine is also required by law for students entering seventh grade. However, after reviewing educational materials approved by the Board of Health, the parent/guardian may elect for their student not to receive the HPV vaccine with no additional paperwork required by Chesterfield County Public Schools. Ask your health-care provider about the benefits of the HPV vaccine.
Students entering 12th grade must have a second dose of the meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) vaccine. Students may get this vaccine on or any time after their sixteenth birthday.
Contact your primary care physician to schedule an appointment for vaccines. Other locations such as urgent care clinics and drug stores may also offer appointments.
For families who are not able to schedule an appointment at these locations, the Chesterfield County Health Department offers vaccines, by appointment only, for children age 18 and younger. To schedule an appointment, call 804-748-1750.
When your child has received state required vaccines, give the records to your school nurse. If you have questions, visit the Virginia Department of Health website.
High school seniors: Applications open for statewide Student Advisory Board
Applications are open through Sept. 15 for the Student Advisory Board of the Virginia Department of Education. The governor appoints one high school senior from each of the eight regions of Virginia to the Student Advisory Board. Students are chosen based on academic achievement and passion for educational policy issues. Details and a link to the application form are online.
Early Childhood Academy is for families of young children with disabilities
Families of young children with disabilities and developmental delays can register for an online Early Childhood Academy offered by the Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Education. The free, five-week learning program is designed to provide parents and caregivers of children from birth to age 6 with useful tips and ideas for supporting their child's development and resources to help make the transition from early intervention to school less confusing. The Early Childhood Academy course is self-paced, with new sessions opening weekly from Aug. 16 through Sept. 20 and available at any time of day.
How to solve problems at school
Everyone within CCPS works to support students and help them grow into strong young people. When there is a problem, we want to connect with students and families to solve it. As we move toward the start of a new school year, we want to be sure that families know what to do if you have a concern. Communicating to school staff members is the best way to start. Here is a handy chart to help the problem-solving process. See the problem-solving chart in Spanish.
Student schedules and teacher assignments expected Aug. 12
Student schedules for 2024-25 are expected to be available for families to see at 5 p.m. Aug. 12 via ParentVUE and StudentVUE. Middle and high school students will see their daily schedule of classes, and elementary students will see their teacher assignments. Please note: Schedules and teacher assignments may change before the start of the school year.
How to get summer support for Chromebooks
Need help with your student’s Chromebook? You can set up an appointment 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday through Aug. 15. To make 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.
Ways to pay for school breakfasts and lunches
Schools serve convenient, nutritious meals that include fresh fruits and veggies. Student lunch costs $3.25 at elementary schools and $3.50 at middle and high schools. Breakfast is $2.25 at every grade level.
This year, all students at 42 schools are automatically eligible for free breakfasts and lunches under the USDA’s community eligibility provision. Families at these schools do not need to apply for free or reduced-price meals:
Elementary schools: Bellwood, Bensley, Beulah, Bon Air, Chester Early Childhood Learning Academy, Chalkley, Marguerite Christian, Crenshaw, Crestwood, Curtis, Davis, Ecoff, Enon, Ettrick, Falling Creek, Gates, Harrowgate, Hening, Hopkins, Jacobs Road, Matoaca, Providence, Reams Road, Salem Church, Elizabeth Scott, Alberta Smith and Wells
Middle schools: Carver, Elizabeth Davis, Falling Creek, Manchester, Matoaca, Providence and Salem Church
High schools: Bird, Carver College and Career Academy, CTC@Courthouse, Thomas Dale, Matoaca, Manchester, Meadowbrook and Monacan
Families at other Chesterfield schools may apply each year for free or reduced-price school meals. The online application is available in English and Spanish. A paper application is available upon request from the school office or Food and Nutrition Services.
The free MealViewer app makes it easy to find out what is being served each day, while the MySchoolBucks app helps parents easily keep money in student meal accounts. More information is available on oneccps.org.
Fun, free lunches at farmers market
Next week is the last Chesterfield Farmers Market (6701 Mimms Loop) of the season. 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. on Wednesday, Aug. 14 serving up free lunches and fun activities for all children 18 and younger.
Update your child’s transportation information
If you have not already, all families are asked to update student transportation information by logging into ParentVUE to choose the way students will travel to and from school and to check your home address and any alternative addresses. Easy-to-follow directions for accessing ParentVUE are online, and your student’s school can provide additional assistance.
Make updates now to ensure that they are reflected in your student’s bus route.
Bus stops and pickup/drop-off times are available via Versatrans e-link.
Bus numbers will be shared with families closer to the beginning of the school year.
Transport type: How will your student travel to and from school? Within ParentVUE, choose the method that your student will use most of the time.
Addresses: There are two ways to update your student’s address:
School registrar: A student’s home address can only be entered by the registrar at the student’s school.
ParentVUE: Parents/guardians can make changes to transportation information by logging into ParentVUE, clicking the student’s name, then clicking on student info.
Alternative addresses are places students stay before or after school on a regular basis (for example: alternating custodial parent addresses). Families use ParentVUE to update alternative addresses and pickup/drop-off days as often as needed.
More detailed information and instructions: See this document.
Questions: Call the Transportation Department at 804-748-1656.