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New this weekRecognizing Patriot Day

Patriot day activitiesIn recognition of Patriot Day, Woolridge Elementary’s Tara Krohn led an observance to help students reflect on the significance of the 9/11 attacks. Krohn shared facts and read from her book, “Unfurling the Freedom Flag,” to engage students in the discussion.

We’re hiring substitute teachers

If you’re looking for a flexible schedule so you can work when you choose, then consider applying to become a substitute teacher. Chesterfield County Public Schools pays substitute teachers $136 on regular days and $203 on Fridays and high-demand days. 

Learn more during a job fair for substitute teachers 4-6 p.m. Sept. 25 at Manchester Middle, 7401 Hull Street Road. Advance registration is requested but not required for attending the job fair. Requirements to work as a substitute teacher include:

  • Be at least 18 years old.

  • Hold a high school diploma or a GED certificate.

  • Have two years of work experience with children (paid or unpaid) or have at least 60 college credit hours.

  • To work as a long-term sub, at least 60 college credit hours are required and a bachelor’s degree is preferred.

Sept. 25 is date of Bensley Elementary groundbreaking

bensley elementary groundbreakingIt’s time to break ground for the new Bensley Elementary School, and the entire community is invited. (If you can’t be there in person, then look for video and images on the school system website and social media feeds after the event.) At 10:30 a.m. Sept. 25, leaders from Chesterfield County Public Schools and from Chesterfield County government will put shovels into dirt to symbolically kick off the construction project. The event will take place at 6600 Strathmore Road.

Bensley Elementary students and teachers have moved into the old Falling Creek Middle building on Hopkins Road for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years while their old building is torn down and the new school is built. Scheduled to open for students in August 2026, the new school is part of a community facilities bond plan approved by Chesterfield County voters in 2022.

Vestibules add security to school entrances

Improving safety is the reason behind a three-year project to add vestibules to school entrances. Some schools already had secure vestibules, and now all schools in Chesterfield County Public Schools will have a locked interior space at the front door. This video shows how vestibules build an extra layer of safety into school buildings.

Help schools and the community by getting rid of your old denim

denim driveTurn jeans into jobs while helping your school! Each year in the Denim Drive, families and community members donate used denim clothing of all kinds. Goodwill tracks the denim donated on behalf of each Chesterfield County school, then awards nine cash prizes to the top three elementary, middle and high school PTAs. The denim is sold in Goodwill stores or recycled. Clean out your closet and support schools and job training in the community by bringing your denim donations between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Oct. 19-20 to the Career and Technical Center @ Hull (13900 Hull Street Road).

Car and truck show will benefit Career and Technical Center

red car
You’re invited to display your car or truck at a River City Cruizers event benefiting the Chesterfield Career and Technical Center. All years, makes and models are welcome — and that includes child-size power wheel and pedal cars! The registration form and vendor details are online.

  • The event will run 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Chesterfield Career and Technical Center @ Courthouse, 10101 Courthouse Road. In case of rain, the event will take place Oct. 20.

  • Registration by Oct. 7 costs $20 per car or truck, and later registration costs $30. Students in Chesterfield County Public Schools get a 50% discount. 

  • For child-size power wheel and pedal cars, advance registration by Oct. 7 is required and costs $5. 

  • Everyone is welcome to attend the event, and admission is free for spectators. In addition to seeing 100+ great-looking cars and trucks, visitors can browse vendor tables, play family-friendly games, possibly win prizes and buy lunch from food trucks.

in case you missed it
Students: Your presence matters

This is Attendance Awareness Month, and we want students to know that their presence matters. When students are in school, they help create a vibrant and complete learning environment. Chesterfield County Public Schools is here to support families and ensure every student is able to show up ready to learn in class.

You can nominate school employees as Game Changers

You are invited to nominate employees of Chesterfield County Public Schools for Game Changer awards. Teachers and other employees consistently go above and beyond to connect with students, build stronger relationships, provide engaging learning opportunities and help families. You can help recognize their work by nominating #oneCCPS Game Changers using this simple form.

Coffee & Conversation kicks off Sept. 18

It's a new year so get your growth mindset on! Many students have difficulty managing their work demands and daily routines, which can create cycles of frustration, procrastination, withdrawal of effort and the abandonment of tasks. Strong executive function skills will lead to a higher level of academic performance and enhance one's life. Join Coffee & Conversation 1-2 p.m.  Sept. 18 with guest speaker Maria DelCorso to get tips on teaching your child strategies for organization, self-determination and greater independence to achieve their academic and life goals. See the full schedule and register here.

Registration is open for free PSAT and SAT prep sessions

  • The PSAT Academy is free and open to Chesterfield County Public Schools high school students who want to prepare for the PSAT exam that high schools administer for free each October. Register here for the Sept. 23-26 PSAT Academy. Registration closes Sept. 18.

  • The SAT Academy is free and available to Chesterfield County Public Schools high school students who want to prepare for college entrance exams. While there is no cost for the academy, students must purchase this study guide from the store or online site of their choice: Princeton Review Digital SAT Premium Prep, 2025 (ISBN 9780593517529). Register here for the Sept. 23-26 SAT Academy. Registration closes Sept. 18.

  • More information is available on this webpage.

Parent handbook is a year-round resource

The annual parent handbook for Chesterfield County Public Schools is a helpful resource throughout the school year. Every student receives a printed copy to bring home, and the publication is also available online in English and in Spanish. This is the second year that the parent handbook has also included the standards for student conduct, which previously was published separately.

County libraries will forgive fines Sept. 12-16

Library fine forgivenessAre fines keeping you from fully accessing everything the Chesterfield Public Library has to offer? Read Away Your Fines! Stop by any Chesterfield County library Sept. 12-16, read for 30 minutes and tell a staff member about what you read. It’s that simple, so don't let fines hold you back any longer. This opportunity is open to anyone with an overdue fine with the Chesterfield Public Library. Find your nearest location via this webpage.

Apply Sept. 16-19 for Christmas Mother help

Christmas Mother Help programFamilies can request help from the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Christmas Mother during application review at the Chesterfield Fairgrounds (10300 Courthouse Road):

  • 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 16-17

  • noon-7 p.m. Sept. 18

  • 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 19

Get details and an application (in English and Spanish) on the Christmas Mother website. Applications will also be available at the fairgrounds on review days. Children will not be allowed on site during application review.