Chesterfield County Public Schools -

Upcoming dates

• Jan. 16 is an early release day for students (except at Bellwood Elementary, which follows a year-round calendar).

• On Jan. 20, all schools and school offices are closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

• Complete student calendars for 2024-25 are available on this webpage, including English and Spanish versions of the regular school year calendar and the year-round calendar followed by Bellwood Elementary. It is best to access student calendars from the school division website. If you search for a calendar via Google, then an outdated version of the calendar may appear in the results.

Cameras to enforce speed limits in school zones

Chesterfield County is placing cameras in school zones to enforce speed limits, protect students and boost road safety. Cameras will be installed at multiple schools this winter to ensure drivers follow posted speed limits in active school zones. The cameras will enforce speed limits only while flashing warning lights are active during school hours. On school days, the warning lights are on for one hour in the morning as students arrive and one hour in the afternoon as students depart.

A spring 2023 study indicated that speeding is a significant issue in active school zones throughout Chesterfield County. For example, during five days at Reams Road Elementary, an average of 48 percent of drivers sped through the school zone in the morning and 50 percent sped through the school zone in the afternoon.

Automated speed cameras will first be installed outside these schools:

• Beulah Elementary

• Marguerite Christian Elementary

• Cosby High

• Ecoff Elementary

• Grange Hall Elementary

• Manchester Middle

• Midlothian High

• Moseley Elementary

• Old Hundred Elementary

• Reams Road Elementary

• Swift Creek Elementary

• Bettie Weaver Elementary

• Woolridge Elementary

After the installation of each camera, a 30-day warning period will begin so drivers can adjust their behavior. During this time, violators will receive warnings instead of citations when their vehicles are documented going more than 10 mph over the posted speed limit in an active school zone. Speeding after the warning period will result in a $100 fine. A camera has been installed outside Moseley Elementary, and the 30-day warning period will begin on Monday, Jan. 13. This website offers the latest information.

Jan. 15: We’re hiring bus drivers

Chesterfield County Public Schools is hiring school bus drivers during a job fair 4-6 p.m. Jan. 15 at Bailey Bridge Middle (12501 Bailey Bridge Road). Position details and job fair registration can be found here. For bus drivers, no experience is required and training for your commercial driver’s license is provided while you work. Starting pay is $23.68 an hour and could be higher with previous experience.

Read to Rover is a fur-real good time

If you’re looking for paws-itivity, then check out this video about Read to Rover at Reams Road Elementary. Judging by the smiles and wagging tails, Read to Rover is a howling success.

Here’s what you need to know about bad weather and schools

If bad weather forces a change in school schedules, then Chesterfield County Public Schools will notify families and employees as soon as possible. As a general rule, families should have a plan in place in case bad weather or another emergency closes schools, delays opening or requires an early release. The latest CCPS in the Know video shows how families can get ready for snow or other disruptions:

• English version of video

• Spanish version of video

In the fall of 2024, Chesterfield County Public Schools launched the CCPS in the Know video series to give quick-but-helpful insights into central Virginia’s largest school system. You can see all of the videos via this playlist, with captions available in English and in Spanish. If you have a question that you’d like answered, then ask it here. We’ll cover as many topics as we can.

Feb. 4: “The New Drug Talk” will equip parents with fentanyl info 

“The New Drug Talk” is a powerful film designed to equip parents and caregivers with accurate information about fentanyl and its impact on today’s drug landscape. It highlights the dangers of self-medication and casual drug use in the fentanyl era while encouraging healthier coping strategies for stress and mental health challenges. Reserve your seat for a free screening of "The New Drug Talk" at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Career and Technical Center @ Hull, 13900 Hull Street Road.

A panel discussion will take place after the 30-minute film. Panelists from Chesterfield County Public Schools, Chesterfield County Mental Health Support Services and SAFE will provide insights to help parents have open, informed conversations with their children. Attendees will receive free resources, including naloxone, medication locking and disposal pouches and printed information about fentanyl, fake pills and regional substance use resources.

Six educators to join Hall of Fame

Six more supernova educators will soon join the Hall of Fame of Chesterfield County Public Schools. A partnership between the school system and the Chesterfield Education Foundation, the hall recognizes retirees and volunteers who made a significant difference in Chesterfield County schools. Congratulations to the 2025 honorees:

• Katherine Baugher, theater teacher at Midlothian High

• Bessie Cooper, principal of Bensley Elementary

• Kathy Kitchen, assistant superintendent of business and finance

• Catherine “Kitty” Neale, Spanish teacher at Bird High

• Brad Peebles, who began as a biology teacher and rose to become principal of the Juvenile Detention Center 

• Linda Wood, who began as a fourth-grade teacher, became principal of Harrowgate Elementary and retired as director of elementary education

School Board advisory committees meet throughout the year

Seven advisory committees to the School Board meet throughout the year to help Chesterfield County Public Schools achieve its vision of creating a better tomorrow. Advisory committee volunteers are appointed from each magisterial district and include parents, teachers, staff members, students and other community members. The committees are:

• Audit and Finance Committee

• Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee

• Citizens Budget Advisory Committee

• Environmental Stewardship Advisory Committee

• Gifted Education Advisory Committee

• School Health Advisory Board

• Special Education Advisory Committee

Details about each committee are provided here, including all 2024-25 meeting dates and an application form when openings for new members are available. Upcoming meetings include: 

• School Health Advisory Board at 6 p.m. Jan. 13 in conference room A256 at the Career and Technical Center @ Hull, 13900 Hull Street Road

• Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 21 in conference room D136 at the Career and Technical Center @ Hull, 13900 Hull Street Road

• Environmental Stewardship Advisory Committee at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 21 in the VCU Room at the Career and Technical Center @ Hull, 13900 Hull Street Road

• Citizens Budget Advisory Committee at 8 a.m. Jan. 30 in the VCU Room at the Career and Technical Center @ Hull, 13900 Hull Street Road

Off and away all day: New cellphone policy is now in place

The School Board passed an updated policy regarding student cellphone use at its meeting Dec. 10. The new policy took effect Jan. 1. (This information was emailed to families Dec. 11 and included in the Dec. 13 and Dec. 20 digital newsletters to families.) See the full content of policy 4010-R regarding cellphone guidance here. 

• What you need to know: When students return from winter break, the updated policy means that cellphones must be stored away and out of sight. Students will not be able to use a cellphone or have a cellphone in sight at any time during the instructional day. This includes lunch, times between classes, when students are in hallways, etc. If a cellphone is not stored out of sight or is being used during the instructional day, it could result in confiscation and other consequences that are outlined in the policy. 

Jan. 16 event offers info for families of students with disabilities

Families of children with a disability are invited to an information night 6-7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at Elizabeth Davis Middle School (601 Corvus Court). This flyer offers details in English and in Spanish. Hosted by the Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center in partnership with Del. Carrie Coyner, the event is open to families of students with disabilities who live anywhere in Region 1, which includes Chesterfield County. Registration for this free event is not required but is helpful so please consider registering in advance.