Celebrating Pi Day
Today is Pi Day! No, we’re not talking peach or apple, we’re talking the mathematical constant pi (π). Why is it Pi Day? The date is 3/14 and the first three digits of pi are 3.14 – a fine reason to celebrate!
We checked in with Dr. Michelle DeLoach, CCPS math curriculum specialist and Jill Miller, middle school math specialist to get a slice of Pi.
Pi (π) is the ratio of the circumference (the distance around the circle) of any circle to its diameter (the length straight across its middle). So, no matter how big a circle is—whether it’s the top of a soda can or the cross section of donut—the circumference divided by the diameter will always equal pi, approximated as 3.14 in decimal form.
Pi never ends and never repeats! To date, pi has been calculated to more than 1 trillion decimal places.
The first 100 digits of Pi are… 3.1415926535897932384626433832795028841971693993751058209749445923078164062862089986280348253421170679
How many digits of pi do you know?
So today, get 3.14 or more of your friends and share a slice of your favorite pie to celebrate this marvel of mathematics. After all, you can’t have pie without Pi.
Updated calendar reflects changes in regard to snow days
The 2024-25 traditional calendar has been updated to reflect changes made in regard to snow days.
As previously announced, March 21 and May 29 are now full school days instead of early dismissal days for students who follow the traditional calendar. See the updated calendar in English and Spanish.
It is important to note that no changes have been made to the Bellwood Elementary year-round calendar. March 21 and May 29 are already full days of school on the year-round calendar.
Because schools opened on a 2-hour delay on Friday, Feb. 21: We have applied for a waiver from the Virginia Department of Education so we do not have to make additional changes to the calendar. If the waiver is not approved, May 30 (the day currently scheduled as the last day of school) will be made a full school day. On the current calendar, that day is scheduled to be an early dismissal day. When we receive feedback from VDOE about the waiver request, we will let you know.
, 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
. It is suggested that you bookmark that page in your browser for quick access. If you search for a calendar via Google, then an outdated version of the calendar may appear in the results.
Almost 100 National Board Certified Teachers work at CCPS
A pinning ceremony in February celebrated new and renewing National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) from throughout central Virginia. Chesterfield County Public Schools has six new NBCTs, giving the school system a total of 93.
Congratulations to our new National Board Certified Teachers:
Karen Austin of Bon Air Elementary for library media (early childhood through young adulthood)
Kelsey Hilton of Chalkley Elementary for English as a new language (early and middle childhood)
Rachel Kee of Salem Church Middle for exceptional needs specialist (early childhood through young adulthood)
Briannah Ortega of Bellwood Elementary for generalist (early childhood)
Allison Owens of Cosby High for mathematics (adolescence and young adulthood)
Lyle Walden of Cosby High for mathematics (adolescence and young adulthood)
Additionally, Melissa Ligh of Bird High and Kathy Coats of Clover Hill High renewed their certifications.
Check out photos and learn more about these newly certified teachers.
See them live! Arts Fest performances March 22-23
In the culmination of the Chesterfield County Public Schools Arts Fest this March, the community is invited to the free Secondary Fine and Performing Arts Showcase at Thomas Dale High the weekend of March 22-23. Visual artists from every middle school and high school within Chesterfield County Public Schools will display their work, and performing arts students will present dance, musical and theatrical performances. Here is the full schedule of performances:
Saturday, March 22, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in the large auditorium at Thomas Dale High
All-county middle school bands
Sixth grade: 9 a.m.
Seventh and eighth grade: 9:35 a.m.
All-county jazz bands
Duke Ellington ensemble: 10:30-11 a.m.
Count Basie ensemble: 11:30 a.m.-noon
All-county guitar ensemble: 1-1:45 p.m.
Fiddle fest: 3 p.m.
Sunday, March 23, noon-4 p.m. at Thomas Dale High
Specialty Center for the Arts dance: noon-12:30 p.m. (large auditorium)
Thomas Dale High jazz band and Specialty Center for the Arts vocalists: 1-1:45 p.m. (small auditorium)
Thomas Dale High presents “Into the Woods”: 3-6 p.m. (large auditorium)
Don’t miss it: Elementary school art is being displayed around the county through April 4. Learn more about Arts Fest 2025.
Bee-lieve in Harper! Middle schooler set to spell at nationals
At the central Virginia spelling bee on March 12, Robious Middle eighth grader Harper C. outperformed 25 other accomplished spellers to punch her ticket to the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee in May.
Harper’s win came in the 20th round after she and Henrico County’s top speller were the last two standing for several rounds. After Harper correctly spelled “bavette” and the other student missed “welkin,” Harper won a trip to national competition by correctly spelling “Taurus.”
This is the second straight year that the top speller in Chesterfield County Public Schools has won the regional bee and gone on to compete nationally.
Get your free tickets for March 25 film screening of “Anxious Nation”
Free tickets are still available for the screening of the film “Anxious Nation” at CTC@Hull (13900 Hull Street Road Midlothian, VA) at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25.
“Anxious Nation” is a powerful documentary that sheds light on the alarming rise of anxiety in today’s youth. The film explores the science behind anxiety and emphasizes the importance of compassionate care, reducing stigma, and providing evidence-based solutions.
The screening will be followed by an engaging panel discussion with Rachel Bailey, parenting specialist and former therapist, and Amanda Whitlow, CCPS mental health support specialist. Attendees will also have the chance to win a free copy of the book “The Opposite of Worry” by Lawrence Cohen, which outlines strategies for dealing with anxiety. Get your tickets and learn more here.
Engineering specialty center celebrates 25th anniversary
The Governor’s Academy for Engineering Studies, located at Bird High School, recently celebrated its 25-year journey from an innovative idea in 1999 to a thriving program in 2025. An anniversary gala at the Science Museum of Virginia attracted more than 250 specialty center alumni, community partners and past and present teachers and administrators.
The event was also a celebration of Helmut Thielsch, who is retiring after teaching for 20 years at the engineering specialty center.
“Over the past 25 years, the pre-engineering specialty center has morphed and changed,” said Speciality Center coordinator Katy Clarke at the ceremony. “But the heart and goals of the program remained — providing a space for students who are interested in engineering to explore the concepts and skills required to be a successful engineering college student alongside peers of similar interests and goals.”
See the full story on our website.
Throughout its existence, the specialty center curriculum has provided a rigorous, lab-centered experience to prepare students for rapidly changing technologically based fields. The program also has an FRC robotics team, rocketry club, Technology Student Association and many other hands-on opportunities outside class. Learn more about the Governor’s Academy for Engineering Studies.
VIDEO: Check Out P.E. Week is a glowing success at Woolridge Elementary
The name of Check Out P.E. Week says it all: Woolridge Elementary parents drop in and take part in physical education with their students. Created by P.E. teacher Matthew Capehart, the annual opportunity sparks lots of fun and smiles. Watch this video to see memories being made.
Greenfield Elementary takes reading to heart
During Read Across America Week, March 3-7, Greenfield Elementary students celebrated the “Books of [Their] Heart.” The school community connected through the books they love by reading together, holding a book character parade and sharing their favorite stories with one another. The week was a show of kindness, positivity and wonder.
A number of mystery readers also made surprise appearances to read aloud and share their love of books. Guests included Deputy Superintendent Dr. Lisa High (pictured above), Superintendent Dr. John Murray and School Board member Lisa Hudgins.
See which books our mystery guests chose to read.
Chesterfield Virtual School hosting information session March 25
Learn more about Chesterfield’s unique K-8 virtual school experience! Parents and prospective students are invited to a free online information session at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, to meet the principal, teachers, counselors and more from the Chesterfield Virtual School to see how students benefit from online learning. Sign up to attend and receive a meeting link.
Registration for the 2025-26 school year is open for the Chesterfield Virtual School through April 25. For questions about enrollment or the school, email cvs@ccpsnet.net.
Benefit from online learning. Chesterfield Virtual School is a great fit for students who are self-sufficient and self-driven, offering them the opportunity to learn with students from all over the county.
Regular schedules and programs. School days begin with morning meetings, and teachers cover core academic subjects before school dismisses in the afternoon. After-school clubs offer additional in-person and online connections.
Just like other Chesterfield schools.
Student schedules follow the K-5 and 6-8 formats in Chesterfield schools. The school operates like any other school in Chesterfield, with student support services, PTA, after-school programs, student clubs and more.
This week: Coffee & Conversation discusses drug trends
Coffee & Conversation is an easy way to connect with experts offering advice on topics helpful to parents and caregivers. Join us online at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, where we’ll discuss common substances teens are using, how to identify drug paraphernalia, and recognizing warning signs of drug use in your child.
Register here for this and other upcoming Coffee & Conversations:
March 26: Transitioning to Middle School
April 16: Empowering Connections: Understanding Autism and Community Support
Missed a conversation? Watch past sessions and learn more about our programs for families.
This week: What’s Next Wednesdays tackles the transition to college with an IEP
What’s Next Wednesdays is here to help families support middle and high school students as they make plans for life after high school. Join us online at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, where host Ken Oxendine will cover the support available in college for students with IEPs and the steps necessary to receive them.
Register here for this and other upcoming What’s Next Wednesdays:
March 26: How to Get Ahead of the Process: College Visits and Application Prep
April 16: Choosing the Right Fit: Weighing College Options
May 7: How to Help Navigate the College Process Without Losing Your Mind
Missed What’s Next? Watch past sessions and learn more about our programs for families.
Nominate a notable CCPS alum for a BRAVO Award by March 31
Do you know a former graduate who has excelled in their profession and made a difference? It’s time to say BRAVO! The Chesterfield Education Foundation is accepting nominations for their BRAVO Awards until March 31. These annual awards recognize and celebrate outstanding alums who have benefited from the quality education that Chesterfield County Public Schools provide. Make your nomination here.
Don’t wait! Summer camp registration is open now
Registration opened March 6 for summer enrichment camps offered by Chesterfield County Public Schools. These camps are a wonderful way to build skills, expand knowledge and make new friends. Camps are first come, first served — and once they’re full that’s it!
Click the camp name to learn more and sign up:
Camp EPIC: hands-on career experiences for students who will be in grades 5-8 in 2025-26
Cultural Arts Camp: visual arts, music, STEAM, physical activity and world language for students who will be in grades 1-6 in 2025-26
World Language Camp: rotations through French, Spanish, German and Latin for students who will be in grades 2-5 in 2025-26
Team SKILLS: a basketball camp teaching basketball skills, teamwork and life lessons for students who will be in grades 5-8 in 2025-26
Drawing With Confidence: an immersive drawing program for students of all skill levels who will be in grades 9-12 in 2025-26
Vibrant Visions: Unlocking the Power of Color: explores the science and psychology of color while developing an artistic voice through media such as oil pastels, watercolor and more for students who will be in grades 9-12 in 2025-26
Immersion Language Camp: language immersion in Spanish or German for students who will be in grades 1-6 in 2025-26
When to expect report cards at end of third nine weeks
The third nine weeks of this school year ends March 14 for students at Bellwood Elementary and March 20 for students at every other school. On April 9 at Bellwood Elementary and on April 11 at all other elementary, middle and high schools, printed report cards will be issued to students and digital report cards will be posted to ParentVUE.
Parents can find easy-to-follow directions for accessing ParentVUE online. ParentVUE is also available as a free app from the App Store and Google Play. Parents who do not have access to ParentVUE should contact their child’s school to get login information.
For the fourth and final nine weeks of this school year, digital report cards will be posted to ParentVUE instead of being printed and mailed to homes. Parents who want a paper report card have the option of coming to school to have the report card printed out.
Now enrolling students for the class of 2038
If you or someone you know in Chesterfield County has a child that will be 5 by Sept. 30, it’s time to get them registered for kindergarten. Here are some quick tips before your little one makes the leap!
Your child’s school is based on your place of residence. Find out which school they’ll attend through Find My School. Some districts may have changed, so be sure to check the “2025-26” box at top.
You’ll need to have certain documents, including a birth certificate, immunization records, proof of residency and more. See what information and documents you’ll need.
To begin, preregister online through ParentVue.
After preregistration, the school will contact you to set up a school visit to complete the registration process.
Need something different from the traditional school setting? We also offer virtual options with Chesterfield Virtual School for K-8 students and CCPS Online for grades 9-12.
Learn more about registering for school and check out our resources to make sure your kids are kindergarten ready.
In the Know: How to register for school
We want to make it as easy as possible to register your child to attend Chesterfield County Public Schools. Whether your child is an incoming kindergartner or is an older student transferring schools, the registration process starts online. This CCPS in the Know video gives an overview in English and in Spanish, then you can get additional details at bit.ly/CCPSregister.
This video is part of a series that Chesterfield County Public Schools launched in the fall of 2024. CCPS in the Know videos 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.
Chesterfield school wins Virginia School Breakfast Award
On March 6, the Chester Early Childhood Learning Academy (CECLA) received the Virginia School Breakfast Award from the Virginia Department of Education. The award, given yearly during National School Breakfast Week, recognizes excellence in prioritizing school breakfast, and increasing protein options while lowering sugar and sodium content.
CECLA was one of only three schools across the state to receive this yearly award. CECLA Principal Dr. Lesley Harris and food services staff were presented the award Thursday morning by state and local leaders.
“CECLA is honored to receive the School Breakfast Award from VDOE. Our cafeteria staff go the extra mile each day to provide nutritious breakfast options for our students,” said Dr. Harris. “Young children learn through play and a healthy breakfast gives them the fuel for a day full of fun and learning!”
Two other Chesterfield County public schools have previously received this award – Reams Road Elementary in 2021, and Manchester Middle in 2022.
Elementary educators win Creative Teacher Awards to fund positive projects
Congratulations to Chesterfield County Public Schools teachers Lisa Gwaltney (Matoaca Elementary) , Jessica Sutton (Grange Hall Elementary) and Samantha McMillian (Falling Creek Elementary) who earned Creative Teacher Awards, presented by the Gamma Psi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG) International. The $500 awards were chosen through a blind selection process that reviewed submissions to fund innovative and positive projects. See how these creative teachers are using their awards for their students and schools.
Crenshaw Elementary art teacher honored as hero
Congratulations to Jennike Duignam for being named Hero of the Year by Connor’s Hero Foundation for her work with children being treated for cancer.
The Crenshaw Elementary art teacher has volunteered for more than a decade making art with pediatric cancer patients and their siblings during monthly sessions at the Visual Arts Center. Collaborative artworks created in those sessions are auctioned to raise thousands of dollars for Connor’s Hero Foundation during the annual Heroes Art Ball. At this year’s ball, Jennike Duignam will be celebrated as the foundation’s 2025 Hero of the Year.