Chesterfield County Public Schools -

This weekend: 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-6 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)

But wait, there’s more!

Elementary school art is being displayed around the county through April 4.
Experience more student art in our virtual galleries for Chesterfield Virtual School and CCPS Online.

Get your free tickets for March 25 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.

In the Know: Summer Programs

When the school year ends, summer opportunities begin. Chesterfield County Public Schools has summer classes and camps for all grade levels. Explore your summer possibilities by watching this video, then visit our Summer Programs page for all the details.

This video is part of a series created by Chesterfield County Public Schools to give quick-but-helpful insights into central Virginia’s largest school system. Watch every CCPS in the Know in this playlist, with captions in English and in Spanish. If you have a question that you’d like answered via CCPS in the Know, then ask it here. We’ll cover as many topics as we can.

This week: Coffee & Conversation talks transitioning to middle school

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 26, to learn about the social-emotional and physiological changes children go through, and gain strategies and advice for experiencing “the middle ages.” Get ready to support your new middle schooler and help them thrive!

Register here for this and other upcoming Coffee & Conversations:

• 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 covers college visits and application prep

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 26, to talk about starting the college exploration process, maximizing visits, and mapping out a plan with your student. This session is geared toward families of students who are not yet seniors.

Register here for this and other upcoming What’s Next Wednesdays:

• April 16: Choosing the Right Fit: Weighing College Options

• May 7: How to Help Navigate the College Process Without Losing Your Mind

Update: 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 are being installed at multiple schools to ensure drivers follow posted speed limits in active school zones.

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.

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.

Automated speed cameras have been installed outside these schools:

• Beulah Elementary: The 30-day warning period begins on March 24; violations will be issued beginning April 24.

• Cosby High: The 30-day warning period has ended and violations are being issued.

• Ecoff Elementary: The 30-day warning period began on March 3; violations will be issued beginning April 7.

• Midlothian High: The 30-day warning period begins on March 24; violations will be issued beginning April 24.

• Moseley Elementary: The 30-day warning period has ended and violations are being issued.

• Old Hundred Elementary: The 30-day warning period begins on March 24; violations will be issued beginning April 24.

• Reams Road Elementary: The 30-day warning period began on Feb. 24; violations will be issued beginning March 27.

• Swift Creek Elementary: The 30-day warning period began on Feb. 24; violations will be issued beginning March 27.

Additionally, cameras are planned in the coming weeks in these school zones:

• Marguerite Christian Elementary

• Grange Hall Elementary

• Manchester Middle

• Bettie Weaver Elementary

• Woolridge Elementary

Learn more about the cameras and traffic safety on the County's website.

Meet the new Champion Card!

The Super Senior Passport is expanding to become the Champion Card.

What’s the same: Senior residents of Chesterfield County continue to be eligible. Retirees of Chesterfield County Public Schools continue to be eligible. The new card is still free and still offers free admission to some activities at schools.

What’s different: Dedicated school partners and volunteers are now eligible. The new card will feature a photo of the cardholder. Champion Card holders will regularly receive information about school opportunities and may be invited to special events.

Here's how to apply for a Champion Card:

• If you currently have a Super Senior Passport, then you are encouraged to replace it with a Champion Card. You can do that at one of the sign-up sessions listed here.
  

• If you are eligible but do not currently have a Super Senior Passport or a Champion Card, then you are invited to stop by one of the sign-up sessions listed here.

• Senior residents, CCPS retirees and school partners can apply for a temporary Champion Card by filling out the online form. The temporary card will work for a limited time, so you will need to stop by a sign-up session to get your permanent card.

Deadline extended! Nominate a notable alum for a BRAVO award

Do you know a graduate who has excelled in their profession and made a difference? It’s time to say BRAVO! The Chesterfield Education Foundation has extended the deadline for nominations for their BRAVO Awards until April 11. 

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. For questions, contact info@cefva.org.

Reserve your tickets for the Hall of Fame celebration

Tickets for this year’s Hall of Fame gala are now on sale through the Chesterfield Education Foundation. Reserve your seat now for the May 1 celebration of these outstanding educators:

• 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

The Hall of Fame is a partnership between the school system and the Chesterfield Education Foundation to recognize retirees and volunteers who made a significant difference in Chesterfield County schools. Learn more and see some of the remarkable inductees from previous years.

April 3 is deadline to apply for opening on Environmental Stewardship Advisory Committee

Advisory committees established by the Chesterfield County School Board are one way community members connect with schools. Advisory committee members are appointed from each of the county’s five magisterial districts and include parents, teachers, staff members, students and others interested in helping Chesterfield County Public Schools achieve its vision of creating a better tomorrow. Advisory committee members who are appointed by the School Board must reside in the district they represent. Visit the Advisory Committee page for more information, including meeting dates.

Currently, the Environmental Stewardship Advisory Committee needs a Bermuda District representative to serve a partial term ending June 30, 2026. Apply online through our website by April 3 if you are interested and eligible.

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.

Bee-lieve in Harper! Middle schooler set to spell at nationals

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

VIDEO: Check Out P.E. Week a glowing success at Woolridge Elementary

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.

Complete student calendars for 2024-25 with the most recent changes are available here, including English and Spanish versions of the regular school year calendar and the year-round calendar followed by Bellwood Elementary.

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.