Reminder: Third quarter report cards coming soon
Report cards for the third quarter are coming. Printed cards will be issued to students and digital cards will be posted to ParentVue on the following dates:
Wednesday, April 9, for Bellwood Elementary
Friday, April 11, for all other elementary, middle and high schools
The third quarter ended March 14 for students at Bellwood Elementary and March 20 for students at every other school.
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.
Please note: 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.
See the report card schedule for this school year.
Mark your calendar: Annual plant sale and spring festival April 12
Spring has sprung, but it’s only official once the Career and Technical Center holds their annual plant sale and spring festival!
Stop in to purchase more than 200 varieties of student-cultivated vegetables, herbs, annuals, perennials and native plants, as well as student-crafted culinary delights cooked with in-house ingredients and student-designed Mother’s Day cards. All proceeds benefit Career and Technical Center programs.
The plant sale and spring festival takes place Saturday, April 12, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the CTC@Courthouse campus at 10101 Courthouse Rd. Chesterfield, VA 23832.
Cash, checks, and credit cards are accepted. Credit card use will incur a service fee. For questions or more information, call 804-768-6160 ext. 1037.
Final deadline to register for spring SOL prep sessions
Chesterfield County Public Schools offers free support for students who passed a class but have not yet passed the corresponding test. The deadline to register for these six spring sessions is April 9:
These subject-based test prep sessions will take place 3:40-5:30 p.m. April 14-24 (Mondays through Thursdays) at Bird High.
Learn more about the SOL/W!se Academies. Registration for the summer sessions will open April 7.
Support teen entrepreneurs at April 14 student business expo
The Meadowbrook Academy for Developing Entrepreneurs invites the community to its Student Business Expo. Scheduled 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, April 14, in the Meadowbrook High auxiliary gym, the third annual expo will show the creativity and hustle of students in the entrepreneurship specialty center. Student-created goods and services will be on offer as students promote their startups.
More than 30 student-run businesses will set up at the Student Business Expo, accepting payments in cash and via some cash apps. Products and services showcased include tea blends, sweet treats, beef jerky, lawn care and more.
The Meadowbrook Academy for Developing Entrepreneurs, one of 13 CCPS speciality centers, is designed for students interested in learning to launch their own startups while in high school. Housed at Meadowbrook High, this specialty center attracts students who are self-driven and who have the desire to create and innovate in a collaborative environment.
Davis Elementary says goodbye to part of old building
As the new building for Davis Elementary moves quickly to completion, part of the old building is being demolished when school is closed for spring break. To say goodbye to the resource round and house hallway, Principal Dr. Kenya Batts invited teachers and staff to an early morning photo op. (Students had time during school to say goodbye.)
The resource round housed music, art, and P.E. classes, and the house hallway recognized the school’s four houses: Altruismo, Amistad, Isibindi and Reveur. The house system and resource classes will, of course, continue and thrive in the new building when it opens in August 2025. But recognizing milestones is important, so the school took a moment to reflect on time spent in the old building.
When students return from spring break, they will meet for resource classes in a different classroom space for the rest of this school year.
See more photos of the farewell gathering here.
Eye-opening activity stresses safe driving
The car crash was fake, but the learning experience was extremely real.
In the parking lot of Midlothian High School, two students lay near a mangled car with three students trapped inside. Covered in what looked like real blood and injuries, student participants played dead or hurt as their classmates watched Chesterfield County first responders work the crash scene.
“Seeing people covered by sheets next to a crashed car is a shocking image for students,” said Kendal Marker, who teaches P.E. and driver’s ed at Midlothian High. “They may never have seen an actual crash before, even though there are fatal wrecks way too often in central Virginia.”
The March 4 demonstration for more than 500 sophomores at Midlothian High was part of VCU’s Project IMPACT, which stands for Impacting Minors Perceptions and Attitudes Concerning Trauma. Without charging a fee, VCU regularly visits local high schools to help students better understand the dangers of driving while impaired or distracted.
See the full story about this impactful event.
CCPS in the Know: Family Programs
To help students and families thrive, year-round resources are available through Chesterfield County Public Schools. This CCPS in the Know video highlights engaging programs created by the Office of Family and Community Engagement. Visit our family programs page to learn more, register for upcoming gatherings and view recordings from previous programs.
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. Do you have a question for CCPS in the Know? Ask it here. We’ll cover as many topics as we can.
Make a difference: Volunteer in Chesterfield schools this April
This April, Communities In Schools Chesterfield is hosting a month full of volunteer opportunities at 14 schools across the county. There are a number of exciting events and activities taking place and volunteers are needed to help make them a success. This is a great chance to show up for students, encourage their growth and take an active part in a community that believes in their potential.
Volunteer shifts will be available at these Chesterfield County Public Schools starting April 11:
Elementary: Bellwood, Bensley, Chalkley, Ettrick, Falling Creek, Harrowgate and Hening
Middle Schools: Carver, Falling Creek, Manchester and Salem Church
High Schools: Carver Academy, LC Bird and Meadowbrook
Bus drivers needed! CCPS hiring at April 16 event
Want a full-time job with optional summers off or maybe part-time work with a flexible schedule? Become a bus driver for Chesterfield County Public Schools! Join us at our bus driver hiring event Wednesday, April 16, from 4:30-6 p.m. at Clover Hill High School (13301 Kelly Green Lane, Midlothian, VA).
No experience needed.
Get paid while you train for your CDL.
Starting pay is $23.68/hour or higher with experience.
Hall of Fame Highlights: Linda Wood and Bessie Cooper
In advance of our 2025 Hall of Fame gala, we are highlighting this year's remarkable honorees each week. Join us in honoring all of our inductees at the Hall of Fame Gala on May 1. Tickets are available now.
Linda Wood’s impact on Chesterfield County Public Schools is profound and enduring. She served in every role possible to improve elementary education, and her depth of experience is unparalleled. In fact, she is the first Hall of Fame retiree who continues to work part time for CCPS, coaching principals. Throughout her remarkable career, Linda made a significant difference for students, teachers and families.
Bessie Cooper served as the exemplary principal of Bensley Elementary 2002-2017, keeping what was best for students at the center of decisions. Her belief in the importance of relationships, her ability to clearly communicate goals and her innovative use of data and small group instruction transformed Bensley into a standard of educational excellence. Bessie’s approachable, friendly and accepting attitude created a space where students felt empowered to believe in themselves, where teachers and staff were inspired to do their best and where the entire community was improved.
The 2025 inductees include: Katherine Baugher, Bessie Cooper, Kathy Kitchen, Catherine “Kitty” Neale, Brad Peebles and Linda Wood. Read full bios for all the honorees on our Hall of Fame page.
Advisory Committee Meetings this month
We have seven volunteer-driven advisory committees to the School Board that meet throughout the year to help Chesterfield County Public Schools achieve its vision of creating a better tomorrow. Learn more and see the complete meeting schedule on our website. These committees are meeting this April:
Citizens Budget Advisory Committee
8 a.m. Thursday, April 10
Conference Room #1205 at the School Administration Offices
7053 Celebration Park Avenue, Suite 100, N. Chesterfield, VA 23225
Gifted Education Advisory Committee
5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10
VCU Room at the Career and Technical Center @ Hull, 13900 Hull Street Road
Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee
8:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 15
Thomas R. Fulghum Center at the Career and Technical Center @ Hull, 13900 Hull Street Road
Environmental Stewardship Advisory Committee
5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 15
VCU Room at the Career and Technical Center @ Hull, 13900 Hull Street Road
School Health Advisory Committee
6 p.m. Monday, April 28
VCU Room at the Career and Technical Center @ Hull, 13900 Hull Street Road
Champion Card sign-up events this month
The Champion Card, formerly the Super Senior Passport, is for Chesterfield County residents who are at least 60 years old, retirees of CCPS, or partners whose work directly benefits Chesterfield County students.
Card holders enjoy free admission to athletic events, music and theater productions and other school activities. They'll also receive reduced fees for adult education classes and get opportunities for other events coordinated by CCPS.
Those who already have a Super Senior Passport are encouraged to update it at one of our sign-up events this month. New applicants are welcome too!
8-11 a.m. April 8 at Chester YMCA (3011 W. Hundred Road)
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. April 14 at Clover Hill Library (6701 Deer Run Drive)
11 a.m.-1 p.m. April 16 at Manchester YMCA (7540 Hull Street Road)
11 a.m.-1 p.m. April 17 at Lifelong Learning Institute (13801 Westfield Road)
11 a.m.-1 p.m. April 21 at Midlothian Library (100 Millworks Crossing)
Learn more about the Champion Card.
Learn more about the Champion Card.
Have you shopped at the Chesterfield County Public Schools online store?
The end of the school year is full of gift-giving opportunities, and our online store makes it incredibly easy to find those gifts. Choose from high-quality hats, shirts, bags and more at ccpsstore.com and show your #oneCCPS pride!
Struggling to shop for someone who’s hard to buy for? Consider giving a stadium seat they can take to watch games, concerts and other events or perhaps a rugged tote that can hold whatever needs holding.
As you might expect, the Chesterfield County Public Schools online store is open 24/7 for shopping by employees, families, community partners, graduates, gift buyers and everyone else who appreciates CCPS-branded swag. This link will take you to the online store — or you can read more about the store by clicking here.
Summer school registration opens April 7
Fill in learning gaps. Strengthen skills. Get ahead. Whatever the motivation, summer school can help make summer count! Summer programs are available for students in all grade levels, with and without an individualized education program, who meet the criteria. Mark your calendars – registration for our summer school opens Monday, April 7, through May 28.
Visit our summer programs page to learn more.
Kinship Resource Fair providing family strategies April 9
Join us for the Kinship Resource Fair Wednesday, April 9, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Meadowdale Library (4301 Meadowdale Blvd, North Chesterfield, VA). This free event is for grandparents or other relatives raising a child. The theme is “Parenting Strategies for 2025.”
In addition to Chesterfield County Public Schools, representatives from these Chesterfield County divisions will be present:
No registration is required. For questions, contact agingresources@chesterfield.gov or call 804-768-7878.
Job fair for graduating seniors scheduled for April 23
On April 23, Chesterfield County Public Schools will host its fourth annual student job fair for graduating seniors. More than 75 employers will offer short- or long-term jobs with the opportunity for students to interview and get hired on the spot. Jobs will be on offer from global companies, local businesses and every size organization in between.
Chesterfield County high school seniors can register here for the job fair. Registering as soon as possible is a good idea, because registered students will receive valuable interviewing and resume resources. The job fair takes place 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, at CTC@Hull, 13900 Hull Street Road.
The job fair supports graduating seniors transitioning from high school to the workforce. It’s a chance to network, explore potential career paths and meet employers eager to hire the next generation. With employers from many different sectors, students will have access to a variety of job opportunities and the chance to make meaningful connections that will help them start their careers.
New emergency telecommunications program for students announced
Career and technical education opportunities are growing for students in Chesterfield County Public Schools. The school system and the Chesterfield County Emergency Communications Center have signed an agreement to bring an innovative emergency telecommunications program to CCPS students. This collaboration will create a career pathway for students pursuing futures as 911 dispatchers with Chesterfield County and will help to fill a critical workforce need in a high-demand profession.
The program will be available to eligible seniors who will be 18 or older by June 1 at the end of their 12th grade year. Up to 20 students will be accepted into the cohort, where they will be taught by a certified ECC Academy instructor.
For more details, see the full news release on our website.
Student artists invited to submit work for Congressional Art Competition
The 2025 Congressional Art Competition is now open to all high school students. This nationwide competition offers young artists the opportunity to showcase their talent, with the winning artwork displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol.
Student entries may include paintings, drawings, collages, prints, mixed media, computer-generated art, and photography. All artwork must be original in concept, design and execution, and must not violate U.S. copyright laws.
The deadline for submissions is Monday, April 28. Students must submit work through their congressperson’s office.
Unsure of who your representative is? Use the Find My Representative tool.
VIDEO: Rapid Relief at James River High School
James River High students in culinary classes taught by Thomas Sears learn about community connections as well as cooking basics. As they grow confident in the kitchen, students use their cooking skills to create hearty soups that are provided to James River High families in need with extra portions donated to RVA Community Fridges. This video shows how cooking classes are helping eliminate hunger.
Nominate a notable alum for a BRAVO award by April 11
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.