Meet the 2025 Students of the Year
A friend that everyone needs. Comes to school ready to learn and work hard every day. Makes this school a better place. By far one of the most amazing students on the planet.
Those phrases describe just a few of the 131 Students of the Year for Chesterfield County Public Schools. Each year, central Virginia’s largest school system honors students from every school who deserve significant recognition for their contributions to the community and for exhibiting the value of integrity through respect, responsibility, honesty and accountability.
These outstanding students gathered April 17 with their families, School Board members and school leaders to be recognized as Students of the Year during a celebration sponsored by Feinstein 360 Orthodontics.
See photos and our full list of 2025 Students of the Year here. You can also watch the entire ceremony on our YouTube channel.
Important dates remaining in 2024-25 school calendar
Please make sure these dates in the 2024-2025 school calendar are on your family’s calendar:
Monday, May 26: Chesterfield County Public Schools are closed for Memorial Day.
Friday, May 30: Three-hour early dismissal for students and the last day of school with two exceptions:
Bellwood Elementary, which follows a year-round calendar
Davis Elementary, which will be closed for students May 30 so that teachers can pack and move their classrooms from the current school building into the new school building that will open in August
Tuesday, June 3: Across Chesterfield County Public Schools (except for Bellwood Elementary), digital report cards will be posted to ParentVUE instead of being printed and mailed to homes. Information about this change has been shared throughout the 2024-25 school year.
Parents who want a paper report card have the option of coming to school after June 3 to have the report card printed out.
Here are easy-to-follow directions for accessing ParentVUE online. Parents who do not have access to ParentVUE should contact their child’s school to get login information.
Schools will collect Chromebooks in May, then distribute new ones when next school year begins
Chesterfield County Public Schools has a new four-year lease for Chromebooks, starting with the 2025-26 school year. This transition requires collecting all existing Chromebooks and chargers before this school year ends. When the next school year begins, new Chromebooks will be distributed to students.
Each school will communicate with its students and families about that school’s specific dates for testing and Chromebook returns. Also, it’s important to note that Chromebooks will be provided to students as required for summer school, official CCPS summer programs and summer CCPSOnline courses.
Here’s how elementary schools (except Bellwood) will collect Chromebooks:
Starting May 12, schools will collect Chromebooks from grades K-2. These grades are going first because they do not take Standards of Learning tests or exams, which require Chromebooks. Students in grades 1-2 need to return their Chromebooks and chargers to school May 12. Chromebooks will be collected from kindergarten classrooms at the same time.
Grades 3-5 need access to Chromebooks for testing, so devices will be collected when testing concludes. Students must bring their Chromebooks and chargers to school for SOL tests. When testing is finished in May, the devices will remain at the school. At each school, Chromebooks will be provided for students who need to retake tests.
Here’s how Bellwood Elementary, which follows a year-round calendar, will collect Chromebooks: At the start of Bellwood Elementary’s 2025-26 school year, students will turn in their Chromebooks and receive new Chromebooks. July 21 is the first day of school for Bellwood Elementary.
Here’s how the Chesterfield Virtual School (grades K-8) will collect Chromebooks: Students need to return Chromebooks and chargers to the Chesterfield Virtual School after testing concludes and before the last day of school on May 30.
Here’s how middle schools and high schools will collect Chromebooks: Grades 6-12 need access to Chromebooks for testing, so devices will be collected when testing concludes in May. Students must bring their Chromebooks and chargers to school for SOL tests and exams. When testing is finished, the devices will remain at the school. High schools may also offer seniors the opportunity to return Chromebooks at graduation practice. At each school, Chromebooks will be provided for students who need to retake tests.
Due April 29: STEM scholarship applications for graduating seniors
Topsoe, a company focused on carbon emission reduction technologies, will award five $10,000 one-year scholarships to high school seniors from Chesterfield County high schools who are planning to pursue a major in a STEM-related field. To apply, students should go to this website, create an account and follow the application instructions. When students log in for the first time, they will click on “Add new application” and then enter the program key “Topsoe” to access the application. The application deadline is April 29.
Don’t miss it! Spring into Wellness family event May 1
Join us Thursday, May 1, for the Spring Into Wellness Fair! This free, fun-filled event provides something for the whole family. Enjoy an evening of inspiration, activities and resources to support your family’s health and well-being.
Explore vendors and be inspired by keynote speakers including author Dr. John Hodge who is known for his powerful message of hope, equity, and empowerment in schools and communities. Dr. Hodge will offer timely insights on how adults can serve as intentional, positive forces in the lives of young people.
The event takes place 4-7 p.m. May 1 at the CTC@Hull (13900 Hull Street Road).
Learn more about the Spring into Wellness Fair and register to attend.
Cosby High goes viral for National Library Week
For National Library Week (April 6-12), the Cosby High library team posted an Instagram reel that may have broken the school library internet. As of press time, the reel has more than 13.7 million views, more than 9,000 comments and nearly 760,000 likes.
“We just wanted to create a video to get our students laughing, highlight some new books, and hopefully draw more students to our page for library updates and events,” said Assistant Librarian Nina Beltran. “We were floored when the reel started to get so much attention!”
The humorous short drew responses from notable figures including actors, online influencers, politicians and authors. ESPN even shared the reel.
What took around 30 minutes to create has had a tremendous impact. Prior to the viral post on April 9, the library had fewer than 50 followers. Their account now has well over 10,000.
“We hope that people see what a welcoming and joyful place the library is,” Nina said, “and that it is an integral part of the school community.”
Engineering students to present capstone projects May 8-9
Inventive. Original. Skillful. Those attributes describe projects created by students in mechatronics/robotics classes and in advanced engineering and manufacturing classes at the Career and Technical Center @ Hull.
Their future-focused work will be presented during an engineering programs capstone project fair. The two-day event runs noon-1:30 p.m. May 8-9 at CTC@Hull (13900 Hull Street Road). Parents and business partners are invited to join teachers and students at this demonstration of skills and knowledge achieved throughout the school year.
Individual students and teams of students will present a variety of work:
Drones, robotics and animatronics are part of projects developed for Technology Student Association competition.
Other projects include a custom guitar built from various materials and processes, a scaled-down hydroelectric dam, a rocket booster for a remote-controlled car and a low-cost water filtration system that could be enabled through digital distribution.
Customer-driven projects include pocket shelves for a YMCA, a solution for storing rehabilitation equipment in physical therapy and occupational therapy classrooms and a personalized camera phone for customers of photography students.
The career and technical education areas that are collaborating on the capstone project fair recently won a Program Excellence Award from the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association.
Last chance to purchase tickets for May 1 Hall of Fame gala
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.
CCPS Advisory Committee Meetings for May 2025
CCPS has 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 planned to meet this May:
CCPS Audit and Finance Committee
8 a.m. Tuesday, May 6
Conference Room #1205 at the School Administration Offices
7053 Celebration Park Avenue, Suite 100, N. Chesterfield, VA 23225
Special Education Advisory Committee
5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 7
VCU Room at the Career and Technical Center @ Hull, 13900 Hull Street Road
Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee
8:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 20
Thomas R. Fulghum Center at the Career and Technical Center @ Hull, 13900 Hull Street Road
Environmental Stewardship Advisory Committee
5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 20
VCU Room at the Career and Technical Center @ Hull, 13900 Hull Street Road
Parents and guardians sought to serve on review committees for Virginia math and reading standards
VDOE is seeking parents and guardians to join a Standard Setting Committee to give input to decide the best way to measure student success on the new math and reading tests.
This committee helps review test questions and recommends the score levels that show students have mastered the new standards. Your perspective is vital in making sure the tests fairly reflect what students have learned.
If you are interested in participating, complete the Community Member Standards Setting application. All standard setting meetings will be held June 9-13 at the Virginia Crossings Hotel and Conference Center, 1000 Virginia Center Parkway, Glen Allen, VA 20359.
For more information or questions, email parents@doe.virginia.gov.
Call for nominations for Virginia Board of Education advisory committees
The Virginia Board of Education is seeking nominees for a vacancy on the Board’s Advisory Committees. A full list of open seats is available on the VDOE website.
By state or federal law or regulation, some of the vacancies on advisory committees require specific categories of expertise, qualifications, or geographic representation (map of the VDOE Superintendent’s Regions). Members of advisory committees do not receive compensation for their service but may be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with state travel guidelines set forth by the Department of Accounts.
Educators, parents, administrators and other individuals are invited to apply by completing this nomination form by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 2, 2025.
From Chesterfield County government: Happening in Chesterfield
The April 22, 2025, edition of Happening in Chesterfield is available here. Visit the link and subscribe to ensure the weekly newsletter from Chesterfield County government arrives directly in your inbox each Tuesday.
Next year’s school calendars (2025-26) updated to add four early-release days for students
In its regular April meeting, the School Board voted to adjust both the traditional and year-round calendars for next school year to increase professional learning opportunities for teachers. The 2025-26 calendar was updated to add four three-hour early release days for students. On these dates, teachers will participate in professional development for the remainder of the day after students are released.
Friday, Sept. 19, 2025
Friday, Nov. 14, 2025
Friday, Feb. 6, 2026
Friday, April 17, 2026
The 2025-26 student calendars posted on the school division’s website reflect these changes. Please note: It is best to access student calendars from the school division website. Bookmark that page in your browser for quick access. If you search for a calendar via Google, an outdated version of the calendar may appear in the results.
CCPS in the Know: Vaccinations
Some vaccines are required by Virginia law for students in seventh grade and 12th grade in order to start school on time. This CCPS in the Know video explains the types of vaccines that Chesterfield students need to have and some resources for how to get them.
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.
Register now before summer camps fill up
Summer enrichment camps offered by Chesterfield County Public Schools still have space but are filling up. Camps are first come, first served, so once they’re full that’s it! Click the camp name to learn more and sign up:
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
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 2-6 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
language immersion in German for students who will be in grades 1-6 in 2025-26
We’re hiring instructional assistants at April 29 event
Chesterfield County Public Schools is seeking caring, dedicated individuals to serve as instructional assistants. These vital team members will work closely with students with special needs to help them thrive.
Instructional assistants support special education teachers and students with Individualized Education Programs. Instructional assistants help with classroom duties, activities, implementing IEPs and more.
Join us at our hiring event 4:30-6 p.m. Tuesday, April 29 at Providence Middle, 900 Starlight Lane to interview for a position. Registration is preferred but not required. Learn more and register to attend.
Job seekers can meet our recruitment team at a library this spring
Our recruitment and human resources teams will be at different Chesterfield County libraries to talk with you about working for CCPS. There will be opportunities to apply on the spot. Join us on any of these dates:
Thursday, May 1, 4-6:30 p.m. - Midlothian Library (100 Millworks Crossing, Midlothian)
Thursday, May 8, 3-6 p.m. - North Courthouse Road Library (325 Courthouse Road, North Chesterfield)
For questions, email careers@ccpsnet.net. See all positions: CCPS job listings and hiring events.
Share your input on the Strategic Plan update for 2025-28
Our strategic plan “Imagine Tomorrow” is being updated for 2025-2028 and we want your input! The strategic plan is a guiding document that gives direction for our schools and administrative offices to align division-wide goals to most effectively educate our students and serve our communities. It provides a strong vision and long-term plan for the future of Chesterfield County Public Schools.
First: review the proposed updates that were shared during the April 2025 school board meeting.
Second: give your input online by 5 p.m. on May 2 through this short form.
We appreciate your feedback!
Return your unused medicine at Medication Take Back Day event
Is your cabinet filled with unused or expired medications? Dispose of them safely at the Medication Take Back Day event, hosted by the Chesterfield County Police Department. The event will be 10 a.m.-2p.m. Saturday, April 26, at Wegmans (12501 Stone Village Way, Midlothian, VA). No needles will be accepted.
These events help prevent drug abuse and protect the environment. Learn more about medication take-back programs.