Chesterfield County Public Schools -

FACE FWD film series starts Feb. 27

Chesterfield County Public Schools will host a free documentary film series for families and educators on these Tuesdays:

• “The Disruptors” on Feb. 27
• “Split Up” on March 5
• “Anxious Nation” on March 12
• “Deej” on March 26

Organized by the Office of Family and Community Engagement, the FACE FWD film series will explore cultural competency, social-emotional development and adolescent support. Tickets are free, but reservations are required via Eventbrite for each of the four films. Each film will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Career and Technical Center @ Hull, 13900 Hull Street Road, Midlothian, VA 23112.

Reserve your free tickets for “The Disruptors,” which will be shown at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 27 in the CTC@Hull auditorium. The film explores attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, which is one of the most commonly diagnosed and widely misunderstood neurological conditions in the world, affecting nearly 10% of children and a rising number of adults. But what if having an ADHD brain is actually an asset? A growing number of innovators, entrepreneurs, CEOs, Olympic athletes and award-winning artists have recently disclosed that their ADHD, managed effectively, has played a vital role in their success. “The Disruptors” hears from many of those game-changing people about their ADHD, debunks harmful myths and takes viewers inside a number of families as they navigate living with ADHD.

See the programs for families page on the school system’s website for details about the other films in FACE FWD.

Celebrating Black History Month

February is Black History Month. Throughout the month, we'll share history, achievements and activities that highlight and honor the influence of African Americans in our community and nation.

Space remains in adult education classes

There is still time to register for adult education classes offered by Chesterfield County Public Schools. Here are a few opportunities; you can register online:

• Plate welding begins Jan. 31. The class costs $850 and meets 6-9 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays through May 22.
• Dental Assistant 1 begins Feb. 1. The class costs $500 and meets 6-9 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays through May 22.
• Medical Assistant 1 begins Feb. 12. The class costs $775 and meets 6-9 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays through May 23.

Many more adult education classes are available, including additional workforce training courses, enrichment classes, GED assistance and English language skills. Questions? Call 804-768-6140.

Town halls focus on proposed budget and priorities

Superintendent Mervin B. Daugherty proposed his FY 2025 budget during a Jan. 23 work session. You can view that presentation here; watch a video of the School Board work session here; and review budget details here.
The $913.7 million budget reflects commitment to continued educational excellence and addresses three sets of priorities:

• Compensation and required increases: Providing a 4% salary increase to employees and allowing for increased costs for services and state-mandated increases
• Maintaining service levels: Continuing the quality education and support services our community values
• Additional needs: Addressing other needed items for schools based on final state revenue numbers

Public meetings throughout January and February offer opportunities to learn about the FY 2025 budget and speak up about your priorities. Here are remaining town halls and School Board work sessions:

• A budget town hall will take place at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at Manchester High (12601 Bailey Bridge Road), which is in the Matoaca District.
• A budget town hall for Spanish speakers will take place at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 1 at Manchester Middle (7401 Hull Street Road).
• A budget town hall will take place at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 5 at Thomas Dale High (3626 W. Hundred Road), which is in the Bermuda District.
• The School Board will hold a second work session on the budget at 4 p.m. Feb. 6 in the Public Meeting Room.
• A budget town hall will take place at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at Midlothian Middle (13501 Midlothian Turnpike), which is in the Midlothian District.
• On Feb. 13 in the Public Meeting Room, the School Board will hold a third work session on the budget at 4 p.m., then will hold a public hearing on the budget at the start of a 6:30 p.m. business meeting.
• The School Board will meet to adopt the budget at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 22 in the Public Meeting Room.

Budget work sessions and public hearings are livestreamed on Swagit and shown on Comcast channel 98 and Verizon channel 28.

High school students invited to Feb. 24 RVA Teen Summit

High school students are invited to attend the RVA Teen Summit on Feb. 24. This is the second year for the event, which is designed to connect central Virginia students and provide a safe space for them to speak out. This flyer provides details. Free and open to CCPS high school students, the summit will take place at the Richmond Convention Center with transportation provided from four hubs. Students can get a permission slip here or at their school’s front office. Completed permission slips are due by Feb. 15 either returned to the front office at your child's school or emailed to amelia_bartilotti@ccpsnet.net.

Chesterfield County Public Schools is holding two job fairs

Chesterfield County Public Schools is seeking outstanding teachers:

• Elementary teacher job fair: The primary focus of this event is finding qualified K-5 teachers, including special education and ESL. Candidates must apply by Jan. 31 to be considered for an interview. Applications will be reviewed, and qualifying teachers will be invited to an in-person interview between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Feb. 3. Questions? Call 804-748-1984 or email careers@ccpsnet.net.
• Job fair for high-needs schools: This virtual job fair is seeking teachers for high-needs schools. Candidates must apply by Feb. 11 to be considered for an interview. CCPS high-needs schools are Bellwood Elementary, Chalkley Elementary, Ettrick Elementary, Falling Creek Elementary, Hopkins Elementary, Carver Middle, Falling Creek Middle, Matoaca Middle, Salem Church Middle, Bird High and Meadowbrook High. Applications will be reviewed, and qualifying teachers will be invited to a virtual interview Feb. 12-16. Questions? Call 804-748-1984 or email careers@ccpsnet.net.

Chesterfield County Public Schools families with students in grades K-6 are invited to a free performance of “Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World.” The Virginia Opera will present two performances that tell the real-life story of a young girl living in Mexico City and her friendship with famed artist Frida Kahlo, who paints her portrait. Families invited to free “Frida Kahlo” opera

Families can use this form to reserve free seats for

• 6:30 p.m. Feb. 5 performance at Meadowbrook High
• 6:30 p.m. Feb. 7 performance at Elizabeth Davis Middle

Questions? Call 804-639-8632.

Learn more about the Superintendent's FY 2025 Proposed Budget

Click here to learn more.

ADHD is topic of Feb. 7 Coffee & Conversation

A virtual Coffee & Conversation discussion will focus on ADHD. The CCPS Office of Family and Community Engagement will host the free webinar 1-2 p.m. Feb. 7, and Melissa Ackley of Chesterfield Mental Health Prevention Services will be the featured speaker. Click here to register and to see upcoming Coffee & Conversation topics.

We’re hiring cafeteria workers during Jan. 24 job fair

Chesterfield County Public Schools is hiring part-time food service associates to work in school cafeterias during a job fair 4:30-6:30 p.m. Jan. 24 at Swift Creek Middle, 3700 Old Hundred Road South. Online registration is encouraged but not required.

• Work where you will make a difference.
• Hourly pay is $15 to $21.73.
• $1,250 bonus to be paid in May 2024.
• Questions? Call 804-748-1984 or email careers@ccpsnet.net.

Learn about school district’s budget during January and February meetings

Budget season for Chesterfield County Public Schools begins Jan. 23 when Superintendent Mervin B. Daugherty presents his budget proposal to the Chesterfield County School Board. Public meetings throughout January and February offer opportunities to learn about the FY 2025 budget and speak up about priorities:

• The superintendent will present the proposed budget during a School Board work session at 4 p.m. Jan. 23 in the Public Meeting Room (10001 Iron Bridge Road).
• A budget town hall will take place at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 24 at Meadowbrook High (4901 Cogbill Road), which is in the Dale District.
• A budget town hall will take place at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at Clover Hill High (13301 Kelly Green Lane), which is in the Clover Hill District.
• A budget town hall will take place at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at Manchester High (12601 Bailey Bridge Road), which is in the Matoaca District.
• A budget town hall for Spanish speakers will take place at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 1 at Manchester Middle (7401 Hull Street Road).
• A budget town hall will take place at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 5 at Thomas Dale High (3626 W. Hundred Road), which is in the Bermuda District.
• The School Board will hold a second work session on the budget at 4 p.m. Feb. 6 in the Public Meeting Room.
• A budget town hall will take place at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at Midlothian Middle (13501 Midlothian Turnpike), which is in the Midlothian District.
• On Feb. 13 in the Public Meeting Room, the School Board will hold a third work session on the budget at 4 p.m., then will hold a public hearing on the budget at the start of a 6:30 p.m. business meeting.
• The School Board will meet to adopt the budget at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 22 in the Public Meeting Room.

Budget work sessions and public hearings will be livestreamed at http://chesterfieldschoolsva.swagit.com/live/ and shown on Comcast channel 98 and Verizon channel 28. Details about the budget will be posted on oneccps.org.

Nominations are open for R.E.B. Awards for Teaching Excellence

Nominate outstanding teachers for R.E.B. Awards for Teaching Excellence! The program is accepting nominations through 5 p.m. Feb. 20. About 15 central Virginia teachers are selected each year to receive amazing grants up to $15,000 to support professional development. Award winners have earned graduate degrees, climbed mountains, traced their ancestors and met peers from around the world — all to continue their love for learning and to pass it on to their students. Details can be found on the foundation’s website.

Breaking ground Jan. 19 for new Davis Elementary

A groundbreaking ceremony for a new Davis Elementary School is scheduled for 2 p.m. Jan. 19. The public event will take place on the soccer fields behind the current Davis Elementary (415 S. Providence Road). This will be the first school built using a new elementary school prototype for Chesterfield County Public Schools. Scheduled to open in August 2025, the new building is part of a community facilities bond plan approved by Chesterfield County voters. Virginia Public School Authority bonds will cover most of the building’s $51 million cost, supplemented by federal funds from the American Rescue Plan.

Registration begins Jan. 9 for adult education classes

Chesterfield County Public Schools offers a robust array of adult education classes, and registration for spring opens at 9 a.m. Jan. 9 via this website. Also, additional details about adult education and a catalog are available here. Workforce training, enrichment classes, GED assistance and English language skills are offered. Here are a few specific classes scheduled this spring:

• practical nursing
• heavy equipment operator training
• veterinary assistant
• cosmetology
• Medicare basics
• drumming
• digital photography
• cake decorating
• CPR

Feb. 2 is deadline for student artists
You’re invited to use your creativity to brighten a new headquarters being built for Chesterfield County Public Schools. It’s important that the headquarters shows that students are at the center of Chesterfield County Public Schools, and incorporating art by our creative and talented student artists will make that clear. All students in Chesterfield County Public Schools (from prekindergarten through 12th grade) are encouraged to create an original work of visual art in a medium of their choice that expresses the contest theme of “Better Together.” Designs will be judged on the creative use and communication of the theme. Only two-dimensional works, please. Entries are due by Feb. 2. One overall winner from each level (elementary, middle and high) will be chosen and announced in February. Each winning entry, along with many of the works submitted for this contest, will be used as inspiration and reproduced within the overall interior design of the school system’s new headquarters.

There are two ways to submit artwork:

• Option 1: Use this online form to submit a photo of the artwork.
• Option 2: Submit the original artwork and this permission form to your school’s main office.

Prepare now for snow and other emergencies It may sometimes be necessary to close schools, delay opening or release students early when bad weather occurs or there is another emergency. Families should have a plan in place for these times.

If schools are closed, open late or close early, then announcements will be posted on oneccps.org and social media and will be communicated to families via text and email. If schools are open regular hours, then no announcement will be made. To receive emergency messages, parents and guardians should make sure their contact information, including cell number, is up to date in ParentVue. Chesterfield County Public Schools officials make decisions as early as possible, but sometimes there is too much uncertainty to make an early determination. When this happens, decisions are typically made about 4:30 a.m. When Chesterfield County Public Schools closes because of severe weather, transportation is not provided to Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School, Appomattox Regional Governor’s School and CodeRVA Regional High School.

Happy new year!

• Students and teachers return from winter break on Jan. 8.
• Bellwood and Falling Creek elementaries are in intersession Jan. 8-12.
• All schools and school offices are closed Jan. 15.
• Jan. 19 is an early release day for students at all schools except Bellwood and Falling Creek elementaries.
• School year calendars are available online.

Marching toward winter break - Superintendent Merv Daugherty’s winter break video may be the best thing you see today. Huge shoutout to Clover Hill High’s Marching Cavaliers and band director Brianna Gatch!

• Winter break for students and teachers will begin Dec. 22 and continue through Jan. 5.
• School offices and school system buildings will remain open to the public Dec. 22, Dec. 27-29 and Jan. 2-5.

Act by Jan. 16 to be considered for critical needs hiring fair

Chesterfield County Public Schools invites highly qualified educators in 13 critical needs areas to apply to join Team Chesterfield. Candidates in these areas who apply by Jan. 16 at bit.ly/24needs will be considered for interviews during a Jan. 20 hiring fair:

• Library
• Math
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Earth and space science
• Middle school science
• Special education
• Spanish
• ESL
• English
• Language arts
• Reading specialists
• Elementary education

Email careers@ccpsnet.net if you have questions. Learn more about Chesterfield County Public Schools at oneccps.org.

Financial literacy awards - Congratulations to the Chesterfield County high schools that were named Blue Star Schools for student performance on the W!se financial literacy certification test:

• Cosby High
• James River High
• Midlothian High
• Monacan High

Schools earn Blue Star School designation by achieving an 80% passing rate on the W!se financial literacy certification test with at least half the students on a grade level or at least 10% of school enrollment having taken the certification test.

Congratulations to the 29 economics and personal finance teachers who earned the 2022-23 Gold Star Teacher Award:

• Bird High: Adam Canning
• Career and Technical Center @ Courthouse: Mary Mayo
• CCPSOnline: Chad Seay, Janice Skipwith, Kim Leggette, LaTizzia Bragg-Bullock and Samantha Uzzle
• Clover Hill High: Kyle Miller and Stephanie Mercado
• Cosby High: David Templeton, Jenna Brown, Mike Shuman and Nichola Woznyj
• Thomas Dale High: Bill Wright, Felicia Campbell and Towns Josey
• James River High: Jeffrey Bourassa and Madison Irving
• Manchester High: Brian Graham, Charlie Krausse and Paul Kline
• Matoaca High: Kendra Pahl and William De Salvatore
• Midlothian High: Brett Ridens, Gabriel Taylor and Trish Reese
• Monacan High: Adrian Murray, Carolyn Manheim and Meredith Shuman

Teachers earn this recognition by achieving a 93% passing rate on the W!se financial literacy certification test in at least one class.