Teachers of the Year honored during Gold Star Gala

Three women smiling in front of backdrop

Chesterfield County Public Schools celebrated Teachers of the Year from every school during a Gold Star Gala. Watch this video to get to know our top Teacher of the Year: Kate Doctor of Monacan High. Here’s a digital version of the program for the Gold Star Gala, so you can see each school’s Teacher of the Year for 2023. (Chesterfield schools will soon be selecting Teachers of the Year for 2024.)

Register now for Nov. 2 college and career fair open to grades 6-12

The annual CCPS college fair is now a college and career fair. Families with students in grades 6-12 are invited to register here for the free event scheduled 6-8 p.m. Nov. 2 at Manchester High School (12601 Bailey Bridge Road). Attendees can connect with colleges (100+ will be represented), explore work-based learning and access community resources ready to support students as they plan for successful futures. This flyer offers details.

Exploring potential paths to college and career is part of goal 1 of the school system’s strategic plan: All students and staff will embody an infinite learner mindset.

Here are next week’s specialty center open houses

Speciality center dates

Specialty centers and regional schools are among high school options for Chesterfield County students. Eighth graders and their families are invited to next week’s open houses:

Oct. 30 for the Arts
Nov. 1 for Engineering Studies
Nov. 2 for Appomattox Regional Governor’s School

Hispanic Heritage Month

One student holidng flag, another smiling

Falling Creek Elementary and Salem Church Elementary celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with joyful parades on Oct. 13. Students carried flags and wore clothing celebrating their heritage:

Job fair set for Oct. 30

Join Team Chesterfield

Chesterfield County Public Schools will hire food service associates during a job fair 4:30-6:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at Tomahawk Creek Middle, 1600 Learning Place Loop. Advance registration is preferred but not required for attending the job fair. This part-time job pays $15-$21.73 per hour plus a $1,250 bonus (paid in May 2024).

Has your copy of CCPS on the Go arrived?

Cover of CCPS on the Go

The fall edition of CCPS on the Go is on its way to every Chesterfield County home. This award-winning publication is full of information about Chesterfield County Public Schools. Designed to improve the reach of our communication, the publication is initially funded through federal relief funds. Digital versions in English and Spanish are available on the school system’s website.

K-12 families invited to STEAM event on Nov. 4

Explosions, ice cream, robots, experiments and prizes: Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead offers all that and more! Students in the Leadership and International Relations Specialty Center invite K-12 families to explore STEAM during this free, fun event. There are two parts to this hands-on opportunity Nov. 4 at James River High (3700 James River Road):

STEAM fair for grades K-12 runs 1-6:45 p.m.
Stargazing event for grades 6-12 runs 7:15-9:30 p.m.

This flyer offers details (including how to register) about the event focused on science, technology, engineering, art and math. An adult must accompany students in grades K-8; students in grades 9-12 must show identification.

Showing up with kindness at Clover Hill High School

Two people looking through canned goods

Here’s one way to show up with kindness: Clover Hill High’s food drive gathered 250+ pounds for the Chesterfield Food Bank. Students also spent time volunteering at the food bank.

Nov. 3 is deadline for openings on School Health Advisory Board

Advisory committees established by the Chesterfield County School Board are one way community members connect with their local 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.

Under Virginia’s open government requirements, meetings are generally required to be held in person. If you are unable to meet in person, please note that in your application under “availability for meeting attendance.”

Click the application button at bit.ly/BdCom to apply by Nov. 3 if you are eligible and interested in these openings on the School Health Advisory Board:

Bermuda District (partial term ending June 30, 2024)
Clover Hill District (partial term ending June 30, 2024)
Midlothian District (partial term ending June 30, 2024)

Thank a Teacher art contest ends Nov. 13

Each year, the Virginia Lottery encourages students, parents and the general public to send thank-you notes to Virginia’s deserving public school teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week. Now is the time to submit artwork for those notes: Three students will have their artwork featured on thousands of thank-you notes distributed during Teacher Appreciation Week in May.

The contest is open to all K-12 students enrolled in one of Virginia’s public schools (not just art students!). One top-prize winner will be selected from each level: elementary school, middle school and high school. The three winners will see their artwork featured on the 2024 thank-you notes. They’ll also receive a $200 Visa® gift card and win $2,000 in supplies for their school’s art department. Nov. 13 is the deadline to send in art, and this website has all of the details.

Nominate outstanding principals by Nov. 2 for R.E.B. Award

In partnership with the R.E.B. Foundation, the Community Foundation invites nominations for the R.E.B. Awards for Distinguished Educational Leadership. This annual initiative recognizes principals who go beyond the day-to-day demands of their position to create an exceptional educational environment.

Parents, students, teachers, volunteers and community members are encouraged to nominate outstanding principals before 5 p.m. Nov. 2. Details and the nomination form are here. The awards will recognize one principal each from Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico and Richmond. Each winner will receive $30,000: a $20,000 grant for school-based initiatives and a $10,000 unrestricted grant.

Friday Family Update - Oct. 27