Friday Family Update - May 17, 2024
Chesterfield County Public Schools
May 17, 2024
Please share your thoughts during superintendent search
Please share your thoughts during superintendent searchYour opinion matters in the search for the next superintendent of Chesterfield County Public Schools. To gather community input, the Chesterfield County School Board has scheduled in-person community meetings and launched an online survey. Information gathered through this inclusive, research-based approach will help the School Board develop a leadership profile and selection criteria for the next superintendent. More information about the superintendent selection process is available on the school system website, oneccps.org.
Survey
All Chesterfield County residents and school employees are invited to provide their thoughts via an online survey at this link. Parents are encouraged to complete the survey, which will be open through June 3. If your children (especially high school students) would like to fill out the survey, then please send them the link and encourage them to answer the survey questions.
Community meetings
Six in-person community meetings and one virtual community meeting will allow Chesterfield County residents and school employees to share information about what they value in public education and what attributes they want in a superintendent. Scheduled throughout the county, the community meetings are open to all:
6:30 p.m. May 21 at Thomas Dale High (3626 W. Hundred Road)
6:30 p.m. May 22 at Meadowbrook High (4901 Cogbill Road)
6:30 p.m. May 28 at Manchester High (12601 Bailey Bridge Road)
For Spanish speakers: 6:30 p.m. May 28 at Manchester Middle (7401 Hull Street Road)
6:30 p.m. May 29 at Clover Hill High (13301 Kelly Green Lane)
6:30 p.m. May 29 at Midlothian Middle (13501 Midlothian Turnpike)
Virtual community forum: 6:30 p.m. May 30;
click this link to join the meeting
and use 422400 as the pass code
LEGO Education pinball wizards
Coding, creativity and conversion of energy came together in a LEGO Education pinball project that connected high school and elementary school students. This video shows how Bird High engineering students coached Hening Elementary students as they built pinball machines.
What do you think of the proposed 2025-26 calendar?
At the May 14 School Board meeting, a draft student calendar was proposed for the 2025-26 school year. The calendar includes:
178 instructional days
Two-week winter break and one-week spring break aligned with largest Region 1 school divisions
Aug. 18-19 start of school
March 30-April 3 spring break
May 29 end of school
The draft calendar for students was created after surveying regional calendars and neighboring districts and getting input from school employees, students and community members. Before the School Board votes to approve the calendar, we’re seeking additional feedback:
Review the draft 2025-26 student calendar.
Submit comments by June 3 to calendarcomments@ccpsnet.net.
Student calendars for the coming 2024-25 school year are available in English and Spanish on the school system’s website.
“Matthew Strittmatter is a game changer, and we are proud to have him on Team Chesterfield,” said Dr. Mervin B. Daugherty, superintendent of Chesterfield County Public Schools. “His leadership and creativity have built a supportive and energetic environment for teaching and learning at Elizabeth Davis Middle.” Dr. Strittmatter has led Elizabeth Davis Middle since 2019, previously serving at Falling Creek Middle as associate principal, assistant principal dean of students and English teacher/department chair. He said, “I am humbled to receive such a prestigious award from the Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals. There are so many incredible leaders across the commonwealth and to be in this conversation is truly an honor. “I am proud of the work we have accomplished at Elizabeth Davis Middle School, and I am truly looking forward to what the future holds,” Dr. Strittmatter continued. “We have an incredible leadership team and an extraordinary staff who go above and beyond for students and their families on a consistent basis. We operate on ‘family first’ and ‘relationships over everything’ mantras that, I believe, have created a strong, cohesive school community that is fully connected. It is our belief that every child deserves to have the opportunity to experience a rigorous, relevant and engaging learning experience where expectations remain high. When we triangulate the learning process by connecting the teacher with the student and the parent, incredible possibilities exist.” Dr. Strittmatter will be honored at the Virginia Middle and High School Principals Conference in June and will be recognized at the 2024 National Principals Conference with other state winners.Virginia’s top middle school principal
Elizabeth Davis Middle Principal Matthew Strittmatter has been named the 2024 Outstanding Middle School Principal of Virginia by the Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals. The association annually recognizes outstanding school leaders who succeed in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students.“Better Together” art sets vibe for new HQ
Congratulations to three students whose artwork expressing the theme “Better Together” was selected to brighten the headquarters of Chesterfield County Public Schools. Click here to see artwork and award presentations for:
Bryce K. of Alberta Smith Elementary
Allie E. of Tomahawk Creek Middle
Ian G. of James River High
School officials presented certificates and let the students know their designs will be used as inspiration in the interior design of the new school administration building being built off Midlothian Turnpike. When the headquarters opens next year, the students will be invited to see how their art is incorporated into the building.
CCPS Outstanding Teachers of the Gifted
Congratulations to CCPS Outstanding Teachers of the Gifted:
Mary Precopio of Greenfield Elementary is the CCPS Elementary Outstanding Teacher of the Gifted. A teacher of the gifted for 30 years, she excels at providing an engaging and authentic learning experience for her students while also allowing them to feel safe and supported both socially and emotionally.
Christina Owens of Midlothian Middle is the CCPS Secondary Outstanding Teacher of the Gifted. As chair of the Science Department Chair, she leads not only her students through challenging conversations, but also her colleagues. She is invested in supporting students and teachers as they develop as lifelong learners who willingly accept challenges.
CCPS is accepting prekindergarten applications
CCPS is accepting prekindergarten applicationsPrekindergarten applications are being accepted now for the 2024-25 school year. This webpage has details and links to the application form in English and in Spanish. A free, full-day program, prekindergarten helps 4-year-olds with the greatest need prepare for kindergarten. A limited number of prekindergarten spots are available at these sites:
Chester Early Childhood Learning Academy serving Bellwood, Bensley, Beulah, Marguerite Christian, Curtis, Ecoff, Enon, Gates, Harrowgate, Salem Church, Elizabeth Scott and Wells elementary schools
Bon Air, Davis, Chalkley, Crenshaw, Crestwood, Ettrick, Evergreen, Falling Creek, Greenfield, Hening, Hopkins, Jacobs Road, Matoaca, Providence and Reams Road elementary schools
We’re hiring instructional assistants
Chesterfield County Public Schools is hiring instructional assistants during a job fair 4-6 p.m. June 3 at Providence Middle, 900 Starlight Lane. Registration is strongly preferred but not required.
Instructional assistants support teachers and students.
The job includes classroom duties (recording grades, correcting work), helping students with academics, supervising students at times and more.
Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Every job available within Chesterfield County Public Schools is posted on the school system's website, including positions for teachers, cafeteria staff, substitute teachers, administrators, instructional assistants, facilities employees, bus drivers and more. Find a job that makes a difference: Work in Chesterfield County Public Schools! The Virginia Department of Education Office of Instructional Services and the Office of Special Education Family Support and Special Facilities are offering a live, virtual training event providing an overview of the new Virginia Alternate Assessment Program participation decision-making tool. The training will be 6:30-7:30 p.m. June 5. Registration will be limited to 100 participants, so register here as soon as possible. If you have questions, then call 804-750-8645 or email Deborah.Johnson@doe.virginia.gov. The Technical Assistance Center for Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing at the Partnership for People with Disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University, in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Education, will bring together professionals and families from across Virginia to engage in dialogue, discussion and learning methods to strengthen academic outcomes for children who are deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind. Register for Opening Doors — Unlocking Potential, a June 20-21 training event in Glen Allen. There is a fee to attend; families may apply for scholarships. If you have questions, then email yurechkot@vcu.edu. May 20-28: Chesterfield County Public Schools will graduate about 4,700 students. May 27: Schools and school offices will be closed. May 28: This is the last day to register for in-person summer school. May 31: This is the last day of school for students in all schools except Bellwood Elementary and Falling Creek Elementary. (May 29 is the final day of this school year for students at Bellwood Elementary and Falling Creek Elementary.) June 24: In-person summer school starts.Special education trainings offered for families
Virginia Alternate Assessment Program participation decision-making tool
Opening Doors — Unlocking Potential
Upcoming dates
How to watch #CCPS24 graduations
About 4,700 Chesterfield County Public Schools students will receive high school diplomas during graduation ceremonies May 20-28. Graduates and families are encouraged to use #CCPS24 and #oneCCPS when sharing on social media.
In-person attendance is by invitation only, but every graduation will be livestreamed via YouTube (depending on internet strength at the graduation venue). Here are direct links to each school’s graduation:
Matoaca High will graduate at 9 a.m. May 20 at Virginia State University.
Thomas Dale High will graduate at 3 p.m. May 20 at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Cosby High will graduate at 9:30 a.m. May 21 at VCU.
Manchester High will graduate at 2 p.m. May 21 at VCU.
James River High will graduate at 9:30 a.m. May 22 at VCU.
Midlothian High will graduate at 2 p.m. May 22 at VCU.
Clover Hill High will graduate at 9:30 a.m. May 23 at VCU.
Monacan High will graduate at 2 p.m. May 23 at VCU
Meadowbrook High will graduate at 9:30 a.m. May 24 at VCU.
Bird High will graduate at 2 p.m. May 24 at VCU.
Carver College and Career Academy will graduate at 3 p.m. May 28 at CTC@Hull.
After 2024 graduation season ends, all of the videos will be available via this YouTube playlist: bit.ly/CCPS24.
June 3-4: end-of-year medication pickup
Parents and guardians must pick up their children’s medications from the school clinic, but the medications must be available for student use through the last day of school on May 31. All remaining student medications, including over-the-counter medications, may be picked up from the school clinic during normal school hours June 3-4.
After 4 p.m. June 4, all leftover medications will be packed and turned over to the Chesterfield County Police Department for disposal. Once medications are packed for police collection, they cannot be retrieved so it is important for parents to pick up medications on time. Late pickups are not permitted, and medications cannot be stored at the school during the summer.
All medications must be picked up even if your student will attend summer school. At the beginning of summer school, parents will need to provide children’s medication to the summer school coordinator at your child’s summer site. Please contact your child’s school nurse to request a copy of the medication order for all medications being administered during summer school.
Check out the updated CCPS special education info
The special education page of the school system’s website has been updated. Online information outlines the special education process from referral to development of an individualized education program. In addition to the webpage, families can regularly find state and local information in this newsletter.
Be sure to complete special education survey about parent involvement
Parents of school-age children and youth with disabilities who receive special education services are asked to complete the Virginia Department of Education parent involvement survey. The annual survey is open through Dec. 13. Please complete one survey for each of your children who received special education services in the 2023-24 school year. You can access the 13-question survey at these links:
Parents have online access to frequently asked questions (scroll to “indicator 8” for information about the parent involvement survey). Parents also have online access to printable versions of the survey in English and the survey in Spanish. If you have questions, then email Chiquita Seaborne or call 804-418-4672.
Private school placement survey seeks info from parents and students
The Virginia Department of Education has a survey for students who attend a licensed private day school and another survey for their parents:
Dec. 13 is the deadline. Families with more than one child receiving special education services in a licensed private day school should complete a survey for each child. Printable versions are available: parent survey and student survey. If you have questions, then email Hank Millward or call 804-887-5000.
Summer school registration open until May 28
Registration for in-person summer school closes May 28. Fill in learning gaps. Strengthen skills. Get ahead. Whatever your motivation, summer school can help make summer count! Summer programs are available for students with and without an individualized education program who meet the criteria detailed on the summer learning page. Scroll to the bottom of that webpage for answers to frequently asked questions and contact information.
Vaccine information for rising seventh graders and seniors
It is not too early to get state-required vaccines.
Rising seventh graders: Virginia students are required to get certain vaccines before entering seventh grade. The Virginia Department of Health provides information in English and Spanish.
Rising seniors:
Virginia students are required to get certain vaccines before entering 12th grade. The Virginia Department of Health provides information in
and
.
