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.

It’s Denim Drive Time!

Turn jeans into jobs while helping your school! Each year in the Denim Drive, families donate used denim clothing of all kinds. Goodwill tracks the denim donated on behalf of each Chesterfield County school, then awards nine cash prizes ($1,000, $750 and $500) to the top three elementary, middle and high school PTAs. The denim is sold in Goodwill stores or recycled. Clean out your closet and support schools and the community by bringing your denim donations between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Oct. 14-15 to the Career and Technical Center @ Hull (13900 Hull Street Road).

Begin With the Finish Line in Mind

On their first day of high school, every Chesterfield County ninth grader poses for a cap-and-gown photo. It’s a visual reminder that graduation is the goal. This video shows the class of 2027 trying on their graduation garb.

Show Up for Each Other

Showing up for each other is vital for Team Chesterfield. This video explains what that means.

Hispanic Heritage Month Opportunities

• Watch this video to see how Matoaca High students fluent in Spanish connected with culinary students as they made pupusas for the start of Hispanic Heritage Month.
• Thomas Dale High invites families to the Hola Festival 5-8 p.m. Oct. 11 for salsa lessons, music and student performances. Click here for a flyer with all of the details.

How To Stop Vaping Is Oct. 12 Topic

According to the Virginia Department of Health, vaping is an epidemic among young people, with more than one in four high school students and one in 10 middle school students reported vaping in the past 30 days.

To combat vaping, Chesterfield County Public Schools invites parents and guardians to “How to Talk to Your Kids About Vaping” 6:30-7:45 p.m. Oct. 12 at Thomas Dale High (3626 W. Hundred Road). Register at bit.ly/stopvape_TDHS.

The session will cover:

• Health risks of substance use during adolescence and young adulthood
• Myths, trends and concerns about vaping and marijuana use in young people
• Information and resources needed to address this issue with children

Two Fairs Feature Every Specialty Center

Eighth graders and their families are invited to learn about high school options during two fairs:

• 6:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 2 at Clover Hill High, 13301 Kelly Green Lane
• 6:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at Meadowbrook High, 4901 Cogbill Road

This video gives an overview of 13 specialty centers and three regional high schools. During eighth grade, Chesterfield students decide whether or not to apply to a specialty center within Chesterfield County Public Schools, to a governor’s school or to a regional technology school. Attending a specialty center fair provides in-person information to help make that decision. Additionally, in October and November, each specialty center will hold an open house to provide more information to families.

Specialty center details are available on the school system website. The window to apply for the 2024-25 school year runs Oct. 2-Dec. 1 for specialty centers and governor’s schools and runs Jan. 8-Feb. 16 for CodeRVA.

We’re Hiring Substitute Teachers

If you’re looking for a flexible schedule so you can work when you choose, then consider applying to become a substitute teacher. Chesterfield County Public Schools pays substitute teachers $117.19 on regular days and $203 on Fridays and high-demand days. Learn more during a job fair for substitute teachers 4:30-6:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at James River High, 3700 James River Road. Advance registration is requested but not required for attending the job fair.

Special Education Information for Parents

• Survey due Dec. 15: Parents of school-age children and youth with disabilities who receive special education services are asked to complete the Virginia Department of Education annual parent involvement survey. The survey is open through Dec. 15. Please complete one survey for each of your children who received special education services in the 2022-23 school year. If you have questions, please email Chiquita Seaborne or call 804-225-3898.

• Updated guide to special education: Available now from the Virginia Department of Education is the Virginia Family’s Guide to Special Education. The department developed this new guide to help those involved in special education, whether as families, teachers, school administrators, advocates or students. Meeting the needs of children with disabilities requires an understanding of rights and responsibilities, which include the child’s rights and the school’s responsibilities to meet their needs. This guide includes a description of the special education process and what is required during each step of that process. The guide is currently available in English; translations will soon be available in Spanish, Arabic, Amharic, Urdu and Vietnamese.
• Website: Lots of helpful information is available on the special education for families webpage of the Virginia Department of Education.

Families Invited to Mission Tomorrow

High school students, middle school students and their families are invited to a future-shaping opportunity. Mission Tomorrow is offering a session 5:15-7 p.m. Oct. 10 at Richmond Raceway. Click here to register.

Each year, eighth graders from Chesterfield County Public Schools and other central Virginia districts experience Mission Tomorrow, an interactive career exploration event. The evening session opens the Mission Tomorrow door to families:

• Engage in hands-on activities that introduce you to a wide array of career options. Discover your passions and talents as you delve into various industries.
• Learn about work-based learning opportunities by hearing from experts in your dream careers and gaining invaluable insights into your desired field.
• Unlock the door to internships that will supercharge your resume and provide real-world experience. Build your network and set the stage for a successful future.

Oct. 5 is Deadline for Openings on Advisory Committees

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.” For more information about specific committees or to apply, go to bit.ly/BdCom.

Click the application button at bit.ly/BdCom to apply by Oct. 5 if you are eligible and interested in these openings:

Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee

• Midlothian District (partial term ending June 30, 2025)

 School Health Advisory Board

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

 Special Education Advisory Committee (Parent representatives must have a child participating in a special education program within Chesterfield County Public Schools at the time of appointment.)

• Clover Hill District (partial term ending June 30, 2026)