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Friday Update - Dec. 8, 2023

Chesterfield County Public Schools

December 8, 2023

Clover Hill High explores aviation

The Virginia Department of Aviation buzzed over to Clover Hill High with interactive, educational activities for students, including a flight simulator. Watch this video to see how the day went.

Bellwood Buddies show up for each other

Bellwood Buddies is a new initiative to improve attendance at Bellwood Elementary. Each day, 25 older students (grades 4-5) check in with about 60 younger students (grades K-3). The older buddies demonstrate student leadership while strengthening relationships and letting their younger buddies know they are important to the Bellwood Elementary community. Bellwood students are showing up for each other!

Reminder: Share your experiences through school culture survey 

If you have not already done so, please share your experience with CCPS by completing the Building Ranks School Culture Survey, which asks about learning, safety, relationships, the school environment and your involvement at your school. Principals have shared unique school survey links with community members, parents, staff and students, but you can also access the survey through the link above and choose your school. The survey takes about 15 minutes, and your responses can help guide changes at the school. Surveys will be open through Friday, Dec. 8.

Learn about earning college credits while in high school

Parents and students are invited to learn about the advanced academic programming available in Chesterfield County high schools. A Dec. 6 virtual session targeted rising 11th and 12th grade families; a Dec. 14 virtual session is for rising 9th and 10th grade families:

Are you interested in learning about college course readiness and advanced academics? Rising 9th and 10th graders and their families are invited to a virtual information session at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 14 to learn about pathways of rigorous, college-level courses that will count for high school graduation while simultaneously earning college credit. Also, Brightpoint Community College will discuss dual enrollment courses. Register here for the Dec. 14 session. The meeting link will be emailed to you before the event.

Winter (break) is coming

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.

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.

Families invited to free showing of “Screenagers Under the Influence” 

Chesterfield County Public Schools invites parents and teens to a free showing of "Screenagers Under the Influence: Addressing Vaping, Drugs and Alcohol in the Digital Age" at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at CTC@Hull (13900 Hull Street Road). A panel discussion with health specialists will follow the screening. Get more information and reserve your free tickets here.

"Screenagers Under the Influence: Addressing Vaping, Drugs and Alcohol in the Digital Age" examines the impact of technology on teens' decision-making about vaping, drugs and alcohol. Exploring the latest research and learning more about the personal experiences of teens and families, the film highlights the changing landscape of the substances, offering solutions for how to best empower teens as they face decisions about what they will and will not be influenced by. 

The film debunks myths and depicts strategies parents and schools can use to encourage healthy decision-making, support teen mental health, set limits and create healthy home environments. The film also includes many ways young people are using their wisdom and strength to help each other and themselves through this complicated terrain around substance use.

Virginia Down Syndrome Association plans virtual speaker series

“Dismantling Ableism: Empowering Individuals With Down Syndrome to Thrive” is the focus of a four-night virtual speaker series organized by the Virginia Down Syndrome Association for Feb. 20, Feb. 22, Feb. 27 and Feb. 29. Early-bird registration covers all dates and costs $30; email sklauer@virginiadsa.org for scholarship information. Details about the speaker series are available online.

Calling all CCPS artists!

You’re invited to use your creativity to brighten a new headquarters being built for Chesterfield County Public Schools. Construction is underway on the office building (located on Midlothian Turnpike and named Springline at District 60) that is expected to open in 2025.

It’s important that the headquarters show 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 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 2, 2024.

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: