School attendance matters
September is Attendance Awareness month. Chesterfield County Public Schools is committed to ensuring all of our students have the best education possible. In order to get the most from the CCPS experience, students need to be at school.
Missing 10% (just 2 days each month) can drastically affect a student’s academic success.
Students who are chronically absent in kindergarten are less likely to read by 3rd grade.
By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.
By 9th grade, attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates.
If a student misses 15 consecutive days, they are automatically unenrolled.
We understand that every family situation is different and we’re here to help. If your student has absences or special circumstances that may prevent them from getting to school, communicate with school staff by phone or written note to make them aware.
Families can help their students achieve through attendance by checking their absences and grades on ParentVUE, setting a regular bedtime and morning routine, and working with your school to help develop a plan for support if needed.
Print out or save this flyer about attendance in English or Spanish for helpful tips and reminders. Stay present and stay ahead – school attendance matters!
CCPS in the Know: Importance of Attendance
It’s a fact: student success is directly tied to attendance. When you show up to school, you achieve. This episode of CCPS in the Know covers the importance of attendance, the impacts of missing days and some practical tips to keep your attendance up so that you can have the best school year possible. Mira en Español.
Do you have a question for CCPS In the Know? Ask it here for a chance to be featured. Watch all past episodes of CCPS in the Know on YouTube.
James River High teacher wins the Angelique Clarke Social Studies Teacher Leader Award
James River High teacher Keenan Entsminger was surprised Aug. 12 with the Angelique Clarke Social Studies Teacher Leader Award. Department chair, professional learning community lead and National History Day coordinator, Entsminger was praised as “a tireless advocate for students, colleagues and the betterment of his school community” who “leads with compassion and competence.”
Sponsored by the Virginia Credit Union, the award is given annually in memory of CCPS social studies teacher Angelique Clarke, who exemplified the characteristics of servant leadership as she helped students find success in school and in life.
Registration now open for free PSAT and SAT prep sessions
Chesterfield County Public Schools is offering preparation courses for the PSAT and SAT for current 9th- 12th graders enrolled at CCPS. Sessions will take place Sept. 22-25, 2025. The deadline to register for these opportunities is 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17.
The PSAT Academy is free and open to Chesterfield County Public Schools high school students who want to prepare for the PSAT exam that high schools administer for free each October. The academy includes two days of math review and two days of reading and writing review. The PSAT Academy does not require a book. Register for the PSAT Academy.
The SAT Academy is free and available to Chesterfield County Public Schools high school students who want to prepare for college entrance exams. While there is no cost for the academy, students must purchase and bring to class this study guide from the store or online site of their choice: Princeton Review Digital SAT Premium Prep, 2025 (ISBN 9780593517529). Register for the SAT Academy.
Learn more on the SAT Academy page at oneCCPS.org.
High school juniors and seniors invited to apply for the United States Senate Youth Program scholarship opportunity
The Virginia Department of Education will select two student delegates to represent Virginia in the 64th Annual United States Senate Youth Program. Each delegate will receive a $10,000 scholarship and an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., for the week of March 7-14, 2026. Interested students must complete an application including two letters of recommendation, a personal essay, academic essays, and administrative verification.
Applications are available through an online student application portal. Completed applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, to be considered.
Detailed information about the program, specific qualifications, and delegate expectations may be found on the VDOE United States Senate Youth Program website.
Three Chesterfield schools named National PTA Schools of Excellence
Moseley Elementary, Spring Run Elementary and Salem Church Middle have been named National PTA Schools of Excellence for 2024-26. This designation celebrates strong partnerships between local PTAs and their schools that enrich the educational experience and overall well-being for all students. Across the United States, only 330 PTAs and schools achieved this designation for 2024-26.
A total of 14 Chesterfield schools and PTAs have achieved recognition as National PTA Schools of Excellence over the years: Chesterfield Virtual School, Clover Hill Elementary, Crestwood Elementary, Ecoff Elementary, Gordon Elementary, Moseley Elementary, Robious Elementary, Spring Run Elementary, Bailey Bridge Middle, Falling Creek Middle, Robious Middle, Salem Church Middle, Swift Creek Middle and Meadowbrook High.
Drive the bus! CCPS hiring drivers at Sept. 17 event
Want a full-time job with optional summers off or maybe part-time work with a flexible schedule? Become a bus driver for Chesterfield County Public Schools! Join us at our hiring event Wednesday, Sept. 17 from 5-6 p.m. at Swift Creek Middle School (3700 Old Hundred Rd. S., Midlothian). Registration is preferred, but not required.
No experience needed.
Get paid while you train for your CDL.
Starting pay is $24.15/hour or higher with experience.
Notice and opportunity for public comment
What are your thoughts about police department partnership? Chesterfield County Public Schools and the Chesterfield County Police Department have a close connection, working as partners to protect students and school staff members. A memorandum of understanding, which is updated regularly, provides a framework for the partnership. The Chesterfield County School Board invites public comment on an updated memorandum of understanding. Email comments to ccpsinfo@ccpsnet.net before Oct. 2.
CCPS School Board meeting scheduled for Sept. 9
The Chesterfield County School Board will hold its regular business meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9 in the Chesterfield County Public Meeting Room (10001 Iron Bridge Road, Chesterfield, VA). Visit BoardDocs to see the meeting agenda and more.
Public comment will be accepted during the business meeting. Submit written public comments to the board online or sign up to speak in person by 2 p.m. Sept. 9. 12.
The meeting will be broadcast via live stream at http://chesterfieldschoolsva.swagit.com/live/ and on television on Comcast Channel 98 and Verizon Channel 28.
Special Education Parent Involvement Survey for the 2024-25 school year
All parents of school-aged children and youth with disabilities who receive special education services in Virginia are requested to complete the Virginia Department of Education’s annual Special Education Parent Involvement Survey.
This survey will remain open through Dec. 12, 2025. Please complete one survey for each of your children who received special education services during the 2024-25 school year.
For questions, contact Dr. Chiquita Seaborne by email at Chiquita.Seaborne@doe.virginia.gov or phone at 804-418-4672.
Coffee & Conversation family series returns Sept. 10
Mark your calendars! Our virtual series Coffee & Conversation returns for the 2025-26 school year. Every Wednesday, from 1-2 p.m., you can join a free virtual discussion with area experts about topics important to parents and caregivers. Each conversation provides an opportunity to learn, ask questions and share your experiences.
Join us Wednesday, 1-2 p.m. Sept. 10 for “Turn Anxiety into a Superpower” to learn how kids can use their five senses as a superpower for self-regulation and confidence. We’ll share practical, playful strategies you can use at home. Our guest speaker is Bridgette Fowler, a local author, artist and speech pathologist.
Sign up to attend this and more Coffee & Conversations here. See full details of each session on our Programs for Families page.
Kinship Resource Fair will share support opportunities
Join us for the Kinship Resource Fair Friday, Sept. 12 from noon-2 p.m. at the Beulah Recreation Center (6901 Hopkins Road North Chesterfield, VA 23234). This free event features kinship information, door prizes, pizza and more. Guest speaker Claudia Perez from Greater Richmond SCAN will present about kinship support groups.
In addition to Chesterfield County Public Schools, representatives from these organizations will be present:
Registration is preferred, but not required. To register, complete the Kinship Families Resource Fair RSVP by 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11.
Families can apply for assistance from Christmas Mother
Families can request help from the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Christmas Mother during application review at the Chesterfield Fairgrounds Distribution Center (10300 Courthouse Road) on these days:
Sept 15, 16 and 18 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sept. 17 from noon-7 p.m.
Get details and an application (in English and Spanish) on the Christmas Mother website. Applications will also be available at the fairgrounds on review days. Children or pets will not be allowed on site during application review.
Service Academy Day shares military opportunities Sept. 13
Students and families interested in learning about the Naval Academy, West Point, the Air Force Academy and the Merchant Marine Academy may attend a Service Academy Day at the Virginia War Memorial (621 S. Belvidere Street, Richmond, VA) on Saturday, Sept. 13, at 8:30 a.m. This event is hosted jointly by the offices of Congresswoman McClellan and Congressman Wittman.
For more information call 804-401-4120. Learn more and RSVP to attend here.
Hiring event Sept. 10: Instructional assistants - special education
Chesterfield County Public Schools is seeking caring, dedicated individuals to serve as instructional assistants. These vital team members will work closely with students with special needs to help them thrive. Instructional assistants support special education teachers and students with Individualized Education Programs. Instructional assistants also help with classroom duties, activities, and more.
To interview for a position, join us at our hiring event at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10 at Providence Middle School (900 Starlight Lane Richmond, VA 23235) Registration is preferred but not required.