Recognizing National School Psychology Week, Nov. 3-7
National School Psychology Week celebrates the contributions of school psychologists and the important role they play in schools and communities. This year's theme, "Finding Your Path," reflects the ways that school psychologists help students, families, and school communities set and achieve their goals.
Thank you to our CCPS school psychologists who make a positive difference through their kind care and support.
School Board selects interim representative for Clover Hill District
The Chesterfield County School Board appointed Dr. Jenna Darby as the interim representative for the Clover Hill District, effective Jan. 1. The board made the appointment Oct. 31 during a special meeting.
Clover Hill’s current representative on the School Board, Dorothy Heffron, previously announced her resignation, effective Dec. 31, 2025. Dr. Darby’s interim appointment will continue until a special election can take place to elect a representative for the remainder of the term, which runs through Dec. 31, 2027. The date for that special election is not yet set. The news release was shared with staff via email on Oct. 31. Read the release here.
Important: Required vaccine documentation must be provided by Nov. 17
This is an important reminder that the 90-day conditional enrollment period for students who are missing required school immunizations will end Nov. 17, 2025 for students who were enrolled as of the first day of school.
After Nov. 17, any student who does not have documentation showing they have received all required vaccines will be at risk of being excluded from school until their immunizations are up to date.
Families of students missing immunizations should have already received additional communication from their school with specific details.
For questions or assistance finding a healthcare provider to obtain required vaccines, contact your school nurse for support and available community resources.
Explore career pathways this weekend at CTC open houses Nov. 8
Both campuses of the Chesterfield Career and Technical Center invite families and students to Nov. 8, 2025, open houses to learn about engaging, up-to-date programs available to high school students. Flyers provide additional details in English, in Spanish and in Arabic.
Career and Technical Center @ Courthouse (10101 Courthouse Road) from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 8.
Career and Technical Center @ Hull (13900 Hull Street Road) from noon-2 p.m. Nov. 8.
In career and technical education, students explore career fields ranging from health professions to technology to skilled trades to logistics and more. In dozens of career pathways, students can earn industry-recognized certifications and connect with work-based learning experiences. Learn more on the Career and Technical Center website.
Career and Technical Center applications for 2026-27 are open now until 11:59 p.m. Dec. 18, 2025. Details about the application process, including a link to the online application portal, are available here. For questions, email Karen Golden at karenm_golden@ccpsnet.net.
VIDEO: Band Buddies connects marching bands to make beautiful music
Band students from Robious Middle got a special invitation to see what marching band in high school is like at James River High at the annual Buddy Night. The Robious students go through the process of preparing for a halftime performance at the big game on Friday night. Watch this video to see how the program connects and inspires these young musicians.
Gates Elementary family night links literacy and Legos
On Oct. 14, Gates Elementary and the school’s PTA partnered to host a vibrant and engaging Literacy and Lego Family Night. The event drew families into a fun-filled evening that celebrated reading, creativity and community connection.
In the gym, children and parents explored interactive Lego stations inspired by books featured in the school’s book fair, which was held simultaneously in the library. The cafeteria was transformed into a family hub, offering PTA-provided snacks, a bookmark-making station and take-home resources to help parents support literacy at home. A highlight of the evening was a giant chessboard, where students had the opportunity to learn and play chess, thanks to our community partner, the Discovery Center at Stony Point. See more photos and how the event helped students grow.
Midlothian High yearbook wins two big awards
The Midlothian High yearbook is having a moment. The yearbook won a big award on Sept. 30, then won another prestigious recognition the very next day.
Varsity Yearbook judged the 2023-24 edition of the Trojan yearbook to be in the top 1% nationally, making it the top yearbook in central Virginia.
The Virginia High School League notified Midlothian High on Oct. 1 that it is among just six 2025 winners of the Col. Charles E. Savedge Award for Sustained Excellence in Scholastic Journalism. The award honors sustained excellence: A school must earn at least five VHSL Trophy Class awards within seven years. Midlothian High is the first Chesterfield County school to win this award.
English teacher Bryan Fischer, yearbook adviser at Midlothian High credits the students on the yearbook staff for the awards, saying, “It's really all about these kids. The staff has worked hard and shown dedication.”
See worldwide smiles from School Lunch Week
This year, Chesterfield County Public Schools celebrated the 2025 National School Lunch week with cuisines from places far and wide. From Oct. 13-17, CCPS students got the opportunity to “Taste the Globe” and savor flavors from Italy, Mexico, Spain, Japan, Cuba and the United Kingdom. Each school also planned fun activities daily so that their students could punch their school lunch passport, and get a nutritious meal! Check out this video to see the excitement.
This week: Double the Coffee & Conversation!
Get your percolators ready, there are going to be two Coffee & Conversation sessions this week! Sign up to attend these or any other upcoming sessions.
Session #1: How to Talk so Schools will Listen, 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025 (Virtual)
How can we improve partnerships between parents of special education students and the educators who work with them? This workshop will help participants discover communication techniques, learn how to recognize and prevent barriers to communication, and build agreements around difficult problems. Special guest is Love Kingsbury, family support specialist from the Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC).
Session #2: Navigating IEP Meetings, 1-2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025 (Virtual)
Do you ever feel unsure about what to do if you don’t agree with your child’s IEP team? Join our Special Education Family Liaison Heather Story, as she shares tips on how to disagree respectfully, keep the conversation positive, and stay focused on what matters most—your child’s success.
Missed a conversation? Visit our Programs for Families page to watch past sessions.
This week: What’s Next Wednesday covers the college application process
Join us online at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, for “The College Application Process” – an overview of the FAFSA application process, timelines, and tips for crafting strong college essays. Register here to attend this and other What’s Next Wednesday programs.
"What’s Next Wednesdays" is designed to help families and caregivers support their secondary school-aged students as they plan for life after high school. From finding the “right fit” to navigating financial aid, this process can be stressful for students and the adults in their lives. Topics vary monthly and address the many things you and your student must navigate as you make this decision.
Don’t miss this opportunity to get informed, get inspired, and get ready for what’s next! Watch past sessions and learn more about our programs for families.
Reminder: 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.
We want bus drivers! CCPS hiring drivers at Nov. 19 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, Nov. 19, 2025, from 5-6 p.m. at Manchester Middle (7401 Hull Street Rd., North Chesterfield). 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.
Learn more and register to attend.
CCPS School Board meeting scheduled for Nov. 12
The Chesterfield County School Board will hold its regular business meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, 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. Nov. 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.
Registration continues for fall 2025 SOL/W!se academies
Registration is now open for our fall 2025 sessions of the SOL/W!se academies. Fall sessions will take place Mondays through Thursdays from Dec. 1-4 and Dec. 8-11 at Clover Hill High. The deadline to register for fall is Nov. 24.
SOL Academy is free and open to any student who passed a class in science, social studies, math, reading or writing but did not pass the end-of-course SOL test.
W!se Academy is free and open to any student who passed the economics and personal finance class but did not pass the W!se financial literacy test and needs a career and technical education credential to graduate.
Learn more about the SOL/W!se academies and register to attend online.
Academies are offered in the fall and spring. Students who have questions about their diploma status should contact their school counselor. Learn more about the academies. For questions, email solacademy@ccpsnet.net.
Dec. 5 is deadline to apply to specialty centers and governor’s schools, open houses continue
Each fall, Chesterfield County Public Schools eighth graders explore their options for high school and decide whether or not to apply to a specialty center, governor’s school or regional technology school.
The online application for specialty centers and governor’s schools closes Dec. 5, 2025.
The online application for CodeRVA opens Jan. 5, 2026 and closes Feb. 20.
Full details about high school options are online at bit.ly/CCPSoptions. That includes the online application form, links to specialty center websites and more.
Open houses offer an in-depth look at specialty centers and regional schools to help eighth grade families explore high school options. Here are the open houses that remain in 2025:
6:30 p.m. Nov. 6: Governorʼs Academy for Engineering Studies at Bird High (10301 Courthouse Road)
6:30 p.m. Nov. 13: Center for Spanish Immersion at Manchester High (12601 Bailey Bridge Road)
6:30 p.m. Nov. 20: Center for Mass Communications at Manchester High (12601 Bailey Bridge Road)
6 p.m. Dec. 9: CodeRVA Regional High School (2601 Durham St. in Richmond and virtually via coderva.org
After-school food available for students at 20+ sites
Chesterfield County Public Schools offers free afternoon snacks and supper at more than 20 schools and one recreation center for students in after-school activities. Participating schools are located in areas where 50% of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals. This webpage provides details about the sites offering after-school food.
Thank a Teacher art contest now accepting student submissions
The Virginia Lottery, in partnership with The Supply Room, invites all K-12 public school students to submit their original artwork for the ninth annual Thank a Teacher Art Contest. Students may enter their artwork online at www.thankateacherva.com. The deadline to submit is Feb. 2, 2026.
Three students will be selected to each win a $200 gift card, and their school’s art department will be awarded $2,000 from our partners at The Supply Room. The winning designs–one each from the elementary, middle and high school levels–will be featured on thousands of thank-you notes distributed to teachers across the Commonwealth during Teacher Appreciation Week in May.