Chesterfield County Public Schools -

We hope everyone is having a special Thanksgiving holiday break with friends and family. Don’t forget – CCPS schools and offices will reopen Monday, Dec. 1.

But winter break is just around the corner! This school year, winter break runs from Monday, Dec 22, 2025, through Jan. 5, 2026. While schools will be closed, offices will remain open except on designated holidays.

For more important dates this school year, visit the CCPS calendars page.

Thanks to the generosity of community partners, Chesterfield County Public Schools annually provides Thanksgiving baskets to students and families in need. This year, 99 families that include almost 150 students received baskets of food and other needed items. 

This meaningful support was made possible by the Junior Federated Woman’s Club of Chester, St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, RVA Hands Up and the McKinney-Vento Program.

“The response highlighted both the depth of need and the power of partnership,” said Dr. Tynisa Giles, coordinator of School Social Work Services. “We are incredibly thankful for these ongoing collaborations and the compassion shown to our families.”

Join us online at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, for a workshop exploring practical co-parenting strategies to improve communication, manage stress and conflict, and strengthen your relationship with your children to build a supportive partnership that puts kids first. Special guest is Ginger Dotter, Senior Clinician with Chesterfield Mental Health Support Services. Sign up to attend here.

Parenting is tough and children don’t come with an owner's manual. So, grab a cup of coffee and get some friendly support each week with Coffee & Conversation. We’ll have a topical discussion with community experts to help understand and foster success in your students.

Missed a conversation? Visit our Programs for Families page to watch past sessions.

Parenting a middle schooler can feel like a full-time job. These years bring big changes—socially, emotionally, and academically—not just for students, but for parents. “Middle Management” series will provide guidance, resources, and reassurance as you support your young person through this unique stage of life.

Join us online 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, to learn about balancing your student’s structure with independence. We’ll look at how to give them space while keeping guardrails in place (and your sanity intact). Sign-up to attend this and other sessions. A meeting link will be sent to you prior to the session.

Holidays can sometimes disrupt students’ emotional well-being, but mental health support can provide the tools they need to stay resilient and thrive. Free online therapy for Chesterfield students in grades 6-12 continues even when schools are closed for winter break and holidays.

After completing the opt-in process for Hazel Health, families schedule telehealth sessions that occur at home. This connection can help students with anxiety, depression, stress, grief, social skills, bullying and more. It is important to note that Hazel Health does not replace emergency services.

In order for students to have access to this resource, parents must opt in via ParentVUE. Parents are encouraged to start the opt-in process no later than Dec. 17, 2025 to ensure their children can access online therapy sessions over winter break.

Use this simple process to get support for your child:

• First, sign in to ParentVUE in order to opt in to Hazel Health. After you opt in, Chesterfield County Public Schools will share your information with Hazel Health (usually this happens within one business day). View instructions in English and Spanish to use ParentVUE to opt in.

• Next, go to this Hazel Health page to create an account and complete the online consent.

• Finally, schedule an enrollment call and your child’s first appointment with Hazel Health.

Visit the CCPS Mental Health Support page for more information.

Chesterfield County Public Schools was honored with the annual Dan Domenech Champion for CIS Award at the 2025 Communities In Schools of Virginia Network Summit, recognizing more than 30 years of partnership with Communities In Schools of Chesterfield. 

The award celebrates CCPS’ leadership in creating a partnership that has become a model for the Commonwealth, one that demonstrates how schools and communities can work together to ensure every student has the relationships and resources needed to achieve in school and life. 

Superintendent Dr. John Murray accepted the award, describing CIS-C as “part of the CCPS family” and highlighting the collaboration’s impact on reducing absenteeism, strengthening academic performance and fostering family engagement. 

Today, CIS-C serves nearly 15,000 students across 16 Chesterfield County public schools. To learn more about this partnership, visit www.cisofchesterfield.org.

Hopkins Elementary has been recognized as a 2025-26 Purple Star School for its support of military-connected students and families. This is the third time Hopkins Elementary has achieved this designation. 

The Purple Star designation is awarded to schools that demonstrate a strong commitment to meeting the needs of military-connected students through programs, staff training and community engagement. 

Since 2018, the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children have awarded 1,083 Purple Star designations. Of those designations, only 132 schools have been recognized three times.

Heather Snyder, coordinator of the Office of Student Health Services, was recently recognized with two statewide awards from two different groups.

• The Virginia Association of School Nurses recognized Snyder as the 2025 Outstanding School Nurse Administrator of the Year, honoring her excellence in nursing administration and coordination of health programs.

• The Virginia Nurses Foundation honored her with its Leadership Excellence Award, recognizing her contributions to public health nursing practice and leadership in professional organizations.

Snyder has served as coordinator of the Office of Student Health Services since 2021. In that role, she oversees health services for 64,000+ students in 68 schools and serves as the school system’s liaison to the Chesterfield Health Department and the Virginia Department of Education. See the full story about Heather at oneccps.org.

Do you want a meaningful job with a flexible schedule so you can work when you choose? Become a substitute teacher! Chesterfield County Public Schools pays substitute teachers $136 on regular days and $203 on Fridays and high-demand days.

Attend our substitute teacher hiring event Thursday, Dec. 4, from 4:30-6 p.m. at Carver Middle (3800 Cougar Trail, Chester, VA) for an opportunity to learn more and interview. Advanced registration is recommended but not required.