Happy Friday! We know it’s been an adjustment, but we’re glad to have our students and staff back in the halls of our Chesterfield Schools. There have been some changes to the calendar, including Presidents Day becoming a full instructional day, so be sure to review those. Although Punxsutawney Phil may have predicted more winter this week, we’re keeping our fingers crossed for warmer weather!
Read this newsletter on our website and see all news from Chesterfield County Public Schools.
Here’s what’s happening in your Chesterfield County Public Schools.
Important Dates
Feb. 8-14: Virginia Kindness Week, a special time to show care for one another.
Feb. 9: Registration opens for Teen Summit RVA, a leadership conference for high school students
Feb. 9: Our final budget town hall meeting, held at Midlothian High
Calendar updates following closures
Because of the days missed due to winter weather, Presidents Day (Feb. 16, 2026) will no longer be a holiday for students or staff. Additionally, three previously scheduled half days will now be full instructional days.
Friday, Feb. 6, 2026
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Friday, April 17, 2026
Due to these changes, printable 2025-26 school calendars are no longer available as they are now out of date. All important dates can be viewed on our calendars page, which is regularly updated.
Meet the 2026 outstanding school counselors of the year
Feb. 2-6 is National School Counseling Week! Each year, Chesterfield County Public Schools recognizes outstanding school counselors who go above and beyond in order to maximize student success and promote access and opportunity for all students. Congratulations to these school counselor leaders who are all in for all students:
Outstanding First-Year Counselor of the Year: Hannah Dowdy of Monacan High
Outstanding Elementary School Counselor of the Year: Kristen Bailey-Hardy of Falling Creek Elementary
Outstanding Middle School Counselor of the Year: Christopher Jeter of Falling Creek Middle
Outstanding High School Counselor of the Year: Annathen Lacks of Thomas Dale High
Enrollment now open for Chesterfield Virtual School, CCPSOnline
For families interested in an alternative to the traditional school setting, registration for Chesterfield Virtual School and CCPSOnline for the 2026-27 school year is now open through April 24.
Chesterfield Virtual School offers K-8 instruction with licensed teachers following the format of other Chesterfield Schools. The virtual school operates like any other school, with student support services, PTA, after-school programs, student clubs, and more.
CCPSOnline offers courses for grades 9-12 taught online by licensed CCPS teachers and delivered through the Canvas learning management system. Students have opportunities to interact with their teacher and peers throughout the course, but do not follow a daily bell schedule.
Online open house with Chesterfield Virtual School Feb. 12
Families with students K-8 who are interested in alternative learning opportunities are invited to meet the principal, teachers and staff of the Chesterfield Virtual School for an online information session Feb. 12 at 6:30 p.m. Sign up here to receive the link and learn more.
Sign-up for free SAT academy this spring
Are you ready for your SAT? Juniors and seniors who need a boost for their SAT this spring can sign up for our free academy to get a strong review. Registration for the spring SAT academy is open now through 5 p.m. Feb. 19, 2026. The SAT academy takes place Feb. 23-26 at Bird High. Learn more about our SAT academy here.
Don’t miss it! Register for Teen Summit RVA on Monday, Feb. 9
Registration for Teen Summit RVA opens Monday, Feb. 9 at 9 a.m. Space is limited and it fills up fast, so put this on your calendar and don’t wait! Teen Summit RVA is a free, high-energy leadership summit for high school students from across the Richmond region to connect, learn new skills and more. Learn more about the event and register at the Teen Summit website.
Nominate an educator for an R.E.B. Award for Teaching Excellence by Feb. 17
Do you know a CCPS teacher who inspires their students and community? Nominate them for an R.E.B. award by Feb. 17, 2026. Around 15 central Virginia teachers are selected each year to receive amazing grants up to $15,000 to support professional development. Learn more and make your nomination here.
Academy 360 is now the Acceler8 Program
Academy 360 is now known as the Acceler8 Program, a name that reflects the program’s mission, relationships and proven success. The Acceler8 Program supports middle school students who need a different pathway forward. In one year, students accepted into the program complete eighth grade while earning enough high school credits to allow them to enter high school as sophomores on track to graduate.
The new name emphasizes progress, momentum and the strong connections students build with teachers and staff. The “8” represents the eighth grade year that students are conquering in the program. The name is new, but the commitment to student growth and success remains the same. Learn more about the Acceler8 Program on the school division’s website.
Celebrating students at Chalkley Elementary’s RACER week
Join us for a glimpse of RACER week at Chalkley Elementary, where students who are positive role models get celebrated by their fellow students, teachers, and community with an inspiring parade for the example they set for their school.
Three published authors teach at Hopkins
Hopkins Elementary could be considered a literary hub on the simple fact that there are not one, not two, but three published authors teaching there. Check out this interview with teachers Octevia Torian, Philip Brooks and Lauren Medina to learn more about their books!
Christine Thompson is Spot On
What started as a part-time role serving and engaging students in the cafeteria at Monacan High School led Christine Thompson to pursue and become a special education teacher. While it was unexpected, Thompson has since become a vital member of the community, and her impact has extended beyond the classroom.
As a special education teacher, Thompson has seen the value in creating engaging opportunities for her students in extracurricular settings. “While I started by teaching subjects like science and social studies, I now focus more on life skills, employment skills, and vocational training.” Thompson says.
As a coach for three Unified Sports teams, a volunteer at Night to Shine, a prom for individuals with disabilities, and the facilitator behind launching student-run businesses that help students practice job and life skills, Thompson continues to create meaningful experiences for students both in and out of school.
Through her instruction in the classroom and her service enriching the lives of students outside of it as well, Thompson hopes students recognize her belief in them and know they will always have her in their corner, cheering them on as they work to achieve their goals.
Coffee and Conversation
Set Effective Limits to Handle Challenging Behavior
Special guest: Rachel Bailey, parenting specialist and former therapist
Wednesday, Feb. 11, 1 p.m. | Virtual | Audience: all families
As parents, we must set limits for our children, especially when technology needs to be turned off and homework needs to be completed. Often, however, kids resist our limits and we feel powerless, especially when consequences seem exhausting or ineffective. In this workshop, you'll learn how to set limits in a way that leads to less resistance AND internal motivation, so that students do what they have to do without the need for constant reminders and punishments.
What's Next Wednesdays
Finding Scholarships and Financing Your Plan
Wednesday, Feb. 11, 1 p.m. | Virtual | Audience: high school and middle school families
Each year, billions of dollars in scholarships and grants go unclaimed. This session will discuss increasing opportunities by maximizing your financial aid package through available scholarships.
Budget work session schedule
The Chesterfield County School Board will hold public budget work sessions from 4-6 p.m. in the Public Meeting Room (10001 Iron Bridge Rd., Chesterfield, VA 23832) on the following dates:
Feb. 10, 2026
Feb. 18, 2026
The Chesterfield County School Board will hold public hearings on the superintendent’s FY 2027 operating budget and the FY 2027-31 capital improvement plan at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 10, 2026, in the Public Meeting Room. The public hearings will take place before the start of the School Board’s regularly scheduled business meeting. Learn more about the budget.