Happy Friday! This issue of the Friday Family update is full of awards and recognitions from around the county. We’ve also got a number of upcoming opportunities to learn about CCPSOnline, get a SOL/W!se review and see our new Mini Museum. Take a look and see what you want to do!
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 and events
Feb. 19 - deadline to sign up for our free spring SAT academy
Feb. 26 - opening of the CCPS Mini Museum
March 3 - Rescheduled college credit webinar for rising freshmen and sophomores
Prekindergarten registration now open
Families with 3 or 4-year-olds can now apply to be considered for prekindergarten for the 2026-27 school year. Prekindergarten serves those with the greatest need, helping them build skills and prepare for kindergarten. A limited number of spots are available. Learn more about Prekindergarten options and apply online. For questions, contact the CCPS Pre-K office at 804-706-6061.
Sign up now for our free SOL and W!se academies
Registration is open for the spring sessions of our SOL and W!se academies. These special review courses are 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; or 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 and register online before March 27.
Get answers to your CCPSOnline questions March 3
Since 2005, CCPSOnline has offered Chesterfield County students flexible, 24/7 access to a wide range of virtual high school courses, helping them build schedules that fit their needs. CCPSOnline staff members are presenting a virtual information session and answering questions at 6:30 p.m. March 3, 2026. No registration required. Learn more about CCPSOnline and enroll today.
Our great big Mini Museum opens Feb. 26
What’s really big and really small at the same time? It’s the Mini Museum created by students of Chesterfield County Public Schools! The world's largest, kid-created museum of tiny artworks will be open during mall hours from Feb. 26 through April 19 at Chesterfield Towne Center, 11500 Midlothian Turnpike. The south entrance near Old Navy and the north entrance near H&M provide quick access to the museum.
It’s time to say BRAVO to a CCPS alum!
The Chesterfield Education Foundation is now accepting nominations for their annual BRAVO Awards through April 30. The BRAVO Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of Chesterfield County Public Schools alums and their contributions to the community. Make your nomination here. For questions, contact info@cefva.org.
R.E.B. Award nominations deadline extended to Feb. 26
New deadline! Nominate an inspiring CCPS educator for an R.E.B. award by Feb. 26, 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.
Meadowbrook High student-run store earns DECA gold
DECA named the Monarch Market, the student-run school store at an outstanding school-based enterprise for 2025-26. Nationwide, only 989 school-based enterprises earned this gold-level certification — and fewer achieved a perfect score as the Monarch Market did. To earn DECA’s highest level of certification, Meadowbrook seniors Chandler Randolph and Jennifer Nunez developed a comprehensive, 50-page business manual detailing standard operating procedures for the Monarch Market. Read more about the Monarch Market and how it empowers young entrepreneurs.
Thomas Dale turf program keeps winning awards
Congratulations to Bryan Sheetz and his turf management classes at Thomas Dale High for winning another huge award! The stadium field at Thomas Dale High was named the nation’s top sporting grounds in the schools/parks category by the Sports Field Management Association. Each year, awards are given to members who manage sporting grounds at three levels: professional, collegiate and K-12 schools/parks. Only 11 sites were honored in 2025 for providing quality, safe playing surfaces.
Jessica Sanchez named Virginia’s winner of the Outstanding Speech and Debate Educator Award
Congratulations to speech and debate coach Jessica Sanchez of James River High for being named Virginia’s winner of the Outstanding Speech and Debate Educator Award. A two-time Virginia Forensics Coach of the Year and NSDA District Coach of the Year, she exemplifies leadership, innovation and dedication to empowering student voices.
Joyce Jackson appointed Virginia’s State Advocate for Adult Education Fellow
Congratulations to ESL Support Specialist Joyce Jackson for being appointed Virginia’s State Advocate for Adult Education Fellow. She is one of just 52 advocates chosen for 2026 (one from every U.S. state, District of Columbia and Kenya). Through collaboration, training and relationship building, fellows play an essential role in elevating adult education priorities and strengthening the field’s collective voice.
Coffee and Conversation
Strong Voices, Safe Choices
Special guest: Lindsay Cunningham, Outreach Coordinator, Substance Abuse Free Environment (SAFE)
Wednesday, Feb. 25, 1 p.m. | Virtual | Audience: all families
Talking about drugs and alcohol with your child doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Join us to explore ways to speak with confidence, recognize warning signs, and prepare your child to handle peer pressure. We’ll also share where families can find help and resources when needed.
NEW DATE: Worry Under Control: Helping Kids Manage Anxiety
Special guest: Lauren Ellenberger, School Counselor, Chesterfield County Public Schools
Thursday, Feb. 26, 1 p.m. | Virtual | Audience: all families
Anxiety can affect kids of all ages—from a kindergartner nervous about school to a teen feeling overwhelmed. This workshop helps parents guide children in recognizing what they can control, challenging anxious thoughts with simple “thought checks,” and using calming techniques to stay grounded. Gain practical tools to build your child’s resilience from early childhood through high school.
What’s Next Wednesdays
Is an HBCU for You?
Wednesday, Feb. 25, 6 p.m. | Virtual | Audience: families with middle/high school students
This session will discuss the significance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and explore the unique opportunities they provide for the students who choose to attend them.
Students in grades 6-12 are invited to submit a proposal online by March 15 for the first Generative AI student fair to present an idea for using generative AI in a creative or unexpected way.
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.
Tickets are on sale now for our 2026 Hall of Fame ceremony. Join us to celebrate April 30.
Teach for Chesterfield! Hiring event scheduled for March 7
Chesterfield County Public Schools is holding a hiring event March 7 to interview eligible candidates to fill teaching positions for the 2026-27 school year. Subject areas in focus are: math, chemistry, middle school science, special education, ESL and elementary education. Are you ready to join team Chesterfield? Apply by March 3 to be considered.
Special meeting to approve FY 2027 budget Feb. 24
The CCPS School Board will hold a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in the Public Meeting Room at 10001 Iron Bridge Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832 to vote on approving the CCPS budget for FY 2027, which will then be submitted to the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors. Community members may sign up to speak in-person or submit written comments prior to the meeting. Learn more about the budget here.
Community input sessions about County Administrator hiring process
The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors will be hosting a series of community meetings later this month to receive input from residents regarding the hiring of a new county administrator. Dr. Joe Casey announced late last year that he intends to retire effective July 1, 2026. The upcoming community meetings will be spread among the county’s five magisterial districts as the board looks to gather input in the process. See full details and dates in the Chesterfield County news release.