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April 14, 2023 Vol. 6, Issue 18
THIS ISSUE: IMPORTANT DATES • SCHOOL BOARD CORNER • ACROSS HENRICO COUNTY • KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION • REMINDERS AND OPPORTUNITIES • SUMMER ACADEMY • COMMON SENSE • TUCKER TEACHER • SPRING WORKSHOPS • TEST CARE
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Welcome to The Binder. Look for new editions of The Binder in your inbox approximately every two weeks, for news and reminders from Henrico County Public Schools.
A reminder that next Friday, April 21 is a student and teacher holiday in observance of Eid al-Fitr. Looking ahead, the first week of May is Teacher Appreciation Week, a great opportunity to show the amazing teachers in your life how much you care.
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School Board Corner: New environmental specialty center gets an Earth-Day birthday
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April 22 is Earth Day, and it's the perfect time to celebrate our newest specialty center: The Center for Environmental Studies and Sustainability at Varina High School. Although students have been hard at work at the center since fall, this week's glorious weather was a perfect backdrop for the grand opening.
Our diverse specialty centers offer students the chance to immerse themselves in an area of particular interest, engage in a rigorous curriculum and be part of a community that shares their passions. The Center for Environmental Studies and Sustainability will get students into the field for hands-on learning about the environment, and put HCPS students at the forefront of careers that will help find solutions to society's imposing environmental challenges.
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Caring for our environment requires the support of each of us, and two HCPS partners have been instrumental in helping plant and nurture our newest center. We are immensely grateful to Meta — formerly Facebook — and the Henrico Education Foundation for their generous support in helping equip our students for the careers of tomorrow.
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More exciting environmental-education news is on the way. Thanks to Henrico County voters, who passed the school projects bond referendum with 86% approval, plans are in the works for the division's new Environmental Education Living Building at Wilton Farm. When finished, that facility on the James River will be a living lab available to students at all HCPS schools.
Check out the next edition of the Binder for an update on another specialty center project: the new state-of-the-art home for the Advanced Career Education Center at Hermitage under construction near Hermitage High School.
Happy spring to you and your family!
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Ruby Carver E.S. students fill the school with positive messages to celebrate Kindness Day
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What's new: Cupcake Wars, eye-popping innovation and the wisdom of allowing yourself to fail
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Deep Run H.S. students spend a day developing "GRIT" — Growing Resources for Information Technology
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Firefighter? Music producer? Machine operator? Henry Ward students get a look at some career possibilities
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Kindergarten: Register now for the fall
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Registration is now open for Henrico families who wish to enroll kindergarten students for the 2023-24 school year! There are two ways to complete the initial kindergarten registration process: by completing the online PowerSchool Enrollment form or by calling the child’s school and making an appointment with the registrar for an in-person meeting. The online PowerSchool Enrollment process is strongly encouraged. To register, your child must live in Henrico County and be age 5 by Sept. 30.
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Reminders and opportunities: Plants, pants, paintings, pizza and preschool
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- Spring plant sales are popping up again at the ACE centers at Hermitage and Virginia Randolph! Make plans to stop by and purchase student-grown vegetable plants, annuals and perennials, including native plants. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted.
- ACE Center at Hermitage Spring Plant Sale: April 25 and 26 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 8301 Hungary Spring Road, Henrico, Va.
- ACE Center at Virginia Randolph Spring Plant Sale: April 27 and 28 from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., 2204 Mountain Road, Glen Allen, Va. Culinary students will be selling lunch from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. each day and masonry students will be selling concrete garden pieces.
- Show your jean-erosity and win: Your school can win cash prizes when you take part in the 2023 HCPS Denim Drive. The top three elementary, middle and high schools collecting the most denim will win cash in this friendly divisionwide competition. Denim donations will support Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia. Drop off your denim next Friday and Saturday:
- April 21 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Shady Grove YMCA, 11255 Nuckols Road, Glen Allen, Va.
- April 22 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Oak Avenue Complex, 15 S. Oak Ave., Highland Springs, Va.
- The HCPS ARTS Festival returns April 29 and 30. Come to Highland Springs H.S. between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and be wowed by student artwork from across Henrico County. Barring rain, the VMFA Artmobile will be there all day April 29. 200 S. Airport Drive, Highland Springs, Va.
- Eat pizza, support HEF: When you dig into a Papa John's pizza from now until April 20, you can help the Henrico Education Foundation help Henrico students through a "Dollars 4 Dough" fundraiser. Just order online and the Henrico Education Foundation will get 20% of the purchase price! Learn more and get the promo code.
- Don't forget: preschool registration continues for the 2023-24 school year!
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Registration underway for Summer Academy
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HCPS Summer Academy is a unique program that gives elementary, middle and high school students important opportunities for enrichment, credit-recovery and remediation. The 2023 edition will be held at 26 HCPS sites: 11 elementary schools, seven middle schools and eight high schools, along with online summer instruction for Henrico Virtual Academy students.
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HCPS receives 'Common Sense' designation
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HCPS has been recognized by a national nonprofit for equipping students with the skills to use digital resources responsibly. Common Sense Education recognized the school division for preparing students to use the power of digital media to explore, create, connect and learn, while limiting dangers such as plagiarism, loss of privacy and cyberbullying. The designation acknowledges HCPS' commitment to creating a culture where our community is invested in helping kids thrive as digital learners and citizens.
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J.R. Tucker teacher a finalist for Virginia honor
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Congratulations to Yvette Lee of J.R. Tucker H.S., a Virginia finalist for a prestigious honor for math and science teachers! Lee teaches economics and personal finance, honors coding and AP computer science principles. She was named one of the commonwealth's three finalists for the math portion of the award. The winners from each state will receive a $10,000 unrestricted award, a presidential certificate and a trip to the nation’s capital for events and professional development activities.
Way to go, Yvette Lee!
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HCPS Bridge Builders Academy spring workshops are here!
- HCPS ExEd Expo (date change): April 18 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Henrico High School. The school division's free annual exceptional education resource fair focuses on preparing students for life beyond HCPS, including awareness of college and helping students pursue our “three E’s”: being enlisted, enrolled and/or employed.
- Navigating Housing Resources in Henrico County: May 2 at 6 p.m., Oak Avenue Complex. The Henrico County Department of Community Revitalization supports families experiencing housing challenges such as inadequate living conditions, home repairs, down payments and housing discrimination. Join this session to learn about resources to support Henrico County families.
- Show Me What You Mean: May 18 at 11 a.m. (virtual). Some students need visual cues and reminders to be their best. Create a visual schedule for your student, and learn how, when and where to place visual aids at home and in our community. Interested in participating? Email to receive a free activity kit and the event link.
- Engaging Your Child During the Summer: June 6 at 6 p.m. (virtual). The Family Resource Center visits local communities throughout the summer to connect and engage with families. Learn about the free, fun and educational engagement opportunities that will be hosted by HCPS’ Division of Family and Community Engagement.
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Best care for test care: While Virginia's Standards of Learning tests are important indicators of what students are learning, testing can be stressful for some students. The website Family Education offers some tips for keeping calm and testing on. They include reinforcement, positive self-talk and relaxation techniques. In addition, make sure your child sticks to his or her routine, gets adequate sleep and eats a healthy breakfast.
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