December 14, 2022 Vol. 6, Issue 10
THIS ISSUE: IMPORTANT DATES • UPCOMING EVENTS AND DEADLINES • TEACHER OF THE YEAR • SCHOOL BOARD SAFETY MESSAGE • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • STAYING HEALTHY • TOOLS FOR YOUR STUDENT'S FUTURE • EQUITY AMBASSADORS • ACROSS HENRICO COUNTY • PAY BOOST FOR FRIDAY SUBSTITUTES
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Welcome to a (slightly early) Winter Break issue of the Binder — let's wassail!
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Dec. 19-30: Winter Break (student and teacher holiday)
Jan. 2, 2023: Return to classes
Jan. 12: School Board work session
Jan. 16: Martin Luther King Jr. holiday (schools and offices closed)
Jan. 23: School Board work session and monthly meeting
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Upcoming events and deadlines
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Candidates for your calendar:
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HCPS employs more than 4,000 teachers, but only one is honored each year with the school division’s Teacher of the Year Award. This year’s recipient is Crissy Lynn, a kindergarten teacher at Shady Grove Elementary School. She was surprised Monday (during "pajama day" at Shady Grove) with the news that she is this year's winner.
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A safety update from the School Board
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HCPS families: Because we believe that nothing is more important than the safety of our learning environments, HCPS regularly works to make our schools as secure as possible. As we have seen recently, however, an uptick in crime can manifest as school security or behavioral issues in our schools. Working with Dr. Cashwell, we have been looking at new ways to build upon the multilayered security plans already in place at each school and campus. What does that look like?
- From an operational standpoint, students and staff may see increased school sweeps by specially trained police K-9 units at middle and high schools countywide.
- Additionally, the HCPS Office of Emergency Management plans to field-test metal detectors in schools across the division soon.
- Read more on our website
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From Short Pump to Varina, wishing all our families and staff members joy, peace and glad tidings this holiday season. Click the video for a holiday message from Amy Cashwell, HCPS superintendent, including a look back at some of the amazing things our students and staff have been doing this year.
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Make your family's season happy and healthy
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The most wonderful time of the year can also bring health challenges. Some important reminders as we head into Winter Break:
- Prioritize mental health. While the holidays are about joy, the season can also bring heightened expectations, stress and loneliness. For students, Winter Break brings a change in their schedule and possibly more time alone when parents and guardians are at work. It's a good time to check in with your children and see how they're managing mental stressors. While students have access to HCPS school counselors and in-person mental health resources when school is in session, below are some resources that may be of help during breaks from school:
- Flu is not a gift anyone wants. A few simple steps can help prevent the spread of illness:
- It’s not too late for your family to get flu shots.
- Everyone should wash their hands thoroughly, multiple times a day.
- Remind your children that they should cover their mouths and noses when they cough or sneeze.
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What's the plan? These tools can help
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As the calendar turns, it's time for students to start thinking about the 2023-24 school year and beyond. HCPS has tools to make that process easy and productive.
- Requesting courses for 2023-24: If your student will be a middle or high school student next year, the window to request courses is Jan. 16-27. Use PowerSchool to request your student's courses.
- Planning Guide: The 2023-24 HCPS Planning Guide for students and families is now available. The online guide will help you begin planning and making decisions about the next steps toward your student's life-ready destination.
- MajorClarity can open up worlds of possibility for students' academic and career options. The online academic and career planning platform is designed to help K-12 students explore and discover possible careers and courses that closely relate to their interests, personality, skills and strengths. To get started, check out this overview video for parents and guardians, and user guides for both secondary and elementary students.
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Equity Ambassadors update
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The HCPS Equity Ambassadors are accomplished students from each of the division’s nine comprehensive high schools who work together to amplify student voices on issues of equity and diverse representation. The group promotes student leadership and champions school-based equity issues. From book clubs to service projects, check out the Equity Ambassadors' many 2022-23 initiatives.
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Exciting things happening in schools across Henrico County
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Henrico Learning Today: "The Case of the Missing Mascot"
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"Sportswire": Once again, Springer football picks up pre-holiday hardware
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Henrico Christmas Mother presentation and student performance
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To meet an increasing demand for substitute teachers on Fridays, HCPS will increase the daily rate for classroom substitute teachers to $131 on Fridays beginning Jan. 6. The daily rate for classroom substitute teachers will be $131 on Fridays, $25 above the Monday through Thursday rate of $106. The increase is not retroactive and does not apply to other substitute positions or long-term substitute teachers.
Know someone interested in this important role with the school division? Refer them to our Careers page. Substitute teaching is a good fit for those seeking a flexible schedule, including retired teachers who want to stay connected with students and colleagues.
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