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MAY 12, 2023 Vol. 6, Issue 20
THIS ISSUE: IMPORTANT DATES • GRADUATIONS • HONORS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS • TEACHER OF THE YEAR PROFILES • SCHOOL BOARD CORNER • TECHNOLOGY REMINDERS • TREE PARTNERSHIP TAKES ROOT • MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH • REMINDERS AND OPPORTUNITIES • ACROSS HENRICO COUNTY • SUMMER ACADEMY • KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION • SPRING WORKSHOPS • ADULT EDUCATION AT REGENCY
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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.
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May 25: Henrico School Board work session and monthly meeting
May 26: Schools and offices closed (banked inclement weather time)
May 29: Memorial Day holiday (schools and offices closed)
June 9: Last day of school (student half day and staff clerical day)
June 10: Last day for teachers
June 19: Juneteenth holiday (schools and offices closed)
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Graduation: 2023 schedule and a new progress tool for all high school students
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Class of 2023: The big day is fast approaching! While graduating seniors and their families will get specifics from their schools, our Graduation Hub is the place for information about the graduation season, including parking and traffic tips. As in past years, families and friends who can’t be present can watch a livestream of the ceremonies by going to www.henricoschools.us at the time of the ceremony. Ceremonies will also be recorded to view later.
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May 26:
May 31:
- Virginia Randolph Education Center (VREC campus, 1:30 p.m.)
- The Academy at Virginia Randolph (Hermitage H.S., 7 p.m.)
June 1:
- Henrico Virtual Academy (J.R. Tucker H.S., 7 p.m.)
June 5:
(VCU Siegel Center, 7 p.m.)
- ACE Center at Hermitage, ACE Center at Highland Springs and ACE Center at Virginia Randolph
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June 6:
(VCU Siegel Center)
- Deep Run H.S. (11 a.m.)
- Mills E. Godwin H.S. (3 p.m.)
- Douglas S. Freeman H.S. (7 p.m.)
June 7:
(VCU Siegel Center)
- Glen Allen H.S. (11 a.m.)
- Hermitage H.S. (3 p.m.)
- J.R. Tucker H.S. (7 p.m.)
June 8:
(VCU Siegel Center)
- Highland Springs H.S. (11 a.m.)
- Varina H.S. (3 p.m.)
- Henrico H.S. (7 p.m.)
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Map the path to graduation for students in grades 9-12: High school graduation is the culmination of a K-12 journey. And like a road trip, it’s useful to know where you are and how far you have to go. Now HCPS high school students, parents and guardians can easily map the standard credits needed for commencement: the HCPS Graduation Plan Progress tool. Just log into PowerSchool for students or PowerSchool Parent Portal and click the “Graduation Progress” icon on the left. You’ll see your high school student’s progress toward the standard credits required in Virginia to earn a Standard Diploma (22 standard credits), Advanced Studies Diploma (26 standard credits) or an Applied Studies Diploma. (While the Graduation Plan Progress tool shows the status of standard credits, there are other graduation requirements that aren’t shown in the new tool. Check out the resources below to learn more or ask your school’s counseling team.)
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As school year draws to a close, HCPS honors staff members for service, accomplishments
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HCPS honored 133 retiring staff members this week, with a staggering 2,852 years of collective service to the families of Henrico County. Four staff members have more than 40 years of service — Janice Jones of Quioccasin M.S., Samuel Turner of Holman M.S., Susan Inge of Echo Lake E.S. and Frank Scott of Douglas Freeman H.S. Twenty staff members had more than 30 years with HCPS.
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The winner of Henrico County Public Schools' 2023 Christie Award was announced today, along with the finalists. The award recognizes an exceptional education educator whose contribution to HCPS has been exemplary in service to children and their families. The award is named for Christie Ann Heatwole, daughter of Evelyn and Ray Heatwole, whose life characterized the passion and enthusiasm central to HCPS' mission of serving all students. The 2023 winners are:
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Peggy Keane, Dumbarton Elementary School (pre-K), Christie Award winner.
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Renee Rowe, Brookland Middle School, finalist.
Karen Martin, Glen Allen High School, finalist.
Lynn Reid, Crestview Elementary School (pre-K), finalist.
- The 2023 Elementary Gifted Resource Teacher of the Year is Kate Wershbale of Twin Hickory and Glen Allen elementary schools.
- The Secondary Gifted Resource Teacher of the Year is Beth Lewis of Holman Middle School.
- Wednesday was National School Nurse Day. Take a moment to express your thanks to HCPS' team of caring school nurses. They play a critical role in the well-being of our schools and community.
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See 2023 Teacher of the Year finalists in action
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Last week, the school division celebrated Teachers of the Year from all of the division's schools at a special dinner hosted by the Henrico Education Foundation.
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Check out these short profiles of the five finalists for the 2023 divisionwide honor:
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School Board Corner: Investing in our staff
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Exciting budget news: At Thursday's work session, we approved a budget that makes a historic investment in our staff members and strengthens public education in Henrico County. The fiscal 2023-24 budget builds on a host of initiatives that support our students and families. Perhaps most exciting is the 8.2% pay increase for the division's hardworking staff members. This investment — the largest for Henrico County in 33 years — ensures that we will continue to attract the best educators and support staff in central Virginia. Thank you to our families for supporting education in Henrico, and thanks to the Henrico Board of Supervisors; John Vithoulkas, county manager; Dr. Amy Cashwell, superintendent; and school division and county staff for their roles in making this budget a reality.
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You have big summer plans HCPS iPads, Chromebooks and laptops do too.
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HCPS' 50,000+ student devices (iPads for pre-K and kindergarten, Chromebooks for grades 1-5 and laptops for grades 6-12) must be turned in before the end of the school year so they can be updated and repaired during the summer. You’ll receive more information from your school’s administrators (including Henrico Virtual Academy). Summer school is the exception: students identified by their school as needing devices for HCPS-related summer coursework will turn in their device the last week of their summer course.
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Does your student have a T-Mobile hot spot? If the HCPS-issued hot spot device is still in use, keep it over the summer and into the new school year, so that your student will continue to have internet access.
Fees aren’t fun. As detailed in the “Device Acknowledgement Form” signed by students and parents or guardians at the start of the school year, families will be charged a fee or related repair or replacement costs if:
- A student loses or damages their assigned device or doesn’t return it.
- A student loses or damages their charger or returns a different charger than the one they were assigned at the start of the school year.
- A student intentionally damages their assigned HCPS device. In addition to a repair or replacement fee, this will be handled as a disciplinary matter per the Student Code of Conduct.
Thank you for helping keep HCPS students connected and learning! Questions? Email the Department of Technology.
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A growing focus on trees at HCPS campuses
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HCPS and Henrico County have a new partner, and a new plan to care for trees on public lands. The school division and county government announced this week they will team up with nonprofit Capital Trees to assess Henrico County properties — including HCPS' nearly 1,800 acres — to reforest diminishing tree canopies, make recommendations for sustainable landscaping practices and help educate the public. The initiative supports HCPS' continuing environmental focus, which includes hands-on environmental education, more solar power and the division's new Center for Environmental Studies and Sustainability.
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May Family and Caregiver Series: Attend a mental health workshop, virtually or in person
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Join HCPS in recognizing and supporting the mental health and wellness needs of our students. The 2023 Family and Caregiver Series features a workshop each Wednesday in May. Join us in person, or virtually at https://tinyurl.com/HCPSMentalHealthSeries. All workshops are from 6-7 p.m.:
- Ending the Silence: Recognizing the Warning Signs of Suicide and Poor Mental Health (May 17 at Twin Hickory Area Library).
- Anxiety and School Refusal: How Parents, Caregivers and Educators Can Help (May 24 at Fairfield Area Library).
School-based mental health resources: HCPS' team of licensed and trained school counselors are an important mental health resource. They provide school counseling and services to support students' academic achievement, social and emotional development, and college- and career-readiness. They also foster mental health awareness, and provide short-term intervention, and crisis and referral services to students and their families.
Community mental health resources: A list of organizations and health-care providers is on our website.
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Reminders and opportunities
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- School Nutrition Services Job Fair: Come find out more about the team that keeps our students fueled and ready to learn. May 16 from 10:15 a.m.-2:15 p.m. at the Glen Allen Branch Library, 10501 Staples Mill Road, Glen Allen, Va.
- Disability Inclusion Day at the Diamond: Get free tickets to the Flying Squirrels' May 21 afternoon game against Akron. HCPS is a sponsor of this event highlighting disability inclusion and mental health.
- Don't forget: preschool registration continues for the 2023-24 school year!
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Solving a Rubik's Cube in 20 seconds, an SOL Kickoff, Teacher of the Year and much more
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Athletes from across Henrico County gathered at Hermitage High School for the 2023 Big Feet Meet.
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Eagles and Mavericks renew a fierce baseball rivalry, plus lacrosse, tennis, soccer, track and field, and softball
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Maybeury E.S. students formed a "Bike Bus" to promote school-transportation alternatives to cars.
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Register now 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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Kindergarten registration continues for 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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HCPS Bridge Builders Academy spring workshops are here!
- 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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The new HCPS Adult Education Center is open inside Regency Mall! Check out a recent NBC12 story on the school division's beautiful new storefronts and classrooms, where you can "shop for your future." HCPS students helped construct the new space, which replaces the former Mt. Vernon Adult Education Center on Broad Street. Check out our Adult Education website to learn more about the division's many opportunities for adults.
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