Community meetings: Give us your ideas for future HCPS school-year calendars

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Henrico, Va. Oct. 21, 2019 – Because of changes to Virginia law, HCPS now has the option to open before Labor Day, offering more flexibility in how we create school calendars. While HCPS will stick to opening after Labor Day for the 2020-21 school year, we want your ideas for the 2021-22 calendar and beyond. Should HCPS open before Labor Day? Is it better to have more breaks throughout the school year instead of longer breaks? What other options are available? Share your thoughts at three community meetings. Information will be shared with the HCPS Calendar Committee as the members develop calendar options.

Community meetings about calendar options (all meetings are 6:30-8 p.m.)

  • Oct. 30: L. Douglas Wilder Middle School, 6900 Wilkinson Road, Henrico, Va. 23227
  • Nov. 5: New Bridge Learning Center, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va. 23223
  • Nov. 6: Pocahontas Middle School, 12000 Three Chopt Road, Henrico, Va. 23233
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From commentary to slow-motion replays, livestream of Henrico-Varina game brought to you by students

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Henrico, Va., Oct. 17, 2019 – When the Henrico Warriors visit Blue Devil Stadium Friday night to take on Varina High School in football, there will be a third team of talented students scrambling hard on each play. A sophisticated livestream presentation of the entire game – similar to televised sports broadcasts – will be run mostly by students from HCPS’ Center for Communications and Media Relations at Varina High School. The students’ live coverage will feature multiple cameras, slow motion replays, color commentary, sideline reports, graphics and more.

While students in the Varina High School specialty center take classes relevant to TV work, this week they got some extra training. Students working the game spent time with members of Henrico Schools’ Department of Communications and Public Relations, getting training in the particulars of handling a live sports presentation.

“The Center for Communications and Media Relations’ students continue to build their resumes by taking advantage of exciting opportunities such as this,” said Heidi Craft, director of the Center for Communications and Media Relations. “Many of our students desire a career in sports broadcasting. This livestream is a great way to give them firsthand experience on the sidelines and in the booth. Many of them participated in the livestream basketball game last year and jumped at the chance to cover such a high-profile, high-stakes football game that will honor their friends on senior night.”

You can find a link to the livestream by going to henricoschools.us. The game is scheduled for kickoff Friday at 7 p.m.

The game presentation will be replayed on HCPS-TV (Comcast channel 99 and Verizon FIOS channel 38). Replay times are:

  • Oct. 24, 8 p.m.
  • Oct. 25, 8 p.m.
  • Oct. 26, 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.
  • Oct. 27, 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.
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Henrico County Community Day set for Saturday

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Henrico, Va. Oct. 16, 2019 – Come to Henrico County Community Day Saturday at Henrico High School and take in a variety of giveaways, demonstrations, entertainment and more.

The free event, organized by Henrico County and Henrico County Public Schools, will offer residents an opportunity to learn more about their local government and school system, and to interact with officials. Representatives of more than two dozen departments and agencies will attend.

Community Day will also feature giveaways, displays and equipment demonstrations as well as a kids’ zone, with inflatables, Henrico County Police and Fire vehicles, Henrico County Public Library’s Mobile Library Service and Henrico County Public Schools’ Big Blue Bus. A disc jockey as well as high school marching bands, cheerleaders and dance teams will provide entertainment. Food trucks will have concessions available for purchase.

Parking for the event will be at Richmond Raceway, 5901 Richmond-Henrico Turnpike, in Lot H, Gate 12. A free shuttle service will carry guests to and from Henrico High School.

Henrico County Community Day
When: Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Henrico High School, 302 Azalea Ave., Henrico, Va. 23227 (free satellite parking and shuttle service from Richmond Raceway Complex, Lot H, Gate 12, 5901 Richmond Henrico Turnpike, Henrico, Va.)

For more information, go to henrico.us/calendar/henrico-county-community-day or email rec-events@henrico.us.

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UPDATE: Challenger Day gets students with cognitive and physical challenges onto the baseball field

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NOTE: Because rain is forecast for the original date, Challenger Day is being moved to Oct. 17, the rain date. Other aspects of the event will remain the same.

Henrico, Va. Oct. 15, 2019 – Students from 23 Henrico County elementary schools will take to the baseball field Oct. 17 and learn how to field, hit and run the bases. The students will take part in Challenger Day, an annual event that introduces students with significant disabilities to the fundamentals of baseball. The students will also enjoy games, crafts, therapy dogs, roaming mascots and a picnic lunch. More than 370 students are expected to attend, and volunteers – many from Capital One – will be on hand to work with the students in grades K-5 and their teachers.

Challenger Day is an offshoot of the Challenger Division of Little League Baseball, a league for children with cognitive and physical disabilities. The program helps provide participants with many of the benefits of athletic competition: exercise, socialization, teamwork, sportsmanship and self-esteem.

The event is a collaboration of the Henrico Education Foundation, Capital One, I Have a Dream Foundation – Richmond, the Henrico County Department of Recreation and Parks, Henrico County Public Schools, Tuckahoe Sports and Tuckahoe Little League.

Who:
Members of the media are invited to attend.
When:
Oct. 17 from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Where:
Tuckahoe Park Baseball Complex
2400 Little League Drive
Henrico, Va. 23233

For more information, contact the Henrico Education Foundation at 804-652-3869.

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Band Showcase: Kick off fall with all nine Henrico County high school marching bands

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Band member in performance

Marching band members participate in Henrico Schools’ 2018 Band Showcase, an annual fall event that brings together all nine of HCPS’ high school marching bands for a stadium performance. This year’s edition will be Oct. 21 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Hermitage High School.

Henrico, Va. Oct. 15, 2019 – What says fall more than marching bands, stadium crowds and crisp October weather? Get your dose of autumn and see all nine of Henrico County’s high school marching bands in action at the HCPS Band Showcase Oct. 21 at Hermitage High School’s Chester E. Fritz Stadium.

The event is free, but donations are being accepted to benefit the Henrico Christmas Mother. In addition to cash donations, the holiday campaign is seeking canned food; jars of peanut butter; cereal and crackers; and new hats, gloves and socks.

Refreshments will be available for purchase at the event.

Henrico County Public Schools Band Showcase

Who:
The public and media are invited to attend.
When:
Oct. 21 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where:
Hermitage High School
8301 Hungary Spring Road
Henrico, Va. 23228

marching band baton twirler

Marching band members participate in Henrico Schools’ 2018 Band Showcase, an annual fall event that brings together all nine of HCPS’ high school marching bands for a stadium performance. This year’s edition will be Oct. 21 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Hermitage High School.

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The only K-12 student-led teams at equity “Datathon” were from HCPS – and they took first and third

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Henrico County Students conduct presentation at equity "Datathon"

HCPS students present their findings at the 2019 Datathon. (Photo by Library of Virginia)

Henrico, Va., Oct. 5, 2019 – While the data available to humanity grows, it can sometimes be hard to apply that data to real-life problems. HCPS students aren’t intimidated, however. Recently four teams that included Henrico County Public Schools students participated in DataVA’s “Equity in Education Datathon” – the only K-12 student-led teams in the competition. Not only that, but two of the three winning teams chosen from among the 21 participating squads were teams led by HCPS students.

The event brought together 21 multidisciplinary teams from government, higher education, private industry and nonprofits for an innovative two-day competition at the Library of Virginia. The goal? Work with data to find new ways to address challenges in achieving equity in education. The competition began at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 3 and the teams worked through the next day at 3:30 p.m.

The Center for Information Technology at Deep Run High School fielded a student team, and three student-led teams were sponsored by the HCPS Department of Equity, Diversity and Opportunities, and the HCPS Department of Assessment, Research and Evaluation. The three teams sponsored by the HCPS departments included a VCU professor or graduate student, an HCPS teacher and four students from diverse cultures, races, lived experiences and schools.

HCPS teams took two of the three winning places. The first-place team, “Up and Comers,” addressed the challenge that high school is too late to address many problems of equity – data show that educational discrepancies start in the third grade. The team provided preliminary designs for a portal called “SPEAK.” SPEAK would house students’ academic information and provide a hub for dialogue among parents and guardians, students and teachers about academic choices and opportunities.

The third-place team, “Civic Data-Cation,” addressed the problem of policies that contribute to inequities. They decided to focus their efforts on the public education, and presented an idea for a website that analyzed data for an “equity report card” with information about Virginia’s elected officials. The website would include a way to share concerns with public officials.

Experts collaborated with the teams as they worked on their solutions in the competition, dubbed “Using Data and Analytics to Promote Equity in Education.” The teams were encouraged to develop new insights and design applications that address specific challenges that governments and community stakeholders face in achieving equity in education.

The competition aligns with the priorities outlined in the Henrico Learner Profile, HCPS’ blueprint for student instruction. The Henrico Learner Profile stresses “six Cs,” aiming for students to develop quality character, and be effective global citizens, communicators, collaborators, and critical and creative thinkers. The Datathon event also supports the school division’s focus on the Deeper Learning model, which states that learning happens anytime, anywhere; is authentic and connected; is student-owned; and is community-supported. Find out more by going to henricoschools.us and clicking on the “Henrico Learner Profile” graphic.

The competition was sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, CapTech, GovInsight, Qlarion, Schoolzilla, AIS Network, Kearney & Company, Virginia Interactive and the Library of Virginia.

Teams featuring HCPS students:

“Runtime Terror” (Center for Information Technology at Deep Run HS)

  • Vidur Agaram
  • Kevin Du
  • Minsol Kim
  • Manasa Lagisetty
  • William Caudle (Deep Run HS technology education teacher)

“Up and Comers”

  • Niyah Nock-Barrow (Glen Allen HS)
  • Rachel Thornton (Douglas Freeman HS)
  • Kya Foxx (J.R. Tucker HS)
  • Lakshmi Ravulaparthi (Mills Godwin HS)
  • Jesse Senechal (director of the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium at VCU)
  • Derek Anderson (Glen Allen HS math teacher)

“Civic Data-Cation”

  • Daisy Gonzalez (Highland Springs HS)
  • Ashwin Suresh (Douglas Freeman HS)
  • Wesley Tesfaye (Varina HS)
  • Rajit Tummala (Mills Godwin HS)
  • Johnathan Becker (associate professor in the School of Education at VCU)
  • Derek Podolny (Douglas Freeman HS math teacher)

“Same Difference”

  • David Lim (Douglas Freeman HS)
  • Daniel Bazianos (Douglas Freeman HS)
  • Kaeden Jackson Casey (Henrico HS)
  • Allyson Wang (Mills Godwin HS)
  • Alexandra Merritt (doctoral candidate in developmental psychology at VCU)
  • Katie Thayer (Douglas Freeman HS math teacher)
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How should Henrico Schools allocate its funds? Share your thoughts on HCPS’ budget for the 2020-21 school year

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Henrico, Va., Oct. 9, 2019 – Henrico Schools will hold four opportunities to get community views on the school division’s budget for the 2020-21 school year. There will be two stakeholders’ meetings held at Henrico County Public Library locations, and two public input sessions at New Bridge Learning Center before the Henrico School Board.

At the stakeholders’ meetings, a short presentation by HCPS budget staff members will be followed by opportunities to comment and ask questions. The two public input sessions are simply opportunities for public comment and will include no presentations or discussion. The input sessions will precede the Board’s monthly meetings for November and December.

The school division will develop a budget proposal using feedback from stakeholders. The superintendent’s budget is scheduled to be released in January.

The stakeholders’ meetings are:

  • Oct. 16 at 7 p.m., Fairfield Area Library, 1401 N. Laburnum Ave. Henrico, Va. 23223
  • Oct. 22 at 7 p.m., Glen Allen Branch Library, 10501 Staples Mill Road, Glen Allen, Va. 23060

The public input sessions are:

  • Nov. 14* at 5:30 p.m., New Bridge Learning Center, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va. 23223
  • Dec. 12* at 5:30 p.m., New Bridge Learning Center, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va. 23223

*Public input sessions that will include opportunities to comment before the Board, but no presentations or discussion.

To see details about past budgets, go to https://henricoschools.us/budget-finance/.

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Yearlong James River grant getting HCPS students onto the water, into environmental education

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*Note to reporters and editors: HCPS students will be visiting the Presquile National Wildlife Refuge and James River Ecology School on Oct. 11, 15 and 17, and Nov. 11. The grant-funded trips will resume in March. To arrange for media coverage, please contact Andy Jenks, director of HCPS Communications and Community Engagement.

Henrico, Va., Oct. 8, 2019 – From Native Americans to English explorers, the Richmond area was settled because of its location along the James River. Some area children, however, have limited exposure to the region’s defining geographic and natural landmark. A $15,000 grant coordinated by the Henrico Education Foundation is aiming to change that this year for nearly 800 Henrico County students. The grant, funded by Dominion Energy and the Chesapeake Bay Trust, is getting HCPS students onto the James for real-life science instruction. Students learn about the river, its watershed and what they can do to protect it.

Students walking with instructors

Seven schools in eastern Henrico County are taking similar trips during the 2019-20 school year as part of a yearlong grant-funded science education program.

The grant is paying for fourth- and fifth-graders at seven schools in eastern Henrico County, and their teachers, to take field trips to the Presquile National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge, on an island in the James River, is run jointly by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the James River Association. Educators with the James River group take students out on a boat to trawl for fish and see wildlife such as bald eagles. Finally, the boat takes them to the James River Ecology School to explore the island.

“This grant makes valuable, authentic science experiences accessible to students who might not otherwise have these opportunities,” said Judy Christopher, HCPS education specialist for elementary science. “Students aren’t just learning about the food chain from pictures – they’re immersed in the watershed, seeing eagles, picking up fish and learning about our ecosystem from science experts.”

Students petting wildlife with instructor

Sandston Elementary School students learn about the James River ecosystem on a visit to Presquile National Wildlife Refuge in October 2017.

Christopher said that the project uses important community resources to beef up science instruction and make it more equitable, while solidifying concepts that are part of Virginia’s SOL assessments.

Find out more about the James River education program and see a video of Henrico Schools students exploring the Presquile National Wildlife Refuge at https://thejamesriver.org/students-of-the-james/.

The Henrico Education Foundation supports all schools in Henrico County, working to provide every student and teacher the support and resources they need for success. For more information, go to henricogives.org.

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Henrico County College and Career Night: It’s like a buffet for your future

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Henrico, Va. Oct. 7, 2019 – Come to Henrico County College and Career Night Oct. 29 at Mills Godwin High School and sample a smorgasbord of possibilities for education and employment. Students of all ages are invited. The annual countywide event offers a chance to talk with representatives of more than 100 universities, colleges and professional programs, as well as about 50 representatives of employers such as businesses, government agencies and branches of the military.

Henrico County College and Career Night
When: Oct. 29 from 6-8 p.m.
Where: Mills Godwin High School, 2101 Pump Road, Henrico, Va. 23238

The event now features a timesaving feature: pre-registration barcodes. In past years, aisles could sometimes be glutted with students and parents filling out information cards to leave with colleges. Students are now asked to fill out a brief questionnaire ahead of the event at www.gotocollegefairs.com to receive a personal barcode. When they find colleges at the event that pique their interest, students can quickly transfer their contact information by having a personal barcode scanned.

Henrico Schools will also host a separate event, the Life-Ready Expo, on Oct. 22 from 6-9 p.m. The Expo will be held at the Advanced Career Education Center at Hermitage, 8301 Hungary Spring Road, Henrico, Va. It will provide students in grades 7-12 with information about a variety of paths to careers and education, and offer students a chance to talk with employers about job opportunities.

A list of attending colleges is below. Attending employers will be posted as information becomes available.

College and Career Night 2019

Colleges, Universities and Technical Institutes:

Auburn University
Averett University
Barton College
Bluefield College
Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing
Bowie State University
Bridgewater College
Bryant & Stratton College – Richmond
Campbell University
Chatham University
Chowan University
Christopher Newport University
Coastal Carolina University
Colgate University
College of Charleston
College of Culinary Arts of ECPI University
College of William and Mary
Concord University
Davis & Elkins College
Eastern Mennonite University
ECPI Medical Careers Institute
Elon University
Emory and Henry College
Fairmont State University
Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising
Ferrum College
Full Sail University
George Mason University
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampton University
High Point University
Hollins University
James Madison University
Johnson & Wales University
King University
Lenoir-Rhyne College
Liberty University
Living Arts College
Longwood University
Lynchburg College
Mary Baldwin University
Marymount University
Meredith College
Methodist University
Mid-Atlantic Christian University
Mississippi State University
Moravian College
Norfolk State University
North Carolina A & T State University
North Carolina State University
Norwich University
Nova Southeastern University
Old Dominion University
Pennsylvania State University
Radford University
Randolph College
Randolph-Macon College
Regent University
Reynolds Community College
Reynolds Community College
Richard Bland College
Roanoke College
Salem Academy and College
Shenandoah University
Smith College
St. Bonaventure University
St. Mary’s College of Maryland
St. Vincent College
Sweet Briar College
The Art Institute of Virginia Beach
The Citadel
Towson University
University of Alabama
University of Delaware
University of Florida
University of Georgia
University of Kentucky
University of Lynchburg
University of Mary Washington
University of Michigan
University of Mississippi
University of Missouri
University of Mount Olive College
University of New Hampshire
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
University of Notre Dame
University of Richmond
University of South Carolina-Columbia
University of Tampa
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
University of Virginia
University of Virginia’s College at Wise
VCU Health Sciences Pipeline
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Military Institute
Virginia State University
Virginia Tech
Virginia Wesleyan University
Wake Forest University
Warren Wilson College
Washington & Jefferson College
Washington and Lee University
Washington College
Wesley College
West Virginia University
West Virginia Wesleyan College
Widener University
William Peace University
Wilson College
Winthrop University

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Tuckahoe Middle School to mark 60 years with celebration, tours of renovated campus

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Henrico, Va., Oct. 7, 2019 – Former students, staff members and members of the community are invited to Tuckahoe Middle School Nov. 2 to celebrate the school’s 60th anniversary. Visitors will get a chance to reconnect with other Patriots, tour the completely renovated campus, and see photos and artifacts from the school’s first 60 years. 

There will also be inflatables, face painting, games, a cake walk, a fall bazaar, vendors and maker-space activities.

To make it easier for the school to plan, please RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/TMS60. Email your photos from Tuckahoe’s past to tuckahoe60@gmail.com.     

Tuckahoe Middle School celebration

Who: Current and former students and staff members, along with community members and members of the media, are invited to attend.

When: Nov. 2, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Where: Tuckahoe Middle School, 9000 Three Chopt Road, Henrico, Va. 23229

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Life-Ready Expo will showcase career possibilities, pathways for HCPS students

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Henrico, Va. Oct. 3, 2019 – Students in grades 7-12 and their families can find out more about a variety of career and educational pathways Oct. 22 at HCPS’ first Life-Ready Expo. The event will be held at the Advanced Career Education Center at Hermitage.

Talk with employers about career opportunities and the total value of their pay and benefits. Learn about multiple ways to “learn and earn” when you take advantage of employer programs that pay for employees to attend college and receive other training after high school. Attendees can also tour the ACE Center and talk with current seniors about their coursework and where they’re headed.

Henrico County Public Schools Life-Ready Expo
When: Oct. 22 from 6-9 p.m.
Where: ACE Center at Hermitage, 8301 Hungary Spring Road, Henrico, Va. 23228

The Life-Ready Expo will also serve as part of the process for HCPS’ Career and Technical Letter-of-Intent Signing Day, an annual ceremony that celebrates students going to work for area employers. The Expo is designed to help facilitate connections among high school students and possible employers – connections that could be celebrated as part of the Career and Technical Letter-of-Intent Signing Day in the spring.

The Career and Technical Letter-of-Intent Signing Day emulates ceremonies that honor high school athletes. Students and representatives of their future employers both sign letters-of-intent at the event in front of families and members of the media, outlining what students must do before and during employment, what the employer will provide in pay and training, and an estimate of the position’s value.

Being “life-ready” is one aspect of the school division’s Henrico Learner Profile, HCPS’ blueprint for K-12 education. It emphasizes the importance of “six Cs” for students: developing quality character, and becoming effective global citizens, communicators, collaborators, and critical and creative thinkers.

Henrico County Public Schools will also host a separate event, the division’s annual College and Career Night, Oct. 29 from 6-8 p.m. at Mills Godwin High School, 2101 Pump Road, Henrico, Va. That event will feature representatives of more than 100 colleges and universities, as well as more than 50 employers. More information about College and Career Night will be communicated soon.

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Nominate an extraordinary principal for the REB Distinguished Educational Leadership Award

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Henrico, Va. Oct. 1, 2019 – The REB Awards for Distinguished Educational Leadership provide a tangible, public way to recognize an outstanding principal at a Henrico County school. The Community Foundation’s yearly awards identify, recognize and support leadership excellence in the Richmond area. Honorees receive an unrestricted $7,500 cash grant, and $7,500 to be used for school initiatives. Eligible are principals from public schools in Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover counties and the city of Richmond. Nominees should have served in their current positions for at least three years.

Starting this year, all nominations must be submitted online. To find out more and to nominate a principal, go to cfrichmond.org/Grantseekers/REB-Awards-for-Distinguished-Educational-Leadership.

Who: The Community Foundation invites nominations from students, parents, colleagues, school personnel and administrators, and the community at large. Principals may not nominate themselves.

When: Nominations must be submitted through the foundation’s online portal by 5 p.m. on Nov. 7. Hard copies or nominations submitted via email or fax will not be accepted.

How: To nominate a principal, go to cfrichmond.org/Grantseekers/REB-Awards-for-Distinguished-Educational-Leadership and scroll to the “Nominate Here” button. Nominators must create an account before logging in. As part of their application, nominators should upload a one- to two-page letter describing the nominee’s distinguished educational leadership. Nominators may also upload as many as three one-page letters of support.

For questions regarding nominations, please contact Tracie Weston, director of HCPS’ Department of Professional Learning and Leadership, at 804-652-3840.

Award recipients will be announced in March 2020.

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Henrico schools achieve, maintain academic gains

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Henrico, Va. Sept. 30, 2019 – Information released today by the Virginia Department of Education shows Henrico County Public Schools making gains in some areas and maintaining recent progress in others.

All nine HCPS high schools attained Virginia’s “Level 1” status for English, math and science, meaning they met or exceeded state accreditation standards, or made significant progress. All 12 HCPS middle schools attained “Level 1” status in math, as well as in addressing absenteeism.

Fifty-nine of the school division’s 67 K-12 schools – or 88 percent – were designated as accredited. All nine Henrico high schools maintained accreditation. In the period since 2014-15, the school division has cut from 28 to eight the number of schools designated as not accredited or conditionally accredited.

Ratcliffe Elementary School regained its accreditation, and made impressive gains, including 7 percentage-point improvements in both English and math for all students, as well as noteworthy gains for black students, economically disadvantaged students, and students with disabilities.

Fair Oaks, Mehfoud, Montrose and Varina elementary schools – which all regained state accreditation in 2018 – maintained their accredited status in the new report.

“We couldn’t be prouder of the hard work and dedication of our students and staff members in making gains across a range of academic areas,” said Amy Cashwell, HCPS superintendent. “Academic growth doesn’t just happen. It takes all facets of a community working together. We are seeing the results of that hard work – by our staff members, our families, our School Board and our citizens.”

Other evidence of improvement included:

  • 84% of HCPS schools achieved Level 1 for English.
  • 97% of HCPS schools achieved Level 1 for math.
  • 94% of HCPS schools achieved Level 1 for science.
  • 91% of HCPS schools achieved Level 1 for addressing chronic absenteeism.
  • Eight high schools achieved Level 1 for graduation rates.

Henrico County Public Schools continues to pursue an aggressive plan to ensure that all its schools reach and maintain accreditation. As part of that strategy, the school division is:

  • Adding wraparound services outside the classroom to serve a variety of student needs. This full-service community model is a pilot project that is being expanded.
  • Adopting a culturally responsive education model to integrate concepts of equity and multicultural awareness into curricula and teaching strategies.
  • Adding instructional coaches to assist teachers with instruction and planning, based on data and student needs.
  • Forming teams to aid in teacher collaboration.
  • Adopting Virginia’s school improvement process at all HCPS schools, to ensure that everyone at a school is on the same page and focused on schoolwide data-driven objectives.

 

HCPS schools accredited for 2019-20:

(School in bold regained accreditation in 2019. Schools in italics maintained the accreditation they regained in 2018.)

Elementary Schools

Adams
Ashe
Baker
Carver
Chamberlayne
Colonial Trail
Crestview
Davis
Donahoe
Dumbarton
Echo Lake
Fair Oaks

Gayton
Glen Allen
Glen Lea*
Greenwood
Harvie
Highland Springs*
Holladay
Johnson
Kaechele
Laburnum*
Lakeside
Longan

Longdale
Maybeury
Mehfoud
Montrose
Nuckols Farm
Pemberton
Pinchbeck
Ratcliffe
Ridge
Rivers Edge
Sandston
Seven Pines

Shady Grove
Short Pump
Skipwith
Springfield Park
Three Chopt
Trevvett
Tuckahoe
Twin Hickory
Varina
Ward


Middle Schools

Brookland*
Elko*
Fairfield*
Holman
Hungary Creek
Moody #

Pocahontas
Quioccasin
John Rolfe*
Short Pump
Tuckahoe
L. Douglas Wilder*


High Schools

Deep Run
Douglas Freeman
Glen Allen
Mills Godwin

Henrico
Hermitage
Highland Springs #
J.R. Tucker #
Varina

* Designated as “Accredited with conditions.”
 
#Designated as “Accredited with waiver,” a designation for high-performing schools with waivers from annual accreditation, authorized by the General Assembly.
 
More about Virginia’s school accreditation ratings:

– Accredited: Schools with all school quality indicators at either Level One or Level Two. In addition, high-performing schools with waivers from annual accreditation authorized by the General Assembly are rated as Accredited.
– Accredited with Conditions: Schools with one or more school quality indicators at Level Three.
– Accreditation Denied: Schools that fail to adopt or fully implement required corrective actions to address Level Three quality indicators.

Schools are evaluated for these ratings based on their performance on state “quality indicators.” Schools earn ratings from Level 1 to Level 3 (Level 1 is the highest) on these quality indicators.

Elementary and middle schools have six quality indicators: overall proficiency and growth in English reading/writing; math; science; achievement gaps in English among student groups; achievement gaps in math among student groups; and dealing with absenteeism.

High schools have eight quality indicators: overall proficiency and growth in English reading/writing; math; science; achievement gaps in English among student groups; achievement gaps in math among student groups; dealing with absenteeism; graduation rates; and dropout rates.

When schools are accredited with a waiver, it gives them some credit for recent past success. For example, if a school is rated as “Accredited” for three straight years (all its quality indicators are levels 1 or 2), but then has a year where one or more indicators falls to a Level 3, it may be rated as Accredited for several years, using a waiver.

Find out more at http://www.doe.virginia.gov/boe/accreditation/school-accred.pdf.

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10 HCPS schools recognized for environmental efforts with “Virginia Naturally” designation

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Henrico, Va. Sept. 26, 2019 – Ten schools in Henrico County have been recognized by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries as Virginia Naturally schools for their efforts in supporting environmental conservation and stewardship. The state agency recognized a total of 66 schools across the commonwealth. Rivers Edge Elementary School has earned the designation for 11 straight years, and Short Pump and Twin Hickory elementary schools have been recognized nine years in a row. The Henrico County schools recognized for 2019 are:

  • Rivers Edge Elementary School (11 years)
  • Short Pump Elementary School (9 years)
  • Twin Hickory Elementary School (9 years)
  • Greenwood Elementary School (3 years)
  • Kaechele Elementary School (1 year)
  • Lakeside Elementary School (1 year)
  • Maude Trevvett Elementary School (1 year)
  • Ridge Elementary Schools (1 year)
  • Seven Pines Elementary School (1 year)
  • Three Chopt Elementary School (1 year)

To qualify initially as Virginia Naturally schools, schools must:

  • Show support from school administrators.
  • Integrate environmental education into their curricula and provide staff members with learning opportunities.
  • Have a school action plan to reduce waste, save energy and water, and consider environmental health.
  • Provide students with meaningful environmental field projects and experiences aligned with the Chesapeake Bay Act.

To qualify in additional years, schools must:

  • Add more library resources for environmental education.
  • Expand environmental education and sustainability efforts to the school’s grounds.
  • Work with partners to develop long-term community involvement.

First-year Virginia Naturally schools receive a plaque. Schools that maintain their efforts receive a banner each year featuring one of Virginia’s state symbols – such as a cardinal, striped bass, dogwood flower or big-eared bat – to hang in the school. In addition to the annual banner, repeating schools choose from a list of workshops that help continue their efforts.

To find out more about the program, go to dgif.virginia.gov/education/school-recognition/.

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Fall into a career you’ll love with Henrico Schools

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Henrico, Va. Sept. 27, 2019 – Autumn is a time of change. Maybe it’s time to leave your “just-OK” job and fall into a rewarding career with Virginia’s sixth largest school division. Come talk to us Wednesday at Libbie Mill Library about joining the Henrico County Public Schools team.

Henrico Schools is seeking candidates for bus drivers, school nutrition workers and substitute teachers. We’re also looking for custodians at our schools in part-time, full-time and substitute positions. There is a particular need for temporary instructional assistants, as well as teachers in critical areas such as special education, English, Spanish, math, technology, family and consumer sciences, and career and technical education.

Applicants are encouraged to apply online in advance at www.henricoschools.us/careers.

Interested in driving a bus but don’t have driving experience? Qualified driver candidates will be paid as they train.

Henrico County Public Schools job fair
When: Oct. 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Libbie Mill Library, 2100 Libbie Lake East St., Henrico, Va. 23230

Questions? Contact the HCPS Human Resources Department at 804-652-3664. Applicants without computer access or having trouble with the online application may contact the HCPS Human Resources Department at 804-652-3664 or stop by the department office at 3820 Nine Mile Road in Henrico to use our computers and get help if needed.

Candidates for full-time and substitute bus drivers must: be at least 21 years old; have a valid Virginia driver’s license; obtain a CDL Class B instructional permit or hold a CDL Class B license with endorsements in P (Transporting Passengers)/S (School Bus) and airbrakes; pass a physical and drug test and have no felony convictions.

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Game on: HCPS Family Game Night set for Oct. 3

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Henrico, Va. Sept. 20, 2019 – Bring your family to Brookland Middle School Oct. 3 for HCPS Family Game Night and compete in classic outdoor games such as relays, sack races and tug of war. Attendees can also learn more about opportunities for family engagement in Henrico County Public Schools. The event will be held outside if weather allows; in the event of inclement weather it will take place in the school’s gym.

Parents and guardians will also have a chance to learn more about HCPS’ ManUp fatherhood initiative and Women on the Move motherhood initiative.

“It is our hope that this event will help to give even more divisionwide exposure to HCPS Family and Community Engagement, our initiatives and ways that we can be of service to the county’s schools and families.” said Van-Neisha Johnson, HCPS family and community engagement coordinator. “We are also really promoting the participation of parents in their children’s schools regardless of the grade level. We want parents and guardians to know that they are both needed and supported in our schools.”

Henrico Schools Family Game Night
When: Oct. 3 from 6-7:30 p.m.
Where: Brookland Middle School, 9200 Lydell Drive, Henrico, Va. 23228

Questions? Call Van-Neisha Johnson at 804-328-8110.

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What should Henrico Schools look like in 2025? Public hearing seeks input on new HCPS draft plan

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Henrico, Va. Sept. 19, 2019 – Henrico County Public Schools wants to know your views on a new draft version of its proposed guiding document. The Henrico School Board will hold a public hearing Sept. 26 at 5:30 p.m. at New Bridge Learning Center to hear from the public about the updated 2018-25 HCPS Strategic Plan. The hearing will follow the Board’s regularly scheduled work session.

The proposed document more closely aligns the plan to the action items in “Amy’s Passport,” a document created by Amy Cashwell, HCPS superintendent, that contains recommendations for the school division.

Read the latest draft of the proposed 2018-25 HCPS Strategic Plan at henricoschools.us/strategic-plan/. The “Amy’s Passport” recommendations and a progress report can be found at henricoschools.us/amyspassport/.

A decision on the revised HCPS Strategic Plan is expected in October.

Strategic Plan Public Hearing

When: Sept. 26 at 5:30 p.m.
Where: New Bridge Learning Center auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va. 23223

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4 high school early-release days will now be full days

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Henrico, Va. Sept. 17, 2019 – Four December days that had been scheduled for early release for HCPS high school students will now be full school days. Dec. 17-20 had been designated for midterm exams at Henrico’s nine high schools, with students being dismissed after they take exams. After getting feedback from families and staff members, Henrico Schools has decided to reimagine traditional midterm exams in order to restore more classroom instructional time. High school teachers will still be able to use other assessments that aren’t in a traditional midterm format.

While Dec. 17-20 will now be full school days for high school students, the change won’t affect middle and elementary schools, because they were already scheduled for full school days.

Henrico Schools’ Division Leadership Team recommended this change after hearing from an HCPS committee studying ways to improve how the school division approaches testing. That committee – comprised of teachers, administrators and central office instructional staff members – noted that midterm exams have been canceled in five of the past six years because of inclement weather. Feedback the committee got from high school teachers also suggested that, when exams were administered, they resulted in the loss of valuable instructional time. In the months ahead, students and families should expect further details about assessments and grading to come from their schools.

The fresh look at testing was one of the recommendations made by Amy Cashwell, HCPS superintendent, in “Amy’s Passport.” The booklet and blog include Cashwell’s next steps for the school division, in addition to her Henrico County travels, reflections and progress updates. To see the “Amy’s Passport” digital booklet and progress report, go tohenricoschools.us/amyspassport/.

To view updated HCPS calendars, start by going to henricoschools.us/calendars.

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New school year, new school career

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Henrico, Va. Sept. 12, 2019 – Students are back in school, and maybe you should be, too! Come be part of the Henrico Schools family, with a great job that makes a difference in your community. Stop by a job fair Tuesday at Tuckahoe Area Library and talk with HCPS human resources representatives, as well as representatives from other departments.

We’re seeking candidates for bus drivers, school nutrition workers and substitute teachers. There is a particular need for temporary instructional assistants, as well as teachers in critical areas such as special education, English, Spanish, math, technology, family and consumer sciences, and career and technical education.

Applicants are encouraged to apply online in advance at www.henricoschools.us/careers.

Interested in driving a bus but don’t have driving experience? Qualified driver candidates will be paid as they train.

Henrico County Public Schools job fair
When: Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Tuckahoe Area Library, 1901 Starling Drive, Henrico, Va.

Questions? Contact the HCPS Human Resources Department at 804-652-3664. Applicants without computer access or having trouble with the online application may contact the HCPS Human Resources Department at 804-652-3664 or stop by the department office at 3820 Nine Mile Road in Henrico to use our computers and get help if needed.

Candidates for full-time and substitute bus drivers must: be at least 21 years old; have a valid Virginia driver’s license; obtain a CDL Class B instructional permit or hold a CDL Class B license with endorsements in P (Transporting Passengers)/S (School Bus) and airbrakes; pass a physical and drug test and have no felony convictions.

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Henrico High School’s Gregory Lyndaker chosen as top teacher in Central Virginia

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2020 Virginia Region 1 teacher of the year Gregory Lyndaker addresses an assembly at Henrico High School Thursday morning. The psychology teacher was joined onstage for the surprise announcement by local, state and school leaders, including Karin Castillo-Rose, Henrico High School principal; Roscoe Cooper III, the School Board’s Fairfield District representative; and Amy Cashwell, Henrico Schools’ superintendent.

Henrico, Va., Sept. 5, 2019 – Gregory Lyndaker may have to add a trophy shelf to his classroom. The Henrico High School psychology teacher was named Thursday as one of Virginia’s eight 2020 regional teachers of the year. In May Henrico County Public Schools named Lyndaker the school division’s top teacher for 2019.

Local, state and school leaders surprised Lyndaker Thursday morning with an announcement at a school assembly for Henrico High School seniors.

One of the eight regional winners will be selected as the commonwealth’s 2020 teacher of the year, an honor that will be announced Oct. 7 in a ceremony at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Lyndaker was selected as the winner for Region 1, which stretches from Goochland to Sussex and includes 15 counties and cities in Central Virginia. The 2020 Virginia Teacher of the Year will be the commonwealth’s nominee in the National Teacher of the Year awards.

“It’s amazing,” said Lyndaker, who said he expects the award to be a motivator. “I always enjoy sports and it’s almost like this is one of those things that pushes you to the next level. You start getting named a top teacher – or in any profession or area – you want to up your game, you want to make yourself better.”

Lyndaker said he wants his students to leave Henrico with “… a love of learning. Whether it’s psychology, math, science, whatever they’re going to go on to, just instilling in them the idea that it’s good to learn, find new things and always continue to grow.”

2020 Virginia Region 1 teacher of the year Gregory Lyndaker accepts a commemorative certificate at an assembly at Henrico High School Thursday morning from Holly Coy, Virginia deputy secretary of education. The psychology teacher was joined onstage for the surprise announcement by a variety of local, state and school leaders, including Karin Castillo-Rose, Henrico High School principal; Roscoe Cooper III, the School Board’s Fairfield District representative; and Amy Cashwell, Henrico Schools’ superintendent.

He said the award “shows where we are as a school division and here at Henrico in particular, that we continue to innovate. It will push us to continue to innovate more and continue to find new ways to teach our kids.”

Lyndaker teaches Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes at Henrico. He has taught at the school since 2013. He is originally from Watertown, N.Y., attended Utica College, and is an alumnus of the State University of New York College at Potsdam. Before joining the Henrico High School faculty, Lyndaker taught at a middle school in upstate New York and at the Virginia Home for Boys and Girls.

A panel reviewed nominees’ portfolios and selected the eight regional teachers of the year. The panel included classroom teachers, representatives of professional and educational associations, and representatives from the business community. The same panel will interview each of the eight regional teachers to select the 2020 Virginia Teacher of the Year.

2020 Virginia Region 1 teacher of the year Gregory Lyndaker sits onstage during a surprise announcement Thursday morning at Henrico High School. The psychology teacher was joined by local, state and school leaders, including Roscoe Cooper III, the School Board’s Fairfield District representative, and Amy Cashwell, Henrico Schools’ superintendent.

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Public information sessions set for Sept. 9 and 11 as Henrico Schools begins redistricting process 

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Henrico, Va. Sept. 4 – 2019 Henrico County Public Schools will hold two information sessions for the public to learn more about the comprehensive redistricting process getting underway. The first public information session will be Sept. 9 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at New Bridge Learning Center auditorium, and an identical session will be held Sept. 11 at Glen Allen High School.

Members of the public can get an overview of the process, find out ways to get involved, and hear when various redistricting options are expected to be made available. Representatives of Cropper GIS, the redistricting consulting firm that is assisting the school division, will be present, as will HCPS school leaders and staff. For those who cannot attend, the information sessions will be livestreamed at the school division’s website, henricoschools.us. The sessions will also be recorded and made available at https://henricoschools.us/redistricting2021/ in the days after the event.

Henrico Schools redistricting process information sessions (sessions are identical):

– Sept. 9 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.

– Sept. 11 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Glen Allen High School, 10700 Staples Mill Road, Glen Allen, Va.

The school division is examining and redrawing elementary, middle and high school attendance zones for the 2021-22 school year. That process now has a timeline, a schedule of various opportunities for the public to provide input, and two citizen committees in place that will collaborate on the redistricting process.

The elementary school committee will meet for its orientation after the Sept. 9 public information session and the middle and high school committee will meet for orientation after the Sept. 11 session. Three hundred and eighty-five community members applied to participate on the two committees. Each HCPS school attendance area will be represented. In addition to attending public information sessions and School Board meetings, members of the public are welcome to attend redistricting committee meetings as observers.

Follow updates on this important process at https://henricoschools.us/redistricting2021/ and look for more ways to add your voice in coming months.

See the following timeline and schedule for Henrico Schools’ redistricting process.

Henrico County Public Schools Redistricting Process Timeline:

June 6, 2019: Committee application process begins

Sept. 9, 2019 (Monday): New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.

  • 6:30-7:30 p.m., public information session
  • 7:30-9 p.m., Elementary Committee orientation

Sept. 11, 2019 (Wednesday): Glen Allen High School, 10700 Staples Mill Road, Glen Allen, Va.

  • – 6:30-7:30 p.m., public information session,
  • – 7:30-9 p.m., Secondary Committee orientation

Sept. 12, 2019 (Thursday): Afternoon (check BoardDocs for time), possible brief staff update at School Board afternoon work session, New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.

Sept. 23, 2019 (Monday): 5:30-8:30 p.m., Elementary Committee meeting, Hungary Creek Middle School, 4909 Francistown Road, Glen Allen, Va.

Sept. 25, 2019 (Wednesday): 5:30-8:30 p.m., Secondary Committee meeting, New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.

Sept. 26, 2019 (Thursday): Work session (afternoon; check BoardDocs for time), monthly meeting (6:30 p.m.); Possible brief staff update at School Board afternoon work session or monthly meeting (monthly meetings include public comment period.) New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.

Oct. 7, 2019 (Monday): 5:30-8:30 p.m., Elementary Committee meeting, Hungary Creek Middle School, 4909 Francistown Road, Glen Allen, Va.

Oct. 9, 2019 (Wednesday): 5:30-8:30 p.m., Secondary Committee meeting, New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.

Oct. 10, 2019 (Thursday): Afternoon (check BoardDocs for time), Possible brief staff update at School Board afternoon work session; New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.

Oct. 21, 2019 (Monday): 5:30-8:30 p.m., Elementary Committee meeting, Hungary Creek Middle School, 4909 Francistown Road, Glen Allen, Va.

Oct. 23, 2019 (Wednesday): 5:30-8:30 p.m., Secondary Committee meeting, New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.

Oct. 24, 2019 (Thursday): Work session (afternoon; check BoardDocs for time), monthly meeting (6:30 p.m.); Possible brief staff update at School Board afternoon work session or monthly meeting (monthly meetings include public comment period.) New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.

Nov. 7, 2019 (Thursday): Public information session and gallery walk, presentation (6:30 p.m.) gallery walk (7 p.m.), L. Douglas Wilder Middle School, 6900 Wilkinson Road, Henrico, Va.

Nov. 13, 2019 (Wednesday): Public information session and gallery walk, presentation (6:30 p.m.), gallery walk (7 p.m.), Mills Godwin High School, 2101 Pump Road, Henrico, Va.

Nov. 14, 2019 (Thursday): Work session (afternoon; check BoardDocs for time), monthly meeting (6:30 p.m.); Possible brief staff update at School Board afternoon work session or monthly meeting (monthly meetings include public comment period.) New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.

Dec. 4, 2019 (Wednesday; snow date Dec. 5, 2019): 5:30-8:30 p.m., Elementary Committee meeting, New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.

Dec. 9, 2019 (Monday; Snow date: Dec.10, 2019): 5:30-8:30 p.m., Secondary Committee meeting, Hungary Creek Middle School, 4909 Francistown Road, Glen Allen, Va.

Dec. 12, 2019 (Thursday): Work session (afternoon; check BoardDocs for time), monthly meeting (6:30 p.m.); Possible brief staff update at School Board afternoon work session or monthly meeting (monthly meetings include public comment period.) New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.

Jan. 7, 2020 (Tuesday): 5:30-8:30 p.m., Elementary Committee meeting, Hungary Creek Middle School, 4909 Francistown Road, Glen Allen, Va.

Jan. 8, 2020 (Wednesday; snow date Jan. 15, 2020): 5:30-8:30 p.m., Secondary Committee meeting, New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.

Jan. 16, 2020 (Thursday): Report to School Board at work session, New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.

Feb. 4, 2020 (Tuesday): 5:30-8:30 p.m., Elementary Committee meeting, Hungary Creek Middle School, 4909 Francistown Road, Glen Allen, Va.

Feb. 5, 2020 (Wednesday; snow date Feb. 10, 2020): 5:30-8:30 p.m., Secondary Committee meeting, New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.

February 13, 2020 (Thursday): TBD, Report to School Board at work session, New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.

March 4, 2020 (Wednesday): Public information session and gallery walk, presentation (6:30 p.m.), gallery walk (7 p.m.), L. Douglas Wilder Middle School, 6900 Wilkinson Road, Henrico, Va.

March 5, 2020 (Thursday): Public information session and gallery walk, presentation (6:30 p.m.), gallery walk (7 p.m.), Hermitage High School, 8301 Hungary Spring Road, Henrico, Va.

March 12, 2020 (Thursday): TBD, Report to School Board at work session, New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.

April 1, 2020 (Wednesday): 5:30-8:30 p.m., Elementary Committee meeting, Hungary Creek Middle School, 4909 Francistown Road, Glen Allen, Va.

April 2, 2020 (Thursday): 5:30-8:30 p.m., Secondary Committee meeting, New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.

April 15, 2020 (Wednesday): 5:30-8:30 p.m., Full Committee meeting, Henrico High School, 302 Azalea Ave., Henrico, Va.

April 23, 2020 (Thursday): TBD, presentation to the School Board, New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.

May 11, 2020 (Monday): TBD, public hearing or public input session (pending approval), Glen Allen High School, 10700 Staples Mill Road, Glen Allen, Va.

May 14, 2020 (Thursday): TBD, public hearing or public input session (pending approval), New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.

May 28, 2020 (Thursday): School Board vote

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Henrico Schools won’t open before Labor Day next year, but will consider it for 2021-22 school year

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Henrico, Va. Sept. 3, 2019 – Henrico Schools will continue its practice of starting the school year after Labor Day for 2020-21, but the school division will consider getting started earlier for 2021-22.

For the first time in decades, Virginia’s school divisions can elect to start up to two weeks before Labor Day. The General Assembly voted in February to eliminate the 1986 requirement that schools open after the holiday.

“We wanted to announce this now so families can start planning confidently for next summer,” said Beth Teigen, Henrico Schools’ deputy superintendent. “We hope to be able to present draft school calendars for both the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years to the School Board later in the fall, but for now we can be clear that school in 2020 will still open the Tuesday after Labor Day.”

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Henrico Schools using “Anonymous Alerts” system to improve communication about safety concerns

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Henrico, Va. Aug. 27, 2019 – Henrico County Public Schools has a new way for those who see something to say something. Students, parents and guardians, staff and community members now have access to an app and website called “Anonymous Alerts” to communicate with school administrators. The system provides a new way to voice safety concerns – from threats and bullying to worries about classmates who may be depressed. The free tool establishes encrypted, anonymous two-way communication between those submitting reports and administrators, and allows those using the system to include photos, screenshots and videos with their reports.
 
A mobile app is available for download for iOS and Android devices, and an app is also available for Chromebook laptops from the Chromebook Store. Users can choose from multiple languages. Students and others making reports can also use HCPS’ Anonymous Alerts website, available at https://report.anonymousalerts.com/henrico/. Each HCPS school’s webpage also includes a link to the site.
 
The app requires an activation code, which is Henrico. There is no activation code needed for the web version of Anonymous Alerts.
 
Using the system, school administrators will not only be able to engage in anonymous two-way communication with those submitting reports, they can get incident reports in real time and analyze trends.
 
The app and website replace Henrico County Public Schools’ previous anonymous safety reporting system called “Silence Hurts.” That system was not available as an app, and did not allow two-way communication or the ability to include photos, screenshots and videos.
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Free and reduced-price school meals through Henrico County Public Schools: Is your child eligible?

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Henrico, Va. Aug. 23, 2019 – Henrico County Public Schools wants to ensure that all children have access to nutritious meals. The school division participates in free and reduced-price meals programs through the federal government.

Students at some schools in the school division are automatically eligible for free and reduced-price meals. At other schools, it depends on household size and income.

As part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, students at 20 HCPS schools are automatically eligible as part of the act’s Community Eligibility Provision:

  • Adams Elementary School
  • Donahoe Elementary School
  • Fair Oaks Elementary School
  • Fairfield Middle School
  • Glen Lea Elementary School
  • Harvie Elementary School
  • Highland Springs Elementary School
  • Holladay Elementary School
  • Johnson Elementary School
  • Laburnum Elementary School
  • Longdale Elementary School
  • Montrose Elementary School
  • Ratcliffe Elementary School
  • Ridge Elementary School
  • Sandston Elementary School
  • Ward Elementary School
  • New Bridge Learning Center
  • The Academy at Virginia Randolph
  • John Rolfe Middle School
  • L. Douglas Wilder Middle School

Under the provision, schools where 40% or more of students were eligible for free and reduced-price meals in the previous school year don’t need to collect individual household applications. Families at these schools are provided with information about the program and contact information if they have questions.

At other HCPS schools, eligibility is determined by household size and income, using federal eligibility guidelines in the chart below.

Federal income eligibility guidelines:
(First number is household size, followed by maximum household income for free meals, then the household income range for reduced-price meals)

1: $16,237, $16,237.01-$23,107
2: $21,983, $21,983.01-$31,284
3: $27,729, $27,729.01-$39,461
4: $33,475, $33,475.01-$47,638
5: $39,221, $39,221.01-$55,815
6: $44,967, $44,967.01-$63,992
7: $50,713, $50,713.01-$72,169
8: $56,459, $56,459.01-$80,346

For each additional family member, add $5,746 for maximum household income for free meals or $8,177 for household income range for reduced-price meals.

Children in households receiving federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – or SNAP – benefits may be automatically eligible for free meals. The same holds for children who participate in the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, or who are homeless, migrant or runaways. Children in households participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children program may also be eligible for free or reduced-price meals based on the household’s income. Lastly, Foster children who are the legal responsibility of a welfare agency or court are eligible for free meals regardless of the income of the household with whom they reside.

In Henrico Schools, application forms are distributed to all households with a letter explaining the availability of free or reduced-price meals for children. Applications are also available at the principal’s office in each school and at HCPS Central Office. To apply for free or reduced-price meals, families should only fill out one application per household and return it to the school division. Families may also apply online by going to henricova.schoollunchapp.com.

Applications may be submitted at any time during the school year. The information households provide on the application will be used to determine program eligibility and verify data. Applications may be verified at any time during the school year by school or other program officials. For school officials to determine eligibility for free or reduced price benefits, households receiving benefits through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP – or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program only have to list their child’s name and case number. An adult household member must sign the application.

Households which don’t list case numbers, including those participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, must list the names of all household members, the amount and frequency of the income received by each household member, and the last four digits of the social security number of the adult household member who signs the application. If the household member does not have a social security number, the household member must indicate that a social security number is not available. The application must be signed by an adult household member in order to be approved.

Betty Hyatt of HCPS School Nutrition Services will review applications and determine the eligibility of applicants. Applications must be complete to be approved. Households dissatisfied with a ruling of their eligibility are welcome to discuss the decision with the official on an informal basis. Those wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either by calling 804-226-5544 or in writing by mailing: Dr. Amy E. Cashwell, Superintendent, 3820 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va. 23223.

Families may apply for free or reduced-price meals at any time during the school year. If a household is not eligible now but has a change, such as a decrease in household income, an increase in household size, unemployment or qualifies for one of the federal programs mentioned above, they may become eligible under federal income guidelines. Families should contact the school for an application.

Households that receive benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families may not have to complete an application for free or reduced-price student meals. Henrico Schools staff members will determine eligibility for free meals based on documentation (obtained directly from the Virginia Department of Social Services) that shows that a child is a member of a household participating in these programs. HCPS school officials will notify these households in writing of their eligibility. Households notified of their eligibility which do not want their children to receive free meals must contact the school. Households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program must complete an application if they are not notified in writing of their automatic eligibility within the first 10 days of the new school year.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 866-632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) fax: 202-690-7442; or

(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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Henrico Health Department offering school immunizations, physicals for uninsured and underinsured residents

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Henrico, Va. Aug. 22, 2019 – The Henrico County Health Department will offer school physical exams and immunizations Aug. 28 at the Health Department’s West Clinic at 8600 Dixon Powers Drive. Students in preschool through 12th grade, who are uninsured or underinsured, can have school-required physicals performed at no cost. Immunizations will also be offered. Services will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

In addition to school-required immunizations, students can receive the Tdap vaccine, which can protect against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. The Tdap vaccine booster is required for students entering seventh grade.

Students younger than 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, with a photo ID. Parents and guardians should bring their child’s immunization records, if available.

Students with health insurance that covers immunizations and physicals should be seen by a primary-care doctor or a walk-in urgent-care center that accepts their insurance.

There will be no out-of-pocket costs to participating families for school-required immunizations and physicals.

For details, call the Henrico County Health Department at 804-501-4651.

Back-to-School Physical Exams and Immunizations
When: Aug. 28, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (clinic is on a first-come, first-served basis)
Where: Henrico County Health Department West Clinic, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive, Henrico, Va. 23228

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Town hall meeting will offer in-depth conversation on schools, family needs in eastern Henrico County

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Henrico, Va. Aug. 21, 2019 – Roscoe Cooper III, the Henrico School Board’s Fairfield District representative, will host a Henrico County Public Schools town hall meeting to discuss ways to improve support for schools and families in eastern Henrico County. The Sept. 1 meeting at Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church will bring together school leaders, teachers, administrators, community members and families.

In addition to Cooper, the meeting will be attended by Amy Cashwell, HCPS superintendent; John Vithoulkas, Henrico county manager; and other leaders and administrators from the school division.

Among the topics of discussion will be:

  • Academic performance and achievement gaps.
  • Addressing perceptions and inequities in Henrico County Public Schools.
  • Understanding parents’ challenges and needs.
  • Identifying resources to support families and students at home and at school.

Eastern Henrico Schools Town Hall
Who: Members of the public are invited to attend.
When: Sept. 1, 4-6 p.m.
Where: Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 2705 Hartman St., Richmond, Va. 23223

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Schedule set for HCPS 2021 redistricting process; public information sessions set for Sept. 9 and 11

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Henrico, Va., Aug. 13, 2019 – Henrico County Public Schools is examining and redrawing elementary, middle and high school attendance zones for the 2021-22 school year. That redistricting process now has a timeline and a schedule of opportunities for the public to provide input.
The first opportunities for the public to learn more about the process will come on two evenings in September. There will be a public information session Sept. 9 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at New Bridge Learning Center auditorium, and an identical session Sept. 11 at Glen Allen High School.
In addition to the redistricting timeline, the committee that will collaborate on the work will soon be finalized. Applicants selected for the committee have been notified and are in the process of confirming their participation. Three hundred and eighty-five community members applied to participate. Each HCPS school attendance area will be represented on the committee.
In addition to attending public information sessions and School Board meetings, members of the public are welcome to attend redistricting committee meetings as observers.
Follow updates on this important process at https://henricoschools.us/redistricting2021/ and look for more ways to add your voice in coming months.
The timeline and schedule for the redistricting process:
Henrico County Public Schools Redistricting Process Timeline
June 6, 2019 (Thursday): Committee application process begins
Sept. 9, 2019 (Monday, New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.):
– 6:30-7:30 p.m.: Public information session
– 7:30-9 p.m.: Elementary Committee orientation
Sept. 11, 2019 (Wednesday, Glen Allen High School, 10700 Staples Mill Road, Glen Allen, Va.):
– 6:30-7:30 p.m.: Public information session
– 7:30-9 p.m.: Secondary Committee orientation
Sept. 12, 2019 (Thursday afternoon – check BoardDocs for time): Possible brief staff update at School Board afternoon work session (New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.)
Sept. 23, 2019 (Monday, 5:30-8:30 p.m.): Elementary Committee meeting (Hungary Creek Middle School, 4909 Francistown Road, Glen Allen, Va.)
Sept. 25, 2019 (Wednesday, 5:30-8:30 p.m.): Secondary Committee meeting (New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.)
Sept. 26, 2019 (Thursday afternoon work session – check BoardDocs for time;  monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m.): Possible brief staff update at School Board afternoon work session or monthly meeting; monthly meetings include public comment period. (New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.)
Oct. 7, 2019 (Monday, 5:30-8:30 p.m.): Elementary Committee meeting (Hungary Creek Middle School, 4909 Francistown Road, Glen Allen, Va.)
Oct. 9, 2019 (Wednesday, 5:30-8:30 p.m.): Secondary Committee meeting (New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.)
Oct. 10, 2019 (Thursday afternoon – check BoardDocs for time): Possible brief staff update at School Board afternoon work session (New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.)
Oct. 21, 2019 (Monday, 5:30-8:30 p.m.): Elementary Committee meeting (Hungary Creek Middle School, 4909 Francistown Road, Glen Allen, Va.)
Oct. 23, 2019 (Wednesday, 5:30-8:30 p.m.): Secondary Committee meeting (New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.)
Oct. 24, 2019 (Thursday afternoon work session – check BoardDocs for time;  monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m.): Possible brief staff update at School Board afternoon work session or monthly meeting; monthly meetings include public comment period. (New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.)
Nov. 7, 2019 (Thursday, presentation at 6:30 p.m.,  gallery walk at 7 p.m.): Public information session and gallery walk (L. Douglas Wilder Middle School, 6900 Wilkinson Road, Henrico, Va.)
Nov. 13, 2019 (Wednesday, presentation at 6:30 p.m.,  gallery walk at 7 p.m.): Public information session and gallery walk (Mills Godwin High School, 2101 Pump Road, Henrico, Va.)
Nov. 14, 2019 (Thursday afternoon work session – check BoardDocs for time;  monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m.): Possible brief staff update at School Board afternoon work session or monthly meeting; monthly meetings include public comment period. (New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.)
Dec. 4, 2019 (Wednesday, 5:30-8:30 p.m. – Snow date: Dec. 5, 2019): Elementary Committee meeting (New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.)
Dec. 9, 2019 (Monday, 5:30-8:30 p.m. – Snow date: Dec.10, 2019): Secondary Committee meeting (Hungary Creek Middle School, 4909 Francistown Road, Glen Allen, Va.)
Dec. 12, 2019 (Thursday afternoon work session – check BoardDocs for time;  monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m.): Possible brief staff update at School Board afternoon work session or monthly meeting; monthly meetings include public comment period. (New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.)
Jan. 7, 2020 (Tuesday, 5:30-8:30 p.m.): Elementary Committee meeting (Hungary Creek Middle School, 4909 Francistown Road, Glen Allen, Va.)
Jan. 8, 2020 (Wednesday, 5:30-8:30 p.m.): Secondary Committee meeting (New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.)
Jan. 16, 2020 (Thursday): Report to School Board at work session – check BoardDocs for time (New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.)
Feb. 4, 2020 (Tuesday, 5:30-8:30 p.m.): Elementary Committee meeting (Hungary Creek Middle School, 4909 Francistown Road, Glen Allen, Va.)
Feb. 5, 2020 (Wednesday, 5:30-8:30 p.m.): Secondary Committee meeting (New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.)
Feb. 13, 2020 (Thursday, TBD): Report to School Board at work session – check BoardDocs for time (New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.)
March 4, 2020 (Wednesday, presentation at 6:30 p.m., gallery walk at 7 p.m.): Public information session and gallery walk (L. Douglas Wilder Middle School, 6900 Wilkinson Road, Henrico, Va.)
March 5, 2020 (Thursday, presentation at 6:30 p.m., gallery walk at 7 p.m.): Public information session and gallery walk (Hermitage High School, 8301 Hungary Spring Road, Henrico, Va.)
March 12, 2020 (Thursday, TBD): Report to School Board at work session – check BoardDocs for time (New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.)
April 1, 2020 (Wednesday, 5:30-8:30 p.m.): Elementary Committee meeting (Hungary Creek Middle School, 4909 Francistown Road, Glen Allen, Va.)
April 2, 2020 (Thursday, 5:30-8:30 p.m.): Secondary Committee meeting (New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.)
April 15, 2020 (Wednesday, 5:30-8:30 p.m.): Full Committee meeting (Henrico High School, 302 Azalea Ave., Henrico, Va.)
April 23, 2020 (Thursday, TBD): Presentation to the School Board (New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.)
May 11, 2020 (Monday, TBD): Public hearing or public input session, pending approval (Glen Allen High School, 10700 Staples Mill Road, Glen Allen, Va.)
May 14, 2020 (Thursday, TBD): Public hearing or public input session, pending approval (New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va.)
May 28, 2020 (Thursday): School Board vote
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Weather: You’re too cool not to be in school

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Henrico, Va. Aug. 12, 2019 – Sure it’s hot, but you’re cool. That’s why we need you in the Henrico County Public Schools family! As a new school year gets underway, bring your talents, caring, calmunder-pressure and overall coolness. Stop by a job fair Thursday at the definitely air-conditioned Eastern Henrico Recreation Center and talk with HCPS human resources representatives, as well as representatives from other departments.

We’re seeking candidates for bus drivers and school nutrition workers, as well as teachers in critical areas such as English, Spanish, math, technology, family and consumer sciences, and special education. We’re also seeking temporary instructional assistants, and our extended-day program needs great candidates for temporary teachers and instructional assistants.

Applicants are encouraged to apply online in advance at www.henricoschools.us/careers.

Interested in driving a bus but don’t have driving experience? Qualified driver candidates will be paid as they train.

Henrico County Public Schools job fair
When: Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Eastern Henrico Recreation Center, 1440 N. Laburnum Ave., Henrico, Va. 23223

Questions? Contact the HCPS Human Resources Department at 804-652-3664. Applicants without computer access or having trouble with the online application may contact the HCPS Human Resources Department at 804-652-3664 or stop by the department office at 3820 Nine Mile Road in Henrico to use our computers and get help if needed.

Candidates for full-time and substitute bus drivers must: be at least 21 years old; have a valid Virginia driver’s license; obtain a CDL Class B instructional permit or hold a CDL Class B license with endorsements in P (Transporting Passengers)/S (School Bus) and airbrakes; pass a physical and drug test and have no felony convictions.

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March 3, 2020 – Virginia’s primary day – will be an HCPS student holiday and a staff clerical day

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Henrico, Va. Aug. 8, 2019 – In response to community and staff concerns about safety, the Henrico School Board voted at its Thursday work session to make March 3, 2020 a student holiday and staff clerical day. Virginia, along with a dozen other states, will hold its presidential primary elections that day, often referred to as “Super Tuesday.” Many HCPS schools serve as polling places.

Members of the public need easy access to school facilities to visit polling places in gyms, auditoriums and other school common areas. Because of this, schools are not able to screen visitors with the same thoroughness they use during a regular school day.

In a similar vote in March, the Board voted to close schools for the state primary election that took place June 11. The move was in response to concerns raised by some parents, staff and community members about school polling access.

The change will not require further changes to the 2019-20 school year, because the school division has enough time built into the calendar to accommodate the added holiday.

Students and families can expect further information from their schools if any plans need to be adjusted.

For Henrico County Public Schools’ updated 2019-20 calendar, visit www.henricoschools.us/calendars.

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“Back-to-School Kickoff” set for Aug. 17 at Dorey Park

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Henrico, Va., Aug. 1, 2019 – While Sept. 3 will be the day students return to their classrooms, the excitement of the 2019-20 school year starts earlier, at Henrico Schools’ second annual “Back-to-School Kickoff.” The Aug. 17 event will be held at Henrico County’s Dorey Park. There will be a mix of family activities, including a DJ, food trucks, performances and onsite school registration.
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Photo caption: Students visit the Short Pump Elementary School table at the first HCPS Back-to-School Kickoff, held in August 2018. HCPS schools and community organizations will again staff tables at this year’s edition of the divisionwide event, which will also feature music, kids’ activities, onsite school registration and food trucks.

The divisionwide event is sponsored by Henrico Schools’ Division of Communications and Community Engagement, and all Henrico County families are invited to attend.

Back-to-School Kickoff activities include:
  • An information fair (vendors with information about family resources).
  • School performances throughout the day.
  • Dorey Park Farmer’s Market.
  • DJ and dance contests.
  • Meet and talk with school leaders.
  • Kids’ activities.
  • Giveaways.
  • Food trucks on site.
  • Free books for all ages.
  • Free school supplies (first 50 students get a free bookbag).
  • Help with using Schoology and PowerSchool.
  • Math and reading activities.
  • Onsite school registration.
  • Complete online forms.
  • HCPS job-opportunities booth for prospective teachers, bus drivers and cafeteria workers.

Henrico Schools Back-to-School Kickoff
When: Aug. 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Dorey Park, 2999 Darbytown Road, Henrico, Va.

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HCPS’ “Letter-of-Intent Signing Day” program wins workforce-readiness award from Virginia School Boards Association

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Henrico Schools students don hardhats in April at Junior Achievement Finance Park at Henrico County's Libbie Mill Library

Henrico Schools students don hardhats in April at Junior Achievement Finance Park at Henrico County’s Libbie Mill Library, as representatives of their future employers look on. The students took part in HCPS’ 2019 Career and Technical Education Letter-of-Intent Signing Day.

Henrico, Va. July 24, 2019 – Henrico County Public Schools’ initiative to celebrate students entering the workforce has been recognized with a first-place award from the Virginia School Boards Association. Henrico Schools won first place among large Virginia school divisions in the 2019 Excellence in Workforce Readiness Awards for its Career and Technical Education Letter-of-Intent Signing Day program.
 
The organization recognized the winners at its 2019 conference, held Tuesday in Richmond. 
 
HCPS’ Letter-of-Intent Signing Day mimics ceremonies that honor high school athletes as they gather in gyms to sign letters-of-intent to play for NCAA athletic programs. The Henrico program recognizes students entering the workforce with a similar ceremony before family and members of the media. 
 
“Preparing students for the workforce and making sure they have options for success is at the core of Henrico Schools’ mission,” said Beverly Cocke, the Henrico School Board’s Brookland District representative. “We are honored to be recognized by the Virginia School Boards Association for our efforts to celebrate the hard work of our students as they plan for their futures.”
Beverly Cocke, the Henrico School Board’s Brookland District representative, and Mac Beaton, director of Henrico Schools’ Department of Career and Technical Education, display a plaque honoring the school division's 2019 Excellence in Workforce Readiness Award

Beverly Cocke, the Henrico School Board’s Brookland District representative, and Mac Beaton, director of Henrico Schools’ Department of Career and Technical Education, display a plaque honoring the school division’s 2019 Excellence in Workforce Readiness Award on Tuesday at a Richmond conference of the Virginia School Boards Association. The school division was recognized for a unique recognition program for students entering the workforce.

 
“We’re proud of this award, because we believe so strongly in the signing-day program and in workforce readiness,” said Mac Beaton, director of Henrico Schools’ Department of Career and Technical Education. “Our goal with the Career and Technical Letter-of-Intent Signing Day was to bring attention to students entering the workforce, to help them and their parents understand the value of this option. We didn’t anticipate how the program would resonate with people across the country and in Canada. It’s now being replicated far and wide and has sparked a movement to celebrate students entering the workforce.”
 
At the signing day ceremony, students and representatives of their future employers both sign letters-of-intent outlining what students must do before and during employment, what the employer will provide in pay and training, and an estimate of the position’s value. Similar to signing day for athletes, students don a hat or other form of promotional clothing representing the company, Henrico County Public Schools and the school division’s Career and Technical Education program.
 
The first event, held in 2018, was featured on CNN Headline News, Fox News and Today.com. A school division Facebook post about the signing day reached more than 4.9 million people, was shared more than 25,000 times and prompted more than 36,000 likes when it was shared by Mike Rowe of the Discovery Channel’s “Dirty Jobs” and other projects. The 2019 edition, held in April, was greatly expanded. More than 100 students took part. The event lasted much of the day and was organized into smaller ceremonies, by industry.
 
Mac Beaton, director of Henrico Schools’ Department of Career and Technical Education, and Beverly Cocke, the School Board’s Brookland District representative, display a plaque honoring the school division's 2019 Excellence in Workforce Readiness Award

Mac Beaton, director of Henrico Schools’ Department of Career and Technical Education, and Beverly Cocke, the School Board’s Brookland District representative, display a plaque honoring the school division’s 2019 Excellence in Workforce Readiness Award Tuesday at a Richmond conference. Behind them are Tyrone Foster, Virginia School Boards Association president; John Poggi of Johnson Controls, an award sponsor; Whit Blake of Johnson Controls; Jim Meyer, a member of the Spotsylvania County School Board; and Paul Nichols, superintendent of Mecklenburg County Public Schools.

The Virginia School Boards Association is a nonpartisan organization of Virginia school boards that promotes excellence in public education through advocacy, training and services. To see a list of competition winners, go to vsba.org/images/uploads/news/VSBA_2019WorkforceAwardsRelease.pdf. 
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HCPS wins national communications awards

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NSPRA_HCPS_presentation

Members of Henrico Schools’ Department of Communications and Public Relations give a presentation Monday in Washington at the annual conference of the National School Public Relations Association. The professional organization recognized HCPS with four communications awards.

Henrico, Va. July 17, 2019 – Henrico County Public Schools has been recognized for its communications efforts with four awards from the National School Public Relations Association.

The school division was awarded two Golden Achievement Awards, given for exemplary work in all aspects of school public relations activities, programs and projects. The awards recognize:

  • “Heart of Henrico”
    The school division’s employee recognition program honors the work of HCPS staff members across the school division. Winners, usually recognized weekly, are profiled in video features that are publicized on social media and archived at the HCPS website. Recipients also receive a variety of “Heart of Henrico” gear recognizing their outstanding contributions.
  • “Introducing a Community to its New Superintendent”
    The national group recognized HCPS’ efforts around the retirement of Patrick Kinlaw as superintendent and Amy Cashwell’s arrival and first year as Henrico Schools’ leader. The effort included 11 community forums or meetings, publicity efforts, video, and the creation of the “Amy’s Passport” blog and print booklet that chronicle Cashwell’s travels, reflections, recommendations and progress.

The HCPS Department of Communications and Public Relations was selected to share details about the superintendent transition in a presentation to school public relations professionals from across the nation. Members of the department spoke Monday in Washington at the annual conference of the National School Public Relations Association.

Henrico Schools was also awarded two merit awards for print and digital media:

  • “The Binder”
    HCPS’ hand-coded e-newsletter is emailed to families every two weeks during the school year, and includes divisionwide news, reminders and upcoming events.
  • “Amy’s Passport”
    The blog and passport-themed printed booklet chronicle Amy Cashwell’s first year as HCPS superintendent, her reflections, and her recommendations and progress in improving the school division. Because Cashwell was struck by the county’s global diversity, the project assumed a passport theme.

For more about the 2019 National School Communications Awards and to see a list of winners, go to nspra.org/awards/pubs_media_2019 and nspra.org/awards/2019-golden-achievement-award-winners. Henrico Schools’ communications page can be found at the school division’s website at henricoschools.us/communications/.

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Calling all HEROES: A two-hour training session can show you how easy it is to make a difference as a mentor

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Henrico, Va. July 11, 2019 – Want to make a big difference for a student in grades 3-5 during the 2019-20 school year? All it takes is 30-45 minutes per week from October to May. Come to a two-hour training session in August or September and get started with Henrico Schools’ award-winning mentoring program, Henrico HEROES. Training sessions are:

  • Aug. 15 from 2-4 p.m.: 3820 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va. (Eastern Henrico Government Center multipurpose room).
  • Aug. 22 from 9-11 a.m.: 1440 N. Laburnum Ave., Henrico, Va. (Eastern Henrico Recreation Center Randolph room).
  • Aug. 29 from 2-4 p.m.: 3820 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va. (Eastern Henrico Government Center multipurpose room).
  • Sept. 12 from 9-11 a.m.: 3820 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va. (Eastern Henrico Government Center multipurpose room).
  • Sept. 21 from 9-11 a.m.: 1440 N. Laburnum Ave., Henrico, Va. (Eastern Henrico Recreation Center Randolph room).

To attend a training session, contact Leslie Velez at 804-652-3813 or email henricoheroes@henrico.k12.va.us.

The process of becoming a Henrico HEROES mentor is easy. Mentors complete an application, undergo a background check, and attend a two-hour training session. Mentors meet with their student once a week for 30-45 minutes from October to May and participate in a programwide kickoff and end-of-year celebration.

Studies show that mentoring pays big dividends for students. It improves students’ attendance and academic motivation, and students with a mentor are more likely to enroll in college, to volunteer and to be involved in sports and other extracurricular activities.

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Join our team: Come to HCPS’ July job fair

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Henrico, Va. July 8, 2019 – Ready for a job where you can make a difference in your community? Don’t sweat it: join our team as we gear up for a new school year! Stop by a job fair Thursday at the Varina Area Library and talk with HCPS human resources representatives as well as representatives from other departments. We’re seeking candidates for bus drivers and school nutrition workers, as well as middle and high school teachers in critical areas such as English, Spanish, math, technology and special education.

Applicants are encouraged to apply online in advance at www.henricoschools.us/careers.

Interested in driving a bus but don’t have driving experience? Qualified driver candidates will be paid as they train.

Henrico County Public Schools job fair
When: July 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Varina Area Library, 1875 New Market Road, Henrico, Va. 23231

Questions? Contact the HCPS Human Resources Department at 804-652-3664. Applicants without computer access or having trouble with the online application may contact the HCPS Human Resources Department at 804-652-3664 or stop by the department office at 3820 Nine Mile Road in Henrico to use our computers and get help if needed.

Candidates for full-time and substitute bus drivers must: be at least 21 years old; have a valid Virginia driver’s license; obtain a CDL Class B instructional permit or hold a CDL Class B license with endorsements in P (Transporting Passengers)/S (School Bus) and airbrakes; pass a physical and drug test and have no felony convictions.

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“Amy’s Passport” update charts progress on superintendent’s HCPS recommendations

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Henrico, Va. June 27, 2019 – An update to Amy Cashwell’s recommendations for Henrico County Public Schools marks the division’s progress on a host of initiatives championed by the superintendent in her first year on the job. The digital update to “Amy’s Passport” reports on the goals outlined in the passport-themed document, which Cashwell presented to the School Board in December. July 1 will mark Cashwell’s first year as HCPS superintendent.

The report includes status updates divided into five sections: Teaching and Learning; Safety and Instructional Support Services; Equity and Diversity; Organizational Efficiency; and Financial Planning.

Fourteen goals were completed in the superintendent’s first year:

  • Testing: Formed an assessment work group to look at improving and streamlining Henrico Schools’ assessment system. The group will make recommendations this summer.
  • School climate survey: Surveyed students, staff members and families about their perceptions on safety, equity and inclusiveness. School leaders will get a dashboard to help them use the data.
  • Cultural sensitivity training: Starting with the 2019-20 school year, all HCPS staff members will complete annual online training on cultural sensitivity.
  • Equity and diversity plan: Hired a professional development specialist and created a multiyear plan to work with all school administrators and instructional staff.
  • Equity Ambassadors: Created groups of students at each high school to elevate student voices on issues of equity and diversity.
  • Community learning sites: Submitted grants to create two more HCPS sites that use the community school model. The model provides wraparound services outside the classroom to serve the whole child.
  • Revamp employee orientation: A team is remaking the HCPS orientation process to make it streamlined, innovative and welcoming for new employees.
  • Programming for English as a second language: Added a specialist to oversee ESL programming.
  • Compliance: Added a specialist dedicated to compliance on internal policies and federal laws.
  • Laptop fees: Laptop fees are being phased out, dropping to $25 a year before being eliminated for the 2021-22 school year.
  • Funding for textbooks and instructional resources: Funding has been reallocated for textbooks and other supplies for the 2019-20 school year and will remain a priority.
  • Twice-monthly pay: Revamped pay schedule for HCPS employees who are now paid monthly.
  • Long-term financial plan: Developed a draft five-year HCPS financial plan to ensure funding aligns with the division’s goals. Planning had been done on a year-to-year basis.
  • HCPS employee compensation: Established a joint committee with Henrico County government to examine employee pay each year.

Amy’s Passport was created as an online travelogue about the superintendent’s travels as she explored Henrico County, her new home. In visiting all 72 HCPS schools and program centers, Cashwell was struck by the diversity and variety of languages spoken, which made Henrico like “traveling the world without leaving home.” Amy’s Passport grew into a printed booklet that also included Cashwell’s recommendations and next steps for the school division.

A digital booklet of the superintendent’s progress report can be seen at the Amy’s Passport web page, at https://henricoschools.us/amyspassport/. The Amy’s Passport webpage also includes an easy-to-use interactive graphic that allows visitors to follow the division’s progress.

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Super volunteer elects to use Dominion Energy award funds to help Varina H.S. students

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Hooper Varina HS Donation

Pam Bell, director of Henrico Schools’ Department of Family and Community Engagement, and Ann Marie Seely, Varina High School principal, stand outside the school with Varina resident Faith Hooper. Hooper’s employer, Dominion Energy, is honoring her volunteer work by donating $5,000 to a cause of her choosing.

Henrico, Va. June 26, 2019 – Faith Hooper has deep roots in Varina. Now the Varina High School alumna wants to make sure that needy Blue Devil students have the basics they need to grow and bloom.

Hooper’s employer of 30 years, Dominion Energy, recognized her in April for her decades of volunteer work. The honor included a $5,000 donation to a cause of Hooper’s choosing. After considering a variety of options for her donation, Hooper decided the funds could best be used helping students close to home.

“Not only are my daughter and I are both graduates of Varina High, I also live in the Varina community,” said Hooper. “I want to help the community in which I live and assist with basic needs. Varina High School has students who need assistance, and I’d like to help them with access to basic hygiene items, basic school supplies and clothing – such as a new pair of shoes.

“I hope to inspire young teens to feel good about themselves, and part of that is creating a food pantry that includes healthy snacks. Students will have a place to go to grab a healthy snack, if needed, to gain the confidence to focus on their education. By helping those in need, I hope to lead by example.”

Hooper worked with the Henrico Education Foundation, the HCPS Department of Family and Community Engagement, and the Varina High School administration to set up details of the fund.

“We are grateful for Dominion Energy’s support and Mrs. Hooper’s selection of HEF and Varina High School to be the recipients of the donation,” said Mike Taylor, executive director of the Henrico Education Foundation.

“The funds will be earmarked to support students at Varina High and will provide a helping hand to ensure every student has the tools and supplies they need to be successful in school. Each year the foundation works closely with the HCPS Family and Community Engagement office to raise funds for school supplies and materials to assist financially disadvantaged students across Henrico County.”

Hooper has volunteered in various capacities at Varina High School and Elko Middle School, including in the PTA, as a team parent for cheerleading and gymnastics, as part of the Michael Robinson Football Camp, and as a volunteer with her high school class.

She has also participated in community volunteer efforts with at least a dozen organizations, including the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, the United Way, the American Heart Association, Toys for Tots and Feed More.

As part of its Volunteer of the Year program, Dominion Energy recognizes one employee per year in each of six categories: Critical Human Needs; Community Vitality; Career Achievement; Environment; Education; and First Responder. Hooper was recognized in the Career Achievement category.

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7 Henrico schools honored by Va. Board of Education for achievement, improvement

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Henrico, Va. June 25, 2019 – Seven Henrico County schools were recognized by the Virginia Board of Education as part of its new Exemplar Performance School Awards. Five Henrico County schools were recognized for high student achievement and another two were recognized by the Board for significant improvement over a three-year span. The Board recognized a total of 235 schools across the commonwealth as award recipients – 52 for student achievement and 183 for showing sustained improvement.

2019 Virginia Board of Education Highest Achievement Award
Five Henrico County schools received the award, given to schools that meet certain benchmarks. The schools are:

  • Colonial Trail Elementary School
  • Nuckols Farm Elementary School
  • Rivers Edge Elementary School
  • Sandston Elementary School
  • Twin Hickory Elementary School

To qualify for the honor, a school must have a state rating of “Accredited” and have:

  • A 70% pass rate on state assessments in science and math.
  • A 75% pass rate on state assessment in English reading and writing.
  • No more than a 5% gap (for schools with two student groups) or a 10% gap (for schools with three or more student groups) in English reading and writing, between the lowest-performing group and all other students in the school.
  • No more than a 5% gap (for schools with two student groups) or a 10% gap (for schools with three or more student groups) in math, between the lowest-performing group and all other students in the school.

2019 Virginia Board of Education Continuous Improvement Award
Two Henrico County schools were honored with the award, given to schools showing sustained improvement over a three-year span:

  • Jackson Davis Elementary School
  • Montrose Elementary School

To be recognized, an elementary school must have a state rating of “Accredited” or “Accredited with Conditions” and have met at least one of the following benchmarks over a three-year span:

  • A cumulative 10% increase in the combined rates for reading and math, and in the pass rate for science, with improvement each year on each indicator.
  • A cumulative 10% increase in the combined rates for reading and math for two or more student groups, with improvement each year for each group on both indicators.
  • A cumulative 15% decrease in chronic absenteeism, with a decrease each year.
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Henrico Schools seeks applicants from every HCPS school to serve on redistricting committee

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Henrico, Va., June 7, 2019 — Henrico Schools is seeking citizens to serve on a committee to lead the process of examining and redrawing school attendance zones. The school division is beginning a comprehensive redistricting process to realign attendance zones for elementary, middle and high schools, with a goal of having new boundaries in place for the 2021-22 school year.

Each HCPS school will have a school-affiliated representative on the redistricting committee, but members must be able to prioritize the interests of all county students. Public committee meetings will begin in September 2019. The committee will develop multiple redistricting options and make recommendations to the School Board, which is expected to vote on a redistricting plan in spring 2020.

Interested applicants can find out more about the HCPS Comprehensive Redistricting Committee and apply by going to henricoschools.us/redistricting2021/. The deadline to apply is June 30.

The committee will be charged with developing recommendations for redistricting that include:

  • Efficiently using all available space and planning for future county growth.
  • Determining attendance boundaries for the expanded Holladay Elementary School (7300 Galaxie Road), which will double in size when an addition opens for the 2021-22 school year.
  • Accounting for the increased building capacity available when replacements for Highland Springs and J. R. Tucker high schools open on their current sites for the 2021-22 school year.
  • Reducing concentrations of poverty while balancing a community or neighborhood school concept.

The committee will work with HCPS staff members and Cropper GIS Consulting, a national K-12 consultant which is managing the redistricting process.

The School Board will approve the members of the committee. Those not selected as their school’s representative on the committee will be able to help in other ways.

The redistricting process will include substantial public input and participation, including surveys, public meetings and opportunities for feedback.

School divisions occasionally must examine and alter school attendance zones because of current and projected growth patterns, other demographic factors and new school construction. Henrico County Public Schools’ last comprehensive redistricting process took place in 2008 and 2009. That plan was phased in starting with the 2010-11 school year.

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Summer, shmummer! Think “Back-to-School Kickoff”

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Henrico, Va., June 14, 2019 – It’s the last day of school and we know what’s on the minds of students everywhere: where can I get together with families and educators from across Henrico County and get the 2019-20 school year started in a fun and educational setting? Well, save the date! On Aug. 17 at Henrico County’s Dorey Park, Henrico County Public Schools will hold its second annual Back-to-School Kickoff, with a host of activities to get ready for the new school year!

The division-wide event is sponsored by Henrico Schools’ Department of Family and Community Engagement, and all Henrico County families are invited to attend.

Back-to-School Kickoff activities include:

  • An information fair (vendors with information about family resources).
  • School performances throughout the day.
  • Dorey Park Farmer’s Market.
  • DJ and dance contests.
  • Meet and talk with school leaders.
  • Kids’ activities.
  • Merchandise vendors.
  • Giveaways.
  • Food trucks on site.
  • Free books for all ages.
  • Free school supplies (first 100 students get a free book bag).
  • Help with using Schoology and PowerSchool.
  • Math and reading activities.
  • Onsite school registration.
  • Complete online forms.
  • HCPS job-opportunities booth for prospective teachers, bus drivers, and cafeteria workers.

Save the Date: Henrico Schools Back-to-School Kickoff:
When: Aug. 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Dorey Park, 2999 Darbytown Road, Henrico, Va.

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Henrico County Public Schools honors four staff members with Chris Corallo Leadership Award

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Henrico Va. June 11, 2019 – Henrico County Public Schools has named four staff members as recipients of the Chris Corallo Distinguished Leadership Award. The four recipients were surprised at their schools by family members and HCPS leaders. They were presented with the award by Amy Cashwell, HCPS superintendent. The four were chosen from a group of candidates nominated by their peers for their vision, passion, innovation and student-centered focus.

The 2019 recipients are:

– Kristen Cross, a librarian at Crestview Elementary School. Cross’ nomination cited her leadership in transforming the school’s library program and the many programs she has instituted. It also noted her leadership during the school’s wholesale renovation, spearheading the library’s move and reconstruction using an open design.

– Charles Cuccherini, a biology teacher at J. R. Tucker High School. Cuccherini’s nomination described his ability to inspire students to engage in the content and think critically about science beyond the classroom. It also mentioned his leadership role in implementing the “Deeper Learning” educational model at Tucker, and in improving student behavior by leading students to reflect on their behavior and choices.

– Danny Jones, a first-grade teacher at Greenwood Elementary School. One of Jones’ nominations described his “endless energy, contagious enthusiasm, positive morale and sound leadership skills” and said, “He is an advocate for all students and teaches like his hair is on fire.”

Nominators also cited his efforts to make sure students are life-ready, his initiative in leading professional development, his work as a Greenwood “house leader” and his staff leadership in all-things technology.
– Kim Powell, Sandston Elementary School principal. Powell’s nomination described her as a dynamic and innovative leader. It cited her advocacy of Sandston as a Deeper Learning school and the many popular programs she has put in place. The nomination also described her work beyond the school campus, creating a program to provide needy families with crockpots, food, coats and shoes.

The award, presented annually, is named in honor of Corallo, a former HCPS assistant superintendent for instruction and organizational development, who passed away in 2013.

""
Kristen Cross, a librarian at Crestview Elementary School, is congratulated by her family after being presented with the 2019 Chris Corallo Distinguished Leadership Award.
""
Charles Cuccherini, a biology teacher at J.R. Tucker High School, stands in his classroom after being presented with the 2019 Chris Corallo Distinguished Leadership Award. Standing with Cuccherini are Art Raymond, J.R. Tucker principal; Amy Cashwell, HCPS superintendent; and Julia Brown, the colleague who nominated Cuccherini for the award.
""
Danny Jones, a first-grade teacher at Greenwood Elementary School, poses with students in the school library after being presented with the 2019 Chris Corallo Distinguished Leadership Award.
""
Kim Powell, principal of Sandston Elementary School, is flanked by Amy Cashwell, Henrico Schools superintendent, and Rich Hall, director of elementary education. Powell was presented with the 2019 Chris Corallo Distinguished Leadership Award.
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2019-2020 Per-Pupil Expenditure

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Dear Patrons:

            The Code of Virginia Section §22.1.92 requires the division to annually make available the average per-pupil expenditures. Shown below is a comparison of average per-pupil expenditures for operations.

Average Per-Pupil Expenditures for Operations
SOURCES OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT

2017-2018

STATE

AVERAGE

(ACTUAL)

2017-2018

HENRICO

AVERAGE

(ACTUAL)

2018-2019

HENRICO

AVERAGE

(BUDGET)

2019-2020

HENRICO

AVERAGE

(BUDGET)

STATE FUNDS

$4,166

$3,430

$4,319

$4,572

SALES & USE TAX

1,053

1,085

1,116

1,166

FEDERAL FUNDS

867

684

809

820

LOCAL FUNDS

6,462

4,852

4,342

4,675

TOTAL

$12,548

$10,051

$10,586

$11,233

Thank you for your interest in and support of Henrico County Public Schools. Through a strong collaborative relationship with stakeholders throughout the community, we will continue to ensure the best possible education for the students within the division.  

Sincerely,

Amy E. Cashwell, Ed.D.

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20 Henrico County schools earn Virginia performance awards

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Because of a system error with the Virginia Department of Education’s data application, Echo Lake Elementary School was inadvertently left off the May 29 list of schools reported as qualifying for 2019 Virginia Board of Education Excellence Awards. This news release has been updated to include Echo Lake Elementary School.

Henrico Va. June 7, 2019 – Twenty Henrico County schools have earned 2019 Virginia Index of Performance awards for advanced learning and achievement. Gov. Ralph Northam and the Virginia Board of Education announced that 270 schools statewide had earned the designation, along with nine school divisions.

Henrico County Public Schools’ 20-award total was tops in the Richmond area. Only the school divisions in Fairfax and Loudoun counties, with considerably more students, had more schools recognized in the state awards.

The awards are based on student achievement and other performance indicators during the 2017-18 school year. They fall into tiers based primarily on state and federal benchmarks and progress toward goals set by the governor and the Virginia Board of Education. Henrico County schools earning awards are listed below.

Board of Education Excellence Awards

Divisions and schools meeting all state and federal benchmarks and making significant progress toward goals for increased student achievement and expanded educational opportunities set by the Board of Education.

  • Colonial Trail Elementary School
  • Echo Lake Elementary School
  • David A. Kaechele Elementary School
  • Nuckols Farm Elementary School
  • Rivers Edge Elementary School
  • Shady Grove Elementary School
  • Short Pump Elementary School
  • Three Chopt Elementary School
  • Tuckahoe Elementary School
  • Twin Hickory Elementary School
  • Holman Middle School
  • George H. Moody Middle School
  • Deep Run High School
  • Mills E. Godwin High School

Board of Education Distinguished Achievement Awards

Schools meeting all state and federal benchmarks and making progress toward the goals of the governor and the Board of Education.

  • Gayton Elementary School
  • Glen Allen Elementary School
  • Pemberton Elementary School
  • Pocahontas Middle School
  • Short Pump Middle School
  • Glen Allen High School
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Henrico Schools seeks applicants from every HCPS school to serve on redistricting committee

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Henrico, Va., June 7, 2019 — Henrico Schools is seeking citizens to serve on a committee to lead the process of examining and redrawing school attendance zones. The school division is beginning a comprehensive redistricting process to realign attendance zones for elementary, middle and high schools, with a goal of having new boundaries in place for the 2021-22 school year.

Each HCPS school will have a school-affiliated representative on the redistricting committee, but members must be able to prioritize the interests of all county students. Public committee meetings will begin in September 2019. The committee will develop multiple redistricting options and make recommendations to the School Board, which is expected to vote on a redistricting plan in spring 2020.

Interested applicants can find out more about the HCPS Comprehensive Redistricting Committee and apply by going to henricoschools.us/redistricting2021/. The deadline to apply is June 30.

The committee will be charged with developing recommendations for redistricting that include:

  • Efficiently using all available space and planning for future county growth.
  • Determining attendance boundaries for the expanded Holladay Elementary School (7300 Galaxie Road), which will double in size when an addition opens for the 2021-22 school year.
  • Accounting for the increased building capacity available when replacements for Highland Springs and J. R. Tucker high schools open on their current sites for the 2021-22 school year.
  • Reducing concentrations of poverty while balancing a community or neighborhood school concept.

The committee will work with HCPS staff members and Cropper GIS Consulting, a national K-12 consultant which is managing the redistricting process.

The School Board will approve the members of the committee. Those not selected as their school’s representative on the committee will be able to help in other ways.

The redistricting process will include substantial public input and participation, including surveys, public meetings and opportunities for feedback.

School divisions occasionally must examine and alter school attendance zones because of current and projected growth patterns, other demographic factors and new school construction. Henrico County Public Schools’ last comprehensive redistricting process took place in 2008 and 2009. That plan was phased in starting with the 2010-11 school year.

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June 11, Virginia’s primary day, is a student holiday and a clerical day for HCPS staff

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Henrico, Va. March 14, 2019 – In response to community and staff concerns about safety, the Henrico School Board voted at its Thursday work session to make June 11 a student holiday and staff clerical day. Virginia’s primary elections will take place that day, and many HCPS schools serve as polling places.

Because members of the public need easy access to school facilities to visit polling places in gyms, auditoriums and other school common areas, schools are not able to screen visitors with the same thoroughness they would employ during a regular school day. Some parents, staff and community members have raised concerns about the public polling access.

The change will not require further changes to the school year, because the school division has enough time built into the calendar to accommodate the added holiday. Some schools may need to adjust their exam schedules, however, as well as certain ceremonies and events. Students and families can expect further information from their schools as plans are adjusted.

The holiday does not affect June 11 graduation exercises, which will take place as scheduled for Deep Run, Douglas Freeman and Mills Godwin high schools.

The change to the calendar was made after a February effort to move the state’s primary day was unsuccessful during the General Assembly’s session.

For more information, including answers to frequently asked questions, go to https://henricoschools.us/june11-2019-calendar-update/.

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If you can’t attend your Henrico County student’s graduation, watch the livestream at your desk or on-the-go

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GraduationHenrico, Va. June 5, 2019 – Henrico County Public Schools will again provide livestreaming video of all HCPS graduations taking place at VCU’s Siegel Center June 11-13. The stream can be accessed via our home page at http://henricoschools.us. Graduations will also be replayed later in June on HCPS-TV (Comcast Channel 99 and FIOS channel 38). The stream can be accessed on any desktop computer or on mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets.

The HCPS Department of Communications and Public Relations will post graduation photo albums on the division’s Facebook page, facebook.com/HenricoCountyPublicSchools, and on the HCPS website. Video clips of school graduations will be available for viewing later at the division’s website.

HCPS graduation information, including a replay schedule, can be found at the school division’s online graduation hub at henricoschools.us/graduations/.

  • Tuesday, June 11: Deep Run High School, 11 a.m.
  • Tuesday, June 11: Douglas Freeman High School, 3 p.m.
  • Tuesday, June 11: Mills Godwin High School, 7 p.m.
  • Wednesday, June 12: Hermitage High School, 11 a.m.
  • Wednesday, June 12: J.R. Tucker High School, 3 p.m.
  • Wednesday, June 12: Glen Allen High School, 7 p.m.
  • Thursday, June 13: Varina High School, 11 a.m.
  • Thursday, June 13: Henrico High School, 3 p.m.
  • Thursday, June 13: Highland Springs High School, 7 p.m.

Note: 15 minutes before each graduation, viewers should expect to see a graphic with the school name as music plays. Viewers who experience difficulty are advised to refresh or reload their browser.

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These ideas to encourage reading can help your student beat the “summer slide”

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Henrico, Va. June 4, 2019 – “Summer slide” isn’t a piece of playground equipment – it’s the tendency for students to lose some of the progress they’ve made during the academic year. However, there are ways to keep your students’ reading skills sharp – and have fun – all summer long. Go to Henrico Schools’ summer reading page at henricoschools.us/summer-reading for reading lists, tips for keeping your student engaged, and links to resources.

“This summer, your students can go on adventures, laugh until their sides hurt, meet new people, learn something mindblowing, find their passions and let their imaginations go wild,” said Shannon Hyman, HCPS’ specialist for library services. “Where can they do all that? In books. The best way to beat summer slide is to make sure students have stacks of books, and the chance to get lost in a great read.”

Here are a few of the tips from our summer reading page, provided by HCPS’ Library Services Department:

  • Read aloud together with your student every day, at every age.
  • Play reading bingo! Find bingo cards at our summer reading page.
  • Road-tripping this summer? Borrow audiobooks and listen as a family.
  • Before vacationing, get books about your destination. Planning a trip to the Outer Banks? Visit your library to get nonfiction books about lighthouses! See if there are any fiction books available that incorporate lighthouses. Read and discuss these books on the way there, and visit an actual lighthouse or two.
  • Pick up some great magazines to enjoy in the car, at the pool, or under a tree! Magazines are gateways to other reading, and foster visual literacy.
  • Explore Henrico County Public Library locations. Each local library has dedicated spaces and programming for children and teens. Go on a tour and see which spaces are your favorite. Be sure to check out their great programs, activities and events. Your school librarian will be working with public libraries to share summer reading activities, assignments, lists and opportunities with all students. Be sure to check out Henrico County Public Library’s summer reading program, at henricolibrary.org/summerreading.
  • Remember, if you want your student to read, give them ample opportunities to see YOU reading, too!
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Henrico Schools sets sites, dates for USDA summer food service

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Henrico, Va., June 4, 2019 — Henrico County Public Schools will participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program, offering meals to children during the summer at 30 area sites. The federal program is administered in Henrico by the HCPS Department of School Nutrition Services, in an effort to ensure that children receive nutritious meals when school is not in session.

All children are eligible for free meals, whether they are enrolled in summer programs or not. After the scheduled meal service for children enrolled in summer programs is over, meal service will begin for other children age 18 or younger who are accompanied by a parent or guardian. Parents and guardians are not eligible for the free meal service.

Food service will be from Monday through Thursday each week. (Please note that all sites will be closed Thursday, July 4, in recognition of the Independence Day holiday.) Breakfast will be served from 7-9 a.m. and lunch will be served from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Specific breakfast and lunch times will vary depending on the location.

Service is on a first come, first served basis, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the administration of the meal service. Meals will be provided to children at the following sites:

Recreation and Parks open sites (elementary schools):

  • Adams ES, 600 S. Laburnum Ave.: June 24-Aug. 8
  • Laburnum ES, 500 Meriwether Ave.: June 24-Aug. 8
  • Ratcliffe ES, 2901 Thalen St.: June 24-Aug. 8
  • Ridge ES, 8910 Three Chopt Road: June 24-Aug. 8
  • Ward ES, 3400 Darbytown Road: June 24-Aug. 8

Recreation and Parks open sites (recreational facilities):

  • Confederate Hills Recreation Center, 302 Lee Ave.: June 24-Aug. 8
  • Dorey Recreation Center, 2999 Darbytown Road: June 24-Aug. 8
  • Eastern Henrico Recreation Center, 1440 N. Laburnum Ave.: June 24-Aug. 8
  • Elko Community and Recreation Center, 6216 White Oak Road: June 24-Aug. 8
  • Hidden Creek Community Center, 2417 Brockway Lane, June 24-Aug. 8

Elementary School open sites:

  • Baker ES, 6651 Willson Road: June 24-Aug. 8
  • Crestview ES, 1901 Charles St.: July 8-Aug. 1
  • Donahoe ES, 1801 Graves Road: July 8-Aug. 1
  • Glen Lea ES, 3909 Austin Ave.: June 24-Aug. 1
  • Harvie ES, 3401 Harvie Road: June 24-Aug. 8
  • Highland Springs ES, 600 Pleasant St.: July 8-Aug. 1
  • Holladay ES, 7300 Galaxie Road: July 8-Aug. 1
  • Longan ES, 9200 Mapleview Ave.: July 8-Aug. 1
  • Sandston ES, 7 Naglee Ave.: July 8-Aug. 1

Middle and High School open sites:

  • Brookland MS, 9200 Lydell Drive: June 24-Aug. 8
  • CodeRVA Academy, 1405 Cummings Drive: July 8-Aug. 8
  • Elko MS, 5901 Elko Road: June 24-Aug. 1
  • Fairfield MS, 5121 Nine Mile Road: June 24-Aug. 8
  • Henrico HS, 302 Azalea Ave.: June 24-Aug. 1
  • Hermitage HS, 8301 Hungary Spring Road: June 24-July 11
  • Highland Springs HS, 15 S. Oak Ave.: June 24-Aug. 1
  • Moody MS, 7800 Woodman Road: June 24-Aug. 8
  • Quioccasin MS, 9400 Quioccasin Road: June 24-Aug. 8
  • John Rolfe MS, 6901 Messer Road: June 24-July 25
  • Virginia Randolph Education Center, 2204 Mountain Road: July 8-Aug. 1

Nondiscrimination agreement: In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should contact the agency (state or local) where he or she applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA program discrimination complaint form (form AD-3027), found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office; or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 866-632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to the USDA by: 1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; 2. fax: 202-690-7442; or 3. email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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Tragedy in Virginia Beach: Important resources; Wear blue June 3

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To the Henrico team and all the students and families of Henrico County Public Schools,

Like many of you, I’ve been thinking about the tragedy that unfolded Friday in Virginia Beach where an unspeakable act of violence claimed the lives of 12 people and injured four more. As we prepare to see your precious children again on Monday, the close proximity and possible connections may result in this event resonating more strongly within our schools.

Often after such traumatic events occur, some people may find themselves struggling to regain a sense of normalcy. It is not uncommon that the full impact of the event strikes them days or even weeks later. And so, I wanted to share some resources below that you may find helpful in the future. Look for those at the bottom of this message.

On a personal note, this tragedy hits close to home for me. I grew up in Virginia Beach and spent 20 additional years there as a classroom teacher and school administrator. The school superintendent in Virginia Beach is Dr. Aaron Spence, a former school principal here in Henrico. He’s asking everyone in Virginia Beach to wear blue on Monday to support those affected by Friday’s events and to honor the 12 lives lost.

This evening, I stand with Dr. Spence in asking all of the staff, students and families of Henrico County Public Schools to wear blue on Monday to show our love and support for Virginia Beach. I hope you’ll be able to join me in this meaningful gesture of togetherness.

Thank you for your time, attention and support of Henrico County and Virginia Beach City Public Schools.

Sincerely,

Amy Cashwell
Superintendent

Resources that might prove helpful:

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Be an HCPS bus driver! Come talk June 5

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Henrico, Va. May 30, 2019 – What drives you? At Henrico Schools’ Pupil Transportation Department, it’s the school transportation needs and safety of our students. On June 5, drop by a job fair at the Henrico Training Center, say “yellow” and talk school buses with HCPS departmental and human resources representatives. We’re seeking candidates for full-time and part-time positions.

Don’t have bus driving experience? Qualified driver candidates will be paid as they train.

Applicants are encouraged to apply online in advance at www.henricoschools.us/careers.

Henrico County Public Schools bus driver job fair
When: June 5 from 10 a.m. to noon
Where: Henrico Training Center, 7701 E. Parham Road, Henrico, Va. 23228

Questions? Contact the HCPS Human Resources Department at 804-652-3664. Applicants without computer access or having trouble with the online application may contact the HCPS Human Resources Department at 804-652-3664 or stop by the department office at 3820 Nine Mile Road in Henrico to use our computers and get help if needed.

Candidates for full-time and substitute bus drivers must: be at least 21 years old; have a valid Virginia driver’s license; obtain a CDL Class B instructional permit or hold a CDL Class B license with endorsements in P (Transporting Passengers)/S (School Bus) and airbrakes; pass a physical and drug test and have no felony convictions.

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20 Henrico County schools earn Virginia performance awards

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Henrico Va. May 29, 2019 – Twenty Henrico County schools have earned 2019 Virginia Index of Performance awards for advanced learning and achievement. Gov. Ralph Northam and the Virginia Board of Education announced that 270 schools statewide had earned the designation, along with nine school divisions.

Henrico County Public Schools’ 20-award total was tops in the Richmond area. Only the school divisions in Fairfax and Loudoun counties, with considerably more students, had more schools recognized in the state awards.

The awards are based on student achievement and other performance indicators during the 2017-18 school year. They fall into tiers based primarily on state and federal benchmarks and progress toward goals set by the governor and the Virginia Board of Education. Henrico County schools earning awards are listed below.

Board of Education Excellence Awards

Divisions and schools meeting all state and federal benchmarks and making significant progress toward goals for increased student achievement and expanded educational opportunities set by the Board of Education.

  • Colonial Trail Elementary School
  • Echo Lake Elementary School
  • David A. Kaechele Elementary School
  • Nuckols Farm Elementary School
  • Rivers Edge Elementary School
  • Shady Grove Elementary School
  • Short Pump Elementary School
  • Three Chopt Elementary School
  • Tuckahoe Elementary School
  • Twin Hickory Elementary School
  • Holman Middle School
  • George H. Moody Middle School
  • Deep Run High School
  • Mills E. Godwin High School

Board of Education Distinguished Achievement Awards

Schools meeting all state and federal benchmarks and making progress toward the goals of the governor and the Board of Education.

  • Gayton Elementary School
  • Glen Allen Elementary School
  • Pemberton Elementary School
  • Pocahontas Middle School
  • Short Pump Middle School
  • Glen Allen High School
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