The HCPS Communications Division is the school district’s primary means of communicating with internal and external publics - including the media - about teaching, learning, HCPS initiatives, operations and emergencies. Communications staff manage the school division website, social media channels, print and digital newsletters and materials, graphic design and brand management, video and television production, divisionwide event planning and the district’s rapid communication and family engagement platform, ParentSquare. Additionally, a communications team member serves as the in-house lobbyist/School Board liaison to lawmakers during General Assembly sessions. The following operating guidelines govern all HCPS communications:

• Ensure that all communications are truthful and in accordance with the policies and procedures of the division. 

• Speak with one voice to support transparency and understanding while mitigating the impacts of speculation and inconsistency. 

• Be accountable; avoid oversimplifying complicated and tangled issues to address short-term issues/questions. 

• Tell stories that lift and illustrate the hard work and successes of HCPS students, staff, families and schools.

ParentSquare: Email, text and app notifications are used for daily communication by individual schools and the school division’s central office to communicate important news and information. Those notifications will include things like snow days or other time-sensitive alerts, a principal’s weekly message, a late bus, a student absence, a low meal account balance or event information.

Families and staff are automatically signed up for notifications using their preferred email address and phone number. We encourage parents and guardians to access their accounts so they can download the mobile app and update their preferences on when and how they are notified.

With ParentSquare families and employees can:

• Receive messages from the school via email, text or app notification. 

• Choose to receive information as it comes or all at once with a daily digest at 6 p.m. 

• Communicate in your preferred language.

• Receive and comment on school postings to engage with your school community.

• Direct message teachers, staff and parents.

Watch a video introduction to ParentSquare for parents and guardians.

HCPS will only send families and staff information related to school matters. Users have options about what to receive; however, they cannot opt out of emergency notifications.

If you’re the parent or guardian of a student and you feel you’re not receiving these messages, please contact your school’s main office for guidance. If you’re not the parent or guardian of a student and you believe you’re receiving these messages by mistake, then we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. Please call the HCPS Division of Communications at 804-652-3726 or send us an email to have your contact information removed.

School websites: Each of our schools and program centers has its own website, updated by a web editor based at the school. School websites typically post updates that are intended specifically for students and families of that school. If you’re looking for your school’s website, start here:

• Elementary school websites

• Middle school websites

• High school and program center websites

• Specialty center websites

The Binder: An electronic newsletter produced by HCPS’ Communications team. The Binder is generally sent out every two weeks (on Fridays) during the school year. It consists of “good news,” announcements, interesting opportunities, important reminders and other items for all families and employees across the county.

• See past issues of The Binder.

Social media: We use several forms of social media in order to connect with families, students and the community:

Facebook: A great way for us to share positive shoutouts, announcements, videos, opportunities and events. Important alerts or urgent information such as school closings can be found here as well. The school system’s official Facebook page generally posts up to three times a day during the school year. Individual schools or PTAs/PTSOs may also use Facebook.

Twitter: Similar to Facebook, Twitter is used by us to share positive shoutouts, announcements, videos, opportunities, events and urgent information. Individual schools, clubs, teams and other groups often use Twitter as well.

• Follow the school division’s official account: @HenricoSchools.

• Follow our superintendent: @AmyCashwell.

Instagram: A growing way for the school system to show our community the great things being accomplished by our schools, teachers and students. Follow the school division’s official Instagram account: @henricocountyschools.

HCPS-TV: Henrico County Public Schools operates a cable television channel. If you have Comcast, it’s on channel 99. If you have Verizon FiOS, it’s on channel 38. Check it out to see school activities, special events, sports highlights and more!

• Explore the HCPS-TV YouTube channel.

Media advisories and news releases: Important announcements from Henrico County Public Schools written primarily for the local news media and other interested community groups. These announcements often appear on our social media platforms as well. See the most recent announcements here

If you’d like to receive our media advisories and news releases, we’d love to add you! Please send your request to our Media Relations team.

School Board meetings, agendas and documents: These generally appear on a service known as “BoardDocs.”

• Get more information about BoardDocs and School Board meetings.