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NOV. 17, 2023 Vol. 7, Issue 8
THIS ISSUE: GRATITUDE • IMPORTANT DATES • SCHOOL BOARD • INNOVATION CENTERS • SPECIALTY CENTER DEADLINE • EDUCATORS HONORED • ACROSS HENRICO COUNTY • HEF CELEBRATES 30 • CULTURAL HERITAGE FILM AND PANEL • OPPORTUNITIES • JOB FAIRS • SHOWING UP TOGETHER • YAY OF THE DAY • HOLIDAY STRESS • BRIDGE BUILDERS ACADEMY • ALL-TOGETHER TUESDAYS
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Welcome to The Binder! Look for HCPS' e-newsletter about every other week in your inbox, with updates, news, information and reminders for your family.
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As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, we're filled with immense gratitude and appreciation for each and every one of our families and staff members.
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Our school division is strong because of Henrico families' support for investment in public education. But it is your daily efforts that keep students learning: helping with homework, volunteering, making that late-night drive to pick up poster board, and encouraging your kids to get enough sleep — even when you don't get enough yourself.
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Thank you to our staff members for the countless hours you devote to ensuring that students are at school each day, prepared and ready to learn.
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As we take this time to reflect on our blessings this holiday, please know that you are a blessing and inspiration to us. Happy Thanksgiving.
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- Kristi Kinsella, Brookland (chair)
- Alicia Atkins, Varina (vice chair)
- Roscoe Cooper III, Fairfield
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- Micky Ogburn, Three Chopt
- Marcie Shea, Tuckahoe
- Dr. Amy Cashwell, superintendent
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Congratulations to new, returning Henrico County School Board members
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Ryan Young won a five-way race to represent Henrico County's Fairfield District on the board, replacing Roscoe Cooper III, who won election to the Henrico Board of Supervisors.
Madison Irving won a three-way race to replace the retiring Michelle "Micky" Ogburn as the board's Three Chopt District representative.
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Alicia Atkins won reelection as representative of the Varina District. Board members Kristi Kinsella and Marcie Shea were unopposed and will return to represent the Brookland District and Tuckahoe District, respectively.
Congratulations to the new and returning members of the board — and a huge thank you to our departing members for their service to the families of Henrico County!
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New middle school specialty centers will be incubators for innovation, creativity
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HCPS students will have a new option for middle school education: the Centers for Innovation. The new specialty centers at John Rolfe and Quioccasin middle schools will provide a platform for students to unleash their creativity, engage in hands-on projects, and explore exciting career paths in business and STEAM — science, technology, engineering, the arts and math.
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The centers will be a collaboration with VCU's da Vinci Center for Innovation, as well as community groups and businesses. The center at John Rolfe will open for the 2024-25 school year, while the Quioccasin center is slated to open for 2026-27 as part of the school's new building.
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The centers will feature a reimagined curriculum with combined English/social studies and math/science classes, designed to encourage deeper learning. They will also have unique, flexible learning spaces to foster collaboration.
Rising students in grades 6-8 can apply to the new centers, and are then entered in a lottery for admission. Students zoned to attend Brookland, Elko, Fairfield, George Moody, John Rolfe and L. Douglas Wilder middle schools will attend the John Rolfe center. Students zoned to attend Holman, Hungary Creek, Quioccasin, Tuckahoe, Pocahontas and Short Pump middle schools will attend the center at Quioccasin.
Learn more by watching this virtual information session or attending an in-person session Nov. 29 from 6-7 p.m. at New Bridge Auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road.
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Monday is the deadline to apply for the division's high school specialty centers
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Where will you spend your high school career? The deadline to apply for HCPS' high school specialty centers is Nov. 20.
Go to our website to learn more about HCPS specialty centers.
There's still one open house left: Code RVA will have an open house (virtual and in-person) Dec. 12 from 6-7:30 p.m.
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Educators honored with REB awards, grants
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Congrats to the nine HCPS educators honored for outstanding instruction by the Community Foundation! Four Henrico County Public Schools instructors won the 2023 REB Award for Teaching Excellence, and five additional HCPS teachers were finalists. The winners received grants that will enable them to continue their love of learning and pursue cutting-edge study in their fields. The winners were notified with a surprise presentation at their schools. They are:
- James Dorton, J.R. Tucker High School (history teacher): $10,500 to travel to England and Austria and research the life, career and death of a great uncle, a B-17 pilot killed during World War II.
- Andrew Givens, Advanced Career Education Center at Hermitage (entrepreneurship teacher): $12,500 to examine how the Young Enterprise Scheme program in New Zealand supports students from diverse ethnic, economic and regional backgrounds as they learn entrepreneurial skills and plan community businesses.
- Chad Lowe, the Academy at Virginia Randolph (history teacher): $15,000 to travel to major U.S. and European cities to research governmental differences and observe various instructional approaches in successful inner-city schools.
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Amanda Kinsler, Tuckahoe Middle School (innovative learning coach): $12,400 to visit Scandinavian schools and learn how they create a culture of student success and teacher happiness by emphasizing student ownership, project-based learning and innovation.
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Videos from across Henrico County
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What's new? Henrico schools honor veterans and first responders, in stone and song
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Decimals to fractions? Fractions to decimals? If you never really got it, don't worry! Here's your chance!
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Sportswire: High school football playoffs have arrived, with chaos a big early winner
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Talent runs deep: Deep Run choral performance wows the crowd at November School Board meeting
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Signing Day: John Rolfe M.S. students explain why they signed a "letter-of-intent" to commit to their instrument
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Sportswire Spotlight: Talking with DSF coach George Bland and the Mavericks' "Swiss army knife"
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November has 30 days. The Henrico Education Foundation is celebrating by giving stuff away.
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Thirty days hath September, April, June and November! Since it's also the 30th anniversary of the Henrico Education Foundation, the innovative nonprofit is holding charity prize drawings in months with 30 days. When you donate $30 or more during September, April, June or November, you're automatically entered in drawings for exciting prizes donated by HCPS teachers and students, and local business partners.
What do cookies and pet grooming have in common? They’re both one-of-a-kind gifts you could win in November’s charity prize drawing as the foundation celebrates 30 years of support for HCPS students. Donate $30 and you could win two dozen cookies made by HCPS culinary students, or free pet grooming by veterinary students for your fur baby. These wonderful gifts were donated by the ACE Center at Hermitage just in time for the holidays.
HEF supports innovative public education across Henrico County, working with parents, guardians, teachers and administrators. Thanks to generous supporters like you, HEF can continue to invest in our school community.
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Film and panel will explore Native American efforts to restore land, fight climate change
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HCPS Cultural Heritage Series event: Students and families are invited to the Henrico Theatre for a free screening of the documentary "Inhabitants," followed by a panel discussion with local indigenous and environmental leaders. The event is part of the Cultural Heritage Series presented by the HCPS Office of Equity, Diversity and Opportunity, in celebration of Native American/Indigenous Peoples' Month.
"Inhabitants" follows five Native American tribes across deserts, coastlines, forests and prairies as they restore their traditional land management practices. Panel participants will talk about addressing climate change through an indigenous perspective.
- Nov. 29 from 6-8 p.m.
- Henrico Theatre, 305 E. Nine Mile Road, Highland Springs
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Whether you need help, want to help, or both, holiday season offers plenty of opportunities
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Holiday opportunities for Henrico families:
- Henrico Christmas Mother campaign: Help celebrate more than 80 years of “neighbors helping neighbors” with your donations to the Henrico Christmas Mother. Watch for information in your school's newsletter or website for information about how to help. Many schools are also organizing other ways to help in our community.
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Holiday Fun Run/Walk 5k Fundraiser: Dec. 9 at 9 a.m. at the Virginia War Memorial, 621 S. Belvidere St., Richmond, Va. Bring a toy to support toys for tots while helping support the J.R. Tucker H.S. Marine Corps JROTC. Register and get details.
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This year, give yourself the gift of a new job
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What's on your list? Come to a job fair and talk with us about joining Virginia's best school division! Find out more about openings and HCPS' great benefits.
November School Nutrition Job Fair
- Nov. 20 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Tuckahoe Area Library, 1901 Starling Drive, Henrico
- Come talk with us about joining the team that keeps our students fueled and ready to learn.
- Find out more about the Department of School Nutrition Services and check out the latest example of the team's creativity and drive.
December HCPS Job Fair
- Dec. 12 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Fairfield Area Library, 1401 N. Laburnum Ave., Henrico
- We're seeking candidates for bus drivers, School Nutrition Services staff members, Custodial Services staff members, substitute teachers, temporary instructional assistants and teachers.
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Facts about attendance that might surprise you
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- By sixth grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.
- Being at school helps your child learn valuable social skills and develop meaningful relationships.
- Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.
- By ninth grade, regular attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than eighth grade test scores.
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- En sexto curso, el absentismo es una de las tres señales de que un alumno puede abandonar los estudios secundarios.
- Estar en la escuela ayuda a su hijo a aprender valiosas habilidades sociales y a desarrollar relaciones significativas.
- Llegar tarde a clase puede provocar una baja asistencia.
- En noveno curso, la asistencia regular a clase predice mejor los índices de graduación que los resultados de los exámenes de octavo.
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Remember that thoughtful thing an HCPS staff member did? We have an award for that.
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Nominations are being accepted for 2023-24 Yay of the Day honors. What is the Yay of the Day? Whether they work as teachers, nurses, bus drivers, custodians or in some other important capacity — recipients are HCPS employees who have made someone’s day in a positive way. Each recipient will be recognized by Amy Cashwell, HCPS superintendent.
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For a happy holiday season, manage stress
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Managing Holiday Stress
(Dec. 13 from 6-7 p.m. at Varina Area Library)
While the holidays can bring a sense of joy, it is not uncommon to experience feelings of stress, anxiety, sadness, loneliness or isolation. Join a group of HCPS school counselors to discuss how the “most wonderful time of year” can also be the most stressful time of the year. Learn about managing holiday stress and anxiety, dealing with pressure from family and friends, and when to reach out to a mental health professional.
Missed a Mental Health Matters workshop? The sessions are available to watch at a time that's convenient for you.
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Remaining workshops highlight Project SEARCH, ways to promote self-care
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Join us for 'All-Together Tuesdays' at The Oak
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Join us for All-Together Tuesdays at the Oak Avenue Complex in Highland Springs! Each month, HCPS’ Division of Family and Community Engagement will host a fun evening to connect with Henrico friends from 5-7 p.m.
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Dec. 12: All About the Families
'Tis the season for giving — to loved ones and ourselves.
Jan. 9: All About Self-Care
Stressed? A balanced routine can help you thrive.
Feb. 13: All About Black History
"Celebrating Resilience: Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future." Join us for a jazz quartet and spoken word.
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March 12: All About the Three E’s
Enrolled! Employed! Enlisted!
April 9: All About the Earth
Save the world! Environmental change and sustainability start with small steps.
May 14: All About SUPER-MOMS
Come celebrate the unconditional love and care that mothers and mother figures provide.
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