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JAN. 26, 2024 Vol. 7, Issue 12
THIS ISSUE: IMPORTANT DATES • TOWN HALL • CALENDAR UPDATE • VIDEOS FROM ACROSS HENRICO • SHARE YOUR VIEWS • IMMUNIZATION CLINICS • ART AND WRITING WINNERS • PRESCHOOL • JOB FAIRS • SHOWING UP TOGETHER • NOMINATE A TEACHER • TEEN SUMMIT • ASSESSMENTS • WORKSHOPS
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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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Jan. 30: School Board Town Hall Meeting (6:30 p.m. at Colonial Trail E.S.)
Feb. 8: School Board work session
Feb. 19: Schools closed for wellness day
Feb. 20: Student holiday, teacher professional learning day
Feb. 22: School Board work session and monthly meeting
March 5: Student holiday (schools open only for presidential primary voting)
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Tuesday: Attend a School Board Town Hall Meeting at Colonial Trail Elementary School
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School Board Town Hall Meeting: You're invited to attend and hear from Board members and other HCPS leaders. There will be a short presentation on the school division’s 2024 legislative priorities and Superintendent Amy Cashwell’s proposed budget for 2024-25. Attendees will have an opportunity to provide input on matters of importance.
- Jan. 30 at 6:30 p.m., Colonial Trail Elementary School, 12101 Liesfeld Farm Drive, Glen Allen, VA.
A second School Board Town Hall Meeting is scheduled for April 23 at Laburnum Elementary School.
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Calendar update: March 5 will be a student holiday to accommodate primary voting
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As you may know, Virginia's presidential primary will be held Tuesday, March 5, with more than 50 Henrico schools serving as polling places. Voter turnout is expected to be significant with potentially large numbers of visitors to school campuses. In the interest of safety, March 5 will be a student holiday. HCPS school buildings will only be open to the public for voting.
Teachers will have a remote clerical day, or may work in their classrooms if they prefer. HCPS central offices and annexes will remain open, and 12-month employees should report to work as usual.
We appreciate your understanding and hope this advance notice will provide adequate time for families to make child care arrangements.
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Videos from across Henrico County
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The big dance: Spend some time with a dance class at the HCPS Center for the Arts
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I, Robot: Elementary school teams from across Henrico face off in the robot octagon
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Hoops County Public Schools? Highlights from a plethora of girls and boys high school basketball games
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Survey says: Share your views on draft calendar, weapons scanners, schools
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Henrico County Public Schools values your opinions. Several opportunities are approaching — including our annual survey of your views on your school and the school division.
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Review the 2025-26 draft calendar by Jan. 31: HCPS is seeking input from students, staff, parents and community members about the 2025-26 school year calendar. Review this draft calendar and fill out a short survey by Jan. 31 to tell us what you think.
- Share your views on weapons scanners by Feb. 2: As part HCPS' multilayered safety plans, the division installed weapons scanners at middle and high schools earlier in the school year. Because
we continually evaluate safety plans, we are asking middle and high school families to please complete a brief survey to share their perspectives about these weapons scanners. The survey, which closes Feb. 2, should
take no more than 3 minutes and all responses are anonymous. It is available in English or Spanish. Thank you for your continued partnership as the community works together to support safety for all.
- The 2024 HCPS Survey is coming Feb. 5: Each year, HCPS families, staff members, and students in grades 3-12 are surveyed to see what we do well, how we can improve and what course we should follow.
The survey questions are centered on the four cornerstones of our strategic plan. This year, the surveys will be given from Feb. 5-March 1. Parents and guardians can preview the student survey questions now and see FAQ. If you don’t want your child to take the survey, please contact your student’s
school.
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Rising 7th and 12th graders: In-school clinics are an easy way to get vaccinated for 2024-25
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HCPS and the Virginia Department of Health’s Richmond and Henrico Health Districts will hold a free vaccination clinic at each HCPS middle and high school. No reservation is needed for the winter and spring clinics.
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Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) is required for students entering seventh and 12th grades.
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Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccine (Tdap) is required for students entering seventh grade.
While parents and guardians are welcome to accompany students to the clinic, they need not be present if a signed consent form has been returned to their school nurse. Download the consent form in English or Spanish.
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HCPS artists and writers won big, and you can see their work in person from Feb. 2-19
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HCPS students cleaned up at this year’s regional Scholastic Art & Writing awards! The competition is the nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens. What’s next? Gold Key art and writing winners will be judged in the national competition. Among the honors, HCPS high school students brought home 52 Gold Key Awards and four Gold Portfolio Awards. HCPS middle school student honors included five Gold Key Awards.
See student work in person from Feb. 5-19 at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond:
- Scholastic Winners Art Exhibit: Show of HCPS Gold Key winners, Silver Key art and writing winners, plus digital projections of Honorable Mention recipients. Writing winners will have their names on the wall and the work will be available to read. Winners from Richmond Public Schools will also be on display.
- When: Feb. 2 (show opens at 5 p.m.) through Feb. 19. The Visual Arts Center is open every day from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
- Where: Visual Arts Center of Richmond, 1812 West Main Street, Richmond, VA.
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Apply now for 2024-25 preschool
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HCPS' full-day preschool program empowers students with the knowledge, skills, attributes and experiences to be life-ready! Go to the HCPS Preschool page to learn about eligibility for the program and use the prescreening tool to start the application process.
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We want you on the HCPS team
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HCPS Job Fair: Come talk with us about your career with HCPS. We are seeking custodial and maintenance staff, bus drivers, school nutrition staff, nurses, instructional assistants, substitute teachers and classroom teachers. Learn more about working for HCPS at our Careers page.
- Feb. 13 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Libbie Mill Area Library, 2100 Libbie Lake E. St., Henrico, VA.
Henrico County Educator Job Fair and Interview Day (Elementary): Interview with us for positions as teachers (all content areas), librarians, school counselors, psychologists, social workers and nurses for 2024-25. You'll also have a chance to talk with school-based and division leaders.
School Nutrition Services Job Fair: Talk with us about joining the team that keeps students fueled and ready to learn.
- Feb. 26 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Libbie Mill Area Library, 2100 Libbie Lake E. St., Henrico, VA.
Henrico County Educator Job Fair and Interview Day (Secondary): Interview with us for positions as teachers (all content areas), librarians, school counselors, psychologists, social workers and nurses for 2024-25. You'll also have a chance to talk with school-based and division leaders.
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Showing up together has lasting effects
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By sixth grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.
#SchoolEveryDay | AttendanceWorks
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Recognize the special teacher in your life
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Nominations for the REB Award for Teaching Excellence are being accepted through Feb. 20. Each year, about 15 outstanding area teachers receive cash grants to support professional development. Recipients have earned graduate degrees, climbed mountains and traced their ancestors — all to reignite their passion for learning and to pass it on to their students.
Learn more and start your nomination.
Submit your Yay of the Day nomination now! 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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Register to be part of 2024 Teen Summit
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Assessments going on now for grades 3-8
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Virginia Winter Growth Assessments for grades 3-8 are being given through Feb. 9. Your school will let you know your student's exact test date. What are the assessments all about? The tests:
- Focus on reading and math.
- Provide insights for teachers and parents into a student's progress. There's no need to worry about passing or failing.
- Are designed to be shorter than SOL tests.
- Will help shape instruction and can be compared to fall growth assessment scores to see how students are progressing.
Want to see test results? Log into PowerSchool Parent Portal, go to "Account Access," and use that information to get student test reports in the Virginia Assessment Parent Portal. Reports are posted around two weeks after testing. Student details and claim code information must be entered in "Find Test Results" after each test to receive the most current information.
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HCPS workshops are a great way to grow, learn and foster community
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Bridge Builders Academy:
- FEV Tutor (Feb. 6 at 11 a.m., virtual session). HCPS and FEV Tutor provide students in grades 6-12 with high quality, division-sponsored virtual tutoring and homework help. FEV Tutor delivers live, one-to-one support to help students grow academically. This Bridge Builders session will share more about the FEV Tutor platform, what tutoring and homework support is available, and how to schedule sessions. Note: The Spanish session will be conducted in English, with live translation by Spanish translators. Families who primarily speak English are welcome to join the Spanish session.
Mental Health Matters:
- Barber Shop Talk: Men's Mental Health Awareness (Feb. 15 from 6-7 p.m. at Varina Area Library). Men, how does your definition of what it means to be a "strong man" affect your mental health? This engaging session will help you explore your own assumptions about manhood. Participants will gain a deeper understanding through engaging and open dialogue that redefines strength.
Missed a Mental Health Matters workshop? The sessions are available to watch at a time that's convenient for you.
All-Together Tuesdays: Join us at the Oak Avenue Complex at 15 S. Oak Ave. in Highland Springs. Each month, HCPS’ Division of Family and Community Engagement hosts a fun evening to connect with Henrico friends from 5-7 p.m.
- Feb. 13: All About Black History: "Celebrating Resilience: Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future." Join us for a jazz quartet and spoken word.
- March 12: All About the Three E’s: Enrolled! Employed! Enlisted!
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