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May 10, 2024 Vol. 7, Issue 19
THIS ISSUE: IMPORTANT DATES • GRADUATION UPDATE • MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH • ADDRESSING ABSENTEEISM • MEET TEACHER-OF-THE-YEAR FINALISTS • NUTRITION SURVEY AND SUMMER MEALS • VIDEOS FROM ACROSS HENRICO • REMINDERS AND OPPORTUNITIES • KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION HELP • SUMMER ACADEMY
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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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May 27: Schools and offices closed for Memorial Day
May 31: Last day of school (student half day/staff clerical day)
June 6: School Board work session and monthly meeting
June 7-Aug. 2: School and division offices closed Fridays. (Twelve-month HCPS staff members work four 10-hour days in the summer, with Fridays off.)
June 19: Schools and offices closed for Juneteenth holiday
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Calling Henrico Schools Graduation Nation!
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Cue “Pomp and Circumstance.” HCPS' Class of 2024 will kick off graduation season when Henrico Virtual Academy and Academy at Virginia Randolph seniors receive their diplomas May 20 and 21 at J.R. Tucker High School’s auditorium. For HCPS' nine comprehensive high schools, a move to the new Henrico Sports & Event Center at the site of the former Virginia Center Commons mall will mean significant changes for parking, ticketing and ceremony times.
To help ensure ticketed guests have adequate time to navigate new parking areas and be seated inside the Henrico Sports and Event Center, HCPS has adjusted morning and evening graduation schedules. New times are noted in bold type below.
MAY 20
- 7 p.m.: Henrico Virtual Academy graduation (J.R. Tucker High School, 2910 N. Parham Road, Henrico, Va.)
MAY 21
- 7 p.m.: ACE Center at Hermitage and ACE Center at Virginia Randolph completion ceremony (Hermitage High School, 8301 Hungary Spring Road, Henrico, Va.)
- 7 p.m.: The Academy at Virginia Randolph graduation (J.R. Tucker High School, 2910 N. Parham Road, Henrico, Va.)
MAY 22
- 7 p.m.: ACE Center at Highland Springs completion ceremony (Highland Springs High School, 200 S. Airport Drive, Highland Springs, Va.)
MAY 29 (Henrico Sports & Events Center, 11000 Telegraph Road, Glen Allen, Va.)
- 10:30 a.m.: Henrico High School graduation
- 3 p.m.: Highland Springs High School graduation
- 7:30 p.m.: Varina High School graduation
MAY 30 (Henrico Sports & Events Center, 11000 Telegraph Road, Glen Allen, Va.)
- 10:30 a.m.: Douglas S. Freeman High School graduation
- 3 p.m.: Deep Run High School graduation
- 7:30 p.m.: Mills E. Godwin High School graduation
MAY 31 (Henrico Sports & Events Center, 11000 Telegraph Road, Glen Allen, Va.)
- 10:30 a.m.: J.R. Tucker High School
- 3 p.m.: Glen Allen High School
- 7:30 p.m.: Hermitage High School
Parking at the Henrico Sports & Events Center is limited: Because parking areas at the new venue are still under construction, parking is at a premium. Family and friends must have a ticket to attend ceremonies in person. Each graduate will receive a limited number of tickets and two parking passes from their school. Parking is at a premium, so carpooling is encouraged. Schools will also offer bus transportation to graduation for all seniors to reduce traffic and ensure they arrive for the ceremony on time.
We know there will be increased traffic in the vicinity of the new venue and appreciate the patience and cooperation of area businesses and residents as we join to celebrate our seniors.
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Divisionwide information about graduations and answers to frequently asked questions can be found at our graduation hub. Details about individual graduations will come from your school.
Graduation livestreams and replays: HCPS will livestream graduation commencement exercises for the school division’s nine comprehensive high schools. The division will record ceremonies for the Academy at Virginia Randolph, Henrico Virtual Academy and ACE Centers at Hermitage, Highland Springs and Virginia Randolph for viewing later on HCPS’ YouTube page and HCPS-TV, the school division’s cable channel in Henrico County. Find HCPS-TV on channel 99 for Comcast subscribers and channel 2138 for those with Verizon FiOS. Graduation photos will also be posted on HCPS’ social media accounts.
As HCPS seniors prepare for commencement, many returned this spring to their elementary and middle schools, where it all started. Watch these videos of “Senior Walk.”
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You're not alone: Mental health resources available to HCPS students, families
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a nationwide push for increased mental health education, support, resources and policies. At Thursday's Henrico School Board meeting, the Board adopted a proclamation reiterating the importance of mental health efforts across the school division.
In March, HCPS and Henrico County launched "Henrico CARES," an initiative designed to strengthen access to high quality mental health care in schools and expand efforts focused on prevention, support and early intervention. Some other mental health resources are listed below.
Our Student Support and Wellness page is the place to find HCPS people and resources for students and families, with both school-based and community mental health resources.
Henrico County Mental Health and Developmental Services has local resources for all ages.
Read about HCPS' multitiered approach to mental health and how division mental health specialists and other HCPS staff members collaborate to support the needs of every student.
HCPS' Mental Health Matters workshops are available to watch at a time that's convenient for you. Workshops include presentations on dealing with grief, men's mental health and signs that someone may be considering suicide.
Resources specifically for LGBTQ+ youth are available from community organizations such as Side by Side.
Dial or text 988 if you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health crisis and get connected to a trained crisis counselor 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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Meet Henrico County Public Schools' 2024 Teacher of the Year and four finalists
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On Tuesday evening HCPS leaders and guests gathered to honor the division's Teacher of the Year winner and finalists for 2024, as well as the Teacher of the Year for each HCPS school. Want to know more about these extraordinary educators? Watch a short video about each finalist:
Congratulations and props to our teachers for everything you do each day!
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How HCPS schools are using relationships, creativity to address attendance challenges
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School absenteeism has been a challenge in recent years for school divisions nationwide. Why is it a problem? Students who attend school regularly read better, are more proficient in math, are more likely to graduate from high school and college and do better in the workplace.
#SchoolEveryDay | AttendanceWorks
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School meals update: Survey window extended, summer meals information available
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HCPS school meals survey deadline extended: If you haven't had a chance to take our short survey about school meals, there's still time: the deadline has been extended until May 17. The HCPS School Nutrition Services Department serves around 26,000 lunches and 14,000 breakfasts each school day. The short, anonymous survey will help HCPS get a better understanding of student preferences.
Summer meals information: HCPS will once again participate in the USDA's Summer Food Service Program, offering meals to children during the summer at 24 area sites. The federal program is administered in Henrico County by the HCPS Department of School Nutrition Services, to ensure that children receive nutritious meals when school is not in session.
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Videos from across Henrico County
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CTE Signing Day: HCPS high school seniors and their future employers make things official
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Feet Meets: Inspiring moments from Special Olympics Virginia's HCPS competitions
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Sportswire Spotlight: How mindfulness fuels J.R. Tucker senior Mariah Jameson's quest for excellence
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Hidden in Plain Site: Can you spot the signs of drug and alcohol use in this reproduction of a teen's bedroom?
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Days of Yays: See dozens of Yay of the Day celebrations from throughout the 2023-24 school year
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Around the world in the West End: A fashion love letter to J.R. Tucker High School's cultural diversity
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Reminders and opportunities
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Employment events: Have you thought about teaching but aren’t sure if it’s for you? Love working with students and want a flexible gig? Or maybe you’re a retired educator and want to dip your toe back into the classroom. HCPS is seeking substitute teachers for the 2024-25 school year, as well as candidates for positions across Henrico County.
- HCPS Job Fair: May 14 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Fairfield Area Library, 1401 N. Laburnum Ave., Henrico, Va. Seeking custodial and maintenance staff, bus drivers, school nutrition staff, nurses, instructional assistants, substitute teachers and classroom teachers.
- "Alternative Routes to Becoming an HCPS Teacher": May 30 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Fairfield Area Library, 1401 N. Laburnum Ave., Henrico, Va. Do you know the multiple paths to getting your teaching license? Register by May 27 to attend. Space is limited.
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HCPS Job Fair: June 11 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at HCPS' Parham Road Offices, 1910 E Parham Road, Henrico, Va. Seeking custodial and maintenance staff, bus drivers, school nutrition staff, nurses, instructional assistants, substitute teachers and classroom teachers.
Vaccinations: The new school year begins Aug. 19 — learn about the immunizations your child needs to attend school.
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The Oak can help register your little acorn
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Registering your child for kindergarten isn’t hard, but this “pre-registration” session will make it a breeze. A preparation specialist will be onsite at The Oak Avenue Complex twice each month to help you review documents, answer questions and complete the online portion of the registration process. (Registration is a two-part process: the first step is the online component. The second part — scheduling an appointment to meet with the registrar at the school to present the required documents — will complete the enrollment process.) Questions? Email for more information or call 804-952-8100.
- Second and fourth Tuesday of each month from 10 a.m.-noon (no registration required), The Oak Avenue Complex, 15 S. Oak Ave., Highland Springs, Va.
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Registration continues for Summer Academy
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HCPS Summer Academy is a unique program that gives elementary, middle and high school students opportunities for enrichment, career exploration, credit-recovery and remediation. The 2024 edition will be held at 26 sites across Henrico County.
There's still time to join the staff for 2024 Summer Academy! Learn more about being part of this unique program.
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