Parent Handbook 2019-20 - Chesterfield County Public Schools
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Parent Handbook 2019-20
MESSAGE FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD
Carrie Coyner Dianne Smith John Erbach Robert Thompson Dr. Javaid Siddiqi
Bermuda District Clover Hill District Dale District Matoaca District Midlothian District
839-7117 839-7121 332-1826 332-1812 332-1856
ce_coyner@ccpsnet.net dh_smith@ccpsnet.net jm_erbach@ccpsnet.net rw_thompson@ccpsnet.net je_siddiqi@ccpsnet.net
Dear Team Chesterfield Families,
As we implement our new strategic plan, Imagine Tomorrow, Chesterfield County Public Schools is on the
cusp of creating classrooms of the future that will allow students to soar to even greater heights. Imagine
Tomorrow is more than a strategic plan. It’s a daily focus as we create amazing learning opportunities in
remarkable learning environments.
Among the 100 largest school systems in the nation and the fifth largest in Virginia, Chesterfield County
Public Schools is focused on helping our more than 61,000 students acquire the knowledge, skills and values
needed to ensure successful futures. Our schools are safe, supportive and nurturing learning environments
led by award-winning administrators, caring support staff and nationally recognized teachers. Our schools are
nationally recognized, too: Six National Blue Ribbon Schools, seven National Title I Distinguished Schools and
six middle schools named Schools to Watch.
Chesterfield County Public Schools prides itself on providing an innovative and relevant education that
engages all students and sparks a love of learning. Chesterfield County teachers create a captivating yet
authentic classroom experience that allows students to explore curriculum through hands-on learning
opportunities and community service that shows them the importance of civic responsibility.
A strong public school system is the leading reason parents give when choosing Chesterfield County as the
place they want to raise a family. As a father of children who have attended school in Chesterfield County and
having visited schools throughout the county as a School Board member, I have seen first-hand the amazing
things happening throughout our classrooms. I know you will like what you see and find in our schools. So
will your children.
The investment in public education has returned strong investments. Our students are safe and well-cared,
with a variety of student support services available to assist children and families. Our students’ performance
on state-mandated assessments continually betters state averages, as does the school division’s graduation
rate. In addition, our graduates are making a difference in our community, country and world. Past recipients
of the Chesterfield Education Foundation’s Bravo! Awards include service men and women, business leaders
and difference-making entrepreneurs, scientists and innovators, doctors and engineers, and educators and
authors.
Everyone benefits from a strong school division, and everyone has a role to play. Working together, we can
and will continue to make Chesterfield County Public Schools a first-choice school division.
Sincerely,
Robert Thompson
Chair, School Board
2
Phone Numbers
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY Main Number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 748-1405
SCHOOL BOARD Adult Continuing Education/GED . . . . . . . . . . . . . 768-6140
The School Board is the governing body Attendance Zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318-8743
of Chesterfield County Public Schools. The Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 748-1729
board’s responsibilities include policy making, Career and Technical Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 639-8668
budget approval, hiring and evaluation of the Communications and Community Engagement . . . 639-6906
superintendent and hearing appeals of discipline Constituent Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 639-8666
and grievance issues. Board members are elected Elementary School Leadership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 639-8915
to four-year terms; the current terms expire English for Speakers of Other Languages . . . . . . . . 706-6077
Dec. 31, 2019. Environmental Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 717-6466
Food and Nutrition Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 743-3717
School Board work sessions are held in Room 502 Gifted Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 639-8620
of the County Administration Building, located Home Schooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 639-8900, ext. 1652
at 9901 Lori Road, and begin at 3 p.m. unless Homebound Instruction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 639-8787
otherwise noted. School Board business meetings Human Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 748-1984
are held in the Public Meeting Room, located at Middle and High School Leadership . . . . . . . . . . . 639-8916
10001 Iron Bridge Road, and begin at 6:30 p.m. Online Learning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 639-2751
unless otherwise noted. Business meetings are Professional Learning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 639-8923
shown live on Comcast Channel 98 and Verizon Family and Community Engagement . . . . . . . . . . 639-8699
Channel 28 and are live streamed Preschool Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 706-6065
at chesterfieldschoolsva.swagit.com/live. School Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 748-1897
School Counseling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 639-8627
The board’s policy manual, meeting schedule, School Psychologists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 639-8624
meeting packets, presentations and minutes can School Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 717-6256
be found at boarddocs.com/vsba/chesterfield/ School Social Workers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 639-2755
Board.nsf/Public. If more information is needed, Special Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 639-8918
call 748-1897 or email Student Conduct/Pupil Placement . . . . . . . . . . . . 639-8666
ccpsschoolboard@ccpsnet.net. Student Transcripts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 639-8900, ext. 1651
Summer Session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 639-8639
Superintendent’s Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 748-1434
Teaching and Learning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 639-8917
Title I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 639-8697
Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 748-1656
Addresses
Chesterfield County Public Schools
P.O. Box 10
Chesterfield, VA 23832
School Administration Building
(Superintendent, Budget, Finance,
Operations, Human Resources, Legal)
9900 Krause Road
Chesterfield, VA 23832
Career and Technical Center @ Hull
(Teaching and Learning, Technology, Professional Learning,
Constituent Services, FACE, Equity/Student Support Services)
13900 Hull Street Road
Midlothian, VA 23112
Career and Technical Center @ Courthouse
(Adult Continuing Education, Career Development)
10101 Courthouse Road
Chesterfield, VA 23832
3
Welcome to Team Chesterfield! 68,000 plus. Between our exceptional students and outstanding staff members, that approximate total represents how many success stories we have occurring on a daily basis inside Chesterfield County Public Schools. I am excited that you have chosen to join our award-winning school division, and to be a part of the great work that is occurring in preparing our students to imagine tomorrow! During my first year as Superintendent in Chesterfield County, I was impressed by the level of personal engagement I saw in classrooms across the county. It was clear that our staff members are passionate about serving students and want to provide them with the access to resources and learning strategies necessary to experience success. Perhaps most importantly as servant leaders, I have seen and heard stories about how willing our school-based and central office teams are to go above and beyond to do whatever it takes to build strong, trusting relationships that support our students and families. Nearly 45,000 households entrust their most precious possessions – more than 61,000 children – to us daily. The reputation of our schools often inspires families to make their homes in Chesterfield County. That reputation for innovation and high-quality instruction is built largely on the outstanding work that occurs daily in our classrooms, schools and school division offices, as we seek to create an infinite learner mindset while encouraging students and staff to exemplify personal responsibility and supportive relationships. Chesterfield County Public Schools continues to be cited as a model for excellence in public education. Educators from outside of our school division routinely visit our nationally recognized schools to learn more about what we are doing, how we are doing it and why we are doing it. Our outstanding teachers, support staff members and leaders are top-notch educators whom others seek to emulate. We are proud to be a school division others aspire to be like. We had a great school year last year! We kept our schools and students safe, started implementation of a new strategic plan that will prepare our students with life-ready skills, and expanded resources available to support the mental, social emotional and academic needs of our students. Our differentiated approach to supporting our students’ varied academic needs continues to reap dividends. I am excited to partner with you to help meet and exceed your expectations for us. We can’t wait to see what Year 2 brings, knowing that there are many more successes left to accomplish and stories remaining to highlight. Thank you for your continued support! Sincerely, Mervin Daugherty, Ed.D. Superintendent 4
ABOUT
FAST FACTS
• 39 elementary schools (grades K-5)
• 12 middle schools (grades 6-8)
• 11 high schools (grades 9-12)
• 2 career and technical centers
• 61,400 students projected
ACADEMICS
• Chesterfield County schools are a diverse learning
environment: The student body is about 49.3 percent
white, 25.6 percent African-American, 16.4 percent
Hispanic, 4.9 percent two or more races, 3.3 percent
Asian, 0.2 percent American Indian/Alaskan native and
0.2 percent Native Hawaiian
• Approximately 36 percent of the student population
qualifies for the federal free or reduced-price lunch
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program
• Chesterfield County students continue to outperform
their peers across Virginia on Standards of Learning tests.
• More than 91 percent of Chesterfield students graduate
on time, outperforming their peers across Virginia.
• $11,068 cost per student in FY 2020
• 7,319 full-time equivalent positions in operating fund
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• $673.6 million operating budget for FY 2020 (70.4
percent for instruction, 9.9 percent for operations
and maintenance, 8.4 percent for debt, 5.5 percent
for transportation, 3.1 percent for administration,
attendance and health, and 2.4 percent for technology);
get details at mychesterfieldschools.com
STUDENT SUPPORT
INFO FOR PARENTS
Through this parent handbook, Chesterfield County Public
Schools offers helpful information to parents at the start
of each school year. Also, the school division website
(mychesterfieldschools.com) is a great way to keep up with
news and activities throughout the year. Here are others:
• Facebook (@chesterfieldschools)
• Twitter (@ccpsinfo)
GET INVOLVED
• YouTube (www.youtube.com/ccpsva)
• Instagram (@oneccps)
• Wednesday Spotlight (free e-newsletter distributed to all
parents, media and local business community)
• Friday Family Update (free e-newsletter distributed to all
parents)
• Chesterfield EdTV on Comcast Channel 96 and Verizon
Channel 26 and online at chesterfieldschoolsva.swagit.
com/original programming/
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For questions, email ccpsinfo@ccpsnet.net or call
(804) 639-6906.
A Spanish version of this publication is available
online at mychesterfieldschools.com. Una versión en
español de esta publicación está disponible en-líneaen
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mychesterfieldschools.com.
5
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
ABOUT
Parents are asked each year to fill out emergency
information cards for every student. The importance of
these cards cannot be overemphasized. They let school
officials know about student health issues and provide
contact information that is used to reach parents if an
emergency arises. Please complete, sign and quickly return
ACADEMICS
your student’s card.
Also, be sure to update your child’s information whenever
there is a change in your address, email address, cell
phone, home phone, work phone or workplace, the
people authorized to pick up your child if you cannot be
reached during an emergency. Starting with the 2019-20
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school year, parents will be able to update certain contact
information through ParentVue. A parent who does not
have access to ParentVue should contact their child’s school
to get log-in information.
The school division’s ability to communicate effectively
with parents is enhanced when parents provide accurate
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contact information.
PHONE AND EMAIL MESSAGES
Chesterfield County Public Schools uses SchoolMessenger
to communicate with parents via phone, email and text
message. SchoolMessenger is used to notify a parent about
STUDENT SUPPORT
a child’s absence, share information about upcoming
events, deliver messages about lunch accounts and provide
updates in the event of an emergency.
So that this communication tool can work effectively,
please make sure that your child’s school has your correct
phone numbers (home, work and cell) and email addresses.
You may choose to opt out of phone and email messages
by contacting your child’s school. Opting out means
that you will receive no communication whatsoever via
SchoolMessenger; this includes information about a child’s
GET INVOLVED
absences, school lockdowns and emergency closings.
EMERGENCY CLOSINGS
If it becomes necessary to close schools or delay
opening because of bad weather or for any other
reason, such as a power failure, announcements will be
communicated via phone, text and email; posted online at
mychesterfieldschools.com, Facebook and Twitter; shared
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on Comcast Channel 96 and Verizon Channel 26; and
submitted to local radio and television stations.
Parents should make emergency closing childcare
arrangements at the beginning of the school year so that
students know what to do and where to go if there is an
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early dismissal.
6
SCHOOL TIME
ABOUT
Virginia public schools must be in session at least 180 days
or provide a minimum of 990 instructional hours each
school year. Chesterfield’s 2019-20 calendar is 179 days long
but exceeds the state’s minimum requirements for seat time.
On seven days, students will be dismissed three hours
ACADEMICS
early to give teachers time for planning and professional
development. Parents are encouraged to plan ahead for
early dismissals by shifting work schedules so that they can
be with their children, contacting after-school programs or
coordinating with friends and neighbors. The calendars in
the back of this handbook show the early-release days.
SCHOOLS
School starting times for each school for this school year
can be found on page 20 and 21 of this book. Beginning
with the 2018-19 school year, school start times changed
to align high school starting times with research-based
recommendations that say high schools should start at
8:30 a.m. or later due to pubertal-related changes to teens’
circadian rhythms.
SAFETY
ATTENDANCE
Every day counts! Good attendance boosts academic
success and prepares students for future employment.
Excessive absences may affect receiving credit for classes or
promotion to the next grade.
STUDENT SUPPORT
Students are expected to attend school daily on time.
Establishing that important habit of good attendance starts
the minute students start school. Studies show that students
who miss an average of two days a month of school for any
reason are negatively impacted academically. Absences
add up. It is suggested that parents keep a calendar of their
children’s attendance to monitor and help establish good
attendance habits.
Please notify the school if your student will need to be
GET INVOLVED
absent from school. If you are having difficulty sending your
child to school for any reason, please contact your school’s
social worker or counselor. For more specific information,
please see School Board Policy 4020.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND ASSAULT TOBACCO-FREE
Chesterfield County Public Schools does not condone acts of Chesterfield County Public Schools is a
sexual or gender-based harassment. If a student experiences tobacco-free school system. Students,
any form of sexual harassment or gender-based harassment employees, parents and visitors are prohibited
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or sexual assault, then this should immediately be brought at all times from smoking or using tobacco
to the attention of the principal (who is the school’s Title products in schools, school grounds, offices,
IX coordinator) or to a school counselor or other school facilities, buses and other school vehicles. This
administrator so that the school can respond promptly and ban includes electronic cigarettes and similar
investigate. For details about the school division’s Title IX devices. For more information, see School
practices and procedures, see School Board Policy 6131. Board Policy 5390.
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7
ABOUT
Chesterfield County Public Schools’ Strategic Plan
ACADEMICS
VISION GOAL #1
Create a better tomorrow All students and staff will
embody an Infinite Learner mindset.
MISSION GOAL #2
Ignite passion through authentic
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All students, staff, parents, and community members will exemplify
and captivating experiences
a culture of safety, personal responsibility, and supportive
relationships.
OUR VALUES
INTEGRITY TEAMWORK
SAFETY
Adherence to moral and ethical principles Cohesively working toward a shared goal
EQUITY INGENUITY
Fair and unbiased access to all resources Qualities of being clever, resourceful,
STUDENT SUPPORT
and opportunities and imaginative
GET INVOLVED
HEALTH
OPERATIONS
8
ABOUT
ACADEMICS
SCHOOLS
SAFETY
COMMUNICATOR
I actively listen, share my thinking, and use both verbal and nonverbal methods to deepen my
STUDENT SUPPORT
understanding and add value.
COLLABORATOR
I participate fully by building on the ideas, talents, expertise,
and experiences of others.
CRITICAL THINKER
I analyze evidence, investigate multiple sources, and create
new conditions.
GET INVOLVED
CREATOR
I am open-minded, curious, and adaptive when tackling problems
and challenges.
CONNECTOR
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I actively set goals that link to my interests and abilities, and form healthy relationships that make a
positive impact.
CITIZEN
I take care of myself and others by displaying integrity, being
OPERATIONS
respectful, and contributing through informed actions.
9
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION SPECIAL EDUCATION AND 504 PLANS
ABOUT
Registration day for children who will enter kindergarten Chesterfield County Public Schools maintains an
in September 2020 will take place April 16, 2020 at every active and continuing Child Find program to identify
elementary school. children with disabilities who may require special
education services or Section 504 accommodations.
APPLYING FOR PREKINDERGARTEN Procedures include screening, referral, evaluation,
and eligibility determination. Students who are found
ACADEMICS
Children who reach their fourth birthday by Sept. eligible for special education services are provided
30 and who live in a school attendance zone where specialized instruction and related services according
prekindergarten is offered may apply for prekindergarten. to individualized education programs (IEPs) governed
A limited number of spots are available. Applications are through federal and state regulations and division
accepted beginning in February. For details, call procedures. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
(804) 706-6061. 1973 ensures that supports are in place for students
who have a physical or mental impairment that
GIFTED EDUCATION
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substantially limits one or more major life activities.
The school division provides a continuum of services
in areas of academic strength that include English, If you suspect your child may have a disability, you
mathematics, social studies and science. In order for may make a referral to your school’s Special Education
a student to be evaluated for services, a referral form Coordinator or school administrator. If your child is not
must be submitted to the child’s school. These forms are enrolled in Chesterfield County Public Schools, you
available during normal operating hours from counseling may contact an administrator at the school your child
or main office staff and should be completed by the would attend based on your home address.
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person desiring the child’s evaluation. Parents/guardians,
community members, teachers or students may refer a Parents are integral participants in all facets of the
child; private and homeschool students in second grade special education and Section 504 process. If you have
or higher may also be referred by following this process at questions about the special education or Section 504
the school they would attend if enrolled. process, contact the school or the Department of
Special Education at (804) 639-8918.
STUDENT SUPPORT
Signed and dated referral forms must be submitted to
the school by the end of the school day on the referral SUMMER PROGRAMS AND SOL/SAT/
deadline date assigned to the child’s current grade level ACT/W!SE ACADEMIES
to be considered for assessment during the testing Summer school programs provide a second
window. Referral deadlines are published on referral exposure to the curriculum in a project-based
forms and on the division website. learning instructional model and offers enrichment
opportunities. These include high school career
and technical center camp, middle school visual and
performing arts camp, and elementary school cultural
arts camp.
GET INVOLVED
Academy offerings in the summer and during the
school year include free SAT and ACT prep for high
school juniors and seniors to help prepare for these
college entrance exams. The SOL/W!SE Academy
provides support for students who have passed a class
but have not passed the end-of-course test required
for graduation. Talk to your child’s counselor to
determine what requirements they may need to fulfill
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and for more information about the Academy. Details
can also be found on mychesterfieldschools.com under
“Students” and “SOL/W!SE Academy.”
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10ABOUT
ACADEMICS
SCHOOLS
SAFETY
ANYTIME, ANYWHERE LEARNING
Chesterfield County Public Schools provides When all students have mobile computing devices,
STUDENT SUPPORT
Chromebooks to all middle school and high school teachers are more apt to provide small group and
students, as well as elementary school students in individualized instruction rather than lecturing to an
grades 4-5. In addition to using the laptops throughout entire class. When every student has a device, students
the school day, middle and high school students take have additional opportunities to develop higher order
them home so they can learn anytime, anywhere. and critical thinking skills. Mobile devices allow students
This blended learning initiative puts approximately more choice in directing their learning, help them
45,000 Chromebooks into the hands and/or homes of create products that demonstrate their knowledge
Chesterfield County students. Students in grades 2-3 also and provide easy access to up-to-date information;
receive Chromebooks to use while at school. all of this leads to increased student engagement and
academic achievement. With anytime and anywhere
Chesterfield County Public Schools has created a digital learning, education extends beyond the classroom and
GET INVOLVED
teaching and learning environment to better prepare the traditional school day. Students are able to create,
students for college and careers. Computers and Internet track and manage their own learning through the use of
access are vital in education because they are vital in ePortfolios. With increased access to collaborative tools
almost all 21st-century careers. like Google Drive, students will find it easier to manage
their materials. Instead of using printed workbooks
When teachers leverage rich, interactive digital content that are quickly outdated, students can access current
in their instruction, students are provided with greater information. Computer-fluent students rapidly shift from
opportunity to personalize and tailor learning to their being consumers of information to becoming producers
personal and immediate needs. In addition to engaging of creative and innovative work. As a result, students
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students in self-directed and relevant learning, this are more likely to take greater pride in their knowledge
approach allows the teacher to help more students and schoolwork and are more likely to see the value of
individually when needed rather than teaching large education, thereby reducing the dropout rate and raising
groups at the same pace through the same content. This the community’s level of education.
method of instruction, which combines technology with
face-to-face teaching, is called blended learning.
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11GRADING SCALES
ABOUT
Grades K-5 number scale
4
Student’s performance exceeds standard/expectation, and student consistently produces STUDENTVUE
outstanding work.
AND PARENTVUE
Student’s performance meets standard/expectation, and student consistently produces
3
quality work. StudentVUE and ParentVUE
ACADEMICS
Student’s performance is approaching standard/expectation, and student inconsistently allow students and their
2
applies learned skills. parents to track attendance and
Student’s performance is below standard/expectation, and student frequently requires academic progress. Teachers are
1 expected to post assignments
re-teaching.
and make grades visible to
NA This skill or concept was not assessed during this grading period.
parents and students every
two weeks. ParentVUE and
Grades 2-5 grade range StudentVUE apps are available
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A 90-100 Excellent for free from Apple’s App Store
B 80-89 Very Good and Google Play.
C 70-79 Satisfactory Using their Chesterfield County
D 60-69 Minimal Progress Public Schools network login
F Below 60 Failing
credentials, students may access
SAFETY
their StudentVue account at
Grades 6-12 grade range studentvue.ccpsnet.net. using
a confidential code, parents of
Letter
Range Meaning GPA GPA for honors
GPA for AP/IB/DE students in grades 2-12 may
Grade industry certification* access their ParentVue account
at parentvue.ccpsnet.net. (A
A+ 97-100 Excellent 4.5 5.0 5.5
parent should contact their
STUDENT SUPPORT
A 90-96 4.0 4.5 5.0 child’s school to receive a code if
B+ 86-89 Very Good 3.5 4.0 4.5 they do not have one.)
B 80-85 3.0 3.5 4.0
C+ 76-79 Satisfactory 2.5 3.0 3.5
*Industry Certification Courses
C 70-75 2.0 2.5 3.0
Can be found online at
D+ 66-69 Minimum Passing 1.5 2.0 2.5 mychesterfieldschools.com
D 60-65 1.0 1.5 2.0
F Below 60 Failing 0.0 0.0 0.0
GET INVOLVED
PROMOTION High school promotion standards are:
• promotion from ninth to 10th grade
Middle school students must pass five subjects (math, — 5 credits earned
science, social studies and language arts and an elective, • promotion from 10th to 11th grade
which can be 2 semester courses) to be promoted to — 11 credits earned
the next grade. Failing a high school credit subject, such • promotion from 11th to 12th grade
as Algebra I or Earth Science, cannot be a barrier to — must satisfy the requirements to be a candidate for
promotion to ninth grade. June graduation
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Virginia now requires that each middle school student Virginia requires high school students meet additional
take at least one course related to career exploration (such diploma requirements such as passing an economics and
as Career Investigations) or receive this curriculum in an personal finance course, completing an online course
alternate way prior to exiting the eighth grade; however, experience, etc. Additional information about the state’s
this course is not a barrier to promotion. graduation requirements is available at http://www.pen.
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k12.va.us/instruction/graduation/index.shtml. For more
information about promotion standards, see School Board
Policy 3042 at www.boarddocs.com/vsba/chesterfield/
Board.nsf/Public.
12ABOUT
STATE TESTING LOCAL TESTING
As required by federal legislation and local options, The NWEA MAP Growth Assessment is administered to
yearly testing will continue in grades 3-8 in reading all students grades 3-8. MAP Growth measures student
ACADEMICS
and math. Additional tests are administered for fourth- achievement and growth over the course of an academic
grade history, fifth-grade science and eighth-grade year. The results are used to provide teachers and parents
writing, history and science. End-of-course tests are information about each child’s strengths and weaknesses
administered to students enrolled in any high school in those areas.
credit course for which there is an associated SOL test if
needed to satisfy state or federal requirements. English The Cognitive Abilities Test is administered to all third-
11 students will test in reading. Students in English 9, grade students. The test measures a child’s abilities in
10 and 11 will complete a performance-based writing verbal skills, mathematics reasoning, and nonverbal
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assessment each year. reasoning skills. The test results are also part of the review
process for accelerated and gifted education program
All students enrolled in Virginia public schools are opportunities.
expected to take the applicable state tests. The
Virginia Board of Education Regulations Establishing The Preliminary SAT is administered in October; it is a
Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia standardized test that measures skills in critical reading,
state: “In kindergarten through eighth grade, where the math problem-solving and writing. The test will be
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administration of Virginia assessment program tests offered at no cost to all 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th-grade
are required by the Board of Education, each student students during the school day. The PSAT provides
shall be expected to take the tests” and “each student in feedback on strengths and weaknesses on critical high
middle and secondary schools shall take all applicable school knowledge and skills, helps with SAT preparation
end-of-course SOL tests following course instruction.” and identifies student potential for advanced learning
opportunities.
STUDENT SUPPORT
The Virginia regulations do not provide for what
is sometimes referred to as an “opt out policy” for
students regarding the Virginia assessments. If parents
refuse to have their student participate in one or more TESTING DATES
of the required Virginia assessments, they should be As CCPS continues to examine the best balance in
aware that their student’s state assessment score report student testing, detailed calendars of drafted 2019-
will reflect a score of “0” for any test that is refused. 20 testing dates for elementary, middle, and high
schools are posted at mychesterfieldschools.com.
Student graduation requirements are different based In addition to required testing, school principals
on a student’s year of high school entry. Your school determine additional types of assessments that may
counselor is a valuable resource in explaining the exact better guide student learning.
GET INVOLVED
graduation requirements for your students. A High
School Testing Quick Guide document can be found at
mychesterfieldschools.com.
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OPERATIONS
13ABOUT
ACADEMICS
SCHOOLS
THE PHOENIX CENTER NIGHT SCHOOL
The Phoenix Center provides opportunities to learn Night school is an opportunity for high school
students to repeat a course or take a new course for
SAFETY
in a non-traditional high school setting. We have
committed professionals who create individualized credit. All courses are free, and registration must be
learning plans for each student to reach their full coordinated through the home high school counselor.
potential. To be considered for any of these programs, Night School meets at Carver College and Career
a student must express interest to their home Academy (12400 Branders Bridge Road in Chester)
school counselor who will assist them with filling from 5-9 p.m. Attendance requirements are strict, with
withdrawals after five absences. Students provide their
STUDENT SUPPORT
out a referral. Once accepted, an entry meeting will
be scheduled with a Phoenix Center staff member own transportation.
to determine the most appropriate placement.
Transportation is provided to the Career and Technical CCPSONLINE
Center @ Courthouse and Carver College and Career Chesterfield students can take high school credit
Academy. There are three options for students at classes in the core subject areas of math, science,
our CTC@Courthouse campus: remediation, online English, social studies, as well as health and physical
coursework and credit recovery. education, economics and personal finance, sociology,
psychology and forensic science. There is no fee for
GED PREPARATION Chesterfield County students during the regular
A GED Preparation Program is available at Carver school year, and honors-level courses are available in
GET INVOLVED
College and Career Academy. Space is limited. For several subjects.
more information, please call (804) 768-6165 ext. 3.
The Virginia Department of Education has approved
ACADEMY 360 Chesterfield County Public Schools as a multidivision
online provider, and the NCAA has approved
A one-year opportunity for overage middle school CCPSOnline as a nontraditional program. About
students who have been retained at least once, this a dozen CCPSOnline classes are available for a fee
program offers students the opportunity to complete to students outside Chesterfield County. For more
middle school requirements while earning high information, go to ccpsonline.ccpsnet.net.
school credits to get back on track for graduation.
HEALTH
There is small-group instruction, YCAPP services, Mega
Mentors, Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
and restorative practices. Uniforms are required and
a no-cell phone policy is enforced. Transportation is
provided from students’ home schools to the Career
and Technical Center @ Hull for full-day instruction.
OPERATIONS
Student referrals will be evaluated from middle school
counselors in the spring for the following school year.
14ABOUT
ACADEMICS
SCHOOLS
HOME SCHOOLING
Each year by Aug. 15, families who choose home instruction rather than school attendance for their children must
SAFETY
notify the homeschool support specialist of Chesterfield County Public Schools and provide a list of the subjects to be
studied as well as evidence they meet the criteria to provide home instruction.
Each year by Aug. 1, home-schooling families must provide the homeschool support specialist with evidence of
progress. Each spring, Chesterfield County Public Schools offers home-schooling families the opportunity to take a
nationally normed standardized achievement test at no cost. Students are tested by trained administrators in small
STUDENT SUPPORT
grade-level groups. Students who participate fulfill the reporting requirement.
Each academic year, home-schooled students may apply to enroll in up to two middle school or high school courses
at their home-based school or through CCPSOnline OR one course at either of the two Chesterfield Career and
Technical Centers. Students must apply for classes by March 1 of the preceding year, and participation is on a space-
available basis.
High school-aged home instruction students may participate in Advanced Placement (AP) and Preliminary SAT/
National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) examinations. Please contact the school counseling
department of your child(ren)’s home-based high school by Sept. 12, 2019 for PSAT registration information and by
Sept. 30, 2019 for AP test registration information (including the availability of financial assistance from College Board
GET INVOLVED
to low-income or qualified students).
Additional information including required forms and deadlines are available at mychesterfieldschools.com/home-
schooling and www.doe.virginia.gov or by calling (804) 639-8900, ext. 1652.
HEALTH
OPERATIONS
15FEES
ABOUT
Chesterfield County families can pay many school fees and
charges online at osp.osmsinc.com/ChesterfieldVA. Parents
can also pay in person during fee nights at schools.
Fees include $210 for behind-the-wheel driver education
and $50 for full-year parking permits for high school
ACADEMICS
students. For middle school and high school students,
there is an annual $50 mobile device fee for Chromebook
take-home. Elementary students in the fifth grade have
the opportunity to participate in the take-home program.
For elementary schools that start Chromebook take-home
in September, the fee is $50. Those who start in January
will pay $25. There are also fees charged for individual
SCHOOLS
classes for items that are considered consumables.
Some fees can be waived or reduced for students with
economic hardships. Fees are subject to change.
Returned checks will be sent for collection to Envision
Payment Solutions, which will charge a fee of up to $50 in
SAFETY
addition to the amount collected on behalf of the school
division.
PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEO
The school division and the media regularly photograph
STUDENT SUPPORT
and tape events, activities and success stories at schools.
If you do not want your child’s image or name used in
publications or other media, you must annually notify the
principal in writing within the first month of school.
GET INVOLVED
HEALTH
OPERATIONS
16EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
ABOUT
There are many ways that students can become involved in
their school. The school division’s policy on extracurricular
activities provides guidance to schools, complies with legal
requirements and ensures consistency in the treatment of
student organizations and clubs. The policy (Policy 4070)
is online at www.boarddocs.com/vsba/chesterfield/Board.
ACADEMICS
nsf/Public.
PARENT INPUT
Regular and meaningful communication among home,
school and community is encouraged at every level in the
school division.
SCHOOLS
Because family life education is first and foremost a
function of the home, the curriculum is designed to
encourage students to examine the family unit for values
that build individual character and family stability and to
strengthen communication within families. Parents and
guardians have the right to review the family life education
program, including written and audiovisual materials,
SAFETY
and may excuse their child from all or part of family life
education instruction. Detailed curriculum information is
available online at mychesterfieldschools.com.
Virginia’s Standards of Learning include topics that may
create differences of opinion. Instruction is designed to
STUDENT SUPPORT
help students express themselves as individuals and grow
as creative and independent thinkers while developing
the core values of respect and responsibility. Despite the
care the school system takes in writing curriculum and
selecting learning resources and instructional strategies,
parents or students may sometimes object to sensitive
or controversial topics, books or resources. To engage in
fair and meaningful communication about sensitive or
controversial topics or policies, the School Board follows
Policy 3031 and Policy 3012, which are available at
boarddocs.com/vsba/chesterfield/Board.nsf/Public.
GET INVOLVED
HEALTH
OPERATIONS
17STUDENT RECORDS
ABOUT
Schools maintain an education record for each student. will be used for armed services recruiting and for
The principal is responsible for education records. These informing young people of scholarship opportunities.
records contain information about scholastic work, School officials review and evaluate scholastic records at
grades, evaluations, registration, health, attendance, the fifth, eighth and 12th grades. Information required
standardized test results, programs of study and under state law is retained permanently. The school
discipline. Students with special needs and certain system will provide to parents upon request a list of the
ACADEMICS
students requiring differentiated programs or special types and location of education records collected and
services have records related to their educational maintained by the schools, as well as written policies and
programs maintained in the education records. All data procedures on the management of education records.
for an individual student are maintained in a single
record. Chesterfield County Public Schools forwards A parent or eligible student may request a copy of the
education records upon request of a school in which a records policy and procedures from the principal. A fee of
student intends to enroll. 10 cents per page may be charged for the reproduction
of records.
SCHOOLS
Access to a student’s education record is limited to
parents, eligible students (over 18 years old), school Chesterfield County Public Schools maintains student
officials and others who have the written permission of records at the last school attended for at least five years
the parent or eligible student. Natural parents, regardless after a student graduates or withdraws from the school
of custody status, have the right of access to all student system. Parents or students 18 and older may request
records unless specifically prohibited by a court order. a copy of the student record within that five-year
SAFETY
window. After that period, student records are purged
Directory information is information contained in a and information that is not required to be permanently
student’s education record that would not generally be retained is destroyed.
considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed.
Directory information includes the name, gender, date
STUDENT SUPPORT
and place of birth of students, the student’s major field
of study, participation in officially recognized activities
and sports, the weight and height of members of athletic
teams, dates of attendance, degrees or awards received
by students and photographs, whether maintained by
hard copy or in digital format, still or in motion. Ad-
dress, telephone listing and electronic mail address of
a student will not be disclosed pursuant to the Virginia
Freedom of Information Act unless the parent or eli-
gible student affirmatively consents in writing to such
disclosure. Except as required by state or federal law,
GET INVOLVED
no school discloses the address, telephone number, or
email address of a student pursuant to 34 C.F.R. § 99.31(a)
(11) unless (a) the disclosure is to students enrolled in
the school or to school board employees for educational
purposes or school business and the parent or eligible
student has not opted out of such disclosure in accor-
dance with Virginia law and this policy or (b) the parent
or eligible student has affirmatively consented in writing
to such disclosure.
HEALTH
Directory information may not include the student’s
Social Security Number. Directory information may be
made public unless a parent or eligible student notifies
the principal of their wish not to disclose the information
by Oct. 1. The names, addresses and phone numbers of
11th and 12th-grade students are disclosed to military
OPERATIONS
recruiters unless the school is notified by Oct. 1 to
remove a student’s name. Students’ directory information
18ABOUT
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act affords
parents and students over 18 years of age certain rights
with respect to the student’s education records. They
have the right to:
• inspect and review the student’s education records
ACADEMICS
within 45 days of the day the principal receives
a request for access. (Parents or eligible students
should submit a written request that identifies the
records they wish to inspect. The principal will notify
the parent or eligible student of the time and place
where the records may be inspected.)
• request in writing to the principal the amendment
SCHOOLS
of the student’s education records that the parent or
eligible student believes are inaccurate, misleading
or in violation of the student’s privacy rights under
FERPA. (If the principal decides not to amend the
record as requested, the principal will advise the
parent or student of the decision and of their right to
a hearing. Additional information regarding hearing
SAFETY
procedures will be provided.)
• consent to disclosures of personally identifiable
information contained in the student’s education
record, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes
disclosure without consent. (One exception that
permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to
STUDENT SUPPORT
school officials with legitimate educational interests.
A school official is a person employed by the division
as an administrator, supervisor, teacher or support
staff member, including health staff members and
law enforcement unit personnel; a School Board
member; a person or company with whom the
division has contracted to perform a special task,
such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant,
therapist or contracted provider of web-based
educational applications; a parent or student serving
on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or
GET INVOLVED
grievance committee; or a parent, student or other
volunteer helping another school official. A school
official has a legitimate educational interest if the
official needs to review an education record in order
to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.)
• file a complaint with the U.S. Department of
Education concerning alleged failures by the school
division to comply with FERPA requirements.
HEALTH
The legal and ethical maintenance of student records
is important, and the school system recognizes its
responsibility to protect the rights and privacy of the
student and parents and to adhere strictly to statutes
designed to safeguard information in your child’s record.
OPERATIONS
If you have questions, please contact the principal.
19ABOUT
SCHOOLS
On mychesterfieldschools.com, there are links to school websites and to a find-my-school feature that lists the
schools connected to your home address.
School Principal Phone Hours
Bellwood Jennifer Rudd 743-3600 9:25 a.m.-3:55 p.m.
ACADEMICS
Bensley Dr. Patrice Wilson 743-3610 7:45 a.m.-2:15 p.m.
Beulah Dr. Christina Allen-Roach 743-3620 9:25 a.m.-3:55 p.m.
Bon Air Heather Gentry 560-2700 7:45 a.m.-2:15 p.m.
Chalkley Nicole Boone 674-1300 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Marguerite Christian Rovez Ingram 530-5733 9:25 a.m.-3:55 p.m.
Clover Hill Allie Strollo 739-6220 7:45 a.m.-2:15 p.m.
SCHOOLS
Crenshaw Brian Campos 739-6250 7:45 a.m.-2:15 p.m.
Crestwood Lindsay Porzio 560-2710 9:25 a.m.-3:55 p.m.
Curtis Susan Pereira 768-6175 9:25 a.m.-3:55 p.m.
Davis Kenya Batts 674-1310 9:25 a.m.-3:55 p.m.
Ecoff Kristin Tait 768-6185 9:25 a.m.-3:55 p.m.
SAFETY
Enon Dr. Paula Huffman 530-5720 9:25 a.m.-3:55 p.m.
Ettrick Dr. Randi Smith 520-6005 9:25 a.m.-3:55 p.m.
Evergreen Matthew Maher 378-2400 9:25 a.m.-3:55 p.m.
Falling Creek Pamela Johnson 743-3630 9:25 a.m.-3:55 p.m.
Gates Giuliana Brink 768-6195 9:25 a.m.-3:55 p.m.
STUDENT SUPPORT
Gordon Natalie Bare 378-2410 9:25 a.m.-3:55 p.m.
Grange Hall Courtney Jones 739-6265 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Greenfield Melissa Reams 560-2720 9:25 a.m.-3:55 p.m.
Harrowgate Christina Serola 520-6015 9:25 a.m.-3:55 p.m.
Hening Bruce Fillman 743-3655 9:25 a.m.-3:55 p.m.
Hopkins Dr. Lisa Hill 743-3665 9:25 a.m.-3:55 p.m.
Jacobs Road Jennifer Lenz 674-1320 7:45 a.m.-2:15 p.m.
Matoaca Mary Thrift 590-3100 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
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Old Hundred Lindsay Mottley TBD 9:25 a.m.-3:55 p.m.
Providence Dr. Sharon Rucker 674-1345 9:25 a.m.-3:55 p.m.
Reams Road Jodi Seitz 674-1370 7:45 a.m.-2:15 p.m.
Robious Casta Childress 378-2500 9:25 a.m.-3:55 p.m.
Salem Church Monique Booth 768-6215 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Elizabeth Scott Julie Buntich 541-4660 9:25 a.m.-3:55 p.m.
Alberta Smith Jana Kline 739-6295 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
HEALTH
Spring Run Christopher Hart 639-6352 9:25 a.m.-3:55 p.m.
Swift Creek Benjamin Gillikin 739-6305 9:25 a.m.-3:55 p.m.
Watkins Deborah Weatherford 378-2530 9:25 a.m.-3:55 p.m.
Bettie Weaver Robin Riley 378-2540 9:25 a.m.-3:55 p.m.
Wells Fredrick Geissler 768-6265 7:45 a.m.-2:15 p.m.
OPERATIONS
Winterpock Karen Dubiel 763-5051 9:25 a.m.-3:55 p.m.
Woolridge Katie Matheny 739-6330 9:25 a.m.-3:55 p.m.
20ABOUT
School Principal Phone Hours
Bailey Bridge Melanie Knowles 739-6200 7:35 a.m.-2:05 p.m.
Carver Anthony McLaurin 524-3620 7:35 a.m.-2:05 p.m.
Elizabeth Davis TBD 541-4700 7:35 a.m.-2:05 p.m.
Falling Creek Aurelia Ortiz 743-3640 7:35 a.m.-2:05 p.m.
ACADEMICS
Manchester David Altizer 674-1385 7:35 a.m.-2:05 p.m.
Matoaca Dr. Gayle Hines 590-3130, 590-3110 7:35 a.m.-2:05 p.m.
Midlothian Dr. Patrick Stanfield 378-2460 7:35 a.m.-2:05 p.m.
Providence Dr. Amanda Voelker 674-1355 7:35 a.m.-2:05 p.m.
Robious Dr. Derek Wasnock 378-2510 7:35 a.m.-2:05 p.m.
Salem Church Lashante Knight 768-6225 7:35 a.m.-2:05 p.m.
SCHOOLS
Swift Creek Ed Maynes 739-6315 7:35 a.m.-2:05 p.m.
Tomahawk Creek Dr. David Ellena 378-7120 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
School Principal Phone Hours
SAFETY
Lloyd C. Bird Adrienne Blanton 768-6110 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Governor’s Academy for Engineering Studies
Carver College and Dr. Stephen Hackett 768-6156 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Career Academy
Night School
STUDENT SUPPORT
Clover Hill John Phillips 639-4940 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Mathematics and Science
Cosby Benjamin Snyder 639-8340 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Health Science
Thomas Dale Dr. Christopher Jones 768-6245, 768-6145 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Visual and Performing Arts
James River Dr. Jennifer Coleman 378-2420 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Leadership and International Relations
Manchester Christin Ellis 739-6275 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Spanish Immersion|Mass Communications
GET INVOLVED
Matoaca Dr. John Murray 590-3108 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Information Technology
Meadowbrook Dr. Marcie Terry 743-3675 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
International Baccalaureate|Academy for Digital Entrepreneurship
Midlothian Dr. Shawn Abel 378-2440 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
International Baccalaureate
Monacan William Broyles 378-2480 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
HEALTH
Humanities | Health and Physical Therapy
Career and Technical Brian Russell 768-6160 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Center @ Courthouse
Career and Technical Brian Russell 639-8668 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Center @ Hull
OPERATIONS
Appomattox Regional Brandon Albon 722-0200 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Governor’s School/Petersburg
Maggie L. Walker Dr. Robert Lowerre 354-6800 8:40 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
Governor’s School/Richmond
21SAFE SCHOOLS SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE
ABOUT
School safety is a priority. Schools have written plans Employees of Chesterfield County Public Schools who,
to prevent and respond to emergencies, and there in their professional or official capacity, have reason
are trained safety teams in every school. Tornado, fire, to suspect that a child is abused or neglected, are to
lockdown and other emergency drills are practiced immediately report the situation to the appropriate
on a regular basis. A school emergency may require a authorities. For more specific information, please see
lockdown, shelter in place, evacuation or other actions. School Board Policy 5031.
ACADEMICS
Please do not call or come to the school during an
emergency, as it will tie up phone lines and endanger STUDENT CONDUCT
you and others. SchoolMessenger, the school division’s To provide a safe environment conducive to learning,
website (mychesterfieldschools.com), Facebook, Twitter, the school system maintains and enforces uniform
TV and radio will be used to communicate when it is safe written regulations stating the system’s standards
to release students and how parents will be reunited with for student conduct and attendance. (Policy 4010
their children. For more specific information, please see and the corresponding policy regulation pertain to
SCHOOLS
School Board Policy 3130. the Standards for Student Conduct.) These standards
are sent home with each student at the beginning
SCHOOL VISITORS of the school year, with a form for parents to sign
When they arrive at a school, visitors must show photo acknowledging receipt. They also are online at
identification (driver’s license, military ID, passport or mychesterfieldschools.com. The standards apply to
other identification issued by a government agency), students on school property (including school buses),
which will be scanned into a computer to be checked at school-sponsored events and going to and returning
SAFETY
against national sex offender and school-specific alert from school. Included in these standards are regulations
databases. Only the visitor’s name, photo and date of prohibiting weapons and drugs on school property.
birth will be stored in the computer. No other personal Lookalike and toy guns are included in the weapons
information will be collected. The visitor check-in system policy. The School Board strongly supports the weapons
and other security measures help ensure the safety of and drugs regulations. Students who violate these
students and staff members. School Board Policies 6141 regulations are subject to expulsion and, if the offense is
STUDENT SUPPORT
and 6142 detail expectations for visitors and public a violation of the law, to prosecution. A student’s intent
conduct on school property. for having a weapon on school property has no bearing
on a recommendation for expulsion.
VIDEO SURVEILLANCE
As a component of a comprehensive safe school plan, Parents and students should be aware that by order
video surveillance with or without audio capability of the Chesterfield Juvenile Court, police officers take
may be used in the common areas of schools and on every juvenile charged with a firearms offense directly
school buses. Surveillance equipment may or may not to the Juvenile Detention Home where he or she is
be monitored at any time. Video recordings also may be held until a detention hearing takes place before a
used for disciplinary purposes. In a criminal investigation, Juvenile Court judge. Anyone who knows or suspects
law enforcement representatives may view video that someone has a weapon at school should report
GET INVOLVED
surveillance. it immediately to a school official — teacher, school
counselor or principal — or should call Crime Solvers
Parents may view video surveillance recordings where (804) 748-0660.
their student is the subject of the video without the
consent of the parents of other students that may been PROBLEM SOLVING
seen in the same video recording. However, no parent Problems may arise during the course of a student’s
shall be allowed to have a copy of a video surveillance school experience. Teachers, school counselors, assistant
recording where multiple students can be seen. principals and principals are the adults most directly
HEALTH
involved in a student’s school life. The majority of
SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS problems can be solved by meeting with one or more
The Chesterfield County Police Department provides of these professionals who daily work with students in
a uniformed school resource officer for each middle academic as well as social settings. Parents and students
and high school. Beginning with the 2017-18 school are encouraged to seek resolutions to problems or
year officers are expected to be equipped with body answers to questions from these people whenever there
cameras. is a need.
OPERATIONS
22PHONES AND PERSONAL DEVICES THREAT-ASSESSMENT INFORMATION
ABOUT
Schools may establish procedures that allow a student to Students may sometimes behave in ways that suggest
possess, turn on and use a personal cellular telephone or the threat of violence to themselves or to others.
other personal device while on school property during Threatening behaviors may be spoken, written or
the instructional day. Schools may also establish in these gestured. To maintain a safe learning environment for
procedures that violations may result in confiscation of all students, Chesterfield County Public Schools takes
the cellular phone or other personal device and repeated every threat seriously.
ACADEMICS
violations could result in the loss of these privileges and
may result in before or after-school detention or out of Every threat is investigated by a school-based team
school suspension of up to ten days. of professionals led by a building administrator and
includes student support services staff members. The
A student found using a cellular telephone or other threat-assessment team, which is trained annually,
personal device during any testing situation will follows a procedure developed by the University
have the cellular telephone or other personal device of Virginia that is used by hundreds of schools. If a
SCHOOLS
immediately confiscated and will lose the privilege for student threat to harm self or others comes to the
the remainder of the school year. Any student who uses a attention of the Threat Assessment Team, members of
cellular telephone or other personal device for unlawful the group will conduct an assessment to determine
activity while on school property, or while attending any how serious the threat is and what can be done to
school function or activity, will be subject to disciplinary prevent it from being carried out. In most cases,
action that may include out-of-school suspension or a students who are considering acts of violence will
recommendation for expulsion. communicate their intent to peers, teachers or family
SAFETY
members. Therefore, it is vital for everyone to be
Chesterfield County Public Schools is not responsible aware of and report all student threats of violence
for lost or stolen personal cellular telephones or other so that assessments can take place and steps can be
personal electronic devices. taken to prevent threats from being carried out.
The threat-assessment process involves collecting
STUDENT SUPPORT
INTERNET SAFETY information about the student through interviews
with the student, parents, friends, teachers and others,
Internet safety is incorporated into the curriculum. as well as a review of the student’s school file. The
As students learn to use the internet, they also learn student is always seen the day the referral is received,
about online safety, cyber citizenship and manners, and parents are always contacted. An action plan is
cyberbullying and intellectual property including completed, detailing what the team has concluded
copyright, plagiarism and piracy. and seeking parental support in resolving the threat.
In some cases involving out-of-school assistance
In addition, the school division has contracted with a or intervention, a follow-up plan is developed
third-party vendor (Gaggle) to support the safety of jointly by parents, school professionals and other
students by combining machine learning technology interventionists to support the student’s transition
with real people who review questionable and suspicious
GET INVOLVED
back into the school community.
content in online file storage.
The threat-assessment process does not eliminate
Safety representatives are trained professionals discipline procedures outlined in the standards for
who review student communications and files for student conduct (School Board Policy 4010-R). At
inappropriate content around the clock throughout the the end of the threat-assessment process, parents
year. Safety representatives have diverse backgrounds in receive copies of the action plan summary, any signed
education, law enforcement, social media, psychology, agreements, the follow-up plan and list of community
and other related fields. resources. These documents are also filed in the
HEALTH
student’s educational record.
Emergency contacts are individuals from the school
district who will be notified when Gaggle safety
Representatives discover a situation that poses a possible
threat to the health or safety of a student. Notifications
will be sent by email and/or phone, depending on the
severity of the situation. Indications of Possible Student
OPERATIONS
Situations are reported by phone calls or emails to
emergency contacts.
23You can also read
