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What’s Happening in the Charlottesville Schools
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November 2019 News and Highlights
A Word from Superintendent Dr. Rosa Atkins Dear staff, family, and community: Recently, CHS celebrated “I’m First Day,” a nation-wide initiative to support students who will be the first in their family to graduate from college. The event included hand-written notes of encouragement and a photo wall featuring CHS staff and students who were (or will be) first in their family. As a first-generation college student myself, I am proud that our schools prepare so many of our students to be trailblazers in this way, and I was touched to learn that so many of my colleagues on the staff are themselves first-generation college ...
MORESchool Division News
4th graders present annual Minds in Motion performance at MLK PAC
Our fourth graders amazed us this week with their Minds in Motion performances at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Performing Arts Center! Through a unique partnership with Richmond Ballet, each year city fourth graders are introduced to creative expression and live performance through movement and dance at their schools. This year, Minds in Motion teaching artists from Richmond Ballet visited each elementary school for two-week residencies which culminated in two live performances of “Journey of the Monarch.” More photos from the performances can be found on our Facebook page. In addition, a video of the performance will be broadcast on Charlottesville’s public acess ...
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City, City Schools install historic marker at Johnson Elementary School
On Wednesday, October 23, the City of Charlottesville and Charlottesville City Schools dedicated a new historic marker focused on the desegregation of Johnson Elementary School in October 1962. Honoring the trailblazers who were part of the school’s desegregation, the City of Charlottesville and Charlottesville City Schools unveiled a new marker near the school’s entrance on Cherry Avenue, followed by a ceremony in the school auditorium, The sign continues the story of Charlottesville City Schools’ desegregation as detailed on a historic marker in front of Venable Elementary School (with a duplicate sign near the Albemarle County Office Building, the former site of Lane ...
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News and Highlights: October 2019
A Word from Superintendent Dr. Rosa Atkins Dear staff, family, and community: As the end of the first quarter approaches on October 31, I hope the year has gotten off to a good start for you and your family. Congratulations to the Class of 2019 and all those who helped them attain a school-high on-time graduation rate of 95.7 percent! Our black students’ rate was even higher — 95.9! As CHS Principal Irizarry noted, “Even as we celebrate, we set new goals. As we continue to emphasize increased rigor and high expectations, we will expect to see more students pursuing the advanced diploma. But regardless of ...
MORESchool Division News
Charlottesville High School on-time graduation rate hits all-time high of 95.7 percent
Charlottesville High School’s on-time graduation rate rose again to 95.7 percent, continuing a rising trend that exceeds the state rate, yields one of the highest rates among Virginia cities, and sets a new school standard. “We are so proud of our students and staff,” notes Superintendent Dr. Rosa Atkins. “This is no small accomplishment. It really demonstrates the value of creating systems of supports in our schools so that we are meeting students’ individual needs so that they can succeed.” The school’s rate surpasses the state’s average of 91.5 percent and tops the state’s averages in most groups, including for black students. ...
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CHS Choirs hold benefit concert and silent auction for Ocracoke School hurricane relief
The choirs of Charlottesville High School presented a benefit concert earlier this week, along with a silent auction to benefit the Ocracoke School of Hyde County, NC. A small public school located on Ocracoke Island, NC, a remote barrier island in the Outer Banks, the Ocracoke School serves grades preK-12 and has been closed since Hurricane Dorian struck the area in early September. “We feel an obligation to help others, whenever and however we can,” said CHS Choir Director Will Cooke. “The island of Ocracoke was devastated, and we have an opportunity to use our time and talents to make a difference ...
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CSYG and Buford Middle hold annual Fall Harvest Festival
Buford Middle School and City Schoolyard Garden recently hosted the 10th anniversary of the annual Fall Harvest Festival to celebrate the school garden’s bountiful harvest and the people that make it happen. “The Harvest Festival brings our community together to appreciate everything the garden brings—teamwork, leadership, exploration, discovery and, of course, the wonderful vegetables, herbs, and flowers that the students grow,” said CSYG Executive Director Jeanette Abi-Nader. Open to all City of Charlottesville families, the Harvest Festival offered garden tours, face painting, scavenger hunts, a petting zoo, and a local artisan marketplace selling wares such as jewelry and homemade jam. Additionally, food ...
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CHSO Strings Ensemble performs on Downtown Mall
The Charlottesville High School Orchestra String Ensemble presented a short public performance at Central Place on the Downtown Mall on Wednesday, September 25 at 12:30 p.m. to kick-off fundraising efforts for a trip to Europe next year. Led by CHSO orchestra director Laura Thomas, the CHSO String Ensemble has been invited to participate in the 2020 Lisbon International Youth Music Festival. The festival features more than 30 concerts in the best halls and open-air venues in Portugal and celebrates youth orchestras, choirs, symphonic bands and ensembles from all over the world. For more information, visit www.chsorchestra.org. Related coverage: “CHS Orchestra Performs on Downtown Mall, Hopes ...
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Secretary Qarni visits CHS to talk mental wellness
Virginia Secretary of Education Atif Qarni visited Charlottesville High School for a round table discussion with students and staff to learn more about the variety of mental wellness initiatives at CHS. Recognized as a leader in using a multi-strand approach to mental wellness, social-emotional learning, and intentional community building, Charlottesville City Schools has implemented a wide range of student-led inititatives, particularly at the high school. CHS students shared some of these efforts with Secretary Qarni, including the Teen Mental Health First Aid program, the Green Dot bystander training program, the Link Crew freshman mentoring program, CHS’s calming space, and partnerships with Region Ten ...
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Bus stop meet and greets connect schools and families
Whether dropping in to visit schools or hosting Parent University information workshops or swinging by bus stops with breakfast and books, our family engagement team is always looking for ways to connect schools and families. Throughout the year, Family Engagement Coordinators Velvet Coleman and Bianca Johnson can be seen visiting neighborhood bus stops at their morning bus stop meet and greets. The visits have been widely-received by the community since they began in August 2018, and it is not uncommon to see principals, teachers, and administrators stop by to help greet students and their families. “Strong relationships between our families, our schools, ...
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