The end of the year is around the corner! Exams, spring concerts, & even graduation will be here soon. (Graduation is Thursday, June 6 at 7pm at JPJ Arena.) Plus, it’s time to start planning for summer school and next year’s sports! Here’s some helpful information:
Senior Information
In preparation for graduation, all seniors and guests should read the John Paul Jones Arena security information carefully, paying special attention to the clear bag policy and non-approved items list.
Sophomores wearing their “You Can Talk To Me” lanyards after earning their youth Mental Health First Aid certifications.
This spring sophomores at CHS participated in the teen Mental Health First Aid program, a course that trains high school students how to identify and respond to developing mental health or substance abuse problems among their friends.
CHS is one of eight high schools in the nation (two from Virginia) chosen to pilot this program developed by the National Council for Behavioral Health. Supported by Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation and researchers at Johns Hopkins University, the course specifically teaches students an action plan: Look, Ask, Listen, Help.
“We think it is really important to put the tools in the students’ hands so they know how to help a friend who is showing signs of mental illness or substance abuse,” said CHS School Counselor Sarah Elaine Hart.
Ms. Hart and Mr. Williams demonstrate how to help during a substance abuse crisis.
Hart taught the three-week course along with her colleague Dominique Williams and Region Ten Prevention Director Emily Warren.
“Overall, we have found that most kids want to know what to do when a friend is struggling, even when it feels uncomfortable and hard,” said Hart. “They want to be equipped with the tools to help.”
The first national program of its kind, the course will be offered nationwide next year to students in grades 10th-12th. Students who complete the course earn Mental Health First Aid certifications.
As you make plans to attend commencement exercises for the Class of 2019 in just a few weeks, please keep in mind these important details:
When: June 6, 2019, 7:00 p.m. Graduates should arrive by 5:30 p.m.
Where: John Paul Jones Arena. Free parking is available at the arena.
A live stream of the graduation ceremony will be available at www.facebook.com/cvilleschools. No Facebook account or password is needed to view.
Security Information:Please read the following UVA JPJ Arena security policies carefully, especially noting the bag policy.
Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and cannot exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches. Clear one-gallon plastic freezer bags (Ziploc bag or similar) are also permitted.
Small clutch bags, approximately the size of a hand and no larger than 4.5 inches x 6.5 inches (with or without a handle or strap) can be taken into the arena and will be subject to search. An exception will be made for items necessary for medical reasons after proper inspections at a gate designated for this purpose.
Prohibited bags include, but are not limited to: purses larger than a clutch bag, coolers, briefcases, backpacks, fanny packs, cinch bags, luggage of any kind, computer bags and camera bags or any bag larger than the permissible size.
Items needed for small children must be in a clear bag that meet the stated dimensions.
Bags and purses that do not meet the above criteria cannot be held by staff or stored inside or around JPJ Arena. For clarity, diaper bags and backpacks are also prohibited.
Arrive early. Our entrance procedures may take a few minutes and traffic is often heavy around JPJ Arena. Therefore, we request that all guests arrive at least 45 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. Please plan accordingly.
Wear as little metal as possible. Large metal jewelry/belt buckles, etc. are allowed, but can slow down the entrance process and/or delay your entry.
Understand prohibited items. Balloons, flowers, umbrellas, outside food and beverage, artificial noise makers, and strollers are specifically prohibited inside JPJ Arena. Gifts for graduates may be presented when they meet families on the plaza after the ceremony.
5/21 Clark Spring Concert and Fine Arts Night, 5:30pm
5/21 CHS Orchestra Spring Concert, 7:30pm
5/22 Walker Stage Left Theatre Play, 6:30pm
5/30 Minds in Motion Performance, CHS MLK PAC, 7pm
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The 2019 ArtQuest program exhibit will be taking place at CitySpace gallery during the month of May. A special opening reception will be held Friday, May 3 from 5:30-7pm as part of the Charlottesville First Fridays Gallery walk tradition. The exhibit features artwork produced in the 2018-19 school year by the 5-12th grade ArtQuest participants. Free and open to the public.
Stage Left Theatre, our after school theater program at Walker Upper Elementary and Buford Middle School recently welcomed Broadway actress and director/choreographer Judine Somerville along with local artist and president/founder of DMR Adventures for a Broadway Masterclass. Students learned performance techniques and worked on auditioning skills while having fun through the fine art of theater.
Scenes from the Broadway Master Class held at Buford Middle School for the Stage Left Theatre after school theater program.
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Celebration and congratulations are in order….
CHS student and pianist Dante Walker won the local Omega Psi Phi Talent Hunt at CHS in March and advanced to the next level where he beat some stiff regional competition to win first place again in Dulles. He was competing against dancers, actors, other pianists, and instrumentalists.
CHS musicians celebrate win with multiple trophies in Atlanta.
More than 200 CHS Choir, Band, and Orchestra members and chaperones traveled to Atlanta,GA to participate in the WorldStrides 2019 Atlanta Heritage Festival and returned with an abundance of awards. Competing against 18 ensembles from across the nation, they earned the Grand Championship Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a high school music program at the event. Other accolades include: Instrumental Sweepstakes (Best Orchestra and Band), Outstanding Orchestra (CHS String Ensemble), Outstanding Band (CHS Concert Band),five gold medals (Festival Choir, Jazz Band, Concert Band, Combined String Orchestra, and String Ensemble),four Adjudicators Awards (both bands and both orchestras), and two Maestro Awards (soloists Barrett Crusse and Danny Dupes). See news coverage here.
Congratulations to our musicians who represented Charlottesville High School in the 2019 All-Virginia Choir, Bands, and Orchestra at the Richmond Marriott and Convention Center; culminating performances were held at the Carpenter Center.
Pictured left to right, top row: Adria Cafferillo, Choir; Reid Dodson, Symphonic Band, Parker Nelson, Choir, Margaret Ann Doran, Choir, and Anna Bon-Harper, Symphonic Band. Seated: Sarah Garretson, Orchestra.
Buford School artists swept the 2019 Peace & Dialogue Art Contest hosted by Rumi Forum Charlottesville (RFC). Congratulations to Ella Brown (1st place), Ezhar Zahid (2nd place), and Amare Anderson (3rd place)! Using the theme, “E Pluribus Unum-From Many, One,” students were asked to explore their understanding of diversity and community, and how, in our country, we are many and yet, also one. These students and their families will attend the RFC awards dinner where they will be recognized for their outstanding work.
Rumi Forum Charlottesville 2019 Peace & Dialogue Art Contest.
To see more artwork from students across Charlottesville City Schools, visit the online art galleries for each school:
CHS will offer both face-to-face and virtual summer classes for current students and rising 9th-graders this summer.
Summer School Dates: June 17 – July 26
Closed July 4 and 5 in observance of Independence Day
NOTE: many of our popular courses such as Health/PE and Virtual Economics & Personal Finance do have capacity limits. Registration will be accepted in the order in which it is received.
To enroll:
Register online: Online registration and payment for summer school classes begins April 15.
Register in person: On-site registration at CHS will be held April 15 from 9:30am-11:30am. After this date, registration and payment can be dropped off in the CHS main office and receipts will be mailed.
Additionally, all registrants must complete the student information form and send it back to school. This sheet was sent home in the CHS third quarter mailing. Copies are also available in the Buford Middle School office for interested 8th graders.
Limited bus transportation will be available:
CHS – 2019 Summer School Bus Routes–coming soon
Buford – 2019 Summer School Bus Routes–coming soon
Please note: Our summer school program does not provide alternate PE curriculum for students with injuries or illness that prevent them from completing the course work. If a student is unable to complete the PE curriculum due to injury or illness, they will be removed from the course and are encouraged to take it during the school year when they are well.
General information and rules and regulations about virtual (online) courses may be found here.
PE 09 (.5 Credit)
Health 09 (.5 Credit)
PE 10 (.5 Credit)
Health 10 / Driver’s Ed (.5 Credit)
Economics and Personal Finance (1 Credit)
Please note: Our summer school program does not provide alternate PE curriculum for students with injuries or illness that prevent them from completing the course work. If a student is unable to complete the PE curriculum due to injury or illness, they will be removed from the course and are encouraged to take it during the school year when they are well.
Students attending CHS in the 2019-20 school year are considered “In District.” Students on Free or Reduced Lunch are eligible for reduced tuition rates. Out-of-district students are not eligible for Free/Reduced rates. Tuition is non-refundable.
Course
In District Tuition Price
Out of District Tuition Price
Reduced Lunch Tuition Price
Free Lunch Tuition Price
Full Credit Course
$400 each
$550 each
$200 each
$25 Each
1/2 Credit Course:
PE 09 & 10
Health 9 & 10
$200 each
$350 each
$100 each
$25 Each
You may bring your tuition payment (cash, check or money order payable to Charlottesville High School) to the CHS Office.
Or, you can pay your summer school tuition online through MySchoolBucks at http://bit.ly/chssummertuition. A convenience fee will apply.
“Self Expression through Hairstyles” is a project by Rachel Wilson’s advanced photography classes at Charlottesville High School featuring CHS students and staff.
The video debuted at the Black History Month assembly at CHS, but we thought our families and community would enjoy seeing it, too. Great job to all the students involved in the project!
CHS musicians celebrate win with multiple trophies in Atlanta.
(ATLANTA, GA) Topping a long list of accolades earned at the WorldStrides 2019 Atlanta Heritage Festival, Charlottesville High School musicians won the Grand Championship Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a high school music program at the event.
More than 200 CHS students and chaperones traveled to Atlanta on April 11-14 to participate in the festival. CHS band, orchestra, and choir members performed in the competition which included 18 ensembles from New York, California, Maryland, Kentucky, Alabama, and Virginia.
CHS Orchestra
“Taking the CHS Music Department on the road was a tremendous experience,” said CHS Orchestra Director Laura Thomas. “It was truly gratifying to share our band, choir, and orchestra with others from all over the country. Bringing home the Grand Championship was icing on the cake!”
Along with the Grand Championship Award, the musicians also earned the following:
Instrumental Sweepstakes (Best Orchestra and Band)
Outstanding Orchestra (CHS String Ensemble)
Outstanding Band (CHS Concert Band)
Five Gold Medals (Festival Choir, Jazz Band, Concert Band, Combined String Orchestra, and String Ensemble)
Four Adjudicators Awards (both bands and both orchestras)
Two Maestro Awards (soloists Barrett Crusse and Danny Dupes)
CHS Band
The packed travel itinerary also provided opportunities to explore the host city, including an Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concert, a tour of the MLK Jr. Historic Site, a Braves/Mets game in the new SunTrust Park, and a visit to the Georgia Aquarium.
CHS Band Director Jason Hackworth said his students had a hard time picking just one favorite part of the experience. “One student summed it up perfectly– ‘All of the trip has been wonderful, but the best part has been the time spent with each other.’ Fantastic sentiment, and one I will gladly echo.”
CHS Choir
CHS Choir Director Will Cooke added, “I am grateful for this opportunity to celebrate the unifying power of music in a day and age where what separates us or makes us different is too frequently the headline.”
The CHS music program is among the most decorated in Virginia, earning eleven “Blue Ribbons” from the Virginia Music Educators Association which recognizes schools whose top band, choir, and orchestra all earn superior ratings on annual district assessments.
Earlier this month, the following CHS musicians earned top state honors by participating in the 2019 All-Virginia Choir, Bands, and Orchestra at the Richmond Marriott and Convention Center: Adria Cafferillo, Choir; Reid Dodson, Symphonic Band, Parker Nelson, Choir, Margaret Ann Doran, Choir, and Anna Bon-Harper, Symphonic Band, and Sarah Garretson, Orchestra.
Finally, this weekend, tenth grader Dante Walker won the regional Omega Psi Phi Talent Hunt, held at Dulles. His piano skills outpaced a variety of performers, including dancers, actors, other pianists, and instrumentalists from across the state.
The fine arts program at Charlottesville City Schools infuses our schools with enrichment and experiences that encourage artistic expression at all grade levels. Here are just a few of the recent arts-related events and accomplishments we are celebrating.
Congratulations to our musicians who represented Charlottesville High School in the 2019 All-Virginia Choir, Bands, and Orchestra at the Richmond Marriott and Convention Center; culminating performances were held at the Carpenter Center. Pictured left to right, top row: Adria Cafferillo, Choir; Reid Dodson, Symphonic Band, Parker Nelson, Choir, Margaret Ann Doran, Choir, and Anna Bon-Harper, Symphonic Band. Seated: Sarah Garretson, Orchestra.
CHS theater students at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City, home to the Broadway play “Hamilton.”
TheatreCHS students just returned from New York City where they participated in the Broadway Theatre Group Hamilton Summit. Students enjoyed two days of acting, dance, and vocal workshops with cast members from “Hamilton.” They will also visit the Upward Citizens Brigade Improv Club and saw “Hamilton” on Broadway in the Richard Rogers Theatre. Click here for news coverage of their trip.
Portrait by ninth-grade CHS student Emily Morris featured in the 2019 ArtConnections exhibit.
The annual division-wide ArtConnections exhibit featured student art from across the division. Two evening open houses which included performances by the Walker and Buford School jazz bands gave the public an opportunity to celebrate the many talents of our kindergarten through 12th grade artists. A Saturday celebration attracted more than 600 visitors and featured hands-on art activities including letterpress printmaking with visiting artist Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr.
Printer Amos Kennedy shows CHS art students how to make a letterpress print.
Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr. also conducted several letterpress workshops at our schools and other places in the Charlottesville-area as part of his “Finding Wisdom” residency with Virginia Humanities’ Virginia Center of the Book. Charlottesville High School art students got to make their own prints using their own words of wisdom.
Congratulations to the following CHS musicians who earned selection by competitive audition for the 2019 All-Virginia Orchestra and Band: Senior Sarah Garretson placed third chair cello in the All-Virginia Orchestra while junior flutist Reid Dodson and senior horn player Anna Bon-Harper were selected for All-Virginia Band.
The CHS Orchestra continues its tradition of excellence, recently earning top honors at the 2019 District Orchestra Assessments. The String Ensemble earned all “Superior” ratings and straight A’s in all 28 subcategories for their performance and sight reading at grade 6, the most difficult level of music. The top CHSO has earned a superior rating at every District Assessment performance at grade 6 since 1984. Here is a sample:
Meanwhile, the CHS Concert Orchestra earned all “Superior” ratings and nearly straight A’s in all subcategories for their stage performance at grade 5 and also earned “Excellent” for sight reading.
The CHS Knightengales
The Knightengales, Charlottesville High School’s all female ensemble, earned all Superior ratings at the District 13 Concert Assessment. Congratulations to (pictured left to right) Lolly Lynch, Anne Boura, Al-Nisa Utz, Casey Casarez, Emily Webber, Emma Harrison, Renee Lyons, Kyla Rose, Bobbie Jo Fassler, Eliza Smith, Sylvie Bowman, Courtney Snapp, Ceci Becker, Parker Nelson, and Esmerelda Lopez. The troupe recently performed with other Charlottesville-area women’s ensembles in a concert benefitting The Shelter for Help in Emergency.
CHS 2019 All-Virginia Choir students
Congratulations to the following CHS choir students who earned positions in this year’s All-Virginia Choir to be held in Richmond in April: (pictured left to right) Adria Cafferillo, Margaret Anne Doran, Parker Nelson, Eoin Sprinkle, Sarah Garretson, and Javier Fortune.
Meanwhile, the Buford Middle School Symphonic Band was one of three middle schools in our district to receive unanimous Superior ratings at District 13 Concert Band assessments. The band is now preparing to travel for their spring trip to the MUSICALE Festival in Williamsburg, Virginia in April.
Other Notable News
Buford eighth grade students visit Charlottesville District Court.
Buford Middle School 8th grade Civics and Economics classes visited Charlottesville District Court where they got to see what they are learning about in the classroom in real-time action. Thanks to Judge Downer, the court clerks, members of the Sheriff’s department, and the Commonwealth’s Attorneys for giving our students this valuable educational opportunity.
The CHS Black Knight Debate team hosted the VHSL Regional Debate Tournament which included schools from Blacksburg, Danville, Bedford County, Salem, and Sherando. CHS won first place in the Sweepstakes, and the following students will advance to Super-Regionals in April: LINCOLN-DOUGLAS- Dani Szabo (1st), Ellie Detert (4th), and Alex Ralston (5th ); PUBLIC FORUM – Lena Keesecker & Talia Sherman (3rd) and John Emery & Maisie Fischman (4th).
Walker School first-year debate team
Walker students in Mrs. Scheiber’s 6th grade Language Arts classes participated in the Charlottesville League Debate competition at Jack Jouett Middle School. They had to debate the topic, “The benefits of zoos outweighs the harms.” Congratulations to this group of first-year debaters which includes the following teams: Olivia Wade and Cyrus Wyatt, Zoe Kershner and Sela Knight, Evan English and Robert Scott, Naia Downs-Reeve and Maya Butler, and Elle Polifka and Ellery Long. All teams won at least one out of three rounds of competition and special recognition goes to team Cyrus and Olivia for winning two rounds, and to Sela, Cyrus, and Olivia for receiving outstanding speaker points.
Mohammad Haidari receives award for winning first place in the American Legion Post 74 writing contest.
Congratulations to the following CHS students for being selected as winners of the Tupelo Press Mirabella Poetry & Prose teen writing contest. These students were invited to read their works at the area awards ceremony held at St. Anne’s-Belfield School: “pale-lunged” by Rachel Beling, “Al Hudaydah” by Kiran Klubock-Shukla, “A First Goodbye” by Cassie Hersman, and “The Radioactive Ghost of Kilkenny” by James O’Brien. Their writings will be included in an annual anthology of teen writing which will also include “The Evil Lake” by Lily Deleo, “Hope” by Mathew Farina, “A Father” by Ari Pyle, “Warmth” by Robin Guziejka, “Our Soldiers” by Colin Saint, and “Our Sweet Sensations” by Nyah Catherine-Lim.
Sixth grade Walker student Mohammad Haidari won first place in District 13 in the American Legion Post 74 writing contest. He received a certificate and check for his essay, “I Like Living in America Because…” and moved on to the regional competition.
Using a generous PTO grant that funded 20 point-and-shoot digital cameras, students in Rachel Wilson’s photography classes at CHS visited Clark and Johnson Schools to teach elementary kids the basics of digital photography.
Charlottesville City Schools celebrated student artistic achievement with the annual division-wide Jeff Suling Art Exhibit March 4-13 in the Charlottesville High School small gymnasium. This year, the exhibit also included a special opportunity for City students to work with renowned letterpress artist Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr.
Known as “ArtConnections,” the exhibit aims to illustrate how art relates to and connects diverse areas of school curriculum and students’ everyday lives. Selected student artwork from preschoolers through 12th graders was featured and the community was invited to three public receptions which included two evening open houses and a Saturday celebration with hands-on art activities.
More about Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr. and “Finding Wisdom” letterpress printing project
Charlottesville City Schools participated in a large scale community printmaking project called “Finding Wisdom,” led by Detroit-based printmaker Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr. Kennedy conducted both in-school workshops as well as created a display of original prints based on ideas generated by Albemarle County and Charlottesville City Schools students. Earlier this year, both school divisions collected aphorisms, statements, and words of wisdom from students which Kennedy printed in his signature style from handset wood and metal type, and eco-friendly and affordable chipboard. Prints are on display at various locations including CHS, Buford and Walker Schools.
Members of the community were able to engage with Kennedy on March 9 at the “ArtConnections” celebration at CHS, where he led a printmaking workshop.This event was free and open to the public (more details about “ArtConnections” mentioned above).
Throughout the month of March, Kennedy will be conducting in-school workshops working with art students at six city schools (CHS, Buford, Walker, Burnley-Moran, Johnson, and Venable). Prints generated during the in-school workshops will also be displayed at each school.
The “Finding Wisdom” residency coincides with the VA Festival of the Book and is supported by Virginia Humanities Virginia Center for the Book. It involves many facets of the Charlottesville-Albemarle community including Boys & Girls Club, JMRL, PVCC, Jefferson School Tenants, Descendants of the enslaved at Monticello, UVA, and other local cultural organizations.
As we head into the post-season, congratulations to our teams and athletes for another strong season of athleticism and sportsmanship, and best wishes as regional competitions begin! See details, below, and check for Twitter updates at @CHSBlackKnights or @cville_dsa (Director of Student Activities) for future results and competition times.
Congrats to the boys and girls teams for finishing up their last week of regular-season play in an impressive fashion. The girls finished tied for 2nd in the district and regional standings and will get to host several playoff games. The boys finished the season with a bang by upsetting top-ranked Louisa County in a road game! The boys team also qualified for regionals.
Regional play begins 2/15 with girls hosting William Byrd at 6pm and boys playing at Salem.
Charlottesville’s Zymir Faulkner talks after a road win over Louisa County in First Off the Floor presented by @PT_acacpic.twitter.com/ZDlsSdq8sO
Congratulations to CHS 10th-grader Ella Reed for capturing the Region 4D Championship in the 200 Intermediate! In addition, Zoe DeGuzman qualified for state in the 200 Freestyle and the 100 Breaststroke, and Howard Zu will also be swimming in the 100 Breaststroke.
Track
Good luck to track athletes in regional play. At the Jefferson District meet, the women’s team placed 3rd and the men came in 4th. Many athletes qualified for the regional meet based on their season and Jefferson District performances: Kristina Abraham, Susannah Birle, Charlotte Bloor, Aliyah Cobbs, Avyonne Cobbs, Jude Fairchild, Asha Gupta, Autumn Hiller, Lucia Hoskins, Miles Kershner, Graham Lenert, Reece McKee, Grace McMahon-Gioeli, Adam Moreland, Elodie Price, Eliza Schock, Lewis Tate, Edison Tennant, Kika Van der Pluijm, Isaac Vik, Joe Von Storch, and members of the men’s 4×800 Relay.
Jefferson District meet highlights included Lewis Tate’s High Jump victory and 2nd-place finishes for Susannah Birle in 55M and 300M; Kika Van der Pluijm in 1000M; and Joe Von Storch in 300M.
Nima Tamang, P/C Danielle Lewandowski
Wrestling
Congrats to David Wiles for qualifying for states during the Wrestling team’s regional meet on 2/8 and 2/9. Congratulations also to the following wrestlers for their Jefferson District success: Nima Tamang (3rd) and 4th-place finishers Stuart Applestein, Javion Vest, David Wiles, and Ben Yates.
Upcoming spring fine arts performances include:
The 2019 ArtQuest program exhibit will be taking place at CitySpace gallery during the month of May. A special opening reception will be held Friday, May 3 from 5:30-7pm as part of the Charlottesville First Fridays Gallery walk tradition. The exhibit features artwork produced in the 2018-19 school year by the 5-12th grade ArtQuest participants. Free and open to the public.
Pictured left to right, top row: Adria Cafferillo, Choir; Reid Dodson, Symphonic Band, Parker Nelson, Choir, Margaret Ann Doran, Choir, and Anna Bon-Harper, Symphonic Band. Seated: Sarah Garretson, Orchestra.
“Self Expression through Hairstyles” is a project by Rachel Wilson’s advanced photography classes at Charlottesville High School featuring CHS students and staff.
Charlottesville City Schools participated in a large scale community printmaking project called “Finding Wisdom,” led by Detroit-based printmaker Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr. Kennedy conducted both in-school workshops as well as created a display of original prints based on ideas generated by Albemarle County and Charlottesville City Schools students. Earlier this year, both school divisions collected aphorisms, statements, and words of wisdom from students which Kennedy printed in his signature style from handset wood and metal type, and eco-friendly and affordable chipboard. Prints are on display at various locations including CHS, Buford and Walker Schools.
