Now that our students age 5-11 are eligible for the COVID vaccine, we have been partnering with Blue Ridge Health District to host and promote vaccine clinics. Our next clinic is Friday, and the one after that is 11/23. Sign up for vaccines here! We also offer free, opt-in, individual PCR COVID testing as a proactive measure. You set the frequency of testing (as often as weekly). Sign up for testing here!  And remember, once students are fully vaccinated (2 weeks after 2nd dose) they do not need to quarantine following exposure.

When Dr. Gurley arrived in Charlottesville and started visiting schools, he received hundreds of cards, signs, and letters, including the question, “Why do you want such a big job?” Now, Dr. Gurley has written back with all the deets, including favorite subject (math) and favorite animal (his dog Cooper).  As for his “why”? “The answer is YOU! I want to make sure you have every opportunity to learn, make friends, and be healthy so that you can be the leaders of tomorrow!“

As you likely know, the City and the Schools have approved further planning for a long-overdue renovation of Buford Middle School (to serve grades 6-8), convert Walker into a City-wide preschool center, and return 5th-graders to their elementary schools. Work is beginning now to flesh out the plans.

Get the big picture in this two-part series by Katherine Knott in the Daily Progress:  Part 1 (Middle School)  |  Part 2 (Preschool)

To address the substitute teaching shortage being felt locally and nationally, the School Board voted to raise the pay for substitute teachers to $20/hour. We are also using our college networks to recruit students at places like PVCC and UVA. Want to be part of the solution? Consider applying or passing along the information to someone who would be a good fit! Find more information at charlottesvilleschools.org/substitute

The City of Charlottesville continues to seek solutions to expand the number of students who can ride the bus to and from school. The wait list has shrunk from about 1000 to less than 700. The City is hoping to expand routes again (perhaps modestly) in January. If you know of potential drivers, please direct them to the City of Charlottesville’s application.

Our division-wide equity committee has drafted two key documents to guide our work moving forward, and they’d like your feedback. The first is their recommendations for our data dashboard; the second is a plan to align our work with the state’s “Inclusive Excellence” framework so that partners across the state can work toward common goals. Take a look and let us know how it can be better using this quick feedback form.

Upcoming “Response to Essential Needs” events are this Saturday 11/20 and 12/4 at CHS from 11-1. These drive-thru events give away family essentials, including coats on 12/4. Learn more here. And check out this video from partner and Super Bowl winner Chris Long with a word of appreciation to our families — we appreciate our families during Family Engagement Month and all year long.