The VDOE invites the public’s feedback on the 2017 English Standards of Learning as a part of its regularly scheduled review and revision. The 2017 English Standards of Learning can be accessed on the Virginia Department of Education’s website. Public comment may be offered through this form provided on the Virginia Department of Education website, or by emailing vdoe.english@doe.virginia.gov.

The Virginia Department of Education has awarded our division a $17.6 million grant to support the modernization of Buford Middle School, including the renovation of the fine arts building, a terraced outdoor classroom, and a redeveloped school garden. The three-year construction and renovation project begins immediately after school ends this year. Students will not be displaced during construction – they will first learn in existing spaces while new spaces are built, and then they will learn in new spaces while existing spaces are renovated.

Additionally, the Board is soliciting feedback on the question of renaming the school “Charlottesville Middle School” when students begin using the new building in August 2025. This recommendation follows a trend in avoiding school names that honor specific individuals, and recognizes that the school will become the site where all City students first come to learn together. This recommendation is time-sensitive since we will soon need to start ordering custom materials for the redesigned school. The Board will discuss this recommendation as part of its project update on Thursday, June 1, and they will vote on the matter on June 27. Email the Board at schoolboard@charlottesvilleschools.org. Click here to see slides, or stay tuned at Thursday’s Board meeting to learn more.

At the May School Board meeting, the Board approved a slight change to the 2023-24 calendar – adding one more teacher workday to allow schools to be closed during the presidential primary election on March 5, 2024. In addition, the Board approved the 2024-25 academic calendar, which starts and ends one week earlier. Remember, you can subscribe to our Google Academic Calendar and have these dates automatically appear on your phones or devices.

–Congratulations to your CHS Black Knights, the No. 2 VHSL Debate Team in Virginia, led by Nava Khurgel and Alison Bird, who won the state championship for the Public Forum event. CHS also claimed third in Public Forum (Solly Goluboff-Schragger and Sophie Brissett), as well as eigth in Lincoln-Douglas (Lily Curtis).
— Three films by the CHS Film Club have been named “Official Selections” of the VHSL Film Festival, to be honored with a screening and awards presentation on June 3. Buy tickets for the festival here.
— CHS senior Jacob Lightbourne is helping foster creativity in the community through his Eagle Scout Service Project.
— Congratulations to the five CHS seniors each awarded a scholarship from the 100 Black Men of Central Virginia: Eddison Duolo, Rocco Fleming, Robel Gabramedhin, Malchiel “Scoot” Jones, and Noah Ivery. Many other scholarships will be announced at the Senior Celebration event on Tuesday, June 6, 6:30pm in the CHS atrium.
— Eight (!!) students earned invitations to state Governor’s School this summer: Wren Ackerman (Agriculture), Alison Bird (French), Jay Conklin (Math, Science, and Technology), Nulia Obiorah (Japanese), Rose O’Shea (Humanities), Jinho Park (Visual Art), Luke Voelme (Theater), and Ev Wellmon (Instrumental Music/Piano). Congrats to all!
— Our track & field athletes will be competing at states on Friday & Saturday in Lynchburg. Our boys & girls soccer teams play in their regional championships on Thursday evening (boys host Monticello HS at 6:00 while girls are on the road at Wilson Memorial at 6:30). Both teams have already punched their tickets for the state tournament! Go Black Knights!

Candidates are encouraged to consider running for School Board this election cycle! Following the established protocols, this is an election year when 4 seats are open. [Updated 6/2:] Mr. James Bryant, Dr. Sherry Kraft, and Ms. Lashundra Bryson Morsberger have announced that they do not intend to run for re-election; Ms. Jennifer McKeever will announce her decision about running at a later date. Mr. Bryant, Dr. Kraft, and Ms. Bryson Morsberger expressed their appreciation for the chance to serve and encouraged candidates to consider this important opportunity. Information about running for School Board is here; materials – including the required public petitions – are due on June 20 to be on the ballot this November.

The state of Virginia has launched several programs to support students, including free 24/7 tutoring resources as well as grants that are available to families to pay for tutors or other learning resources.
—Free Tutoring: Engage Virginia is a free program to help families in areas such as academics, attendance, and college or career readiness. Learn more and register for options such as free homework assistance or 24/7 tutoring.
—Family Grants for Tutoring: Families can apply for learning grants to provide student tutoring (up to $1,500 or $3,000, depending on family income). The family chooses the tutor from a pre-approved list of service providers, and the state pays the grant award directly to the provider. For more information click here.

As we look ahead to the fall, we have been rethinking our school supplies lists in several ways. Our first task has been simplifying the supply lists across schools and grades. And while we remain thankful for the work of the Back to School Bash committee, we are also creating a new system to help our families have access to the supplies they need. Families who need assistance can register below and pick up supplies when they arrive at the school’s open house or meet-and-greet for the new school year.
–Want to register for assistance with school supplies? www.tinyurl.com/ccsschoolsupplies
–Want to donate to the cause?  Backpack wishlist |  School Supply Wishlist

Congratulations to the following staff members who will be celebrating their retirement at the end of this school year (listed with their current school and years of service). We honored them with a reception last week, but if you know one of these folks, join us in saying, “Thanks for your service to our schools!”

• Moses Bright, Johnson Elementary School (17 years)
• Belinda Bullock, Jackson-Via Elementary School (7 years)
• David Dierolf, Charlottesville High School (5 years)
• Mik Dietlin, Division Administration Office (19 years)
• John Donnadio, Charlottesville High School (12 years)
• Mary Douglas, Charlottesville High School (17 years)
• Robert Dunnenberger, Walker Upper Elementary School (35 years)
• Susan Higgins, Burnley-Moran Elementary School (11 years)
• Suzan Hiller, Charlottesville High School (25 years)
• Joyce Johnson, Walker Upper Elementary School (34 years)
• Suzan Roberts, Lugo-McGinness Academy (30 years)
• Teresa Seto, Greenbrier Elementary School (9 years)
• Mary Beth Shelar, Walker Upper Elementary School (24 years)
• Gregory Thomas, Lugo-McGinness Academy (9 years)
• Benjamin Weiner, Venable Elementary School (22 years)

The 2023-28 Strategic Plan for our division is beginning to take shape, thanks to the significant community input we received from our initial survey as well as the work of our Steering Committee, principals, and Executive Leadership Team. There is still time for you to take a survey to give your feedback. The plan will continue to be refined throughout June, with a presentation to the School Board at their June 27 meeting. The Board will vote on the final plan at their August 3 meeting.

We are excited to announce that our division will begin transitioning to a new, unified communications tool called ParentSquare this summer. ParentSquare allows families to stay connected with schools (including teachers, administrators, club leaders, coaches, PTO leaders and more) with a user-friendly online portal or app. Featuring 2-way translation for more than 100 languages, this social-media-like tool combines the functions of our School Messenger and Remind tools – and it will provide our division a website update, too. Want to learn more?

• Read the May Mini-Minutes here
• Upcoming meetings are this week, Thursday, June 1, and a second June meeting on Tuesday, June 27.
• Interested in future meetings? Sign up to receive notices of School Board meetings.