Dear families, staff, and students:

Thank you so much to the hundreds of people who came out to CHS last night, and the hundreds more who joined us on Zoom, for the Info/Feedback Session. This strong participation – nearly 600 – demonstrates the strength of our community’s commitment to our schools. Our community is full of thoughtful, passionate people who love Charlottesville Schools and, like me, care about all of our students as their own children. We appreciate your insights into where our division has room to improve.

The School Board, Executive Leadership Team, and I are now reviewing the night’s takeaways, with particular focus on how we can better: 

• Communicate transparently

• Address minor problems before they become major problems

• Center staff and student voices

• Turn feedback into practical action

These topics and more will be the subjects of our ongoing work, and I will provide regular updates. In the meantime, here are ways for the community to continue to engage: 

• Review last night’s presentation slides about school safety and security by Dr. Katina Otey and Kim Powell

• Watch the Zoom recording of last night’s meeting (meeting begins at minute 11:15. Small-group discussions that were not recorded took place between minute 57:00 and minute 1:47:00, after which the full-group meeting resumes). 

• Attend the next regular meeting of the School Board, next Thursday, December 7 at 5 pm at CHS. 

Below please find a handful of announcements and events celebrating our students and our schools as we head into the December holidays.

Dr. Gurley

See CHS Choir and K-4 Singers at Grand Illumination TONIGHT Come on out tonight to the free and family-friendly event at Ting Pavilion on the Downtown Mall to hear our students lift their voices: The Choirs of Charlottesville High School: 5:45pm  The Hometown Choir, featuring K-4 singers from our YMCA after-school program (in partnership with Front Porch), 6 pm

Nominate a Teacher for a Golden Apple We’ve heard you want to support our teachers: It's time to submit nominations for the 2024 Golden Apple Awards for Teaching Excellence in Charlottesville and Albemarle! The deadline to honor one of your child's amazing educators is Monday, January 22. Winners receive a $500 grant for classroom materials or professional development. Click here for the online nomination form. Teachers who have won in the last 3 years are not eligible to win this year. Thanks to Mr. Richard Nunley and Better Living Building Supply and Cabinetry for their generous support of these awards!

Buy Black Knight Nation Gear The CHS Student Council Association is offering a special Black Knight Nation T-shirt and hoodie design created by our own art teacher, Sam Pagni. Click here to order. Orders due 12/26.

Save the Date for “Elf Jr. the Musical” at Buford Come on out to see the work of 60+ middle school students! What: Elf Jr. the Musical When: Friday, 12/8 at 6:30pm; Saturday, 12/9 at 2 & 7 pm; and Sunday, 12/10:at  2pm There will also be special performances for CCS second graders next Monday & Tuesday during school.  Where: Buford Auditorium, 1000 Cherry Ave. Tickets are $5 for general public, free to CCS students and Buford staff. Click here to reserve tickets.