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October News & Highlights
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Dear Cville Schools community–
With the first quarter of school ending today, I wanted to check in with three ideas that I’ve been reflecting on:
- First, I want to say thanks for a great start to the year. I have been encouraged by the number of parents who have approached me this fall to offer thanks and praise for their teachers and schools.
- Next, the state has recently announced the accreditation status for schools. All of our schools are accredited (though Summit and Walker are accredited with conditions). I’m particularly proud of Buford, which is accredited without conditions for the first time since 2019 after showing gains in pass rates, student growth, and attendance. While I am heartened by the gains we see in our schools, we know there is work to be done, particularly in meeting the needs of various groups of students.
- Finally, one way you can measure our progress as a division is to take a look at our strategic plan dashboard. Updated each fall, these data points and updates are our annual “report card.”
As always, this month’s newsletter is filled with ways to connect and news to celebrate. Enjoy!
Dr. G
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Developing a writer's eye
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Students across the division—like these 8th graders—have been taking field trips to Fralin Museum of Art at UVA this fall. There, they use visual art as inspiration to create original poetry and prose as part of the museum's annual writing competition, Writer's Eye. |
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We want to hear from you!
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Take Our Quick Calendar Survey
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The Charlottesville City Schools calendar committee has drafted academic calendars for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years. The committee now seeks feedback from the public on these drafts via a quick (2 minutes or less) survey, open through Oct. 16. Take the Calendar Survey Now. |
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Join the Discussion on Elementary Rezoning
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As we consider possible revisions to our elementary attendance zones, we are hosting a number of discussion events. All events are open to everyone. Come learn more about why changes might be needed, the changes under consideration, and more. The Board will vote on any recommendations in January or February 2025, with likely implementation in August 2026, which would coincide with the return of 5th-graders to elementary schools.
Rezoning Discussion Events:
- Monday, October 28: Greenbrier, 5-7pm
- Tuesday, October 29: Jackson-Via, 4-6pm
- Wednesday, October 30: Summit, 5-7pm
- Wednesday, November 6 (Zoom): 12-1:30pm (register here) and 6-7:30pm (register here)
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Take a Survey on School Names; Community Forum is Tonight
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As a part of Charlottesville City Schools resuming the process of reviewing the names of our elementary schools, we invite you to take a survey about the names of Burnley-Moran, Johnson, Jackson-Via, and Greenbrier elementary schools. Deadline to complete the survey is October 22.
You are also invited to attend a...
Virtual Community Forum on School Names
Monday, October 14, at 5:30pm
Committees representing Burnley-Moran, Johnson, Jackson-Via, and Greenbrier will begin discussing community feedback in the coming weeks. For more about this process, visit our school names webpage.
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Report Cards Are Coming Via ParentSquare: Download the App or Log In Now
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With the first quarter ending October 14, report cards are scheduled to be sent on or around October 25. We’ll be sending them out via ParentSquare. For security purposes, viewing the report card requires logging into ParentSquare, so download the free app or set up your web account now. Visit parentsquare.com/signin (and create your account with the email address or phone number where you receive ParentSquare messages). Download the app here: Apple | Google
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Congratulations to CHS, a 2024 AP School Honor Roll member with SILVER recognition!
In 2023-24...
- 57% of seniors had taken at least one AP Exam during high school.
- 42% of seniors had scored a 3 or higher on at least one AP Exam.
- 32% of seniors had taken five or more AP Exams.
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National Merit Recognitions
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Three seniors have been named National Merit Semifinalists and will be competing to earn a scholarship from the National Merit Scholarship Competition (left to right): Nate Ogden-Amt, Hazel Conklin, and River Lewis.
Additionally, 7 CHS seniors were recognized as National Merit Commended Scholars: Gudrun Campbell, Carolina Chao, Matthew Colvin, Gabriel Damiani, Solomon Ross-Milligan, Kazuo Shinozaki, and Afton Van Hooser.
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Cville Schools in the News
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Greenbrier 4th Grader Will Golf at Augusta
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Congratulations to Greenbrier fourth-grader Lucas Dunaway, who has earned an invitation to compete at Augusta National Golf Club! After previous state and national success, Lucas won the Drive Chip & Putt Boys 7-9 Division regional qualifier, and will be one of only 10 junior golfers in his age group to compete at the national event the week before the PGA Masters this April. Read more here.
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Federal Judge Visits Buford
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Buford recently hosted Judge Stephanie Thacker of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit! Eighth-grade civics students asked Judge Thacker about cases she's decided (such as the Affordable Care Act and marriage equality) and how they can follow in her footsteps. They even got to try on her judge's robes (above). Watch NBC29’s story here.
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Halloween Fun, Plus: Donate Extra Candy!
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Charlottesville Parks & Rec is hosting a Downtown Safe Halloween event on the Downtown Mall this Saturday, October 19. From 2-4pm, enjoy family-friendly activities and performances in the Ting Pavilion, followed by trick-or-treating on the mall from 4-4:30pm. View the flyer here, and find more activities on the Parks & Rec webpage.
Donate extra candy! Cville Schools elementary schools including Walker will be collecting extra candy to send in care packages to deployed Virginians via the non-profit Blue Star Families of Central Virginia. Cards or notes of encouragement are also welcome and will be sent with the care packages.
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Kids Invited to Audition for CHS’s 'Les Mis'
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TheatreCHS will be presenting Les Misérables as its spring musical from February 20-23. There are a number of parts for young people, including Gavroche, members of Gavroche’s gang, Young Cosette, and Young Eponine. Recommended age is 4th grade and higher (but “Young Cosette” may be younger). Learn more and sign up for the October 28-29 auditions.
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“Imagine a Day without Water” Art Competition Now Accepting Entries
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Student-artists are invited to submit art to the local “Imagine a Day without Water” art competition. $200 gift cards are awarded to the winners of each category. Some students may be participating through their art classes. Deadline is Oct. 28. Click here for information. (Above, art by Willa Chow of Greenbrier, 2023 winner of the K-2 category!) |
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Support Our Schools as a Volunteer or Sub
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Volunteers: Nearly 500 volunteers have completed our online training this year so that they can lend a hand at their school. If you are thinking about assisting your class, helping with a school event, or chaperoning a field trip, go ahead and complete the online training/registration on our volunteering webpage.
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Substitutes: We're looking for community members to support our schools as substitute teachers, particularly at CHS. Learn more and apply here.
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School Board Updates, Including Budget
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At the October 10 School Board meeting, the Board discussed the upcoming budget development calendar (with final approval on February 20). They also discussed recommended one-time projects to be funded using a portion of CCS’s excess revenue from 2023-24. These year-end projects include CHS track & field lighting, CHS softball scoreboard, Charlottesville Middle School restroom safety features, and other CCS safety projects such as access control, rekeying, and cameras. The cost of these projects total $1.2 million, and the Board will vote on this recommendation in November.
- Find the Mini-Minutes, with links to presentations on topics from school accreditation to substance use prevention.
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Save the Date: CHS 50th Anniversary Concert
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Come on out to see alumni of CHS band, chorus, and orchestra give a special 50th Anniversary Concert on Saturday, November 16, at 3:30pm at the Martin Luther King Jr. Performing Arts Center.
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Students, staff, and families have been on the move at fall fundraising events like the Trailblazer Walk-a-Thon (above) and Summit's Buzz by Belmont 5K. We love how our community comes together to support our schools! |
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💙 Share the Love of Cville Schools 💙
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Parents/guardians of current students automatically receive this monthly newsletter from the division. Other community members are welcome to subscribe here!
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