Dear Cville Schools community –
Our potential acquisition of the Federal Executive Institute campus, which I shared with you yesterday, is a headline-grabbing example of the important work we do every day in public education. School life and leadership require attention to the everyday “basics,” a vision for the future, and the ability to quickly pivot and embrace new possibilities.
You will find all of these things in this newsletter:
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The so-called “basics”: Learning, skill-building, and relationship-growing happen in a classroom, a swimming pool, or in a garden.
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Advancing towards a vision: As we celebrate our “Buford Farewell Fest,” let’s take a moment to celebrate the excellent progress on our new middle school!
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Pivoting to new possibilities: Our immigrant and refugee students model this skill every day. The recent Buford International Day event is one way we celebrate and support their resilience and flexibility!
Every week I encounter something new that brings me pride in our staff, students, and community. Thanks as always for your support and partnership!
Dr. G
P.S. Thanks to these Trailblazer students for their warm welcome during my visit this month!
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We are proud to share that a historic collective bargaining agreement passed the School Board unanimously. The contract includes a 5.5% pay increase for teachers, guaranteed planning time, and structures to elevate staff voice. Here are Dr. Gurley, the Charlottesville City School Board, CEA President Shannon Gillikin, and CCS teachers right after the vote. Learn more here.
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Friday, May 2: Art Connections Opening Celebration at Ting Pavilion, 5:30pm
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Saturday, May 3: Buford Farewell Festival, 10am-2pm
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Wednesday, May 7: Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day
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Wednesday, May 21: CATEC Completer Ceremony, 7pm, MLKPAC
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Thursday, May 22: CHS Graduation, 7pm, JPJ Arena
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Monday, May 26: No School/Office Closed for Memorial Day
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Friday, May 30: Early Dismissal for Last Day of School (elementary releases at 12pm; grades 5-8 at 12:45; CHS at 1:40; and LMA at 11:30)
Art by Livia Sadeghi, Walker, Grade 5
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For a third year, the Cville Schools "Art Connections" exhibition is returning to business windows all along the Downtown Mall.
Opening Reception, Friday, May 2, at Ting Pavilion
Join us at the opening celebration as part of First Fridays on May 2. The CHS Jazz Band performs at 5:30 pm while a slideshow of CCS student artwork will be cast on the big screen. Bring your family to the Mall to see the art anytime before May 22 -- or check out the online gallery. Stay tuned for field trip information for when your child's class tours the exhibition!
Poster art by Joshua Bleakley, CHS, Grade 12
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Come celebrate the 59-year legacy of Buford Middle School! Before Buford becomes the expanded Charlottesville Middle School this fall, the community is invited to a farewell festival on Saturday, May 3, from 10am-2pm at Buford Middle School. There will be food, games, music, and fun for current and former students, staff, and families, with a special invitation to alumni to come walk the halls one last time.
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Join the City of Charlottesville and Safe Routes to School for all kinds of fun ways to get out and about on bikes this spring. On Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day, students are invited to grab a friend and plan to get to school on foot or by bike or scooter. Click for all the local resources for Bike Month. |
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For a second year, CHS art students have partnered with neuroscience researchers at UVA to learn about the latest research and find inspiration for their art. See their work at the Magnify Spring Art Show -- a one-day exhibit in the former Bridge PAI space on May 9, 6-9pm.
Poster art by Courtney Millard, CHS, Grade 11
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It's time for spring concerts! Here's the upcoming line-up at Buford and CHS:
- Wednesday, April 30: CHS Choir Concert at Martin Luther King Jr. Performing Arts Center, 7pm
- Friday-Sunday, May 2-4: CHS Theatre HadesTown production in Black Box Theatre. Link for tickets.
- Sunday, May 4: CHS Band Concert at MLKPAC, 5pm
- Friday-Sunday, May 16-18: Buford Theatre presents Shrek Jr., Buford Auditorium. Link for tickets.
- Sunday, May 18: CHS Orchestra at MLKPAC, 7:30pm
- Tuesday, May 20: Buford Band/Orchestra at MLKPAC, 7pm
- Wednesday, May 21: Buford Choir at Buford Auditorium, 7pm
Want to cheer on Black Knight sports?
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It would be enough to celebrate that CHS earned its 14th Blue Ribbon from the Virginia Music Educators Association, but it’s especially neat that CHS senior Elle Polifka directed the choir! The Blue Ribbon is earned when a school’s top group for band, choir, and orchestra all earn the highest (superior) rating at spring assessments. Congratulations to directors Will Cooke, Jason Hackworth, and Emily Waters. Read the terrific story of Will Cooke selecting Elle as his substitute. |
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With students in our schools from over 40 countries, there was a LOT to learn and celebrate on International Day at Buford Middle School! With leadership from the CHS International Club and support from many wonderful community partners, students tried new foods, learned new sports, got henna tattoos, taught each other games from their home countries, and showed off traditional fashions and dances. Find more pictures here.
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A full 12 (!!!) CHS students received invitations or were named alternates for the competitive Governor's School summer programs. Invitees are Charlotte Abney/Theater; Nyomi Becker-Montambault/Agriculture; Levi Beling/Visual Art; Sarah Colbert/Agriculture; Mira Masri/Humanities; Sadie Sherman/Latin; Nilab Sultan/Japanese; Harper Ullrich/French; and Michelle Wong/STEM. Alternates are: Catherine Crook/Spanish; Julian Mark-Williams/Spanish; and Guy Muguma/Health and Medical Sciences. |
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Two members of the CHS Class of 2025 have won major scholarships to support their undergraduate studies. Congratulations to Ali Bird (left), who will attend UVA as a Jefferson Scholar, and Olga Salama (right), who won the top Emily Couric Leadership Scholarship! Learn more here.
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Congrats to Gabe Damiani (left) and Lily Curtis (right) for being named National Speech and Debate Association Academic All Americans! Of more than 141,000 student members of the NSDA, fewer than 1,000 students earn the award each year. At the VHSL 4CD Super Regional Tournament, Gabe and Anne Goodall took 4th in Public Forum Debate. Lily and Solly Schwartzman finished 5th and 6th in Lincoln Douglas. Ginger Craghead-Way finished 7th in Student Congress. Good luck at the VHSL State Championship! |
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Two City-wide programs got kids out of their classrooms and into new learning environments. Second-graders are learning life-saving skills (and having fun) with day-long swimming lessons and water safety activities at the Brooks Family YMCA. And as part of our gifted learning program that enriches learning for all, third-graders extended their “Farm to Table” learning unit with a visit to the CHS urban farm. With assistance from CHS students and community partners, the third-graders planted seedlings, tasted vegetables, and visited with farm animals. |
More than 600 people gathered at CHS for a Saturday filled with science fun and hands-on learning! Thanks to our CHS BACON (Best All-around Club of Nerd) vounteers along with our STEM teachers and community members.
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Want to support the Black Knights? Here are 3 current ways to show the love (with a little money):
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Urban Farming Plant Sale: Saturday, May 3 from 9am-12pm in front of the Kindness Cafe at the YMCA.
- The annual Band on the Run 5K is coming up on Saturday, May 10! Sign up to race -- it's fun and helps the CHS band program stay on track.
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CHS Orchestra needs help getting to Spain and Portugal. After a year of fundraising, they are approaching their goal. Make a donation via their GoFundMe here.
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This school year will wrap up soon, but we know you're looking ahead to the fall. Here's a registration overview:
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Preschoolers: apply on the Go2Grow website. Learn more about preschool here! Stay tuned for information about Preschool Registration Day on May 20!
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Kindergartners (both new and returning students): Register as a NEW student in SchoolMint.
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New students (grades 1-12) starting in fall 2025: Register as a NEW student in SchoolMint.
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Non-resident students (grades K-12, both new and returning). Returning students apply in SchoolMint by May 7; new students apply by June 1.
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Returning students: Re-registration forms will open in SchoolMint on May 14. This will include your bus request forms.
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Students impacted by possible rezoning: Register (or re-register) using the currently zoned school. The School Board votes on rezoning on May 1. If it passes and you wish to start at your new school in August 2025, complete the out of zone request form (coming May 2) by the priority deadline of May 8.
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Beginning this summer, three schools will begin using new names:
- Buford Middle School will become Charlottesville Middle School
- Johnson Elementary will become Tall Oaks
- Burnley-Moran Elementary will become Sunrise
In addition, Burnley-Moran (we mean, Sunrise) will have new leaders. Earlier this month, Dr. Gurley announced the experienced leaders who will get Sunrise off to a bright beginning – Mr. Brad Handrich (principal) and Ms. Hannah Collins (assistant principal). Learn more about Mr. Handrich and Ms. Collins here! Current principal Dr. Elizabeth Korab will take on the role of planning principal for our new city-wide preschool program (to open in August 2026).
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Congratulations to our 2025 Golden Apple honorees, recognized for excellence in teaching. The award is supported by Better Living Building Supply and Cabinetry, and winners will be recognized at an event on May 14.
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Madison Eure, Buford Middle School
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Jessica Scott, Burnley-Moran Elementary School
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Karen Brown, CATEC
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Emily Waters, Charlottesville High School
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Susan Mahone, Greenbrier Elementary School
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Mary Yowell, Hospital Education
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Derek Hartline, Jackson-Via Elementary School
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Becca Covington, Johnson Elementary School
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Heather Rose, Lugo-McGinness Academy
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Ariel Bruner, Summit Elementary School
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Ladi Smith, Trailblazer Elementary School
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Laura Lindemann, Walker Upper Elementary School
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- CHS Urban Farming teacher Peter Davis led his students to make their gardens and chicken coop wheelchair-accessible! The classes came together to build an 815-square-foot boardwalk this winter. Learn more and find media coverage here.
- Buford English teacher Cianna Washburg is the newest Fund for Teachers Fellow, earning $5000 to research best practices for working with refugee youth.
- CHS Theatre director David Becker led 24 students on a cultural exchange to Charlottesville’s sister city of Besançon, France for a time of learning, performing, and connecting.
- Congratulations to fine arts coordinator Aaron Eichorst, whose work was selected for the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Juried Show.
- CHS Band Director Jason Hackworth was named 99.7 CYK’s Teacher of the Month.
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To address unsafe street conditions during student arrival and dismissal, the City of Charlottesville has installed school zone speed cameras at Buford, Johnson, and Summit. Beginning May 19, cameras will monitor for speeding violations during arrival and dismissal (see times, below). Initially, warnings will be given to motorists instead of citations. At Johnson and Summit, enforcement times are 7:30-8:30am and 2-3pm. At Buford, enforcement times are 8-9am and 2:45-3:45pm. Of course, we want our school zones to be safe at all times – so please observe posted speed limits and look for pedestrians and cyclists. Learn more about how the speed cameras work here.
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At the March 27 meeting, the Board's action items included approving the first agreement for collective bargaining (as mentioned above) and voting to restore School Resource Officers to the CCS safety model. (To learn more about this decision and next steps, see an update shared with the community on March 28.) Other updates: at their May 1 meeting, the Board will take action on the proposed elementary school rezoning plan and will vote on a $1000 retention bonus for staff. As a reminder, the budget includes the step plus 4% (5.5% overall increase) for licensed staff and an average 3% increase for non-licensed staff. |
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- Find the School Board's March 27 mini-minutes here.
- School Board member (and former chair) Lisa Torres has been selected as a 2025 Virginia Hunt State Policy Fellow by the Hunt Institute! She will engage with a cohort of leaders to explore policies that strengthen early childhood, K-12, and higher education in Virginia.
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Walker School celebrated its annual Spring Fling with a photo booth, balloon-animal artist, face painting, dancing, cotton candy, popcorn, and more. The Spring Fling is a great example of how school PTOs and volunteers help make our schools better! |
Thanks to the Public Education Foundation of Charlottesville-Albemarle for supporting a "Game Ready Day" of fun learning activities at Buford! The game stations reinforced key skills -- and reminded students of their progress -- before students take the Standards of Learning Tests. Watch the NBC 29 story here.
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From School Board members to "local electeds," our schools receive special guests as readers or leaders. Here, Del. Katrina Callsen reads to Jackson-Via kindergartners. |
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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