Dear Cville Schools community–

Every fall, Charlottesville City Schools receives a type of report card – we learn how our students performed on the spring Standards of Learning (SOL) tests. The state estimates that the spring 2025 tests were 30-40% harder, but even so, our students rose to the occasion. We saw modest gains for our students in both the reading and math overall rates. Looking specifically at demographic groups, we also saw improvements for both reading and math for virtually all groups, including Black and Hispanic students, with scores going up from 1 to 7 percentage points despite the harder test.

The Curtis Elder Track and Field Complex at CHS will soon be lit up at night! Stadium lights at the track will benefit CHS athletes, youth football players, and the community at large. The lights were made possible by a year-end budget amendment approved by the School Board, and the project was championed and financially supported by Flow Automotive, the Perry Foundation, the Charlottesville Track Club, the Black Knights Athletic Club, and individual community members. Thanks to everyone who supported this project. A community celebration to officially turn on these lights will be scheduled in the next weeks – look for details in CHS’s "Updates about Athletics and Activities" newsletter (sign up for the group in ParentSquare -- see instructions).

September 8 marked the 66th anniversary of the Charlottesville 12 desegregating our schools, and the Virginia General Assembly passed a resolution in honor of these Civil Rights trailblazers. The resolution is a fitting way to honor the students and families who made brave choices that made our schools better for everyone. Additionally, Trailblazer Elementary School chose the day to celebrate its 100th anniversary with an afternoon of games, activities, and music. After talking about the Civil Rights leaders for whom the school is named, Principal Beverly concluded: "You are all trailblazers! What doors will you open up? Who will YOU welcome into our community?"

Let's make sure all our students have access to healthy snacks this school year! The CCS Family & Community Engagement (FACE) Team is currently hosting a snack drive for our CCS students. Anyone wanting to purchase snacks can do so using this wishlist. You can also drop off snacks at the Division Annex at CHS or at any school. The snack drive runs until Friday, Oct. 3.

This year, we are upgrading our tools to ensure that students are using Chromebooks for appropriate learning purposes (in keeping with our Acceptable Use of Technology agreement). Teachers can use ClassWize to align students’ internet access with their lesson plans. The school division now uses LineWize Filter to protect students from inappropriate websites in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act.

We are beginning the process of adopting a new math curriculum for Cville Schools students from kindergarten through Algebra II. If you are interested in serving on the committee, please complete this form. (Or attend a virtual info session to learn more.) Learn more here.

Read the most recent School Board Mini Minutes, including a change to the meeting start time to 6pm beginning in January as a strategy to promote more public engagement during the meetings.

The School Board also welcomes its CHS student representatives, who will serve 5-month terms: senior Ginger Craghead-Way and junior Solly Schwartzman. A former rep, senior Jayla Turner, will serve as the alternate and mentor representative.

November Elections: Three School Board seats are on the ballot. We thank Dom Morse for his service, but he has decided not to run again. Chair Emily Dooley and former chair Lisa Torres are running for re-election. Also running are Zyahna Bryant and Dashad Cooper.

To address unsafe street conditions during student arrival and dismissal, the City of Charlottesville has installed school zone speed cameras at Charlottesville Middle School, Summit, and Tall Oaks (formerly Johnson). Initially, warnings were given to motorists; now, citations will be issued. Learn more about school zone speed cameras.

Walker 6th-grade science students proved that art+science+writing=fun as they learned about watersheds and floods.

Fourth graders across the division have been heading to Camp Albemarle to explore, learn, and have fun outdoors. Students such as these Jackson-Via jackrabbits rotate through three activities: a stream study in the water, a nature hike, and a watershed model demonstration.

Families are invited to learn more about career education and CATEC at the free NextGen Skilled Trades Day on Saturday, October 4 10am–2pm at PVCC (V. Earl Dickinson Building, 501 College Drive). Who Should Attend? High school students, families, educators, and anyone interested in exploring skilled trade careers. More information about NextGen Skilled Trades Day.

Has a Cville Schools employee made your day? Nominate them for a Royal Recognition! Throughout the year, recipients will be recognized by Superintendent Dr. Royal Gurley. Submit your nomination.

Summit Elementary School preschoolers enjoy a tea party.

Principal Rodney Jordan is not the only one at Charlottesville Middle School with a good tie game. As he says, "We are spreading positivity and professionalism throughout our building!"