As Thanksgiving approaches, I want to tell you a few things I appreciate in our schools…
The “Community Schools” model: Adopting this national framework will allow us to coordinate and maximize our many resources and partnerships, working with and for our families and students. Having Dr. Sherica Jones-Lewis lead this work is actually a whole separate celebration. See below, for more.
Charlottesville Middle School: Phase one of its modernization is beautiful, but it’s the people that make it truly special, from our teachers leading the UVA Innovation Hub to scores of students dressing in their finest every “Tie It Up Thursday.”
Community Engagement: This summer and fall, I spent a lot of time meeting with students, staff, and families as together, we shaped our agreement to return an SRO to CHS and CMS. I can say with confidence that the ideas and suggestions from the community have made our plans stronger.
International Day: Walker just celebrated its International Day, and amid our national challenges, it is beautiful to see the school, students, and families honoring so many cultures and stories.
Book Clubs:I know many of you enjoy a book club with friends, but did you know that our students in grades 3+ do, too? Many of our schools’ novel studies are organized as in-class, student-run book clubs – and we have some out-of-class book clubs, too. I love to see this work that strengthens literacy, relationships, and the joy of learning.
I hope you have your own list of reasons to be thankful about what you see happening in our schools. If your thank-you is focused on a staff member, we have two ways for you to nominate someone for recognition (see below.) Let’s share the gratitude!
Dr. G
Reminder: Thanksgiving Break is November 26-28!
Pictured: Trailblazer teacher Mrs. Hudson and her students on a field trip to Chile's Orchard.
Announcing Our Teachers of the Year!
Congratulations to our Cville Schools Teachers of the Year! These outstanding educators will be recognized at the January School Board meeting, when the division will announce which teacher will represent Cville Schools in the state's teacher of the year competition.
Briana “Bree” Barns, Third Grade Teacher, Greenbrier
Jessica Cao, Second Grade Teacher, Jackson-Via
Kelly Farr, Second Grade Teacher, Summit
Laura Shea, First Grade Teacher, Sunrise
Hillary Bradley, Special Ed Pre-K Teacher, Tall Oaks
Michaela Atkins, Special Education Teacher, Trailblazer
Emma Sutphin, Sixth Grade Teacher, Walker (pictured below)
Codey Logan, Band Teacher, CMS
Amanda Williams, English Teacher, CHS
Nick Liles, History Teacher, LMA
Anthony Smith, Student Support Teacher, CATEC
Nominate Your Favorite Staff for Honors
Two ways to nominate your favorite teacher or staff person for recognition:
Golden Apple Awards: This award honors one teacher per school, sponsored by Better Living Building Supply and Cabinetry and the Nunley family. Nominations open through January 26. Learn more and nominate a teacher here!
Royal Recognitions: Dr. Gurley honors 1-2 staff each month with a school visit and $250 for the honoree to spend on school supplies. Find the nomination form here!
CHS Celebrations
Elaina Pierce Defends State Cross Country Title, Plus Other XC Successes
This month, senior Elaina Pierce earned her second straight cross country state championship (in addition to her state championships in both winter and spring track and field). She also signed to continue running with UVA next year. Pierce led the girls’ XC team to a 4th-place finish, their highest ever. On the boys’ side, senior Sam Palmer placed third individually and led the team to its 3rd straight season as state runner-up.
Alerah Harris and Leah Harris Earn All-Region Cheerleading Honors
Congrats to Alerah Harris and Leah Harris for earning first and second team regional honors for competition cheer!
13 Speech & Debate Students Qualify for State Championship
The CHS Speech & Debate team had a record-breaking season-opening tournament with 13 of its students qualifying for the state championship in January! Top finishers included Eleot Abrahamson, Addie Curtis, Lily Curtis, Rose Brennan-Wilkinson, Ginger Craghead-Way, Anna Gusman, Felix Mason, Mira Masri, Noah Peck, Solly Schwartzman, Sadie Sherman, Ford Snellings, and Keira Yates.
TheatreCHS to Represent Virginia in Southeast Competition
At the Virginia Theatre Association high school competition, CHS students cleaned up! As one of the state's two top finishers, TheatreCHS will represent Virginia in the Southeastern Theatre Conference in Chattanooga in March. They were honored (and gave a mini-performance) at the November School Board meeting, and they began fundraising for Tennessee with a special donations-only performance on November 14. Learn more and donate here. Their VTA honors include:
Performance Awards — Best Ensemble & Best Musicians
Technical Merit — Best Music
Stage Craft Olympics — 3rd Place
Poster design by senior Sil Leva
Save the Dates
Winter Concerts Coming Soon!
Fall and winter concert season is underway! Upcoming CHS concerts include:
Thursday, November 20: CHS Orchestra Fall Concert, MLK PAC, 7:30pm
Wednesday, December 10: All-City Band Concert, MLK PAC, 6:30pm
December 11-14: TheatreCHS presents Children of Eden in Blackbox Theatre. See theatrechs.org for times/tickets.
Thursday, December 18: CHS Choir Winter Concert, MLK PAC, 7pm
Come Learn about CATEC December 9
CATEC -- the Charlottesville Areas Career and Technical Education Center -- is offering a program expo for prospective students and families on Tuesday, December 9 from 5-6:30pm. Come tour CATEC, meet instructors, see programs, try hands-on skills, and learn about the process to request CATEC classes.
Updates about our Schools
Dr. Sherica Jones-Lewis Named Director of Community Schools
Earlier this fall, the Virginia Department of Education awarded Charlottesville City Schools a $235,000 planning grant to establish the Community School Model. This is a framework in which schools, families, and community partners co-create school-based supports for students and families with the ultimate goal of advancing student achievement and overall well-being. We are excited to welcome Dr. Sherica Jones-Lewis to direct this work to strengthen our partnerships with community organizations, families, and students. This joint position is made possible through a collaboration with the Center for Community Partnerships at the University of Virginia.
Exciting Updates about 5th Grade, Preschool, & CMS
Our long-awaited school reconfiguration is almost here! Reminder: Starting in August 2026, 5th-graders will remain at their neighborhood elementary schools while 6th-graders begin attending Charlottesville Middle School. Our preschoolers will attend the new early learning program at Walker. We are working with staff on a smooth transition for these grade levels–for both teachers and students.
Key updates include:
Beginning in mid-January, students at Charlottesville Middle School will begin using their newly renovated cafeteria. Other renovations of the old “Buford” buildings are on schedule, with all construction scheduled to be completed this summer.
This summer, there will be a light renovation of Walker to prepare the building to serve as a temporary home for the preschool. We and the City are currently evaluating whether the permanent home for the preschool will be on the Walker site or on the Oak Lawn site next to CMS.
Staff members who are transitioning to new school sites have received their assignments and are being welcomed and included in school-based activities by their new principals to ensure a seamless transition.
We will present an update about these transitions at the February School Board meeting, and we are also planning events for families to learn more, ask questions, and share feedback.
No Changes to SOL Cut Scores in 2025-26; Four-Year Phase-in Plan Begins in 2026-27
Last week, the state Board of Education affirmed that this year (2025-26) will be a preparation year for changes to cut scores; there will be no changes to cut scores for this spring at any grade level. Beginning in the 2026-27 year, the state will implement a four-year plan to increase SOL passing (“cut”) scores. The VDOE will begin developing communications and resources to support students, staff, and families, which we will share with you. The state Board received widespread public comment on this matter and made adjustments to its initial plans. We appreciate all who have participated in this process.
Spotlight on Partnerships
Cville Schools Offers Free Eye Clinics with Optomistrists
Charlottesville Schools continues to partner with the nonprofit Conexus Vision to provide free vision clinics at all our schools. Their program enables students to get the glasses they need to support both learning and life. In October, they screened 126 students and returned to provide glasses for many of them!
Harvest of the Month Provides Fresh Local Food
The local nonprofit Cultivate continues its popular Harvest of the Month program at all schools monthly -- exposing students to local, healthy, and sometimes new-to-them foods. The program is volunteer-run! Learn more about how tolend a hand with prep or serving. Next date is December 4.
Need a coat? Toothpaste? Food? Resources Are Available Thanks to the Chris Long Foundation and Other Supporters!
As the cooler weather sets in, our Family Engagement Coordinator Bianca Johnson has these reminders about resources offered in our schools. If you need assistance, let a trusted adult at your school know! Resources include:
a coat for your student. Please share the child’s name and size.
“daily life” items ranging from toothpaste to menstrual supplies. At elementary schools, these “EdZone” closets are generously supported by the Chris Long Foundation. At our secondary schools, hygiene supplies are supported by the Emergency Food Network.
If you would like to donate a coat to a student in need, please check our wish lists on Amazonand Walmart for current requests.
School Board Updates
In the November election, Emily Dooley and Lisa Torres were re-elected, and CHS alumna Zyahna Bryant will fill the seat of outgoing member Dom Morse. Thanks to all for their service!
Dr. Denise Johnson, Supervisor of Strategic Initiatives, provided a summary of recent community feedback and an overview of the draft Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) that will support the return of two SROs (one at CHS, one at CMS) in August 2026. Feedback continues to show a range of opinion and confirms that version 2 of the MOU successfully incorporates earlier community input. Similarly, the SOP addresses community feedback by detailing areas such as SRO selection and training. The December 4 Board meeting will present the final MOU, which will later be signed by Dr. Gurley and Chief Kochis.
The CMS cheerleaders recently placed third in an area competition. Go Young Knights!
Walker's spelling bee is completed, with 6th grader Ollie Petralia defending his championship! The CMS bee is coming up, and then the two champs will face off to see who represents Cville Schools in the region.
Joy of learning
Kindergarteners at Summit Elementary practice music and movement in Ms. Kimberly Hoffacker's music class.
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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