Skip to main content
Division Schools

Updates for Families: Transportation, Cell Phones, Support for Trans Students, and more

Posted Date: 8/04/23 (2:41 PM)
View Original Post

Dear Cville Schools community --

With only 2.5 weeks left till the first day of school, we wanted to check in with a few updates on topics of importance for our families.

📝 Mini-MInutes from Last Night’s School Board Meeting

Read the minutes here, with a variety of updates, including an update about the continuing transportation shortage, and the cell phone policy at Buford/CHS. Our Board also reiterated its support for transgender and nonbinary students in the following statement:


BOARD STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF TRANSGENDER AND NONBINARY STUDENTS

"Since we last met, new state guidance has been issued about the treatment of transgender students. As a Board, we want to be clear that we will continue to honor, support, and protect our transgender and nonbinary students, staff, and family members.  Our policies have been carefully crafted to both support our students and to partner with our families, and we intend to maintain our current policies and procedures. As we have said before, when we take steps to support one group of students, we make our schools better for all of our students."


🚍 Transportation Updates Coming Monday

On Monday, we will send a personalized update for each student to confirm whether the child is in the walk zone or eligible for possible bus service. Please remember that due to the continuing bus driver shortage, we will have waitlists at most schools when school starts in August. On August 14 or 15, we will give personalized messages giving families their child's bus routing information or a waitlist notification. Thanks to so many families for re-registering students in SchoolMint. Need to re-register? Check the alerts/messages section of ParentSquare for your personalized instructions.


✨ ParentSquare Has Arrived!

Have you downloaded the ParentSquare app yet? (Apple | Google Play) We have started using ParentSquare to send division and school messages to families and staff. Note: students who will be brand-new to Cville Schools are not yet added to ParentSquare (coming soon!)

🧩 Jackson-Via Teacher Organizes 2nd Annual Cville Puzzle Hunt
Congrats to Jackson-Via teacher Greg Ochsenschlager, who is busy organizing the

2nd Annual Cville Puzzle Hunt. The free event is scheduled for August 26th from 3-7pm. Just like last year, it begins and ends at IX Art Park, but puzzles will be scattered throughout downtown. While the event is largely for adults, older students who enjoy a good puzzle may enjoy it. Want to know more? UVA Arts Magazine did a nice profile.


🎉 Staff Shout-Outs: Bridget Drain, Jeannie Pfautz, Bianca Johnson

Kudos to three Cville Schools staff who have earned national recognition! 

  • Walker special ed teacher Bridget Drain is one of only 11 teachers in the country to receive the Outstanding Special Education Teacher Award from the National Association of Special Education Teachers. Read about her path to teaching and how she inspires her students in this profile from the UVA School of Ed!

  • ESL Specialist Jeannie Pfautz won a travel fellowship from the U.S. State Department to participate in a project in the Philippines this summer. For two weeks in July, Dr. Pfautz worked with Filipino researchers and teachers on a project relating to English language and literacy. 

  • Family Engagement Coordinator Bianca Johnson has earned a scholarship through the Bureau of Justice Assistance to receive her Certificate in Restorative Justice Facilitation and Leadership at the University of San Diego.


🚍 Paid Opportunity to Drive Mini School Bus (or Regular Size)

Want to help our schools and make an $21/hour? The City is hiring regularly scheduled school bus drivers, as well as relief drivers for field trips, athletics and our fine arts programs:

  • Starting pay is $21/hour

  • Paid training

  • Training can be completed on-line except for behind-the-wheel

  • 2 options: 

    • get your CDL to drive a full-size bus, 

    • or get your S (Student) endorsement on your regular driver license to drive the 14 passenger “Type A” bus

  • Visit the Charlottesville City website to apply.


âž— Public Hearings about VDOE Math SOL Revisions

The VDOE is accepting public comment on proposed revisions to the Mathematics SOL through August 11. Although none of the public in-person hearings are in our area, those interested can attend a virtual hearing on August 7, 6:30 pm–link to register–or submit a comment in the online public comment form. Learn more: More information.