Charlottesville City Schools presents our 2023 Summer Opportunities online hub. This page is full of academic and enrichment opportunities for your children which are run by our division, the City of Charlottesville, or program partners in our schools. These offerings are either free, financially accessible, or offer scholarships. While not a complete list of all the happenings in Cville this summer, this resource is meant to give families a starting point for enriching their children’s time off from school. We will update this list as additional information is available.

2023 Winners

CHS

• Mason Goldman, English Teacher
• Her nominator writes: “My student said after the first day with Ms. Goldman they had learned more in one day than in the previous 6 weeks. My recent graduate also had her for English at CHS and was a fantastic resource for college essay writing, even during the spring of 2020, when covid had pushed class online. She has taught every grade and level of English, and in each and every class she is creating literary experiences. She chooses texts that are rigorous, and she is able to draw kids into those texts emotionally, intellectually, and socially.”

Buford

• Charlotte Nelson, Mathematics Teacher
• Her nominator writes:  “The way that she connects with ALL of her students is incredible. She excels at being a team player and stepping up to the plate for the Buford Math Department. Charly does not stop at the classroom; however, she helps out with athletics at Buford and is the girls head lacrosse coach at Charlottesville High School. Charly carries her same philosophies into her coaching. Charly supports her students in their endeavors and extracurricular activities. She’s an active member of the school community and engages with parents on a regular basis.”

Walker

• Erika Trent, Sixth Grade Teacher
• Her nominator writes: “Erika Trent is a phenomenal teacher, mentor, and a shining example of a master teacher. I have had the pleasure of working with her first as her student teacher, then as a colleague, and now as the lead of our PLC. Another reason that Erika deserves this award is her ability to set high expectations, hold students to them, and help raise students up to meet them. She is firm, but caring, and clear in communicating both her expectations and specifically what needs to be done to meet them.”

LMA

• Melvin Grady, Alternative Ed Teacher
• His nominator writes: “I consider Mr. Grady an outstanding candidate for The Golden Apple Award because of his passion in his teaching to the students, caring about well-being of students and co-workers, being a role-model for the students, setting the example of standards and showing compassion.”

Burnley-Moran

• Carol Busching, Fourth Grade Teacher
• Her nominator writes: “She engages deeply with them about who they are, who they want to be, what they want to do. She listens to them. She helps them have difficult conversations. She believes in students’ ability to learn and teach each other. She puts students into groups, and she is strategic about how she does this. Sometimes she groups students who vary in achievement levels and sometimes she groups students with similar achievement levels.”

Clark

• Gabriela Moore, Kindergarten Teacher
• Her nominator writes:  “She thinks about him as a whole person, and offers solutions and suggestions to help him improve not just academically but also socially. Mrs. Moore is very transparent with the curriculum that she is teaching to her class with her weekly newsletters giving updates and ways we, as parents, can help enhance/continue the students learning at home.”

Greenbrier

• Teresa Seto, Fourth Grade Teacher
• Her nominator writes: “To encounter a teacher that has the ‘gift’ of teaching in a way that is effective; the ability to truly understand the needs of individual students; approaching teaching with inspiration and compassion; an energetic teacher who promotes open communication and building connections with parents to allow them to be part of the education process — well, that is rare. Ms. Seto is a RARE GEM. Ms. Seto creates such a fun, engaging, diverse, learning environment, and learning experience. She teaches with lots of enthusiasm and pushes her students to be the best they can be.”

Jackson-Via

• Maegan Thim, First Grade Teacher
• Her nominator writes:  “Mrs. Thim celebrates my child’s victories while also encouraging him to try harder. She makes him feel safe to bring his authentic self to school and helps him connect deeply with his classmates. I have watched my child blossom in so many
  ways while in Maegan’s class. She pushes herself as well as the students to reach their
  potential.”

Johnson

• Jillian Smith, Special Education Teacher
• Her nominator writes: “My son has been fortunate to have her as his Special Education teacher for the past 3 years. In that time, she has cultivated his curiosity about the world, helped to soothe his anxiety and school avoidance, challenged him to overcome his struggles with executive functioning, and bolstered his self confidence in the face of low self-esteem and frequent negative self-talk.”

Venable

• Suzanne Harris, Kindergarten Teacher
• Her nominator writes: ” While working with a diverse group of students, Sue Harris has continued to put forth effort in collaborating with other specialists to ensure the needs of every student are being met and setting them up for greater success. She cares for each individual child and shows them love, compassion, and empathy. Sue Harris is such an asset to Venable and the Cville community.”

About the Golden Apple Awards

Candidates for this award are teachers at any level (preschool through grade 12) and in any discipline who have demonstrated excellence in teaching and involvement in the community outside the school.

A nominee exhibits the following characteristics:

• Creates a love of learning in students of all abilities and backgrounds.
• Stimulates thought and provokes student dialogue.
• Challenges students to reach high standards and expectations.
• Understands the needs of students individually and collectively and meets those needs with determination, enthusiasm and imagination.
• Involves families in the education process.

Winners receive a $500 grant for classroom materials or professional development. Sponsored by Better Living Building Supplies and Cabinetry.

Previous Golden Apple Award Recipients from Cville Schools

2022 Winners

CHS

• Andrew Josselyn, English Teacher
• His nominator writes: “Andy is an imaginative classroom instructor who is constantly looking for ways to make school relevant to teenagers’ lives. Andy’s creativity and commitment to improving our school community make him a huge asset to CHS.”

Buford

• Matthew Resnick, History Teacher
• His nominator writes: “Mr. Resnick has made his civics and economics classroom a safe, supportive space for all of his students. His classroom is filled with student-created artifacts that promote a culturally responsive, inclusive space for all students.”

Walker

• Bridget Drain, Special Education Teacher
• Her nominator writes: “Most notable is Ms. Drain’s commitment to helping students with marginalized identities find representation in the classroom setting. She not only builds relationships that are grounded in trust and respect, but sustains these connections long after her students leave her care.”

Burnley-Moran

• Huma Ahmad, Speech Language Pathologist
• Her nominator writes: “She takes all of her time to help children who have special needs with reading or writing down to math reach their potential. She takes out the time to hear the parents and come to conclusions on what is best for the child.”

Clark

• Caitlin Natale, Second Grade Teacher
• Her nominator writes: “Every time I am in her classroom, there is a palpable love of learning. No matter what she is doing, the students yearn to engage with her.”

Greenbrier

• Brenning Greenfield, Kindergarten Teacher
• His nominator writes: “Mr. Greenfield makes learning engaging (with his infusion of music), meaningful (such as with his classmate writings to celebrate their ‘Reading Stars of the Week,’) and rigorous as he encourages his students to think outside the box and embrace challenge.”

Jackson-Via

• Melanie-Ann Johnson, Gifted Education Teacher
• Her nominator writes: “Melanie Johnson has been an inspiration this year and in past years in her work with students, her outreach to the families of Jackson-Via and the larger community of Charlottesville.”

Johnson

• Lindsay Kamide, Reading Specialist
• Her nominator writes: “Our daughter loves the time she spends with Ms. Kamide and we love how she meets her where she is and is always on point with book recommendations that she will actually enjoy reading.”

Venable

• Jenny Isaacs-Lowe, Special Education Teacher
• Her nominator writes: “Jenny Lowe is an exceptional educator and a vital asset to the Venable community. She is an advocate for all students and families, and she believes deeply in each student’s ability to learn and reach high standards in school.”

2021

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2021 Winners: Kelsey Cox of Burnley-Moran; Amit Kapur of Clark; Desiree Conner of Greenbrier; Michel Ann Sizemore of Jackson-Via; Michelle Schettler of Johnson; Allison Shields of Venable; Maggie Pfuntner of Walker; Shinay Henderson of Buford; Matt Terillo of Charlottesville High School; Denise Meyer of Hospital Ed

2020

11 teachers from Charlottesville City Schools are among the outstanding recipients of the 2020 Golden Apple Awards presented by Better Living Building Supply & Cabinetry.

These awards are presented annually to nominated faculty members from the public and private schools in Albemarle County and Charlottesville City.

Award recipients receive a Golden Apple, as well as gift certificates from local businesses. As a “Golden Apple” teacher, each recipient is also eligible to receive a $1,000 Golden Apple Grant to be used for classroom materials or to support the recipient’s continued professional development.

Congratulations to the following 2020 winners: Lisa Johnson Black (Hospital Ed), Kelsey Cary (Lugo-McGinness), Mary Caitlyn Cordone (Clark), Matthew Deegan (CHS), Kavita Kumar (Greenbrier), Calder McLellan (Venable), Kathryn Salem (Jackson-Via), Brandy Walker (Buford), Lisa Wallace (Burnley-Moran), Cianna Washburg (Walker), and Lindsay Wayland (Johnson). Congrats to these amazing teachers!  You can watch the virtual ceremony here.

2019 Charlottesville City Schools Golden Apple Award Recipients

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Click on each each portrait to hear what they had to say!

• 2019 Winners: Kathy Claus- Greenbrier Elementary, Melissa Combs- Venable Elementary, Will Cooke- Charlottesville High School, Maelys Croce- Johnson Elementary, Robin Ellis- Clark Elementary, Meaghan Fenton- Jackson-Via Elementary, Chris Lorigan- Burnley-Moran Elementary, Michael McCrory- Lugo-McGinness Academy, Melissa Mitchem- Buford Middle, and Kevin Paquette- Walker Upper Elementary.
• 2018 Winners: Latoya Brown (Buford Middle), Mary Johnston (Burnley-Moran Elementary), Nicole Armstrong (Charlottesville High), Jessica Taylor (Clark Elementary School), Briana Barns (Jackson-Via Elementary School), Laura Schaaf (Johnson Elementary), Harry Hill (Lugo-McGinness Academy), Leslie S. Hunter (Venable Elementary School), Sarah Lloyd (Walker Upper Elementary School), and Patrick Beale (Greenbrier Elementary School).
• 2017 Winners: Melvin Grady (Buford), Jessica Powley (Burnley-Moran), Brian Kayser (CHS), Ashley Riley (Clark), Amy Jones (Greenbrier), Lisa Utz (Jackson-Via), Lorena Caballero Bower (Johnson), Michael McCrory (Lugo-McGinness Academy), Nicole Driggs (Venable), and Samantha Pagni (Walker).
• 2016 Winners: Cindy Cartwright (Venable), Mary Craig (Clark), Shannon Gillikin (Jackson-Via), Ron Green (Greenbrier), Jenn Horne (CHS), Patricia Luke (Buford), Alex Piedra (Walker), Leslie Scalley (Johnson), Tracy Weaver (Burnley-Moran)
• 2015 Winners: Minda Barnett (Walker); Kena Lea Brandt (Greenbrier); Diane M. Foraste (Venable); Susan Jamme (CHS); Chris Lorigan (Burnley-Moran); Hillary Pleasants (Jackson-Via); Katie Rogers (Clark); Nancy Bailey Rickabaugh (Johnson); Lauralee Watlock (Buford)
• 2014 Winners: Sara Epperly (CHS); Julia Evatt, (Walker); Dina Fricke (Clark); Andy Jones (Buford); Karen S. Minor (Venable); Stephanie Randolph (Johnson); Lauren Elizabeth Sandridge (Greenbrier); Andra M. Skeen (Burnley-Moran); Kristin Ullrich (Jackson-Via)
• 2013 Winners: Jessica Bennett (Greenbrier); Nikki Y. Franklin (Jackson-Via); Renata Germino (Buford); April Hoffman (Johnson); Scott Mace (CHS); Virginia Monroe (Walker); Zoë Padrón (Clark); Michael Salvatierra (Venable); Rachel Savoy (Burnley Moran)
• 2012 Winners: Virginia Hill (Walker); Adam R. Hoppe (Greenbrier); Allison Kennedy (Jackson-Via); Maggie Lovett (Johnson); Traci Martin (Venable); Katherine Witthauer Murah (Clark); Susan S. Muse (Buford);  Lauren Penniman (Burnley-Moran); Lester L. Wainwright (CHS);
• 2011 Winners: Amanda “Amy” Thompson (Buford ); Kathy Umbdenstock (Burnley-Moran); Susan M. Garfinkel (CHS); Dawn Y. Reddick (Clark); Amanda Sherriff (Jackson-Via); Michelle M. Smith (Johnson); Brenda Payne (Venable); Lynne Herman (Walker); Ann Parks (Greenbrier)

We’re ready to welcome you back on Wednesday, August 24!

This page is designed to help you have a great start to the year:

• Free Back-to-School COVID Testing
• Teacher Assignments/Student Schedules
• Re-Registration (Back-to-School Forms)
• School Supply Lists
• Free Back to School Bash
• Information from Your School
• Open Houses
• COVID Safety
• Transportation/Walk to School Updates
• Calendar (School Holidays, etc.)

Scroll down to learn more. Need information about something else? Call your school or let us know at goodnews@charlottesvilleschools.org.

Back-to-School COVID Testing (August 17, 21, and 22)

Join us for FREE COVID testing for Cville Schools staff and students:

• Wednesday, August 17, CHS MLKPAC (come inside), 1–2pm
• Sunday, August 21, CHS (drive-thru), 2–4pm
• Monday, August 22, Buford (drive-thru), 4–6pm
• Also sign up for free, weekly, in-school testing!

Learn more at charlottesvilleschools.org/covid-testing.

Sign Up for Testing

Teacher Assignments/Student Schedules

Assignments and schedules will be posted to PowerSchool on Wednesday, August 17 at 4pm. To find them, log into your PowerSchool portal. (And if you haven’t re-registered your returning students, do this while you’re logged in!)

Re-Registration (Back-to-School Forms)

Each fall, each returning student must be re-registered to update telephone numbers, give annual permissions, and submit any transportation requests. (If your student is new or started after April 2022, you do not need to re-register.)

To re-register, login to the PowerSchool website (not the app). Any family that has not re-registered their student should have received an email on Sunday, August 14 from 2-3pm. If you need any help re-registering or adding a child to your PowerSchool account, please call your school.

School Supply Lists

Find your school’s list here. Need help with supplies? Go to the Back to School Bash (next item).

Back to School Bash (August 20)

The Back to School Bash is Saturday, August 20, 10-12am at the Ting Pavilion. Learn more here.

Information from Your School

Each school will distribute customized information, such as about open houses (see next item).

Open House Information (August 22-23):

• Monday, August 22:
  • Elementary Meet and Greet Appointments, 8am–4pm,
    Look for information from your school about how to make an appointment!
  • Buford Meet and Greet, 12–4pm
  • Walker Meet and Greet, 12–4pm
  • CHS 9th Grade Orientation, 1:30-3:30pm
• Tuesday, August 23:
  • Buford Meet and Greet, 2–6pm
  • Walker Meet and Greet, 2–6pm
  • CHS Orientation for students taking CHS virtual classes, 4pm
  • CHS Open House, 5-7pm

COVID Safety

Find the latest on our COVID safety protocols here. In addition, we offer free, weekly (or one-time) COVID testing for students and staff. Even if you participated this summer or last year, learn more and sign up here.

Bus/Transportation Information

If your student was assigned to a bus or waitlist, you should have received a personalized message on Sunday, August 14 around 2-3pm. The City will work to add more students to routes beginning in early October. Find more information about transportation and how we’re supporting students in our expanded walk zones here.

Calendar (School Holidays, etc.)

The easiest way to keep up with school holidays is to subscribe to our Google “Academic Calendar.” You can also subscribe to each school’s official calendar for school events. Visit charlottesvilleschools.org/calendar to learn more.

We are facing a significant shortage of school bus drivers during the 2022-23 school year. While the City continues to recruit bus drivers, we have also been implementing new strategies such as:

• Expanding our walk zones and supporting children who walk
• Working with the City to identify and implement safety improvements for pedestrians
• Creating community awareness about pedestrian and bike safety
• Encouraging older students to use the public CAT buses
• Collaborating with community partners to support biking

Relying solely on school buses is not going to work for this year or the future. As we create a new model of transportation, we appreciate the strong support we have received from the community, particularly with an eye for equity. Together, let’s find ways to make our schools and city safer, healthier, and more environmentally friendly.

Community Members: Help Keep Our Kids Safe!

You’ve seen the “Go Slow” signs on City streets, and most of you are doing your part to keep an eye out for the students who walk or bike to school. Thank you! Here’s what we’re asking:

• Drive slowly, especially during your morning or afternoon commute when students are also engaging in their daily commute!
• Our crossing guards work hard to keep our kids safe — please respect them and their directions.
• Clear your sidewalks promptly of leaves and snow.

My Child Got Assigned to the School Bus — Is There Anything I Need to Know?

Yes! Here are several important ideas:

• If this student does not need this bus seat, please tell your school as soon as possible since we have students on a waiting list.
• A parent or designee MUST meet children younger than 2nd grade at the bus stop each day.
• Please review the Family Guide to School Bus/Transportation Safety. In addition to setting expectations for safety and behavior, the guide indicates that if a student does not ride the bus for 10 consecutive school days, the seat may be reassigned to a student from the waiting list.
• You can learn more about school bus services, which are managed by the City’s Pupil Transportation program at: charlottesvilleschools.org/bus.

What Are the New Walk Zones?

The revised walk zones are about 0.75 miles for elementary schools (about 20 minutes), and 1.25 miles for Walker, Buford, and CHS (about 30 minutes). These distances are on the lower range of schools across the region and country, and these expanded walking (or “family responsibility”) zones are an important part of addressing the bus driver shortage. In some cases we have rounded up to get to the end of a cul-de-sac or natural neighborhood boundary. In a few cases with CHS students, we have extended the walk zone as high as 1.6 miles if the path is very walkable. We have stayed within or close to our time estimates for the walk.

Are There Any Limits or Exclusions to the Walk Zones for Safety?

To ensure safety, we’ll provide bus eligibility in situations where walking infrastructure isn’t adequate (such as railroad tracks). The City is working now to address some of these issues – click here for a list of confirmed projects (updated weekly).

In a few cases, even if the route is not pedestrian-friendly,  we have not given the student bus eligibility because we are asking the family to take responsibility for finding a safe way to transport their child for a short distance. In these rare situations, the home is very close to the school or the less-safe area of the route is very close to the child’s home.

There will also be exemptions for specific students for special needs such as documented medical conditions.

Are There Recommended Walking Paths? Where Will Crossing Guards Be?

We have created maps with commonly used walking routes to our elementary schools and middle school (based on distance, sidewalks, and crossing guards), but there may be other routes that your family prefers.

Click on the links below for printable PDFs of our maps (you can also browse images of maps in the slideshow below):

• Burnley-Moran School Route Map (PDF) Revised 8/1/22
• Clark School Route Map (PDF) Revised 8/1/22
• Greenbrier School Route Map (PDF) Revised 8/1/22
• Jackson-Via School Route Map (PDF) Revised 8/1/22
• Johnson School Route Map (PDF) Revised 8/1/22
• Venable School Route Map (PDF) Revised 8/1/22
• Walker School Route Map (PDF) Revised 8/1/22
• Buford School Route Map (PDF) Revised 8/1/22

Please consider the following:

• On our maps, different colored lines show commonly used routes to school. Most routes have sidewalks, but areas with low neighborhood traffic (but no sidewalk) or areas where there is a brief stretch without a sidewalk may still be considered a good route.
• On our maps, orange stars are locations where we are planning to have a crossing guard. These include locations where we have had a guard in previous years as well as new locations identified by families, staff and community partners. We continue to hire for these positions.
• Some routes may include walking across parking areas, and most routes cross driveways and entrances to homes and businesses. Point these out to your student as you are practicing the route to and from school.
• We recommend that students walk in groups and/or with at least one responsible adult, and consider visibility when choosing your route.
• For routes traveled by many elementary students (such as between Friendship Court and Clark), we offer staffed walking groups (“walking school buses”) or additional crossing guards along the path.

Have suggestions to improve these maps? Email walkzones@charlottesvilleschools.org 

Want tips for walking safely to school? Watch Dr. Gurley’s video, guest-starring some friends from Clark Elementary:

Would a Bike Make This Easier?

Contact Community Bikes at 434-260-0893 or info@cbikes.org.

Consider Public Transportation.

For some of our older students, the City’s CAT bus services may be a good solution.

More about CAT Routes for Older Students

• All schools zones are served by existing CAT routes except Greenbrier:
  • CHS and Walker are on Route 9 (pink)
    • See parent Matthew Gillikin’s Guide to Riding Route 9 to Walker  
  • Buford has stops on Route 4 and 6 (red & yellow)
• CAT is free for people under 18 and has operated fare-free since the pandemic
• Need to find your route? Use a tool like Google Maps (click directions, then the bus icon) or find out more here.
• This is an opportunity to support the expansion and enhancement of the public  transit system while developing students as life-long public transit users

I Heard the City is Making Sidewalk and Intersection Improvements. What Are They?

The City has been supportive of these expanded walk zones, and they have been making improvments (see below).  We meet with the City regularly to propose additional solutions and get status updates. Thanks to the City and to community members for doing this research and advocacy!

Notice a Street or Sidewalk Issue that Needs to be Addressed?

• Check out the list of upcoming improvements, above.
• The MyCville app is a great way to report infrastructure concerns to City Public Works (or call 434-970-3333, option #2). Upload photos or describe areas of concern.
• To report a “close call” of a walking or biking accident, use this form to help the City improve safety.

Will Walk Zones Shrink or Expand in the Future?

If there are issues with these walk zones, let’s work together to find solutions. We will continue to work with families and the City to make improvements. As we learn more and as the City addresses known issues, we may expand these walk zones further. Please remember, our expanded walk zones are still on the “short” side of regional and national averages.

Want to Help?

• Consider applying as a regular or substitute crossing guard (including the role of walking group leader — these “walking crossing guards” are included in the same job application).
• The City continues to hire bus drivers — you or folks you know can apply to be a regular or subsitute driver!
• Want to work towards a more walkable, bikable Charlottesville? Consider joining the Piedmont Mobility Alliance.