Information about the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program at Oscar Smith High School, the Governor’s STEM Academy at Grassfield High School, and the Science and Medicine Academy at Deep Creek High School will be shared at an informational meeting on November 30 at 7:00 p.m. at Deep Creek High School. View the Academies Information Flyer (PDF).

On September 29, the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation announced that Oscar Smith High School head football coach, Scott Johnson, has been named the Redskins High School Coach of the Week presented by Inova Sports Medicine for the week of September 25. The High School Coach of the Week program is a league-wide initiative designed to recognize area high school football coaches who continuously demonstrate hard work and dedication to their football programs, the health and safety of their players, and who make a difference in their communities. This season, in partnership with Inova Sports Medicine, the Redskins Charitable Foundation has convened a panel of local high school football media experts to provide nominations of deserving high school coaches for consideration and selection. Each coach chosen throughout the high school football season will receive a $2,000 donation from the Redskins Charitable Foundation to their football program and a framed certificate signed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Redskins Head Coach Jay Gruden, Redskins President Bruce Allen and Senior Vice President of Player Personnel Doug Williams, as well as other giveaway items from the Redskins Charitable Foundation and Inova Sports Medicine. Congratulations, Coach Johnson!

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos recognized Hickory High School as one of the National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2017. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap. This coveted award affirms the hard work of educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. Now in its 35th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed recognition on more than 8,500 schools. On November 6-7, the Secretary and the Department of Education will celebrate with these honorees at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. Congratulations to Hickory High School!

Please join us in recognizing National School Bus Safety Week (October 16-20) and School Bus Transportation Employees Appreciation Day (October 17). This week is an excellent time for parents, students, teachers, motorists, and school administrators to join forces to address the importance of school bus safety and say a special thank you to our school transportation employees. The national theme for this year is “#STOPONRED!”

Chesapeake Public Schools has designated this week as Character Education Week which coincides with National Character Counts Week. Join us as our schools focus on the ideas of respect, responsibility, fairness, trustworthiness, caring, and citizenship.

The 2009 Virginia General Assembly responded to the call from young people with disabilities to pass a resolution designating the month and to encourage public schools and universities to engage in activities that promote awareness. Disability history, education, and awareness will promote positive attitudes in schools creating a culture of mutual respect, understanding, and equal opportunities for all.

Every October, schools and organizations across the country join STOMP Out Bullying™ in observing National Bullying Prevention Month. The goal is to encourage communities to work together to stop bullying and cyber bullying by increasing awareness of the prevalence and impact of bullying on all children of all ages. Anti-bullying activities include STOMP Out Bullying™’s signature campaign Blue Shirt Day® World Day of Bullying Prevention on October 2, the day bullying prevention is heard around the world. PACER has designated October 25, as Unity Day. Wear orange in support of the campaign message – “Make it ORANGE and make it united! Together against bullying – united for kindness, acceptance and inclusion.”