Administrative Professionals Week (April 22-28) and Administrative Professionals Day (April 25) provide a time for us to celebrate the work of secretaries, administrative assistants, receptionists, and other administrative support professionals and their contributions to the workplace. Please join Chesapeake Public Schools in thanking all of our administrative professionals this week as each individual is vital to the success of our school system!

Barbara Lynk was chosen as the Bus Driver of the Month for March 2018. Ms. Lynk drives in the South Norfolk and Indian River areas of the city. She is an exemplary employee who truly cares about her students. She is willing to go wherever needed to make sure all of our students get to and from school daily. We are fortunate to have Ms. Lynk as a bus Driver and are very appreciative of her dedication to Chesapeake Public Schools. Thank you, Ms. Lynk, for being an outstanding bus Driver! The following Drivers were also nominated for the month of March: Laray Lee, Rosa Garner, Patricia Villareal, Vivian DeVold, Sherry Ann Williams, and Catherine Normand.

ACCESS College Foundation is hosting its third annual ACCESS College Commitment Day on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at the Ted Constant Convocation Center in Norfolk, Virginia. This is a celebratory event to commemorate a student’s college acceptance and the filing of their FAFSA form to acquire funding for their education. Nearly 2,200 seniors from the 30 local public high schools served by ACCESS College Foundation will attend this event, as well as parents, high school faculty, college faculty, and community leaders.

Chesapeake Public Schools will join thousands of schools throughout the United States, Canada, and around the world to celebrate National Student Leadership Week, April 15–21, 2018. The week is dedicated to recognizing and reinforcing the important role of student leaders. The theme for this year’s event is “Make Your Mark on the World: Dream. Lead. Serve.”  This year’s theme is rooted in a student leadership initiative currently underway focusing on global citizenship. Both the initiative and this year’s National Student Leadership Week celebration aim to encourage students to think globally and act locally to make a difference in their schools, communities, and beyond.

Join Chesapeake Public Schools as we celebrate the impact of volunteer service and appreciate our dedicated parent volunteers and their contributions to our schools during Public School Volunteer Week. From donating time to assisting with classroom and school activities, parent volunteers play an important role in our schools. When schools and families work together to support learning, everyone benefits.

April is the Month of the Military Child, providing an opportunity to recognize and honor the service of Virginia’s youngest heroes–over 73,000 military connected children. Show your support for the annual Purple Up! for Military Kids celebration by wearing purple on Purple Up Day, Friday, April 13, 2018.

The American Occupational Therapy Association has designated the month of April as Occupational Therapy Month.  Occupational therapists are part of a vitally important profession that helps students participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities.  Their holistic and customized approach to evaluations, interventions, and outcomes helps a child with disabilities participate in school and in social situations and stay as independent as possible.  Join Chesapeake Public Schools in recognizing and thanking our occupational therapists!

Here is a list of upcoming productions at our local high schools:

• “Elephant’s Graveyard” at Deep Creek High School, May 10-11, 2018 @7p.m.
• “Beauty and the Beast” at Grassfield High School, April 26-28, 2018 @7p.m.
• “Antigone” at Great Bridge High School, April 12-14, 2018 @7p.m.
• “Little Shop of Horrors” at Hickory High School, May 4-5, 11-12, 2018 @7p.m.
• “A Chorus Line” at Indian River High School, April 26-28, 2018 @7:15p.m.
• “Farewell to Galatea” and “The Keys” at Oscar Smith High School, May 3-5, 2018 @7p.m.

School Library Month is the American Association of School Librarians’ celebration of school librarians and their programs. Join Chesapeake Public Schools as we celebrate the essential role that strong school library programs play in transforming learning.

Chesapeake Public Schools embraces the opportunity to ensure acceptance and inclusion in our schools and communities that result in a true appreciation of the unique aspects of all people.  National Autism Awareness Month represents an excellent opportunity to promote autism awareness and acceptance.  The eleventh annual World Autism Awareness Day is April 2, 2018.