🎙️ 🎧 Listen to our latest podcast episode that highlights leaders in the classroom and on the field. ✨ https://www.cpschools.com/page/amplified
Hudson King and Spencer Cocuzzo, SCA presidents from Grassfield High School and Hickory High School, discuss their roles as SCA presidents and how SCA positively impacts their high school experience. Whitney Roberson and Abigail Swisher from the Jolliff Middle School Jaguars Girls Soccer championship team, share their experiences of being a part of the inaugural middle school soccer season. ⚽ The Deep Creek High School Orchestra Quartet also provides some wonderful holiday music! 🎻❄
🔊 Don’t forget to subscribe or follow "Amplified: The Chesapeake Public Schools Podcast,” on your favorite podcast platforms, where we share the stories behind our story!
Yesterday, the Hugo A. Owens Middle School auditorium was dedicated in honor of Dr. Debbie Hunley-Stukes. Her career with Chesapeake Public Schools began in 1982 and spanned several decades including her role as the first principal of HOMS from 1996-2006. While there, she established a legacy of success for the Mustangs. Yesterday's ceremony included students, former colleagues, family, and special guests. Congratulations Dr. Hunley-Stukes! 🎉
This morning, Superintendent Dr. Jared Cotton spread some joy to our incredible bus drivers by surprising them with Chick-fil-A biscuits at Greenbrier Middle School. 👏 🐔
🙌 We would like to extend a big, “Thank you!” to ALL of our amazing bus drivers who ensure the safety of our students wherever their destination may be. 🚌
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP (formerly known as “Food Stamps”) provides eligible households with food benefits.
Students in households that receive SNAP are also eligible for meals at no cost at school. Students who have access to SNAP are more likely to be in good health and miss less school. Many households may not be aware they qualify. To learn more and to apply, visit https://www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/snap.cgi
Five of our high schools were awarded top honors from W!SE! W!SE is dedicated to improving economic mobility through programs that develop financial literacy and readiness for college and careers.
⭐ Grassfield High School (Platinum Star)
⭐ Hickory High School (Blue Star)
⭐ Deep Creek High School (Blue Star)
⭐ Western Branch High School (Blue Star)
In addition, 20 of our teachers, representing all 7 high schools, were named Gold Star Teachers ⭐ for earning a 93% pass rate in at least one of their classes in either the Fall 2022 or Spring 2023 W!SE Financial Literacy Certification Test administration.
Sounds of the Season ❄
Oscar Smith Middle School orchestra, band, and chorus students spent time yesterday afternoon at the South Norfolk Memorial Library performing a variety of holiday selections for guests. 🎻🎙🎷
On Friday, Portlock Primary transformed into a Winter Wonderland! Throughout the school day, students and teachers were able to celebrate the upcoming holiday season by decorating the halls, participating in holiday themed activities, and dressing in their favorite holiday attire!
A draft Academic Calendar for the 2024-2025 school year was presented to the School Board on December 11, 2023.
Please review the proposal and provide feedback by December 22, 2023, using the Academic Calendar Feedback Survey on our website: http://cpschools.com/surveys
The Virginia Board of Education will be in Chesapeake Wednesday, December 13 as an opportunity for Virginians to learn more about new accountability measurements and discuss their expectations for the upcoming accountability measurements.
Register here: https://ow.ly/CpGS50Qgt7B
The Hour of Code is a global initiative to support Computer Science Education Week and introduce millions of students to one hour of computer science and computer programming. All students (PreK-12) can participate!
Visit https://hourofcode.com/us/learn, pick an activity and spend at least one hour coding a solution.
Let us know when you have completed an Hour of Code! Students, teachers and families are encouraged to share a photo holding the Hour of Code certificate sign. Download your copy here: https://5il.co/299hj
Be sure to include our hashtag #CPSHourofCode 😁🖥️
🎉 Congratulations, Tracy Jernigan! Tracy is a second-grade teacher for the Hawks and a Chesapeake Public Schools Teacher of the Year Finalist!🦅 As a previous Teacher of the Year at Woodstock Elementary School in Virginia Beach, Tracy believes that “establishing a classroom community is a vital part of achieving student success.” She strives to create an environment where expectations are high and student success is achieved through hard work and perseverance. Her favorite quote to remind students is, "You can do hard things!" 💪 Tracy states she “never set out to be a teacher…. teaching found me!” ❤ She feels that teaching is the most rewarding profession and loves to inspire and foster a love of learning in children. Tracy is also the Hawks CARES Advisor, Co-Chair of the Community Relations Committee, and a Student Activities Committee Member. She spends her weekends playing on a coe-ed softball team with her husband and brother and loves to camp, fish, and explore new places. Tracey hopes to visit national parks in all 50 states! 🏕 She likes to take risks and has been on a hot air balloon and even skydived! 🪂 ✨ Congratulations, Tracy!
🌟Celebrating the Spirit of Giving🌟
Yesterday, through our wonderful partnership with the JCA Foundation, select students were provided with a sprinkle of magic this holiday season through the 18th annual Kidz Kruz event held at Oscar Smith Middle School. ✨
The school was transformed into a ❄ Winter Wonderland that included group sing-alongs, festive crafts, a limbo party with DJ Jay Bondz, and heartwarming visits with Santa. 🎶 Before the event students were asked to create a wish list of items from Walmart. Our teachers then shopped and presented those gifts to students! 🎉 Students also hopped on chartered buses to experience the Holiday Lights in Virginia Beach.
Computer Science Education Week begins today!
The annual call to action inspires students to learn computer science and celebrate the contributions of students, teachers, and partners to the field.
#CPSCelebrates #CSEdWeek
🌟 We are ecstatic to celebrate Megan Gotham, a 4th-grade teacher and a Chesapeake Public School’s Teacher of the Year Finalist! 💛💙🐻
With a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and Special Education from PennWest Edinboro and an endorsement in STEM, Megan brings a wealth of knowledge to her classroom. She affectionately calls her students "scholars," reminding them of their incredible potential and that they are all capable of amazing things. Megan serves as the school’s PBIS and Child Study Chair and volunteers her time with many after-school activities, such as Harvest Fest, Robotics Club, and Bruin Success Club. 🤖 Megan believes in giving her “scholars” the freedom to make mistakes and then provide them with opportunities to problem-solve them in a low-risk, positive learning environment. 💡 Megan's dad inspired her to become a teacher and when she isn't teaching, she can be found at the pool, watching movies, or participating in escape rooms. 🎬🍿 Megan is fascinated by the night sky and has always wanted to see the Badlands National Park. 🌌✨ Congratulations, Megan! 🎉
We are proud to offer three high school academy programs to students throughout the district! All 8th graders are invited to apply!
- International Baccalaureate program, Oscar Smith High School
- Governor’s STEM Academy, Grassfield High School
- Science and Medicine Academy, Deep Creek High School
Applications are due by December 15, 2023, at 11:59 PM. Visit our website for more information and to apply: https://www.cpschools.com/academies
🐾 Wildcats, it's time to put your “paws” together for Kathy Parker, a family and consumer science teacher, and Chesapeake Public Schools Teacher of the Year Finalist! 💚💛 🍽️ Affectionately known as "Chef Parker," she's worn various hats, teaching mathematics at the middle, high, and college levels. Currently, she's igniting culinary passions through her culinary arts classes. 🔥 Kathy believes in fostering a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere and modeling high expectations for all students. She shares that "teaching allows my creative and innovative abilities to shine. I embrace the uniqueness of each of my students.” Kathy is the Wildcats FCCLA Sponsor and for 5 years has provided staff development opportunities for other CPS employees. As the Wildcat Cafe’ Catering Manager, she and her students have catered for various Family and Community Engagement events across the district. 🍰 With an impressive 27 years of teaching, all within CPS, Kathy is a seasoned educator who has made a lasting impact on her students and community. She holds an M.A. in Teaching from Christopher Newport University and a B.S. in Education from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Kathy enjoys spending time with her family, book clubs, friends, and fur baby. In her spare time, you might find her party planning or interior decorating, and she is looking forward to welcoming a 5th grandchild! 💗
November is Take Your Legislature to School Month! This morning, we were proud to host members of our School Board and members from the Virginia General Assembly and their staff, along with other special guests to our Chesapeake Career Center to learn more about our goals to expand their programs and partnerships.
🌟 Let's give a heartfelt shoutout to culinary arts teacher, Jessica Steadman! 🍽 She is the Teacher of the Year for the Hawks and also a Chesapeake Public Schools Teacher of the Year Finalist! 🦅
A Western Branch High School and University of North Carolina Wilmington graduate, Jessica has 11 years of teaching experience and has left her mark at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Before teaching at Hickory High, she taught third and fifth graders for three years at Treakle Elementary and then two years at Deep Creek Middle as a Civics and Economics teacher. 💜🤍
Her culinary classes at Hickory High have had the honor of catering many events including the National Rockstar Custodian Award Reception and the Fallen Soldier Memorial unveiling. Jessica believes that relationships should be at the heart of every classroom. She creates lessons that are hands-on and relevant so that students use the skills outside of the classroom. 🍽 In addition to teaching culinary arts, Jessica has served as the Senior Class Sponsor and FCCLA Sponsor.
When not in the kitchen, you'll find her outdoors with her husband and 3 children, indulging in running, boating, gardening, surfing, and yoga. 🏃♀️🚤🌊 In college, she swore she'd never be a high school teacher—proving that you should never say never! Jessica would love to go skydiving in the future! 🪂
Congratulations, Jessica! 🎉
🌟 Congratulations to Chelsea Nash, a 4th-grade teacher at Deep Creek Elementary and Teacher of the Year Finalist! 💜🤍 Chelsea believes that "strong relationships provide a foundation for student engagement, motivation, and ultimately learning." She is inspired by her husband and their three children. Chelsea graduated from Hickory High School and started her teaching career in Savannah, Georgia as a fifth-grade teacher. While obtaining her master's degree from Georgia Southern University she received the Childhood and Exceptional Student Education's Service and Leadership Award! She was also awarded the Southside Virginia Regional Technology Consortium's Technology Teacher Award for her effective use of technology in the classroom. 💻🏆 Chelsea serves on many committees at DCE, is a Grade Level Chair and SCA Co-Chair, a Beginning Teacher Mentor, a volunteer coach, and more! She is a book enthusiast and appreciates it when her students realize the book is better than the movie. 📚 When she isn't teaching, you might find her at a rock concert or exploring historical sites. Congratulations, Chelsea! 🎉
Before the break, several of our schools participated in the First Lego League Challenge! The tournament aims to promote STEM education and teamwork among young participants. 🤖💻🖱 Each team is judged on their robotic performance, their research, design, and cooperation and inclusion. We are so proud of our winning schools! 🎉
🏆 Greenbrier Intermediate won the Robot Performance and the Champion's Award and will advance to the VA-DC championships on Dec. 9 at JMU.
🏆 Crestwood Intermediate won the Core Value Award.
🏆 Thurgood Marshall Elementary won the Innovation Project Award.
🏆 Truitt Intermediate won the Robot Design Award.
