Earlier today, Superintendent Dr. Jared Cotton held his second Superintendent’s Community Engagement Council of this school year. Community partners and school leaders gathered to discuss important topics including including state accreditation updates from Dr. Melissa Oliver and insights on the Virginia Literacy Act from Dr. Melissa Goodwin. A special thank you to Victoria L. Proffitt, the City of Chesapeake’s Commissioner of the Revenue Office, for providing the blessing and to Trane for sponsoring the event. ✨ We are thankful for our ongoing collaboration and support from our community. #InspireCPS #EmpowerCPS #EngageCPS
🔥 Congratulations to Hugo Owens Middle School Works in Progress (WIPs) and Next Gen teams for an incredible performance at the VEX Robotics competition in Richmond this past week. Both teams stayed in the Top 10 throughout all 5 qualifying rounds, securing their spots as finalists!
🏆 Hugo's Next Gen took home the Teamwork Champions Award AND won the main event, officially qualifying for the State Championship in March! They’ll be competing for a chance to make it to the World Championships! 🌎
Way to go, teams! 🎉
📢 Catch more action this Saturday February 8, 2025 as Hugo Owens Middle joins teams from across Virginia VEX VIQC Rapid Relay Tournament at Deep Creek Middle School. The event kicks off at 9:30 AM. Come out and cheer on these amazing teams!
🎟️For more information visit- https://www.cpschools.com/events?id=36512128
💻 The Chesapeake Virtual Academy is Now Accepting Applications! 💻
CVA is open for 2025-2026 enrollment! K-12 students in Chesapeake can learn online (full or part-time) while staying connected to their zoned school for sports, clubs, and activities! 🏫
🗓 Apply by March 10, 2025! Don’t miss out!
🔗 Apply here: https://www.cpschools.com/o/cva/page/about
⚒️ Career and technical education, or CTE, prepares students for high-wage, high-skill, and high-demand careers by offering them a pathway to certification through classroom learning, hands-on experiences, and work based opportunities. 🖥️
🚗 CTE Month® takes place each February to celebrate the value of CTE and the achievements and accomplishments of CTE programs. 🥽
👏 Thank you to all of our CTE teachers across the city. You make a difference! #CPSCelebrates
💻 Check out the courses we offer and other information about our programs: https://www.cpschools.com/article/2008340
🏫💬You are invited to attend the Gifted Advisory Committee Meeting to help advocate in the interest of gifted students. These meetings are open to the public.
💻For more information, visit our website: https://www.cpschools.com/o/cps/page/advisory-committees-gifted-education
🎉Congratulations to January’s Power of the Peake recipients!
Last week, we had the honor of surprising three incredible staff members:
🌟 SUPPORT: Tracy Gilbert- Manager- Department of Warehouse & Logistical Services
🌟 TEACH: Michael Brooks - P.E. Teacher - Jolliff Middle School
🌟 LEAD: Paul Joseph - Principal - Oscar Smith High School
These outstanding individuals go above and beyond in their roles, making a lasting impact in our district. This award celebrates their dedication, passion, and hard work!
👉 To learn more about the program and nominate someone to be the next Power of the Peake, visit: https://www.cpschools.com/o/cps/page/employee-recognition
🎥 Check out this video from our visits: https://youtu.be/VC8vzrknT88
🙌 February 3-7, 2025 is National School Counseling Week!
This year’s theme, “Helping Students Thrive,” recognizes the incredible impact school counselors can have in guiding students achieve success in school and helping them plan for their future. 💕
School counselors are leaders, helpers, organizers, and often a place of refuge for the students. They are a vital part of what makes our schools so special, and we are forever grateful for all they do.
💜 Thank you, school counselors! #CPSCelebrates
✨ February marks the annual observance of the Virginia School Boards Association’s School Board Appreciation Month. This is a time to recognize the work of our School Board members and celebrate their contributions to public education. Your locally elected board ensures students have the opportunity to benefit from a high-quality education. Thank you to our incredible School Board for their dedication and contribution to our families and community. ❤️
Learn more about our Board using this link: https://www.cpschools.com/page/school-board
❤️💛💚 This February, we honor Black History Month, a time to celebrate and recognize the impact, contributions, and achievements of African Americans throughout U.S. history.
The 2025 Black History Month theme, "African Americans and Labor," explores the profound impact of Black workers in shaping U.S. history. From skilled trades to unrecognized labor, both voluntary and forced, their contributions have been essential to the nation's progress.
💻 Learn more about how you can join us in celebrating: https://www.cpschools.com/article/2004399
✨ STREAM Night Meets the Year of the Snake! 🐍
Butts Road Primary school was full of festive cheer this past Wednesday as they celebrated STREAM Night on Chinese New Year! 🎉 Families and students participated in hands-on Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, and Math activities, all with a festive Lunar New Year twist!
From Fireworks in a Jar 🎆 to Glow-in-the-Dark Coloring 🎨, Coding Bots 🤖, and even crafting New Year Poppers 🎊, the school was packed with creativity, discovery, and fun.
Bravo to the creativity of the faculty and staff for making it happen! #CPSCelebrates
🎉 Former and current Wildcat faculty had a GREAT day on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at the Great Bridge High School Faculty Reunion! 😺
From its humble beginnings in 1907 as Norfolk County's first school, Great Bridge High has a rich 118-year history! It was special to see faculty from all eras reconnect at the current (built in 1983) Hanbury Road location. Many called it "the new GBHS" 💚☺💚
Guests at the reunion enjoyed reconnecting with former colleagues and reminiscing about their time at GBH! The event also raised nearly $3,000 for the school's general fund! What a fantastic way to give back, Wildcats!
📷credit: GBH Yearbook Students: J. Minervini & R. Scott
🎙️ New Podcast Episode Alert! 🎙️ In our latest episode, we’re highlighting the dedication and leadership of three of our outstanding principals: Quentin Hicks (Western Branch High), Brenna Stanley (Indian River Middle), and Chad Triolet (Sparrow Road Intermediate). They share their experiences, challenges, and the strategies they use to build positive school environments. From fostering meaningful relationships to engaging with students, staff, and families, their insights remind us how vital school leadership is to education. Tune in to the full episode celebrating these incredible leaders at https://www.cpschools.com/amplified or wherever you get your podcasts! 🎧 #CPSCelebrates #InspireCPS #EngageCPS #VASchoolPrincipalAppreciationWeek
On Monday, January 27, 2025, Grassfield High School dedicated their library in memory of Mrs. Dusty N. Gabel who served as Media Specialist from 2007-2022.
Mrs. Gabel was beloved by students and staff, and her passion for reading and learning touched countless lives. She was known for creating a warm, welcoming space that fostered creativity and connections. This dedication of the Dusty N. Gabel Library will allow her contributions to live on through this space, inspiring future generations of learners. 🐻❤️📖
🚸 Come learn about Sibshops, a program that provides siblings of kids with disabilities with peer support and information. The second workshop in this series will be offered on February 12, 2025.
💻 To learn more and to register visit: https://www.cpschools.com/events?id=34991111
❄️ Due to ongoing hazardous road conditions in neighborhoods and along many bus routes, Chesapeake Public Schools will be CLOSED for students tomorrow, Friday, January 24, 2025. All students will participate in an asynchronous virtual learning day.
💻Visit https://www.cpschools.com/emergency for more information.
⛄❄️ Due to continued hazardous road conditions throughout the city, Chesapeake Public Schools will be closed for students and staff tomorrow, Thursday, January 23, 2025. High school students will participate in an asynchronous virtual learning day and should check for details from their teachers on Canvas. 💻
👉 Visit https://www.cpschools.com/emergency for more information.
🚨Code 1🚨
Chesapeake Public Schools will be CLOSED tomorrow, January 22, 2025, and will operate on a CODE 1. Only high school students will participate in a virtual learning day to make-up any work and review assignments to close out the semester.
Visit https://www.cpschools.com/page/emergency-information for more information about Emergency Closing Codes.
👏 Shout out to Chesapeake Career Center and Indian River High Alumni, Antonio Lomba! 👏
On January 8, 2025, Antonio was recognized by Governor Younkin at the State of the Commonwealth for his outstanding career success. Antonio will graduate from the Comfort Systems of Virginia, Inc. apprenticeship program this August.
Congratulations Antonio! #CPSCelebrates
📽️ Check out this video recording of the address. Antonio’s recognition begins at 23:47: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7-cVQrtf-Q
Due to inclement weather, all after-school and evening activities for today, January 21, 2025, are canceled.
Please note - YMCA child care and Boys and Girls Club will operate on their normal schedule.
For more weather-related updates, visit https://www.cpschools.com/emergency
As a reminder, our schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 20, 2025, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
#MLKDay2025 #CPSCelebrates
