Concern about COVID-19 (coronavirus) has created a rapidly evolving environment where changes are being made quickly in the interest of public health.

Starting Monday, March 16, Henrico County Public Schools will be closed for students for two full weeks of school (through Friday, March 27). We will continue to assess the situation, and decide later if we need to extend this period of closure.

We realize this creates many questions about how students will continue their learning. We have a thorough plan in place, and detailed information about student learning will be communicated in a separate message.

Our teachers and staff will use Monday, March 16, to continue their preparations. “Virtual learning” experiences (digital and non-digital) will be available to students of all grade levels starting on Tuesday, March 17.

During this unprecedented experience, we will continue to do everything possible to ensure the health and safety of our community. The HCPS Facilities and Pupil Transportation departments will conduct additional cleaning of school buildings and buses, and continue to assess the best cleaning practices.

Additionally, for many of our students, the meals provided at our schools are a crucial part of their daily nutrition. Additional plans are being made to address this vital need across the Henrico Community.

Please know that this is not a decision that we make lightly. We realize that any change to educational schedules is disruptive and inconvenient. However, our priority must always be the health and safety of our students, staff members and community.

Again, more details about student learning will be forthcoming in separate communications. Visit the “COVID-19” page on our website for full information from HCPS.

ELECTIVE FAIR

J.R. Tucker High School

Thursday, February 6^th

5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Café 2

See attached flyer for more information.

Elective Fair Flyer 19-20

Please find the Annual Child Find Notice attached.

EXED-26 ANNUAL CHILD FIND NOTICE PUBLISHED ON SCHOOL WEBSITES

IMPORTANT SPECIALTY CENTER DATES for 2019-2020 APPLICANTS (8^th Graders)

Specialty Center Information Sessions (choose one)
Godwin High School
September 25, 2019 @ 7 p.m.

Highland Springs High School
October 2, 2019 @ 7 p.m.

Glen Allen High School
October 10, 2019 @ 7 p.m.

Varina High School
October 15, 2019 @ 7 p.m.

OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE-  detailed information specific to each specialty center.  Feel free to visit each school of interest!

The Advanced Career Education Center at Hermitage
October 21, 2019 – 7:00 p.m.
Junior Achievement Building at Libbie Mill Library

The Advanced Career Education Center at Highland Springs
October 21, 2019 – 7:00 p.m.
Junior Achievement Building at Libbie Mill Library

International Baccalaureate Middle Years/Diploma Programs
October 24, 2019 – 7:00 p.m.
Henrico High School Auditorium

Center for Engineering
October 29, 2019 – 7:00 p.m.
Highland Springs High School Auditorium

Center for Education and Human Development
November 6, 2019 – 7:00 p.m.
Glen Allen High School Auditorium

International Baccalaureate Middle Years/Diploma Programs
November 7, 2019 – 7:00 p.m.
Tucker High School Auditorium

Center for Communications & Media Relations
November 12, 2019 – 7:00 p.m.
Varina  HS Center for Communications

Advance College Academy, Business Administration
November 13, 2019 – 7:00 p.m.
Highland Springs High School Auditorium

Center for Humanities
November 14, 2019 – 7:00 p.m.
Hermitage High School Auditorium

Center for the Arts
November 18, 2019 – 7:00 p.m.
Henrico High School Auditorium

Center for Spanish Language & Global Citizenship
November 19, 2019 – 7:00 p.m.
J.R. Tucker High School Auditorium

The Todd A. Phillips Center for Medical Science
November 25, 2019 – 7:00 p.m.
Mills Godwin High School Auditorium

Center for Leadership Government And Global Economics
December 2, 2019 – 7:00 p.m.
Freeman High School

Advance College Academy Social Sciences
December 3, 2019 – 7:00 p.m.
J.R. Tucker HS Auditorium

Center for Information Technology
December 4, 2019 – 7:00 p.m.
Deep Run High School

­­­­­­­

SPECIALTY CENTER APPLICATION TIMELINE

November 18, 2019 – Application will be available online

November 18, 2019– Private School testing registration will open

January 17, 2020– Application deadline for students

January 13, 2020 Private School Testing Registration Deadline

March 6, 2020– Students provided online access to check application status/acceptance

March 20, 2020– Deadline for applicants to declare intent or accept waitlist offers online. Students may accept one center and one waitlist. Students may remain on one waitlist until March 20^th. 4:00pm

 March 27, 2020– All students being offered a spot from the waitlist must inform specialty center chairs of their intent to accept an offer of admission.

April 17, 2020– All applicant standings finalized

IMPORTANT SPECIALTY CENTER DATES for 2019-2020

CODE RVA REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Application Schedule 2019-2020 School Year (8^th Graders)

November 6                                       Information Session/Open House for interested students/parents

(5:00-6:00 pm; 6:30-7:30 pm)

November 13                                   Information Session/Open House for interested students/parents

(5:00-6:00 pm; 6:30-7:30 pm)

January 6                                            Online application opens for 8^th Graders

February 22                                       Online application system closes @ 11:59 pm

March 6                                               Selected students will be notified by email (to Guardian 1 email address)

March 16                                            Accepted New Student Open House for parents/students

(6:00-7:00 pm)

March 20                                            Response due from accepted students to CodeRVA of intent to attend

Mid-August                                       New Student Orientation

This is an important message for families of students who use bus transportation:

First day of school is almost here! Our drivers have been working hard to rehearse their routes and make sure Sept. 3 is the beginning of a great week. With that in mind, we ask for your patience next week as some buses may experience delays. Here’s why, along with answers to some other frequently asked questions.

What can I expect during the first week of school?

Thousands of Kindergarten and preschool students are riding a school bus for the very first time. We take extra care with these students, such as requiring authorized adults to show ID in order to get them off the bus in the afternoon. Afternoon delays are inevitable as parents become accustomed to our process, and as our drivers meet many of these families for the first time. In limited instances, bus delays may become very lengthy on the first couple of days, but those delays should quickly shorten as everyone gets used to the new routine.

We also realize that the first week of school can often be filled with emotional moments and “must get” photo opportunities. Sometimes this will result in buses being behind schedule.

Where can I find bus information?

Bus stop information is now available on our website as well as through Rycor Online Forms and PowerSchool. We recommend students be at their morning bus stop five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. Please review bus stop safety procedures and follow the direction of bus drivers.

Will you let me know if the bus is running 10-15 minutes late?

Pupil Transportation staff makes every effort to notify parents of significantly late buses through School Messenger text messages. For more information on our automated communication methods, click here to visit the Communications and Community Engagement page 

What if I need to call someone in the Transportation department?

If you would like to speak to someone in our Transportation department, you can do that too by calling one of our zone offices. Henrico is a big county that is served by several different transportation zones. To find the zone office that is responsible for your student’s school, click here.

How do I make a formal request regarding my student’s transportation?

Transportation staff receives hundreds of written requests from parents in September. Parents should complete the “School Bus Request Form,” also linked on the web page.  Priority will be placed on assigning new or recently moved students. Requests for changes to bus stop locations will be addressed as a lower priority.

Here’s to a great 2019-20 school year!

Josh Davis
Director, Pupil Transportation

What is Anonymous Alerts?

The Anonymous Alerts safety and anti-bullying reporting system helps combat negative activity in schools by empowering students to speak up. Social and peer pressure are some of the hardest obstacles for students to overcome.

The system allows for one-way or two-way anonymous encrypted communication between those submitting reports (students, parents or community members) and school division administration and staff members. System users have the option to remain anonymous or reveal their identity when submitting a report.

How does it work?

To use the new app, students, parents or others simply visit the Henrico County Public Schools website and click on the “Anonymous Alerts” button or the text link to submit a report expressing a concern. Anonymous Alerts apps can be downloaded directly from the Apple, Google Play or Chrome stores.

Users enter Henrico Schools’ Anonymous Alerts activation code – Henrico – and select the school to which the message should go. Informational posters explaining how to use the system will be displayed in HCPS schools and offices.

To send reports from the internet, go to: https://report.anonymousalerts.com/henrico.

To send a report from your phone:

• Download the free Anonymous Alerts app from the Apple Store, Google Play store or Chrome store.
• Launch the app and enter the activation code, Henrico.
• Send important reports to school officials.
• If desired, add a screenshot, photo or video about the incident.

Greetings, everyone!! Please check out the attached Word document for VERY important information regarding school, such as important Fee Day information and Laptop information, as well as Athletics and Transportation information and the Grading Scale!

Back to School Mailer 19-20 BMS

Summer slide isn’t a piece of playground equipment – it’s the tendency for students to lose some of the progress they’ve made during the academic year. But there are ways to keep your students’ skills sharp and have fun all summer long.

For details, resources and lots more ways to foster reading this summer, go to HCPS’ summer reading page.