Parent Handbook
Marcus Newsome, Ed.D.
Children are constantly moving toward their futures, and it is our
role to nurture the potential within each child. Who knows how high our
students will soar?
This year’s parent handbook features alumni who are climbing
higher and higher but who not long ago were entering
We cannot know where each student will land, but we are teaching
them the 21st-century skills needed to fulfill their potential no matter where
their paths lead.
In 2012, we envision that every
The mission of Chesterfield County Public Schools is to work in
partnership with students, families and the community to ensure that each
student acquires the knowledge, skills and core values necessary to achieve
personal success and to enrich the community.
Goals
The Design for Excellence six-year strategic plan illuminates the
path to achieving the School Board’s vision. The goals of the Design for
Excellence are
Goal 1. Academic excellence
for all students
Goal 2. Safe, supportive and
nurturing learning environments
Goal 3. Knowledgeable and
competent workforce
Goal 4. Community investment
in schools
Goal 5. Effective and
efficient system management
The School Board is the governing body of Chesterfield County
Public Schools. The board’s responsibilities include policy making, budget
approval, hiring and evaluation of the superintendent and hearing appeals of
discipline and grievance issues. Board members are elected to four-year terms;
the current terms expire Dec. 31, 2011. To receive electronic copies of School
Board meeting packets, send an email to ccpsschoolboard@ccpsnet.net and ask to
be added to the e-mail list. Additional School Board information can be found
in the School Board section of the school division’s web site, chesterfield.k12.va.us.
Dianne Pettitt, chair
Clover Hill District
897-0075 phone
379-3143 fax
Marshall Trammell Jr., vice chair
Bermuda District
706-1144 phone and fax
Patricia Carpenter
Midlothian District
379-5242 phone
379-5241 fax
David Wyman
768-9353 phone
768-9316 fax
Omarh Rajah
Matoaca District
639-8035 phone
639-8036 fax
School Entrance Age
Children must reach their fifth birthday by Sept. 30 of the school
year to be eligible to attend kindergarten. Daylong prekindergarten programs for at-risk 4-year-olds are available at several elementary schools.
Also, there is a preschool program for children with disabilities
who must be 2 years old by Sept. 30 to enroll. Each year, Chesterfield County
Public Schools conducts Child Find to locate children with disabilities who
need special education services. If you suspect your child may have a
disability, contact the Office of Special Education at 594-1732 or your child’s
home school.
Registering for School
New students should register during office hours at their home school.
For school attendance zone information, call 748-1666 or go online to
chesterfield.k12.va.us, click “quick links,” then click “school finder.”
Students must reside with a parent or legal guardian in
To register for school, proof of county residency is required by providing
one of the following:
• lease for at least one year or deed of a residence or
property in
• contract or lease free of contingencies to occupy a
• resident manager’s letter on company letterhead stating that
residence is a corporate residence in
• weekly receipts for temporary residence in a hotel or motel
for up to 60 days (requires renewal or evidence of more permanent residency
within 60 days of enrollment)
In addition, students enrolling in a
kindergarten who have not already had
the disease. A booster of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) is required
for all students entering sixth grade if at least five years have passed since
their last tetanus-containing vaccine; documentation of the tetanus-containing vaccine
is required.
The student’s Social Security number is requested.
It is helpful if transferring students provide a report card from
their previous school. After registration is completed, the
Kindergarten Registration
Day
Registration day for children who will enter kindergarten in
September 2009 will take place April 16, 2009.
School Visitors
When arriving at a school, parents and other visitors must sign in
at the office and state why they are visiting.
Photographs and Video
The school system and the media regularly photograph and tape
events, activities and success stories at schools. If you do not want your
child’s image used in publications or other media, you must notify the
principal in writing.
School Locations
Directions to schools, maps of attendance areas and a feature that
lists the schools connected to your home address may be found in the “schools”
section of the division’s web site (chesterfield.k12.va.us).
Student Attendance
Good attendance boosts academic success and prepares students for
future employment. Under the attendance policy, students are expected to arrive
on time and attend class at least 95 percent of the time. Excessive absences
may affect receiving credit for classes or promotion to the next grade. When a
student is absent for all or part of a school day, parents must notify the
school. Excused absences are limited to illness, medical or dental appointment,
court appearance, death in the family, observance of a religious holiday or extenuating
circumstances as determined by the principal. The complete attendance policy
(section 400) can be found online at chesterfield.k12.va.us.
Bus Transportation
School bus transportation is available to most students attending
county schools. Bus routes are posted on the web site and at each school, but
the routes and stops are subject to change at any time. Bus transportation is a
privilege, and students riding school buses are required to obey all rules and regulations
established by the school and driver. Disorderly conduct while riding a school
bus may result in denial of this privilege. The school principal makes
disciplinary decisions about school bus transportation.
Parents are responsible for the safety of their children to and
from bus stops and are particularly encouraged to accompany young children.
Parents are encouraged to help children pick a safe area at least 10 feet from
the road where they can wait and to remind them to respect the property of neighbors.
Students should be at their bus stops five minutes before their bus is due.
Frequently asked questions about bus transportation and bus safety
are answered at chesterfield.k12.va.us.
Phones
Because each school has a limited number of telephones, student
use is restricted to emergencies. If parents need to get in touch with students
during the school day, a message may be left with the school secretary and
students will be notified as soon as possible.
Cell Phones
Elementary students may not have cell phones on school property or
on a school bus. Middle and high school students may have cell phones at school
but may not turn them on or use them during the school day. During the
instructional day, student cell phones must be turned off and left in a locker
or car or kept out of sight in a purse or backpack. A student who uses a cell
phone during a testing situation will have the phone confiscated and will not
be allowed to have a cell phone on school property for the rest of the school
year. Confiscated cell phones may be picked up by the student’s parent or
guardian after meeting with a school administrator. Chesterfield County Public
Schools is not responsible for the loss, destruction, damage or theft of any
cell phone.
Meals
High schools offer an a la carte lunch program. All items are sold
individually with daily lunch combos offered at a slightly reduced rate,
starting at $3.25. Vending services offer water, juices and snacks.
Elementary and middle school lunches cost $1.75 (40 cents is the
reduced price), and milk and ice cream cost 60 cents each. Adult lunches at elementary
and middle schools cost $2.65. If a student does not want a complete lunch,
milk and food items may be purchased individually. Breakfast is available at
elementary and middle schools for $1.10 (30 cents is the reduced price).
School menus are available online at chesterfield.k12. va.us. Parents or students may pay
in advance for meals, and students will be debited for lunch costs through a computerized
system available in most schools. Students may not charge meals at any
Parents who use myLunchMoney.com may deposit funds for school
breakfasts and lunches online and view their child’s account balance online.
Parents may limit the money that their children can spend on a la carte items
by contacting their cafeteria manager or by setting up a free account with myLunchMoney.com.
Also aiding communication is School Messenger, which delivers to
parents personalized messages about lunch account balances along with news from
Food and Nutrition Services.
To apply for free or reduced-price meals in elementary or middle
school, families must complete an application. Only one application is needed
per family, and forms are available in each school’s office, on the school
division’s web site (chesterfield.k12.va.us) or by calling 743-3717.
Video Surveillance
As a component of a comprehensive safe school plan, video
surveillance with or without audio capability may be used in the common areas
of schools and on school buses to maintain the security of students, staff
members and visitors. Surveillance equipment may or may not be monitored at any
time. Video recordings also may be used for disciplinary purposes. To protect the
confidentiality of all students, only school personnel may view video recordings
that include more than one student. In a criminal investigation, law enforcement
representatives may view video surveillance.
ParentLink
Chesterfield County Public Schools uses ParentLink to communicate with parents via phone or e-mail. ParentLink is used to notify a parent about a child’s absence, share information about upcoming
events and provide updates in the event of an emergency. So that this
communication tool can work effectively, please make sure that your child’s
school has your correct phone numbers (home, work and cell) and e-mail addresses.
Emergency Closings
If it becomes necessary to close schools because of bad weather or
for any other reason, such as power failure, announcements will be communicated
via ParentLink, carried on the web site
(chesterfield.k12.va.us), made on Comcast Channel 96 and Verizon Channel 26 and submitted to local radio and television stations. Parents should
make emergency closing child-care arrangements at the beginning of the school
year so that students know what to do and where to go if early dismissal becomes
necessary.
Safe Schools
There are trained crisis teams in every school, and tornado, fire
and other emergency drills are practiced on a regular basis. In the event of a
chemical emergency, where the threat is from gases in the air, schools will shelter
in place. Students and staff members will shelter in an interior space;
exterior doors will be locked, air vents turned off, and doors and other spaces
sealed. Parents should also seek shelter and ensure their own safety. Please do
not call or come to the school during a chemical emergency, as it will tie up
phone lines and endanger you and others. Radio, television, the school
division’s web site and ParentLink will be used to
communicate when it is safe to go outside and when and how you will be reunited
with your child.
Report Cards
Report cards are issued to students in grades K-12 at the end of
the four nine-week grading periods. Report cards will be issued Nov. 14, Feb. 6
and April 16. Elementary students will receive their final report cards on the last
day of school, June 12, and middle and high school final report cards will be
mailed June 22.
Interim progress reports are issued to students in grades 3-8.
Interims provide an estimated assessment of academic performance midway in the
grading period. Interim grades are not permanently recorded. Interim reports
will be issued to elementary and middle school students Oct. 2-3, Dec. 11,
March 12-13 and May 14. Up-to-date grades for high school students can be
retrieved via Edline. Parents are encouraged to
schedule teacher conferences to discuss their children’s academic progress as
needed throughout the year.
Grading Scale
Grades K-2
E excellent progress with independence
and consistency
S satisfactory progress
M minimal progress
N not meeting expectations
Grades 3-5
A 94-100 – excellent
B 84-93 – very good
C 74-83 – satisfactory
D 64-73 – marginal
achievement
F below 64 – failing
Grades 6-12
A+ 99-100
A 94-98 – excellent
B+ 90-93
B 84-89 – very good
C+ 80-83
C 74-79 – satisfactory
D+ 70-73
D 64-69 – minimum passing
F below 64 – failing
Edline
Edline, which allows parents and students to track
academic progress via computer, is now available in every
Promotion Standards
Middle school students must pass five subjects, including
mathematics and language arts, to be promoted to the next grade. Here are high
school promotion standards:
Promotion from ninth
grade — 5 credits
Promotion from 10th
grade — 11 credits
Promotion from 11th
grade — must satisfy the requirements to be a candidate for June graduation
Problem Solving
Problems may arise during the course of a student’s school
experience. Teachers, school counselors, principals and assistant principals
are the people most directly involved in a student’s school life. The majority of
problems can be solved by meeting with one or all of these people who daily
work with students in academic as well as social settings. Parents and students
are encouraged to seek resolutions to problems or answers to questions from
these people whenever there is a need. If problems cannot be resolved at the
school level, then the director of elementary education (594-1755) or the directors
of middle or high school education (594-1756) may be helpful in problem
solving.
GED
The school system offers alternative education programs to help
students who are unable to complete high school in a traditional manner earn a
GED certificate. For more information, call 768-6165, ext. 1916.
Student Conduct
To ensure a safe school environment conducive to learning, the
school system maintains and enforces uniform written regulations stating the
system’s standards for student conduct and attendance. These standards are sent
home with each student at the beginning of the school year, with a form for
parents to sign acknowledging receipt. They also are in the “students” section
of the web site (chesterfield.k12.va.us).
The standards apply to students on school property (including
school buses), at school-sponsored events and going to and returning from
school.
Included in these standards are regulations prohibiting weapons
and drugs on school property. Look-alike and toy guns are included in the
weapons policy. The School Board strongly supports the weapons and drugs
regulations. Students who violate these regulations are subject to expulsion
and, if the offense is a violation of the law, to prosecution.
A student’s intent for having a weapon on school property has no
bearing on a recommendation for expulsion. Parents and students also should be
aware that by order of the Chesterfield Juvenile Court, police officers take
every juvenile charged with a firearms offense directly to the Juvenile
Detention Home where he or she is held until a detention hearing takes place
before a Juvenile Court judge.
Anyone who knows or suspects that someone has a weapon at school
should report it immediately to a school official — teacher, guidance counselor
or principal — or should call Crime Solvers (748-0660).
State Testing
As required by the federal No Child Left Behind legislation, yearly
testing will continue in grades 3 through 8 in reading and mathematics.
Additionally, students in grades 3, 5 and 8 will test in science and students
in grades 4, 6, 7 and 8 will test in history. SOL writing tests will continue
to be administered in grades 5 and 8 and to high school students in English 10. Endof- course tests will continue to be administered
to high school students who are enrolled in any class for which there is an SOL
test. Students must pass at least six high school end-of-course tests to earn a
standard diploma and nine to earn an advanced diploma. (Students graduating in
2009 are eligible for locally awarded credits in history and science.) Advanced
Placement, International Baccalaureate and other approved tests may substitute
for SOL tests. All English for Speakers of Other Languages students will take
the Stanford English Language Proficiency test as required by the Virginia Department
of Education.
Local Testing
The Cognitive Abilities Test is administered to all thirdgrade students attending Chesterfield County Public
Schools. The test is administered in early February, depending on the SOL
schedule. The test measures a child’s abilities in verbal skills, mathematics
reasoning and nonverbal reasoning skills. The results are used to provide
teachers and parents specific information about each child’s strengths and weaknesses
in those areas. The test results are also part of the process and help select
students for accelerated mathematics instruction and placement into the gifted
program.
The Preliminary SAT is administered in October. The PSAT is a
standardized test that measures critical reading skills, math problem-solving
skills and writing skills. The test will be offered at no cost to all 10th
grade students and will provide feedback on strengths and weaknesses on critical
high school knowledge and skills, help with SAT preparation and identify
student potential for college-level (Advanced Placement and dual enrollment)
courses in 11th and 12th grade.
All students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses must take the
AP test, which the school system will pay for.
Testing Dates
Oct. 15 PSAT for grade 10 and some students in grades
11-12
High school students may
participate in fall or summer SOL tests as a course is completed or to retake a
test. For more information, go to chesterfield.k12.va.us, click “calendars” on
the right side of the screen, then click “testing calendar.”
Gifted Students
The identification and placement process for gifted students
begins with a student being nominated to the Gifted Education Identification
and Placement Committee at the student’s school. Nomination forms are available
at all schools, and deadlines are
Nov. 1 for students in
grade 5
Feb. 1 for students in
grades K-4
Oct. 1 and Feb. 1 for
students in grades 6-12
For more information, go
online to chesterfield.k12.va.us, click “instruction,” then “gifted education.”
Homework Guidelines
Homework contributes to the development of organizational skills,
self-discipline and a sense of responsibility. It serves to strengthen skills,
increase learning time and provide enrichment opportunities. These average homework
times are recommendations. They are not meant to be minimum or maximum quotas.
Some students may need more time while others may need less time to accomplish
an assignment. The complexity of honors-level work may require additional time.
Kindergarten no specified time, ongoing language awareness experiences at home
Medicine
Students may not bring any medication to school, including
nonprescription medication. If it is necessary for a student to receive
medication during school hours, parents should contact the school for more
information on the medication policy. Parents of a student with critical health
concerns may want to provide additional medication to their child’s school in
case of an emergency.
Clinics
Limited clinic facilities operate at all county schools to handle
illnesses that occur during the school day. Parents or guardians are contacted when
a student becomes ill at school and are asked to make arrangements to pick up
the student as soon as possible. Nurses are not available in schools on a daily
basis.
Homeschooling
Each year by Aug. 1, families who choose home instruction for
their children must provide the local school division with evidence of
grade-level achievement. Each spring, Chesterfield County Public Schools offers homeschooling families an opportunity to take a
nationally normed standardized achievement test at no
cost. Students are tested by trained administrators in small gradelevel groups. Students who participate fulfill the
reporting requirement.
Each academic year, homeschooled students may apply to enroll in up to two high-school courses in Chesterfield County
Public Schools. Students must apply for classes in the spring of the preceding
year, and participation is on a spaceavailable basis.
Chesterfield County Public Schools makes the PSAT and Advanced
Placement tests available to homeschooled students in
grades 9-12. Students must register for the PSAT at the appropriate high school
during the first week of October and must register for AP tests during the
first week of March.
Getting Help for
Students
While youth may show spontaneous aggressive behavior or signs of
difficulty fitting in, parents should become concerned when alienation or
antisocial behavior is shown over a period of time. Parents can seek help from
their child’s school or the county Mental Health Department (748-1227). To
anonymously report suspicious behavior or other concerns, parents and students
may call Crime Solvers (748-0660).
Extracurricular Activities
The school division’s policy on extracurricular activities
provides guidance to schools, complies with legal requirements
and ensures consistency in the treatment of student organizations and clubs.
The policy is available online at chesterfield.k12. va.us.
Fees
There are fees in some secondary classes. There also is a $100 fee
for behind-the-wheel driver education. There is a $25 fee for full-year parking
permits for high school students. Fees are subject to change.
Parent and Community Involvement
Regular and meaningful communication among home, school and
community is encouraged at every level in the school system. Every school has a
parent organization to promote communication and involvement, aligned to
national standards. The Chesterfield County Council of PTAs/ PTSAs serves as a liaison at the county level.
Established in 1989, the Chesterfield Public Education Foundation
is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that fosters
private support for the public schools of
Volunteers
Volunteers are welcome in
Student Records
Schools maintain an education record for each student. The
principal is responsible for education records. These records contain
information about scholastic work, grades, evaluations, registration, health,
attendance, standardized test results, programs of study and discipline.
Students with special needs and certain students requiring differentiated programs
or special services have records related to their educational programs
maintained in the education records. All data for an individual student are
maintained in a single record. Chesterfield County Public Schools forwards education
records upon request of a school in which a student intends to enroll.
Access to a student’s education record is limited to parents,
eligible students (over 18 years old), school officials and others who have the
written permission of parent or eligible student. Natural parents, regardless
of custody status, have the right of access to all student records unless
specifically prohibited by a court order.
Directory information, which includes student name, address,
grade, date and place of birth, telephone listing, dates of attendance,
participation in officially recognized activities and sports, height and weight
of a member of an athletic team, awards and honors received and other similar information,
may be made public unless a parent or eligible student notifies the principal
of their wish not to disclose the information. The names, addresses and phone
numbers of 11th- and 12th-grade students are disclosed to military recruiters
unless the school is notified by Oct. 1 to remove a student’s name. Students’
directory information will be used for armed services recruiting and for
informing young people of scholarship opportunities.
School officials review and evaluate scholastic records at the
fifth, eighth and 12th grades. Information required under state law is retained
permanently. The school system will provide to parents upon request a list of
the types and location of education records collected and maintained by the
schools, as well as written policies and procedures on the management of
education records. A parent or eligible student may request a copy of the
records policy and procedures from the principal. A fee of 10 cents per page
may be charged for reproduction of some records.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act affords parents and students over 18 years of age certain rights with respect to the
student’s education records. They have the right to
• inspect and
review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the principal
receives a request for access. (Parents or eligible students should submit a written
request that identifies the records they wish to inspect. The principal will
notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records
may be inspected.)
• request in
writing to the principal the amendment of the records that the parent or
eligible student believes are inaccurate or misleading. (If the principal
decides not to amend the record as requested, the principal will advise of the
right to a hearing. Additional information regarding hearing procedures will be
provided.)
• consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information
contained in the student’s education record, except to the extent that FERPA
authorizes disclosure without consent. (One exception that permits disclosure without
consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational
interests. A school official is a person employed by the division as an
administrator, supervisor, teacher or support staff member, including health
staff members and law enforcement unit personnel; a School Board member; a
person or company with whom the division has contracted to perform a special
task, such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant or therapist. A school
official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review
an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional
responsibility.)
• file a complaint
with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the school
division to comply with FERPA requirements.
The legal and ethical maintenance of student records is important,
and the school system recognizes its responsibility to protect the rights and
privacy of the student and parents and to adhere strictly to statutes designed
to safeguard information in your child’s record. If you have questions, please
contact the principal.
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