Henrico, Va., Nov. 19, 2020 — Input and information sessions on three HCPS school attendance boundary “priority areas” have concluded, with one proposal put on hold and the School Board seeking further input on the other two. An update on the proposals, commonly referred to as “redistricting”:

• At the Nov. 12 School Board meeting, members decided to postpone the proposal related to the way students are assigned to Quioccasin Middle School. It will be revisited for further public discussion in fall 2021.
• The Board is still seeking public input on two other proposals:
  • Provide written comments anytime by using the General Feedback Form on the HCPS redistricting webpage: https://henricoschools.us/redistricting/
  • Submit written public comments specifically for the Dec. 10 School Board meeting by going to the School Board’s page: https://henricoschools.us/school-board/ (Please note that the public comments form is different than the “General Feedback Form” on the redistricting page, but all comments are carefully reviewed and considered.)
  • The Board will hold a Jan. 14 public hearing on the redistricting proposals for the two priority areas. Depending on the status of the pandemic, the public hearing may be virtual.
  • Jan. 29 (tentative): Possible School Board vote on redistricting changes.
• The three information and input sessions have concluded, but you can view videos of the sessions at https://henricoschools.us/redistricting/.

The two ongoing proposals for implementation in fall 2021 are:

Effectively using additional capacity at Holladay Elementary School

This proposal would move some preschool students at other schools to Holladay Elementary School, which will double its capacity when a current construction project is completed. The moves would free up instructional space at Crestview, Dumbarton, Johnson, Lakeside, Longan and Echo Lake elementary schools.

Addressing overcapacity at Colonial Trail and Rivers Edge elementary schools

This proposal would address overcapacity at Colonial Trail and Rivers Edge by moving some students to other schools. Besides Colonial Trail and Rivers Edge, other schools that may be affected are Kaechele, Longan, Springfield Park, Twin Hickory and Echo Lake elementary schools.

A third proposal, for elementary feeder patterns into Quioccasin Middle School has been postponed and will be revisited in fall 2021. This proposal would realign the feeder patterns for Quioccasin Middle School, reducing from three to two the number of high schools that Quioccasin students attend. It would also reduce the number of middle schools that feed J.R. Tucker High School from five to four. Under the proposal, students at MaybeuryElementary School would attend Quioccasin Middle School instead of Tuckahoe Middle School. Students at Skipwith Elementary School, and Jackson Davis Elementary School students who live north of Three Chopt Road would attend Tuckahoe Middle School instead of Quioccasin. Colonial Trail Elementary School students who live in the Trails at Short Pump and the Crossings at Short Pump would attend Pocahontas Middle School and Mills Godwin High School instead of Quioccasin Middle School and J.R. Tucker High School.

See links to interactive maps of the proposals at https://henricoschools.us/redistricting/.

A 2019-20 comprehensive countywide redistricting process had been scheduled to be phased in beginning this year. The School Board announced in April that it would delay that process to allow the community to focus on the public health crisis. In September, the Board announced that it would discontinue the comprehensive process and focus instead on solutions for the three specific areas of concern described above.

• High School Options – Below is a list of high school programs many of our 8^th grade students may be interested in applying to.  All programs require an application and some programs require a supporting project, test or audition, so please read through the directions carefully.  For an overview of the options, please click this link: Overview of Specialty Centers, the application, and other high school program options

• Specialty Center applications – The online application is available from November 16^th – January 15^th, for interested 8^th grade students.  All online applications must be submitted by January 15^th.  The first step is for parents to sign an online permission/waiver form through the PowerSchool parent portal.  The portal will be open from November 10^th – January 14^th.  Please note it will take 24 hours after the permission/waiver form is completed before students can access the online application.  Students must complete the online application, select two teachers to write recommendations, and complete necessary projects through the Schoology Course for Specialty Centers.  Some centers require additional testing and auditions, so please review the instructions carefully.

LINKS:

• Specialty Center application, information sessions, open house schedule and timeline

• Specialty Center application overview

• Specialty Center application step by step instructions

• Video tutorial for the online application

• ACE Center application – The online application for ACE Centers is available from November 16^th – January 15^th, for interested 8^th grade students who want to pursue a specific career path in high school.  All applications must be submitted by January 15^th.  If accepted, students will meet with the ACE Center school counselor and/or ACE Center teacher during their 9th and 10th grade years and attend events and programs related to their cluster of interest.  In 10th grade, they will select the specific course (program) they want to attend.  If they select a dual-enrollment course, they will complete the necessary placement testing in the spring/summer before 11^th grade.

For more information about the ACE Centers, please click this link: ACE Centers Information

ACE Centers online application link

• CodeRVA application – CodeRVA is an innovative, regional, public high school in central VA focused on preparing students for college and careers ​in computer science and coding.  CodeRVA applicants should have a interest in and passion for the study of computer science.  HCPS students must have at least a 2.0 C average to apply, and they are selected on a lottery basis.  There is a virtual open house scheduled for December 1^st at 7:00 PM.  The online application will open on January 4^th and is due by February 20^th.  Please click this link for more information: CodeRVA Regional High School

All Prospective 8^th Grade Athletes from Mrs. Criswell, DSA at Freeman- To participate at DSF in the fall and winter sports there are 2 very important things that must be done. On the first day of try outs for Field Hockey, Football, Volleyball, Cheerleading, Basketball, Wrestling, Gymnastics (the sports that are not being offered at the Middle School level this year) you must have a completed Physical Packet (High School Form – 7 pages) and completed an at home virtual ImPact pre-concussion  test.  The link for both of these are below. This is a HCPS requirement. YOU TAKE IT ONCE, not once for each sport! IF this is not done prior to tryouts you will not be able to try out! 

ImPact Concussion Form Link

Physical Packet Link:

After careful consideration, HCPS has made a decision to cancel winter sports at the middle school level for this year.  Eighth graders may try out for the JV teams in the following sports at their zoned high school:

• girls’ basketball
• football
• girls’ tennis
• boys’ soccer
• boys’ basketball
• sideline cheer
• wrestling
• gymnastics.

The winter season for high school sports begins Monday, December 7.  Please contact the Director of Student Activities at your zoned high school for information on tryouts and required paperwork. Spring sports will be assessed once we return in February.​

HCPS Bridge Builders Academy held information sessions on November 2, for multilingual families, concerning the in-person learning option for students. In case you were unable to attend, recordings of these sessions can be found below:

Arabic     |    Vietnamese   |    Dari    |   Portuguese  |    Spanish 

If you would like to meet with one or more of your child’s teachers, please use the link to sign up for an appointment.

http://www.ptcfast.com/schools/Quioccasin_Middle_School

In an effort to better communicate with our linguistically diverse families, the Bridge Builders series will host parent information sessions in Spanish to share information around schools, academics, services available, community resources, equity and opportunity, and more.

When: 4:00 – 5:15 PM on the following dates: December 7, 2020, February 8, 2021, and April 19, 2021

Where: Virtual Online (https://tinyurl.com/HCPSparentnight)

Last week, FACE (Family and Community Engagement) and ESL hosted our 2^nd family sessions for Arabic and Spanish speaking families.  The recorded sessions are below for those who could not attend.

• • Arabic: https://henricoschools.us/2020/10/12/bridge-builders-academy-arabic/
  • Spanish: https://henricoschools.us/2020/10/08/construyendo-un-mejor-puente-hacia-la-comunicacion/

Three HCPS middle schools offer the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program, which includes a comprehensive curriculum for students who are highly motivated and who have demonstrated the ability to achieve academically.

Application are now being accepted and are available in all elementary and middle school counseling departments. *Private school applicants must contact the IB Programs Office at Tuckahoe MS for an application.

Public Info Session/Virtual Open House Schedule 

Thursday, October 15, 2020 – Fairfield MS 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 20, 2020 – George H. Moody MS 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 21, 2020 -Tuckahoe MS 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Click here to view application timeline

Attention all 6th Grade Students and Families:
Applications are now available for 6th graders interested in applying to the IB program for 7th grade.

The application and other information can be found in the Counselor’s Corner School Counseling Course in Schoology.

The deadline to submit an application is Friday, November 6th at 11:59 p.m.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Tyler, the 6th Grade School Counselor.

Click on the following link for more information: Middle School IB Program Information

Participation is free! Events happening now through November 4^th!

This year, HCPS will be hosting our annual College Fair virtually in partnership with the Virginia Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Counselors (VACRAO).

Students are encouraged to participate live so they can ask questions and interact with the college admissions counselors. Visit https://www.strivescan.com/virginia/ to see participating colleges, event dates, register and learn more!