On Friday, Hickory Elementary School school hosted their annual Veterans Day parade to honor their military families! Students dressed in their red, white and blue to cheer on their military-connected classmates and the service members they were escorting. We thank all of our veterans for their service and we wish everyone a wonderful Veterans Day!
As a reminder, schools are closed on Tuesday, November 11th in observance of Veterans Day.
#CPSCelebrates #InspireCPS #VeteransDay
📊☁️ WEATHER SCIENTISTS AT WORK! ☁️📊
Brrr! Tomorrow is shaping up to be the coldest day of the year so far in Chesapeake, with highs only in the 40s and lows dipping into the low 30s! 🥶 Perfect timing for Crestwood Elementary’s weather labs activities!
Fourth grade students are recording daily weather data and tracking patterns such as air pressure and cloud cover to see how they correlate. Some classes use spreadsheets that auto-graph their findings, others create their own graphs by hand, and some do both! 📈
Thanks to the CWE’s outdoor weather station right on campus, students have access to accurate, real-time weather data that updates every 2.5 seconds. Now THAT'S cutting-edge science! 🌡️
👉 Check out Crestwood’s live weather data and STAY WARM! #EmpowerCPS
The upcoming holiday season is filled with excitement, but it can also be a time when some of our families need a little extra support. 💛 🎙 In our newest episode of Amplified, we sit down with Lisa Kerry, one of our Family & Community Engagement (FACE) specialists and Nischelle Buffalow from Buffalow Family and Friends to talk about partnership, compassion, and how our community works together to make sure no one feels alone this season. 🎧 Hear the stories, learn how to access support, and discover ways to get involved at cpschools.com/amplified or wherever you get your podcasts. #EmpowerCPS #CPSCelebrates
We celebrate the rich cultures, traditions, and countless contributions of Native American and Indigenous peoples to our community and our nation's history.
Let's join together in deepening our understanding and respect for Indigenous cultures, today and every day. #CPSCelebrates
We're grateful for our school psychologists who support our students' mental health, learning, and overall well-being every single day. Their dedication helps create safe, supportive environments where every student can thrive.
Thank you for all you do! 💙#CPSCelebrates #SchoolPsychologyWeek
Strong schools are built on strong partnerships. When families and educators work together, students thrive!
Thank you to all our families for being active partners in your child's education. Every conversation, every school event, every moment of support makes a real difference.
Together, we're helping our students succeed! #FamilyEngagementMonth #CPSCelebrates
🌟 Meet our October Power of the Peake winners! Each month, we shine a spotlight on three employees who go above and beyond - inspiring colleagues, supporting students, and leading with purpose:
SUPPORT: Rolanda Murry-Hall - ISS Coordinator - Oscar Smith Middle
TEACH: Ernie Stokes - Butts Road Intermediate
LEAD: Deana Otwell-Clinton - Supervisor of English Language Learners
👏 Congratulations to these outstanding individuals! We appreciate your hard work and dedication!
💻 Learn more about this month’s winners or submit a nomination:
https://www.cpschools.com/page/employee-recognition
#PowerOfThePeake #CPSCelebrates
First graders had an amazing time visiting and rotating between two engaging stations:
In Ms. Snipp's room, students tackled Fear Factor math challenges - you should have seen their faces! So much excitement (and maybe a little fear 😂) as they worked through tricky problems.
Over in Ms. Lemm's haunted house, creativity took center stage! Students created their own bubbling lava lamp monsters through hands-on STEM exploration, then brought their creations to life by writing imaginative stories about them.
The enthusiasm and creativity from our teachers and students today was outstanding. So much learning, collaboration, and fun! 🧡🖤
Join us for a FREE evening of fun as we celebrate Family Engagement Month with The LEGO Movie!
📅 When: Monday, November 3rd
🕕 Doors Open: 5:30 PM
🎥 Movie Starts: 6:30 PM
📍 Where: Oscar Smith Middle School
What to Expect:
🍽️ Dinner - FREE!
🧱 LEGO Demonstrations - Interactive fun for the kids
📚 Community Resources - Learn about helpful local services
🎭 The LEGO Movie - A family favorite!
This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with other families in our community while enjoying quality time together. All ages welcome!
Registration Required:
https://www.cpschools.com/events?id=47815823
🎓 Unlock Your Potential! Apply for the 2026 Summer Residential Governor’s School! ☀️
Calling all CPS high school sophomores and juniors, the interest form and application for the Summer Residential Governor’s School are now available! 🌟
Spend up to four weeks on a Virginia college campus diving deep into your passion! Explore specialized programs like:
🎭 Visual & Performing Arts
📚 Humanities
🩺 Medicine & Health Sciences
🧪 Math, Science & Technology
🌊 Marine Science
⚙️ Engineering
🌱 Agriculture
✅ Tuition-free
✅ Hands-on research, field studies & projects
✅ Expert mentorship and college-style learning
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to learn, grow, and shine! ✨
📌 More info: https://www.cpschools.com/article/2506527
➡️ All students must submit the appropriate interest form by Friday, November 7, 2025.
Great Bridge High School was honored this morning at the VHSL Fall Membership Meeting with the Stay in the Game Award for the 2024-2025 school year! 🏆
This award recognizes schools with zero player or coach ejections throughout each sports season, a true testament to the exceptional sportsmanship and character of Great Bridge’s student-athletes and coaching staff.
🎉 Congratulations to our Wildcats for representing Great Bridge with class and integrity!
#CPSCelebrates
🎉 What an incredible turnout for our FIRST Envision Night!
Last night, we welcomed middle and high school students and their families as they explored the Academies and Special Programs available to help shape their high school journey and future careers!
Thank you to everyone who joined us in taking this exciting step toward the future! 💙
🚨 IMPORTANT: Applications open NOW through November 5! Don't miss out!
💻 Learn more & apply: https://www.cpschools.com/article/2440877
🎭 Discover the Arts at gsARTS Open House! 🎨
Interested students and families are invited to tour The Governor's School for the Arts and hear directly from current students about their experiences in our beautiful facilities.
📅 Wednesday, October 29, 2025
🕕 Tours begin at 6:00 PM
⏰ Last tour begins at 7:45 PM
📍 254 Granby Street, Norfolk
This is a walking-only tour - come prepared to explore our creative spaces, from theater to visual arts, music to dance!
🅿️ Parking is best at MacArthur Center
For more information: https://www.cpschools.com/events?id=48696859
“Dr. Cotton has led Chesapeake Public Schools with integrity, compassion, and a relentless focus on what matters most, our students,” said School Board Chair Angela Swygert.
Under his leadership, we became the first Virginia school division with 100% Purple Star-certified schools, earned national awards for workforce innovation and communications, and strengthened family engagement.
“Serving Chesapeake Public Schools has been the honor of my career,” said Dr. Cotton. “Together, we have achieved incredible milestones that have enriched the lives of our students, families, and community. I am deeply grateful for the support of our dedicated staff, school board, and partners who made our vision a reality.”
🎓 College Fair at Indian River High School! 🎓
Save the date! Connect with colleges from around the state and get the information you need to plan for your future.
📅 Monday, October 27th
🕕 6:00 - 8:00 PM
📍 Indian River High School
What to expect:
✨ Meet representatives from colleges across the state ✨ Learn about the college admissions process ✨ Get information on FAFSA and scholarships ✨ Special presentation by The Access College Foundation
This is your opportunity to explore your options and get your questions answered!
Register to attend: https://www.cpschools.com/events?id=47676447
EVENT CANCELED
Got questions about mental health? Ask the experts! 💡
Join us for an open and informative session where mental health professionals will answer your most important questions. Whether you're looking for stress management strategies, want to understand anxiety better, or need guidance supporting a loved one. This is your opportunity to get real answers in a supportive, caring environment.
📅 Wednesday, October 29, 2025
🕕 6:00 PM - Dinner 🕡 6:30 PM - Presentation
📍 Crestwood Middle School Auditorium
Register at: https://www.cpschools.com/events?id=48695791
Everyone is welcome. Come get the support and information you need!
🍂 Parent Café: A Season of Change 🍂
Parenting is a journey, and you don't have to navigate it alone! Join us for Parent Café where we'll explore how to balance busy schedules while creating meaningful family time.
This month's focus: Two of the Five Protective Factors from Be Strong Families ✨ Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development ✨ Concrete Supports in Times of Need
📅 Tuesday, October 28, 2025
🍽️ 5:30 PM - Dinner
☕ 6:30 PM - Parent Café
📍 Lifestyle Center at Chesapeake Regional Healthcare 800 Battlefield Blvd. N., Chesapeake, VA 23320
👶 Childminding available for children 12 and under!
💻 https://www.cpschools.com/events?id=48694573
Presented by CHIP of South Hampton Roads, United Way of South Hampton Roads, FACE, and Chesapeake Regional Healthcare.
📣Shout out to our athletic directors, coaches, and club sponsors who dedicate themselves to our students every day!
🎨🎾Whether they’re coaching on the field, directing on stage, or leading clubs, they're building champions and shaping futures. Their impact goes way beyond games and performances - they’re creating confidence that lasts a lifetime. Chesapeake is lucky to have mentors who believe in every student.
Thank you for being you! 🌟#CPSCelebrates
October 20-24, we're celebrating our incredible bus drivers who safely transport thousands of students every single day!
THANK YOU to our dedicated drivers for their commitment to student safety! 💙🩵 #CPSCelebrates
The event is on WEDNESDAY, October 22nd, NOT Tuesday. We apologize for the error in our previous post!
🎓 ENVISION: College and Career Readiness Night 🎓
Join us for an evening where students can discover specialized programs and career pathways!
📅 WEDNESDAY, October 22nd | 6:00-8:00 PM
📍 Chesapeake Conference Center
Featured Programs:
✅ Chesapeake Career Center*
✅ EVMS Academy
✅ Governor's STEM Academy*
✅ International Baccalaureate*
✅ Major Clarity
✅ ROTC Programs
✅ Science and Medicine Academy*
✅ SmithTech*
✅ TCC Dual Enrollment
✅ Work-Based Learning
✅ And MORE!
🚨 Programs marked with * have applications open from October 15 - November 5!
Talk with program reps, learn about applications, and discover opportunities that match your interests.
There's something for everyone!
💻 More info: https://www.cpschools.com/article/2440877
