Graduating seniors in Great Bridge High’s Dual Enrollment College Composition course recently hosted TEDxYouth at Great Bridge High School, sharing thought-provoking ideas and personal stories with the community. 💚💛
Guided by teachers Carrie Longworth and Christopher Lessick, students spent months researching, writing, refining, and delivering TED-style talks that showcased their creativity, critical thinking, and communication skills.
The event also featured a special performance by the Great Bridge High School Orchestra, creating an inspiring atmosphere that celebrated student voice and talent. Made possible through the support of numerous teachers and student volunteers, TEDxYouth served as a powerful example of authentic learning in action. 🐾
Congratulations to these seniors for using their voices, talents, and ideas to inspire others as they prepare for life after graduation.
EMILY BOWEN is Great Bridge High School’s 2026 Senior Class President. 💚🐾😺
Post Graduate Plan: Virginia Tech to study Sports Media & Analytics.
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If you could give a shout out to a member of the faculty or staff at a Chesapeake Public School, who would it be and what would you say?
I would like to shout out Mr. Mayhue, my algebra 2 and AP Statistics teacher. Thank you for always listening to my stories and consistently encouraging me to be strong and confident. You always feed into my crazy stories and I cannot thank you enough!
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What is the best class you took in high school and why?
The best class I took in high school was College Composition. In this class I acquired amazing writing skills, an influential female figure in my life, and some of the best memories with new friends.
#Classof2026! 🎓 #CPSCelebrates
D’MYA-RAE BANDY is Oscar Smith High School’s 2026 SCA President. 💙🐻💛
Post Graduate Plan: Spelman College as a Biology Major on a Pre-med Track.
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Please share your best advice for the rising senior class.
When I think about my dream career, I picture a rough draft covered in edits, crossed-out ideas, and notes in the margins. Life works the same way. You may not end up exactly where you planned, but every challenge, setback, and unexpected opportunity helps shape your future.
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What did you accomplish in high school that you are most proud of?
Academically, I am most proud of completing all four years of the International Baccalaureate Program. Outside of school, I am most proud of being named the Virginia Military Youth of the Year through the Boys & Girls Clubs in 2025. As a proud Navy brat whose father is retired and a current Department of Defense civilian employee, that recognition meant a great deal to me.
#Classof2026! 🎓 #CPSCelebrates
Over the next several days leading up to graduation, we’ll be highlighting seniors from all 7 of our high schools- sharing their achievements, their favorite memories, and where they’re headed next. To start us off, let’s meet our very first senior:
A’E MALO SU’E is Hickory High School’s 2026 Salutatorian & Senior Class President 🩵🪽🩶
Post Graduate Plan: Columbia University
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Please share your best advice for the rising senior class.
Buy a digital camera! Take photos wherever you can, whenever you can. You’ll cherish them later.
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What is the best class you took in high school and why?
I loved DE College Composition with Mr. O’Daniel because of the incredible friendships that came out of it.
#Classof2026! 🎓 #CPSCelebrates
These inspiring students have officially completed their internships at Chesapeake Regional, gaining invaluable skills and lasting connections through their hard work. Now, they are ready to take on the world and step into their futures!
We could not be prouder of everything they’ve accomplished. 🎓
Learn more about our Project Search program here: https://www.cpschools.com/page/project-search
#CPSCelebrates
This honor recognizes an outstanding commitment to preparing students with essential financial skills.
Thank you to the educators who made this possible, and congratulations to our amazing students! 👏
Read more about the recognition here: https://wise-ny.org/blog/wse-announces-2026-100-best-wse-high-schools-teaching-personal-finance/
#CPSCelebrates
FREE Sports Physicals Night 🏈🏐🎾🏑
Getting ready for the next sports season? Bring your student-athlete out for a free physical - whether they are insured or uninsured.
Event Details:
Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026
Time: Starting at 3:45 PM
Location: Crestwood Middle School
Important Details:
- Walk-ins only: No appointments needed.
- First come, first serve.
- A parent or legal guardian must be present.
- Save time in line! Download, print, and fill out your physical forms ahead of time.
For more information and to download forms visit: https://www.cpschools.com/events?id=56881945
Last week, we celebrated our incredible School Nutrition Services team with a well-deserved "Night of Elegance" banquet. 🌹
Everyone traded their aprons for their finest attire, enjoying a delicious meal, special awards, and exciting prizes. It was a beautiful evening dedicated to honoring the hard work, dedication, and heart this team pours into our schools daily.
To our School Nutrition team: You are essential to everything we do, and we appreciate you today and every day! 👏
#CPSCelebrates
Jason Ayoro - Deep Creek HS
Emily Bowen - Great Bridge High
Danica Pinkoski - Grassfield High School
Tyler Trago - Hickory High School
Kesley Argueta Gomez - Indian River High
Gabriel Laney - Oscar Smith High
Camryn Clark - Western Branch High School
We appreciate your support of our students and your continued partnership with the Chesapeake Public Schools Educational Foundation! #CPSCelebrates
Our SCA's visited Chesapeake City Park to participate in service projects that support local organizations. Thank you to the Youth Volunteer Corps for partnering with our students and the Chesapeake Kiwanis Club for providing a fantastic lunch! 🔨❤️🍔
We Want Your Input: Advanced Placement Textbook Adoption 📚
We are currently selecting new instructional materials for the following courses:
- Advanced Placement (AP) Biology
- Advanced Placement (AP) Physics 1 & 2
- Advanced Placement (AP) Environmental Science
Now through June 5, 2026, parents, staff, and community members can review digital copies of the proposed textbooks and share their input.
Click here for full details, digital previews, and the feedback form: https://www.cpschools.com/article/2803941
Join us as we remember and honor our heroes . ❤️🤍💙
There were endless smiles, plenty of laughs, and definitely some happy tears! To our amazing seniors: We are so proud of you, and we can’t wait to welcome you back home as full-time teachers in a few short years!
Join us in giving a round of applause to the Class of 2026, and the future CPS Teachers of Tomorrow! 👏
Graduation season is here, and for many seniors, the biggest question is: “What’s next?” In our latest district podcast episode, we hear from three seniors whose journeys reflect our focus on the “three E’s” after graduation: enrollment, enlistment, or employment. 🎓
Featured guests include:
- Myah Evans (Deep Creek High): U.S. Navy enlistment
- Parker Sylvia (Western Branch High & Chesapeake Career Center): welding certification and employment with Collins Machine Works
- Sophie Rambo (Grassfield High): University of Georgia track scholarship athlete
From military service and skilled trades to college athletics, each student shares how preparation, mentorship, and opportunity helped shape their next step after high school. Listen at cpschools.com/amplified or wherever you get your podcast. 🎧 🎉
Grassfield High’s STEM students made serious waves at the Virginia Digital Maritime Center's "Digital Ship Challenge" last month! 🤖
Special congratulations to these winning teams from the Programming Strand coached by Mr. Jason Gabel:
- FIRST PLACE in Tech Division: The Cyber Waves 🥇
- SECOND PLACE in Tech Division: The Hydroscapers 🥈
The celebration continued this past Sunday at Nauticus's "Weld it, Build it, Sail it" event. Our first-place champions showcased their winning robotic device at the Virginia Digital Maritime Center booth and took home official First Place Award Banners to proudly display at GHS!
We are so proud of these talented students and their amazing achievements. Way to represent Grassfield High! 🐻
#CPSCelebrates #STEM
We are proud to celebrate Melodie Surratt of Deep Creek Middle School for being named the 2026 Virginia Department of Education Computer Science Champion for Grades 6–8. This recognition highlights her leadership in computer science education and her commitment to innovative, future-ready learning experiences aligned with Virginia’s Computer Science Standards of Learning. Her dedication continues to make a meaningful impact on students and STEM education across Chesapeake Public Schools. Congratulations on this outstanding honor! 🎥 Watch this video to learn more about the impact Melodie has on her students and Chesapeake Public Schools. #EmpowerCPS #CPSCelebrates
While many of our schools took home awards for exemplary customer service and teamwork, we want to give a special shoutout to our top award winners of the night:
🏆 Butts Road Primary – Excellence in Safety and Compliance Award
🏆 Indian River Middle – Performance and Excellence Award
We’d like to say thank you to our entire custodial staff. We are so proud to have them on our team! ❤️
#CPSCelebrates
This morning, Dr. Jared A. Cotton’s Superintendent’s Community Engagement Council highlighted the power of student leadership, community collaboration, and workforce innovation in Chesapeake Public Schools. ✨
Mrs. Andrea Vail, director of engagement, and Addison Mawyer from Great Bridge High School shared highlights from the annual student-led Teen Summit event and the positive impact it continues to have on students and families across the division. Mr. Michael Bailey, director of human resources, and Mrs. Mindy Green, assistant director of human resources, also provided updates on recruitment initiatives focused on attracting and supporting exceptional educators and staff.
Special thanks to Trane for sponsoring this morning’s event, and if you're interested in joining our team, visit cpschools.com/careers to explore current opportunities.
Held at the House of BlessingFood Bank at Harvest VA Assembly Church, students helped sort and organize an incredible outpouring of community donations. Their hard work ensures that local families have the support they need this season. 🫶
Thank you to our wonderful SECEP teachers for making this experience possible and guiding our students in such meaningful community service. We are so proud of this team!
#CPSCelebrates #SECEP
