🎙️ This Black History Month, we’re proud to share stories rooted right here in Chesapeake. On our latest podcast episode, Dr. Ella Ward, educator, former School Board member, and current Chesapeake City Council Member, reflects on a lifetime of service and the lasting legacy of the historic Cornland School. You’ll also hear from Principal Wade Sloan of Portlock Primary School about how students honor Black History Month in meaningful ways that help them confidently say, “I can.”
🎧 Listen now at cpschools.com/amplified or wherever you get your podcasts. #CPSCelebrates #EmpowerCPS
🎧 Listen now at cpschools.com/amplified or wherever you get your podcasts. #CPSCelebrates #EmpowerCPS
🍫➗ Sweet Learning in First Grade! ➗🍫
Our first graders had a deliciously fun math lesson using Hershey chocolate bars to explore halves and fourths! By breaking the bars into equal parts, students were able to see and understand fractions in a hands-on (and tasty!) way.
Learning is even sweeter when you can see it, touch it… and maybe even enjoy a small bite at the end! 😉
🎶✨ Our 3rd graders had an amazing time at the Virginia Symphony last week!
Students experienced the power of live music and learned how each instrument plays an important role in the orchestra. 🎻🎺
We’re so proud of how well they represented our school! ❤️
📸 Picture Day is coming! 📸
Smile big, Falcons! Class Group Pictures for B.M. Williams Elementary will be taken on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
Be sure your student is present and ready to say cheese 🧀—these memories last a lifetime! Ordering information will be sent home, and pictures can be purchased online.
#BMWilliamsElementary #PictureDay #FalconPride
❄️ Due to potential for hazardous road conditions, Chesapeake Public Schools will operate on a two-hour delay on Thursday, February 5, 2026.
💻 Visit our website for additional details: http://cpschools.com/emergency
Be sure to get important weather, closing, or delay notifications with our district app and turn on "Push Notifications." You can also follow your school and receive important updates, events, and more.
Download for Android: https://bit.ly/4pncEZl
Download for iPhone: https://apple.co/3KcIghX
💻 Visit our website for additional details: http://cpschools.com/emergency
Be sure to get important weather, closing, or delay notifications with our district app and turn on "Push Notifications." You can also follow your school and receive important updates, events, and more.
Download for Android: https://bit.ly/4pncEZl
Download for iPhone: https://apple.co/3KcIghX
🍕🛌 Pizza & PJs Celebration! 🛌🍕
We are so proud to celebrate 125 amazing students who achieved perfect attendance for the first semester! Today they enjoyed a fun Pizza & Pajamas celebration as a well-deserved reward for showing up, working hard, and committing to school every single day. 👏⭐
A huge thank you to our community partner, Marco’s, for the incredible support and the delicious pizza that helped make this celebration extra special. Your generosity truly means so much to our students and school community! 🍕❤️
Way to go, attendance all-stars—keep up the great work! 🎉📚
Our first graders brought history to life today with their very own Living Wax Museum! 🕯️✨
Dressed as famous figures, they stood tall, pressed their “buttons,” and proudly shared facts they’ve been learning. The confidence, creativity, and hard work they showed was incredible to see. We are so proud of our first graders for stepping into history and shining so bright today! 👏📚
2nd graders put their problem-solving skills to the test during a hands-on science lab using LEGO STEM kits! 🧱🤖
Students were challenged to design and program a LEGO vehicle to safely rescue an animal from a destroyed habitat. Through teamwork, trial and error, and lots of creativity, they learned about habitats, engineering, and how technology can help solve real-world problems.
So proud of their thoughtful designs, big ideas, and kind hearts for helping animals in need! 🐾💡
Sometimes learning looks like dropping everything and chasing a moment ❄️
Our third graders couldn’t resist heading outside this afternoon when a surprise snowfall started drifting down. It may not have lasted long, but the excitement was real—wide eyes, chilly noses, and lots of “Is it really snowing?!” moments.
Thank you, winter, for the unexpected magic and the perfect little brain break! ☃️
Our SOAR store was buzzing today! 🦅✨
Kindergarteners and first graders filled the room, proudly cashing in their tickets they earned for showing good behavior, kindness, and responsibility. The smiles, excitement, and careful decision-making were the best part! We are so proud of our youngest learners for making great choices and showing us what SOAR looks like every day. 💙🎉
✍️🇺🇸 History Came to Life in Fifth Grade! 🇺🇸✍️
Our fifth graders stepped back in time and put their persuasive writing skills to work by writing “break up” letters to Great Britain — just like the colonists did! After carefully crafting their letters, students signed them with a real quill pen, experiencing firsthand what it was like to write in the time of Thomas Jefferson.
What an engaging way to bring the American Revolution to life and help students connect with history in a meaningful (and memorable!) way. We are so proud of their creativity, effort, and enthusiasm! 📜🖋️
📘 Yearbook Time! 📘
Don’t miss out on a copy of the BM Williams Elementary 2025–2026 Yearbook — a special keepsake filled with memories from this school year!
🗓 Pricing & Deadline:
• $15.00
• Price valid until 4/24/2026
• Limited time to order!
💻 Order Online:
Visit www.strawbridge.net
Use Online Code: YB34540
📍 School: BM Williams Elementary
Be sure to place your order on time to guarantee your student receives a yearbook. Thank you for helping us preserve these memories! 💙📚
🎙️ Hall Pass to History: Indian River High School
Last week was Virginia Principals Appreciation Week, and we’re celebrating the leadership that helps schools “RISE.” In this episode, IRHS junior Adrian Langaster sets the stage for a conversation with Principal Naomi Dunbar and former Principal James L. Frye on what makes IRHS feel like family and how they “RISE” together. From murals and modernization to pep rallies, mentorship, and moments of care that define a community, this story shows how culture is built day by day, person by person.
🎧 Listen now at cpschools.com/amplified or wherever you get your podcasts.
Last week, our 4th graders had an amazing time exploring the Museum of Contemporary Art in Virginia Beach! 🎨✨
They experienced inspiring artwork, asked thoughtful questions, and enjoyed seeing creativity come to life outside the classroom. It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to connect art, imagination, and learning in a hands-on way.
Thank you to the staff at the museum and everyone who helped make this memorable experience possible!
What a beautiful way to head into winter break! 🌈✨
A large, vibrant rainbow appeared in the dark skies above B.M. Williams Elementary on our last day before winter break—a perfect reminder of hope, joy, and the bright moments that shine even on cloudy days. Wishing all of our students, staff, and families a restful and happy break!
Our 5th graders powered up their learning today! 💡⚡
They reviewed electricity and circuits, then put their knowledge to work by creating their own light displays. From connecting circuits to making bulbs glow, students showed creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork every step of the way. Hands-on learning at its brightest!
Little hands, big learning! ✂️🖍️
Our Pre-K students have been busy learning how to cut and glue, building important fine motor skills while creating some adorable projects. We love watching their confidence grow as they practice, try, and create. Such proud moments in Pre-K! 💛
🎶✨Our kindergarten students did an amazing job performing in tonight’s holiday show. They sang their hearts out and brought so much joy to everyone in attendance. A big thank you to our fantastic music teacher, Mrs. Diggs, for organizing such a special performance and helping our students shine! 🎄💛
📢 Calling all future Chesapeake Public Schools families in the City of Chesapeake!
We are exploring the establishment of new preschool centers to meet the growing need for high-quality early childhood education. If you live in our district and have children ages 0-4 or are planning to have children, your voice is essential!
Help us plan for the future of our youngest learners by sharing your needs and priorities in our new Early Childhood Education Survey. Your input will shape these vital programs!
📋 Survey is open NOW - December 18: www.cpschools.com/surveys
🍋💧 3rd Grade Science Gets Refreshing! 💧🍋
Today our third graders put their science skills to the test by experimenting with whether warm or cold water dissolves lemonade mix better. They made predictions, stirred, observed, and compared their results—just like real scientists!
Hands-on investigations like this help students understand how temperature affects dissolving, all while keeping learning fun and engaging.
Great job, 3rd grade! Your curiosity is stirring up some awesome discoveries! 👏🔬
