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! 👏🔬
📏✨ 1st Grade is Measuring Up! ✨📏
Our first graders explored nonstandard measurement and had a blast doing it! From counting cubes to lining up paper clips, students worked together to measure objects all around the classroom.
They practiced problem-solving, teamwork, and lots of math talk—learning that measuring can be both hands-on and fun! 💡👏
Way to go, 1st grade! You’re definitely rising to the measure! 📚💛
❄️✨ Snow Day Excitement! ✨❄️
Our third graders were over the moon yesterday when they spotted the first snow of the season! From big smiles to excited chatter, their joy was absolutely contagious. There’s nothing quite like watching the magic of that first snowfall through the eyes of a child! ☃️💙
🎶 Kindergarten Voices Filled the Hospital Yesterday! 🎶
Some of our kindergartners visited Chesapeake Regional Hospital yesterday and shared the sweetest songs with patients and staff. Their smiles, energy, and big hearts brought so much joy to everyone who heard them! 💛✨
We are so proud of these little performers for spreading kindness and cheer throughout the hospital. Great job, kinders! 👏🏻🌟
Some of our 4th graders spent the afternoon reading to our preschoolers, and it was absolutely heart-melting! ❤️ Watching our big kids share stories, patience, and smiles with our littlest learners is what makes school days so special. 📚
So proud of the kindness, leadership, and confidence our 4th graders showed today — and the preschoolers loved every minute!
✨ Building readers. Building friendships. Building community. ✨
🚌 Join the Chesapeake Public Schools Team!
We're hiring for multiple classified positions at our ONE STOP Job Fair. Come prepared to interview on the spot!
📅 Wednesday, December 10
⏰ 11 AM - 2 PM
📍 School Administration Building
💼 Now Hiring:
Bus Drivers
School Nutrition Workers
Custodians
Substitute Teachers
📋 Bring With You:
Two forms of ID (all applicants)
Transcript copies (substitute teacher applicants)
❗ This is your chance to become part of the CPS family! We can't wait to meet you.
💻 Learn more and explore additional opportunities at: https://www.cpschools.com/careers
🌟 Meet 2026 Teacher of the Year Finalist: Susan Ratz! 🌟
For 6 years, Mrs. Ratz has been a beacon of kindness at B.M. Williams Elementary, teaching English Language Learners in grades K-5. Her superpower? Giving students the universal language of kindness and love.
Her commitment to leading with kindness earned her the Virginia Department of Education's Ambassador of Kindness Award 2025, and her impact extends far beyond academics. As she reminds us: "You may be the very best part of their day and the only positive impact they may have that day. You will change lives!"
This Liberty University grad loves fishing, backpacking through the mountains, and cheering on her college football team with her incredible husband and three remarkable kids.
Congratulations, Mrs. Ratz! 💙💛 #CPSTOY2026 #CPSCelebrates
For 6 years, Mrs. Ratz has been a beacon of kindness at B.M. Williams Elementary, teaching English Language Learners in grades K-5. Her superpower? Giving students the universal language of kindness and love.
Her commitment to leading with kindness earned her the Virginia Department of Education's Ambassador of Kindness Award 2025, and her impact extends far beyond academics. As she reminds us: "You may be the very best part of their day and the only positive impact they may have that day. You will change lives!"
This Liberty University grad loves fishing, backpacking through the mountains, and cheering on her college football team with her incredible husband and three remarkable kids.
Congratulations, Mrs. Ratz! 💙💛 #CPSTOY2026 #CPSCelebrates
🦃✨ Our Preschoolers Are the Cutest Little Turkeys! ✨🦃
We’re celebrating all things fall in preschool, and these little turkeys are bringing ALL the smiles! Our youngest learners had a blast posing for festive photos and getting into the Thanksgiving spirit.
We love watching their joy shine through every activity! 💛🍂
🦃✨ Our Kindergartners Are Feeling Thankful AND Festive! ✨🦃
These sweet smiles say it all! Our kindergarten students had a blast today creating their colorful turkey hats and exploring hands-on Thanksgiving-themed activities. From sensory bins to building and learning on the carpet, their creativity (and cuteness!) was shining bright.
We’re so thankful for these joyful moments and the excitement our little learners bring to the classroom every day! 💛
🎉✨ Who’s ready to SILLY STRING Dr. Jones on Monday?! ✨🎉
The countdown is ON, and our students are buzzing with excitement! 🤩💥
Who will earn the honor of covering Dr. Jones in a rainbow of silly string? 🎨😄
We’ll find out MONDAY… and trust us, you won’t want to miss the colorful chaos! 😂🎉
Stay tuned and get ready for some seriously silly fun! 🎈🫧
