Last Thursday, we gathered for our district retirement ceremony to celebrate the “Noteworthy Impact” our 2026 retirees have made across Chesapeake Public Schools. 💙✨

Together, we honored 166 dedicated employees whose service, leadership, and compassion have helped shape the lives of students, staff, families, and our entire community. Together, they represent 3,499 collective years of commitment to public education and student success. #CPSCelebrates #EmpowerCPS

📸 See the photo gallery from the ceremony: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ThqnjmPcaGbTH7Lw7
📖 View the full list of retirees: https://canva.link/cpsretirement2026
🎥 Watch the full ceremony: https://youtube.com/live/7niBtbGHZgs

From classrooms and cafeterias to buses, offices, and beyond, we thank our retirees for the lasting difference they have made across our district. 🌟
6 days ago, Chesapeake Public Schools
Retiree celebrating on stage!
Superintendent Dr. Cotton receiving his retirement plaque with the School Board Chair.
Retiree smiling for the camera.
A retiree crying in a happy way for being honored for her contributions.
Retiree shaking hands with the Superintendent.
Retiree smiling speaking and laughing with his principal.
Retiree waving to the crowd on stage.
Retiree smiling for the camera.
Two retirees smiling together.
Retiree celebrating on stage!
Congratulations to the GBMS Field Hockey team for winning the city championship! Their 3-0 victory in the title game capped off an undefeated season and an incredible 11th consecutive city championship! Way to go, ladies!
17 days ago, Great Bridge Middle
Field Hockey city champions
Congratulations to the GBMS Girls track team for winning their second consecutive city championship! Way to go, Wildcats! We're so proud of you!
17 days ago, Great Bridge Middle
Girls Track city champions
In order to celebrate Teacher Appreciation, the National Junior Honor Society is sponsoring a School Supply Drive. We need everyone’s help to bring in school or office supplies that your teachers will enjoy. The deadline to bring in supplies is Tuesday, May 5th. You can bring any type of school or office supplies. This includes items like pencils, glue sticks, pens, tissues, highlighters, etc. Place your items in the labeled boxes in the foyer outside of the auditorium, by May 5th! We want to make sure we appreciate all of our teachers!
20 days ago, Great Bridge Middle
An announcement poster for the GBMS NJHS School Supply Drive. The design features a black chalkboard background with the event title in bold white and yellow script lettering. At the bottom, a colorful cluster of school supplies—including pencils, a ruler, yellow scissors, notebooks, and two apples (one red, one green)—creates a vibrant, academic theme.
Calling all athletes and parents! Get ready to gear up for the fall athletics season at GBMS!

Join us for an information session to get the inside scoop on everything happening with the football, baseball, cheer, girls soccer, and softball teams. We will be breaking down the details for all fall sports and covering exactly what you need for conditioning and try-outs.

The Details-

Date: May 6th
Time: 5:30
Location: Great Bridge Middle School auditorium
Who: Athletes and Parents (rising 6th through 8th graders)

Go Wildcats!
25 days ago, Great Bridge Middle
An informational graphic for a "Fall Sports Info Meeting" featuring a central roaring green, gold, and white bobcat or wildcat mascot over a green smoky background. Text at the top and bottom in a large silver beveled font reads "FALL SPORTS" and "INFO MEETING".

What does student-centered learning look like in your child’s classroom? In Chesapeake Public Schools, our teachers are creating engaging, meaningful learning experiences for students. In our latest episode, nationally recognized educator, author, and speaker Dr. Catlin Tucker joins us to highlight how this work is taking shape in our classrooms, from increasing student voice and choice to building stronger connections that support learning. 🎧 Listen at cpschools.com/amplified or wherever you get your podcasts.

25 days ago, Chesapeake Public Schools
Dr. Tucker smiling proudly in front of the School Administration Building.
Making the Shift with Dr. Catlin Tucker - Amplified: The Chesapeake Public Schools Podcast. Dr. Tucker smiling sitting on a chair. Episode 29
It's time to put in the work! GBMS Football Conditioning kicks off on April 23rd. If you're looking to level up your game before the season starts, this is where it happens.

The Schedule
When: Every Tuesday and Thursday
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM

Duration: Now through the end of the school year

Who Can Attend?
Rising 7th and 8th graders

Note: You must have a current physical on file to participate!

What to Bring:
Running shoes
Cleats
Plenty of water
Athletic/workout clothing

See you on the field!
27 days ago, Great Bridge Middle
GBMS Football Conditioning graphic with green background and football helmet in the bottom left corner
Purple Up, Wildcats!
Today, our Great Bridge Middle School staff is trading green and gold for purple to celebrate the Month of the Military Child!

Why purple? It’s the color that symbolizes all branches of the military coming together—a blend of Army green, Air Force blue, Coast Guard blue, Marine red, and Space Force and Navy blue.

To our military-connected students: we see your strength, your resilience, and the unique sacrifices you make every day. We are so proud to have you in our Wildcat family!

#PurpleUpVirginia
about 1 month ago, Great Bridge Middle
GBMS staff wearing purple to support the Month of the Military Child
Wednesday, April 15 is Purple Up! Day.
Purple is the color that symbolizes all branches of the military, representing the combined colors of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, Coast Guard and Space Force.
Our military children often face unique challenges such as frequent moves and long separations from loved ones. Wearing purple is a simple way to show them that we appreciate their sacrifice.
Let's make the school look united in purple!
about 1 month ago, Great Bridge Middle
Wednesday, April 15 is Purple Up Day. Graphic is an American flag with a purple background.
Celebrate the heart of Great Bridge Middle School! It’s National Assistant Principals Week, and we are incredibly lucky to have the best leadership team in the business.

Huge shoutout to our amazing APs who keep our hallways bright and our students thriving:

Dr. Youmans – Leading our 6th graders as they navigate their first year of middle school with confidence!

Mrs. Fleming – Supporting our 7th graders through every milestone with grace and dedication!

Mrs. Kocurek – Guiding our 8th graders as they prepare to take on the world (and high school)!

Thank you for your endless hard work, your patience, and your commitment to the Wildcat family. We appreciate everything you do!
about 1 month ago, Great Bridge Middle
Images of the GBMS assistant principals with the text "Assistant Principal Appreciation Week"

Important Calendar Updates & Reminders! 📅

April 6 - 10 is Spring Break. Schools will be closed. We hope everyone has a safe and relaxing break! 🌸

April 13 is a Teacher Workday. No school for students.

April 21 is now an Asynchronous Day for all students. Meals will also be available at select school sites. More information is available here: https://www.cpschools.com/events?id=53908933

As a reminder, you can full our full calendar of events here: https://www.cpschools.com/events

about 1 month ago, Chesapeake Public Schools
Decorative
Last week, Great Bridge Middle School had a very special visitor! Former Wildcat turned gold medal Olympian, Quincy Wilson, returned to surprise his former teachers and share some powerful words of wisdom with students.

Quincy is a reminder that with hard work and heart, there are no limits to where you can go. 💚💛🥇

#CPSCelebrates #InspireCPS
about 2 months ago, Chesapeake Public Schools
Proud to show off a signature on a track shirt for GBM
happy to give advice to the next generation
the track team and quincy show off their silly sides
after winning a backpack a student excitedly poses with Quincy
Teachers excited to see Quincy
So excited to give hugs to quincy
reconnecting with a former teacher brings the smiles
Catching the feels hearing chrous sing songs from Quincys time at GBM
insiring the next generation by sharing words of wisdom with current studens
selfies with chorus class makes everyone smile
GBMS SCA SPRING SPIRIT WEEK IS HERE! Starting Monday March 30th and ending April 3rd. The spirit days are as followed:

Monday- Pajama Day: Wear your coziest pajamas
Tuesday- Twin Day: Grab your bestie and pick a matching outfit
Wednesday- Neon Day: ALL Neon from head to toe
Thursday- Disney Day: Dress up as your favorite Disney character
Friday- Freaky Friday: Students dress as Teachers and Teachers dress as Students

Remember that even with spirit week, DRESS CODE STILL APPLIES!!
Last week before Spring Break-- Let's go all out Wildcats!!
about 2 months ago, Great Bridge Middle
Spring Spirit Week- March 30- April 3
A huge congratulations to the Great Bridge Middle School Band for earning a Superior rating at the VBODA District IV Concert Band Assessment. The band earned Superior ratings both on stage and in sight-reading.

We are incredibly proud of the hard work, focus, and musicianship our students demonstrated. They represented GBMS exceptionally well and earned the highest possible overall rating.


#GreatBridgeMiddle #GBMSBand #SuperiorRating #BandAssessment
about 2 months ago, Great Bridge Middle
GBMS Band students on stage at the VBODA District IV Concert Band Assessment

Attention 8th Grade Girls Interested in High School Soccer!

Are you thinking about playing soccer at the high school level next year? We’re excited to invite all interested 8th grade girls who are headed to Great Bridge High School to an informational meeting!

This meeting is a great opportunity to learn more about the high school soccer program, expectations for the upcoming season, off-season training, and how to prepare for tryouts. You’ll also have a chance to meet the coaching staff and ask any questions you may have.

Meeting Details:
Date: Thursday, March 26th
Time: 1:30pm (During 8th grade lunch)
Location: Auditorium

Whether you’re currently playing or just thinking about trying out, we encourage you to attend!

We’re looking forward to meeting you and helping you take the next step in your soccer journey!

about 2 months ago, Great Bridge Middle
Girls soccer player graphic
A HUGE congratulations to the GBMS 8th Grade Orchestra on earning the highest rating of SUPERIOR from all 4 judges last week at Virginia State Assessment! The orchestra was full of energy, excitement and focus and it paid off tremendously-if you see a member of the orchestra please congratulate them!!!
about 2 months ago, Great Bridge Middle
⛈️ Due to forecasted inclement weather, all after-school and evening activities for today, March 16, 2026, are canceled. YMCA child care and Boys and Girls Club will also be canceled.

For the latest updates and additional information, visit https://www.cpschools.com/emergency
2 months ago, Chesapeake Public Schools
weather update with storm icon and CPS logo

🎶 Fine and Performance Arts Month Spotlight! 🎙 Our latest district podcast episode highlights the powerful impact of music education across our division. In “From First Note to Full Ensemble,” Supervisor of Music Orion Burke and Deep Creek Middle School chorus director Taylor Mercier share how Chesapeake’s K–12 music pathway helps students discover their voice, build confidence, and find a sense of belonging. From the first notes in elementary music class to full ensembles in middle and high school, this episode celebrates the teachers, opportunities, and experiences that help students grow as musicians and leaders. 🎙️ Listen to the episode at cpschools.com/amplified or wherever you get your podcasts!

2 months ago, Chesapeake Public Schools
Orion and Taylor standing in from of the School Administration Building
Orion smiling in the studio with a microphone and headset.
Taylor Mercier smiling in the studio with a mic and headphones.
From First Not to Full Ensemble with Orion Burke & Taylor Mercier Amplified: The Chesapeake Public Schools Podcast Episode 28

🍎 Your future starts here!

Whether you are a new graduate or an experienced educator, we want you on our teaching team in the City of Chesapeake! Join us at one of our upcoming hiring events:

1️⃣ Title I In-Person Job Fair

2️⃣ Virtual Teacher Job Fair

✨ We offer incredible perks for our educators, including:

  • ✅ Low-cost health insurance

  • ✅ Our own dedicated pharmacies & health clinics

  • ✅ A supportive professional community

🔗 See all benefits: https://www.cpschools.com/page/benefits

🎥 Check out this video highlighting our pharmacy: https://youtu.be/G5Do-FMSsaU

2 months ago, Chesapeake Public Schools
teacher teaching at smartboard with text "we're hiring"
Attention Wildcats! Our 2026 SCA Talent Show, GBM's GOT TALENT will be this Friday, March 6th at 7pm in the auditorium. Tickets will be $5 at the door. Come support our talented Wildcats!!
2 months ago, Great Bridge Middle
GBMS Talent Show- March 6 at 7:00 PM