Dear Cville Schools community–

This is a big year for our division, with the long-awaited reconfiguration of our schools coming to fruition this fall. Since we're in the season of New Year’s resolutions, I wanted to check in with you about some of the commitments we have made for 2026.

Resolution 1: Complete the modernization of our middle school. Charlottesville Middle School's cafeteria and some additional staff support rooms are coming online this month and look beautiful. The modernization of other parts of “old Buford” is coming along on schedule, too, and we will be ready to welcome 6th-graders to the school in August. To ensure a smooth transition, our current 5th- and 6th-graders are touring Charlottesville Middle School this month, and families will get updates at this month’s Walker-CMS United PTO meeting.

Resolution 2: Prepare a smooth transition for this year’s 4th-graders remaining at their elementary schools for 5th grade. We have been working to make 5th-grade an amazing culminating experience at our elementary schools! An update on this topic is scheduled for our February Board meeting, and family meetings at our elementary schools will follow in the weeks after that meeting. See the meeting schedule.

Resolution 3: Create a city-wide preschool beginning in August 2026 on the Walker School campus. Principal Dr. Elizabeth Korab and the entire preschool team are working to create a great program for our littlest learners. Long-term, we are still determining whether the final home for the Charlottesville Early Learning Center will be on the Walker campus or at the new Oak Lawn site next to CMS.

Resolution 4: Help all students to gain proficiency in the skills they need to succeed in life. From selecting new math learning materials, to establishing a career exploration lab at our middle school, to creating strong curriculum and career pathways for students in our Program of Studies, to implementing the “community schools” model, we are taking specific steps to meet this commitment.

Read on to learn more about many of these topics in this newsletter. Like individuals who make resolutions, having a partner for support and accountability is important – and we are glad to have you as our partner.

Dr. G

On one night, come hear hundreds of CHS instrumentalists, singers, and actors – and admire the work of CHS artists – at the CHS Fine Arts Extravaganza! On Thursday, January 29, at 7pm in the MLK Performing Arts Center, the combined band, choir, and orchestra will perform, there will be a preview of the upcoming TheatreCHS performances of West Side Story (February 19-22), AND student artwork and photography will be on view in the lobby. This free event is an annual highlight.

A $1 million grant will create career exploration laboratories at Charlottesville Middle School and other middle schools in Albemarle and Greene counties. Part of a state initiative, these Career Connection Labs will support advanced technology curriculum, industry-grade equipment, and teacher training. Learn more about the program.

A committee of staff, families, and community members have made recommendations for new math textbooks and instructional materials beginning next year. Using feedback from teachers and math specialists (plus references from other communities using these materials), three curricula were selected for three different grade levels. Bridges is recommended for grades K-3, STEMScopes for grades 4-5, and Mathspace for students in grades 6 and older. You can review these materials and give feedback before the Board votes in February.

Earlier this year, Cville Schools received a state planning grant to implement the Community Schools model. Community Schools are public schools that provide services and support that fit each neighborhood’s needs, created and run by the people who know our children best, all working together. The team has established advisory boards and working groups to improve coordination with families and community partners. They are centering student experiences by gathering student feedback and listening to school staff to identify needs. They are working to map and align practices that are already in place to support attendance, literacy, and mentorship. Next steps include the phased roll-out of student clubs and supports.

Cville Schools Creates Talent Bank – Let us Know Your Skills and Talents

Speak a second language? Teach cooking classes? As part of our work to implement the Community Schools model, we are creating a listing of people who may be able to volunteer or assist our schools, families, or students. Register your talents here (and if you plan to volunteer in our schools regularly, sign up as a volunteer here).  

After 12 years serving Charlottesville City Schools as head of division communications, Beth Cheuk will be heading to Richmond in February to become the Communications Director for the Science Museum of Virginia. Since 2013, Beth has strengthened and expanded ways for Charlottesville families to engage with our schools, all while navigating CCS through an unprecedented time of challenge and change. She has also been recognized by her colleagues in school PR for the strength of her work, winning the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) Gold Medallion. Thank you for your service, Beth!

Kudos to Emma Sutphin, sixth-grade teacher at Walker School, the division winner to continue in the state-wide competition. Congratulations to all of our teachers of the year! In addition to Ms. Sutphin, they are: 

The Golden Apple Award Nominations for outstanding teaching are open now through Monday, January 26.

Before break, Dr. Gurley visited four staff members to share their nominators’ heartfelt appreciation and to present a check for $250 for the staff member to spend on their work at school. Congratulations to:

Watch the December Royal Recognition video.

Even more good news from CHS

Seventh-grader Justine Puri will represent Cville at the Scripps National Spelling Bee regional competition, sponsored by the Richmond Raceway on March 4. Justine first faced off against their peers at CMS and then out-spelled the Walker champion, 6th-grader Ollie Petralia. Students at CMS and Walker participated in spelling bees in their English Language Arts classes as a part of the schools’ gifted curriculum, which emphasizes access to gifted instruction for all students. Read Charlottesville Right Now's story here.

At the January meeting, the Board welcomed new member Zyahna Bryant (CHS ’19) as well as new student representative Ginger Craghead-Way. The Board elected Lisa Torres as chair and Amanda Burns as vice-chair. Read the mini-minutes here. The budget process is underway: review the slides for the December 18 joint City Council and School Board work session or plan to attend the upcoming session on January 22 (5pm, Walker School Cafeteria). Finally, remember that the Board is experimenting with a 6pm start time.

 

Interested in future meetings? Community members can sign up to receive notices of School Board meetings. Staff and Cville Schools families will automatically receive notices.

Help us find more great colleagues to join our team! The Cville Schools Recruitment Day will be Saturday, February 28, 9am-1pm, Charlottesville Middle School. We're hiring teachers, instructional assistants, and other staff roles. Register for Recruitment Day.