WHAT’S INSIDE:
Convocation Highlights | Pg. 3
First Day Fun | Pg. 4
Back to the Basics! The more that you read, The more things you will know. The more that you learn, The more places you’ll go.
—Dr. Seuss
HCPS’ Newest Elementary School | Pg. 5
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Enthusiasm makes for great start to new school year Dr. Patrick C. Kinlaw
Deputy Superintendent of Schools
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elcome to Fall! On behalf of the Henrico County School Board, it is my pleasure to bring greetings at the start of what I know will be another successful year for Henrico County Public Schools. I want to begin my remarks by taking a look back. I was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm that I saw in each of the five magisterial districts during our convocations in late August. The positive energy brought forth by our teachers and staff showed just how ready and excited we are to help our students reach new heights. The events were an enormous amount of fun, and I hope you take a moment to enjoy the convocation photo spread in this issue and on our website at www.henrico.k12.va.us. Our “back to school” efforts were among the best I’ve ever seen.
Teachers were smiling, our schools were inviting, and our buses picked up and delivered your children safely and on time. There were a few minor hiccups, of course. There always are. But I’m so proud of the months of planning and work that went into delivering a positive student and parent experience. I hope you share some of the same feelings. Many of you also took advantage of our new online fees and forms services. With some keystrokes and a few clicks of a mouse, parents were able to provide necessary student information from the comfort of their own homes. What’s more, the new services allowed our “fee nights” at the middle and high schools to run more efficiently than ever. We’ll always give you the opportunity to prepare your forms and pay fees in the traditional ways, of course, but we hope you’ll consider these new services in future years.
I also want to take this opportunity to encourage you to get informed about the upcoming meals tax referendum. On November 5th, voters will be asked to consider giving Henrico County the authority to impose a four percent tax on prepared foods and beverages. If approved, the tax would add 40 cents to a $10 tab and would generate approximately $18 million that would be dedicated exclusively to Henrico County Public Schools. Without additional revenue, the school division faces cuts that will directly impact our classrooms. I ask that you take a look at the important information that is available for your review. Visit the Henrico County meals tax website at www.henrico.us/mealstax. It’s going to be a tremendous year. I look forward to seeing you at our schools! Sincerely,
School Safety Tips for Parents
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raveling to and from school every day can be daunting for students, but together we can make this the safest school year possible! Please review these safety tips with your children, and feel free to learn more by visiting the Safety and Security page on the HCPS website: henrico.k12.va.us/SafetySecurity.
On the Cover
Eric Riley is a kindergartner in Ms. Southward’s class at Glen Lea Elementary School.
Teach children to arrive at the bus stop early, stay out of the street, watch for cars, and wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before approaching the street. Be prepared to show a photo ID when picking up children from school or at the bus stop.
Teach children never to bend Make sure your emergency down in front of the bus to tie their contact information is always up to shoes or pick up objects. The driver date. might not see them. Teach your child his or her If your child walks to school, phone number, address, and the walk the route with him or her, pro- contact information for a few other viding safety awareness tips along responsible adults in case he/she the way. cannot reach you. Help children form a walking team from the neighborhood, so they are not walking alone. Teach children not to go near the car of a stranger if the stranger calls them over to the car. Ensure that children who ride their bikes to school wear helmets.
Have a SAFE and happy school year!
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Convocations make believers out of HCPS teachers and staf f
Patrick dent Dr. siastic n e t in r e p u Su an enth Deputy ddresses a w la in K crowd.
for A week before the start of the school year, Henrico County Public Schools held convocations each magisterial district and central office to motivate and inspire teachers, administrators and staff. This year’s theme, “I Believe In You,” was meant to leave HCPS employees feeling reenergized and enthusiastic. Beach balls, spirit contests and positive messages from Deputy Superintendent Dr. Patrick Kinlaw the and County Manager John Vithoulkas set the tone of each event and sent the message that 2013-14 school year was going to be the best yet. in “I believe that the Henrico County Schools and the Henrico school family are among the best is the country,” Kinlaw said. “I believe the best is yet to come for Henrico Schools. I believe there nothing that you wouldn’t do to ensure the success of our students and I believe that you provide the light that helps our students find their way.”
r anything as ol is ready fo for a photo o h c S h ig H Henrico rs smile administrato teachers and hard hats. while wearing
Godwin Pr Associa incipal Beth A rm te for a ph Principal Leigh bruster(R) and oto wh ile rock Dunavant smile ing God win t-s hirts.
Lakeside Elementary teachers smile in their spirit wear during the Brookland District convocation.
Teacher s Technic and administrat al Cent ors from e District Highland ’s convo r get rowdy Spring during cation. the Var s ina
teal and ff sports ta s ry ta en e Elem spirit during The Kaechel to show their school s orange jersey n. io at c o nv o c
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Back to school
Little o ne line up s at Gayton Ele lik m of scho e pros on the entary first da ol. y
ical echn es T itage class Herm Science tients.” n i pa y eir “ ents rinar Stud r’s Vete me of th e o Cent up to s m r a w
udents are nical Center st ch Te gs rin Sp Highland ol year. t another scho excited to star
with a
Students at Glen Allen High School stop and pose for a quick photo on the first day.
Kaechele for an Elementary stu d e school. njoyable schoo ents are excited l year in a new
lemenrlayne E nners e b m a h C ma olers at learning Prescho reakfast while b tte. tary eat g etique in t a e d n a
Students at El ko Middle Scho ol learn how to use lock ers for the firs t time on the first da y of school.
Bang
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Kaechele Elementary School opens for the 2013-14 school year
Q&A
with Kaechele ES Principal– Cindy Patterson
what this school will become 60 years from now. It’s very exciting.
Q. What has it been like to meet the new students and parents of this school?
A. The
students and parents have been fabulous! I think everyone has a level of excitement because we are doing something new and we have an opportunity to create something that is very different. The majority of the students are coming from Colonial Trail, so since I have been housed at Colonial Trail since the opening (of Kaechele), there is a familiarity. Kaechele is laid out exactly the same way as Colonial Trail so that should hopefully make for an easy transition as well. We have had two spirit events so far and we had a great response from families. We have an active PTA already, which really speaks to their energy and their enthusiasm.
Q. What has it been like to have the school
named after Mr. Kaechele, who is an active member of the Three Chopt community?
A. I think it is a unique opportuKaechele Librarian Shannon Hyman (L), Kaechele Principal Cindy Patterson (R)
Q. What is your background as an educator in Henrico?
A. I have been in Henrico County for
23 years. I started out as a teacher at Fair Oaks Elementary School in 1990 and moved throughout the county in various roles from there. I started to become involved in administrative tasks and duties and was an administrative aide and resource teacher. I was named an assistant principal at Carver Elementary School and worked my way up from there. I have now been the principal at three elementary schools: Baker, Tuckahoe and now Kaechele.
Q. What makes you especially excited about Kaechele Elementary School?
A. In particular I loved building the
new school from scratch. I have had the opportunity to be in a variety of schools in Henrico County with needs great and small. There has been a lot of diversity within my school career in Henrico, so I really wanted the opportunity to take all of that and pull it together and create a community. Kaechele will not be like any other school community; it will be its own. It is exciting to me to take pieces of experiences that I have had here and there and blend them together. We are building a new school community and really making history because we are the foundation of
nity for the school to be named after Mr. Kaechele. To actually have a person who can come and be a part of our school events and create that history is phenomenal. How many children can actually say, “We know the person for whom our school was named?” Mr. Kaechele was very humble and is just a gracious person.
Q. What do you want learning to look like at Kaechele?
A. We really want to embody the
division’s vision and mission in what our mission is here at Kaechele. When it comes to what we want learning to look like, we hope it will be embodied in our theme of “TEAM up for Learning.” We want it to embrace collaboration, respect and responsibility of one student to another. We also want it to be empowering and want students to believe in themselves and say, “I really can make a difference.” Learning is constantly changing, it is not stagnant. We want to make sure learning is meaningful and relevant and active. We have to realize kids today are potentially training for jobs that don’t even exist yet.
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enrico County has a new elementary school off of Pouncey Tract Road. Kaechele Elementary opened just in time for the 2013-14 school year. Below are some fun facts about the newly-built school in western Henrico.
• The school’s colors are teal and orange
Fun Facts:
According to Kaechele’s new principal, Ms. Cindy Patterson, teal and orange are already seen throughout the school, especially in the tiles and the furniture. They also represent the bright and vibrant student population that Kaechele houses.
• The school’s namesake
• The school mascot is a coyote
At a surprise presentation at the October 2012 school board meeting, David A. Kaechele (pronounced CACK’-lee) learned that the new west end elementary school would be named after him. Kaechele has represented the Three Chopt District for nearly 33 years and the Henrico community, as well as the Henrico County School Board, thought it would be appropriate to recognize his years of public service with this rare distinction. “I am honored by this, but if you could find a name that people could pronounce perhaps…you’re going to have a lot of explaining to do over the years,” Kaechele said with a laugh. “It’s been a great honor to serve for all those years… and it’s nice to enjoy it.”
To help build a Kaechele community before the start of the school year, Ms. Patterson and Ms. Hyman, the school’s librarian and information specialist, came up with the idea to let students vote on the school’s mascot. After a fun and enthusiastic voting process, the school mascot (an orange coyote with a teal bandana) was chosen.
• Kaechele’s theme is “TEAM Up for Learning”
Learning is TOGETHER. Together we are better. Learning is EMPOWERING. Empowered learners shape their world. Learning is ACTIVE. Active learners are engaged. Learning is MEANINGFUL. Meaningful learning is active and reflective.
• Kaechele Elementary School is LEED (Leadership in Energy and • For the 2013-14 school year, Kaechele Environmental Design) Certified will open the building with approximately Kaechele Elementary has obtained LEED Silver status and is the first elementary school in Henrico to do so. LEED Silver status means the school earned 50-59 points out of a possible 100 points in five major credit categories, which include: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources and Indoor Environmental Quality.
400 students and 20 classroom teachers. The school at full capacity will hold about 680 students.
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(L to Amico R) Julie Gray UVA Cuand Robbi Mo , Bob Lower re rry Sch o ool of Ese represented, Joe d s u the cation. team aimlf C I L A the V ual Go levey of F’s 15th Ann C n o t y E Cla g H t durin straigh ent. m Tourna
Foundation tees off for education
the pped on lian o t s m R) Ju cts tea Archite photo (L to rman and y e l e s The Mo pose for a , Mike Schnu o er green t k Linnenbring ic Parr, R Roberson. t Stewar
Joe France of Fran ce Environmental sq uats down to set up his putt for a birdie.
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he Henrico Education Foundation (HEF) could not have asked for a more beautiful day at its 15th Annual Golf Tournament at Hunting Hawk Golf Club. The event raised more than $46,453 for the foundation, which helps schools and students around Henrico County. Thanks to the 25 teams that came out to support HEF, the foundation will be better able to enrich learning experiences, provide grants for educators and develop community collaborations for the 2013-14 school year. “This year’s tournament was extraordinary for several reasons,” said HEF’s Executive Director Susan Stanley. “The foundation board was pleased to welcome four new teams to the event and looks forward to their return. We had a gorgeous fall day, a team of 15 volunteers and 50 area businesses that made donations to our raffle, but the best thing to come out of the event was the Henrico community coming together for a great cause: our students and teachers.”
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Life after adoption: A transformation for the better A Varina sophomore advocates for adoption, speaks about her turbulent past and bright future
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hen Ellena was six years old, she would take her little brother by the hand and walk the few yards to the nearest dumpster. She and her brother would then hoist themselves up and rummage through the trash for any food that was still in the package. With a mother who was an alcoholic and a dad who had a short temper, Ellena had no one to depend on but herself. After years of home visits by social services, she and her siblings were removed from the trailer they all crowded into and were placed into foster care—Ellena was eight. Since then, Ellena has been adopted, and while it was hard at first, now she couldn’t be happier. Ellena is a spokesperson for the “VA Adopts Campaign for 1,000,” an effort to match 1,000 adoptive families with 1,000 children in Virginia’s foster care system. According to Ellena, a lot of times families don’t want to adopt older kids because of the stigma that comes with them. While she admits that
that all the work that they put in does provide a result.” Ellena plays tennis, is the Vice President of Varina High School’s Key Club, does community service, makes the honor roll and is a bubbly, outgoing girl. All that is a big change from the little girl that her mother, Lori adopted seven years ago.
Ellena
there were some hiccups in the beginning, she wants to set an example for what can happen if families choose to adopt older children. “The myths about older foster kids being troubled and too far gone aren’t all true,” Ellena said. “That’s why I want to tell my story. I want to express to people
“When she first came to me, she was a scared little girl, she locked her bedroom door, and was withdrawn and shy,” Lori said. “She has made a total transformation into a very mature, responsible and outgoing individual.”
Ellena credits her transformation to the safety, consistency and structure she receives on a daily basis from her mom. “Overall, being adopted has helped my social qualities and my confidence. I am always doing projects, going to school, and participating in clubs and
sports,” Ellena said. “Before, I went to five different elementary schools and was always just in survival mode. I only could think about now; I couldn’t think about the future. I couldn’t even think about what would happen two hours from now.” Ellena hopes to be a marine biologist or a veterinarian and wants to go to Virginia Tech. “She’s a turnaround kid,” Lori said. “To think she lived the life she did and is so successful today is amazing. She sets an example for what a kid can be if you just give them a chance.” Ellena and Lori agree that speaking about and advocating adoption is therapeutic. “I’m an open book,” Ellena said. “I never will regret my past because it made me who I am today, I just hope people will see how important it is to give older (foster) kids a chance. (Being adopted) has helped me so much.”
Holman Middle welcomes student branch of Henrico FCU
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olman Middle School and Henrico Federal Credit Union partnered up to open a student branch. The “Huskie Branch” will allow students to work with teachers and parents to develop financial responsibility as well as important money management skills. “We believe it is important to teach financial literacy to our students as early as possible while providing them authentic learning experiences,” said Holman’s principal, Brian Fellows. The bank’s grand opening was on October 2nd and was a big success. Fellows hopes to begin advertising with Holman’s feeder elementary schools soon to encourage parents to open savings accounts for their children in order for students to get an understanding of money and finances early. “At Henrico Federal Credit Union we believe it is our responsibility to support the community through service and education,” said Robyn Clark, the financial education manager for Hen-
rico Federal Credit Union. “Following the Virginia graduation requirement of financial literacy, we found a need. Our mission at Holman Middle School is to help prepare our students with financial education before they enter high school. We have created engaging financial activities that provide hands-on learning experiences for the students.” Holman Middle is the first middle school in the county to open a student branch. Other student branches are located at Deep Run, Henrico and Hermitage High Schools. “We are grateful for our partnership with the Henrico Federal Credit Union as it gives our students the opportunity to have a branch of their own at our school. The Huskie Branch is going to be run by our students for our students. We are proud to be the only middle school in Henrico County with such a partnership,” Fellows said.
Ben Kuttenkuler and his parents sign him up for a savings account at Holman Middle’s “Huskie Branch.”
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Spotlight On: Man Up Henrico’s Fatherhood Initiative
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he mission of the Man Up Fatherhood Initiative is to enhance the well-being of students by increasing the number of children growing up with an involved, responsible and committed male role model through proactive and educational programs. The objective of this mission is to inspire males in the Henrico County community to become better men and fathers to their children and to the chil-
dren of the community. This is accomplished through collaborative efforts of Henrico County Public Schools, the Parent Advisory Council and the community at large to provide activities that encourage male participation in the lives and education of children. “I have already seen the impact we have had on men who attended our events. This program is built to empower and encourage men to be more involved and to be better role models for their
children and other children in the community. Men need to know how important their role is to their family no matter the dynamic, said Darryl Williams, Man Up Co-Chair. “We provide a platform where men can feel comfortable discussing their challenges or issues in order to find solutions.”
figures of Henrico County Public Schools students. If you are interested in joining the HCPS Fatherhood Initiative, contact Darryl Williams, Federal Programs Lead Family Advocate at 804-389-8326 or by email at dawilliams1@henrico.k12.va.us.
The HCPS fatherhood Initiative is open to father
Henrico organization’s “Service Above Self” motto benefits students in need
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or the third year in a row, the Henrico North Rotary has kept to its motto, “Service Above Self,” and donated backpacks stuffed with school supplies for children in need. “It makes me feel very happy to be able to do this,” said Jane Cox, a member of the rotary. “Having been in education I know the needs of many students, having been a teacher I know the number of students that didn’t have pencils or paper. This is one of the projects our members participate in so enthusiastically.” After the backpacks have been stuffed to the brim with pencils, paper,
glue sticks and composition notebooks, they are donated to homeless students all over the county. “Any time someone offers to do something like this, it is representative of a lot of money and time and care,” said Deb Reed, Henrico County Public Schools’ homeless education liaison. “Out of the goodness of their hearts (the rotary members) are buying supplies for children whose parents can’t buy them and it is just a really caring gesture.” The number of homeless children in Henrico continues to grow with an alltime high of 959 for the 2012-13 school year. The definition of homeless accord-
Henrico County School Board Beverly L. Cocke Chair Brookland District
Lisa A. Marshall Vice Chair Tuckahoe District
Lamont Bagby Fairfield District
Robert G. Boyle Jr. Three Chopt District
John W. Montgomery Jr. Varina District
Patrick C. Kinlaw Deputy Superintendent
ing to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act includes students living in hotels, students sharing housing with another family, students in shelters, and Unaccompanied Youth (students who are not in the care of an adult). This is applicable to families who have lost their homes due to situations including eviction, foreclosure, natural disaster or domestic violence. Betsy Somerville, an intervention coordinator for Henrico, is in charge of distributing many of the backpacks and supplies.
new backpack filled with brand new supplies just for him,” Somerville said. “Many of these children have only had worn out hand-me-downs before. The appreciation and the excitement they show make me hopeful that the stability and support we try to provide will be part of a successful school year for each child we work with.”
“It’s very rewarding to see a student’s face light up when he sees a brand
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