Henrico School Bell: Nov. 6, 2026

A weekly look at what’s happening in public and private schools throughout Henrico County.

Henrico Schools

Marcellus Bland, principal of the educational program at the James River Juvenile Detention Center, was featured in an Oct. 30 HCPS profile about his work serving young people in custody. The center is in Powhatan and serves teenagers from Henrico, Goochland and Powhatan. Bland also has administrative responsibilities at Henrico’s juvenile detention home on East Parham Road. He emphasizes individual relationships and academic rigor while teachers adapt instruction to students with widely different learning needs.

Chenia Sims, a social worker at Harvie Elementary and Holman Middle schools, received HCPS’ Yay of the Day recognition, announced Nov. 4. Superintendent Amy Cashwell honored Sims at Harvie. Nominator LaQuana Wigfall praised Sims’ support for families, teamwork and efforts to help families communicate across language barriers.

Henry Ward Elementary School

Henry Ward Elementary fifth graders Ayaan and Nina were named division winners in Henrico’s Student Poster Design Challenge, the school announced Nov. 4. Their posters explored the addictive nature of technology and encouraged healthy screen habits. The school said their work was featured on the Henrico Innovation Instagram page and would be presented to the School Board.

Henry Ward Elementary thanked its staff and families for a successful fall festival in its Nov. 1 newsletter. The school also is continuing to collect printed family photographs for a Belonging Wall in its main hallway. Families may send photos in their children’s folders, with the students’ names on the back.

Henry Ward Elementary’s Fatherhood Committee will host a Dads Read and Lead breakfast Nov. 12 at 8:30 a.m. The event invites fathers for food, conversation and connection in support of students.

J.R. Tucker High School

J.R. Tucker High School’s Shoestring Players will present the full-length Broadway musical “Disney’s Frozen” Nov. 12-14 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. in the school auditorium. Tickets are available through the theater program’s website.

J.R. Tucker will offer free ASVAB testing for students in grades 10-12 Nov. 17 at 8:45 a.m. in the community room. Registration is due Nov. 13, and students must arrange their own transportation. The voluntary assessment can help students explore career interests; taking it does not commit them to military service.

Tucker’s Nov. 4 newsletter invites students to the Henrico County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s sixth annual Black Facts Competition. Applications are due Nov. 20 for the free Black History trivia competition, scheduled Feb. 10, 2027, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Richmond Public Library’s Main Library, 101 East Franklin Street. Space is limited.

Tucker’s winter athletics schedule begins with basketball and wrestling tryouts Nov. 9, swimming practices beginning Nov. 9 and indoor track beginning Nov. 11. Students need current physicals, insurance and required participation forms. Families should consult the school’s Nov. 4 message for team-specific times and locations.

Underclass makeup photographs are scheduled Nov. 20.

Fairfield Middle School

Fairfield Middle School celebrated 127 eighth graders in its Math Elite Club with a first-quarter pizza party. Students qualify by scoring at least 80 on their quarterly math assessment, according to the school’s Nov. 3 newsletter. Students’ names also are displayed in their grade level cafeteria.

Fairfield’s attendance team surprised students who attended the Oct. 28 half day with Blow Pops at lunch. In its Nov. 3 newsletter, the school reported a current chronic absenteeism rate of 14.26 percent and a goal of finishing the year below 15 percent.

Fairfield’s Cornerstone Community Farm Stand is open Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the school’s front parking lot, offering produce grown at the school. The school says SNAP customers receive 50 percent off through Virginia Fresh Match. Fairfield also is arranging a Nov. 17 visit to Cristo Rey High School in Richmond for interested eighth graders; families can find the registration link in the school newsletter.

Fairfield is seeking donations for its student reward store. Students earn points by following the school’s expectations and can use them to shop for rewards. The school’s Nov. 5 notice includes a wish list for community members who want to contribute.

Fairfield is collecting canned food and home goods through Nov. 13 for the Henrico Christmas Mother program. The school is asking families to help support neighbors during the holiday season.

Elko Middle School

Elko Middle School named math teacher and athletic director Kendra Amis its Teacher of the Year, according to the NEST News linked from the school’s Nov. 1 announcement. Principal Tyrus Lyles praised her dedication to the Elko community. The newsletter also recapped a school pep rally featuring Power 92 and recognition of fall athletic teams.

Elko will host specialty center and ACE application assistance Nov. 10. Central Office staff will help students submit applications, proofread projects and record project videos. Space is limited and registration is available through the NEST News.

Makeup school photographs are scheduled Nov. 20.

John Rolfe Middle School

John Rolfe Middle School named Center for Innovation English teacher Ms. Caple its Teacher of the Year, the school’s Nov. 1 Jaguar Journal announced. The newsletter praised her work with both Center for Innovation students and the broader school community.

More than 440 John Rolfe students contributed ideas to a “Go Green and Screen Free” mural during Digital Citizenship Week, Oct. 19-23. Students added stickers with ideas for spending time away from screens after discussing digital wellness in advisory, according to the school’s Nov. 1 newsletter.

John Rolfe is sharing registration information for the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School International Language Fair Feb. 20, 2027, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Middle school participants will attend four student-led language and culture workshops. The $5 nonrefundable fee includes lunch, and registration and payment close Jan. 10.

Rolfe’s fall school photographs are scheduled Nov. 11-12.

L. Douglas Wilder Middle School

L. Douglas Wilder Middle School’s book fair runs Nov. 4-12, according to its Week 11 newsletter.

Ruby F. Carver Elementary School

Ruby F. Carver Elementary will host Literacy and STEAM Night Nov. 12 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., according to its Nov. 1 newsletter. The school’s house spirit wear store closes Nov. 8 at 11:59 p.m. The PTA also is seeking volunteers for Wednesday morning ROAR Store sessions, when students exchange earned points for prizes.

Carver scheduled Conexus vision screenings for kindergarten, third-grade and fifth-grade students Nov. 6. The school says results will be sent home in students’ yellow folders within two weeks. Its Henrico Christmas Mother food collection continues through Nov. 13.

Douglas S. Freeman High School

Freeman High School’s Blue Cheese Robotics team will host a free STEMFest Nov. 12 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at The Oak Avenue Complex. School announcements describe more than 25 hands-on science, technology, engineering and math stations, opportunities to interact with a robot and free STEM activity kits to take home.

Jackson Davis Elementary School

Jackson Davis Elementary’s PTA will meet Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. in the school library following the third-grade performance. PTA members also may join through a Zoom link sent by email. A PTA Bingo Night is scheduled Nov. 19 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the cafeteria, with advance purchases available for bingo cards and pizza.

Jackson Davis Elementary’s PTA will receive 15 percent of qualifying orders during its Nov. 12 Dolphin Night Out at Deep Run Roadhouse, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The newsletter asks families to use its ordering link, enter “Fundraiser” in the special instructions and place receipts in the school’s box at the restaurant.

Rivers Edge Elementary School

Rivers Edge Elementary introduced its updated school website in its Nov. 5 newsletter. Families can find school announcements, an events calendar, the weekly Current Connections newsletter and a searchable staff directory through the new navigation.

Rivers Edge’s PTA has reached 415 members, exceeding its goal of 400, and has raised nearly $3,000 toward its $10,000 Eagle Fund goal. The school’s Nov. 5 newsletter also recapped a free PTA-sponsored fall movie night that brought families together.

Rivers Edge is collecting canned food through Nov. 16 as a house competition supporting families in need. Its next PTA Spirit Night is Nov. 18 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Desi Bites, 3621 Cox Road, Suite C. The school also thanked Desi Bites for a $500 PTA donation.

Springfield Park Elementary School

Springfield Park Elementary’s Student Council Association is collecting canned goods and other nonperishable food through Nov. 16 for Henrico Christmas Mother. Last year’s collection totaled 2,104 items. Families seeking holiday gift assistance through the Springer Giving Tree should submit the form in the school newsletter by Nov. 13 at 11:59 p.m.

Springfield Park will honor veterans at an assembly Nov. 11 at 8:45 a.m., featuring a third-grade performance. Veterans who complete the school’s form are invited to attend. The school also lists Coffee with Cromartie Nov. 11 at 7:45 a.m., a PTA Reflections program Nov. 12 at 6 p.m., makeup photographs Nov. 16 and a Turkey Trot Nov. 24.

Springfield Park has scheduled Family Life Education for fourth and fifth grades Dec. 4. Parents and guardians may review program objectives and materials and may opt their children out using the form linked from the school’s Nov. 1 newsletter.

Cashell Donahoe Elementary School

Cashell Donahoe Elementary will hold a community cleanup Nov. 21 at 8:30 a.m. on its Discovery Trail near the playground. Volunteers will help prepare the trail for an activity walk, outdoor musical instruments and nature rubbings. A registration link is included in the school announcement.

Anthony Mehfoud Elementary School

Anthony Mehfoud Elementary has scheduled makeup school photographs for Nov. 13, according to its Nov. 5 announcement. Families can consult the school notice for ordering information.

The Campus of Virginia Randolph

The Campus of Virginia Randolph will offer ASVAB testing Nov. 13 for students exploring career and postsecondary options. Interested students should contact their school counselor to register. The campus also lists parent teacher conferences Nov. 12 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and senior photograph retakes Nov. 20.

The Steward School

Steward student Abby Hendrick, Class of 2031, received the 12-and-under Virginia Swimming Competitive Spirit Award at NOVA of Virginia Aquatics. The school announced the recognition Nov. 4. Hendrick also participates in Steward’s swim team and volunteers as a Spartan Counselor Apprentice in its Summer Experience program.

Steward alumna Ally Dods Keefe, Class of 2016, received an Artsies award from the Richmond Theatre Community Circle for her lead role in “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812,” the school reported Nov. 4. The production was performed at Richmond’s Firehouse Theatre in 2025.

Steward’s Lower, Middle and Upper School directors outlined the school’s approach to discipline in a Nov. 4 article for families. The framework connects the Honor Code to age-appropriate expectations and responses. In Lower School, students use shared reflection questions about what happened, how others were affected, what to do differently and how to repair harm.

Steward’s production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella Enchanted Edition," continues with scheduled performances Nov. 6 and 7 at 7 p.m. in the Lora M. Robins Theatre. Courtney Vollmer directs the production, which the school describes as suitable for all ages.

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School is inviting families to explore its virtual open house and social media during Discover Catholic Schools Week, Nov. 15-21. The school also offers private tours, and applications are open for the 2027-28 school year.

Northstar

Northstar’s Nov. 17 Family Education Night webinar will focus on supported decision making agreements for young adults with disabilities and their families. The free session runs from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with registration through the school’s transition-to-adulthood page.