Henrico School Bell: Oct. 30, 2026

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

HCPS staff recognitions

Henrico County Public Schools named Glen Allen High School instructional assistant Carter Jones its Oct. 26 “Yay of the Day” honoree. Nominators praised his empathy, support for students and contributions to the school community.

School psychologist Andrea Brinkley, who serves Hungary Creek Middle School, Short Pump Middle School and Pemberton Elementary School, was the division’s Oct. 28 “Yay of the Day” honoree. Her nominator cited her advocacy for students and her guidance for families navigating special education services.

Elko Middle School

Elko Middle School announced parent teacher conferences for Nov. 4 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Its newsletter says gifted identification referrals are due Nov. 12 at 11:59 p.m. Families can submit referrals through PowerSchool.

Elko Middle School will offer specialty center and ACE Center application help Nov. 10, including assistance with submissions, project proofreading and video recording. Space is limited, and students must sign up.

Elko Middle School plans Signs of Suicide lessons in eighth-grade health classes Nov. 11, 12, 17 and 18. Families will receive program and opt-out information. Boys basketball and wrestling tryouts begin Nov. 12; sports physicals are required.

Elko Middle School is promoting a Henrico Heroes advisory competition canned food drive and lists Nov. 20 as makeup picture day.

Glen Allen High School

Glen Allen High School congratulated Isabel Chung, Kayla Moyet and Sahar Hadaf for winning the HCPS Innovation Department’s Digital Citizenship Week Poster Contest.

Glen Allen High School has scheduled Jagfest for Nov. 18 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Highland Springs Elementary School

Highland Springs Elementary School is holding a Scholastic Book Fair from Oct. 26 through Nov. 6.

Charles M. Johnson Elementary School

Charles M. Johnson Elementary School reported that fifth graders visited First Tee Greater Richmond to learn about golf, first graders visited Maymont, and kindergartners carved pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns.

Charles M. Johnson Elementary School held a fall family math and reading night on Oct. 29. The school also announced fall picture day for Nov. 10.

Tuckahoe Elementary School

Tuckahoe Elementary School named second-grade teacher Shelley Michalski its 2026-27 Teacher of the Year. Principal Sonia Ford announced the honor in her Oct. 27 update, citing Michalski’s longstanding service to students, colleagues and the school community.

Tuckahoe Elementary School’s principal update lists a Henrico Christmas Mother canned food drive Nov. 4-16, a PTA meeting Nov. 10 at 7 p.m., Veterans Day assemblies Nov. 12, and a Turkey Trot Nov. 15 at 1 p.m.

The Steward School

At The Steward School, third graders researched national parks, created paper maps and programmed Finch robots to travel among landmarks. Technology facilitator Alison Travis designed the project to build computational thinking. Fifth graders also programmed Sphero robots to navigate corn mazes for the school’s Oct. 30 Fall-O-STEAM event.

The Steward School recognized Asher Alaimo and twins Gracie Hayden and Maddie Hayden as recipients of its 2026-27 Ray Tate Student-Athlete Scholarship. The students were honored at an Oct. 26 assembly. Alaimo received a $1,250 scholarship, while the Hayden twins share another $1,250 scholarship.

The Steward School detailed its approach to artificial intelligence in an Oct. 23 article by Director of Technology Shahwar Qureshi. The school has developed an age-based AI curriculum, professional development for employees and guidelines for approved tools; it says submitted assignments may use AI only when a teacher authorizes it for a specific purpose.

Upper School students in Marissa Shaw’s English classes at The Steward School studied Native American literature, researched tribal games and recreated them using recycled and foraged materials. They demonstrated the games for Lower School students and also prepared traditional foods as part of the project.

HCPS calendar and opportunities

Henrico County Public Schools will close schools and central offices Nov. 2 for Wellness Day. Nov. 3 is a student holiday and teacher professional learning day; Nov. 9 is a student and teacher holiday for Diwali. Schools also will close Nov. 25-27 for Thanksgiving. High school specialty center applications for 2027-28 are due Nov. 13.

Mills E. Godwin High School

Mills E. Godwin High School recognized Students of the Week: Amelia “Milli” Trice, Mirna Zarei, Steven Roshdy, Dominic Kulay, Gabriella Reyes, Veronka “Raine” Gerges, Hayden Gray, Madeleine “Maddy” Mason and Darlin Palencia. Staff nominate students for demonstrating the school’s core values.

Godwin High School plans a Veterans Day assembly Nov. 11 at 10 a.m. Families with a veteran who would like to participate should complete the school’s form by Nov. 4. The school also lists performances of “Romeo and Juliet” Nov. 19-21 at 7 p.m.

Godwin High School’s AP exam registration fee is $103 per exam before increasing to $143 Nov. 7. The final registration and payment deadline is March 5. The school also is encouraging interested students to contact counselor Mr. Clough about Summer Residential Governor’s School programs and complete an intent form.

Godwin High School’s PTSO congratulated Mrs. Boppe’s first-period class for winning its membership drive. Dunkin’ on Ridgefield supplied doughnuts for the class celebration, according to the school newsletter.

L. Douglas Wilder Middle School

L. Douglas Wilder Middle School reported receiving $500 for having the most school climate survey responses in the Fairfield District for the second consecutive year. Its newsletter also reminds families that afterschool tutoring in math, English, science and Spanish is offered Tuesday through Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.; weekly signup is required, placement depends on availability, and families must provide transportation home.

Wilder Middle School has scheduled parent-teacher conferences Nov. 5 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Its latest newsletter also lists a Harvest Ball for Nov. 20.

Jackson Davis Elementary School

Jackson Davis Elementary School reported that its Dolphin Fund raised $13,913.40, exceeding a $10,000 goal. The school thanked fund chairs Lindsay Cottone and Talya Tacosa O’Dea.

Jackson Davis Elementary School plans a Veterans Day breakfast Nov. 11 at 8:30 a.m., with a third-grade performance. Attendees must RSVP and complete the HCPS volunteer application by Nov. 5. Its PTA also invites K-5 students to enter the Reflections arts program by Nov. 12 and has scheduled Bingo Night Nov. 19 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Jackson Davis Elementary School scheduled a “Drop Everything and Glow” reading day and book character dress-up day for Oct. 30, with glow sticks supplied through its PTA. The school’s gifted identification referral deadline is Nov. 12 at 11:59 p.m., according to its family update.

Rivers Edge Elementary School

Rivers Edge Elementary School is collecting information and photos by Nov. 4 for a veterans recognition video to be shown during its third-grade performance Nov. 11. Submissions are open to all school families. The school also lists fall parent-teacher conferences Nov. 5, food drive collection through Nov. 16, and a Giving Tree initiative Nov. 23-Dec. 15.

Rivers Edge Elementary School says its gifted identification referral window closes Nov. 12 at 11:59 p.m. Referrals may come from educators, parents or guardians, community members, peers, or students themselves and can be submitted through PowerSchool.

Cashell Donahoe Elementary School

Cashell Donahoe Elementary School is asking families to keep toys, squishies, stuffed animals and other nonessential personal items at home unless a teacher requests them for an activity. The school said the items have become distractions and sometimes cause conflicts. The reminder does not apply to fidgets or other tools identified as accommodations in a student’s support plan.

The Campus of Virginia Randolph

The Campus of Virginia Randolph will host 100 Women Day Nov. 6 beginning at 8 a.m. Parents, guardians and community members are invited to welcome students with encouragement, followed by a fellowship activity in the FACE Community Center. The school asks participants to register here.

HCPS district news

The newest “Henrico Learning Today” video features a third-grade classroom at Ridge Elementary School, where students are learning multiplication and division. HCPS highlighted the classroom in its Oct. 30 newsletter.

HCPS will host its Career Mega Sale Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Adult Education Center at Regency Mall, 1420 North Parham Road. Dozens of employers are expected. The division encourages job seekers to bring résumés; some employers may interview and make offers on site.

Thrive Birth to Five and Virginia Commonwealth University are surveying families with children younger than five who live or work in Henrico, Richmond or Chesterfield about child care needs. HCPS shared the survey in its Oct. 30 newsletter; the announcement says the first 200 participants will receive a $20 electronic gift card.

HCPS is reminding families that the free Securly Home app provides more timely information than weekly activity emails and offers tools to manage home internet access on school-issued devices. Families should use the email address associated with their child’s school records.

Nominations for the REB Awards for Distinguished Educational Leadership are due Nov. 5. HCPS says the program will honor one principal from each participating division, with a $20,000 school-initiative award and an unrestricted $10,000 grant for each honoree.

HCPS also reminded students and families that Anonymous Alerts accepts reports about bullying, threats and other safety concerns. Users can communicate anonymously with school administrators through the web tool or app.

Upcoming Bridge Builders Academy sessions include a virtual holiday-stress program Nov. 3 at 6 p.m.; “Addressing Behaviors Confidently” at the Campus of Virginia Randolph Nov. 10 at 6 p.m.; and a game night for deaf and hard-of-hearing participants at The Oak Avenue Complex Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. Information is available at hcps.info/BBA.

HCPS Family and Community Engagement and the Henrico Community Food Bank plan a food distribution Nov. 21 from noon to 2 p.m. at the bus loop at 2401 Hartman Street. The food distribution will provide free, shelf-stable food packages for 500 families. No registration required.

Fairfield Middle School

HCPS featured Fairfield Middle School’s Oct. 21 Unity Day activities in a video. Students and staff wore orange, took a community walk and displayed a chain of more than 600 links decorated with kind words.

Greenwood Elementary School

Greenwood Elementary School has scheduled its Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat for Oct. 30 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Its book fair opens the same day. The school’s Oct. 25 newsletter also lists Quarter 2 morning-club registration for Nov. 1 at 6 p.m.

Greenwood Elementary School’s Oct. 25 newsletter announced its first Safety Belt Ceremony for Oct. 29 to recognize students who help keep the school safe each morning. It also lists classroom academic and attendance awards, a House Advisory meeting, step-team tryouts and a PTA Chipotle spirit night for Nov. 4.

Saint Mary’s Catholic School

Saint Mary’s Catholic School is offering robotics and coding clubs for K-2 students on Wednesdays and grades 3-6 on Mondays, both from 2:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The younger group uses Beebots and Ozobots; older students work on Wonder League Robotics Competition missions. The sessions began Oct. 21 and Oct. 19, respectively, according to the school.

Richmond Montessori School

Richmond Montessori School’s parent association calendar lists its book fair for Nov. 17-25. The calendar also lists the next parent association meeting Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the El Nido building on North Campus.

Northstar

Northstar’s calendar lists a Family Education Night webinar Nov. 17 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The school describes the free series as helping young adults with disabilities and their families navigate transitions.

Northstar’s Oct. 28 alumni spotlight features 2013 graduate Justin George. He recalled science experiments, English lessons that strengthened his writing, basketball and science club, and sharing his amateur-radio interests at school. The school invites former students to connect with its alumni network through volunteers@northstarva.org.

Deep Run High School

Deep Run High School will implement a revised arrival and dismissal traffic plan Nov. 4. Morning drop-off traffic will use two incoming lanes through the visitor lot before merging toward the student lot; drop-offs are not permitted in the faculty lot. The school asks families and student drivers to review its morning and afternoon maps and follow the designated crosswalks and exit routes.

Have school news to share? Email it to citizen@henricocitizen.com for consideration in a future School Bell roundup.