We start this edition with a call for nominations for the REB Exceptional Leadership Award, which could win your principal up to $30,000 for school projects. Read more about it below, and consider nominating your favorite Henrico leader! And for families with fifth or eighth graders, don't forget that this will be the year to apply to a specialty center for interested students. We've got reminders about the application timelines and open house events below. 

More in this edition: Our 2026-27 Yay of the Day feature has launched, so check out the first picks and send in your nominees! And get a peek at what's happening in our classrooms with our latest "What's New In Henrico Schools" video series. Also, if you're interested in serving on our Calendar Committee, fill out the interest form linked below.

The REB Awards for Distinguished Educational Leadership are accepting nominations until Nov. 5. The program is a chance to recognize the dedication and hard work of Henrico County Public Schools principals who have gone above and beyond to create an exceptional education environment. 

Students, families, staff and members of the community are invited to submit nominations. The honorees will receive $20,000 to be used for school initiatives as well as an unrestricted $10,000 cash grant. A runner-up will also be chosen and could receive $10,000 for use toward school projects. 

Principals from Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover counties and the City of Richmond are eligible, and one nominee from each school division will be honored. 

Last year’s HCPS winner was Short Pump Middle School Principal Dr. Jessica Seal (pictured above on the left). Seal’s award funds will go toward expanding the Middle School Cornerstone project -- a student leadership course she implemented at Short Pump Middle -- to the division's other middle schools.  

Short Pump Elementary School Principal Paige Smith (pictured on the right) was runner-up for the award. Smith received a $10,000 grant to support a studio production center at her school.

For more information on eligibility criteria and the nomination process, and to submit a nomination, visit cfrichmond.org/receive/scholars-educators/educators/leadership.

The awards were established by the REB Foundation and Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond. Award recipients will be announced in March 2027. 

Families of fifth and eighth grade students: Now is the time to be making some decisions about next year. Applications for middle school specialty centers are now being accepted. The application window will close Oct. 5.

Applications for high school specialty centers open Monday, Sept. 28 and close on Nov. 13. 

For more information about the application process, visit: https://www.henricoschools.us/page/specialty-centers.

Henrico County Public Schools is seeking community nominations to help name the new Environmental Education Living Building. Students, families, staff and community members are invited to share ideas for a name that reflects this unique new learning facility and its connection to the HCPS community.

Nominations will be accepted through Oct. 25. Before submitting a nomination, community members are encouraged to review Regulation P9-14-003-R, Naming of Schools and School Facilities, which provides information about the naming process, including criteria and evaluation standards for proposed names. 

Community input is an important part of the process and will help inform the superintendent’s recommendation to the School Board. In accordance with HCPS regulation, the School Board has final authority to approve the name of all schools and school facilities.

Submit your nomination through the School Facility Naming Community Nomination Form by Oct. 25 and help identify a meaningful name for this exciting new learning space! 

FULL WEEK: Check out footage of Gov. Spanberger's visit to the ACE Center at Hermitage, Grandparents Day fun at Montrose Elementary, the "100 Men Summit" at the Academy of Virginia Randolph and more! 

The Henrico County Council of PTAs (HCCPTA) invites families to explore the arts and have some fun as the 2026–2027 National Reflections program  kicks off. The event is set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at The Oak Avenue Complex, 15 S. Oak Avenue.

The event will feature live entertainment and family-friendly activities for all ages. Students will have the opportunity to learn more about participating in this year’s National PTA Reflections program. This year’s theme is “What My Culture Means to Me.” It is a celebration of creativity,  diversity and community across our schools.

This is an outdoor event; however, activities may move indoors if there is inclement weather. 

Questions about the event or the Reflections program? Email reflections@hccpta.com. 

Dina Thibodeau, a school counselor at Pemberton Elementary School, is our first Yay of the Day for the 2026-27 school year! Superintendent Amy Cashwell honored her at Pemberton recently! 

Nominator Jessica Benade said: "Ms. Thibodeau went above and beyond on the first day of school for my daughter who was afraid of riding the bus. Ms. Thibodeau ended up riding the bus home with her to ease her fears. She assured my daughter she would be there any time she needed help with her buckle on the bus in the afternoon. This has given her the confidence she needed to ride the bus! Ms. Thibodeau deserves recognition for such a wonderful gesture!"

Follow our Yay of the Day series on social media and our website, and nominate HCPS staff members for the school division’s “Yay of the Day” honor.

During the 2026-27 school year, 100 recipients will be recognized by Superintendent Amy Cashwell.

Henrico County Public Schools is seeking students (high school), families, staff and community members interested in serving on the 2026-27 Calendar Committee. The committee will work collaboratively to develop a recommended 2028-29 Instructional Calendar for consideration by the Division Leadership Team and ultimately the School Board.

HCPS is seeking individuals who bring a variety of experiences and perspectives to this work. Our goal is to form a committee that reflects the breadth of our school division and community, including representation across school levels, geographic areas, stakeholder groups, roles and community experiences. Bringing together these varied perspectives will help ensure that the committee thoughtfully considers the needs of students, families, employees, schools and the broader community as it develops its recommendation.

If you are interested in serving, please complete the interest form by Oct. 9, 2026. Individuals selected to participate on the Calendar Committee will be contacted by Oct. 16, 2026.

P. O. Box 23120 • 3820 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, VA 23223 • 804-652-3600 

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