Essex County Public Schools

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Staff, Due to a significant increase in illness-related absences across our schools, Friday, January 31, will be an asynchronous virtual learning day for all students and staff. This decision allows those who are ill to rest and recover while also helping to prevent further spread of illness. As an example of the impact, today alone, the high school reported 100 student absences due to illness. In addition, this closure will provide our custodial teams the opportunity to conduct a deep cleaning of all school buildings to ensure a healthier environment when students and staff return. Each school has shared "snow day plans" with their students. Students should follow the "snow day" guidance they received from their teachers for any assignments. Staff will also be working remotely and will be available during normal school hours via email. Thank you for your understanding and support as we prioritize the health and well-being of our school community. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher. Sincerely, Dr. Cyndee Blount Chief Academic Officer

🏅 Picture Day Alert! 📸 A photographer from Strawbridge Studios will be at Essex High School today Thursday, January 23, 2025, to capture our sports team and individual pictures! Don’t miss this opportunity to preserve memories of your student's season! If you are interested in purchasing pictures, visit Strawbridge Website - https://www.strawbridge.net/services/sports/. Select 'Order Pictures and Yearbooks,' and enter the code 'FM468504' to place your order for your student's pictures For more details, check out the images below or visit our website!

Good Evening, ECPS Families: We hope that everyone is well and had a good day. Please be advised that Essex County Public Schools will operate on a 2-hour delay on Thursday, January 23, 2025, due to unsafe road conditions in some parts of the county. Thanks for your attention and please be safe.

Good morning, ECPS Families: We hope this message finds everyone well. Please be advised that Essex County Public Schools will now be closed today, January 22, 2025, due to dangerous road conditions. Thanks for your attention and please be safe.

Good Evening, ECPS Families: We hope this message finds everyone well. Please be advised that Essex County Public Schools will be operating on a 2 hour delay on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, due to inclement weather and road conditions. Thanks for your attention and please be safe.

Good evening, ECPS Families, We hope this message finds everyone well. Please be advised that Essex County Public Schools will be operating on a 2-hour delay on Monday, January 13, 2025. Thanks for your attention and please be safe.

Good afternoon, ECPS Families, Essex County Public Schools will remain closed for students on Friday, January 10, 2025. Some secondary roads are still not safe for traveling due to drifting snow accumulation. All staff will be expected to attend work by 10:00 a.m. or to make contact with immediate supervisors, should travel be adversely affected. Thanks for your attention and please be safe

Good afternoon, ECPS Families, Essex County Public Schools will remain closed for students on Thursday, January 9, 2025. The rationale for this decision is our observation of running water throughout the county on secondary roads such as Petro Pitts, Laurel Springs, and even Hustle Rd. This running water has been observed flowing across the roads in a downward direction. The early morning temperature will result in the freezing of this water and thus preventing school buses from traversing upward and downward. All staff will be expected to attend work by 10:00 a.m. or to make contact with immediate supervisors, should travel be adversely affected. Please be safe!

Good Afternoon, ECPS Families, We hope this message finds everyone well and safe. Please be advised that Essex County Public Schools will be closed on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, due to inclement weather and dangerous road conditions. Thanks for your attention.

The Essex County School Board will hold its monthly meetings for January and February on Mondays, January 27, 2025, and February 24, 202,5 at 7:00 p.m. (Work Session @5:00 p.m. & Closed Session @6:00 p.m.) in the Essex County School Board Office Complex, and live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/essexcountypublicschools. There will be a Public Hearing on the Proposed 2025-2026 Calendar at 6:45 p.m. at the January 27th meeting and a Public Hearing on the Proposed FY 2025-2026 Budget at 6:45 p.m. at the February 24th meeting.

🎉🏆 STATE CHAMPIONS! 🏆🎉 Congratulations to the Essex Trojans on their incredible victory over the Grayson County Blue Devils in the Class 1 State Championship game! Your hard work, dedication, and teamwork has made Essex proud! 💪💚💛 A huge shoutout to Coach Jones for his outstanding leadership and to the entire coaching staff for guiding our team to this unforgettable moment. This win is a testament to the heart and determination of our players and the support of our amazing Trojan community. Again congratulations Trojans!!

Join us for an Open House at your CBGS campus! Current AND prospective students and families are welcome! Glenns campus - 12745 College Drive, Glenns Bowling Green campus - 16221 Richmond Turnpike, Bowling Green Warsaw Campus - 52 Campus Drive, Warsaw

Reminder: The Chesapeake Bay Governor's School will host an Open House at the Warsaw Campus this week on Thursday, December 12, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. Applications are available in your student's grade-level Google Classroom, and the submission deadline is January 13, 2025.

Want to Become a Teacher? Make a Difference with RTR! Are you ready to inspire and shape the future of students? 🌟 The RTR Teacher Residency Program at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), in partnership with Essex County Public Schools, provides an immersive, hands-on teacher preparation experience! Whether you're pursuing your first degree or advancing your education, RTR offers: ✔️ A full salary and benefits for bachelor’s degree candidates while working in schools ✔️ A stipend to cover education costs for both graduate and undergraduate pathways, leading to teacher licensure in elementary, secondary, or special education If you already have an associate's or bachelor’s degree, this could be your path to becoming an exceptional educator. 👉 Apply today at teachrtr.org! ⏳ Applications close February 1, 2025. Take the first step toward making a difference! 💡✏️ #BecomeATeacher #RTRResidency #TeacherPreparation

Upcoming School Board Meeting The next School Board meeting will take place on November 11, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. We look forward to your participation!

Students in Ms. Dungee's 4th grade science classes participated in an investigation of biodiversity in the Rappahannock River. Students are benefiting from the implementation of Meaningful Watershed Experiences, which have been implemented throughout the division.

🌍 Cooking Around the World with Little Kookers! 🍴 Calling all young chefs! Join us for an exciting journey where students will explore the tastes of the world – without leaving the kitchen! 👩‍🍳👨‍🍳 🍽️ What: Cooking classes featuring dishes from countries like Mexico, Japan, and the Caribbean. We’ll be making delicious foods such as jerk chicken kebabs, mango salsa, fluffy Japanese pancakes, and more! 📅 When: Tuesdays , 3:30 – 4:30 PM Dates: October 22, 29, November 12, 19, 2024 (No class on November 5) 📍 Where: JCIS, Available to all students! 💰 Fee: $60 for 4 weeks Limited to the first 15 students, so sign up now! Don’t miss out on this fun, tasty adventure! 🌎🍽️

ECPS science teachers participated in professional development activities with the Old Dominion Center for Educational Partnerships at Westmoreland State Park on October 11th during Teacher Professional Development Day.

Our amazing students in Ms. Stuart's class have been busy perfecting their cursive writing skills this week! With focus and creativity, they’re learning the art of cursive, building important fine motor skills, and having fun in the process. Keep up the great work, students!

Happy Custodian Appreciation Day! Today, we celebrate the hardworking custodians who play a vital role in keeping our schools clean, safe, and welcoming. Their dedication ensures our students and staff have a healthy environment to learn and grow each day. From early mornings to late nights, our custodians go above and beyond to maintain our facilities. We are incredibly grateful for their commitment and the pride they take in their work. Thank you to all our custodians for your tireless efforts and for being the backbone of Essex County Public Schools! Again we appreciate you.