Henrico County Public Schools

🗣️ Make your voice heard. Complete a short survey by Friday, Dec. 20, to provide feedback for Henrico Schools' next comprehensive strategic plan at hcps.info/StrategicPlanSurvey.

Since September, a Strategic Plan Steering Committee, comprising students, families, staff and community members, has worked to draft key foundational components of the next plan, including a vision statement, mission statement and core values. The committee is seeking feedback on these draft components from the broader HCPS community. Feedback from the larger HCPS community is essential as the committee continues its work throughout the school year.

This quick survey can be completed in just minutes on a computer or phone. Additional opportunities to providing feedback will be available throughout the remainder of the school year.

You can look back on our previous strategic plan, Destination 2025, at https://www.henricoschools.us/page/2018-25-strategic-plan.

YAY ELIZABETH CROMARTIE! Elizabeth Cromartie, the principal at Springfield Park Elementary School, is today's "Yay of the Day" honoree! Superintendent Amy Cashwell honored her at Springfield Park. 🙌 🦘

YAYWORTHY:

Nominator Beth Strader said:

"Elizabeth came to SPES from Colonial Trail this year and has done an amazing job of jumping in and assessing the needs of our faculty and students. She is able to make everyone's voice be heard. And has made the many new faculty members feel welcome. She has made such a positive impact in such a short time.

"Elizabeth checks on her teachers daily. Her communication skills are topnotch and she is always informally assessing how students and teachers are feeling at any given time. The school culture is so important to her and her positivity sets the daily climate at our school."

Thank you for all you do, Elizabeth Cromartie, to make a positive difference and move HCPS forward!

• No. 33 in a series. Nominate a staff member for a "Yay of the Day" at https://www.henricoschools.us/yay-of-the-day.

Congratulations to Christine Suders, the 2025 HCPS Teacher of the Year! She was surprised at Hermitage High School Thursday by HCPS leaders, coworkers and her family.

“I don't see this as a reflection of me so much as Hermitage," Suders said. "It’s a win for all the hard work this community does. It means the world that the students and this incredible place are getting the positive recognition that I've known for so long they deserve.”

The school division will host a May banquet to celebrate Teacher of the Year honorees from all HCPS schools, including the 2025 divisionwide Teacher of the Year finalists: Audra Vanderland of Glen Lea E.S.; Adria Bader of J.R. Tucker H.S.; Audra Callahan of Maybeury E.S.; and Sekani Grant of Elko M.S.

https://www.henricoschools.us/article/1921065

The Henrico Christmas Mother campaign has been "helping neighbors in need" since 1942, when HCPS teacher Mittie McCraw Nelson asked her students to bring in donations of canned goods. This year's Christmas Mother, Linda Melton, stopped by the Eastern Henrico Government Center Friday to accept a donation check from HCPS Central Office employees with a value of $4,578! Many thanks to George Baker Elementary School students, who made the occasion festive by singing carols throughout the building!

YAY ISAIAH HODGE! Isaiah Hodge, a school security officer at Pinchbeck Elementary School, is today's "Yay of the Day" honoree! Superintendent Amy Cashwell honored him recently at Pinchbeck. 😄

YAYWORTHY:

Nominator Brennan McIntosh said:

"Mr. Hodge deserves a 'Yay of the Day' for his dedication to keeping our campus safe and secure. He builds strong, trusting relationships with students and staff, often going above and beyond to support everyone. Whether responding calmly to emergencies or lending a helping hand at school events, his positive presence makes a lasting impact on our community. His commitment helps create a safe, welcoming environment where students can thrive.

"Mr. Hodge is frequently the first one to respond to any walkie calls, particularly for upset students. He calmly approaches the students and is able to deescalate situations quickly and effectively. His quick response and caring demeanor not only helped the students regain composure but also demonstrated his commitment to the well-being of everyone on campus. He also has an innate ability to work with some of our highest-need kiddos and has the patience of a saint while doing so. His responses to calls make a lasting difference in the students’ experience that day as well as huge support for our other teachers and staff."

Thank you for all you do, Isaiah Hodge, to make a positive difference and move HCPS forward!

• No. 32 in a series. Nominate a staff member for a "Yay of the Day" at https://www.henricoschools.us/yay-of-the-day.

It's amazing witnessing the many ways all our schools give back to the community during the holiday season!

Love this, David A. Kaechele Elementary School! 👏 ❤️

YAY AMY JOHNSON! Amy Johnson, the school-based mental health clinical supervisor for Student Support and Wellness, is today's "Yay of the Day" honoree! Superintendent Amy Cashwell honored her recently. ☀️

YAYWORTHY:

Nominator Elizabeth Long said:

"Amy is always available to support those who need it. She is a true champion of mental health support for our students. She advocates for school-based mental health services in our buildings and trauma-informed care.

"Any time I talk with Amy, she is always willing to lend a helping hand or listening ear. She has helped me in many instances but one example is guiding me to lead my school team in completing the Trauma Responsive Schools Implementation Assessment. I am also in the Trauma-Informed Educator specialization, and any time I need support, Amy is always available to help with examples on how to make my work more meaningful to students and staff. She has also been an advocate for the Licensed Clinical Social Worker cohort in addition to the Licensed Professional Counselor cohort, which will make a positive impact in supporting our students mental health."

Thank you for all you do, Amy Johnson, to make a positive difference and move HCPS forward!

• No. 31 in a series. Nominate a staff member for a "Yay of the Day" at https://www.henricoschools.us/yay-of-the-day.

Rural health care shortages. Microplastics. Polluted water. Bullying. Shelter animals on borrowed time. The challenges are great, and so were the solutions devised by HCPS students.

Middle and high school students gathered Monday at J.R. Tucker High School to pitch their ideas for a better world — and how to bring those ideas to fruition. Students showcased their many hours of hard work at the Henrico Innovation Challenge, presenting their ideas to a professional panel of judges. One group will receive funding to submit their project to future entrepreneurial challenges, and will win a field trip to Amazon headquarters.

High school division:
- AquaticAnalyst: Aditya and Harsh*t from J.R. Tucker High School
- ChloroThrive: Diya, Rudra, Sarina and Rishi from J.R. Tucker High School
- Protect Drone: Smrithi and Kavya from J.R. Tucker High School
- SoberShield: Avni and Sri from J.R. Tucker and Deep Run high schools
- Sheltr: by Neel and Rish*th from Deep Run High School

Middle school division:
- Furevermatch: Dheepthaa, Anjali, Pravit and Srihaas from George Moody Middle School
- EcoWin: Anish, Akhil and Maneesh from George Moody Middle School
- PuriLight: Abeer, Vraj, Ruthvik and A***n from George Moody Middle School
- Anti-Bullying Association: Kobee, Kamal, MaKiyah, Zadaya and Malay from Elko Middle School
- Pure Stream Protector: Za'Rae, Taylor, Malia, Tacko and Cindy from Elko Middle School

Thanks to the judges, for their feedback and thoughtful advice!
- Ingrid Nelson, Data Mining Consultant, Bank of America
- Elizabeth Edmondson, VCU School of Education
- Garret Westlake, Executive Director, VCU da Vinci Center for Innovation
- Monica Van Ardsdale, senior financial success educator, Virginia Credit Union.

Come to The Oak tonight at 5:30 p.m. for the second of our Multilingual Family Listening Sessions! Your insight will be valuable in improving the education and support for English learners across Henrico.

Saturday is the first of two Multilingual Family Listening Sessions, hosted by HCPS and Henrico Outreach & Engagement! Join us at 10 a.m. at the Regency Adult Education Center to improve the future for English learners in Henrico. 💬

Families of multilingual and ESL students are encouraged to attend one of these sessions to provide honest feedback about how HCPS and Henrico can better support English learners and their families. Food, interpreters and child care are available for attendees, and no registration is required to participate.

The two sessions are at the following times and locations:

- Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Regency Adult Education Center (1420 N. Parham Road, Henrico, VA 23229)
- Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Oak Avenue Complex (15 S. Oak Ave., Highland Springs, VA 23075)

Have questions? Call the ESL Welcome Center at 804-527-4604 or The Oak at 804-952-8100.