Virginia Avenue Charlotte DeHart Elementary School

🏆 We are so proud of our very own Kim Hurlbut, Teaching Assistant, who received the division-wide Excellence in Service award!

Kim was described as “someone who is always ready to step in wherever she is needed, and she does so with a smile. Whether taking on extra responsibilities or creating welcoming spaces throughout the school, she exemplifies what it means to be a true team player. Her dedication to the student experience shines through each day as she greets students with music, hand-made signs, and a genuine enthusiasm that sets a positive tone for the entire school. Her kindness, creativity, and unwavering commitment help make her school a place where every student feels welcomed and valued.”

We are so fortunate to have Kim here at VACDES!!

🎉What an AMAZING first day at VACDES! 📚

Our Little Judges are officially back, and we couldn’t have asked for a better start to the school year! ❤️

It was wonderful to see so many of our Little Judges and their families back in the building during Open House! ❤️

From meeting teachers to exploring classrooms and reconnecting with our school community, the excitement for a new school year was everywhere.

We can’t wait to welcome all of our Little Judges back on Tuesday for the first day of school! 📚✏️

Please join us in welcoming our new leadership team!

🌟Ms. Alli Di Giovanni, Principal
With more than 15 years of experience in education, Ms. Di Giovanni brings a strong background in instructional leadership, school culture, and student success. She is excited to lead the VACDES community as principal this year.

🌟Mr. Eric Cornish, Assistant Principal
A WPS Teacher of the Year and experienced instructional leader, Mr. Cornish brings a passion for collaboration, relationship-building, and helping every student and staff member succeed.

We're excited for the future of VACDES and can't wait to welcome our Little Judges back on August 11!

🎉 Welcome Back, VACDES Staff! 🎉

Today our hallways were filled with something we've been looking forward to all summer—the energy, laughter, and dedication of our amazing teachers and staff!

This year in STEM, our fourth graders took a deep dive into mastering the "5 Cs": critical thinking, collaboration, cultural citizenship, communication, and creativity. Students beautifully synthesized all of these core skills for their final project: designing and engineering their very own functional pinball machines. From brainstorming creative themes and utilizing critical thinking to map out complex obstacle physics, to practicing seamless communication and collaboration within their teams, they truly brought their ideas to life. Furthermore, by embracing cultural citizenship, they ensured their games were inclusive, accessible, and engaging for all of their peers. Please see the two comments below to access their incredible final projects and witness their hard work in action!

We had such a wonderful fourth grade celebration today. The school was packed. The kids did great and the families were amazing. Thank you for entrusting us with your most valuable assets, your children. I feel blessed to be at VACDES every single day. Thank you and best of luck to the Handley Class of 2034! Daniel Morgan Intermediate School be ready to be amazed next year!
Love,
Dr. Pluska
BTW, I did not get a single picture so if you have any to post, please do so!

Before taking the SOLs, our students enjoyed a relaxing Spa time to help them feel calm, confident, and ready to do their best! 💆✨
We are so proud of their hard work! 🩵📚

Walk The Halls - a treasured tradition of the Handley seniors coming to their elementary schools to walk the halls.

Miss Roberts class learning about baby chicks in STEM!! 🐣