As we kick off September, we want to remind families that your student's presence at school is important each and every day. This month is Attendance Awareness Month. You can read more below on the link between attendance and academic performance, and find tips on what families can do to help ensure student success!
More news in this edition: Parents of fifth and eighth grade students will find information about our specialty center info sessions and open houses, as well as application deadlines. And don't miss out on our upcoming Life-Ready Expo happening Sept. 16.
And a reminder: School is off Monday! Enjoy the Labor Day long weekend!
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All middle and high school students and their families are invited to the 2026 Life-Ready Expo, a free career exploration event. The expo will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hermitage High School, 8301 Hungary Springs Road.
Representatives from more than 120 businesses and organizations representing a wide range of career sectors will participate. Represented fields include advanced manufacturing, healthcare, human services, trades, public service and safety.
Students can explore careers that align with their passions while learning about essential details for their future, such as career pathways, educational requirements and compensation. Older students can connect with employers for immediate internships, job shadowing and employment opportunities.
Spanish, Dari and Arabic interpreters will be available throughout the evening.
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Research shows that missing just 10% of school days — or about two days a month over the course of the year — hurts a student’s academic performance. Missing those two days a month, defined as chronic absenteeism, has a big effect on academics.
Strong attendance helps students achieve! Students who attend school regularly read better, are more proficient in math, are more likely to graduate from high school and college and do better in the workplace.
What can families do? Here are a few tips that can make a big difference for your student:
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Avoid scheduling vacations when school is in session. Vacations are considered unexcused absences.
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Build regular routines for bedtime and the morning.
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Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
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Don’t let students miss school unless they’re truly sick. Remember, stomachaches and headaches may be signs of anxiety.
- If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, school social workers or other parents for advice.
- Avoid scheduling medical appointments when school is in session.
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Develop backup plans for getting students to school if something comes up.
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Specialty center applications are right around the corner, and HCPS is hosting open houses at all of these programs — plus the ACE Centers and regional programs such as Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School and CodeRVA — for students and families to learn about all of the options and opportunities available!
Applications for middle school specialty centers open Sept. 10 and close on Oct. 5, while applications for high school specialty centers open Sept. 28 and close on Nov. 13.
Middle school specialty center open house schedule:
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Sept. 10: Fairfield Middle School IB (duplicate sessions: 4:30-5:30 p.m. and 5:30-6:30 p.m.)
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Sept. 15: John Rolfe Middle School Center for Innovation (6-7 p.m.)
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Sept. 15: Tuckahoe Middle School IB (duplicate sessions: 4:30-5:30 p.m. and 5:30-6:30 p.m.)
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Sept. 16: Wilder Middle School Gifted Young Scholars Academy (5:30-6:30 p.m.)
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Sept. 17: Moody Middle School IB (duplicate sessions: 4:30-5:30 p.m. and 6-7 p.m.)
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Sept. 23: Quioccasin Middle School Center for Innovation (6-7 p.m.)
High school specialty center info session and open house schedule (events begin at 6:30 p.m. at school sites, unless otherwise listed):
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Sept. 12: Information session at Highland Springs H.S. (11 a.m.-2 p.m.)
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Sept. 24: Information session at J.R. Tucker H.S. (6-8:30 p.m.)
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Sept. 29: Virtual information session via Bridge Builders Academy (6 p.m. at hcps.info/BBA)
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Sept. 29: Allied Health and Human Services at Hermitage H.S. (6 p.m., ACE Center at Hermitage)
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Sept. 30: International Baccalaureate at J.R. Tucker H.S.
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Oct. 1: ACA-Business Administration at Highland Springs H.S. (6 p.m.)
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Oct. 6: Communications & Media Relations and Environmental Studies & Sustainability at Varina H.S.
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Oct. 7: ACA-Social Sciences at J.R. Tucker H.S.
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Oct. 8: Center for the Arts at Henrico H.S.
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Oct. 13: Engineering at Highland Springs H.S. (6 p.m.)
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Oct. 13 and Dec. 8: CodeRVA (6 p.m., in-person and virtual)
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Oct. 14: Information Technology at Deep Run H.S.
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Oct. 15: Spanish Language & Global Citizenship at J.R. Tucker H.S.
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Oct. 17: Maggie Walker Governor’s School (1 p.m.)
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Oct. 20: Leadership, Govt., Global Economics at Freeman H.S.
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Oct. 21: Education & Human Development at Glen Allen H.S.
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Oct. 22: International Baccalaureate at Henrico H.S.
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Oct. 27: Cybersecurity at Henrico H.S.
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Oct. 29: Todd A. Phillips Center for Medical Sciences at Godwin H.S. (6 p.m.)
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Nov. 4: Humanities & Civic Engagement at Hermitage H.S. (6 p.m.)
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Nov. 5: ACE Centers at Hermitage, Virginia Randolph and Highland Springs (6:30-8 p.m. at Hermitage H.S.)
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As we enter September, schools across the nation observe National Suicide Prevention Month, anchored by World Suicide Prevention Day on Sept. 10. Caring for the mental health and safety of our communities is a collective responsibility, and keeping everyone informed is one of the most effective ways to do this.
Recognizing the warning signs of suicidal ideation allows us to step in early. Changes to look for include:
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Behavioral & Social: Withdrawing from friends, family, or favorite activities; giving away prized possessions; self-destructive choices; sudden changes in hygiene or sleep; or a sudden, unexpected boost in mood after a period of deep depression.
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Verbal & Cognitive: Expressing feelings of hopelessness, excessive guilt, or being a burden; talking or writing about death; making statements like "I can't take it anymore"; or struggling to concentrate due to a fixation on dark thoughts.
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Emotional & Situational: Extreme mood shifts, intense irritability, or processing severe stress from recent loss, breakup, bullying, or academic pressures.
How You Can Help
If you notice these signs in a child, friend or family member:
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Ask directly: Initiate a calm, direct conversation about what they are feeling.
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Listen without judgment: Offer a safe, compassionate space without brushing off their feelings.
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Connect to support: Involve trusted adults (parents, school counselors, coaches) and connect them with professional help immediately.
Crisis & Mental Health Resources
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988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (Available 24/7, free, and confidential) or visit 988lifeline.org.
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The Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor 24/7.
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NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): Access community support groups and education at nami.org.
Care Solace Navigation Support
Henrico County Public Schools partners with Care Solace to make finding mental health or substance use care simple and confidential for our families and staff:
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Call: 888-515-0595 (Available 24/7/365 with multilingual support).
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Visit: caresolace.com/henricocps to search independently or click "Book Appointment" for personalized care navigation.
Together, through awareness, open communication, and active support, we can foster a safe environment where every student feels seen, valued and supported.
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The Henrico HEROES mentor program is looking for volunteers for the 2026-27 school year. Mentors support students at more than 40 elementary, middle and high schools, meeting with their student once a week for 30-45 minutes through April. Mentors also participate in a programwide kickoff and end-of-year celebration.
To become a Henrico HEROES mentor, volunteers must complete an application, undergo a background check and attend a two-hour training session.
Interested mentors must complete the application at https://tinyurl.com/Apply4HEROES by Sept. 11 then sign up for one of the following virtual or in-person training sessions:
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Tuesday, Sept. 15: 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Oak Avenue Complex (15 S. Oak Ave.)
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Thursday, Sept. 17: 4:30-6:30 p.m. (virtual)
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Saturday, Sept. 19: 10 a.m.-noon (virtual)
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Tuesday, Sept. 22: 4:30-6:30 p.m. (virtual)
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Thursday, Sept. 24: 4:30-6:30 p.m. (virtual)
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Saturday, Sept. 26: 10 a.m.-noon (virtual)
After an application is submitted, a preferred session can be picked by submitting a form at http://www.tinyurl.com/BeAHero2day. Please note: Mentors should not choose a training session to attend until after they submit the primary application. |
ParentSquare is streamlining how families receive post notifications. To reduce the number of notifications families receive for the same message, ParentSquare recently implemented a smart notification delivery system for users who have both app and text notifications enabled. This means anyone who is signed on to the ParentSquare app will only receive a notification for a post through the app. This does not change the setting for urgent alerts and messages. If you would prefer to receive notifications of new posts through text, click here and follow the instructions to change your settings.
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Henrico County Public Schools
Division of Communications
P. O. Box 23120 • 3820 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, VA 23223 • 804-652-3600
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