Charlottesville City Schools: Updated Days Off From School, Awards, Winter Weather & Rezoning Updates
Key Dates & Winter Break Reminders
- Winter Break is followed by a Teacher Workday on Monday, January 6. (Days off for students are December 23-Monday, January 6.)
- Students return to class Tuesday, January 7.
- Schools are closed Monday, January 20 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
- Read our interview with Dr. Gurley.
Rezoning Updates
Thanks for your continued engagement as we continue to plan for the rezoning of our elementary schools.
To learn the latest, watch the School Board’s 12/7 update and discussion here. Find the project website and take the survey here.
Or email comments and questions to rezoning@charlottesvilleschools.org.
The next steps of the rezoning process are:
- Early January: The community advisory committee meets to discuss feedback and recommend a proposal to move forward. The final recommendation may pull elements from the various 4 maps under consideration.
- Mid-January: The recommendation will be shared with the community. This recommendation will include some information about phasing (by grade level cohorts and/or neighborhoods, or perhaps tied to the impacting housing development). Phasing plans would likely be updated each year in December based on the latest status for various residential construction projects.
- January 22, 5-7pm at Jackson-Via media center: Meeting to hear public feedback on recommendation. We will also promote other ways to share your feedback.
- February 6, 5pm: Zoning is scheduled to be on the Board agenda for discussion (and further public comment). From there, the Board may request further refinement or decide to vote on the recommendation in March.
School Name Review Recommendations
At the 12/5 School Board meeting, the Board received the four school committees’ recommendations, all of which were endorsed by Dr. Gurley. The recommendations are that Burnley-Moran be renamed Sunrise Elementary School; that Johnson be renamed Tall Oaks Elementary School; and that Greenbrier and Jackson-Via retain their current names. If approved in January, the two new names would go into effect in August 2025.
News! School Calendars Approved for 25-26 & 26-27
At the 12/5 School Board meeting, the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic calendars were approved. These dates will be added shortly to the Cville Schools Google Academic Calendar (no need to re-subscribe).
Celebrate Our Outstanding Teachers!
Congratulations to Walker instructional coach Chris Chamberlin and CHS ESL teacher Tina Vasquez, who were recently named National Board Certified Teachers after a rigorous process of peer-reviewed assessments!
Our schools’ Teachers of Year will be recognized at the January 9 School Board meeting. Please join us in honoring:
- Laura Melton (Burnley-Moran)
- Desiree Conner (Greenbrier)
- Elizabeth Jones (Jackson-Via)
- Elaina Arsenovic (Johnson)
- Rachel Pelletier (Summit)
- Leslie Hunter (Trailblazer)
- Kacey Legare (Walker)
- Cianna Washburg (Buford)
- Justin Newberry (CHS)
- Adriane Butler (CATEC)
- Aloise Phelps (LMA)
In January we will announce the division teacher of the year, who will then represent Charlottesville in the state’s award program.
Chris Long Foundation Supports Cville Schools
- Thank you to Chris Long and Joe Reed for leading storytime at Johnson Elementary last week! The NFL players read to students and then announced a donation of 1,300 books to the school. We appreciate their support of books as an essential need for our students.
- The Chris Long Foundation also supports “EdZone” closets at each of our elementary schools, offering home essentials from toothpaste to menstrual supplies. As winter break approaches, if your family—at any of our schools— needs assistance with food or other essentials, please let a trusted adult at your school know!
CHS Students Win District, State, National Choir Honors
Senior Elle Polifka was selected for the prestigious Virginia Senior Honors Choir, and junior Jack Wielar earned a very rare spot in the American Choral Directors’ Association National Honors Choir in Dallas. Additionally, a record-breaking 21 CHS students will participate in the All-District Choir. Find full list of honorees here. The choir has been busy singing for UVA Hospital’s annual Lights of Love event and the Grand Illumination of Charlottesville. You can also hear these talented singers at the winter concert on Thursday, December 12 at 7pm in the MLK PAC.
Winter Weather Notifications
As we head into the season of winter weather, please tune in for updates. We will announce any schedule changes via ParentSquare. You can also check our website, social media channels, and local media. (If you’re not getting text or email updates via ParentSquare, contact your school.)
Know someone outside our division who would like to receive weather notifications or other updates from CCS? Tell them to sign up here.
BETH CHEUK is Supervisor of Community Relations at Charlottesville City Schools.