Henrico Schools considering staggered start in 2025; new K-5 literacy curriculum will be implemented in fall 2024
Happy post-Valentine’s Day! This week, Henrico Schools released a survey for students, staff and parents to weigh in on whether the division should stagger the start of the year in fall 2025.
This fall, HCPS will be required to implement a new literacy curriculum for elementary schoolers and a reading intervention class for middle schoolers under the Virginia Literacy Act.
A bill introduced by Henrico Sen. John McGuire III, which would have required public school staff to “out” transgender or non-binary students to their parents, was voted down in subcommittee.
Proposal to stagger student start dates
Henrico Schools is seeking input from parents, students and staff on the proposed 2025-2026 divisionwide school year calendar, which would stagger the start of the year for different grade levels.
Grades 1-5, 6 and 9, as well as half of four-year-old pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students would start school on Monday, Aug. 18. Grades 7-8, 10-12, and the other half of four-year old pre-K and kindergarten students would start on Tuesday, Aug. 19.
The new calendar would also have pre-K and kindergarten students attend only one of the two days to allow them to adjust to the new school year with a smaller cohort on the first day. All other grades that start on Aug. 18 still would attend the next day on Aug. 19.
Changes to elementary reading this fall
Henrico Schools elementary students will have a new reading curriculum starting this fall, when all Virginia school divisions are required to implement the Virginia Literacy Act.
Sixth through eighth-graders who need extra reading support also will have a “Literacy Foundations” course taught by a reading specialist.
The VA Literacy Act, passed in 2022 for grades K-3 and expanded in 2023 to grades 4-8, mandates that all school systems adopt the new K-5 literacy curriculum and list of reading texts approved by the Virginia Department of Education beginning in the 2024-2025 school year. Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed the legislation after a 2021 study revealed that 35% of K-2 students in Virginia scored below expected literacy levels that year.
'Forced outing' bill fails
A Senate subcommittee voted 9-6 to kill a bill that would require public elementary and secondary school principals to essentially “out” transgender or non-conforming students to their parents.
The bill, SB 37, or “Sage’s Law,” introduced by Sen. John J. McGuire III (R – Powhatan) was discussed during the Education and Health subcommittee hearing on Public Education on Feb. 1. If passed, it would have required principals to inform a parent if any minor enrolled at the schools expresses a difference between their biological sex and their perceived or desired gender.
“Parental rights is a real important thing,” McGuire said. “It’s important that we inform parents if a child indicates or thinks they are a different sex.”
Virginia’s community college transfers
About 19% of community college students in Virginia will transfer to four-year schools and earn their bachelor’s degree within six years, slightly above the national average of 16%, according to new higher education data released Feb. 7.
The two “Tracking Transfer” reports found that bachelor degree attainment was lower for certain underserved groups in Virginia: 12% of Black community college students earned their bachelor’s within six years, as did only 10% of low-income students and 7% of students older than 25.
Authors of the reports urged college leaders and lawmakers to improve transfer pathways and practices and do more to eliminate barriers for low-income and minority students.
Photos of the week
Three Chopt Elementary held its Valentine’s Day Dance! (photo creds to @threechoptelementary)
Residents at Spring Arbor Senior Living received Valentine’s Day cards handmade by HCPS students (photo creds to @henricocountyschools)
My valentine was resident cutie Chess, the orange cat! He got some extra love this week
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SOME FUN NEWS
He left his number. She waited nine years to respond. And then…
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