Henrico Schools launches mental health program; 22 Henrico educators became certified in 2023, the most in VA
Happ Friday! Henrico Schools recently launched a new mental health program for students and families after an uptick in the number of student suicide-risk screenings completed over the past few years. 22 HCPS educators earned their National Board certification for the first time in 2023, more than any other school division in Virginia.
The principal of Freeman High School won a $30,000 grant to launch a new inclusive soccer program and the Henrico School Board is considering a staggered start for the 2025-2026 school year.
'Get them the help that they need'
Henrico Schools and county leaders announced a new comprehensive mental healthcare plan for HCPS students and families at a public meeting March 8.
The Henrico CARES program will staff schools with more mental health professionals and better connect students and families to private or community mental healthcare providers. The initiative will help remove the barriers to accessing mental health services for the youth and families that desperately need help, according to Henrico Board of Supervisors Chairman Tyrone Nelson.
HCPS mental health providers have seen a 42% increase in the number of suicide-risk screenings completed for students over the past three years. This “staggering increase” prompted leaders from HCPS and Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services to develop an immediate plan.
22 new certified teachers
Twenty-two Henrico County educators have earned the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification for the first time – the most from any school division in Virginia and the 16th largest such group in the nation. Another 24 county educators renewed their certifications.
The teachers completed a rigorous certification process, which included submitting videos of their teaching, a portfolio of professional accomplishments, reflective essays, and examples of student work, all of which were subject to review by their peers. They also were required to pass an exam related to their subjects and level of instruction.
Henrico had more newly certified educators than large school divisions such as those in New York City, Philadelphia and San Francisco.
Freeman principal awarded $30,000
The principal of Douglas S. Freeman High School has been awarded a $10,000 cash grant and an additional $20,000 for his plans to launch a new soccer program that will serve students from diverse backgrounds.
John Marshall, the principal at Douglas Freeman since 2019, received the 2023-24 REB Award for Distinguished Educational Leadership from The Community Foundation and the REB Foundation. The award recognizes one principal each from Henrico, Hanover, Chesterfield and Richmond who have served at their schools for at least three years and who go beyond the day-to-day demands of their jobs to create an exceptional educational environment.
Marshall will use the funds will be used to create an in-school incentive-based soccer club program called “FC Freeman,” aiming to connect students and families from different backgrounds and nationalities through a common love of soccer.
Voting on 2025-2026 school calendar
Henrico School Board members will review the proposed 2025-2026 school calendar at a work session March 14 before voting on the calendar at a monthly meeting April 18.
The proposed calendar was drafted by the Henrico Schools’ Calendar Committee. While it currently has one first day for the entire division, the school board is considering a staggered start for the 2025-2026 school year for different grade levels, with some students beginning school on Monday, Aug. 18 and others beginning on Tuesday, Aug. 19.
About 56% of HCPS parents, students and staff said they supported the staggered start proposal, according to a winter 2024 community survey, while 28% said they did not support a staggered start and 16% remained undecided.
Photos of the week
Freeman High School science students in Orien Altman’s class have been working on NASA’s ‘Plant the Moon’ challenge, trying to grow mushrooms in moon dirt — more to come on that next week!
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