Charlottesville City Schools will be closed from December 23 through January 3 for Winter Break. Additionally, schools will be closed on Monday, January 6 for a Teacher Workday. Students will return to school on Tuesday, January 7.
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Thank you to all who have already participated in our elementary rezoning conversation. Nearly 400 people so far have filled out the survey. More than 100 have attended meetings, and we have heard from dozens more via email.
It’s not too late to share your opinion! We have decided to extend the feedback period till the end of 2024. Over the next few weeks, we are also meeting with school staff members, plus residents at the high-density communities that may be impacted by rezoning (including Kindlewood, Carlton Avenue Mobile Home Park, Greenstone on 5th, and the mobile homes on 6th Street SE).
Finally, probably the top question that we have heard is about phasing. Will changes happen all at once in Fall 2026, or will the plan be implemented in phases? We know this is important to many of you, especially if your child will be in 5th grade in Fall 2026, or be slated to change schools after kindergarten. It is likely that there will be some phasing, whether by grade, school, or neighborhood, but that can only be calculated after the committee determines a final recommendation for new boundaries. Any phasing plan will be incorporated into the final boundary recommendation and presented to the community for input in January. Finally, the implementation will also likely be tied to progress on the various housing projects under construction. To learn more, visit the project website and read through the FAQs.
December: Staff, consultants, and the School Board will continue gathering and reviewing feedback
Early January: 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.
January 22, 5-7pm: Meeting to hear public feedback on recommendation. Event details (including ways to share feedback) to come.
February: 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.
Thank you for your attention to this important process. Please continue reading below for even more important updates, plus some celebrations, too.
Dr. G
Students leaf a legacy of art
CHS art students are working with local muralist Chicho Lorenzo on a large-scale artwork for the school's Courtyard A to be enjoyed by generations of students to come. As a class assignment, CHS Art I students designed leaf patterns based on native Virginia flora. Lorenzo and students are now bringing these leaves to life on the 90-foot wall. This mural is part of a larger OASIS project begun by CHS art teacher Samantha Pagni to rejuvenate and enhance the outdoor space. Stay tuned!
School Name Reviews: Committee Updates
The committees for Burnley-Moran, Greenbrier, Jackson-Via, and Johnson are continuing their work. As a reminder, Greenbrier and Jackson-Via's committees are starting at the beginning of the review process, considering the question, “Should the school keep its current name?” Burnley-Moran and Johnson’s committees are tasked with recommending a new name, building upon the previous committee & School Board recommendations, which were aligned with community feedback. See committee updates, below.
Burnley-Moran is considering options and beginning to focus on variations of the name Sunrise, a nod to the school being the easternmost school in our city (with lovely sunrise views as depicted in the photo). Committee members like the way that sunrise conveys a sense of hope, warmth, and new beginnings. It shows the power of students rising through their years in our school. The committee is also considering Sunrise Vista as an alternative (the idea of honoring the school’s beautiful vistas has also emerged from feedback). Based on interest in a name honoring the nearby river and in honor of the school’s bobcat mascot, the name River Den has also emerged. Feel free to email schoolnames@charlottesvilleschools.org with any feedback.
Greenbrier will recommend keeping its name, which derives from the neighborhood. The committee notes that this recommendation is in keeping with public feedback and in alignment with the Board’s policy that new names should focus on the school’s purpose or place.
Jackson-Via will recommend keeping its name. This is in alignment with community feedback. The committee also notes that both namesakes made significant contributions to our schools and community. Born into slavery, Nannie Cox Jackson was a leader at Jefferson School and in the community. As principal, Betty Via played a pivotal role in welcoming Black students into formerly all-white Johnson Elementary. While questions had been raised about Via’s writings, committee members took a deep dive and resolved their concerns. Committee members point out that these two women were purposefully chosen to reflect Jackson-Via’s historical significance as Charlottesville's first intentionally desegregated school.
Johnson will recommend Tall Oaks. They favored this name because the school community embraces its wooded landscape with trails and outdoor learning spaces. The campus prominently contains a large, historic oak among many other oaks across the grounds. They also took inspiration from the expression, “From little acorns come mighty oaks.” They felt like this saying captures the growth and empowerment that occurs within the school community. While the committee heard some opposition to the name (largely based on the fact that its acronym is TOES), the committee also heard warm support. The committee notes that Johnson almost never used the initials JES and that if Tall Oaks chooses to use its initials in the future, they could do so in the spirit of play and fun.
Elaina Pierce (pictured) is the girls x-country individual state champ, leading the race from start to finish! Congratulations to the CHS junior, who continues to dominate the Virginia running scene, adding this win to her previous state championships in track/field.
The boys x-country team finished as state runner-up, with senior Nathan Orban and junior Sam Palmer placing 3rd and 4th at states.
Additionally, on the girls side, freshman Julianna Pierce placed 5th at states.
Kudos to Knights on Bikes
Four racers on our CHS mountain biking team lined up for NICA Eastern Regionals in Maryland. Freshman Jane Cruthirds (pictured) finished 1st in her category, earning the Eastern Regional Champion jersey and the top spot on the podium.
Buford football is heading to the Super Bowl
Our students are ranked #1 in the Jeff District Youth Football League's 12-13 year old division. They came from behind in the semis to beat the #4 Albemarle Patriots, the only team that's beaten them this season. Come cheer them on in the Super Bowl this Saturday, November 23, at Western Albemarle High School at 3:15pm (free admission).
50 Years of Black Knight Music
The CHS 50th Anniversary Alumni Band, Chorus and Orchestra Concert was extraordinary. Along with our current students, the event showcased alumni from across the country, including those who perform professionally. What a fitting anniversary event! Thanks to current and former music directors Will Cooke, Jason Hackworth, Emily Waters, plus Laura Thomas and Vincent Tornello (conducting, above). Bravo!
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