Feature

We are seeking input on the next director of the Maggie Walker Governor’s School. Complete our survey, parents, which will be open until Nov. 15th.

The Goochland Bulldogs began the season 3-0. You may access the full GHS fall athletic schedule here.

Kajeet is a company bringing affordable 4G technology to families for the purposes of learning. Thanks to the generous cooperation with the Goochland Education Foundation and a grant from the CarMax Foundation, we are offering Kajeet wireless SmartSpot devices to families once again.

Applications can be filled out and returned to your child’s school librarian. Families must demonstrate an inability to afford broadband access in the home. Kajeet’s service works on the Verizon 4G LTE Network, so devices only work where Verizon wireless is available. Internet service to the home is filtered against inappropriate sites and high-bandwidth traffic.

During the 2015-16 school year, Goochland students recovered more productive education time using Kajeet than any other division in Virginia.

This video tells more about the program and why we sought to include it as part of our deeper learning program iPads and 1:1.

If you have questions about the program, please contact Dr. John Hendron, Director of Innovation & Strategy at (804) 556-5623, jhendron@glnd.k12.va.us.

• Kajeet Application 2016-17 English
• Kajeet Application 2016-17 Español

Dear GCPS Families,

What an amazing week in our schools! We hope your family’s experience over the past five days has included a warm welcome to the new school year, a high level of customer service from our team, and happy and engaged children each evening.

As we begin the 2016-17 academic year, we have much to celebrate and many to thank. GCPS has a proud tradition of excellence, one that continues stronger than ever with our recent recognition as one of just a handful of divisions in Virginia to have 100% of their schools exceed state accreditation standards for each of the past five years. Thank you to the Goochland Gazette for their continued coverage and support of GCPS.

A successful opening of school takes the hard work and dedication of many — our entire community, in fact. This year was particularly noteworthy because of several capital improvement projects happening in and around our schools, from significant building renovation projects to general facility upgrades to parking lot paving. This work has impacted every member of our team, and it took everyone’s support (and patience) to have our schools and classrooms ready for students and families this week. Two of our team members were recently recognized by CBS 6 for their efforts these past two months, and they accepted their honor on behalf of the entire GCPS team. A tremendous thank you to everyone!

I, along with my colleagues at the division level, have spent a large portion of our week in our schools with our students and GCPS team members. It sure hasn’t felt like the first week of school. Learning has started in earnest and we saw strong evidence of student engagement, academic rigor, and relationship building all week long. Our division’s strategic plan provides the foundation for our work in Goochland and evidence of its positive impact is everywhere.

Thank you to the entire Goochland community for your warm welcome. I look forward to the 2016-17 school year and many years of continued service and success together.

Jeremy Raley, Ed.D. Superintendent

On Wednesday, June 29, after a retreat session in the afternoon with division leaders, Goochland’s newly chosen superintendent, Dr. Jeremy Raley, took the superintendent’s oath at the circuit court building in the courthouse complex with County Clerk Dale Agnew. Witnesses included Mr. Kevin Hazzard, school board chair, and Ms. Beth Hardy, school board vice-chair, in addition to other division leaders.

Dr. Raley, 42, was valedictorian of his high school class at Cumberland, MD. He played football at the University of Virginia, and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees concurrently there in 1997. He earned his doctorate from Shenandoah University, Winchester VA, in 2011. He began his educational career teaching Physical Education in Warren County, VA. His background in public education includes successful experience as a teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, Director of Finance, and Assistant Superintendent for Administration and Finance.

Dr. Raley believes in creating an innovative atmosphere that maximizes teaching and learning. “Students learn best when they can be actively engaged in authentic and meaningful academic experiences that will allow them to demonstrate their ability to communicate, collaborate, critically think, and demonstrate creativity with any given content,” said Raley.

“One of the main things that attracted me to seek the superintendency in Goochland is the strong reputation that the school division has for being leaders in innovative instructional practices that emphasize a student-centered and project-based approach to learning. My first goal as I transition into this new role is to listen and to learn as much as possible about the school and the community so that we can preserve everything that makes Goochland great, while collaborating with the school communities to find areas where we can enhance our experience for students.”

Dr. Raley officially begins in mid-July, and in the interim, Dr. Stephen Geyer is acting superintendent.

Textbooks for Veterinary Assistant I are being considered, a new course being offered to Goochland High School students in the fall. We invite the public to participate in this review from June 6-23, 2016, between the hours of 8AM and 5PM, Monday through Thursday. All materials are located at the second floor reception desk of the GCPS School Administration Building located at 2938-I River Road West.