News

At its annual convocation exercises yesterday on August 13, the Goochland County Public Schools recognized three outstanding projects undertaken by teachers during the 2017-18 school year as part of its project-based learning initiative, G21. G21 was designed by Goochland in 2008 – celebrating ten years of project based learning in the Goochland schools – and in part aims to recognize instructional excellence.

• Bronze Award – Whitney Neiditch, Jaime Sprouse, Maryanne Tysinger – Randolph Elementary School
• Silver Award – Wes Farkas, Mike Verrastro, Danny Allen, Jason Funkhouser – Goochland High School
• Gold Award – Jennifer Gates, Katie Hadd, Elizabeth Ferguson, Christian Mock, Suzanne Taylor, Jaime Sprouse, Laura Patrick, and Krystle Demas – Randolph Elementary School

In their Kindergarten Project at RES, Neiditch, Sprouse, and Tysinger had students design multimedia books with iPads, green screen apps, and recording stations. The production of these books was supported by a grant from the Goochland Education Foundation.

In the high school project to build a low ropes course on school property, health and physical education and the CTE department joined forces to clear land, including trees and stumps, and then install ropes to be enjoyed by students. This project was supported from a grant by the Goochland Education Foundation.

In the 4th grade project at Randolph Elementary School, students participated in multiple mini-projects that taught them the historical richness of their own county. Products included a video showcasing Goochland’s history, a live event and showcase on the courthouse green, and citizen interviews, and artwork. This project was the result of a collaboration among dozens of citizens, organizations, and the high school.

A comprehensive list of school fees, as defined by our school board policy, JN, are available here in PDF format.

Parents,

By accessing this link, you’ll have access to our preK-8 supply lists for the upcoming school year, available in PDF format.

The Virginia Department of Education recently announced that the Goochland County Public Schools Utility/Heavy Construction I and II program has been selected as the Region 1 winner from among 38 high schools in 16 central Virginia school divisions of the 2018 Creating Excellence Program Award.  The Creating Excellence Awards are presented annually to recognize exemplary programs and partnerships that promote excellence in career and technical education.

The GCPS Heavy Equipment Program, taught by Mr. Michael Verrastro, is unique in the Commonwealth, and has worked collaboratively with community organizations and equipment suppliers from around the state to provide students with the opportunity to gain firsthand experience in the operation of heavy equipment.  Students have used their skills to enhance several projects in the division and the county.

“Our heavy equipment program has been a great source of pride for our school division,” said Mr. Bruce Watson, Director of Career and Technical Education.  “The skill of Mr. Verrastro, the enthusiasm of our students, and the support of our business and community partners have allowed us to engage our students in ways that cannot be found in any other school or division”.

The GCPS staff will be recognized at an awards luncheon on June 14, hosted by the VDOE Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education.  Heavy Equipment is one of many CTE offerings that have distinguished GCPS in creating a balanced experience that engages all students in deeper learning.  

On Tuesday, May 1, Goochland County Public Schools held its second Celebration of Excellence at the newly renovated Central High School Cultural and Educational Center to recognize 2018 retirees, Teacher of the Year, Employee of the Year, Team of the Year, and for the first time this year, Volunteer and Rookie of the Year.  The Celebration of Excellence featured food prepared and served by Goochland High Culinary Arts students and GCPS Food Service, and plaques were made by our GCPS Career and Technical Education Department.

The Goochland Education Foundation joined Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Raley in presenting awards to the evening’s distinguished recipients:

• Liz Alford, Goochland High Teacher of the Year
• Patrick Gordon, Goochland Middle Teacher of the Year
• Simone Jones, Byrd Elementary Teacher of the Year
• Jaime Sprouse, Randolph Elementary Teacher of the Year
• Kelley Taylor, Goochland Elementary Teacher of the Year

Ms. Kelley Taylor, 1st grade teacher at Goochland Elementary School, was selected as the Goochland County Public Schools 2018 Teacher of the Year.  She will be considered with teachers from across the Commonwealth for the honor of being the 2018 Mary Bicouvaris Virginia Teacher of the Year.

The GCPS Employee of the Year is Instructional Technology Resource Coach Ms. Krystle Demas. 

The GCPS Team of the Year is the GHS Counseling Team, which includes Dr. Beth Fowler, Mr. Doug Getter, and Ms. Ashton Guza.

The inaugural Rookie of the Year is Ms. Katie Schihl, Special Education teacher from Goochland Middle School.

GCPS Volunteer of the Year is Dr. Richard Carchman, for his service in all our schools, especially at Byrd Elementary.

Goochland Public Schools retirees Ms. Kim Bachmann, Mrs. Deborah Blackburn, Mrs. Margaret Dickerson, Ms. Linda Drake, Mr. Bryan Gordon, Ms. Deborah Riggan, and Ms. Tina Taylor account for over 140 years of experience in Goochland County Public Schools.

We will be hosting an information meeting on our summer virtual programs for students. To learn more, access this online flier about our event on Thursday, April 19, 2018.