News

Goochland County Public Schools is pleased ​to announce that four of its five schools have been recognized as Apple Distinguished Schools for 2017–2019 for focus on deeper learning with the 1:1 computing program using iPad. This year, the division expanded its program to K-2 classrooms in elementary schools, and students at Goochland High School now use MacBook Air. Students use these devices to help develop world ready skills such as communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. The division also uses innovative software to help achieve its mission of maximizing each student’s potential through software that can individualize a student’s specific needs in areas such as mathematics.

Apple Distinguished Schools are centers of innovation, leadership, and educational excellence that use Apple products to inspire creativity, ​collaboration, and critical thinking. They showcase innovative uses of technology in learning, teaching, and the school environment, and have documented results of academic accomplishment.

This year, Byrd Elementary School, Goochland Elementary School, and Randolph Elementary School were awarded this designation, alongside Goochland Middle School. Goochland High School was not eligible to apply for this recognition because of the developing stage of its program.

“This recognition highlights the strong support of our technology department, the commitment of our teachers toward deeper learning, and the support of our school board to incentivize instructional innovation,” remarked John Hendron, Ed.D., Director of Innovation and Strategy for the division. “We’re proud to bring cutting-edge, engaging experiences to students,” said Goochland County Public Schools superintendent, Jeremy Raley, Ed.D. “Using these devices, we’re preparing students for an uncertain future, but one we know will require technology savvy and critical thinking.”

Examples of student engagement using iPads can be found chronicled in a series of books that were produced by the principals and staff of each school, which was submitted for consideration for the title of Apple Distinguished School. Each school’s book is available on their school website. Teachers are using Apple Classroom to manage devices and Schoology is used by students and teachers to manage digital materials, to check for understanding, and engage in virtual discussions. Parents can use the Schoology system to monitor student progress in grades 3-12.

Goochland County Public Schools provides an innovative learning environment for over 2500 students in central Virginia across five schools. Every one of Goochland’s schools is fully accredited by the Virginia Department of Education. The division’s vision is inspiring and preparing the next generation to make a positive impact. Learn more at goochlandschools.org.

Contact Dr. John G. Hendron at 804-556-5623 or jhendron@glnd.k12.va.us for more information.

NBC12 Reporter Sarah Bloom, accompanied by representatives from sponsor organization Henrico Federal Credit Union, came to Goochland High School last week to surprise Mrs. Melissa Black, GHS athletic trainer and dance instructor, as the winner of the NBC12 Excellence in Education Award for November.  Mrs. Black was nominated by a member of the Goochland community and selected by the Excellence in Education selection group from NBC12 and HFCU.  

Mrs. Black was surprised and overwhelmed to be recognized.  Mr. Christopher Collier, Goochland High principal, arranged for the surprise with a meeting scheduled under false pretenses.  “Mrs. Black is one of our most positive, dedicated, and versatile staff members.  She is recognized in every area of our program-athletics, arts, and the classroom.  I am not surprised at all that she is being recognized”.

The nomination received by NBC12 described Mrs. Black as inspirational:  “she has inspired many to continue their education in dance, sports medicine, athletic training, and even other medical fields by always being there for her students”.  

The NBC12 segment is scheduled to air tomorrow, Tuesday November 7, at 4:00 p.m.

The Business and Education Roundtable is an event organized by the Goochland County Public Schools in cooperation with Goochland County’s Office of Economic Development and the Goochland Chamber of Commerce to provide dialog and information exchange between stakeholders here in Goochland County.

In the spring of 2017, we convened to discuss workplace readiness and what was important in terms of skills Goochland graduates would need when they leave high school.

On Wednesday, November 8, 2017 again at the Virginia Farm Bureau Headquarters in West Creek, we plan to host another event to continue the dialog between members of our education team and community business leaders. Included in this agenda will be an update on the school’s progress for its instructional initiatives, preparation for Career and Technical Education Academies with an update on our apprenticeship program, and a dialog about what the schools can do in terms of culture and routines that will help prepare students for the culture and routines found in the workplace.

To reserve a spot at this fall’s roundtable, please RSVP below.

November 8, 2017
8:00AM – 9:30 AM
Virginia Farm Bureau
12580 West Creek Parkway
Richmond, VA 23238

If you have a last minute reservation or cancellation, please contact Ms. Diane Bennett at (804) 556-5601.

The Goochland County Public Schools are pleased to announce the digital release of their 2017 Annual Report to the community, entitled Explorations in Learning, volume 5. You can access this document in PDF format. This document was also distributed via U.S. Mail to residents in Goochland.

Featured articles include:

• Profile of a Goochland Graduate
• Learning that Works – CTE
• Capital Improvements
• Digital Equity and Access with 1:1
• Strategic Innovation Grants
• What Learning Looks Like

The Richmond Symphony Orchestra League will present “An Evening of Note” featuring a private Richmond Symphony concert, dancing, and a live and silent auction to benefit the Richmond Symphony on the evening of November 17, 2017 from 6-10 p.m. at the Richmond Country Club.

“The Richmond Symphony Orchestra League is honored to continue our support for the innovative and engaging outreach programs of our renowned Symphony,” said Ann Burks, RSOL President. “We are especially proud that a portion of the proceeds from ‘An Evening of Note’ will directly provide opportunities through the Goochland Education Foundation for Goochland County Public Schools elementary students to attend the Symphony’s educational Discovery Concerts and for Symphony ensembles to perform in Goochland schools.”

“An Evening of Note” will begin with a private concert by the Richmond Symphony Strings. Guests will have an opportunity to kick up their heels dancing to music performed by a Richmond Symphony jazz quartet. Local artists will create art in the moment with live painting as the evening unfolds. The resulting artwork will be available in the silent auction. A few of the exciting items available in the live auction are Richmond Forum tickets with dinner and a ski week at Wintergreen.

Tickets may be purchased online or by emailing info@rsol.org. Each ticket is $150 and includes the evening’s festivities and supports the Richmond Symphony.

Yesterday the Virginia Department of Education released accreditation results for schools and school divisions of the Commonwealth of Virginia, noting that 86 percent of Virginia’s 1,823 public schools were rated as fully accredited for the 2017-2018 school year based on performance on the 2016-2017 Virginia SOL tests.  65 of 132 divisions statewide included all schools designated as fully accredited for 2017-2018.

Goochland County Public Schools continues its strong track record of having each of its five schools fully accredited by the State of Virginia.  State accreditation is based on student pass rates on Virginia’s Standards of Learning (SOL) tests in English, mathematics, history, and science, as well as the division’s graduation rate.  GCPS exceeded each of the state’s five overall benchmarks by an average of 15%.  Goochland County Public Schools also has the distinction of receiving fully accredited status in all schools for the 11^th consecutive year, sharing the distinction with only 10 of the 132 divisions in the Commonwealth.

While this distinction is determined by traditional achievement measures, school leaders believe it’s the division’s focus on what’s best for students that has led to the success.  “Our mission to maximize the potential of every learner is at the heart of everything we do,” said Dr. Jeremy Raley, Superintendent.  “Accountability is important, but Goochland is far beyond a singular focus on minimum proficiency tests – and that’s really what the state’s SOL assessments are.  We’re proud of the tradition of excellence in Goochland and we embrace the challenges of continuous improvement.  These results are one of the many indicators of the excellence that is pervasive in our school division.  There are many ingredients that go into accomplishing these results.  The key ingredients are all of our hard working and dedicated employees who strive every day to meet the academic needs of all of our division’s learners and a supportive community that places a significant value on the importance of education”.

Goochland’s overall performance and accreditation rating was the result of a division-wide portfolio of strong achievement in many content areas.  Highlights from the division’s Spring 2017 SOL results include:

• Goochland students out-performed the Virginia state average in SOL pass percentage in all content areas (English, Math, Social Studies, and Science)
• Goochland’s fifth grade science scores ranked first when compared to fifth grade students from 132 other school divisions in the Commonwealth
• Goochland’s world geography scores ranked first when compared to other students from 132 other school divisions in the state.
• Students in Goochland earned the 5th highest SOL pass rate in the Commonwealth
• Goochland’s reading scores ranked 2nd in the region and 14th in the state
• Student’s scores in writing, math, and science ranked in the top 25 in the state

Dr. Stephen Geyer, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, described Goochland’s focus on academic optimism as a key to the division’s success.  “Every child’s learning is important, and our school division has created a culture built on academic optimism.  Our belief that every student can be successful and that every student has strengths to celebrate is a primary reason for our continued strong performance.  Moreover, we have remarkable teachers who work incredibly hard every day on behalf of our children and families.”

Despite the school division’s exceptionally strong overall results, team members remain committed to continuing to elevate expectations, as well as to targeting areas of relative weakness.  Raley stated, “While we certainly have a lot to celebrate, we face the same challenges that most school divisions across the state and nation face when it comes to achievement gaps for our African American students.  We have made some great progress in reducing the achievement gap for some of our subgroups with exceptional growth for our students with disabilities.  Even with this growth, we still have more work to do.  We are committed to closing these gaps, while continuing to raise the bar for every student.”

Our Kajeet program is once again funded thanks to the CarMax Foundation! Families can download an application online or pick up an application from a school librarian.

Kajeet makes SmartSpot wifi hotspots for our 1:1 students to use with iPad and MacBook Air. The foundation’s grant is targeting families with a financial hardship. In addition to certifying that you currently do not have broadband Internet service, you must prove qualifications with a financial statement either by sharing free/reduced lunch information with the program’s director or by completing a verification worksheet.