Fifth graders at Randolph Elementary let their creativity run wild with spooky stories inspired by The Mysteries of Harris Burdick! ✨👻 Focusing on figurative and sensory language, students crafted eerie expositions that truly set the scene. The best part? They got to share their chilling tales with classmates—flashlights in hand, reading in the dark—bringing their stories to life in the perfect spooky setting. 💡📖
📢 We Want to Hear From You!
Goochland County Public Schools is beginning the 2026-2027 budget planning process, and your input matters.
Take a few minutes to share your priorities, ideas, and feedback to help ensure our budget reflects the needs of our students, staff, families, and community. The survey is brief, confidential, and open through November 21.
Complete the survey here: goochlandschools.org/community-budget-survey-2025
Together, we’re shaping the future of Goochland schools!
Goochland County Public Schools is beginning the 2026-2027 budget planning process, and your input matters.
Take a few minutes to share your priorities, ideas, and feedback to help ensure our budget reflects the needs of our students, staff, families, and community. The survey is brief, confidential, and open through November 21.
Complete the survey here: goochlandschools.org/community-budget-survey-2025
Together, we’re shaping the future of Goochland schools!
🏺✨ Step back in time with Mr. Rorrer’s Quest II students! After studying ancient civilizations, students created their own artifacts and transformed the classroom into a museum exhibit.
From a sarcophagus and artwork to games inspired by ancient cultures, each display showcased their creativity and deep understanding of history. "Visitors" toured the museum as students proudly shared their knowledge and handmade pieces from civilizations long ago! 🌍📜
From a sarcophagus and artwork to games inspired by ancient cultures, each display showcased their creativity and deep understanding of history. "Visitors" toured the museum as students proudly shared their knowledge and handmade pieces from civilizations long ago! 🌍📜
📚 Families had a wonderful time at Randolph Elementary’s Family Literacy Night! Students and parents enjoyed fun, hands-on activities that promoted a love of reading and also had the chance to shop the book fair. ✨ It was a great evening celebrating learning and the school-family connection!
Virginia Launches Emergency Food Assistance to Support SNAP Recipients During Federal Shutdown
Governor Glenn Youngkin has announced the creation of the Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) program to ensure that families continue to have access to food support during the ongoing federal government shutdown.
The VENA program will use Virginia’s state budget surplus, not federal funds, to temporarily replace federal SNAP benefits and help families in need. Virginians currently receiving SNAP benefits will automatically receive VENA assistance using their existing EBT cards.
Key details about VENA:
• Provides weekly benefits instead of monthly (approximately one-quarter of the monthly amount each week)
• Uses the same EBT cards and beneficiaries as SNAP
• Funded entirely by Virginia’s state budget surplus—no federal dollars
• Distributes $37.5 million per week to support families across the Commonwealth
• Includes an additional $1 million for Virginia’s food bank network to help ease the transition
Benefit Distribution Schedule
Benefits will be distributed each week in November according to the schedule outlined in the graphic below. Payments will occur on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Virginians are encouraged to keep their EBT cards secure and monitor their accounts through the ConnectEBT app.
For more information and detailed FAQs, visit DSS.VIRGINIA.GOV.
Governor Glenn Youngkin has announced the creation of the Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) program to ensure that families continue to have access to food support during the ongoing federal government shutdown.
The VENA program will use Virginia’s state budget surplus, not federal funds, to temporarily replace federal SNAP benefits and help families in need. Virginians currently receiving SNAP benefits will automatically receive VENA assistance using their existing EBT cards.
Key details about VENA:
• Provides weekly benefits instead of monthly (approximately one-quarter of the monthly amount each week)
• Uses the same EBT cards and beneficiaries as SNAP
• Funded entirely by Virginia’s state budget surplus—no federal dollars
• Distributes $37.5 million per week to support families across the Commonwealth
• Includes an additional $1 million for Virginia’s food bank network to help ease the transition
Benefit Distribution Schedule
Benefits will be distributed each week in November according to the schedule outlined in the graphic below. Payments will occur on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Virginians are encouraged to keep their EBT cards secure and monitor their accounts through the ConnectEBT app.
For more information and detailed FAQs, visit DSS.VIRGINIA.GOV.
✨📚 Once upon a time at Byrd Elementary… students and families gathered for Read for a Treat Night! Dressed in their Halloween and fairy tale costumes, guests enjoyed magical literacy activities, trick-or-treating, and a stop at the enchanted book fair. 🧚♀️👑 It was a storybook evening filled with fun, learning, and a little bit of magic! 🎃💫
📚✨ It’s Book Character Day at Randolph Elementary! The halls were filled with favorite storybook characters as preschool and kindergarten students showed off their creative costumes during a morning parade. Older students lined the halls to cheer them on and celebrate a love of reading! ❤️📖
🎨🕵️♂️ Students in Ms. Alvis’s class put their detective skills to the test in an art gallery-themed escape room! The "Museum of Notable Art" had a painting stolen, and students had to solve the mystery using clues, QR codes, dichotomous keys, and puzzles—all while learning about famous artists and their masterpieces. What a creative way to combine art, problem-solving, and teamwork! 👩🎨🧩🔍
🚀✈️🎨 Fourth graders at Randolph Elementary combined science, reading, writing, and art in one creative project! After reading about famous innovators like John Glenn, the Wright Brothers, and Rube Goldberg, students wrote about who these figures were, what they accomplished, why their work was important to science, and how their achievements inspired them.
To top it off, they decorated pumpkins to represent what they learned — a perfect mix of imagination and innovation! 🎃✨
To top it off, they decorated pumpkins to represent what they learned — a perfect mix of imagination and innovation! 🎃✨
🎽 4th Annual Unified Track Meet! 🎽
Last Friday, our stadium was filled with teamwork, encouragement, and smiles as we hosted our 4th Annual Unified Track Meet! Athletes and partners participated in a variety of fun activity stations across the complex before wrapping up with an exciting, abbreviated track meet on the field.
We were thrilled to welcome teams from Fluvanna County and Albemarle County to join in the fun and competition! ❤️💛
It was an incredible day celebrating inclusion, sportsmanship, and Bulldog spirit—both on and off the track! 🐾
Last Friday, our stadium was filled with teamwork, encouragement, and smiles as we hosted our 4th Annual Unified Track Meet! Athletes and partners participated in a variety of fun activity stations across the complex before wrapping up with an exciting, abbreviated track meet on the field.
We were thrilled to welcome teams from Fluvanna County and Albemarle County to join in the fun and competition! ❤️💛
It was an incredible day celebrating inclusion, sportsmanship, and Bulldog spirit—both on and off the track! 🐾
Students in Mr. Rooke’s Spanish 3 class brought their learning to life on Friday by cooking arroz con gandules, Puerto Rico’s national dish. After a month of studying the island’s culture and history, this hands-on experience offered a delicious way to celebrate their learning! 🌎
On Wednesday, Goochland County Public Schools hosted a Business and Education Roundtable, bringing together more than 30 local business and community organization representatives, along with members of the Goochland County School Board, the Board of Supervisors, and some of our current students.
This collaborative event showcased the many ways GCPS prepares students for life after high school—whether their path leads to college, careers, or service—and provided valuable insight from our local partners about the skills and qualities they seek in future employees.
Together, we’re building stronger connections between our schools, local government, and the business community to make sure every Goochland graduate is ready for what’s next! 💼🎓
This collaborative event showcased the many ways GCPS prepares students for life after high school—whether their path leads to college, careers, or service—and provided valuable insight from our local partners about the skills and qualities they seek in future employees.
Together, we’re building stronger connections between our schools, local government, and the business community to make sure every Goochland graduate is ready for what’s next! 💼🎓
🎉 We’re celebrating two big honors for Goochland County Public Schools! 🎉
🏅 Randolph Elementary has been named to the Excellence Honor Roll by the Virginia Department of Education — recognized as a national exemplar for providing high-quality preschool experiences that help our youngest learners thrive.
📈 Byrd Elementary earned a spot on the Improvement Honor Roll, recognizing their ongoing growth and commitment to ensuring that every child builds a strong foundation for future success.
These recognitions highlight the incredible work of our teachers, staff, and leaders who are dedicated to giving Goochland’s youngest students the very best start.
🏅 Randolph Elementary has been named to the Excellence Honor Roll by the Virginia Department of Education — recognized as a national exemplar for providing high-quality preschool experiences that help our youngest learners thrive.
📈 Byrd Elementary earned a spot on the Improvement Honor Roll, recognizing their ongoing growth and commitment to ensuring that every child builds a strong foundation for future success.
These recognitions highlight the incredible work of our teachers, staff, and leaders who are dedicated to giving Goochland’s youngest students the very best start.
🎭 Step into the magic of the Jazz Age!
The Goochland Drama Department proudly presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream — Shakespeare’s classic comedy reimagined in the dazzling world of 1920s New York City. ✨
Enjoy an evening of laughter, clever twists, and unforgettable characters brought to life by our talented students!
📅 Showtimes:
Friday, October 24 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 25 at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 26 at 2:00 p.m.
📍 Goochland High School Auditorium
🎟️ Don’t miss it! Get your tickets here: https://sites.google.com/glnd.k12.va.us/goochland-drama-dept/2025-2026-season/a-midsummer-nights-dream
🎉 Celebrating Excellence, Courage, Creativity, Honor, and Optimism! 🎉
At our October 14 School Board meeting, we had the pleasure of recognizing outstanding GCPS students, staff, and community members who exemplify our five core values — Excellence, Courage, Creativity, Honor, and Optimism (ECCHO).
This fall, more than 50 nominations were submitted by staff for individuals who make a difference in our schools every day. From those nominations, 10 ECCHO Award winners were selected and celebrated for living out these values in all they do.
Congratulations to our ECCHO Award recipients:
🏆 Abbey Pray & Ashby Cronin, GHS Students
🏆 Heather Rhoads, Community Member & Volunteer
🏆 Joseph Jackson, GCPS Bus Driver
🏆 Molly Voss, GMS Teacher
🏆 Crystal Neilson-Hall, GHS Teacher
🏆 Mary Paige David & Olivia Exum, GHS Teachers
We’re so proud to honor these individuals who inspire others and make GCPS such a special place to learn and work!
At our October 14 School Board meeting, we had the pleasure of recognizing outstanding GCPS students, staff, and community members who exemplify our five core values — Excellence, Courage, Creativity, Honor, and Optimism (ECCHO).
This fall, more than 50 nominations were submitted by staff for individuals who make a difference in our schools every day. From those nominations, 10 ECCHO Award winners were selected and celebrated for living out these values in all they do.
Congratulations to our ECCHO Award recipients:
🏆 Abbey Pray & Ashby Cronin, GHS Students
🏆 Heather Rhoads, Community Member & Volunteer
🏆 Joseph Jackson, GCPS Bus Driver
🏆 Molly Voss, GMS Teacher
🏆 Crystal Neilson-Hall, GHS Teacher
🏆 Mary Paige David & Olivia Exum, GHS Teachers
We’re so proud to honor these individuals who inspire others and make GCPS such a special place to learn and work!
🎉 On Monday, we celebrated Mr. Meiller Day at Byrd Elementary School! 🦅💙
Students and staff showed their appreciation for their amazing principal through heartfelt cards, creative songs, and fun videos. Thank you, Mr. Meiller, for leading with kindness, enthusiasm, and a huge smile every day — you make BES the special place it is!
Students and staff showed their appreciation for their amazing principal through heartfelt cards, creative songs, and fun videos. Thank you, Mr. Meiller, for leading with kindness, enthusiasm, and a huge smile every day — you make BES the special place it is!
🍴 Dawg Treats is Back! 🍴
Goochland High students Alexis Phillips and Addison Bryce are sharing their love of food—and culture—through Dawg Treats, a student-led culinary project! From calzones and beef tacos to tres leches cake, they’re bringing international flavors to our home football games.
Proceeds support Goochland’s culinary program, funding student field trips and hands-on learning opportunities. You can find the retrofitted food bus near the flagpole from gate opening until the end of the third quarter. Cash and credit accepted!
Come out, grab a bite, and taste the world with Dawg Treats! 🌟
Goochland High students Alexis Phillips and Addison Bryce are sharing their love of food—and culture—through Dawg Treats, a student-led culinary project! From calzones and beef tacos to tres leches cake, they’re bringing international flavors to our home football games.
Proceeds support Goochland’s culinary program, funding student field trips and hands-on learning opportunities. You can find the retrofitted food bus near the flagpole from gate opening until the end of the third quarter. Cash and credit accepted!
Come out, grab a bite, and taste the world with Dawg Treats! 🌟
💰 Real World. Real Money. 💰
Students in Mr. Allen’s Ag classes and students in Ms. EYP and Mr. Hover’s Economics & Personal Finance classes got a taste of adulthood through a hands-on financial simulation!
They were assigned careers, families, and take-home pay — then had to budget for housing, childcare, insurance, and more. 💸 With help from professionals acting as apartment managers, financial advisors, and insurance agents, students learned what it takes to stay on track financially in the real world. A great day of learning how to make smart money moves for the future!
Special thanks to the Virginia Cooperative Extension for bringing this engaging activity to Goochland High School! 🙌
Students in Mr. Allen’s Ag classes and students in Ms. EYP and Mr. Hover’s Economics & Personal Finance classes got a taste of adulthood through a hands-on financial simulation!
They were assigned careers, families, and take-home pay — then had to budget for housing, childcare, insurance, and more. 💸 With help from professionals acting as apartment managers, financial advisors, and insurance agents, students learned what it takes to stay on track financially in the real world. A great day of learning how to make smart money moves for the future!
Special thanks to the Virginia Cooperative Extension for bringing this engaging activity to Goochland High School! 🙌
📚 Book clubs are underway at Goochland Elementary📚
Fifth grade students kicked off their first book club meetings by choosing a book that interested them, joining classmates who picked the same title, and reading parts of their book aloud together. Each group then set an independent reading goal for the week.
Next week, these young readers will meet again to discuss what they’ve read and set new goals as they continue their literary adventures! 🌟
Fifth grade students kicked off their first book club meetings by choosing a book that interested them, joining classmates who picked the same title, and reading parts of their book aloud together. Each group then set an independent reading goal for the week.
Next week, these young readers will meet again to discuss what they’ve read and set new goals as they continue their literary adventures! 🌟
🎨🎲 Artopoly: Where Creativity Meets Competition!
In honor of this year’s “Game On” theme at Goochland Middle School, students in Ms. Alvis’s art classes are bringing the world of Monopoly to life with an art-themed twist! Each class competes on the Artopoly board, earning moves by “SOAR-ing” with class expectations — Safety, Own Actions, Achieve, and Respect.
The game features art-inspired spaces like the Ceramic Studio and Sculpture Showroom, “Happy Accident” and “Studio Surprise” cards, and even a few trips to “jail” for forgetting to wash those brushes! 🖌️
At the end of each nine weeks, the class with the most success on the board wins a special reward. What a creative way to blend art, motivation, and fun! 🎨👏
In honor of this year’s “Game On” theme at Goochland Middle School, students in Ms. Alvis’s art classes are bringing the world of Monopoly to life with an art-themed twist! Each class competes on the Artopoly board, earning moves by “SOAR-ing” with class expectations — Safety, Own Actions, Achieve, and Respect.
The game features art-inspired spaces like the Ceramic Studio and Sculpture Showroom, “Happy Accident” and “Studio Surprise” cards, and even a few trips to “jail” for forgetting to wash those brushes! 🖌️
At the end of each nine weeks, the class with the most success on the board wins a special reward. What a creative way to blend art, motivation, and fun! 🎨👏
