🎉✍️ Signing Day Celebration at GHS!
We’re proud to celebrate three incredible student-athletes who officially committed to continue their athletic and academic careers at the next level! 🐾🎓
👏 Two standout softball players (Kendall and Ellie) and one talented football player (Trevor) will be taking their skills to the college stage next year. Their dedication, discipline, and Bulldog spirit have brought them to this exciting moment—and we couldn’t be prouder!
📸 Check out the highlights from Wednesday's signing event and help us congratulate them on this major achievement!


Get ready, Goochland!
GCPS Wellness Night is right around the corner! Join us on Wednesday, May 14 from 5–7 PM at the GHS Football Stadium for an evening of fun, fitness, and community!
There’s something for everyone:
• Color Run
• Food Trucks
• Raffle Prizes
• Local Vendors & Wellness Resources
Mark your calendar and bring the whole family out for this high-energy, health-focused event!

🦈💡 Students in Mr. Tate’s Inventions and Innovations class at Goochland Middle School put their creativity and problem-solving skills to the test in a recent Shark Tank-style challenge!
After researching various medical conditions and disabilities, students designed adaptive technology devices to support individuals' needs. They used 3D printers to create functioning models or prototypes and pitched their inventions to a panel of “Sharks” made up of a school board member, an occupational therapist, and central office administrators.
We’re proud of their innovative thinking, design skills, and confident presentations! 👏







✨GLOW DAY MAGIC!✨
On Friday, May 2nd, Ms. Carr and Ms. Lind's 2nd and 3rd grade classes lit up their learning—literally! Their classrooms transformed into glowing, black-light spaces where students reviewed and applied reading and math skills through fun, hands-on activities.
Midday, the excitement continued with a special Buddy Challenge—a collaborative event to strengthen friendships and celebrate the incredible partnership between these two amazing classrooms. 💡📚🤩
Way to shine, Otters!







🌟✨ A long time ago in a galaxy not so far away… Byrd Elementary students decided to celebrate Star Wars Day on May 5th instead of May 4th! 🚀
Why? Because "Revenge of the Fifth" is just as epic! 🎉 With lots of Star Wars shirts and big smiles, the Force is definitely strong with these young Padawans. 💫


Congratulations to Goochland High School’s JROTC unit on winning the Regional Championship at today’s MCJROTC Raider Competition!
Our cadets showed outstanding strength, teamwork, and determination as they competed against top units from across the region — and came out on top!
We are so proud of their hard work and leadership. Way to go, Bulldogs!
🇺🇸🏆💪


🎉🍎 Happy School Lunch Hero Day! 🍎🎉
Today, we celebrate the incredible school nutrition professionals who ensure our students are well-fed, energized, and ready to learn each and every day. From early mornings to busy lunch lines, their dedication makes a real difference in the lives of our students.
Join us in thanking these everyday heroes for the care, kindness, and hard work they bring to our schools!




🏅 Little Feet Meet at Goochland Elementary School 🏅
Our littlest Otters had a BIG day at the Little Feet Meet! 🦦✨
This special event celebrated our preschoolers and their growing gross motor skills with a variety of fun, active stations—including obstacle courses, "weight lifting," soccer, and basketball! From balancing to jumping and everything in between, our students showed off their strength, coordination, and joy for movement.
We’re so proud of their progress and thankful to our amazing staff and students for organizing such a meaningful and memorable culminating experience! 💙








☀️🍎 The Sunshine Food Bus is rolling into summer! 🍎☀️
We’re excited to share that starting June 9th through July 17th, the Sunshine Food Bus will be serving FREE meals and FREE books to all children ages 18 and under! Adult meals are available at a discounted price.
📍 Stops and Times:
• Antioch Baptist Church Parking Lot (4712 River Rd. West, Goochland, VA)
🕙 Monday-Thursday | 10:50–11:20 AM
• Leakes Mill Park (3951 River Road West, Goochland, VA)
🕚 Monday-Thursday | 11:30 AM–12:30 PM
• Mt. Olive Baptist Church Parking Lot (1630 Manakin Rd., Manakin-Sabot, VA)
🕐 Monday Only | 1:05–1:35 PM
📦 Special Take-Home Meals:
• 3-day take-home meals on Thursdays at Antioch Baptist Church and Leakes Mill Park
• 5-day take-home meals on Mondays at Mt. Olive Baptist Church (delivered by food service van)
❗ Please note: No service on June 19th or July 3rd.
We can’t wait to see you this summer! 🌞📚

Every day, our incredible school nutrition professionals go above and beyond to make sure our students are well-fed, cared for, and ready to learn. This Friday, May 2, we celebrate School Lunch Hero Day — a special opportunity to recognize the hard work, dedication, and heart they bring to our schools.
Let’s show our appreciation all week long! Drop a thank you message, give a high five, or simply share a smile with the amazing heroes behind the lunch line.

We’re thrilled to celebrate one of our own at Goochland Middle School who has been named a GRAETC Innovative Teacher Award recipient! Rachel Parks, a talented Fine Arts teacher, is being recognized by the Greater Richmond Area Educational Technology Consortium for her outstanding use of technology to transform student learning.
From integrating creative digital tools to helping students design immersive 3D models using Virtual Reality, she’s empowering learners to bring their artistic visions to life in new and meaningful ways. Her work is a shining example of how innovation and the arts can come together to inspire the next generation of creators.
Congratulations, Ms. Parks! We’re so proud of you and grateful for all you do for our students!




Yesterday morning, Goochland County Public Schools hosted our Business and Education Roundtable—and we’re feeling energized by the conversations that took place!
We were proud to welcome representatives from over 30 local businesses and organizations for a meaningful dialogue about how GCPS is preparing students for life after high school—and how we can continue to grow and improve our efforts. From career pathways and internships to essential workplace skills, our guests shared valuable insights and ideas to help ensure our graduates are ready for what’s next.
We’re especially grateful for our strong partnership with the Goochland County Economic Development Office, whose ongoing support and promotion of school-business partnerships play a vital role in this work.
Thank you to everyone who joined us today. Your collaboration and commitment to our students’ futures is what makes Goochland such a special place to live, learn, and work.


🌾🐄 GCPS 4th graders had a blast at Ag Day!
What started as Erin Henley’s senior project in 2008 has grown into a beloved tradition, connecting students to the heart of our agricultural community. From farm equipment and baby calves 🐮 to bees 🐝, goats 🐐, chickens 🐓, and homemade ice cream 🍦—our kids learned firsthand how agriculture touches every part of our lives.
Huge thanks to our local farmers, FFA & 4H members, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Manakin Soil, and so many others who made this day hands-on, educational, and unforgettable! 💚🌱








What an inspiring afternoon at our Mentor/Mentee Social and Awards Event! It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the incredible new teachers who have joined us across Goochland County Public Schools and to recognize the dedicated mentors who support them every step of the way.
Several of our new teachers were honored for their outstanding accomplishments—and we couldn’t be more proud of the energy, passion, and talent they bring to our schools.
A heartfelt thank you to Kelley Taylor and Catherine Richards for your hard work in organizing such a thoughtful and meaningful event. Also, a huge thank you to Jade Miller and Kelly Edwards for stepping in and helping with the event. Your efforts made it a truly special celebration!









Last night’s BES Family Math Night & Spring Book Fair was a huge success! Families came together for an evening full of hands-on math games, delicious cookout-style food, and plenty of book fair fun. It was wonderful to see students and their families laughing, learning, and enjoying quality time together.
A big thank you to our amazing BES staff for organizing such an engaging event—and to everyone who joined us! We hope you’re enjoying your take-home math game kits!



🌱 See How We've Grown! 🌱
Randolph Elementary opened its doors to families for a special celebration of learning and growth! At their See How We’ve Grown event, students proudly showcased the incredible work they’ve done throughout the year—and wow, was it impressive!
From podcasts exploring Goochland’s rich history in Time Travel in Goochland and Beyond 3.0, to hands-on science and research projects about soil, life cycles, and gardening, our students demonstrated creativity, curiosity, and a love for learning.
Fifth graders also unveiled exciting additions to our Nature Trail and Courtyard, LEAFing their legacy for future Roadrunners to enjoy! 🌼🌿
Thank you to all the families who joined us—we loved sharing this journey with you.









The arts were alive in Goochland on Friday night! 🎨🎶🖌️👏
Our Fine Arts Festival was a joyful celebration of student creativity, featuring incredible artwork and performances by students in preschool through 12th grade. Families enjoyed stunning visual displays, inspiring musical talent, and fun hands-on art activities for all ages!
A huge thank you to our amazing fine and performing arts educators for making this magical evening possible!







Kindergarten registration is now open!
Families can start the online registration process today by visiting https://goochlandschools.org/student-registration
Remember — an in-person screening is required and will take place on Thursday, April 10, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at your child’s school.
Contact your school directly to schedule your appointment!
For more information, visit https://5il.co/3a06y.
We are so excited to welcome our newest Goochland students!

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure at STEM Camp 2025!
Join us for A Children’s Engineering/STEM Initiative: Think, Plan, and Build - 21st Century Skills!
Dates: June 3–6, 2025
Time: 8:30–11:45 AM
Location: Goochland High School (GHS)
Cost: $125 (payments made through OSP)
Registration Deadline: May 16, 2025
Students from PK-8th grade will dive into hands-on experiences like building barns and baking bread, exploring the fascinating world of sharks, racing CO₂-powered cars, and designing robots for competition!
Spaces are limited, so don’t wait—register today! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScq4FsMOtOe9AMsxWu3IyxyvK8ee-96anF4LMzZg6dEWyXVtQ/viewform

This month, we are proud to shine a spotlight on the heart of our schools — our incredible school library team! Our team inspires curiosity, fosters a love of reading, and empowers students to become critical thinkers and lifelong learners.
From creating welcoming spaces that spark imagination to supporting innovative research projects and championing digital citizenship, our library team plays a vital role in every student’s journey. Their dedication ensures that every child has access to the resources, skills, and opportunities they need to thrive — both inside and outside of the classroom.
Please join us in thanking our school librarians and library staff for all they do to make our schools stronger, our students smarter, and our community more connected.
Happy School Library Month!

