Goochland Elementary School

🎯 SOL Testing Time is Here! 🎯 Our amazing 3rd–5th graders are ready to shine on their upcoming SOL tests! 💡💪 📚 Reading May 6 – Grade 5 May 7 – Grade 4 May 8 – Grade 3 🔬 Science May 9 – Grade 5 ➗ Math May 13 – Grade 4 May 14 – Grade 3 May 15 – Grade 5 & Math 6 🗺️ Virginia Studies May 16 – Grade 4 💡 Testing Tips for Families: ✔️ Get a good night’s sleep ✔️ Eat a healthy breakfast ✔️ Arrive on time ✔️ Encourage your child to take their time, read carefully, and do their best! Let’s cheer on our Otters—YOU’VE GOT THIS! 🦦🎉 #SOLSuccess #OtterProud

🦦 Our littlest Otters had a BIG day at the Annual Little Feet Meet! Preschoolers teamed up with their amazing 5th grade buddies to compete in fun, inclusive activities filled with joy, energy, and lots of high fives. 🏃‍♂️🎉💫 We are so proud of their teamwork, enthusiasm, and otterly awesome spirit! #LittleFeetMeet #GoochlandOtters #OttersInAction

📚⚾ A huge THANK YOU to all the families who joined us at last night’s Flying Squirrels game for Goochland’s Reading Night! It was a fantastic evening filled with fun, baseball, and a celebration of our love for reading. We hope everyone had a great time cheering on the Squirrels and enjoying the night together. Go Otters! 🦦❤️📖

🏅 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! 💙

Otters of the Month Alert! We’re thrilled to celebrate Mrs. Rigsby and Ms. Trongone as our April Otters of the Month! These two fabulous faces in the front office are the heartbeat of our school — answering calls ☎️, comforting students ❤️, juggling a hundred things at once ️🎯, and always doing it with a smile 😊. Whether it’s organizing 🗂️, supporting staff 👩‍🏫👨‍🏫, or helping families feel welcome 🏫, they keep our school running smoothly every single day. Thank you, Mrs. Rigsby and Ms. Trongone, for all the heart, hustle, and happiness you bring to our Otter family! #OttersOfTheMonth #GoochlandOtters #FrontOfficeStars #TeamworkMakesTheDreamWork 🦦✨

🎉 Game Night is almost here! Join us TOMORROW Wednesday, April 30 at The Diamond for Goochland Schools Reading Night with the Flying Squirrels! ⚾📚 Gates open at 5:00 PM | Parade at 5:15 PM | First pitch at 6:35 PM 🎟️ More tickets available online starting at 10 AM—grab yours quickly, this game may sell out! 🎟️ Student vouchers = free student entry. Families, get your tickets here: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Goochlandelementaryghn1eiwnaj Wear your GES spirit wear and plan to sit with us in Sections 213–215! 🦦❤️

We have 8 classrooms remaining that need coverage for this upcoming Teacher Luncheon, 5/2. You do NOT need to have a child in the classroom you are volunteering for but do need a Goochland Schools Background check complete!😄Thank you for your help in making this a special week for our GES teachers! 🥳 https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0A4BA4AA2DA1F94-55826790-teacher#/

🎉 You're invited to our 3rd Annual Wellness Night — Stronger Together! 🗓️ Wednesday, May 14 🕔 5:00–7:00 PM 📍 GHS Stadium Join us for an evening of fun, fitness, and community! 🌟 🎽 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk with chalk powder (starts at 5:30 PM) 🍔 Food trucks 🎈 Games & bouncy houses 🎁 Door prizes 🤝 Local resources & wellness info This FREE event is open to all ages — bring the whole family for a night of movement, connection, and joy. We can't wait to see you there! 💪💙 #StrongerTogether #WellnessNight2025

🌍✨ What a wildly wonderful day for our 5th graders at Bear Creek! 🐾 To celebrate Earth Day, students went on an outdoor adventure filled with learning and discovery. They explored geocaching, participated in a migration simulation, met with Conservation Police Officers, and even did a bit of hiking through the beautiful trails! 🧭👮‍♂️🥾 It was the perfect blend of fun, nature, and environmental education — a day we won’t forget! 💚🌳

Congratulations to Mrs. Morris, GES Rookie the Year!

🎉🏊‍♂️ Splish, splash — our second graders just made a big splash by completing the Learn to Swim program through the Goochland YMCA! 💦 We’re so proud of their hard work and growth in the water. This amazing partnership helps our students build confidence and learn essential life-saving skills. 🙌💙 Thank you to the Goochland YMCA for making this possible — together, we're making waves in water safety! 🌊👏 #GoochlandStrong #LearnToSwim #LifelongSkills #OttersInTheWater

🎉 Congratulations to our 2025 GCPS Rookies of the Year and Employee of the Year! 🎉 Each year, we recognize staff members who have made an incredible impact in their first year with Goochland County Public Schools. These individuals were nominated by their colleagues for their dedication, positivity, and excellence in their roles. 👏 Join us in celebrating our Rookies of the Year: 🌟 Sara Adams (Byrd Elementary) 🌟 Candace Morris (Goochland Elementary) 🌟 Jocelyn Pullen (Randolph Elementary) 🌟 Jessica Savage (Goochland Middle) 🌟 Kristen Borsari (Goochland High) We are also thrilled to recognize Barbara Hayden, Instructional Assistant at Byrd Elementary, as our GCPS Employee of the Year! Barbara is known for her kind and caring nature and her deep commitment to the students she supports each day. 💙 Help us congratulate these incredible team members who make GCPS such a special place to learn and grow!

📣 Calling all volunteers! 🧡 We’re hosting a Volunteer Breakfast on Friday, May 2 at 9am to say a big THANK YOU for everything you’ve helped us accomplish this year — from the book fair and glow run to PTA, Watch DOGS, cafeteria support, and so much more! ✨ We couldn’t do it without you! 📅 Please RSVP by 4/28: https://forms.gle/BrEhuAC5fc1YSw5K6 We can’t wait to celebrate you! 🥐☕🎉

📢 Teacher Appreciation Week at GES! 🍎✨ We’re celebrating our incredible teachers NEXT WEEK April 28 - May 2! Let’s show them some love with thoughtful gestures like: 💌 Handwritten notes from students 🌸 Flowers or small gifts to brighten their day ☕ Gift cards for coffee, books, or a treat 📚 Classroom supplies to keep learning fun 🎭 Creative surprises like a class video, song, or decorated door 🌟 Plus, a special PTA-sponsored Breakfast (April 28) & Lunch (May 2)! Every small act of kindness makes a big impact—let’s make this week extra special! 💙 #ThankATeacher #GESOtterLove

🌾🐄 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! 💚🌱

🌟 It's Administrative Assistants Week! 🌟 Next week (April 21–25), we’re celebrating the amazing work of Mrs. Rigsby and Ms. Trongone! 💙 These two keep our school running smoothly every single day — from organizing schedules to answering questions with a smile, they do it all! 🎉 Let’s show them how much we appreciate them! Here are some simple ways to say thank you: 💐 Write them a heartfelt note 🍫 Bring them their favorite treat 🌸 Surprise them with flowers ☕ Treat them to coffee or tea 😊 Give them a big smile and a kind word Let’s make sure Mrs. Rigsby and Ms. Trongone feel extra loved this week! 💖 #ThankYou #WeLoveOurAdmins #OtterAppreciation

Thank you, Rosie Holman, Director of Transportation for always being there for GES. Making sure all our students arrive safely at their destinations! She takes a personal interest in every student! #otterofthemonth

Otter alert, families! 🦦 Tomorrow we’re sliding out early—dismissal starts at 12:15 PM! 🎒 Then it’s time to float into a long weekend (no school Monday! 🎉). Rest your paws, munch some snacks, and we’ll be otterly excited to see your happy faces back at GES on Tuesday! 🐟💙

Big cheers for our Otters of the Month! These otterly amazing humans are helping our students (and each other!) thrive every day with heart, hustle, and a whole lot of joy. We’re lucky to have them in our pond! 🦦

Our 4th graders got a sneak peek today of the GHS spring production of “Shrek” — and trust us, you don’t want to make an ogre mad! Join Shrek, Donkey, Fiona, and the whole fairy tale gang in this hilarious and heartwarming adventure! Show Dates: April 25th–27th Friday @ 7pm Saturday @ 2pm & 7pm Sunday @ 2pm Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/ShrekatGHS $10 for kids and Golden Bulldog pass holders $15 for adults GCPS employees are FREE! Don’t miss your chance to see this SHREKtacular show!