November is College and Career Readiness Month, but November just isn’t big enough for all the activities in Chesterfield County Public Schools so October also holds opportunities for college and career exploration.
Exploring potential paths to successful futures is part of goal 1 of the school system’s strategic plan: All students and staff will embody an infinite learner mindset. Woven throughout each school year are experiences and opportunities to help achieve that goal:
College and Career Fair (6-8 p.m. Oct. 23 at Midlothian High, 401 Charter Colony Parkway)
Students can explore their future at this year’s College and Career Fair for Chesterfield County Public Schools, where hundreds of colleges and work-based learning partners will answer questions and offer information. Chesterfield County Public Schools students in grades 6-12 and their families are welcome at this free event and should register at strivefair.com.
Mission Tomorrow (Oct. 22-23)
All eighth graders in Chesterfield County Public Schools will blast into Mission Tomorrow, a regional career exploration fair at the Richmond Raceway Complex. While eighth graders participate in Mission Tomorrow, younger middle schoolers will explore career topics in school.
Career and Technical Center open houses (Nov. 9)
Both campuses of the Chesterfield Career and Technical Center invite families to learn about engaging, up-to-date programs available to high school students. Through career and technical education, students can earn industry-recognized certifications and connect with work-based learning experiences. Open house flyers provide details in English, in Spanish and in Arabic.
The Career and Technical Center @ Courthouse (10101 Courthouse Road) will have an open house 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 9. Also, ESL students and families are invited to an info session
10-11 a.m. Nov. 9 at the Career and Technical Center @ Courthouse.
The Career and Technical Center @ Hull (13900 Hull Street Road) will have an open house noon-2 p.m. Nov. 9.
Additional opportunities
Each fall, Chesterfield County Public Schools eighth graders explore their options for high school and decide whether or not to apply to a specialty center, governor’s school or regional technology school. Go to bit.ly/CCPS options
for details, including dates for open houses and deadlines for applying.
Schools explore college and career readiness in a variety of ways throughout November, including days when students and teachers dress to represent their college or future career. During the Chesterfield County School Board meeting at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 12, officials and staff members will also dress to represent a career or college.
Virginia College Application Week is Oct. 21-25. For the past decade,
this week
has sought to increase the number of students succeeding in higher education.
The Great Aspirations Scholarship Program provides ongoing FAFSA completion assistance in Chesterfield County high schools.