Sharing our progress

Hello, and happy fall! This year, we’re making exciting changes to the CCRC (Cultivating Character and Resilience Committee). One goal is to make our content more accessible and usable in our classrooms.

As we are all busy, and emails can easily get lost in the day-to-day shuffle, we decided to transition to a monthly calendar format. We were inspired by one of our wonderful committee members, Porshia Foster, and will replicate the system implemented at Rappahannock JDC. This has been shared with principals and will be rolled out in greater detail over the next few months, with an anticipated start date of January 2026.

Utilizing a hyperlinked calendar, CCRC liaisons and their colleagues can plug and play topics from our familiar one-pager resources as they see fit. The editable nature allows customization to unique school divisions and can include multi-disciplinary participation. Remember, only ten to fifteen minutes a day is all it takes!

In case you haven’t seen it yet, last May, our committee published the “SOP Book of Resilience.” It was a departure from the printed calendar, which was a mainstay of our programs. For those unfamiliar, it is a digital publication of art and writing samples from our students.

This year, we will again collect entries. However, how these are used will depend on overall participation. The result may include publication in a digital or physical book, a newsletter, or a feature on the SOP website. Permission and entry forms will be available soon.

As always, the committee invites staff to submit their original work alongside student submissions, as we have our own very talented writers and artists right among us. To make editing easier, it is preferable to save files in PNG or JPEG format. Thank you for your support in preparing our students to be ready and resilient!

The Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention Center Education Program created a sub shop/restaurant that opened on September 12, 2025. It is a student-led operation that feeds the entire staff of the detention center every Friday. The restaurant averages 27 lunches made per week. The students take orders, prepare, wrap, serve, and clean. The major aspect of this program is that the students get "paid" for their work. We want our kids to learn that they can do honest work and receive a positive reinforcer. As payment, the students are given the opportunity to prepare and eat their own lunch at the end of their shift. We have had 100% student participation and zero behavior infractions during this programming.

We rotate pods on a weekly basis so each pod is responsible for one week. There is a set menu and we have partnered with a local Food Lion to provide us with our inventory. Orders are taken for staff every Monday and supplies are picked up every Thursday. On Friday, we take that week’s pod to the Dining Hall where they operate their business. Before they work, students are taught a transition lesson (job application skills, job interview skills, banking, etc.) for 30-45 minutes. Once the lesson is complete, the students take over and prepare the meal for the day. After each staff member has been served, the residents are able to make their own subs. Then, at a set time later in the day, the students are served by teachers.

We want our transition program to move outside of the classroom and provide our students with real world opportunities and skills. The sub shop has promoted actual job skills, working together as a team, conflict resolution, problem solving skills, and has created a student connection to our Education Program. The students are serving others and receiving something positive in return. Our hope is that they take that idea with them when they leave us.

Renita Davis-Kelley

If you’re looking for a guest speaker for the classroom, I encourage you to connect with Mrs. Monica Van Arsdale. Her information is listed below and she travels across the state of Virginia to teach financial literacy to students and adults.

In a very interactive presentation, she highlighted the various differences between a Credit Union and traditional banking institutions. Outlining the variety of financial services available, she emphasized identifying the proper account sources for individuals’ lifestyles. The accounts included money markets, savings, certificate of deposits CDs and checking accounts.

Beloved and respected by all of our staff, when Monica is in the building, we are all taking notes and learning about financial literacy for all stages of life. I am extremely grateful for our partnership, friendship, and mentorship.

Monica Van Arsdale, AFC®

High School and College Program Manager

Marketing / Financial Education

(804) 327-7334

monica.vanarsdale@vacu.org

Written by Renita Davis-Kelley

Chesterfield Juvenile Detention Center

Our students at the Chesterfield Juvenile Detention Home School initiated the Compassion Project in the Summer of 2021. That year, our entire facility took a pledge to demonstrate care, concern, kindness, and cultivate a community of promoting wellness towards others.

The students created 60 blankets and 200 positive post-cards for the Lucy Corr assisted living residents. The No-Sew blankets were welcomed by all because the residents were unable to receive regular visitors due to the pandemic. This project was designed to bring cheer, a smile, and a feeling of love by the community.

For a look at the timeline, please open the attachment.

Along with creating No-Sew blankets, and positive post-cards, our students will be designing books for the preschool program at Ettrick Elementary School. These books in conjunction with the blankets will continue to foster a partnership of community for our students and the recipients.

No-Sew Blanket/Positive Post-card Drop-off August 15, 2025

(Post Dispositional students) (Youth Counselor Supervisor)

3-11 Shift Mr. Heyward and Mrs. Kelley (Teacher)

Teachers from the CHKD Hospital School Programs visited Aspire Art Gallery for a hands-on group art experience titled “The Exquisite Corpse” . The activity centered around a collaborative drawing project using a trifold sheet of paper, where each teacher was responsible for illustrating one section without knowing exactly what others were drawing. When unfolded, the individual sketches came together to form a single imaginative creation.

This project offered more than just a fun artistic challenge, it became a lesson in teamwork, communication, and trust. The teachers learned that collaboration means relying on others’ contributions, respecting different styles, and combining unique ideas into something greater than any one person could create alone. The final artwork reflected not only creativity but also the power of unity and cooperation.

Aspire Art Gallery provides a welcoming and creative space where individuals of all ages in the City of Norfolk can explore their artistic talents and express themselves through a variety of art forms. The gallery offers enriching programs such as art workshops, community exhibits, and collaborative projects that promote creativity, personal growth, and connection. Through these positive experiences, Aspire Art Gallery inspires participants to discover new skills, build confidence, and engage with the local art community in meaningful ways.

ART TEACHER/MRS. GUTIERREZ

Celebrating Student Creativity in Our Community

We are proud to share the inspiring artwork created by students at the James River Juvenile Detention Center! This year, their work is on display at Tuckahoe Library in Henrico County, where visitors can enjoy a diverse collection of pieces in the library’s central gallery space.

From detailed drawings to expressive paintings — including unique yarn artworks — this exhibit highlights the creativity, skill, and dedication of our talented students. While the young artists remain anonymous, each participant receives a certificate from Tuckahoe Library recognizing their artistic achievements.

We are thrilled to see our students’ work showcased in the community and hope patrons enjoy this meaningful and creative exhibit!

Greg Townsend — science teacher, music guru, and student-empowerment champion — along with the dedicated team at James River Juvenile Detention Center, continues to create transformative learning experiences through strong community partnerships. Their unwavering support empowers our gifted, special, and talented students to grow academically, creatively, and emotionally.

Through hands-on learning, meaningful mentorship, and powerful creative outlets, students are discovering healthy ways to process emotions and build confidence. Through spoken words, music, poetry, and visual arts, the students harness their voices and creativity to heal, reflect, and reimagine their futures.

This year’s Therapeutic Healing Talent Show offered a meaningful space for students to acknowledge past choices while celebrating their present progress and future potential.

Thank you to Greg Townsend, JRJDC staff, and all community partners for fostering healing through education and art — and for continuously believing in the power of every student. Keep shining and inspiring!

The Henrico–James River Juvenile Detention Education Team is proud to showcase our newly created vision boards, designed to highlight the meaningful work we do and the powerful programs that support our students. These vision boards reflect our commitment to providing pathways for growth, learning, and positive futures.

Each board captures the heart of our mission — from academic success and career readiness to social-emotional learning, creativity, and personal development. By visualizing goals and celebrating opportunities, our students and staff continue to cultivate a supportive, encouraging environment where potential is recognized and futures are reimagined.

We are excited to share this creative representation of our work and the inspiring possibilities ahead for our students!

At the New River Valley Juvenile Detention Home, we're finding new ways to inspire creativity and personal growth through hands-on art projects — and our recently acquired kiln is helping bring those ideas to life.

The addition of the kiln has opened the door to a wide range of ceramic projects, from hand-built clay pieces to glazed tiles and pottery. These projects allow residents to explore self-expression, patience, and craftsmanship in ways that are both therapeutic and skill-building.

Using the kiln, students are now able to complete the full artistic process — shaping clay, letting it dry, glazing, and then firing it for a finished product. This not only adds a sense of accomplishment but also introduces them to an art form that many have never experienced before.

The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Residents have shown a genuine interest in the process, often expressing surprise and pride at how their creations transform after firing. The structured, step-by-step nature of ceramics also supports important social-emotional goals like perseverance, responsibility, and attention to detail.

As we continue to expand our creative programming, the kiln has become more than just a tool — it's a symbol of transformation. Just as clay is shaped, refined, and strengthened through heat, so too are the young people we work with each day.

Mrs. Riggins’ Wreaths provided students with a hands-on, creative opportunity during the "Summer Enrichment" program at Norfolk Juvenile Detention Center, allowing them to design and construct beautiful mesh wreaths in a variety of colors. This kinesthetic learning experience not only tapped into students’ artistic abilities but also fostered essential entrepreneurial skills. Through the process, students explored the principles of product design, marketing, and craftsmanship, gaining practical insights into real-world business practices. Mrs. Riggins emphasized the importance of attention to detail and creativity, offering a meaningful way for students to practice problem-solving, teamwork, and time management.

Beyond the creativity and entrepreneurial skills, this activity helped students connect with one another, practice patience, and boost their confidence. It was a chance for them to share ideas, work together, and celebrate their unique designs. Mrs. Riggins has a knack for turning everyday activities into engaging, valuable lessons that leave a lasting impact. Her wreath-making project is just one example of how she brings joy and creativity to the classroom, making her a treasured asset to both her students and coworkers.

Members of the United States Air Force visited Norfolk Juvenile Detention Center on October 22, 2025. Seven members came and met with all the students to talk about making positive choices that allowed them to be successful. Students gave their undivided attention to the message and were able to ask great questions during the 'Question and Answer' session. A map of the world was displayed, and the volunteers showed the students the different places in the world they have visited. This visit was the first of many and was initiated by one of the Non-Commissioned Officers because he wanted the students to know that mistakes can be overcome by learning from your mistakes and putting forth an 'I can do' attitude.

Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center students set up the hydroponics units in their classroom under teacher guidance. They chose and planted the seeds in wet seed pods and placed them into the unit, which was filled with only water. After germination and the appearance of the first few leaves, liquid plant foods were mixed into the water in the tank. The plants were ready for harvest after about 5 weeks. The students planted lettuce, basil, and kale. We had a good harvest that we shared with detention staff.

The Piedmont Regional Juvenile Detention Center (PRJDC) welcomed several of our school partners over the enrichment portion of our school program: Longwood Center for Community Music, Center for Visual Arts, Virginia State Parks, and our local DARE chapter.

DARE has remained a local school partner for several years. This summer was the first time in four years that partners were welcomed back into the school following the roller coaster ride of COVID.

Sgt. Jim Graves, Prince Edward County Sheriff’s Department, met with the students during the final weeks of enrichment. Sgt. Graves presentation focused on learning from mistakes and planning for a successful future. He shared the effect of a healthy lifestyle which is drug free but also focused on ways to deal positively with problems. He reminded students that everyone has problems, it’s how we handle the problems in our lives that is most important. Don’t let a road block side-swipe your lives- keep moving forward and building that successful life of which you have always dreamed. Sgt. Graves remains a loyal partner of both Prince Edward County Schools and PRJDC.

Tiffany Jenkins, PRJDC

Over the past several weeks, students at the Rappahannock Juvenile Detention Center have been taking their physical fitness to the next level thanks to Ms. Ward, a certified personal trainer with Brick House Chick Fitness. Her energetic and engaging program has brought new excitement and motivation to our students, introducing them to a wide range of fun and challenging activities.

From high-intensity cardio and core strength training to flexibility exercises, yoga, and even salsa dancing, students have been exploring creative ways to stay active and healthy. Ms. Ward’s sessions emphasize not only physical wellness but also teamwork, perseverance, and self-confidence.

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive—students look forward to each session, ready to move, sweat, and challenge themselves. We are grateful for Ms. Ward’s commitment to fostering a culture of fitness and well-being at RJDC and for showing our students that exercise can be both empowering and enjoyable.

The Hospital Education Program at UVA had a unique opportunity to partner with an area middle school through a One School, One Book reading project last spring. Students at Wilson Middle School in Augusta County, Virginia planned to participate in a whole school reading of the novel Wink by Rob Harrell. Kim Bowman, Wilson Middle School library media specialist, saw a way to partner with the HEP by inviting us to read the book along with them. Wink is the story of 7th grader Ross Maloy and his diagnosis of a rare eye cancer. Based on author Rob Harrell's real-life experience, Wink is a hilarious, heartbreaking, yet uplifting story of survival and trying to blend in when you actually really stand out. HEP teachers were all given a copy of the book to read as well as extra copies for HEP middle school students interested in participating. Several teachers and students enjoyed reading and discussing the novel.

Wilson Middle School invited HEP staff to attend an evening with author Rob Harrell. HEP teacher Jillian Smith and library media specialist Leigh Branham enjoyed the author’s presentation and discussion of the book. Students had the opportunity to learn more about the Hospital Education Program during a Q & A session. The students were amazed that kids can attend school while being a patient. This was a wonderful opportunity for two schools to make a connection through one book!

Under the direction of Mrs. Jaimie Choi, art teacher, and collaborator, Mrs. Audrey Aranda, Virginia Beach had their first annual Fall Festival for students. Each teacher selected an activity to sponsor on the day of the event. Students also created artwork (on display) leading up to and during the festival. Students competed in a variety of activities by unit, and were also able to secure themselves some treats. As the year progresses, we will continue to organize and expand into a winter, and spring festival as well.

Special thank you to Mrs. Choi, Mr. Chris England (math teacher), and Mrs. Dawn Cusic for serving as photographers.

Here are some pictures from the August conference, courtesy of Dr. Seazante' Oliver, Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center.