Knight's Update
October 11th
Graduation Information
This year, Spotsylvania County Public Schools is excited to partner with Kalahari Resorts & Conventions to host all of the 2027 Graduation Ceremonies on Saturday, May 29, 2027.
Graduation Ceremony Schedule May 29, 2027:
Chancellor High - 8 a.m.
Massaponax High - 10:30 a.m.
Courtland High - 1 p.m.
Spotsylvania High - 3:30 p.m.
Riverbend High - 6 p.m.
All graduation ceremonies will be live-streamed. More information regarding tickets, parking and ceremony details are forthcoming.
CTE Student Ambassador
Are you looking for a way to build leadership skills, expand your professional network, and make a difference in your school community? Applications are now open for the 2026–2027 CTE Student Ambassador Program. The program is open to 9-12 graders.
As a CTE Student Ambassador, you will support Career and Technical Education events and programs, represent your school, connect with business and community leaders, and serve as a role model for your peers.
Have questions? Please reach out to one of the Career Readiness Paraprofessionals with questions.
Apply today and become a CTE Student Ambassador!
Need a Bus Pass?
All bus pass requests must be submitted to the Main Office prior to 10:30. Students looking to pick up a bus pass are asked to grab them during their lunch shift. Please do not wait until the end of the day.
Parents please email Mrs. Pineda at opineda@spotsylvania.k12.va.us if your child does not have a written note.
Connected Devices
Students are not permitted to have a connected device out, or use it in any way, at any time between the hours of 7:35 am and 2:20 pm.
Prohibited devices include, but are not limited to:
Cell phones
Connected watches and devices, such as the Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch.
Earbuds
Headphones
Tablets and other non-SCPS devices that can connect to the internet and/or other devices.
A connected device is not limited to smart phones, but is any device that can communicate with a network or other device. The policy is not limited to devices in existence at the adoption of the policy, but includes devices yet to be developed.
Bell to bell includes during lunch, study halls, Focus, class changes, and bathrooms.
Some Dress Code Reminders
As everyone is doing their back-to-school clothes shopping, please remember that SCPS's dress code exists to keep student attire respectful, safe, and supportive of a positive school environment..
- Clothing must cover skin from chest to mid-thigh, using non-see-through fabric (front, back, and sides)
- Clothing or accessories with offensive, sexually suggestive, violent, or drug/alcohol-related messaging or images
- Items linked to gang activity, or that reflect negatively on others based on race, gender, or ability
- Ski masks
- Items that could pose safety risks (spiked jewelry, wallet chains, dog collars, fish hooks)
- Attire unsafe for PE, CTE, or science labs (e.g., certain shoes or sunglasses)
- Blankets
- Wearing hoods
Additional information located on p34 of your Student Code of Conduct.
Evolv Message to Parents
Spotsylvania County Public Schools takes the safety of our students and staff very seriously. To enhance our existing security efforts at Spotsylvania High School, beginning on March 4th, we will launch the Evolv Detection System to screen students and visitors for potential weapons.
The Evolv weapons detection screening systems will be installed at the following locations (please see the map below):
• Parent Dropoff - Main Doors/Front Entrance for
• Bus Entrance/Student Drivers - Stairwells off the academic wing
All students and guests entering the building will walk through the Evolv screening detector. Students will need to remove their Chromebook from their backpack and prepare to hand it to a staff member when they get to the detector. Students will wear their backpacks and carry any other items (instrument cases, purses, gym bags, etc.) through the detector for screening. Students will simply walk through the screening system and follow the instructions of staff members stationed there to assist them.
About the Evolv Screening System:
The Evolv screening detector uses artificial intelligence and sensor technology to determine if an individual has a weapon on their person or contained within any items passing through the sensors. The detector can distinguish between a phone, keys, or other personal items from a potential weapon. The technology is quick and can screen 10 times faster than traditional metal detectors, reducing wait times. The Evolv screening detector we are using is the same system that has scanned more than 350 million people in the US, second only to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). This technology is used at locations around the U.S., including s schools, hospitals, theme parks, stadiums, and workplaces.
What happens when the System Alerts?
A low-volume alarm and a visible red light will alert staff of the potential threat. At the same time, the scanner will send an image to a tablet screen that shows the area where the potential threat is located. The individual will then follow the school's secondary screening guidelines, where staff will direct the student to empty their pockets, backpack, or belongings based on where the tablet identified the location of the threat. Students found with items that violate school board policy will be disciplined as per the Student Code of Conduct.
A video will be shared with students and parents prior to the installation to provide students a look at the system and share our expectations. We encourage you to discuss these new procedures with your child and stress the importance of following the directions of those overseeing the scanning process. Also, please stress the importance of only bringing needed items to school.
Thank you for your continued support in keeping our schools a safe learning environment. If you have any questions about the new Evolv detection system, please reach out to me.
Is your student going to be absent?
If you need to excuse your child's absence or tardy please use our Spotsylvania attendance email. You can also use this email to ask any attendance questions you may have!
spotsylvaniahsattendance@spotsylvania.k12.va.us
If your child will be missing 5 or more consecutive days please have them see me in the office for a prearranged absence form to have filled out by their teachers before the absence.
Student in Good Standing Appeal
If you are currently not in good standing and would like to appeal your status, please fill out this Google Form. The appeal will look at the following information:
- Reason(s) for the absence(s). You may not appeal absences resulting from a suspension.
- Number of tardies
- Absence history from prior years
- Grades
- Behavior
- Number of recovery sessions attended
This Form must be completed using your SCPS student account. The appeal decision will be emailed to the account that submitted the appeal.
Schedule Change Guidelines
Late Arrival / Early Release
Available only to Juniors and Seniors.
Replacing a Study Hall: You may drop a study hall for Late Arrival or Early Release if a Special Permission Form is on file and all graduation testing requirements are met:
Seniors: Must have completed all testing requirements, including CPR, and either earned a Career & Technical certification or taken an Honors, IB, DE, or AP course.
Juniors: Must have completed all testing requirements (excluding the Reading SOL, which is taken toward the end of English 11), CPR, and either earned a Career & Technical certification or taken an Honors, IB, DE, or AP course.
Replacing a Credit-Bearing Class: You may drop a non-required credit-bearing class for Late Arrival or Early Release, provided it fits your current schedule. Schedules will not be rearranged to accommodate this change.
Transcript Deadlines: Dropping a class after the following dates will result in a WP (Withdraw Passing) or WF (Withdraw Failing) on your transcript:
Semester 1 Courses: September 25
Full-Year Courses: November 13
Semester 2 Courses: February 19, 2027
Elective to Study Hall
You may drop an elective class for a study hall only if an open study hall exists during that exact same block. Schedules will not be rearranged.
Standard drop deadlines apply (see above); dropping after these dates results in a WP or WF.
Level changes (e.g., Honors to Regular, or AP to Honors/Regular) are permitted through October 9, 2026 (the end of the first nine weeks), subject to course availability.
Not Permitted
Course-for-Course Swaps: Direct course changes are not allowed. The deadline to request alternative class selections was May 29.
Teacher Changes without the approval of your child's administrator.
Need a your School Counselor?
School Counselor Contact Information:
Mr. Moreyra - Students with the last names A-C
Ms. Clark - Students with the last names D-J
Ms. Yahl - Students with the last names K-P
Ms. Williams - students with the last names Q-Z
Questions or Concerns?
If you have any questions for concerns please feel free to reach out to your child's Assistant Principal or School Counselor. Your child's administrator or counselor can be determined by the first letter of their last name:
Principal
Assistant Principal Contact Information:
Mr. Gibbons: Students with the last names A-F
Mrs. Andruss: Students with the last names G-O
Mr. Flinn: Students with the last names P-Z
School Counselor Contact Information:
Mr. Moreyra - Students with the last names A-C
Ms. Clark - Students with the last names D-J
Ms. Yahl - Students with the last names K-P
Ms. Williams - students with the last names Q-Z
Athletic Director
Attendance
