ACPS Family Newsletter

As we continue through the school year, our focus remains on making sure every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. At Amherst County Public Schools, we know that strong instruction, regular attendance, and positive student behaviors all play an important role in student success. These three areas continue to guide our work across the division as we look for ways to support our students and meet their needs.

Student instruction remains at the heart of everything we do. Our teachers and staff work each day to provide meaningful learning experiences, build strong relationships with students, and create safe and supportive learning environments where students can grow and reach their potential.

Attendance matters, too. Regular attendance is important, and so is being at school on time and remaining for the entire school day. When students arrive late or leave early, they miss valuable instructional time, classroom discussions, and learning activities that contribute to their progress. We recognize that appointments and other circumstances sometimes require students to arrive late or leave early. Whenever possible, planning ahead to minimize missed instructional time can make a real difference. Every minute of learning matters, and helping students arrive on time, stay for the full day, and be ready to learn gives them the best opportunity to succeed. Thank you for partnering with us to make student attendance a priority!

We also know that positive student behaviors help create classrooms where everyone can learn. By working together to encourage kindness, respect, responsibility, and good decision-making, we can help students develop the skills they need to build positive relationships and be successful in school and beyond.

Our schools cannot do this work alone, and we are grateful for the partnership we share with our families. The conversations we have, the encouragement we provide, and the expectations we reinforce together all make a difference in the lives of our students.

Thank you for your continued support of Amherst County Public Schools. By working together and keeping students at the center of our efforts, we can continue to make progress in these important areas and provide meaningful opportunities for every child to succeed.

Want to know what’s happening across Amherst County Public Schools? Our School Board Meeting Highlights provide a quick look at recent Board discussions, decisions, and updates.

We encourage our staff, families and community members to stay informed and engaged with the work of our School Board.

Check out the highlights from the October 8, 2026 School Board Meeting!

November 2 - December 11 - School Attendance Challenge

November 3 - Professional Development/Teacher Planning Day-School Closed for Students

November 16 - Interim Report Distribution

November 25-27 - Thanksgiving Holiday-School Closed for Students and Staff

We are excited to celebrate Amherst County High School junior Chloe Chapman, who was recently awarded a $40,000 BigFuture Scholarship through College Board. Chloe was surprised with the award at school surrounded by her Belles of Amherst family.

Chloe is already looking ahead to college and a career in medicine, with an interest in radiation oncology. She has been actively researching colleges and seeking scholarship opportunities to help make her goals possible. Her dedication to planning for her future is a wonderful example for other students.

The BigFuture Scholarship recognizes students who complete college and career planning steps through College Board’s free BigFuture resource. Students can use BigFuture to explore careers, build college lists, research scholarships, and learn about paying for college. Two $40,000 scholarships and hundreds of $500 scholarships are awarded each month.

Congratulations, Chloe! We are proud to celebrate your accomplishment and wish you continued success as you work toward your goals.

We are proud to share that all nine Amherst County Public Schools remain Fully Accredited following the release of Virginia’s latest School Performance and Support Framework results. Eight of our nine schools showed academic growth over the past year, with four schools earning the state's highest performance designation—Distinguished.

While we celebrate these achievements—including Central Elementary ranking 9th statewide for score improvement—the data also helps us focus where support is needed most. We are actively directing resources to strengthen instruction at Madison Heights Elementary and to better support our students with disabilities division-wide.

👉 Read the Full ACPS Press Release to see individual school performance scores and learn more about our continuous improvement plan.

On October 21, Amherst County Public Schools students and staff wore orange in recognition of Unity Day, showing their support for bullying prevention and their commitment to ensuring every student feels safe, valued, and included.

Families play an important role in helping children learn to treat others with kindness, show empathy, and appreciate what makes each person unique. When families, schools, and communities work together, we can create a positive environment where every child feels a sense of belonging.

As we reflect on Unity Day, let’s continue encouraging our children to choose kindness, stand up for one another, and treat others with respect—not just on Unity Day, but every day. Together, we can make a difference!

Students from our 6 elementary schools and 2 middle schools recently visited Sweet Briar College for an exciting opportunity to explore Virginia and our nation’s history!

Students experienced the VA250 Mobile Museum, “Out of Many, One,” an interactive museum on wheels commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. They also visited the Sweet Briar Museum, where they had the opportunity to examine one of the few drafts of the U.S. Constitution and explore a variety of architectural designs.

From exploring the ideas that shaped our nation to discovering the stories behind historic documents and designs, students connected classroom learning with real-world history!

A special thank-you to Sweet Briar College for hosting our students and helping bring history to life!

From November 2 through December 11, ACPS grade levels will compete to achieve the highest overall attendance rate during our six-week School Attendance Challenge.

The winning grade level will celebrate with a special donut and hot cocoa party during the week before Winter Break! The winner will be announced at the end of the school day on Friday, December 11.

Families can help their grade level win by encouraging regular attendance, establishing consistent morning routines, and scheduling appointments outside school hours whenever possible. Follow ACPS and school social media pages for leaderboard updates throughout the challenge!

Every day counts, and every student makes our school community a little sweeter! Let's keep school attendance strong and make every school day count!

The school year is in full swing, but we are still hiring!

Take a look at our open positions to see if your skills and passions could be a great fit for Team Amherst!

NHN 4 Kids helps address food insecurity by providing weekend food bags to students who may benefit from additional food support when they are away from school. We are thankful for this important community partnership and the support it provides to our families.

Families who would like to participate in the NHN 4 Kids program are encouraged to reach out to their child’s building principal or school counselor for more information and to sign up.

At Amherst County Public Schools, student safety is our priority. Parents and guardians who wish to attend school-sponsored field trips, whether serving as chaperones, supervising student groups, or attending without supervisory responsibilities, must complete a background check and receive approval from the Human Resources Department before participating.

Here are a few important things for families to know:

• No cost to families: Background checks are provided free of charge to parents and guardians.

• Allow time for processing: Results are typically available within 24–48 hours when no charges or convictions are identified. If charges or convictions are found, results may take one to two weeks to be received.

• Approval is required: Completing a background check does not automatically authorize participation. The Human Resources Department must review the results and approve participation before a parent or guardian may attend the field trip.

• Plan ahead: If you are interested in attending an upcoming field trip, please communicate with your child’s school early to allow sufficient time for the background check and approval process.

These requirements apply to all parents and guardians who wish to attend school-sponsored field trips and help us maintain a safe and supportive learning environment for every student. We appreciate our families’ understanding and partnership in keeping our students safe. Please visit our website for more information.

Great news for ACPS Elementary families! Johnson Health Center is bringing dental care directly to our elementary schools with its mobile dental bus!

Students can receive convenient, on-site dental care, including:

• Dental exams and cleanings
• Dental X-rays
• Optional fluoride treatments and sealants to help protect teeth

Every ACPS elementary student is welcome! Your child does not need to be an existing Johnson Health Center patient to participate.

What do families need to know?

Insurance, including Medicaid, FAMIS, and private insurance, will be billed when applicable.

Families without insurance may apply for a reduced fee.

To participate, complete, sign, and return the required forms, along with a copy of your dental insurance card, if applicable.

• English Form
• Spanish Form

Reduced Fee Applications may also be emailed to jhcdental@jhcvirginia.org.

Have questions? Contact your child's school nurse for more information!

Thank you to Johnson Health Center for helping make dental care more accessible for our students and supporting healthy, happy smiles!

🚌 Know the Danger Zone!

Did you know there is a 10-foot “danger zone” around a school bus?

This is the area where it can be hardest for a bus driver to see students. Students can help keep themselves safe by remembering to:

👀 Stay where the bus driver can see you.

🚶 Walk - Don't run - when getting on or off the bus.

📏 Keep a safe distance from the bus.

🎒 Keep backpacks, clothing, and other belongings secure.

✋ Follow your bus driver's directions.

And remember: Never walk behind a school bus.

A few simple safety habits can make a big difference. Safe rides start with safe choices!

Fall is in full swing, bringing cooler weather, vibrant foliage, and plenty of scientific wonder!

Did You Know? Fall leaves reveal colors that are often hidden during the growing season. Chlorophyll gives leaves their green color, while other pigments contribute yellow, orange, and red hues. As daylight decreases and temperatures change, chlorophyll breaks down, allowing many of these other colors to become more visible.

Curiosity is everywhere this season! Take a moment outdoors to explore the science in your own backyard!