As we move into October, our Dolphins are settling into routines and showing strong starts to instruction across every grade level! Our classrooms are filled with purposeful learning, clear expectations, and students building the skills and confidence they need to grow throughout the year. We are grateful for the partnership of our families as we continue to stay Rooted in Community and work together to support every Dolphin.
There is a lot of important information packed into this month’s newsletter! Please be sure to make time to click “Expand” and read the October edition in full so you don’t miss upcoming events, reminders, resources, and opportunities to stay connected with Donahoe.
With appreciation,
Dillon Fail, Principal
|
As we move into the start of the school year, HCPS would like to make families aware of the potential for Remote Learning Days. These are specific days where student learning is not possible in our buildings due to a variety of reasons such as inclement weather, building maintenance, or other environmental factors.
The Division of Learning has provided teachers with instructional packets for students in Prek through 5th grade. If your child’s teacher is unable to provide assignments prior to the announcement of a Remote Learning Day, students will have the ability to utilize the instructional packet found within your child’s permanent “Take Home” folder throughout the duration our district is closed.
Parents/Guardians, you can help us as the year moves along by ensuring this packet remains in your child’s “Take Home” folder. If you find that the instructional packet has been damaged or lost, please contact your child’s teacher for a replacement.
Thank you for your support.
|
Please join us virtually on Tuesday, Oct. 13th at 5:00 for a parent/guardian information session to learn more about the Gifted Identification Process and Gifted Services provided in HCPS. Please join us at this link.
Gifted Services is a program for students who show a high level of accomplishment, or show the potential for a high level of accomplishment, beyond what is typical for their age and experience. School staff will provide information regarding the referral and identification process via a division video and a question/answer session. The gifted referral window will be open from October 22 - November 12 and referrals may be made at that time. Please stay tuned for additional information in the coming weeks. Please contact Jaela Harris (jyharris@henrico.k12.va.us), Gifted Identification Coordinator, with questions.
|
Please see the map below. The best alternate routes to Donahoe are:
- From Airport Rd: Turn onto Hanover Rd., turn left onto Old Hanover Rd., turn right onto Young Dr.
- From Nine Mile Rd.: Turn onto Hanover Rd., Turn right onto Meadow Rd., turn left onto Chartwood Dr., then right onto Chartwood Ln., and left onto Graves Rd.
|
We have over 475 students at Donahoe! Right now, only 79 adults are approved Volunteers with the County for the 2026-2027 school year.
It is the expectation of Henrico County Public Schools that all visitors, including parents and guardians, who enter the school building to actively engage with students other than their own have completed the HCPS Volunteer Form. This online screening ensures that only individuals who are safe to interact with your child are doing so. You can complete this form NOW and it will be good for one school year. It must be done annually. Link below.
Thinking of volunteering as a Watch D.O.G.? Want to chaperone a field trip this year? Coming to Field Day to help out in May?
|
Bridge Builders Academy Sessions:
- Oct. 13 • 6 p.m. | Campus of Virginia Randolph, 2204 Mountain Rd.: Understanding and Parenting a Child with ADHD: Join us for an interactive parent workshop designed to increase understanding of ADHD and its impact on the brain, behavior, learning and family life. Parents will learn how symptoms such as inattention, impulsivity, hyperactivity and emotional regulation challenges affect children at home and school. Participants will explore practical, strengths-based strategies and evidence-based interventions, including mindfulness, CBT, DBT, creative arts activities and positive parenting techniques. Parents will leave with a deeper understanding of their child’s unique strengths and challenges, along with effective tools, resources and strategies to support success at home, in school and beyond. Presenter: Megan Martin, MSW, HCPS School Social Worker
- Oct. 27 • 6 p.m. | Laburnum Elementary, 500 Meriwether Ave.: Raising Calm: Silence is not the absence of sound — it’s the presence of clarity. As children mirror the stress around them, this training session helps adults in their lives model calm insight and emotional wellness. Whether used as a school wellness initiative, parent engagement effort or professional development series, silence provides a rare and much-needed space to pause, reflect and reconnect for the benefit of every child and every community. Presenter: Rita Ricks, Rita Ricks, LLC
|
We are so excited to introduce a new math program at Donahoe this school year! Donahoe is one of only two schools selected to pilot Amplify Desmos Math across all 46 Henrico County Public Schools. This is a tremendous honor and speaks volumes about the strength of our math teachers, our instructional practices, and the support we provide to our students.
Amplify Desmos Math is a core math curriculum built with student-centered instruction at its heart. Student-centered instruction gives students opportunities to figure out how math works rather than simply being told how to solve a problem. Students will learn to communicate their mathematical thinking verbally and in writing, understand and challenge others’ ideas, and build confidence as they solve new and challenging problems.
Each lesson provides opportunities for students to build on their understanding, connect ideas, develop fluency, and feel empowered to ask questions, explore, and make discoveries.
Here’s What You Can Expect:
-
Interactive lessons that blend paper-based and digital learning.
-
Practice opportunities that support fluency and help students review previously learned concepts.
-
Resources within each lesson designed to meet the needs of every learner.
-
A variety of assessments that help teachers monitor your child’s progress and provide targeted support.
-
Caregiver resources for each unit that explain key math concepts and provide problems you can try together at home.
Your partnership plays an essential role in your child’s math experience. We hope your students enjoy using technology to explore mathematics, working with friends to solve problems, and discovering new and interesting concepts. Throughout the year, our teachers will also share resources to help you understand what your child is learning and provide ways to support math learning at home.
Most importantly, we want our students to see themselves as mathematicians - confident thinkers who are willing to take risks, learn from mistakes, and persevere when a problem is challenging.
We are excited about this opportunity and grateful that Donahoe was selected to be part of this important pilot. We look forward to partnering with you as we continue to grow our students’ love of mathematics and help every Dolphin become a confident, capable problem solver.
Learn more at amplify.com/caregiver-hub/amplify-desmos-math.
|
Just Ask is a resource line that connects parents, caregivers, and early childhood providers with compassionate professionals who can offer real-time guidance, practical strategies, and connections to trusted local resources. They can support families with questions about things like big emotions and challenging behaviors, social-emotional development, developmental milestones, screening and evaluation, child care, and Early Intervention referrals. |
Just Ask currently serves families and early childhood professionals in Richmond City, Henrico County, Chesterfield County, and Petersburg City. Attached is the Just Ask flyer.
Their goal is simple: to make sure parents and early childhood professionals know they don’t have to navigate questions or concerns alone. Sometimes having someone to talk with and a place to start can make all the difference.
|
As we continue to strengthen our partnership with the Henrico Police Department (HPD), families may notice an increased HPD presence in and around Donahoe. Officers may stop by throughout the school day to visit, connect with students and staff, and continue building positive relationships within our school community. We are grateful for HPD’s ongoing partnership and their commitment to being a supportive and familiar presence for our Dolphins and families. |
Part of Section 1112(e)(2) of ESSA states that parents of students in Title I schools have a right to request state or division policies regarding student participation in any assessments mandated by ESSA, including any policy, procedure, or parental right to opt students out of such assessments. If you have questions about this topic, contact our Site Testing Coordinator, Taleesa Meeks (tjmeeks@henrico.k12.va.us).
All students enrolled in Virginia public schools are expected to take the applicable state tests. The Virginia Board of Education Regulations Establishing Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia note: “In kindergarten through eighth grade, where the administration of Virginia assessment program tests are required by the Board of Education, each student shall be expected to take the tests” and “each student in middle and secondary schools shall take all applicable end-of-course SOL tests following course instruction” (8VAC20-132-40).
The Virginia regulations do not provide for what is sometimes referred to as an “opt-out policy” for students regarding the Virginia assessments. If parents refuse to have their student participate in one or more of the required Virginia assessments, they should be aware that their student’s state assessment score report will reflect a score of “0” for any test that is refused.
You are able to submit this refusal at any time this school year before SOL Testing. Email Ms. Meeks at tjmeek@henrico.k12.va.us
|
4th Grade Family Life: December 3rd
5th Grade Family Life: December 3rd
Henrico County Public Schools’ Health curriculum contains age-appropriate Family Life Education (FLE) objectives and activities that are used to promote health literacy, healthy lifestyles and relationships. During the 2026-27 school year, HCPS family life educators and/or allied health professionals will present grade specific FLE content to students in small groups based on grade and gender.
In HCPS, the decision for students to participate in the family life portion of the Health curriculum is left to the parent or guardian. Parents and guardians have the right to review the family life education program content, including written and audio-visual educational materials that will be used.
Please also review the Prevention Project Caregiver Information Form by Freekind ®, a VDOE-approved secondary school curriculum that supports Virginia legislation (2020) to eradicate human trafficking.
If you decide to opt your child out of the FLE health curriculum, please complete the form and return it to your child’s teacher or school as soon as possible.
Thank you for entrusting HCPS as a partner in these conversations. We encourage you to talk with your child about these topics before and after they receive the information in school.
|
One of the easiest ways to stay informed throughout the school year is by using the Edulog Parent Portal Bus App. This free app allows families of eligible bus riders to track their child's assigned bus in real time, receive notifications when the bus is approaching a designated location, and get important transportation updates directly from HCPS Pupil Transportation.
We encourage all families whose children ride the bus to download the app before the first day of school so you're ready for a smooth start. The app can help reduce the uncertainty of morning pick-ups and afternoon drop-offs while keeping you informed if transportation changes occur.
|
You can reach any of the Administrators below on Parent Square, or via email at the following:
- Dillon Fail, Principal (dtfail@henrico.k12.va.us)
- Taleesa Meeks, Associate Principal (tjmeeks@henrico.k12.va.us)
- Charles Hutchinson, SST (cwhutchinson@henrico.k12.va.us)
|
|
|
