From giving back to Goochland to stepping into the professional world, our Goochland High School seniors are showing us exactly what leadership looks like! ๐โจ
Last week, our seniors presented their Senior Projectsโthe culmination of 20+ hours of community service, job shadowing, and hands-on learning. It was inspiring to see them share their journeys with underclassmen and staff. Whether they were exploring future careers or supporting local causes, these students are proving that they are ready to make a positive impact beyond our hallways.
We are so proud of the dedication shown by the Class of 2026!







Tomorrow is a student holiday and a staff professional learning day. We look forward to seeing our students back in class on Wednesday!

We are incredibly proud to announce that the cafeterias at ALL FIVE of our schools have received the EGGcellence Award from the Chickahominy Health District! ๐
This award recognizes food service establishments with superior food safety practices. To put that in perspective, our GCPS cafeterias are in the top 10% of establishments to receive this recognition!
A huge thank you to our hardworking nutrition staff. Thank you for keeping our scholars fueled, safe, and ready to learn every single day! ๐๐ฅฆ




During the recent Goochland Farmers Market Poster Design Challenge, the submissions from Goochland High School were so impressive that the judges faced a tough decision. In a testament to our students' creativity, two winners were selectedโone to represent the Goochland 2026 season and another to lead the way for our neighbors at the Powhatan Farmers Market!
We are so proud of our artists for sweeping the competition:
โจ Evelyn J. โ Her design was chosen for the Goochland Farmers Market
โจ Libby O. โ Her talent so impressed the region that her work was selected for the Powhatan Farmers Market!
Itโs a proud day for our schools and our entire community!


From the wonderful choral performances by Randolph, Goochland, and Byrd Elementary Schools to the incredible talents of our GMS and GHS bands and drama, it was a beautiful celebration of student creativity! ๐ถโจ
Beyond the stage, guests explored a stunning gallery featuring artwork from every school in the division and enjoyed hands-on activities in the cafeteria. A huge thank you to everyone who supported our GHS ceramic students by purchasing a handmade soup bowl!
Itโs nights like these that show just how much talent and heart we have in our Goochland community. ๐จ๐ฅฃ










We are so proud to celebrate our Fine and Performing Arts Team as our Team of the Year! This incredible group of educators represents talent from across all five of our schools, working together to inspire creativity and confidence in every student.
From the first notes in elementary music to the standing ovations at the high school, these teachers create a sense of belonging and "connectedness" that makes GCPS so special. Our community is brighter because of your dedication!


Talk about a powerhouse community! ๐คโจ Earlier this week, 22 dedicated volunteers conducted a staggering 265 mock interviews for our Goochland High School students!
We are so grateful to the leaders from our local and state governmentโincluding County Administrator Dr. Jeremy Raley and Delegate May Nivarโalongside private sector partners and our own GCPS leadership. These 22 individuals spent their day giving back, providing our students with the invaluable practice and feedback they need to thrive in the professional world.
Itโs this kind of "all-in" support that makes our Goochland community so special. Thank you for investing in the future of our Bulldogs! ๐พโค๏ธ








Last nightโs Wellness Night was a blast! Our Goochland families hit the track for the color fun run, tackled the bouncy slide, and enjoyed some delicious eats from the local food trucks.
It was a wonderful evening for our families to connect with incredible community resources and learn more about the support networks available right here in Goochland. ๐ค๐
Shoutout to our Sunshine Food Bus for feeding bodies and minds with those free books! ๐๐ Thereโs nothing better than seeing our students leave with a smile and a new story to read. It was a beautiful night of movement, connection, and Goochland pride.









The season is officially underway after an incredible home opener against Western Albemarle. Thereโs nothing better than seeing our students come together, cheer each other on, and demonstrate what true sportsmanship looks like.
Unified sports remind us that we are at our best when everyone has a place on the team. We are so proud of these athletes for their hard work, their hustle, and the way they represent the Goochland community!





From our dedicated bus and car drivers to our expert mechanics and routing specialists, Rosie leads the team that ensures our students start and end their days safely. She was nominated by her GCPS colleagues for her unwavering commitment to our kids and her "above and beyond" heart for service.
We are so lucky to have her leading the way (literally!) in Goochland. Congratulations, Mrs. Holman!

This event is designed to promote health and wellness among our students, families, and staff across Goochland County Public Schools. There will be delicious food trucks, games, bouncy houses, door prizes, and an opportunity to participate in a fun run/walk featuring colorful chalk along the course. We'll see you there! #ToGether

Big news from the stage: The Goochland Middle School and Goochland High School Bands have officially earned Superior ratings at assessment! This achievement cements a historic "first" for GCPS, as both GMS and GHS have now reached VMEA Blue Ribbon status in the same year.
This level of success doesn't happen by accident. Itโs the result of tireless work from our student musicians and the incredible mentorship of our directors. We want to give a special shout-out to Mr. Jay Sykes (GMS) and Mr. Jacob Gittleman (GHS) for their commitment to our students and for fostering a love of music that unites our schools.
The "Blue Ribbon" distinction requires excellence across the board, and we are so proud of the collaboration between our band and choral departments. It is the combined dedication of Mr. Sykes, Mr. Gittleman, and Ms. Erinne Smitherman that has led us to this prestigious milestone! Goochland is officially a "Blue Ribbon" community! Please join us in celebrating our directors and our dedicated musicians for this historic achievement! ๐ท๐ค๐



Congratulations to the GMS and GHS Chorus for earning Superior ratings at assessment! Under the expert leadership of choral director Mrs. Erinne Smitherman, our students have reached new heights. For the first time ever, both Goochland Middle and Goochland High School are now Blue Ribbon Awarded Schoolsโthe top honor in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Our studentsโ voices are stronger together, proving that excellence is a community effort. Please join us in thanking Ms. Smitherman for her dedication and congratulating our talented vocalists! ๐ถโจ


Please join us in celebrating Ms. Crystal Neilson-Hall, our GHS Rookie of the Year! As a CTE teacher, Crystal is helping our students build the real-world skills they need for the future. Her expertise and enthusiasm for the subjects she teaches are a huge win for our Bulldogs! ๐ฅ๐ป
Thank you to all five of our Rookies for choosing Goochland. We are a stronger community because you're here!


We are proud to announce Mr. Gene LeMarr as the GMS Rookie of the Year! Mr. LeMarr's work in the special education department has been instrumental in supporting our middle schoolers as they navigate these important years. Thank you, Mr. LeMarr, for your commitment to every student's journey! โจ
Only one school left... stay tuned for our final reveal tomorrow!


Ms. Flagg may be a veteran in the classroom, but this is her first year with the Roadrunner family! In just a few short months, her dedication to her students and RES has made a lasting impression on our community. ๐๐

As a fourth grade teacher, Ms. Patterson has shown a deep commitment to her students and a wonderful ability to connect with the GES family. We are so lucky to have her energy and dedication in our hallsโshe is already a vital part of the Otter pond! ๐ฆฆโจ
Who will be next? Check back tomorrow to find out!


This week, we are thrilled to kick off our Rookie of the Year series! Each day, weโll be unveiling one outstanding employee from our schools who is making a huge impact in their first year with us.
First up, letโs hear it for Ms. Michelle Schiebel, a 4th grade teacher at Byrd Elementary School! ๐ฆ Ms. Schiebel has jumped right into the Byrd community with passion and heart, proving that itโs never too early to make a lasting difference in the lives of our students.


Huge congrats to Mrs. Amanda Steeley on receiving the VAPSBAN Practitioner Award! This recognizes her incredible work with behavior analysis right here at GCPS.
Itโs experts like Mrs. Steeley who make GCPS such a supportive place for every student to grow. Weโre so proud to have you on the team, Mrs. Steeley! โจ

