❄️ Winter Break Reminder for Families ❄️
Winter break is December 22 – January 2, and students will not be in school during this time.
We wish all of our families a restful and enjoyable break filled with time to relax and recharge. We look forward to welcoming students back in the new year!
Winter break is December 22 – January 2, and students will not be in school during this time.
We wish all of our families a restful and enjoyable break filled with time to relax and recharge. We look forward to welcoming students back in the new year!
A huge otter-thank you to all the grown-ups who made a splash at our holiday read-alouds this morning! 📚💙 This beloved GES tradition on the day before Winter Break always fills our hearts (and ears!) with joy.
We hope our otter-amazing families have a cozy, fun, and restful Winter Break! ❄️✨
We’ll see all our otters back in their habitat on Monday, January 5, 2026—we can’t wait! 🦦💫
We hope our otter-amazing families have a cozy, fun, and restful Winter Break! ❄️✨
We’ll see all our otters back in their habitat on Monday, January 5, 2026—we can’t wait! 🦦💫
❄️✨ Winter Wonderland Lodge Day! ✨❄️
Yesterday our students came together for a magical, winter-themed Lodge Day filled with creativity, teamwork, and tons of fun! From crafting to an indoor snowball fight (the coolest way to learn the names of our lodge mates!), the energy and smiles were everywhere. ⛄️💙
Our service project was equally heartwarming — together, our students collected over 200 pairs of gloves, socks, and hats for Goochland Cares. 🧤🧦🧣
We are so proud of their generosity and community spirit!
Thank you to everyone who helped make today otterly amazing! 🦦❄️💫
Yesterday our students came together for a magical, winter-themed Lodge Day filled with creativity, teamwork, and tons of fun! From crafting to an indoor snowball fight (the coolest way to learn the names of our lodge mates!), the energy and smiles were everywhere. ⛄️💙
Our service project was equally heartwarming — together, our students collected over 200 pairs of gloves, socks, and hats for Goochland Cares. 🧤🧦🧣
We are so proud of their generosity and community spirit!
Thank you to everyone who helped make today otterly amazing! 🦦❄️💫
🎄✨ You’re Invited to Get a Little Tacky! ✨🎄
Families, come out TONIGHT from 5:00–6:00 PM to enjoy 5th Grade’s 2nd Annual Tacky Light Display at Goochland Elementary School!
Expect bright lights, big smiles, and plenty of festive fun created by our amazing 5th graders. 🎶💡 It’s the perfect way to add some sparkle to your evening!
We can’t wait to see our GES families there — let’s light up the night together! 🦦🎄
Hot cocoa + snacks = the perfect pre-winter break pick-me-up! Thank you to Ms. McDaniel’s class for bringing the Otter Snack Shack to our teachers today. ☕🦦❄️
📣Lodge Day is Tomorrow!
Don’t forget to show your Lodge pride by coming dressed head-to-toe in your Lodge Colors! Let’s fill the school with spirit and celebrate our amazing community.
🧤🧦 Also—tomorrow is the FINAL day of our Hats, Mittens/Gloves, and Socks Collection for Goochland Cares. If you’re able, please send in your donations to support local families in need. Every item makes a difference!
Thank you for helping keep our community warm—and spirited! 💙💛❤️
🎉 2025–2026 Teacher of the Year Spotlight 🎉
Today we’re proud to celebrate Goochland Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Kelly Edwards!
Mrs. Edwards’ classroom is a place of joy, calm, and purpose. She knows her students as individuals and creates a nurturing environment where every learner is supported and challenged to grow academically, socially, and personally. Her flexibility, optimism, and commitment to meeting the needs of all students shine through in her daily work with students and colleagues.
Beyond the classroom, Mrs. Edwards is a trusted leader and generous teammate—co-founding the GES Kids News Program and leading the Goochland New Teacher Mentorship Program to support students and educators across the division.
Congratulations, Mrs. Edwards! 💙📚✨
Today we’re proud to celebrate Goochland Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Kelly Edwards!
Mrs. Edwards’ classroom is a place of joy, calm, and purpose. She knows her students as individuals and creates a nurturing environment where every learner is supported and challenged to grow academically, socially, and personally. Her flexibility, optimism, and commitment to meeting the needs of all students shine through in her daily work with students and colleagues.
Beyond the classroom, Mrs. Edwards is a trusted leader and generous teammate—co-founding the GES Kids News Program and leading the Goochland New Teacher Mentorship Program to support students and educators across the division.
Congratulations, Mrs. Edwards! 💙📚✨
🎉 Congratulations to our 2025–2026 Teachers of the Year! 🎉
We are incredibly proud to recognize these outstanding educators who inspire, challenge, and support our students every single day. Their dedication to teaching and learning strengthens our schools and our entire GCPS community.
🌟 Randolph Elementary – Mrs. Michelle Clark
🌟 Goochland Elementary – Mrs. Kelly Edwards
🌟 Byrd Elementary – Mrs. Holly Swift
🌟 Goochland Middle – Mrs. Molly Voss
🌟 Goochland High – Mr. Ryan Maloney
Please join us in celebrating these amazing teachers and the impact they make on the lives of our students! 🍎✨
We are incredibly proud to recognize these outstanding educators who inspire, challenge, and support our students every single day. Their dedication to teaching and learning strengthens our schools and our entire GCPS community.
🌟 Randolph Elementary – Mrs. Michelle Clark
🌟 Goochland Elementary – Mrs. Kelly Edwards
🌟 Byrd Elementary – Mrs. Holly Swift
🌟 Goochland Middle – Mrs. Molly Voss
🌟 Goochland High – Mr. Ryan Maloney
Please join us in celebrating these amazing teachers and the impact they make on the lives of our students! 🍎✨
🐾 It’s simply otter-standing!
Join us in celebrating GES Teacher of the Year, Kelly Edwards!
Her dedication, creativity, and big heart make our school a better place every single day.
We’re otter-ly grateful to have her guiding our students! 💙✨
Join us in celebrating GES Teacher of the Year, Kelly Edwards!
Her dedication, creativity, and big heart make our school a better place every single day.
We’re otter-ly grateful to have her guiding our students! 💙✨
This December, take an otterly delightful stroll through our StoryWalk featuring A World of Cookies for Santa by M.E. Furman! 🌍🎅
Follow Santa on a tasty trip around the globe as children everywhere prepare cookies (and other treats!) for his visit. From gingerbread to gingersnaps, discover how every country adds its own sprinkle of sweetness to the holiday season.
So bundle up, bring your family, and enjoy a festive outdoor story full of cookies, kindness, and Christmas cheer — we promise you’ll have an otterly good time! 🦦💫
Follow Santa on a tasty trip around the globe as children everywhere prepare cookies (and other treats!) for his visit. From gingerbread to gingersnaps, discover how every country adds its own sprinkle of sweetness to the holiday season.
So bundle up, bring your family, and enjoy a festive outdoor story full of cookies, kindness, and Christmas cheer — we promise you’ll have an otterly good time! 🦦💫
📅 School Board Meeting Rescheduled 📅
The School Board meeting originally scheduled for this week has been moved to Tuesday, December 16 at 5:00 p.m. We are starting earlier than usual to allow staff and families time to attend the Goochland High School Band Concert at 7:00 p.m. the same evening. We appreciate your flexibility and hope many of you will be able to join us for both the meeting and the performance. 🎶
The School Board meeting originally scheduled for this week has been moved to Tuesday, December 16 at 5:00 p.m. We are starting earlier than usual to allow staff and families time to attend the Goochland High School Band Concert at 7:00 p.m. the same evening. We appreciate your flexibility and hope many of you will be able to join us for both the meeting and the performance. 🎶
Due to the forecast for winter weather, Goochland County Public Schools will be closed tomorrow, December 8th. Current predictions indicate snowfall beginning in the early morning and continuing throughout the day, with the possibility of 1–2 inches or more, accompanied by temperatures that are expected to remain below freezing. These conditions may create hazardous travel for buses and drivers, and the safety of our students and staff is always our top priority.
All after-school and evening activities are also canceled. We encourage families to stay safe and warm and enjoy the snow day ahead. Thank you for your understanding and support!
All after-school and evening activities are also canceled. We encourage families to stay safe and warm and enjoy the snow day ahead. Thank you for your understanding and support!
The Goochland County School Board will hold its next regular meeting on December 9, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. at the Goochland County Administration Building (1800 Sandy Hook Road, Room 250). GCPS School Board agendas can be found here: https://glnd.community.highbond.com/Portal/
All are welcome to attend.
All are welcome to attend.
Due to the threat of inclement weather, including a forecast of 1–3 inches of snow in the morning along with freezing temperatures, we have made the decision to close schools tomorrow. The safety of our students and staff is always our top priority, and current weather predictions indicate potentially hazardous travel conditions during arrival hours.
All school-related activities, including after-school programs, will also be cancelled for Friday. At this time, Saturday events and activities will continue as scheduled. We will continue to monitor weather conditions and communicate promptly if additional cancellations or adjustments become necessary. We encourage families to stay safe, use caution if traveling, and enjoy the day at home.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
✨❄️ Goochland Elementary Shines! ❄️✨
Last night’s winter performance, “The Big Chill Adoption Day,” was an absolute hit! From the excitement backstage to the final bow, our GES students truly brought down the house.
Under the wonderful direction of music teacher Mrs. Kim Watts, students lit up the stage with their talent, teamwork, and big smiles.
We are so proud of their hard work and the magic they shared with our school community! 🎶
Last night’s winter performance, “The Big Chill Adoption Day,” was an absolute hit! From the excitement backstage to the final bow, our GES students truly brought down the house.
Under the wonderful direction of music teacher Mrs. Kim Watts, students lit up the stage with their talent, teamwork, and big smiles.
We are so proud of their hard work and the magic they shared with our school community! 🎶
🍏 Planning meals for the week? Don’t forget to peek at our cafeteria menu!
📲 https://schools.mealviewer.com/school/GoochlandElementarySchool
📲 https://schools.mealviewer.com/school/GoochlandElementarySchool
The GES PTA Spiritwear Sale is wrapping up soon — don’t miss your chance to grab some fresh Otter gear! 🦦✨
Shop all the fun choices here 👉 https://goochlandelementarypta.givebacks.com/shop?category=744bf8f6-9d06-44f2-90ae-0c5784849775
🎁 Spiritwear makes otter-tastic gifts! If it’s a surprise, be sure to select “Discreet Packaging.”
🗓️ All orders are due by Sunday, November 30!
Shop all the fun choices here 👉 https://goochlandelementarypta.givebacks.com/shop?category=744bf8f6-9d06-44f2-90ae-0c5784849775
🎁 Spiritwear makes otter-tastic gifts! If it’s a surprise, be sure to select “Discreet Packaging.”
🗓️ All orders are due by Sunday, November 30!
GCPS wishes everyone a warm and joyful Thanksgiving! 🧡
We are so incredibly grateful for our students who inspire us, our dedicated staff who give their best each day, and our supportive community that makes GCPS such a special place to learn and grow.
From our GCPS family to yours—Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🍁
We are so incredibly grateful for our students who inspire us, our dedicated staff who give their best each day, and our supportive community that makes GCPS such a special place to learn and grow.
From our GCPS family to yours—Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🍁
Last week, our fifth graders from RES, BES, and GES spent the day exploring the James River and learning what it means to be true watershed stewards! 🌊🌿
Students teamed up with educators from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to dive into hands-on science—testing water quality, examining river biodiversity, and playing interactive games to understand how our watershed works. They also hiked the river trail, packed donation items for Goochland Cares, and completed a nature scavenger hunt along the way.
It was an incredible day of learning, teamwork, and connecting our classroom science units to the real world💧📚✨
Students teamed up with educators from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to dive into hands-on science—testing water quality, examining river biodiversity, and playing interactive games to understand how our watershed works. They also hiked the river trail, packed donation items for Goochland Cares, and completed a nature scavenger hunt along the way.
It was an incredible day of learning, teamwork, and connecting our classroom science units to the real world💧📚✨
🐾📚 An Otterly Big Thank You! 📚🐾
Today our kindergarten Otters took their very first field trip to the Goochland Branch Library — and we are otterly excited to celebrate the launch of our “Otterly Excited to Read” program! 🦦✨
A HUGE thank you to the Goochland Education Foundation and the Friends of the Goochland Library for sponsoring this amazing experience through their generous grant and support. 💙
This partnership is helping us grow strong readers and connect our youngest learners with their public library in a meaningful (and magical) way.
Thank you for helping our Otters dive into reading! 🦦📘
