🦦 OTTERLY IMPORTANT: Know Before You Go! 🦦
🎉🎂 Can we celebrate birthdays at school?
Absolutely! We love celebrating our Otters on their special day! 🥳
If you’d like to send something in to celebrate, you are welcome to send non-food items such as:
✏️ Pencils
⭐ Stickers
🎈 Other small, non-food treats
🚫 Please remember: No food or candy is allowed to be shared with students.
Thank you for helping us make birthdays special, safe, and Otterly Amazing! 🦦🎉✨
🎉🎂 Can we celebrate birthdays at school?
Absolutely! We love celebrating our Otters on their special day! 🥳
If you’d like to send something in to celebrate, you are welcome to send non-food items such as:
✏️ Pencils
⭐ Stickers
🎈 Other small, non-food treats
🚫 Please remember: No food or candy is allowed to be shared with students.
Thank you for helping us make birthdays special, safe, and Otterly Amazing! 🦦🎉✨
🦦 OTTERLY IMPORTANT: Know Before You Go! 🦦
🚗🚌 My Otter has a transportation change—what should I do?
If your student needs to go home a different way than usual:
📝 Complete the GES Switching Streams Form before 12:00 Noon:
👉 https://tinyurl.com/SwitchingStreams
📨 Once you submit the form, all required parties will be notified of the transportation change.
📞 There is no need to call the office—the Switching Streams Form takes care of the notification!
📌 Save this post and bookmark the link so it’s easy to find when plans change.
Keep following along for more helpful FAQs as we prepare for an Otterly Amazing school year! 🦦✨
🚗🚌 My Otter has a transportation change—what should I do?
If your student needs to go home a different way than usual:
📝 Complete the GES Switching Streams Form before 12:00 Noon:
👉 https://tinyurl.com/SwitchingStreams
📨 Once you submit the form, all required parties will be notified of the transportation change.
📞 There is no need to call the office—the Switching Streams Form takes care of the notification!
📌 Save this post and bookmark the link so it’s easy to find when plans change.
Keep following along for more helpful FAQs as we prepare for an Otterly Amazing school year! 🦦✨
🦦 OTTERLY IMPORTANT: Know Before You Go! 🦦
🚗🚌 My Otter has a transportation change—what should I do?
If your student needs to go home a different way than usual:
📝 Complete the GES Switching Streams Form before 12:00 Noon:
👉 https://tinyurl.com/SwitchingStreams
📨 Once you submit the form, all required parties will be notified of the transportation change.
📞 There is no need to call the office—the Switching Streams Form takes care of the notification!
📌 Save this post and bookmark the link so it’s easy to find when plans change.
Keep following along for more helpful FAQs as we prepare for an Otterly Amazing school year! 🦦✨
🚗🚌 My Otter has a transportation change—what should I do?
If your student needs to go home a different way than usual:
📝 Complete the GES Switching Streams Form before 12:00 Noon:
👉 https://tinyurl.com/SwitchingStreams
📨 Once you submit the form, all required parties will be notified of the transportation change.
📞 There is no need to call the office—the Switching Streams Form takes care of the notification!
📌 Save this post and bookmark the link so it’s easy to find when plans change.
Keep following along for more helpful FAQs as we prepare for an Otterly Amazing school year! 🦦✨
🎉 What an incredible way to kick off the 2026–2027 school year! Yesterday, we brought together almost 500 GCPS staff members for our annual opening Convocation ceremony.
From an uplifting welcome by Dr. Armstrong to a spirited, GCPS-style game of The Price is Right, the energy was through the roof! We were blown away by our talented GHS marching band, who brought the hype to celebrate our incredible team. 🎷🥁
A true highlight of the day was recognizing our dedicated staff—honoring milestones from 5 all the way up to 40 years of service! We are so grateful for the heart, loyalty, and passion our team brings to Goochland County Public Schools every single day♥
From an uplifting welcome by Dr. Armstrong to a spirited, GCPS-style game of The Price is Right, the energy was through the roof! We were blown away by our talented GHS marching band, who brought the hype to celebrate our incredible team. 🎷🥁
A true highlight of the day was recognizing our dedicated staff—honoring milestones from 5 all the way up to 40 years of service! We are so grateful for the heart, loyalty, and passion our team brings to Goochland County Public Schools every single day♥
🦦 OTTERLY IMPORTANT: Know Before You Go! 🦦
❓ My Otter is absent—what should I do?
If your student will be absent from school:
📝 Complete the GES Absent Otter Form before 9:30 AM:
👉 https://tinyurl.com/AbsentOtter
🩺 If your student visited a doctor, please send the doctor’s note with them when they return to school.
📞 There is no need to call the office to report the absence—just complete the online form!
📌 Save this post and the link so you’ll have it handy when you need it.
Keep following along for more helpful FAQs as we get ready for an Otterly Amazing school year! 🦦
❓ My Otter is absent—what should I do?
If your student will be absent from school:
📝 Complete the GES Absent Otter Form before 9:30 AM:
👉 https://tinyurl.com/AbsentOtter
🩺 If your student visited a doctor, please send the doctor’s note with them when they return to school.
📞 There is no need to call the office to report the absence—just complete the online form!
📌 Save this post and the link so you’ll have it handy when you need it.
Keep following along for more helpful FAQs as we get ready for an Otterly Amazing school year! 🦦
🦦 OTTERLY IMPORTANT: Know Before You Go! 🦦
⏰ What time does school start and end?
🌅 Morning Drop-Off: 7:40–7:55 AM
🎒 Please plan to have your student at school on time and ready for a great day!
🔔 Dismissal: 2:30 PM
Save these times, set those alarms, and get ready for an Otterly Amazing school year! 🦦✨
📌 Follow along over the next few days as we answer more frequently asked questions to help everyone start the year prepared!
⏰ What time does school start and end?
🌅 Morning Drop-Off: 7:40–7:55 AM
🎒 Please plan to have your student at school on time and ready for a great day!
🔔 Dismissal: 2:30 PM
Save these times, set those alarms, and get ready for an Otterly Amazing school year! 🦦✨
📌 Follow along over the next few days as we answer more frequently asked questions to help everyone start the year prepared!
The Goochland County School Board will hold a School Board meeting on August 11, 2026 at the Goochland County Administration Building. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. GCPS School Board agendas can be found here: https://glnd.community.highbond.com/Portal/
All are welcome to attend.
All are welcome to attend.
19 new reasons to be excited for the upcoming school year! 🍎✨
This week at New Teacher Academy, 19 new teachers are officially joining our Goochland County Public Schools family!
From exploring GCPS instructional philosophy to collaborating with our dedicated teacher support coaches and meeting their mentors, this whole week is about building a strong foundation so our teachers feel supported, connected, and ready to lead.
We can't wait to see the positive impact these educators will have on our students this year. Please join us in giving our newest GCPS team members a warm Goochland welcome!
This week at New Teacher Academy, 19 new teachers are officially joining our Goochland County Public Schools family!
From exploring GCPS instructional philosophy to collaborating with our dedicated teacher support coaches and meeting their mentors, this whole week is about building a strong foundation so our teachers feel supported, connected, and ready to lead.
We can't wait to see the positive impact these educators will have on our students this year. Please join us in giving our newest GCPS team members a warm Goochland welcome!
The Goochland County School Board will hold a work session and regular meeting on July 14, 2026 at Goochland Elementary School. The meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. GCPS School Board agendas can be found here: https://glnd.community.highbond.com/Portal/
All are welcome to attend.
All are welcome to attend.
📅 SAVE THE DATE: Back to School Night! 📅
Mark your calendars for Thursday, August 13, 2026! We are already gearing up for an incredible 2026-2027 school year, and we can't wait to welcome our students, staff, and families back together. 🎒✨
Keep an eye on your inbox in the coming weeks—your child’s principal will be sharing specific times and details for your school soon! 📩
Enjoy the rest of your summer, and we’ll see you there! 👋❤️
Mark your calendars for Thursday, August 13, 2026! We are already gearing up for an incredible 2026-2027 school year, and we can't wait to welcome our students, staff, and families back together. 🎒✨
Keep an eye on your inbox in the coming weeks—your child’s principal will be sharing specific times and details for your school soon! 📩
Enjoy the rest of your summer, and we’ll see you there! 👋❤️
🎶 WE ARE HIRING! 🐾 Goochland Elementary School is looking for a passionate, energetic Full-Time Elementary Music Teacher to join our River Otter family!
Apply at: https://www.applitrack.com/glnd/onlineapp/
🎨🕺 Art, Dance, and New Friendships! 💃🖌️
Our recent Fine Arts Camp at Goochland Middle School was an absolute blast! Our classrooms were bursting with energy and creativity as students from all three of our elementary schools came together for a week of incredible collaboration.
From exploring 3D Art to trying out everything from pop, ballet, and modern dance to folk dance, our young artists brought so much joy and enthusiasm every single day. 🌟
The best part? Watching students connect, collaborate, and build new friendships across school communities during our morning and afternoon group games. It’s amazing to see what happens when our GCPS family creates together!
Our recent Fine Arts Camp at Goochland Middle School was an absolute blast! Our classrooms were bursting with energy and creativity as students from all three of our elementary schools came together for a week of incredible collaboration.
From exploring 3D Art to trying out everything from pop, ballet, and modern dance to folk dance, our young artists brought so much joy and enthusiasm every single day. 🌟
The best part? Watching students connect, collaborate, and build new friendships across school communities during our morning and afternoon group games. It’s amazing to see what happens when our GCPS family creates together!
🤖⚙️ Building future innovators—together!
Last week, our students had an incredible time connecting, collaborating, and creating at Robotics Camp! Over four action-packed days, 11 of our brilliant young learners teamed up to build custom robots completely from scratch. Their specific challenge: designing a bot capable of collecting and depositing "pollen" (plastic balls) for a high-energy, tournament-style competition!
Divided into three teams, the students leaned on one another for creative problem-solving—scavenging for parts and figuring out exactly where to mount the computerized "control hub" brains. We were so proud to see them handle the inevitable frustrations of rebuilding and debugging software with patience and positivity!
Last week, our students had an incredible time connecting, collaborating, and creating at Robotics Camp! Over four action-packed days, 11 of our brilliant young learners teamed up to build custom robots completely from scratch. Their specific challenge: designing a bot capable of collecting and depositing "pollen" (plastic balls) for a high-energy, tournament-style competition!
Divided into three teams, the students leaned on one another for creative problem-solving—scavenging for parts and figuring out exactly where to mount the computerized "control hub" brains. We were so proud to see them handle the inevitable frustrations of rebuilding and debugging software with patience and positivity!
Goochland Girls Basketball is hosting a Youth Basketball Camp for Girls Ages 8-13. Camp will be hosted by the GHS Girls Basketball Staff and Players.
Participants will enjoy Skill Work, Drills, Games, Competitions, & Prizes!
Dates: June 15-19, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day
Location: Goochland High School
Cost: $150 per player
Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd_-zBz_qXWcFwMbsDIvAw3H8cEQ92WG5N6sL9LpgUmKDpk0w/viewform
Payment can be made online using Goochland OSP, select Basketball Girls 9-1 Camp. https://osp.osmsinc.com/p/AQ012-613
If enrolling multiple campers, please complete a separate form for each child. If you have any issues with registration, contact Coach Warren A. Kempf (wkempf@glnd.k12.va.us).
Participants will enjoy Skill Work, Drills, Games, Competitions, & Prizes!
Dates: June 15-19, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day
Location: Goochland High School
Cost: $150 per player
Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd_-zBz_qXWcFwMbsDIvAw3H8cEQ92WG5N6sL9LpgUmKDpk0w/viewform
Payment can be made online using Goochland OSP, select Basketball Girls 9-1 Camp. https://osp.osmsinc.com/p/AQ012-613
If enrolling multiple campers, please complete a separate form for each child. If you have any issues with registration, contact Coach Warren A. Kempf (wkempf@glnd.k12.va.us).
🌱🚜 Learning and growing together in Goochland! ✨
Last month, our third graders from all three of our elementary schools traveled to Shalom Farms for a vibrant, hands-on outdoor classroom experience that brought their Science SOLs to life.
From exploring plant anatomy (and tasting fresh produce!) to investigating the water cycle and erosion, our students were true scientists. The collaboration didn't stop there—our third graders rotated through stations led by talented GCPS fifth-grade teachers, built LEGO pollination models with specialists from the Children's Museum, and even created seed packets to donate back to future community gardening projects! 🤝❤️
This amazing day of community, connectedness, and discovery was made possible by the Goochland Education Foundation (GEF) through the STEM in Nature grant. We are so grateful for their support and the dedication of our administrators and staff who build these meaningful learning experiences.
Last month, our third graders from all three of our elementary schools traveled to Shalom Farms for a vibrant, hands-on outdoor classroom experience that brought their Science SOLs to life.
From exploring plant anatomy (and tasting fresh produce!) to investigating the water cycle and erosion, our students were true scientists. The collaboration didn't stop there—our third graders rotated through stations led by talented GCPS fifth-grade teachers, built LEGO pollination models with specialists from the Children's Museum, and even created seed packets to donate back to future community gardening projects! 🤝❤️
This amazing day of community, connectedness, and discovery was made possible by the Goochland Education Foundation (GEF) through the STEM in Nature grant. We are so grateful for their support and the dedication of our administrators and staff who build these meaningful learning experiences.
☀️ School's OUT for the summer! ☀️
We couldn’t let the 2025-2026 school year end without a massive THANK YOU to our entire GCPS community!
❤️ To our wonderful parents and guardians: Your partnership, trust, and daily involvement make everything we do possible. You are our truest partners in education.
🍎 To our incredible staff and educators: Thank you for your passion, your dedication, and for pouring your hearts into our students every single day. You make Goochland shine!
🤝 To the Goochland community: Your continued support and resources ensure our schools remain vibrant, safe places for our kids to learn and grow.
This year was a true success because of YOU! We hope you have a wonderful, safe, and relaxing summer. You've earned it!
We couldn’t let the 2025-2026 school year end without a massive THANK YOU to our entire GCPS community!
❤️ To our wonderful parents and guardians: Your partnership, trust, and daily involvement make everything we do possible. You are our truest partners in education.
🍎 To our incredible staff and educators: Thank you for your passion, your dedication, and for pouring your hearts into our students every single day. You make Goochland shine!
🤝 To the Goochland community: Your continued support and resources ensure our schools remain vibrant, safe places for our kids to learn and grow.
This year was a true success because of YOU! We hope you have a wonderful, safe, and relaxing summer. You've earned it!
🎭🌟 Who's got talent? GES River Otters do! 🌟🎭
Join us as our amazing students take the stage to showcase their talents, creativity, and hard work. We can't wait to celebrate their performances with our school community!
📺 Tune in to our livestream here: https://www.youtube.com/live/5bZWatMnJXw
Go River Otters! 🦦💙
Join us as our amazing students take the stage to showcase their talents, creativity, and hard work. We can't wait to celebrate their performances with our school community!
📺 Tune in to our livestream here: https://www.youtube.com/live/5bZWatMnJXw
Go River Otters! 🦦💙
📣 Reminder: Tomorrow is an Early Release Day and the last day of school!
All buses will pull out at 12:30 p.m. Please make sure to arrive at your child’s bus stop a few minutes early. We also encourage families to reach out to their childcare provider to confirm plans for student pickup and care tomorrow afternoon.
We hope everyone has a safe, fun, and relaxing summer! ☀️
🎓✨ Next stop: Middle School! ✨🎓
Yesterday, our Randolph Elementary School Roadrunners marked an incredible milestone at their 5th Grade Moving-On Ceremony! 🌟 Before the big event, the entire school lined the hallways to cheer, high-five, and congratulate our oldest students in a deeply moving send-off. From their first days of elementary school to becoming leaders on campus, we are so incredibly proud of the hard work and kindness these students have shown.
A huge thank you to our amazing Randolph teachers, staff, and families who have supported and guided these scholars every step of the way. It truly takes a village, and our Goochland community is second to none! 💚💛
Yesterday, our Randolph Elementary School Roadrunners marked an incredible milestone at their 5th Grade Moving-On Ceremony! 🌟 Before the big event, the entire school lined the hallways to cheer, high-five, and congratulate our oldest students in a deeply moving send-off. From their first days of elementary school to becoming leaders on campus, we are so incredibly proud of the hard work and kindness these students have shown.
A huge thank you to our amazing Randolph teachers, staff, and families who have supported and guided these scholars every step of the way. It truly takes a village, and our Goochland community is second to none! 💚💛
Moving on and moving up! 🎓🦦 We kicked off our fifth grade ceremonies with Goochland Elementary!
This amazing group of students actually started their journey as GES Lions before transitioning into Otters when the new school opened. Talk about a historic journey! No matter the mascot, their dedication to excellence and community has stayed exactly the same. We couldn’t be prouder of these future middle schoolers! 🌟
This amazing group of students actually started their journey as GES Lions before transitioning into Otters when the new school opened. Talk about a historic journey! No matter the mascot, their dedication to excellence and community has stayed exactly the same. We couldn’t be prouder of these future middle schoolers! 🌟
