Back-to-school with new changes for students in metro Richmond

Students head back to schoolPhoto byYouTube Screenshot

When students return to three of the four public schools in the metro Richmond area, they will find some changes that were not there when they left for summer vacation.

Expected changes

• clear backpacks
• no cellphones
• more weapons scanners
• mandatory IDs

ClassroomPhoto byNational Cancer InstituteonUnsplash

The three districts are making the following changes to create safer schools and a better learning environment.

Richmond

After at least two students took guns to school during the last school year, the Richmond Public School district is requiring clear backpacks for its 22,000 students this year.

To spare parents the burden of purchasing clear backpacks, the district collected the backpacks at a donation drive this month. Each school is tasked with distributing the backpacks to students.

Henrico

This month, the Henrico County district announced that its 50,000 students will pass through weapons scanners to enter school and be required to wear photo IDs they will get the first day of school.

Students will be required to wear the encrypted and scannable ID cards during the following times:

• the ride to school
• throughout the school day
• the ride home from school
• to check out library books
• to buy lunch from the cafeteria
• to purchase snacks from vending machines
• to attend after-school activities
• to attend sports games

Hanover

Hanover's 17,000 students will be cellphone free for the entire school day during school hours, including between classes and at lunch. Cellphones must be stored in backpacks and out of sight, with exceptions for instructional purposes or medical needs.

Hanover Public Schools adopted a clear bag policy for this school year, but only for after-school events and sports games.

Hanover will start the year with a new interim superintendent, Dr. Lisa Pennycuff, following the recent resignation of Dr. Michael Gill.

Chesterfield

There are no major changes for the 64,000 students in Chesterfield. However, the county is once again offering staggered start days to help younger students adjust to smaller school settings.

• Students in grades one through five, six, and nine start Monday.
• Seven and eight and 10-12 start Tuesday.
• Pre-K and Kindergarten start Monday or Wednesday.

Dr. John T. Murray has been appointed interim superintendent of Chesterfield County Public Schools, effective September 1, 2024, upon the retirement of Dr. Mervin B. Daugherty on August 31, 2024.