February is for Focus
As we enter a large stretch of uninterrupted (hopefully) learning days, it is important that our students remain focused on learning each and every day. With only two quarters left at school, we need them showing up ready to grow each day. A HUGE part of that is remembering to bring their device to school each day fully charged. With the recent shift in procedures within HCPS, students bring their devices to-and-from school daily in order to be prepared for potential remote learning days. Student devices are school property and should be used for learning opportunities at home, not personal free-play. It's vital that these devices are plugged in and returned to school charged the next day.
*Please do not have your students work in the iReady platform at home, as these minutes are capped for the week and should be completed while at school.
This week is National School Counseling Week! National School Counseling Week 2025 (#NSCW25) is Feb. 3-7, 2025, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems. National School Counseling Week, sponsored by ASCA, highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. National School Counseling Week is always celebrated the first full week in February. The 2025 theme is "School Counseling: Helping Students Thrive.” Thank you to our counselors, Emily Eckel and Jaela Harris, for all that you do!
Student Safety, Privacy, and Visitor Protocols
Please see the message below from HCPS, if you missed it last week:
We know families may have questions about student safety, privacy and visitor protocols, given national news regarding potential immigration enforcement on school campuses. Be assured, our schools remain safe communities of care for every student. We continue to follow all student privacy laws and safety protocols that protect our students while they are at school each day.
Our caring school-based teams stand ready, as they are each and every day, to partner with families in ensuring the safety and success of every student. We are grateful to be part of a strong community with numerous agencies and organizations that serve our students and families in many ways. For immigration-related community resources, please visit our website: https://www.henricoschools.us/page/immigration-resources-for-families
Thank you for being a valued part of the HCPS family.
Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars for the following at Donahoe:
Feb. 6: PTO Sneaker Ball, 5:00-7:00pm
Feb. 3-7: National School Counseling Week - Thank you Ms. Eckel and Ms. Harris!
Feb. 10: Family-to-Principal Advisory Group - 5:00pm in the Library - Open to ALL!
Feb 11: DES PTO Meeting, 6:00pm - Open to ALL PTO Members!
Feb. 10-14: VA Kindness Week - See spirit week flyer below
Feb. 13-14: Grade Level Awards - See schedule below
Feb. 17-18: NO SCHOOL
Feb. 27: "Living Museum" Family Night
HCPS Surveys - We need YOUR input!
Henrico Schools Survey 2025 (Feb. 3-28.): Each year, HCPS conducts a survey of families, staff members and students in grades 3-12 to see what we do well, how we can improve and to measure our progress on our goals. On Feb. 3, each student’s parents or guardians will receive a survey email from HCPS. The survey linked in the email will only take 15-20 minutes. The annual survey is conducted with the Institute for Collaborative Research and Evaluation, a research group affiliated with the VCU School of Education.
We appreciate your participation in this critical survey to set the course for HCPS and improve your public schools.
For questions, please contact the HCPS Department of Assessment, Research and Evaluation at 804-652-3830.
Picture Ordering - Make-Ups
Parents still need to order pictures? The NEW Code Lookup Tool is now available. You can simply scan the QR code and follow the directions to access your child's picture ordering gallery. No need to contact Customer Service for an access code! Student last name and Student ID number will be required for data security. If at any time you have questions about the Code Lookup or are having difficulty navigating the site, you can still reach out to the Customer Service team via the Live Chat on their website, www.strawbridge.net
Career Day is Coming!
Donahoe needs volunteers for Career Day 2025! This is a chance for students to learn about many careers and explore personal interests.There are two options available to participate:
Students in PreK-2 will have a "Touch a Truck" event. If you would like to bring a vehicle related to your career, students will rotate every 5-10 minute sections.
Students in 3-5 will have presenters in their classrooms. You will speak to children for 20 minute segments, where you would set up in one classroom and classes would rotate to you.
If you can join us Friday, March 21st from 8:00-10:00 am to speak to our students about your profession, please fill out THIS GOOGLE FORM before by Friday, February 21st.
Once you have completed the Google Form, please make sure you complete the online Volunteer Application. The online application can be found at this link: Online Volunteer Application.
Questions? Contact Emily Eckel or Jaela Harris.