REAL Talk, Springer Family Newsletter, Week of 11/2/26
Good afternoon, Springer Families! It’s been a wonderful, fun-filled October! As we embark upon November and the winter holidays, we acknowledge that some of our families may need some assistance to feel the holiday cheer. Please see the ways below that HCPS, our PTA, and our school community are looking to support.
SCA Canned Food Drive:
Please help us to support Henrico Christmas Mother by donating canned goods and other non-perishable food items to help families in need for the upcoming holiday season! Collection will begin on November 4 and end on November 16th. The grade with the most cans will be crowned turkey kings and queens! Last year, we collected 2,104 food items. Let's set a new record!
Springer Giving Tree: Holiday Gift Support?
Please submit this Google Form if you would like gift assistance during this holiday season. This is due by 11/13/26, 11:59 pm so that we may work with the PTA to determine support we may be able to provide from our community. Only I am privy to the information provided in this form. The giving tree itself will be anonymous.
Fall Food Distribution:
The HCPS Division of Family and Community Engagement (FACE) is partnering with the
Henrico Community Food Bank to host a Fall Food Distribution to support families ahead of the
Thanksgiving holiday.
On Saturday, Nov. 21, 500 bags of shelf-stable food will be distributed on a first-come,
first-served basis at the Henrico Community Food Bank. To support a smooth and efficient
distribution process, recipients will remain in their cars in a drive-through line. Families do not
need to register in advance.
When: Saturday, Nov. 21, 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Where: Henrico Community Food Bank, 2401 Hartman St. – Pickup at the Bus Loop area
Family Life, Grades 4 & 5, 12/4/26:
Henrico County Public Schools’ Health curriculum contains age-appropriate Family Life Education (FLE) objectives and activities that are used to promote health literacy, healthy lifestyles and relationships. During the 2026-27 school year, HCPS family life educators and/or allied health professionals will present grade-specific FLE content to students in small groups based on grade and gender.
In HCPS, the decision for students to participate in the family life portion of the Health curriculum is left to the parent or guardian. Parents and guardians have the right to review the family life education program content, including written and audiovisual educational materials that will be used.
Families may review the FLE objectives by grade level, submit requests to review the materials, and find the Opt-out form on the HCPS Family Life Education webpage at: https://www.henricoschools.us/page/family-life-education/
Please also review the Prevention Project Caregiver Information Form by Freekind ®, a VDOE-approved secondary school curriculum that supports Virginia legislation (2020) to eradicate human trafficking.
If you decide to opt your child out of the FLE health curriculum, please complete the form and return it to your child’s teacher or school as soon as possible.
Thank you for entrusting HCPS as a partner in these conversations. We encourage you to talk with your child about these topics before and after they receive the information in school.
Gifted Referrals:
The gifted referral window will be open from Thursday, October 22, through Thursday, November 12, at 11:59 PM. During this time, students may be referred to the gifted identification process by an educator, parent/guardian, community member, peer, or self. By submitting a referral, you are requesting that your child be evaluated to determine eligibility for gifted services. To learn more about the gifted identification process, please click here: 26-27 Gifted Identification Information. To begin a referral, log in to PowerSchool and click on Forms. Follow this guide for instructions. Additional information about gifted programs can be found on our website: Henrico Schools Gifted Services Website
*Note: If your student is already identified in the area of General Intellectual Aptitude (both Language Arts and Math), the form will not appear in PowerSchool. Students who have been identified for gifted services maintain this status while enrolled in Henrico County Public Schools and do not need to be referred again.
Gifted referrals will not be accepted after Thursday, November 12. Contact your Gifted Identification Coordinator, Jehan Gabrual, (jmgabrual@henrico.k12.va.us) or Gifted Resource Teacher, Debbie Beam, (dubeam@henrico.k12.va.us) with questions.
Veterans’ Day Assembly, 11/11/26:
Please complete this Google form for us to honor you or a family member. Veterans who have completed this form are invited to the assembly in their honor on November 11, 2026, at 8:45 a.m.
Do you want Fall Pictures?
Still need to order pictures? The NEW Code Lookup Tool is now available. www.strawbridge.net/picture-day-lookup 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.*
Food Truck Friday, 11/6:
Use this link if you would like to order Con Salsa when you visit your child for lunch on Family Friday, 11/6. The form will stop taking responses on 11/2.
Upcoming Events
11/2 - Wellness Day, No School
11/3 - Student holiday, Teacher Professional Learning
11/9 - Student/Teacher Holiday
11/11 - Coffee with Cromartie, 7:45am; Veteran’s Day Assembly (3rd grade performs), 8:45am
11/12 - PTA Reflections Program, 6pm
11/16 - Fall Picture Make-up Day
11/24 - Springfield Park Turkey Trot
11/25-11/27 - Thanksgiving Holiday-School Closed
Let’s have a great week, Springer Nation!
With my WHOLE heart,
Elizabeth Cromartie, Proud Springer Principal