Henrico Schools’ Bridge Builders Academy plans family workshops

Henrico County Public Schools’ Bridge Builders Academy workshop series will host four virtual sessions in the coming weeks, including one April 20.

Programs in the series are designed to provide stakeholders with information while developing connections among families, the community and the school division.

Each of the workshops in the series represent one of four “learning strands,” or categories:
• Beyond the Classroom;
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion;
• Exceptional Education;
• and Information, Access and Opportunities.

All spring Bridge Builders Academy workshops are virtual, and students, staff and members of the public can participate using Microsoft Teams. More information about the workshops, as well as instructions and links for participating, are at the Bridge Builders Academy webpage at https://henricoschools.us/bridgebuildersacademy. Many workshops are recorded for later viewing.

Upcoming sessions include:

• ESL Family Information Session, April 20. Spanish at 4 p.m., Arabic at 5 p.m. (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) – Get the latest important information for HCPS families about Summer Academy, pre-K and kindergarten registration. Presenters include Sarah Modrak, HCPS Welcome Center; and Alexis Simms, HCPS Family and Educator Resource Center.

• My Number Senses Are Tingling, April 26 at 6 p.m. (Beyond the Classroom) – Join Mathnasium for a discussion about the impact of early-age numerical fluency and number sense on success in mathematics, from kindergarten through Algebra I. The presenter will be Billy Rothert, Mathnasium of Tuckahoe.

• Youth Mental Health during Covid 19: Guidance for Caregivers, May 10 at 6 p.m. (Beyond the Classroom) – Are you familiar with the difference between normal emotions and clinical anxiety? The session will address ways to support youngsters at home who may be experiencing mental health challenges. The presenter will be Dr. Bela Sood, Virginia Commonwealth University and Children’s Hospital of Richmond.

• Postsecondary Transition Planning, May 18 at 6 p.m. (Exceptional Education) – This session will help provide details about planning for the next steps after high school with information for HCPS’ ExEd families. The presenters will be Kathryn Costley, Rebecca Wood and Margaret Walsh, of the HCPS Exceptional Education Department.

The session held April 13, “Building, Accessing and Maintaining Credit,” with Osamase Ekhator of Citizens Bank, was recorded and is available to view at https://youtu.be/neiLqbDfIQU.

The sessions are moderated by the HCPS Department of Family and Community Engagement, in conjunction with the session hosts. Questions about workshops may be directed to ansimms@henrico.k12.va.us