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Vol. 37, No. 5 | Richmond Suburban News | May 12, 2021
STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN
HCPS adds another guest for 2021 commencement Staff Report news@mechlocal.com ASHLAND – Hanover County Public Schools, in its ongoing efforts to provide memorable – and safe – commencement ceremonies, Dr. Michael Gill, superintendent, announced that the number of guests being allowed to attend graduation is now four. “Due to a change in state guidelines, we will GILL
now be able to accommodate up to four guests per graduate at our ceremonies at the Meadow Event Park on Friday, June 18, and Saturday, June 19,” he said. “This is an increase from the initial three-guest limit.” The ceremonies will still be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person. Students will sit in a pod with their guests, and each pod will be spaced 6 feet apart. “We are delighted that we will be able to safely accommodate more guests as we make graduation the joyful celebration our seniors truly deserve. Additional details will be shared by your student’s home school next week,” Gill added. Joining in planning for the Class of 2021 are: Jennifer Greif, assistant superintendent of
Mechanicsville High School: 9 a.m. Friday, June 18 Hanover High School: 2:30 p.m. Friday, June 18 Patrick Henry High School: 9 a.m. Saturday, June 19 Atlee High School: 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 19
Metro Creative Connection
Instructional Leadership; Dr. Robert Staley, director of Secondary Education; Dr. John Wheeler, principal, Atlee High School; Kristina Reece, principal, Hanover High School; Charles Stevens, principal, Mechanicsville High School; and Christopher Martinez, principal, Patrick Henry High School.
Scholarships will be provided despite cancellation of Strawberry Faire Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com ASHLAND -- Every year, the Ashland Strawberry Faire offers 10 scholarships to Hanover County Public Schools students and one Randolph-Macon College student. The Faire committee is proud to have distributed $6,000 in scholarship funds last year, despite not holding the Faire. This was made possible due to the generous donations from vendors, sponsors, and the Faire committee itself. “We have canceled the Faire for the second time due to the pandemic, but we are determined to provide scholarships to Hanover County Public High Schools and Randolph-Macon College again,” Sharon Chidsey, board president, said.
Since the Faire committee cannot tap into general funds, the group is trying to raise money the old-fashioned way. The Faire is hosting a variety of family-friendly activities such as a walking competition, coloring contest, restaurant CHIDSEY competition, strawberry sales, raffle and a celebration on June 12.
Berry Walk The Berry Walk is a walking competition
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for all ages. Each participant will receive an Ashland Strawberry Faire t-shirt. Walking packets may be picked up from 12 to 4 p.m. on May 29 at Carter Park Pool in Ashland. Winners in various categories will receive prizes.
Flat Stella Contest Remember the “Flat Stanley” Contest? Flat Stanley is a traveling contest where kids decorate a pre-drawn figure (Stanley), and take him on fun adventures, snapping a picture with him on their travels. The Faire’s version is “Flat Stella!” see FAIRE, pg. 4
Brown named deputy county administrator HANOVER -- County Administrator John A. Budesky recently announced the appointment of Jay A. Brown Ph.D., as deputy county administrator for Administrative Services effective June 16. Dr. Brown has been the director of the Department of Budget and Strategic Planning for the City of Richmond since 2014. “Dr. Brown has nearly 18 years of strong leadership experience in budget, finance and strategic planning in local government,” said Budesky, who chose Brown from a field of about 65 applicants. “He has comprehensive experience supervising staff and developing strong, collabBROWN orative relationships with administration, elected officials, regional local government partners, other departments and citizens. He also is a team player who is customer focused and is very familiar with Hanover County. We are very excited to have Jay join our team.” As the director of the Department of Budget and Strategic Planning for the city, Dr. Brown was responsible for developing an annual $2 billion, total municipal budget and an operating budget of $782 million. He also was responsible for the development and management of the city’s Strategic Planning process, including the continued oversight of Richmond’s results oriented, strategic planning/performance management program. Brown has over 18 years of progressively responsible experience in public administration. He was deputy director of the Department of Budget and Strategic Planning for the city from 2010-2013. see BROWN, pg. 4