Dear NCPS Community,
All after-school activities are CANCELED for today, Thursday, March 12, due to the weather.
Also, the NMS Play will be rescheduled
Good Afternoon -
Click this link to access the Press Release from the 3/9/2026 School Board Meeting.
Did you know that students who take multiple years of fine arts in high school have lower rates of chronic absenteeism? When students find their creative voice, they find more reasons to show up and excel.
We want to extend our deepest appreciation to Northumberland's fine arts educators, Susan Lucas, Kimberly Farmer, Heather Cockrell, Justus Shafer, Katrina Perez, and Carolyn Conaway. Your commitment to providing best-in-class arts education is making a measurable difference in the lives of our students.
This month offers an opportunity to recognize the vital role fine arts programs play in Virginia’s comprehensive K-12 education system. Through fine arts instruction, students build a wide range of abilities, including critical thinking, creative problem-solving, effective communication, collaboration, cultural and historical understanding, and imaginative and flexible thinking.
Virginia prescribes Standards of Learning for K-12 instruction in all four fine arts disciplines of dance, music, theatre, and visual arts. Instructional resources and Instructional Guides are located on the VDOE Fine Arts section of the VDOE website. Those standards are currently in the seven-year review cycle and public comment is open to hear from citizens on how to improve the Standards for the future.
Each year, approximately two-thirds of Virginia students participate in at least one fine arts course. All elementary schools across the Commonwealth provide art and music, and these subjects continue to be offered in every middle and high school. Statewide enrollment is increasing in fine arts courses such as –
ceramics,
sculpture,
guitar,
songwriting,
music technology,
middle school chorus, band,
dance, and
musical and technical theatre.
Please join the VDOE in celebrating the power of the arts!
School Board Meeting - March 9, 2026
How: In-Person & Electronic Format
Where: Meeting Location: NMS & NHS auditorium, 201 Academic Lane, Heathsville, VA, 22473
Contact: Shelli Lipton, slipton@nucps.net.
The School Board will conduct a regular meeting at 6 PM located in the NMS & NHS auditorium,
201 Academic Lane, Heathsville, VA, 22473
The School Board will enter into a closed meeting at 4:30 PM after an affirmative recorded vote in an open meeting approving a motion that (i) identifies the subject matter, (ii) states the purpose of the meeting as authorized in subsection A of §2.2-3711 or other provision of law and (iii) cites the applicable exemption from open meeting requirements provided in subsection A of §2.2-3711 or other provision of law. The School Board will reconvene in an open meeting following guidelines set forth in §2.2-3712.
The meeting will be open to the public using the Zoom conference calling system or in-person. To join the School Board Meeting using the Zoom Conference Calling services the following information is needed:
To join by phone: Meeting ID 841 0250 3890; Passcode 722451 Zoom phone number: 1-929-205-6099 or 1-301-715-8592.
To join by computer: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84102503890?pwd=NGJWYk9hZVRWT0Z4WjZxV1YrTU9Mdz09
Meeting ID: 841 0250 3890 ; Passcode NCPS
Pursuant to §2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia, the School Board will conduct a closed session meeting for the following purpose(s):
Personnel Matters involving hiring authorized by Section 2.2-3711(A)(1) of the Code of Virginia;
Student Matters involving discipline authorized by Section 2.2-3711(A)(2) of the Code of Virginia;
Legal matters involving negotiated contracts by Section 2.2-3711(A)(8) of the Code of Virginia.
Attention Families,
Pre-K and Kindergarten registration is now OPEN for the 26-27 School Year! In-person registration will take place at NES on Thursday, March 19th from 3:30-6 pm. Please make your friends, neighbors, and family members aware of this event.
You use the link below for the Registration Flyer and Registration Document on the NES website. Please contact Teresa Kenney or Haley Deih for any questions. 804-580-8032
https://tinyurl.com/4m8f2fma
Forward Together — even on a Snow Day!
Frank the Cat wants to see your snow-day creativity!
All staff, students, and families are invited to join the NCPS Snowman Challenge.
🏆 How to Participate:
Build your best snowman (or snow creation!)
Dress it up in green & gold OR show your school spirit
Take a picture 📸
Email your photo to: snowdaypics@nucps.net
Include:
Your name
School or department
Snowman’s name (optional but FUN!)
📱 Want to be featured?
Photos will be shared on the NCPS social media pages so we can celebrate our division’s creativity together!
⭐ Challenge Categories:
Most Creative
Best School Spirit 💚💛
Funniest Snowman 😂
Frank the Cat’s Favorite 🐾
Tiny but Mighty (smallest snow creation)
Snow Family Award
⏰ Submission Deadline: Tomorrow, February 24, 2026 at 6pm.
Winners will receive: 🎉 Bragging rights
🎉 NCPS shout-outs
🎉 A special “Frank the Cat Approved” feature!
No need to wait for the morning report—the snow is coming down fast and furious, and Frank says that’s definitely not the kind of "zoomies" we want on the roads tomorrow!
To keep all our kittens and humans safe, Northumberland County Public Schools will be CLOSED tomorrow, February 23.
Frank suggests you follow his lead: find a warm sunny spot (or a cozy blanket), stay off the icy paws-ways, and enjoy the day off!
Stay warm and stay safe, Indians!
With the threat of impending weather this weekend, we want to inform you of our plan!
IF we are out on Monday, February 23rd, this would be used as a traditional snow day.
IF we are out additional days, these will be remote learning days and students will complete the work that is being sent home today from their teachers.
While we are planning ahead, we will communicate further IF any closures or delays will be needed. Thank you!
Click the link below to access the February 9, 2026 Press release:
https://aptg.co/jKJbNf
School Board Meeting
Monday, February 9, 2026
How? In-Person & Electronic Format
Where? Meeting Location: NMS & NHS auditorium, 201 Academic Lane, Heathsville, VA, 22473
Contact: Shelli Lipton, slipton@nucps.net
Questions? Dial (804) 580-5753, extension 4001
The School Board will conduct a regular meeting at 6 PM located in the
NMS & NHS auditorium, 201 Academic Lane, Heathsville, VA, 22473.
The School Board will enter into a closed meeting at 4:30 PM after an affirmative recorded vote in an open meeting approving a motion that (i) identifies the subject matter, (ii) states the purpose of the meeting as authorized in subsection A of 2.2-3711 or other provision of law and (iii) cites the applicable exemption from open meeting requirements provided in subsection A of 2.2-3711 or other provision of law. The School Board will reconvene in an open meeting following guidelines set forth in 2.2-3712.
The meeting will be open to the public using the Zoom conference calling system or in-person.
To join the School Board Meeting using the Zoom Conference Calling services the following information is needed:
To join by phone: Meeting ID 841 0250 3890; Passcode 722451 Zoom phone number: 1-929-205-6099 or
1-301-715-8592.
To join by computer:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83431803235?pwd=b01ZVENGeHJlU3U0Si83bGZNUS9mZz09
Meeting ID: 841 0250 3890 ; Passcode NCPS
Pursuant to 2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia, the School Board will conduct a closed session meeting for the following purpose(s):
Personnel Matters involving hiring authorized by Section 2.2-3711(A)(1) of the Code of Virginia;
Student Matters involving discipline authorized by Section 2.2-3711(A)(2) of the Code of Virginia;
Legal matters involving negotiated contracts by Section 2.2-3711(A)(8) of the Code of Virginia.
🐾❄️ Snowfall Prediction Challenge Winners Recognized! ❄️🐾
Yesterday, we were excited to recognize the winners of our Snowfall Prediction Challenge, led by none other than Frank the Snowshoe Cat! 🐱☃️
👏 Congratulations to:
Alexis — NES
Paige — NMS
Each winner received a gift bag full of goodies as a thank-you for their awesome predictions and winter spirit! 🎁❄️
📏 The official snowfall total in the Town of Heathsville came in at 5 centimeters, measured before we were iced out. Frank says their guesses were purr-fectly on point! 🐾
Thanks to all our students who participated and helped make this snowy weekend extra fun. Stay warm, stay safe, and keep an eye out—Frank may be back with another challenge soon! ❄️🐱
The "Slow & Steady" Approach: Roads are still a bit "sketchy," so take your time. No need to audition for Fast & Furious:
Safety First: We’re letting the sun do the heavy lifting before we head out.
Buses and bells will be exactly two hours behind their normal schedule. See you (slightly later) tomorrow!
Frank the Cat has a message for our Northumberland County Public Schools family.
"I’ve been watching the ice from my favorite windowsill, and it still looks a bit too slippery for our buses and paws. Because of those icy conditions, schools will remain closed this Friday, January 30."
"We’re going to curl up, stay cozy, and try this again on Monday! Please stay safe, stay warm, and maybe find a nice sunny spot for a nap. See you soon!"
This is Frank the Cat calling with some important (and potentially cozy) news.
Since the roads are still looking more like a skating rink than a street, Northumberland County Public Schools will remain closed tomorrow, Thursday, January 29. It’s just too icy out there for buses, cars, and even four-wheel-drive paws.
Send pictures of your snowy adventures here: snowdaypics@nucps.net
I’ve checked the weather, and it’s much too slippery for paws or buses! Because of the ice and continued freezing temperatures, all schools will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, January 27.
Since it’s chilly outside, it’s a perfect day to stay in your pajamas and work on some at-home learning at your own pace. Make sure to save plenty of time for hot cocoa and snuggles!
Stay safe and stay cozy, Northumberland!
Attention Students, Staff, and Families,
It’s official: Mother Nature has turned the world into a giant, fluffy litter box, and it is simply too deep for tiny human feet. Therefore, Northumberland County Public Schools are officially CLOSED for Monday, January 26!
While you all are busy sleeping in or hunting for "cocoa," please be advised that I am still on the clock. I am currently stationed at the window—and occasionally the back porch—conducting rigorous Snow Accumulation Assessments.
Frank’s Current Field Report:
• Visual Inspection: Everything is very white.
• Depth Measurement: The snow is currently "three belly-floops" deep.
• Safety Status: I stepped in it once. It was cold. I have retreated to the radiator to process the data.
• Forecast: High probability of bird-watching and extended napping.
Please stay safe and warm, and get in some cat naps!
Hey Northumberland families!
Frank here, reporting live from Northumberland in my best green and gold gear. 🐾
The forecast is shifting fast, and I need your help! How many centimeters of snow will we get? Check your email for a link to submit your prediction.
• Predict: Send your guess in cm.
• Deadline: Saturday at 12:00 PM (noon).
Let’s see how your predictions stack up against the storm. Stay warm! 💚💛
