On behalf of Hanover County Public Schools, welcome to the 2026-27 school year! I hope you and your family enjoyed a summer filled with rest, laughter, special moments, and opportunities to recharge for another exciting school year.
Throughout the summer, our dedicated team has been hard at work preparing our schools so they are ready for our students and staff. I am proud of their work in making our buildings safe, clean, and welcoming. Among those buildings are two replacement schools that we are deeply proud of and excited for our community to enjoy: Battlefield Park Elementary and Beaverdam Elementary. We held ribbon cutting ceremonies for the schools on August 18 and August 19, respectively, and they are truly state-of-the-art. Both schools will serve generations to come, and I can’t wait to see the exceptional learning and moments of joy that take place in these thoughtfully designed and constructed schools.
Speaking of joy, we loved seeing the positive influence of our kindness-themed activities, lessons, and celebrations last school year as part of our renewed emphasis on kindness across all of our schools. This important work will continue this school year and I am so excited to see how kindness will continue to be part of our foundation as a school division!
Of course, at the heart of what we do is the exceptional teaching and learning that takes place in our schools each and every day. That work is made possible by our talented educators and the dedicated faculty and staff who serve our students in countless ways. As we continue the important work of preparing every student for success, we will remain thoughtful and intentional about how we support instruction and how technology can best enhance the learning experience. We also recognize that navigating an increasingly digital world extends beyond the classroom, and we look forward to providing additional resources and support to help our parents and families reinforce healthy, responsible, and safe digital habits beyond our walls.
I once again invite you to partner with us in this life-changing work. Talk with your student about what they are learning, reinforce kindness at home, and help them develop healthy and responsible digital habits. Whether it is supporting our kindness and digital citizenship efforts, volunteering to assist young readers, becoming a Watch D.O.G. at your child’s school, or simply showing up for one of the hundreds of events held across our schools, your involvement makes a meaningful difference. We are deeply grateful for your partnership. Together, we can foster kindness, achieve at high levels, and prepare our students to thrive in all they do.
I hope you and your family have a wonderful school year!
Sincerely,
Dr. Lisa Pennycuff
Superintendent of Schools