| VISION At Elko Middle School, we are committed to soaring from good to great by cultivating a culture of educational excellence, innovation, and community engagement. Our vision is to empower ever student to reach their full potential—academically, socially, and personally. We will measure our success by: Sustaining full accreditation through rigorous academic achievement and continuous improvement. Expanding extracurricular opportunities that foster creativity, leadership, and collaboration. Building strong partnerships with local businesses, community organizations, staff and student learning and real-world MISSION Elko Middle School is committed to fostering a growth mindset by providing a high-quality education and data-driven instruction within a safe and inclusive environment. |
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THE THEME FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR: | MISSION imPOSSIBLE |
ACADEMICS | Eagles, Dear Elko Middle School Families, As we move into the final stretch of the school year, our focus at Elko remains centered on the "Eagle Excellence" your students demonstrate every day. We are now entering a critical season of academic reflection: the Standards of Learning (SOL) Assessments. Our testing window officially begins on April 28th. Building Stamina and Simulation This past week, our students successfully completed the Math Simulation. This exercise was more than just a practice test; it allowed us to mimic the actual testing environment. Students learned to navigate the testing software, manage their time, and practice the focus required for high-stakes assessments. This "dry run" is essential for reducing testing anxiety and building the academic stamina needed for success. The Importance of These Assessments It is important for both students and families to understand that these assessments are significant. Student performance on these tests is a key factor in: Grade Level Matriculation: Ensuring students have mastered the content necessary to move to the next grade. High School Credit: For our students in advanced courses, successful SOL completion is required for verified credits toward graduation. School Performance Ratings: These scores contribute to our school’s standing with both State and Federal Departments of Education. How You Can Partner With Us We need your support to ensure our students are in the best position to succeed. You can help by: Prioritizing Attendance: Ensure your student is at school every day, on time. Consistency in the classroom is the best preparation. Home Practice: Encourage your student to practice math and reading skills at home. Building skill fluency now helps them maintain focus during the longer testing sessions. Encouragement: Remind your student to simply "be their best and do their best." A positive mindset is often the greatest tool a student can bring to the testing room. We are incredibly proud of the hard work our students and teachers have put in this year. Let’s work together to finish the year strong and show the community the excellence that defines Elko Middle School. Go Eagles! |
HAPPY ASSOCIATE & ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS WEEK |
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SOL TESTING SCHEDULE |
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SCHOOL OPERATIONS ATTENDANCE UPDATES | If your student is absent, their absence needs to be reported within 48 hours. Absences can be reported by: Filling out the Elko Attendance Google Doc Emailing Mrs. Nolte: mlnolte@henrico.k12.va.us Sending a Parent Square message to Mrs. Nolte Sending a handwritten note with your student when they return to school Calling the school: 804-328-4110 ID Badges Please ensure that your students are wearing their ID badges every day. Students now need to scan their ID badges when they arrive to school late and when they have an early dismissal. Transportation/Bus Information If your student’s bus is running late in the morning, please call the Transportation Office at 804-261-9401. You can also download the Parent Portal Bus App to track the bus: https://www.henricoschools.us/page/parent-portal-bus-app Contacts/Pick-up Lists: Please make sure your student’s pick-up list is up to date by updating the Contacts listed in PowerSchool. You can do this by logging in to your Parent Portal account. Anyone coming to pick up a student for early dismissal MUST be listed in PowerSchool. If someone is not listed in PowerSchool, we will not be able to call the student down. EARLY DISMISSAL: The cut off time for early dismissals is 2:30 pm. REMINDER: |
ELKO PTA | PTA ANNOUCEMENT FORTHCOMING! Stay tuned!!! |
TECHNOLOGY |
At Elko, we are committed to helping our students become responsible digital leaders and master the durable skills they need for a balanced life. To support your family's digital journey, we are excited to share the Common Sense Media Family Tech Planner! This customizable tool is designed to help you and your student sit down and co-create a plan that works for your home. Use it to: Set Clear Boundaries: Decide on screen-free zones and "tech-free" times (like dinner or bedtime). Promote Well-being: Discuss how social media and gaming make us feel and set healthy limits. Stay Safe & Smart: Choose together which apps and games are a "go" for your family. Ready to build your plan? Download your personalized planner here! For more information or questions, please contact Innovative Learning Coach Mrs. Hyman at jdchyman@henrico.k12.va.us. |
DEPARTMENT UPDATES
| March 19th is the last day of the third nine-weeks. Make sure your student has completed all their work! 🏀 March Madness Attendance Challenge! 🏀 From March 16th–27th, all 3rd block classes will compete in our March Madness Attendance Bracket Challenge. The classes with the best attendance advance in the bracket! The bracket is sorted by grade level and the class with the best overall attendance will win lunch outside and a sweet treat. Show up, support your class, and help your grade level win the championship! The Counseling Team 6th Grade-Ms. Fish stfish@henrico.k12.va.us 7th Grade - Counselor Rawls glrawls@henrico.k12.va.us 8th Grade - Jennifer Bolding-jbolding@henrico.k12.va.us EL and last names A-B - Dr. Swingen: jkswingen@henrico.k12.va.us |
SPECIALITY CENTER INFORMATION | Click here to visit the HCPS Specialty Center website. |
EVENTS | HIGHLAND SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL @ 6PM
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COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES/ ELKO/SANDSTON COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES | HCPS OPPORTUNITY FEST 2026 The Division of Empowerment, Development, and Opportunity, in collaboration with the Division of Family and Community Engagement, is excited to announce the upcoming HCPS Opportunity Fest 2026, a resource fair aimed to provide students and families with meaningful resources and materials while promoting authentic learning opportunities and connectedness as we prepare for the summer break. The HPC Opportunity Fest supports the durable skills outlined in the Henrico Learning Profile, which is the shared vision for student success that emphasizes the development of essential life-ready skills and attributes: character, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creative thinking and citizenship. Event Information: ● Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026 ● Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM ● Location: Advanced Career Education Center (ACE) at Hermitage, 8350 Hermitage High Blvd., Henrico, VA 23228 Click here for more information regarding the AI Summer Camp. Click here for more information regarding a FREE Spirit of Baseball Camp. Click here for more information on the Kids Steam Festival event. |
2026 RICHMOND ACE ACADEMY | We are excited to announce that registration for the 2026 OBAP Richmond ACE Academy season is open! "ACE" stands for Aerospace Career Education. We would love to expose your middle and high school students to the many career paths in Aviation and Aerospace. This year's Richmond ACE Academy will be held June 29-July 3, 2026, and is sponsored by the Virginia Department of Aviation. Parent / Student orientation is June 28th. Share this amazing opportunity with the families in your network. Not sure how to register your student? Click here to watch a video on the event. Could you connect with the ACE team during ACE Office Hours each Tuesday and Thursday through June 3, 2026, from 1-2 PM EST? Join Zoom Meeting ID: 84844348000 Passcode: 558112 Click here to view an informational flyer. |
VOLUNTEER PROCESS
| If you would like to become a volunteer, please click here to complete the online volunteer/mentor application via the link below. https://elko.henricoschools.us/o/hcps/page/volunteers |
UPCOMING CALENDAR EVENTS | April 21st: Schools Closed May 25th: Schools Closed Memorial Day May 26th: SOAR Ceremony May 29th: Last Day of School |
ELKO ATHLETICS ELKO ATHLETICS DIRECTOR- Kendra Amis- kdamis@henrico.k12.va.us
| Elko Athletics Week at a Glance 4/13/26-4/17/26. |
RESOURCES SPOTLIGHT: ELKO & HCPS TOOLS FOR SUCCESS | |
ELKO ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM | Tyrus T. Lyles, Ed.D.-Principal-ttlyles@henrico.k12.va.us Taleesa Meeks- Associate Principal- tjmeeks@henrico.k12.va.us Corey Calder- Associate Principal- ctcalder@henrico.k12.va.us Akeela Tyson- Assistant Principal- altyson@henrico.k12.va.us Brandon Hardy- Assistant Principal- bahardy@henrico.k12.va.us Jennifer Jenkins-Administrative Aide- jrjenkin@henrico.k12.va.us Torre Siler-Administrative Aide- tsiler@hennco.k12.va.us Abby Thomas- Administrative Aide- arthomas@henrico.k12.va.us Frenchie Travis- Administrative Aide- fmtravis@henrico.k12.va.us Jocelyn Woodson- Administrative Aide-jrwoodson1@henrico.k12.va.us |
The Nest News-27th Edition- April 13-17, 2026
April 12, 2026
Building Healthy Digital Habits Together!
