Members of Girls Who Code proudly wore their club swag at Meadville Elementary today! These future tech leaders are building skills, confidence, and creativity—one line of code at a time.
A big shoutout to Mrs. Elliott, the club facilitator, for inspiring our young coders to dream big and innovate boldly!
A big shoutout to Mrs. Elliott, the club facilitator, for inspiring our young coders to dream big and innovate boldly!
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The Pink Bus, a mobile cybersecurity classroom with interactive, game-based activities is visiting HCHS today. Students are learning about careers in cybersecurity. Come out this evening to the Night of Innovation to explore the Pink Bus! Food trucks will be onsite for attendees to purchase food and drinks. Doors open at 5:30 PM.
🎃 October Tech-Tip 🎃
Don’t Get Tricked by Digital Strangers!
The Tip:
🎃On Halloween, we enjoy spooky ghosts 👻—but online “ghost” friends can be a trick! If you don’t know someone in real life (at school, on your team, or in your neighborhood), don’t add or chat with them online. Even if they seem nice in a game 🎮, they are still a stranger.
Why it matters :
🎃Children often believe online interactions are safe, especially in games or kid-friendly platforms. However, people can pretend to be someone they’re not 🎭. Teaching kids early to recognize and avoid digital strangers builds lifelong online safety habits.
Pro Tip (Teach Your Child):
Share these simple “ghost-busting rules” 🛑👻:
Don’t share personal info (name, school, phone number) 🚫
Don’t move chats to other apps 📵
Don’t keep secrets from trusted adults 🤐➡️👨👩👧
If a “ghost” friend asks for any of these—tell an adult right away!
Parent Connection 🤝:
🎃Keep conversations open and judgment-free ❤️. Instead of asking “Are you talking to strangers?” try:
“Who did you play with today?” 🎮
“Do you know them from real life?” 🤔
🎃Many school ITRTs have read Chicken Clicking 🐔💻 with students. Ask your child what happened in the story and what the character learned about online strangers—it’s a great way to reinforce this lesson in a familiar, non-threatening way.
👉 Watch it together at home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSasSWwi5Tk
Try This at Home 🏠:
Do a quick “Ghost Check” together 👻:
Look at friends/followers lists 📲
Remove anyone not known in real life 🚫
Check game chat settings 🎮
Practice what to do: Ignore ➡️ Block ➡️ Tell ✋
💬Conversation Starter:
“If someone you didn’t know came up to you while trick-or-treating and asked personal questions, what would you do? The same rule applies online.” 🎃
Don’t Get Tricked by Digital Strangers!
The Tip:
🎃On Halloween, we enjoy spooky ghosts 👻—but online “ghost” friends can be a trick! If you don’t know someone in real life (at school, on your team, or in your neighborhood), don’t add or chat with them online. Even if they seem nice in a game 🎮, they are still a stranger.
Why it matters :
🎃Children often believe online interactions are safe, especially in games or kid-friendly platforms. However, people can pretend to be someone they’re not 🎭. Teaching kids early to recognize and avoid digital strangers builds lifelong online safety habits.
Pro Tip (Teach Your Child):
Share these simple “ghost-busting rules” 🛑👻:
Don’t share personal info (name, school, phone number) 🚫
Don’t move chats to other apps 📵
Don’t keep secrets from trusted adults 🤐➡️👨👩👧
If a “ghost” friend asks for any of these—tell an adult right away!
Parent Connection 🤝:
🎃Keep conversations open and judgment-free ❤️. Instead of asking “Are you talking to strangers?” try:
“Who did you play with today?” 🎮
“Do you know them from real life?” 🤔
🎃Many school ITRTs have read Chicken Clicking 🐔💻 with students. Ask your child what happened in the story and what the character learned about online strangers—it’s a great way to reinforce this lesson in a familiar, non-threatening way.
👉 Watch it together at home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSasSWwi5Tk
Try This at Home 🏠:
Do a quick “Ghost Check” together 👻:
Look at friends/followers lists 📲
Remove anyone not known in real life 🚫
Check game chat settings 🎮
Practice what to do: Ignore ➡️ Block ➡️ Tell ✋
💬Conversation Starter:
“If someone you didn’t know came up to you while trick-or-treating and asked personal questions, what would you do? The same rule applies online.” 🎃
As a reminder, Halifax County Public Schools will host a Night of Innovation tomorrow, Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at HCHS. Attendees will experience technology through interactive experiences, informational displays, and hands-on exploration. A general session on being kind online will be presented by the Halifax County Public Schools Instructional Technology Specialists. Attendees can also experience the Pink Bus, a mobile cybersecurity classroom with interactive, game-based activities.
The school with the greatest percentage of students in attendance will win a prize for the school.
Food trucks will be onsite for attendees to purchase food and drinks.
The doors and food trucks will open at 5:30 PM, and the general session will begin at 6:00 PM. All attendees should enter through the front door.
The Halifax County School Board will meet Thursday, October 8, 2026 at 6:00 PM in the auditorium at Halifax County High School. The open session of the meeting will also be available on YouTube at the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=winxY7LTVX8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=winxY7LTVX8
Exciting news...The Pink Bus will join us at at the Night of Innovation on October 6, 2026 at HCHS!
Food trucks will be on site for attendees to purchase food and drinks!
Mark your calendars! You don't want to miss this special event!
Food trucks will be on site for attendees to purchase food and drinks!
Mark your calendars! You don't want to miss this special event!
Interim reports for the first nine weeks are available for viewing on the Campus Portal. If you need assistance with the portal or need a paper copy of the report, please contact your child's school.
There will be a joint facilities meeting of the Halifax County School Board Facilities Committee and the Building and Grounds Committee on Friday, August 18, 2026 at 2:00 PM. The meeting will be held in the Superintendent’s Conference Room at Halifax County Middle School located at 1011 Middle School Circle, Suite 100 South Boston, VA 24592. Enter via Door O.
The open session of the meeting will also be available on YouTube at the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1LyJX3uSjk
The open session of the meeting will also be available on YouTube at the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1LyJX3uSjk
September is Attendance Awareness Month.
The Halifax County School Board will meet Monday, September 14, 2026 at 6:00 PM in the auditorium at Halifax County High School. The open session of the meeting will also be available on YouTube at the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGnqIi-y95U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGnqIi-y95U
All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, September 7, 2026 in observance of Labor Day.
September is Attendance Awareness Month.
Save the Date!
The Night of Innovation will be held October 6, 2026 at HCHS. More details to come.
The Night of Innovation will be held October 6, 2026 at HCHS. More details to come.
🍂September Tech- Tip🍂
Don’t Fall for AI Tricks
Tip:
🍂 Talk with your child about how some images, videos, and answers online are created using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and may not always be real or accurate. Encourage them to slow down and think about what they are seeing and hearing.
Why it matters:
🍂Elementary students often believe what they see and hear online. AI can create very realistic pictures, videos, and even voices, making it harder to tell what is real. Without guidance, this can lead to confusion, misinformation, and poor decision-making.
Pro Tip:
Teach your child to be a “digital detective” and ask:
👉 “Who made this?”
👉 “Is this real or computer-made?”
👉 “Does the voice sound natural or a little off?”
Let them know it’s okay to question what they see and hear.
Try This at Home:
Watch a short video together and practice noticing clues:
👉 Does the voice sound smooth or robotic?
👉 Do the mouth movements match the words?
👉 Does anything look or feel “off”?
👨👩👧 Parent Connection
Be mindful of what your child posts or shares online.
🍂AI tools can be used to edit photos, mimic voices, or alter videos in ways that may be misleading or harmful.
Helpful Reminder for Families:
👉 Avoid sharing personal photos publicly
👉 Use privacy settings when possible
👉 Talk with your child about asking permission before posting
Don’t Fall for AI Tricks
Tip:
🍂 Talk with your child about how some images, videos, and answers online are created using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and may not always be real or accurate. Encourage them to slow down and think about what they are seeing and hearing.
Why it matters:
🍂Elementary students often believe what they see and hear online. AI can create very realistic pictures, videos, and even voices, making it harder to tell what is real. Without guidance, this can lead to confusion, misinformation, and poor decision-making.
Pro Tip:
Teach your child to be a “digital detective” and ask:
👉 “Who made this?”
👉 “Is this real or computer-made?”
👉 “Does the voice sound natural or a little off?”
Let them know it’s okay to question what they see and hear.
Try This at Home:
Watch a short video together and practice noticing clues:
👉 Does the voice sound smooth or robotic?
👉 Do the mouth movements match the words?
👉 Does anything look or feel “off”?
👨👩👧 Parent Connection
Be mindful of what your child posts or shares online.
🍂AI tools can be used to edit photos, mimic voices, or alter videos in ways that may be misleading or harmful.
Helpful Reminder for Families:
👉 Avoid sharing personal photos publicly
👉 Use privacy settings when possible
👉 Talk with your child about asking permission before posting
Please see the opportunities from the YMCA of South Boston/Halifax County.
We are partnering with Southside Behavioral Health and the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office to bring Jermaine Galloway (Tall Cop Says Stop) to Halifax County for an important presentation focused on substance misuse prevention and recognizing warning signs.
We will also be hosting a community resource fair and would love for our local partners to participate and share resources with families.
Please join us on September 21, 2026 at 5:30 PM at HCHS.
We will also be hosting a community resource fair and would love for our local partners to participate and share resources with families.
Please join us on September 21, 2026 at 5:30 PM at HCHS.
Imagine a future where every career choice lights the way to purpose and prosperity. On Thursday, August 27th at 5:30 PM, join us at Halifax County High School for an exclusive screening of MULTIPLE CHOICE - a powerful film exploring the impact of career-based learning.
This isn’t just a movie night. It’s a chance to engage in a dynamic community discussion that could shape the future of career-connected education and workforce preparation in Halifax County and the greater region.
This event is FREE, but advance registration is required.
Click here to register:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pathways-to-purpose-and-prosperity-tickets-1993851743237?aff=odeccpebemailcampaigns&utm_source=eventbrite&utm_medium=ebcampaigns&utm_campaign=55724631&utm_term=ctabutton&mipa=ABIdvVu2vch0CnIuRAGzaTdG0WjgHKyPBvc5PPZUpEf1XwfowFcoBseJeLyYe-YbfdSjX3-lMbbIelgsGmTa83ZScCYtVPpAjfMQEvYJZQSR-ywruSIdLazwCxeQ9bR2crflNRna3WMrURGCruPUMKDtfK8ZjTIMxU5KQxFyHn2zi-oSYjOMna66jGji0fvheo5pAijD8bzjMyugOKOOvgARJdzyNwYfNspqzO1e3iVroQv9ziZfQn91_VlTRMImQxGE979zKKcMePbt5Vg-NNBajueDIDytsw&fbclid=IwY2xjawTxlp9wZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMThsalZjTHo1VGpTb05uM0pzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeqAwlLZymFkx9BkalsgbGTmPxvirn1BzLDpg05HKqW0K5QyEljXWe8-YSvAY_aem_gEoZ-bl1jlKMoEuJWDc8Gw
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to be part of the conversation, and feel free to share this invitation with others who are invested in the success of students and economic development in Southern Virginia. Reserve your spot today and take the first step toward unlocking new pathways for our youth.
Guests will enjoy a complimentary reception with light hors d’oeuvres and beverages prepared by HCHS culinary arts students.
Watch the trailer below for a sneak preview!
https://youtu.be/wroL0kvYJLs
This isn’t just a movie night. It’s a chance to engage in a dynamic community discussion that could shape the future of career-connected education and workforce preparation in Halifax County and the greater region.
This event is FREE, but advance registration is required.
Click here to register:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pathways-to-purpose-and-prosperity-tickets-1993851743237?aff=odeccpebemailcampaigns&utm_source=eventbrite&utm_medium=ebcampaigns&utm_campaign=55724631&utm_term=ctabutton&mipa=ABIdvVu2vch0CnIuRAGzaTdG0WjgHKyPBvc5PPZUpEf1XwfowFcoBseJeLyYe-YbfdSjX3-lMbbIelgsGmTa83ZScCYtVPpAjfMQEvYJZQSR-ywruSIdLazwCxeQ9bR2crflNRna3WMrURGCruPUMKDtfK8ZjTIMxU5KQxFyHn2zi-oSYjOMna66jGji0fvheo5pAijD8bzjMyugOKOOvgARJdzyNwYfNspqzO1e3iVroQv9ziZfQn91_VlTRMImQxGE979zKKcMePbt5Vg-NNBajueDIDytsw&fbclid=IwY2xjawTxlp9wZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMThsalZjTHo1VGpTb05uM0pzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeqAwlLZymFkx9BkalsgbGTmPxvirn1BzLDpg05HKqW0K5QyEljXWe8-YSvAY_aem_gEoZ-bl1jlKMoEuJWDc8Gw
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to be part of the conversation, and feel free to share this invitation with others who are invested in the success of students and economic development in Southern Virginia. Reserve your spot today and take the first step toward unlocking new pathways for our youth.
Guests will enjoy a complimentary reception with light hors d’oeuvres and beverages prepared by HCHS culinary arts students.
Watch the trailer below for a sneak preview!
https://youtu.be/wroL0kvYJLs
We are excited to announce a new, easy way for families to report student absences using the Infinite Campus parent portal.
Parents and guardians can use the Absence Request tool to submit a request that informs the office in advance when their student is not going to be in school. After the request is processed, Campus creates an attendance record for the student.
1. On the Campus Portal, click on the main menu icon (3 lines)
2. Click on More and then Absence Request
3. Mark the student for whom you are submitting the absence request.
4. Select the reason the student will be absent from the Excuse dropdown list.
5. Select the Absence Type.
6. Enter the date(s) for the absence.
7. Upload any optional/required documents. Only one document is allowed per request and it will be attached to every student in the request.
8. Enter Comments about the absence reason.
Click on the link for directions with screenshots
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vgJE_yjPCvXLnldZ2X4CajNEpRYsBdc4/view?usp=sharing
Parents and guardians can use the Absence Request tool to submit a request that informs the office in advance when their student is not going to be in school. After the request is processed, Campus creates an attendance record for the student.
1. On the Campus Portal, click on the main menu icon (3 lines)
2. Click on More and then Absence Request
3. Mark the student for whom you are submitting the absence request.
4. Select the reason the student will be absent from the Excuse dropdown list.
5. Select the Absence Type.
6. Enter the date(s) for the absence.
7. Upload any optional/required documents. Only one document is allowed per request and it will be attached to every student in the request.
8. Enter Comments about the absence reason.
Click on the link for directions with screenshots
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vgJE_yjPCvXLnldZ2X4CajNEpRYsBdc4/view?usp=sharing
🚌 BACK TO SCHOOL SAFETY ALERT 🚌
School will be back in session on Wednesday! With more buses, walking students, and excited drivers on Halifax County roads, let’s all do our part to keep our kids and community safe.
Here are a few quick safety reminders for your morning and afternoon commute:
🛑 Stop for school buses
Yellow lights flashing: Slow down and prepare to stop.
Red lights & stop arm extended: Traffic in BOTH directions must come to a complete stop until the arm is retracted.
Railroad crossings: Buses are required by law to stop at all railroad tracks—give them plenty of room!
🚗 Watch for new teen drivers: High school routes will have newly licensed student drivers on the road. Be patient, avoid tailgating, and allow extra space around school entrances.
🚸 Slow down in school zones: Obey posted speed limits, watch for crossing guards, and NEVER pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk.
📱 Put the phone away: Distracted driving is dangerous driving. Keep your eyes on the road, especially around neighborhoods and bus stops.
⏰ Plan ahead: Add 10–15 extra minutes to your morning drive to account for bus routes and school traffic.
Let’s keep Halifax County safe this school year!
School will be back in session on Wednesday! With more buses, walking students, and excited drivers on Halifax County roads, let’s all do our part to keep our kids and community safe.
Here are a few quick safety reminders for your morning and afternoon commute:
🛑 Stop for school buses
Yellow lights flashing: Slow down and prepare to stop.
Red lights & stop arm extended: Traffic in BOTH directions must come to a complete stop until the arm is retracted.
Railroad crossings: Buses are required by law to stop at all railroad tracks—give them plenty of room!
🚗 Watch for new teen drivers: High school routes will have newly licensed student drivers on the road. Be patient, avoid tailgating, and allow extra space around school entrances.
🚸 Slow down in school zones: Obey posted speed limits, watch for crossing guards, and NEVER pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk.
📱 Put the phone away: Distracted driving is dangerous driving. Keep your eyes on the road, especially around neighborhoods and bus stops.
⏰ Plan ahead: Add 10–15 extra minutes to your morning drive to account for bus routes and school traffic.
Let’s keep Halifax County safe this school year!
The Halifax County School Board will meet Monday, August 10, 2026 at 6:00 PM in the auditorium at Halifax County High School. The open session of the meeting will also be available on YouTube at the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TCvjgjrz10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TCvjgjrz10
