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| Dear #RPSStrong Family,
Regardless of your political persuasion, let's agree that the election of Kamala Harris as Vice-President –– the first woman, first Black American, and first Indian American to serve as the second highest official in the nation – is truly historic. To mark this moment, TJ Principal Cherita Sears wrote the following reflection. Please join me in expressing our profound gratitude to her for sharing her voice on this momentous occasion.
With great appreciation,
Jason
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| Reflection on the Election of Kamala Harris as Vice-President by Principal Cherita Sears
I have been holding my breath for 4 days.
Waiting for relief.
Waiting for peace.
In my daughter’s words “We are free."
Interesting how November 7th feels like Juneteenth.
When the word came, I cried…screamed…and danced.
Not only is it freeing.
But as a black woman, living in an America that does not fully love me, my black husband, my black son, and my black daughter… it is spirit-lifting to finally see a woman of color in the white house…as a leader, not a servant.
We are the women who have had the distinct displeasure of not having rights over our own bodies, our own children, and our own lives. Women who did not see brown and black faces looking back from our childhood cartoons as princesses and queens. We have been left out of the fairy tale. Written out of histories that have done all to erase our contributions to this world…this America. We have been ignored, misunderstood, have had our strength mislabeled.
So when the word came…It meant more.
It means that maybe we’ll be seen.
Maybe this moment will create a history that cannot be erased. A contribution that can’t be forgotten. It means that maybe we matter.
I feel pride…and hope for our country, for our people, for my students.
I hope that my black and brown female students are watching.
I pray that what comes next will not only remind them that their voices matter, but that they can make a difference in this world. That their strength is beautiful.
And I pray for peace…and movement towards a country that actually loves us all. In all of our skin, and in all of our differences, I pray for unity.
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- Shout out to Stephanie Burgess at G.H. Reid Elementary School. Your skill in making math connect to real life is admirable. Your ability to figure out what each student needs to make math matter is admirable. Because of you, decimals and fractions are the same piece of the "pie". Glad our students have you in their "vertex".
- I would like to send a shout out to Mrs. Murrary, Mr. Cheatham, and Mr. Vernon, the wonderful administrative team at John Marshall. The same love and kindness that they show to JM students filters down to their staff. They are so supportive of their staff – it is incredible. They are always there for us to make sure that we are okay and have what we need. They go above and beyond in all areas. I cannot thank them enough because, without them, this could be an insurmountable task.
- Hugs and love to Deanna Scott at G.H Reid. Thank you for getting the address of each of your students and dropping off learning packets to them on Saturday. You always make things happen without question. You are a treasure and a pleasure.
- Shout out to Rebecca Wachowski at G.H. Reid. Great team player and learning/planning partner. It's a pleasure working with her.
- Shout out to Mamie Whitaker, records technician at central office! Thank you for being such a friendly face first thing on a Monday morning, and for being so willing to help a stranger! Your cheery demeanor and kindness are much appreciated!
- I would like to recognize Mr. Mike Liggans in the Office of Engagement for leading a team of dedicated people! They are knocking on doors, providing information, and doing everything they can to re-engage our students who have dropped out or who have attendance concerns. I believe that with his team's help, we will make a significant difference in recovering our dropouts!
- Thanks to Gina Powell, librarian at Bellevue Elementary, and Judy Noble, librarian at George W. Carver Elementary, for giving up some of their free time on a Saturday afternoon to help with the Lit Limo event in Gilpin Court this past weekend. We gave away books to many of our students and it was nice to see their smiling faces.
- I wanted to send a shout out to our awesome art teacher at G.H. Reid Elementary School, Meredith Hertel! Not only has she put together awesome lessons for our students to work on both synchronously and asynchronously, but she sends teachers reminders as to when they have their live sessions with her. This makes it way easier on teachers. On top of all that, she shares famous "artist of the week" information with the staff! We have the choice to use this with our students or even just to gain new knowledge for ourselves! She is doing amazing things here at G.H. Reid Elementary.
- I would like to give a huge shout out to Ms. Yaz, my daughter's 2nd grade teacher at Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts. She always includes each student and interacts with them in an amazing way! She even recently stopped by my home to give my daughter a special treat! She also checks in with my daughter and myself regularly to make sure that we are ok in the virtual learning world. Thanks for everything, Ms. Yaz, we appreciate you!
- I want to give a huge shout out to my partner, Ms. Graves. We work together like two peas in a pod. I can say Ms. Graves goes above and beyond the call of duty to make sure the children have what they need.
- I would like to give a huge shout-out to all Encore teachers (Mrs. Caird, Mr. Clark, Mr. Dansbach, Mrs. Fought, and Ms. Hawley) at Linwood Holton Elementary School. Since the schedule shift, my daughter now has ENCORE in the morning when she is working beside me, and I LOVE overhearing the kind, positive, and thoughtful ways they teach with love. They allow the children to be silly, while also teaching them great lessons. Thanks for all you are doing for our Holton Lions!
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| Update on High School and Middle School Athletics – I have recently received a number of questions about whether RPS will have high school and middle school sports this winter. Athletics are important for many reasons: they motivate and inspire, improve student health, and can even lead to college scholarships. I am deeply sensitive to this. At the same time, given our decision to go 100% virtual for the first semester, and given rapidly rising infection rates, we will unfortunately not be fielding any teams this winter. I recognize this will be disappointing to many students and families. But I believe it's the only option we have if we are to fully honor our commitment to safeguarding the health and safety of our students, families, and staff. Thank you for your understanding. As always, if you have any questions about this, please don't hesitate to email me at jkamras@rvaschools.net.
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| Specialty High School Open Houses – We are now accepting applications for specialty high schools. Virtual open houses begin this week:
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| Family Academy – We're very excited to launch our fall Family Academy which features live, virtual courses as well as pre-recorded videos, to help our families navigate RPS. Topics include: how to apply to specialty schools, how to support your students during virtual instruction, how to troubleshoot technology issues, and how to maintain health and wellness amidst the pandemic.
On that last topic, check out these three courses:
- Work Up a Sweat! - Come sweat with Fit4Kids in this 30-minute family friendly workout! Every age and skill is welcome. Exercise equipment and resources will be provided in advance. The first class is on November 12 at 6 pm.
- Breathe, Move, and Sit! - Join us for three mini-sessions about youth-centered mindfulness practices to relieve stress and improve focus. This course is led by Ashley Williams, the Mindfulness Director at Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School, and starts on November 10 at 6 pm.
- Attitudes of Gratitude - Participate in a Community Circle and learn how this unique experience is helping RPS students learn and connect with one another every day. Families will also learn ways to help one another during virtual learning using the concept of G.R.A.C.E. (grace, responsibility, advocacy, communication, engagement). The first class is on November 11 at 6 pm.
Check out our Family Academy website for more information and to register for one of our upcoming courses. The first 150 families to register will receive a Family Academy Pack filled with activities and resources. One family will also be selected to win an iPad!
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| Community Hubs – Calling all RPS community partners! You're invited to participate in our upcoming virtual launch events for our new Community Hubs. Each of the three regional Community Hubs will have its own virtual launch. If your organization serves more than one region, you're welcome to participate in more than one event. Please RSVP using the links below.
- East End Hub: Tuesday, November 17, 10 - 11 am - Register here!
- Northside/West End Hub: Wednesday, November 18, 3 - 4 pm - Register here!
- Southside Hub: Thursday, November 19, 11 am - 12 pm - Register here!
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| Updated Lit Limo Schedule – The Lit Limo is back on the road with new Saturday stops. Please note the schedule below.
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| Emergency Childcare Centers – If you need childcare for your RPS students, please make sure to register below!
- The YMCA is offering childcare at Miles Jones ES, Holton ES, and Huguenot HS (Huguenot is scheduled to open on 11-30). For more information, click here.
- The Peter Paul Development Center is offering childcare at MLK MS. For more information, click here.
- There are also a number of community-based childcare centers (not housed in RPS schools) across the city. For more information, click here.
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RPS Love Store – Show your RPS Love and help us raise money for RPS families in need and local racial justice non-profits by ordering something today from the RPS Love Store!
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Important Links – I'll note in orange when there have been additions/updates so you you won't miss anything.
#ReopenWithLove Links
Local, State, and National Public Health Links
Local, State, and National Public Education Links
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