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Dear #RPSStrong Family,
Tonight's updates:
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| We Love You Here – As the RPS-famous Dr. MJ says: "Preschool is real school!" So please make sure to send your littlest learners every single day – thank you! To learn more about all the amazing benefits of preschool, please watch this video from our outstanding teachers.
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| Open HS 50 Years Reunion – Calling all Open HS alumni! We're excited to celebrate Open's 50-Year Reunion on Saturday, April 15, from 2 - 5 pm. See you there!
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| RPS Opportunities Hub – Keep an eye on the RPS Opportunities Hub for exciting new programs, scholarships, activities, contests, and much more. These opportunities are available now:
- The ACE Academy
- RVA Groundworks Training Opportunity
- Congressional Art Competition – Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan
- VCU Levels Up Academy – Institute for Contemporary Art
- Blue Sky Fund Outdoor Leadership Institute
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| Teacher Job Fairs – Join us next week, April 19-20, for the Priority Schools Hiring Event. To register, just scan the QR code below with your phone's camera; and to apply for a position, just visit our website. Remember, new hires are eligible for up to $12,000 in signing bonuses. But you have to move fast – some of those bonuses expire on May 1!
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| With great appreciation,
Jason
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- I'd like to shout-out the T.C. Boushall Middle School scholar athletes who participated in the Fleet Feet Special Olympics events today; Alainah Johnson, Bryshelle Jackson, Justice Martin, Zoe Duron, Gabriel & Micah Rose, and Walter Robles. They were amazing and made us proud! I would also like to shout-out their mentor/coaches: Amy Cruz-Tabora, Joel Gonzalez, Kamira Fountain, and Tye Bennefield! They were so encouraging and supportive of the athletes! Thanks also to the teachers who made it all happen: Ms. J. Davis, Ms. S. Davis, Ms. Hayes, and Ms. Wright! Thank you all for being Eagle Excellent!
- I would like to give a huge shout-out to our awesome family liaison, Ms. Rachael Gonsalves at George Wythe High School. She stepped in today to support one of our families here at GWHS with no hesitation. She always goes above and beyond to support our students and their families. We are so lucky to have her.
- Mrs. Van Deren at Westover Hills Elementary School has been an advocate and support for her students. She works hard to see the strengths of every child, collaborates with colleagues, and is intentional with her work.
- Thanks to Latoya Graham and Jennifer Smith, assistant principals at Miles Jones Elementary. They are enthusiastic and assist staff when needed. We love you!
- I want to give a shout-out to my assistant principal, Mrs. Penn! She works to keep our Bellevue Dragons on track with her encouraging words, kind-heartedness, and no-nonsense approach. She is here for the Bellevue staff and is always willing to help and offer support! Mrs. Penn is hands-down a superstar assistant principal!
- Shout out to Mrs. Gentry for planning a lovely trip to the symphony for Westover Hill's second grade students. They had a great time watching professionals play the instruments they have learned about this year and watching an excellent performance with the Richmond Ballet.
- Huge shout-out to Ms. Means, AP extraordinaire at Carver Elementary! Every day she #leadswithlove as she greets each and every bus student, and throughout the day she's encouraging staff and students all over the building. Her morale boosters for all staff are seen and very much appreciated and make our days brighter. We are very lucky to have Ms. Means here and want the world to know!
- S/O to Ms. Thompson – she's an invaluable part of the Carver team as an office associate! Every day she #leadswithlove as she interacts with admin, staff, students, a wide variety of parents/guardians, and community members. We are so very lucky to have her here. She's helped me any number of times in answering my questions, giving me advice, and in general being a supportive and welcoming professional in our office. Happy Administrative Professionals Week!
- S/O to Ms. Rozier – she's a wonderful part of the Carver team working in the office as an administrative associate! Ms Rozier is the always positive person everyone first meets when they come into the school. She #leadswithlove always. All are greeted and treated with kindness and respect; she's the exact person we want representing the school to our families and community. We are lucky to have Ms Rozier with us. Happy Administrative Professionals week!
- Our Carver speech teacher is one of the very best we've ever had. S/O to Ms. Abigail Head who is great with each student on her caseload! Every student who she teaches is grateful to her for their growth. Thanks for #leadingwithlove!
- A huge zoo-tastic shout-out to Mr. Justin Baber at Richmond Virtual Academy! During the field trip yesterday, Mr. Baber live streamed his exploration around the zoo for all the students who were unable to attend – both full-time RVA and homebound! He answered questions and took requests for special animals that the students were interested in. It was a wonderful day and our students at home were so grateful!
- I would like to give kudos to Rochelle Wilkins for a phenomenal training for the upcoming administration of spring SOLs. She is always willing to go the extra mile for STCs. We appreciate you and all you do!
- Thank you so much to the students and staff of Franklin Military Academy for hosting the kindergarten students from Chimborazo Elementary School for an Easter egg hunt and field day! They went above and beyond to make the students feel special!
- Shout-out to Mrs. Lisa Jackson who continues to soar as our Teacher of the Year! During a 2nd grade math observation this week there were several things evident, most importantly the relationship building, routines/structures, and processes she has taken the time to build in her classroom. Her students measured items, read math problems, wrote the steps to the answer, and took ownership of their learning by explaining how they got the answer. A couple of her students grappled and failed and then used their prior knowledge and charts to figure out the answer...Equity is giving each student access to grade level Tier 1 instruction and believing that all students can be successful, if given the right tools. Thank you for believing in all of our students. #LearnGrowExcel #MissionPossible
- Summer Hill sends many thanks to J.L. Francis and Cardinal for welcoming our rising kindergarteners this week for a visit to their schools. You made us feel welcomed and supported. Our 4-year-olds are ready for K!
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- Principals’ hard work may often go unnoticed, but these amazing leaders play a huge role in the overall success of our students! I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to these exceptional leaders for everything they do to make a great difference in the lives of RPS teachers, staff, and students! Thank you for helping change the world for the betterment of all!
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- Second and third graders at Chimborazo were asked to consider what a good or bad monster might look like and then were challenged to design one of their own! Starting with a pinch pot, they slipped and scored their way through building a monster mouth! Shout-out to Karly Basham for her continued work spotlighting visual arts at Chimborazo. She keeps our students Going and Growing! March was a great Arts in our Schools Month at Chimborazo!
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| Early Commitment Bonuses – We're now offering bonuses of up to $12,000 for new hires who sign their commitment letters by Monday, May 1. If you know of a great teacher who might like to join the RPS team, please tell them to apply now!
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| 2023-24 Preschool & Kindergarten Enrollment – Preschool and kindergarten enrollment is underway! We offer preschool for eligible 3 and 4-year olds, and kindergarten for all 5-year-olds living in Richmond. If your student is currently enrolled at an RPS preschool, they will still need to register for kindergarten. For more information, please email enrollrps@rvaschools.net.
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| AP Study Sessions – This spring, we're excited to bring back the High 5 Dreams AP Institute – Saturday study sessions with our partners at the National Math & Science Initiative! See the flyer below for information, and please encourage AP students to sign up as soon as possible.
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Important Links – Last updated on March 20, 2023.
RPS Links
Crisis Support Links
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