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Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Dear #RPSStrong Family,

Happy Twos-day! Tonight's Updates:

School Board Meeting – We have an in-person School Board meeting tonight at 6 pm at John Marshall HS. You can watch the livestream on our Youtube channel. Right before, at 5:15 pm, City Council Member Katherine Jordan and School Board Member Mariah White will host a community meeting about Fox (also at John Marshall).

State Budget Update – I'll cut to the chase with some simple math: the Senate's budget proposal would ADD $2 million to RPS while the House version would SUBTRACT $12.5 million. The House has proposed cutting what's called the At-Risk Add-On, which is special funding for school divisions like RPS that serve a high percentage of low-income students.

It's time to act.

As soon as possible, please email the following legislators asking them to fully fund the Senate budget and preserve the At-Risk Add-On. Check our website for additional guidance. Thank you!

Delegate Barry D. Knight (R) - DelBKnight@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Terry L. Austin (R) - DelTAustin@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Glenn R. Davis (R) - DelGDavis@house.virginia.gov
Delegate David L. Bulova (D) - DelDBulova@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Luke E. Torian (D) - DelLTorian@house.virginia.gov
Senator Janet D. Howell (D) - district32@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Richard L. Saslaw (D) - district35@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Thomas K. Norment, Jr. (R) - district03@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Emmett W. Hanger, Jr. (R) - district24@senate.virginia.gov
Senator L. Louise Lucas (D) - district18@senate.virginia.gov

Remembering Carol Irene Swann-Daniels – Mrs. Swann-Daniels, who was one of the first two Black students to integrate Chandler Junior High School (now Richmond Community), died last week at the of 73. Michael Paul Williams wrote an excellent column about Mrs. Swann-Daniels last week calling for us all to do more to recognize her. I couldn't agree more. Towards that end, I'd love to hear from you about the best way to honor her at RPS. Please email me with your ideas and suggestions. Thank you!

RPS is Hiring! – The RPS Talent Office will be hosting a "Get to Know RPS" information session for anyone interested in learning more about current job opportunities. It's a virtual event, so please make sure to register here!

RPS Live! – We're back at 7 pm tomorrow, February 23, with a new segment of RPS Live! Join us on the RPS Facebook page for a special Black History Month celebration. I hope you can make it!

School Bus Driver Appreciation Day – Today is School Bus Driver Appreciation Day! Our bus drivers do so much for our schools, our students, and our community, and we're incredibly grateful for their hard work and dedication. To all of our bus drivers, we appreciate you and thank you for serving RPS with love. Keep sending shout-outs to all of our wonderful bus drivers this week!

TwosDay – Check out the pictures below of all the TwosDay (2/22/22) celebrations around RPS!

With great appreciation,

Jason

Shout-Outs – Please keep sending them to me at jkamras@rvaschools.net.

I'd like to shout-out Michelle Kenneth for being such a source of strength despite what she has been through this school year. She is a data and testing powerhouse and T. C. Boushall has been beyond blessed to have both of the Kenneths as part of our family.
I want to shout-out to the LIEP department and AVID Excel team – Andria Impson, Meghan McPherson, and Cierra Levering – for running a great first week of WIDA testing last week! They are always cheerful and willing to help any and all at Boushall MS. Their teamwork and spirit is contagious.
I would like to shout-out Tia Carver, our AVID site coordinator. Her passion for the AVID program and for the scholars at Boushall is refreshing to see. She is committed to creating future college and trade school graduates by creating a way for our scholars to Advance Via their Individual Determination! The sky's the limit!
I visited Mr. Stallings' J.L. Francis ES classroom this morning to support technology integration. The students of his Boys to Men class were so excited to be in school and greeted him and me with smiles and joy. It is evident that Mr. Stallings teaches with love and I wanted the entire RPS community to know what a great job he's doing!
I would like to shout-out Ms. Harrison at Westover Hills Elementary for been an amazing teacher to my child. She has been there for her every step of the way, from helping her adjust to going to a public school, to supporting her when she joined Girls on the Run, to checking in on her when she was out of school because she had been around someone who had COVID. I’m just very grateful for her and I’m very pleased to have her in my childs' life. I just want to give her the biggest shout-out. Thank you.
I would like to give a huge shout-out to Boushall Middle School's AVID site team. These educators lead with love and are truly dedicated to the wellness of their scholars. They go above and beyond daily and I could not be happier to be a part of this amazing team! #EagleExcellence
We’d like to send a shout-out to the Oak Grove-Bellemeade Elementary bus drivers and aides who safely transport our students to and from school. Thank you for service.

RPS Gifted & Talented Programs – The RPS Gifted and Talented programs are hosting a Community Conversation on Thursday, February 24. Please join to learn more and provide feedback!

Visit the Black History Museum This Month – The Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia is offering free admission to all RPS staff, students, and families (up to 4 people per visit) throughout the month of February! See the flyer for more details.

River City MS Rezoning – We have lots of ways to get involved in the River City MS rezoning process, including an online feedback form. See the flyers below for more meeting details.

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics – Make sure to get your COVID-19 vaccine! We have clinics all next week for 1st, 2nd, or booster doses. Remember, everyone five-years-old and up is eligible!

Important Links – Last updated on December 15, 2021.

RPS Links

COVID-19 Links

Crisis Support Links

Richmond Behavioral Health Authority (Child/Adult Mental Health) – (804) 819-4100
ChildSavers Immediate Response Helpline (Child Mental Health) – (804) 305-2420
YWCA Greater Richmond (Domestic Violence) – (804) 612-6126
Virginia Child Protective Services (Child Abuse) – (800) 552-7096
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – (800) 273-8255
Financial Navigators (Resource Contacts for Various Needs) – (804) 646-6673

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