| Thursday, December 16, 2021
| |
|
|
Before diving in tonight, I want to alert everyone that we will have a more significant RPD presence at our schools tomorrow as a result of concerning social media posts that are circulating across the country. There are no specific threats to RPS, but out of an abundance of caution, we are partnering with RPD to enhance security tomorrow. I recognize my sharing this will likely cause additional anxiety tonight, but I felt it was important to communicate our plans so students and families are not surprised if they see additional officers or other security measures in the morning. I assure you that our number one priority is, and always will be, the safety of our students and staff safe. I say this as RPS Superintendent and as a father of two RPS students myself. As always, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.
| |
| Winter Break Reminders – RPS will be closed on Monday, December 20, and Tuesday, December 21, a change we made from the original calendar to extend our Winter Break so students, staff, and families have a full two weeks off to rest and recharge – physically and mentally.
Please note that we will not be contact tracing or updating our dashboard during the break. It's possible that a student or staff member exposed to COVID-19 this week will not be contacted if the individual and RPS are unaware of the positive case prior to 12/17. Given this, we encourage everyone to monitor for symptoms throughout the break.
The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts will continue their community-based contact tracing efforts. This means that, if a child is exposed outside of school settings during the break, the family will be contacted by the Health District. For more information, please visit their website or call 804-205-3501.
With the Omicron variant beginning to surge, please keep these important CDC tips in mind:
- Get vaccinated, including your booster, if eligible.
- Wear a mask in public indoor spaces.
- Wash your hands frequently, including before and after preparing food.
- To the extent possible, gather outside or in well-ventilated areas.
- Stay home and get tested if you're having any symptoms of COVID-19. You can get free tests at the Richmond Public Library and other locations around the city.
| |
| Winter Break Meals and Resources – To help ensure sure all RPS families have the resources they need for the upcoming two-week Winter Break, we're providing 5-day meal kits (each student is eligible for two kits to cover all 10 days). Families can pick up the meal kits on Friday, December 17, and Saturday, December 18, at four school locations. Please see the flyers below for more information. We've also put together a resource guide with information about local food and clothing pantries, mental health supports, and family-friendly activities. See below for details.
| |
| Winter Break Meal Distribution Volunteers – We need some extra hands to pack and distribute meals for Winter Break. If you're interested in helping, please choose which school you'd like to volunteer at from the links below and then sign up for a time slot that works for you. Thank you in advance for helping us ensure these important events run smoothly!
| |
| Calendar Survey – Please don't forget to complete the calendar survey by December 24 to share your feedback on the four calendar options under consideration for next year. Everyone should have received this survey via email. If you didn't, please email outreach@rvaschools.net. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us on this important topic!
| |
| RPS Live! – We had a wonderful time on last night's episode of RPS Live! Members of the RPS School Health Advisory Board (SHAB) shared helpful insights about hydration, movement, mental health, and more. Huge thanks to Robin Gahan, Kieasha King, Jackie Lawrence, Angela Jones, and Stefanie Ramsey for joining me!
| |
| With great appreciation,
Jason
| |
|
- Shout-out to Mrs. Blade from Huguenot High School for helping students get the resources they need to be successful! She has completed 13 DonorsChoose projects in the last two years, which have provided Huguenot exceptional education students with tablets, notebooks, and essential supplies to support lessons on real-life scenarios and independent living skills. Most recently, her DonorsChoose project for a new washer and dryer was fully-funded! I could go on about this extraordinary educator, mentor, and colleague, but she would simply say, it’s about the kids and being of service. Thank you for all that you have done, do, and will continue to do for our students, Mrs. Blade.
- Thank you, Bonnie Blake, for your encouragement and the professional advice given the other day; it was spot on. I’d like to thank you for bringing to my attention so many valuable points for me to put into action. Thank you for all of your guidance throughout our conversations. You’re a gifted mentor. I will never stop being grateful for your guidance. Thank you for being a truly exceptional leader with amazing skills that I look up to.
- I would like to give a huge shout-out to Mr. Johnson, Mr. Steve Armstrong, and all of the staff at Armstrong High School who help and go above and beyond to ensure that my children continue to have the best opportunities that life has to offer them! Keep up the great work. You are all appreciated!
- I want to shout out Principal Jonathan Mitchum and Janet Pitts at the Richmond Technical Center for their warmth and kindness! The RVA Team is so grateful for all they have done to support our virtual learners!!
- Shout out to the entire Richmond Virtual Academy Virtual Liaison Team for all that they do to ensure our virtual scholars are successful! I want to send a special shout-out to Assistant Principal Deonta Gail, and Virtual Liaisons Jodi Moore, Stephanie Purcell, and Sherrie Thornhill for pitching in to help at the very last minute and always being ready to roll up their sleeves and get things done!
- Shout-out to Mr. Jimenez at J.L. Francis Elementary School! Thank you for always being there when we need you!
- We have a wonderful team of teachers at J.L. Francis (Mrs. Lemus, Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. Waddey, Ms. Legg, and Mr. Potter) who stay after school. They plan and work with the students daily. Each day they give 100% for that hour and a half. I want to thank you for making my job easier. You are greatly appreciated for your time, patience, and your hard work.
- Shout-out to Mr. Stallings at J.L. Francis! You are a team player and we appreciate you helping out with afternoon bus dismissal!
- Shout-out to Ms. Calloway at J.L. Francis! She is always quick to support everyone in any way possible and always with a smile! Thanks for helping to make our building a warm and welcoming place to be! Just when we thought it couldn't get any better! You arrived!
- Shout-out to Mr. Scott at J.L. Francis! Mr. Scott comes in with a smile on his face and works with students at every grade level. He has built positive relationships with students and they love to come to tell him they received a good grade, finished their work, or did something well. He is a natural at teaching math and we know his impact is great!
- Shout-out to Ms. Kane at J.L. Francis! Ms. Kane has worked so hard to analyze and understand the EL and Eureka Curricula as well as to modify each lesson to fit the vast needs of her classroom of language learners. She collaborates with colleagues, coaches, and administrators to make sure she is the best she can be for her students – and all of her hard work shows! Way to go, Ms. Kane!
- Shout-out to Mr. Nelson at J.L. Francis! Thank you for the positive energy you bring to our school! Our students need it, and your colleagues, as well!
- Shout-out to Ms. Homsley at J.L. Francis! Ms. Homsley has been a great help with organizing my schedule, lesson plans, and materials throughout the school year. She also keeps the mood light and entertaining.
- Shout-out to Ms. Farris at J.L. Francis! Thank you for all of your work with the 5th graders! You've been super helpful to me with planning and implementing lessons!
- I want to give a shout-out to Mrs. Gonzalez at Lucille Brown Middle School. She works so hard to help all of her students and coworkers. She took on teaching 3 additional classes due to a teacher vacancy. She coaches the cheerleading team, manages materials and textbook distribution, translates for Spanish-speaking families, serves as the department chair for the electives team, and never complains or misses a day of work. She is such a rockstar and she deserves all the gold stars for her hard work. We love you, Mrs. Gonzalez!!
- I would like to shout out to Lashawn Winston at Richmond Technical Center! Her dedication and enthusiasm are undeniable. She often goes above and beyond for her students and administration. She is extremely creative and resourceful. If you are in the area, please stop by and get the FACS.
- Shout out to Ms. Gail Baker, Sys Op at Thomas Jefferson High School! Ms. Baker took time out of her day today to help me locate a file and to escort me through the building so I wouldn't get lost! Ms. Baker was so friendly and kind to me, and I truly appreciate it!
- A huge shout-out to Ms. Sananikone, our library teacher at Chimborazo Elementary School. Not only does she go above and beyond for our students and staff, but she also gave up her planning period today to teach an extra preschool class to give the teachers a much-needed break. Thank you for all you do, Ms.Sananikone. We love you!
- Shout out to Bobby Hathaway and his team for getting new bike racks and an awesome bike repair stand installed at Fairfield Court, Henderson, and George Wythe! We’re excited to continue to encourage biking to school! (And his team is working on bike racks for all schools over the course of this winter/spring!)
- Mr. David Williams at Miles Jones Elementary School really looks out for all students in Kindergarten, First, and Second…Not just the students on his caseload! You are appreciated, sir.
- The ENCORE team at Miles Jones Elementary is rocking it every day! Mrs. DeYoung, Ms. Dorsey, Ms. McKinnon, and Ms. Cunningham! Keep shining and inspiring our students, ladies!
- I would like to give a huge shout-out to the teachers and staff at George Wythe for making the Senior installation a success!!!! The program and reception were awesome. Thanks for all of your hard work and dedication to your students!
- I would like to shout out to Principal Clary Carleton for being a principal who always listens to students! She takes time out of her day to truly invest in the kids in her building while also providing an immense amount of support for her teachers. Her dedication to leading with love is evident in everything she does.
- Shout-out to our incredible librarian, Ms. Barker at Westover Hills Elementary School! Thank you for inspiring curiosity and pointing us to stories that expand our world. We loved every part of the family book club experience!
- I want to thank Ms. Harris for all she does as a communicator with parents. She has been available by phone and email and keeps us all connected to what our 5th graders are doing using Class Dojo. She doesn't have to spend time sharing photos of class activities, but she does, and I love that glimpse of what students are doing in class. Thank you for keeping your students – and their parents – engaged. Westover Hills Elementary School 5th grade teachers are the best!
- Ms. Wilson, CIS Coordinator at Westover Hills, brings such great energy to the car pick-up line! We appreciate her kindness and enthusiasm as she greets us each day. Ms. Wilson also does an amazing job of facilitating all the details of so many of the “extra” events at our school. Thank you for sharing your gifts with our school community!
- Ms. Best encourages and celebrates reading in her classroom! We love having Ms. Best as our child's 2nd-grade teacher at Westover Hills Elementary.
- I’d like to give a shout-out to Ms. Gentry from Westover Hills for sharing such a wonderful musical performance that all students were able to participate in.
- I’d also like to give a shout-out to the Sunshine Committee Chairs at Westover Hills for the wonderful event they hosted for school staff and faculty today. It was great to enjoy some company together and continue such a lovely tradition.
- I have been amazed at the diligence, warmth, education, and caring that Maymont Preschool has shown to our family and specifically my daughter this year. She has been excited to come to school every day – even on weekends wants to go :). Ms. Anfinson is just a delight and works so hard to make sure the kids have fun, are learning lots, and have special experiences. I know that she and Ms. Goodman care so much for their students and that means the world to me. We love following along with Dr. Hampton's pictures on Instagram! Thank you to Dr. Hampton and her staff for making my daughter's first "big girl" school experience such an amazing one.
- I would like to shout out Dr. Hines of Huguenot High School. She is and has always been supportive in her role as admin. She is always leading with love towards staff and students. Thank you to Ms. Garland, Ms. Bonner, Ms. Moltery, Ms. Patron, and Ms. James for their daily assistance in our main office and Ms. Wissior for her assistance with everything. Thank you to the CAS team for their daily assistance with care and safety for all.
- Shout out to Rachel Mines and Maria Hardwick for organizing our PPE pick-up each Wednesday – and going the extra mile to arrange for special school drop-offs/pick-ups when folks are busy! Because of their hard work, our schools have the PPE they need each day to keep students and staff safe!
- Shout-out to Huguenot High School for having an amazing Holiday Spirit Week! Shout-out to Ms. Orellana, Ms. Dominguez, Ms. Claytor, Ms. Kent, Ms. White, Ms. Buist, Ms. Chari Brown, Ms. Kopelove, and all of our students for their participation! I would also like to extend a special thank you to Ms. Daniels, Freshman Class Sponsor, for planning Holiday Week and for going above and beyond to coordinate holiday activities every morning on Freshman Academy! Ms. Daniels sponsored Christmas Ornament Day, the Gingerbread Competition, and the Photo Booths! Thank you, Ms. Daniels!
- Huge shout out to Mr. Taylor and Mr. Rose at Lucille M. Brown Middle School for working hard and going out of their way to help our students, staff, and teachers. We truly appreciate you!!
- I'd like to shout out to the administration at Westover Hills Elementary and the Westover Hills Beaver Boosters for making us (the teachers) feel so appreciated! The 12 days of hygge are so creative and thoughtful and they have made a hectic couple of weeks better! I really appreciate the love and care you put into making the staff happy!
| |
| Important Links – Last updated on December 15, 2021.
RPS Links
COVID-19 Links
Crisis Support Links
| |
|
|
|
