|
|
| Monday, November 16, 2020
| |
|
| Dear #RPSStrong Family,
A belated Happy Diwali to all who celebrate! Wishing you light and love this year!
A few reminders tonight:
- We have a School Board meeting this evening at 6 pm, which you can watch on the RPS Facebook page. Among other topics, we'll be discussing (but not yet deciding) our plans for the second semester. Joining us will be Dr. Danny Avula, Director of the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts.
- Speaking of the second semester, if you haven't had a chance to provide feedback via our surveys, please do so using the following links: Family Survey in English, Encuesta de Familias en Español, and Staff Survey.
- Don't forget that all RPS schools will be closed from Wednesday, November 25 - Friday, November 27, for Thanksgiving! Families can pick up extra meals on Monday, November 23, and Tuesday, November 24.
- Finally, remember the embryology project that our 3rd graders were working with the chicken egg webcam? Well, the chics are expected to hatch any minute now!
With great appreciation,
Jason
| |
- Huge thank you to AP Potee, Nurse Yeager, and Counselor Rahmah Johnson for going the extra mile to collaborate with community partners and find ways to keep students emotionally and physically healthy during online learning. Their dedication to their TJ student family shines bright!!
- As the new office associate at Henderson, I want to take a moment to thank and shout out Ms. Shaw. She has taken time out of her busy schedule to come over to Henderson and provide me with the training I needed to efficiently and effectively perform my job. She is professional, skilled, and friendly. She has truly been an asset to me as I navigate these new and exciting waters. Thank you, Ms. Shaw.
- I want to reach out to let you know of something wonderful that is happening at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School. The staff at MLK is reading Urban Trauma: A Legacy of Racism by Maysa Akbar. We are meeting to discuss the content and how it relates to ourselves and what our students are currently experiencing. During our book study, we have been immersed in meaningful conversations that help us focus on our students and how to best understand and reach them within our classrooms. In order to be responsive and to equalize educational experiences of all students, teachers must be aware of how racial trauma experienced outside of school affects a student's ability to learn. We need to put emphasis on social and emotional wellness as well as on academic achievement. I feel very lucky to work at MLK. I truly love the students and the staff. Working with dedicated professionals who desire to understand our students and who are working to develop strategies to engage and encourage our students as they face many outside obstacles is the best job one could have.
- I'm a PROUD RPS graduate and I've enjoyed my return to Richmond Public Schools as an employee. I graduated in 2013 as Valedictorian from Open High School and I now teach 6th, 7th, and 8th grade math at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School. I would like to share how moved I was by a recent staff meeting. My team openly expressed moments in their lives when they experienced trauma within their home and from community members. The current climate has brought my colleagues and me closer, and it felt good to embrace each other's resilience. At MLK, we teach kids who are disproportionately experiencing things beyond their maturity, daily. I thank you for reinforcing a safe space for us as instructors and I would love to shout out the teachers, Mrs. Dabney, and Mr. Terrance Walker.
- I was reaching out because I have been working at MLK for 4 years and in that time Mrs. Dabney has shown transformational leadership and has awakened greatness in all of us on her team as well as the students. I am reaching out because of course I would love to shout out the entire MLK faculty and staff for the hard work and dedication to our community and students...Mrs. Dabney goes above and beyond and I firmly believe flowers should be given while people can smell them. I love working for RPS, especially at MLK.
- I would like to shoutout Renee Smith, SPED teacher at George Wythe, SPED teacher for the Secondary Success Center, and non-traditional graduation planner. She goes ABOVE and beyond to help make sure the students have what they need and is always available to help others in RPS when needed. She is an invaluable part of this process and work!
- I’d like to shout out Ms. Simmons @ Henry Marsh Elementary School!! Thank you, Ms.Simmons!
- I'd like to shout out Grady Hart, community partnerships coordinator, for being the most positive and cheerful person I know! He is literally sunshine on a rainy day!
- I'd like to shout out two of our community partners for supplying materials for student projects!! Kerry Mills from 1708 Gallery for all the materials to make lanterns for InLight2020; and Beth Morris for giving us the books, patterns and rulers for our book folding project! We are so lucky we have such great partners in education!!!!!
- A huge shout out to Angel Reynolds from T. C. Boushall Middle School for always finding such creative ways to connect with our scholars!!
- I wanted to give a shout out & HUGE thank you to Jacquelyn Weinburg at Cardinal Elementary. I was having major technology issues this morning and she came into my class to support the students and keep the class going and engaged while I sorted out my computer problems. She really is just a true example of an amazing teacher and team player! I am just so grateful to her for all she does!!!
- Kudos to Principal Waller and her staff, along with the CIS team (Hannah Martin and Taylor Bono) for putting on a fantastic Trunk or Treat event for Halloween. It was well attended with a constant stream of students and families. With two weeks of planning (not recommended...LOL) they pulled it off!
- Principal Dabney at MLK is awesome. She has created a collaborative team environment at MLK that is admirable. I have seen the transition of several principals at MLK, and she stands above all of them. The APs, counselors, social worker, and CIS team all work together and are so supportive of each other. Despite the challenges the East End presents, they all stay positive, and make it happen. GREAT TEAM at MLK!
- This past Friday, in reading class, my students played Figurative Language Jeopardy. One of the winners was I'Keyanna Charity. She had the top score and Robinson and Pittman delivered a McDonald's gift card to her home.
- I would like to give a huge shout out to LaJuanda Bland at Southampton Elementary School. Ms. Bland is so passionate when it comes to her students. Math isn’t my daughter’s strongest subject and Ms. Bland is always willing to give additional help. Anytime I have a question she replies almost immediately via Class Dojo. We need more teachers like her, she’s a true gem!
- I want to give a huge shout out to the food service staff at Lucille Brown Middle School who are there every morning to make sure students are fed. They warmly greet my child every morning and ensure that he's all set to go for the day. We appreciate you!
- I want to send shout outs to Ms. Angela Moore. She is a dedicated teacher, has supported me both in school and with my students, and at my home as well. Shout out to Ms. Renee Smith, my exceptional education chairperson. Renee talks to me daily to check on me and tell me what's going on with my students. She and Ms. Moore have made sure that my students are on task and are receiving what they need. I am able to rest and relax my mind because these two ladies stepped in to assist with my students. Shout out to Ms. Debra Wright, one of our most admired secretaries. Debra stepped in and handled a plethora of medical matters for me. Shout out to Jimmy Heart and Nicole Turnage for working with my students. Shout out to Ms. Friday who is the best compliance person in the district for keeping me abreast of my caseload and sending prayers. Lastly, shout to the English Department and the Special Education Department for having my best interest at heart. Between these two awesome departments – their prayers, cards, and gifts – I believe in my heart that my daughter and I will be back at 100 percent. I am a strong, dedicated teacher. I will prevail and be back soon.
- I wanted to take a moment to provide you feedback about my recent experience with Parent Teacher Conferences for my 10th grader at Tee Jay. I was able to meet with all of her teachers and her counselor on Wednesday night and I was so impressed with their outlook and love they have for their students. They are all showing so much grace and compassion for what the students and parents are going through with this pandemic and virtual learning experience. It is obvious that Principal Sears has really led all of her teachers and staff to truly “reopen with love”. I feel so much better knowing that all of my daughter's teachers GENUINELY care about her and her well being throughout all this. They have a tough job teaching through this experience but the mental and emotional well being of their students is a priority to them and I cannot put into words how much as a parent I appreciate that.
- Want to give a major shout out to the incredible Henderson 6th Grade Math STEM team of Ms. Raeshar Shelton, Ms. Nimaako Nelson, and Briana Harr! Ms. R. Shelton and Ms. Nelson are an incredible co-teaching team. Successful co-teaching is such a delicate process, but these incredible math teachers are one of the best teams I've ever observed. When they are in class there is no way you can tell each teacher's role. Mrs. Harr is absolutely incredible! Her level of preparation and attention to detail is first class. The ladies use multiple technology applications to make learning interactive in their classes. They also have some of the most positive virtual learning spaces ever! Students are encouraged to take chances and celebrate one another! They are a GREAT TEAM!
- I just wanted to acknowledge Nicole Napier in the purchasing department. I contacted her today with a question and in about 10 minutes, I had the information I needed! She was extremely pleasant, efficient and supportive! Sending her a huge virtual hug!
- First, I would like to shout out Mrs. Melinda Lawson for her diligence in securing 100 McDonald's gift cards to use as incentives for scholars within our English Department. Second, I would like to extend a huge "thank you" to Mrs. Angela Menjivar for soliciting school supplies, student reward cards, and COVID-care essentials for the 6th grade scholars!
- I would like to shout out Dr. Victoria Hampton. She is new to Maymont this school year. Coming to preschool in the middle of a pandemic brings its own challenges. However, I must say that Dr. Hampton has not skipped a beat. She has truly led by example and set the bar high while acknowledging the challenges that the staff were facing being virtual. I am really appreciative of her patience and her ability to share her knowledge without judgment or the expectation that you should know. Last but not least, she does the same – if not more – for the families as well.
- Shout out to Bonnie Bauman, our lead custodian. Bonnie is the best, and I literally mean the best. Most times there is no one in the building but her and I. She is always willing and readily available to help. I am truly grateful for her. It is because of her that our teachers and assistants do not have to come to the building. She takes pride in her work and is committed to making Maymont a clean and safe environment. I applaud her for all that she is doing and has done.
- Thank you to Ms. Brent and Mr. Williams at Miles Jones Elementary for stepping up to help when their teams (Kickin' Kindergarten and Fierce First Grade) need them. Too often, exceptional education teachers and instructional assistants are treated as if they are supplemental to our instructional process. They are essential to making the entire process a success. You are appreciated!
- Ms. Coleman at Bellevue helped me so much. Please shout her out!
- I want to give a huge shout out to Mrs. Coles, the 7th grade counselor. She’s really awesome and I’m very thankful for all she has done to help me and my daughter.
| |
| Celebrating our SHEroes: African-American Women in Politics – The Commonwealth (VA) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated is hosting an event this Thursday to honor a number of African-American women serving as elected officials in the region. Among the honorees is our very own School Board Vice Chair, Ms. Cheryl Burke! Please see the flyer below for more information.
| |
| Brothers United – Brothers United is an RPS program that pairs young men of color with mentors of color. As we expand this program to serve more students this year, we are seeking at least 30 additional mentors. If you or someone you know would be interested in becoming a mentor, please complete our Mentor Interest Survey. If you have any questions, please reach out to our Mentor and Equity Specialist, Kristen Brown, at kbrown21@rvaschools.net.
| |
| Preschool – We still have room for your little scholar (3-year-olds and 4-year-olds) in our free virtual preschool program! Students will receive all the school supplies they need and two meals every day, Monday through Friday. To sign up, visit the Enroll RPS portal or call 804-503-3501.
| |
|
Facilitated Learning Centers – As a reminder, there are still seats available at the "facilitated learning centers" serving RPS students. See below for details.
- Peter Paul Development Center is running a facilitated learning center at MLK MS for 2nd-8th grade RPS students. The full-day option goes from 9 am until 6 pm, and is completely free for low-income families. To learn more, click here.
- The YMCA is is running facilitated learning centers at Miles Jones ES, Holton ES, and Huguenot HS for K-8th grade RPS students. The full-day option goes from 7:30 am until 6 pm, and is completely free for low-income families. To learn more, click here.
- There are also many other facilitated learning centers not housed in RPS schools across the city. To learn more, click here.
| |
| Specialty High School Open Houses – We are now accepting applications for specialty high schools. Virtual open houses continue this week:
| |
| Flu Vaccinations – The Richmond City Health District is hosting two community flu clinics. The first will be held on Wednesday, November 18, from 1 - 4 pm, at MLK MS, and the second will be on Wednesday, December 2, from 1 - 4 pm, at Huguenot HS. Please see the flyer below for additional information.
| |
|
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!
| |
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
| |
|
|
|
|
