| I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and a meaningful Juneteenth!
I apologize for not sending RPS Direct most of last week; my bout of COVID ended up being rougher than I first experienced. Thank you to everyone who reached out to check on me and my entire family (we all ended up getting it). We're very grateful for your love and support!
We're also grateful for the vaccine – I fear I might have ended up in the hospital without it. If you haven't gotten vaccinated yet, I urge you to do so (including any boosters you're eligible for). The vaccine may not keep you from getting infected, but it will almost certainly keep you alive. If you won't do it for yourself, please, do it for your loved ones.
Tonight's Updates:
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| School Board Meeting – The RPS School Board will be meeting tonight at 6 pm at Thomas Henderson MS (4319 Old Brook Rd). You're welcome to attend in-person or watch the livestream in English or Spanish. I'll be joining virtually given that I'm still in isolation.
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| Calendar Reminder – This Friday is the last day of school! All students will be released two hours early. Be sure to check our website or the flyers below for information on summer meal options.
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| Graduations – Though I know I'm a week late, I'd like to send a huge congratulations to the graduates of the Class of 2022! We're so proud of you and love you very much. I hope some of the photos below fill you with as much joy as they give me. Even our youngest learners got in on the graduation action (see last photo :)!
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| Celebrating RPS Retirees – RPS celebrated our retirees over the weekend with a special breakfast ceremony at the Convention Center. Though I couldn't attend in person, I was there in spirit, immensely grateful to the teachers and support staff who have dedicated their lives to RPS. Thank you for your years – decades! – of love and service!
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| Shockoe Hill African Burying Ground Event – The Shockoe Hill African Burying Ground (Richmond's 2nd African Burial Ground) has officially been recognized with a historical highway marker. Please join me in thanking the Swansboro ES choir for helping honor this important event with their beautiful voices!
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| Unity in the Community – Join Viewpoint Services this Saturday, June 25, for their Summer Kick-Off promoting Unity in the Community at the Westover Hills Community Center. Be sure to check it out!
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| With great appreciation,
Jason
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- I would like to send shout-outs to Deborah Dailey, licensure specialist, and Alyson Davis, benefits director. They are two breaths of fresh air! They were both instrumental in helping me with some HR questions that I had and I respect the professionalism, courtesy, and overall positive communications that I received from them. They responded to all of my questions in a timely manner even though I am sure that this is a very busy time of year for them both. Thank you, ladies! I want you to know how much you are appreciated!
- I'd like to thank "Moose" Musatow and Casey Natale from the Engagement Office for their recent website trainings! It was so refreshing to be able to be in the same place and ask questions in real-time! They are so kind and patient and smart!! I really appreciate their time and efforts in getting our websites up and running so beautifully!!!
- I'd like to shout-out Jaheem Hewlett, 11th-grade scholar at Franklin Military Academy, for being selected to be the Battalion Commander next year! Your T.C. Boushall Middle School family couldn't be any prouder of you! Congratulations!!
- Shout-out to all RVA scholars and parents this year! Thank you for showing up to the first of many RVA Drive-Thru celebrations! Yesterday's event showed the love and greatness within RVA! Continue, everyone, to stand in your greatness!
- Hooty Hoot to everyone connected to RVA! Yesterday marked the First Moving-On Ceremony for RVA. We had a wonderful turnout – happy students, proud grown-ups, and beaming staff! It was great to see everyone in person! Hooty Hoot!
- I would like to thank the Cardinal ES ESL team for always stepping up and going the extra mile to support class coverage. You all are amazing and I sing your praises! I can't thank you enough.
- Shout-out to the leadership team, staff, support staff, and our principal, Sonya Shaw, at Miles Jones ES! This week our school has been filled with joy and laughter as students have participated in some incredible events such as super readers night, a petting zoo, water day, and field day! These are experiences that our students will never forget and will carry over into their academic endeavors! Our students on the south side of Richmond are so very blessed and fortunate to attend such an amazing school!
- Mrs. Julie Lawson at Westover Elementary School has always served as an example as she advocates for students, parents, and staff. She demonstrates unity in both the community and with her sister schools. I am happy to know such a truly open-hearted and wonderful person. Mrs. Lawson is an excellent office administrator assistant. She is a connector with what's right, and her personality describes how important networking is in partnership. The community, and her office associate colleagues throughout RPS, appreciate her dearly. It's my joy to congratulate you for having such a caring person as part of your RPS Team.
- Our child had a horrible day today. I picked them up and they were in tears. During this terrible day, our child was able to turn to Ms. Foster and Ms. Harr at Binford Middle. These teachers gave our child the love and support they needed in that moment. To know we are sending our child to a place that really cares about the emotions of children and where they feel safe, is so important to us. This is a great caring community of teachers.
- A huge shout-out to Coach Clark and her team for the wonderful job on FMA's field day. You are awesome and the students had a great time.
- I would like to send a whoop whoop to the Moving On Committee and everyone who stepped up to help out at Blackwell Preschool. The parents loved it and the children had a blast. They did an awesome job!!!
- Shout out to Principal Gaines and Assistant Principals Douglas-Jackson and Smith for hosting a really friendly and informative welcome event for new students headed to Lucille Brown Middle School next year. We really enjoyed learning about our new school and hearing from administrators who clearly deeply care for their students. All three leaders made us feel welcome and wanted at their school. Ms. Douglas-Jackson, in particular, spoke beautifully about the IB program and how it creates an inclusive learning environment that emphasizes our shared humanity and prepares students for life outside the walls of a school building. Thanks for inviting us in and making us feel welcome. You've got us excited to join the LMBMS family next year.
- I would like to acknowledge our AP Sundae Ray for managing a potentially chaotic situation. We had Mary Scott Preschool graduation at Ginter Park ES on Wednesday and the last of the celebrations was going to coincide with dismissal. The parking situation is tight and dismissal is busy. Mrs. Ray jumped into problem-solving mode and organized a plan and executed it. She pulled her crew together – Leslie Lopez, Charles Murphy, Marques Ruffin, Sarah Catlett, Even Flynn, Krystal Cook, Noelia Gonzales, Lynda Winters, Clarence Cartwright, Robin Keegan, Mr. Jeffers, Mrs. Gilliam, and Mr. Chris – to execute her plan. We managed the parking lot and got people in and out safely. It was seamless and without major incidents. Ms. Foskey and Ms. Goode managed the front office hub like professionals! It was Gator Mentality in action!
- I'd like to give a shout-out to my colleague, Chanda Hannah, school social worker at Henderson Middle School. A lot of my 5th graders are nervous about going to middle school. I reached out to Chanda at Henderson and while all won't go to Henderson, most will. She shared she had done a lot of work with 6th and 7th graders this year, and kindly agreed to come next week and meet the 5th graders and answer any questions they may have. I think this will help support a smoother transition to middle school. I'm very appreciative because I've gotten very attached to my 5th graders! I would also like to shout-out 5th grade teachers, Ms. Hall and Ms. Bowry, who recognized the need for mental health support and were flexible with their schedules, and found times to support these students.
- I want to give a shoutout to Assistant Principal Leecost at Henry Marsh Elementary. When my students go to see her in the office after making unwise choices, they always come back with a fresh new attitude and are ready to learn. Thank you, Ms. Leecost!
- What would Miles Jones Elementary School be without the best CIS Coordinator in RVA?! Ms. Poindexter goes above and beyond, even when she is not at school, to help our students grow socially and emotionally. Thank you, Ms. P, as she is called by all of the students, for all you do! Stay amazing!
- I would like to shout-out to the entire Mary Scott preschool staff! Throughout the year, they poured their hearts into the children. They held amazing events including the fall festival and family fun day. The moving-up ceremony today was awesome! It included songs and even tap dancing! Mrs. Wynn, Mrs. Lee, and Mr. W. were my daughter's teachers and they did a wonderful job teaching and engaging with the children each day. Again, thank you all for a wonderful school year!!!
- I would like to shout-out Mr. Calvin Jeffries, custodian at Ginter Park Elementary School, who provided my colleague and me a quick snack as we sat outside of the school welcoming parents throughout the day for the Mary Scott Preschool Moving Up Ceremony. The apples were a lifesaver!
- I would like to send a shout-out to Symaya Burch, long-term substitute at Oak Grove-Bellemeade Elementary. Since the beginning of the year, she has been a dedicated teacher to her second-grade class. Her students and her second-grade team love her and miss her already. Thank you for everything, Ms. Burch!
- I would like to shout-out Ms. Dungee from Oak Grove-Bellemeade Elementary School. Ms. Dungee has single-handedly organized and led our SOL testing over the past few weeks as our testing coordinator. She has done a great job keeping everyone on track and making sure testing has run smoothly. Thank you for all of your hard work in this effort!
- I would like to give a stupendous shout-out to Principal Crews and Vice Principal Travis! These two ladies have been nothing but amazing for the entire time that my sons have attended Southampton Elementary School. They’re hands-on, front and center, and always available to assist at any time. They both know parents by name and never miss a beat when it comes to making sure that everything runs smoothly for students and staff. I am honored to be a proud parent of a special education student that has excelled tremendously because of the hard work that Ms. Crews and Ms. Travis have put in throughout the years to make sure that he received the best education from one of the most incredible teachers that I have ever met…Ms. Charisse Williams! I am going to sincerely miss these ladies as my son prepares to graduate from Southampton this year. It has been a pleasure and I can’t thank these ladies enough. I wish that I could drag them off to his new school with me. Thank you so much. I am truly grateful for all that you’ve done.
- I'd like to shout-out my wonderful colleagues, graduates, and students at Richmond Community High School for helping us pull off an amazing graduation for our Class of 2022 in a matter of hours! Thank you specifically to Principal Massenburg, Heather Crone, Bernita Williams, Stephanie Humphries, Renee Blackman, Sherry Spruell, Terry Strayhorn, Josephine Waddey, Charlotte Hayer, Gregory McCallum, and Jullianne Kramer. Thank you to our Class of 2022 Graduates for being so flexible and rocking it out today as we celebrate you all! I'd also love to shout-out our wonderful underclassmen that helped out – from our juniors that helped set up the stage, to our students involved in theater that helped us set up and run lights and sound for the event, thank you so much. Our school works as a team to get things done, and I'm incredibly grateful to be working with such an amazing staff and student body! You all are amazing!!!
- Shout-out to Dr. Cyndi Robinson for being a fearless leader for Richmond Virtual Academy and ensuring all of the students of Richmond Virtual Academy could be celebrated at our Moving-On Ceremony at Byrd Park.
- Shout-out to Soul Ice for giving our RVA Owls a sweet treat at our Moving-On Ceremony at Byrd Park.
- Shout-out to RVA parents for showing up to celebrate a great year at Richmond Virtual Academy!
- Shout-out to the 5th-grade team, Mr. Mistler, Ms. Stone, Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Rice, and Mrs. Terry, of Richmond Virtual for the great setup for our 5th graders moving on to middle school.
- Shout-out to the staff of Richmond Virtual Academy who showed up to our grand Pre-K through 12 moving-on ceremony; thank you for your excellent service.
- Shout-out to Ms. Cooper in the cafeteria at PHSSA. She is so kind and caring to the kids. My girls absolutely love her and look forward to seeing her every day. Thank you for always being wonderful, Ms. Cooper.
- Mr. Anderson, PHSSA custodian, is so hardworking and positive. He already has so much work to do and is now managing crossing guard duties some days to help keep our kids safe. He’s been a consistent source of team spirit, kindness, and optimism for many years at Patrick Henry. Thank you, Mr. Anderson.
- Ms. Peters, fourth-grade teacher at PHSSA, has helped her class navigate many stressful changes this year. They confide in her and trust her and we are very appreciative of how much she has given of herself this year. She shows them empathy and respect and their admiration for her shows.
- The resource teachers at PHSSA, Ms. Chamblin, Mr. Godsey, Ms. Wood, and Mr. LaPradd, have been constants in a year that felt chaotic at times. It means a lot to the students to have had these existing teachers be present and consistent all year. Their love of art, music, the environment, and reading are contagious and we deeply appreciate them.
- Shout-out to Mrs. Van Savage at Lucille Brown Middle School, our math interventionist. Talk about dedication and going the extra mile. Unfortunately, at the end of the school year, we will lose her due to her family relocating, but Mrs. Van Savage's family moved to another state and in order to ensure that she stuck the year out for her students, she has been housed in a hotel for the last three weeks. It's truly awesome how much she cares for students in general whether they are in her class or she sees them through passing. She is always positive and she takes the time to truly give students understanding as to how to function as human beings. She goes above and beyond to make sure students know their expectations and hold them accountable. It is truly selfless put yourself out of your comfort zone to ensure your students know you love and care for them. Thank you, Mrs. Van Savage, for being an awesome teacher!!!!!
- I would like to shout-out Ms. Dominique Dunn, amazing P.E. teacher at Blackwell Elementary, and her committee for the wonderful job of executing a wonderful field day event. Ms. Dunn presented the staff with an extremely detailed plan and made sure she was available to assist anyone with questions throughout the entire event today. I would also like to thank our amazing volunteers from Truist Bank and Blackwell Community Center. Finally, we are always excited to see student leaders and I want to shout out some of our 4th grade leaders who were station helpers during the event: Taniya, Makiyah, Jacoby, Kamillah, Laquan, Arbor, Jeiza, Maliyah, King, Caiden, Shamiya, Xaviah, Jayla, London, Heavyn, Mikayla, Tavaris, Dashawn and Jeremiah. I just wanted everyone to know the event was truly PAWsome. I am proud to be a Blackwell Bear.
- What a beautiful day was had by all at Miles Jones ES for field day! Thank you, Coach Dorsey, and everyone who participated for all of your hard work! A special shout-out goes to all of the families for their support and donations. Miles Jones is grateful!
- Blackwell Elementary just had the best day ever thanks to the amazing Coach Dunn. We had so many fun activities and the kids were so joyful and happy all day (even with the heat we had today). Even as a staff member, I had a great time and felt like a kid! So thankful for all her energy and time spent making today so amazing. Our kids built memories of school being a fun, exciting place to play and be supported.
- I would like to give a shout-out to our amazing P.E. teacher, Coach Cantu at Fairfield Court Elementary, on a successful field day!!!! Your efforts were greatly appreciated! Thank you for bringing smiles to all the students!!!! We appreciate your hard work on this hot day! Thanks again:-)
- I would like to shout-out Principal Jones from Woodville Elementary for adding a special surprise to Fairfield Court’s field day by riding her horse “Spirit” to Fairfield along with horses “Sandman” and “Loverboy” from her horse club! The students were granted an amazing experience and were allowed to ask questions about the horses and the horseback riding experience. Thanks for her heartfelt contributions to the East End scholars!!!!
- Shout-out to Coach Cantu at Fairfield Court Elementary School. Thank you for going above and beyond for the students. Thank you to the Encore team, Frerichs King, and Fowler for your support – couldn't have done it without you. Y'all put the T in Team! Hands down to the best principal, Mrs. Wright, for all your hard work for the staff and students.
- Today was officially our last day of SOL testing! We want to shout-out our academic dean at Fairfield Court Elementary, who wore the "hat" of STC for the last three weeks, not to include the preparation and set up time for the assessments. She did so with grace, patience, and love and we sincerely appreciate all that she did to ensure testing went quickly. Ms. Henderson, AP (and the principal), supported as well by picking up students who needed support to get here before testing started and I am proud to say we had 100% testing participation. Teamwork and collective efficacy make an impact!
- Shout-out to Craig Dupont at Overby-Sheppard Elementary School for coordinating the most amazing field day! All the students had a fantastic time, many volunteers were on hand, and the staff had a great time. It was the most amazing field day ever!!!
- Shout-out to all the teachers, faculty, and staff of Richmond Virtual Academy! They all rock! Mrs. Robinson and Mr. Gail are amazing and made the 2021-22 school year a success for our children.
- My daughter's homeroom was 206 and her teacher was Ms. Winning. A super shout-out and hootie hoot to her. I had the pleasure of listening in and observing her teaching skills most days without her knowing it and this young lady loves what she does. It is evident in her tone, temperament, and patience with each student and her ability to bring out the best in each of them. She goes way beyond the school hours ensuring that the needs of our children are met and she does it with such joy. Kudos to RVA Virtual Academy!
- Shout-out to the office staff at Blackwell Preschool. We have enjoyed all the good eats (Friday treats) provided this school year!
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| RPS Summer Fest 2022 – We're thrilled to announce our second annual RPS Summer Fest on Saturday, July 23, at George Wythe HS! We hope you'll join us for free food, games, music, a visit from the Lit Limo, enrollment assistance, and much more. Be sure to mark your calendars – you won't want to miss this!
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| Important Links – Last updated on May 24, 2022.
RPS Links
COVID-19 Links
Crisis Support Links
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