| Tuesday, January 31, 2023
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Dear #RPSStrong Family,
Tonight's updates:
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| 2023-24 Open Enrollment Applications – The deadline for families to submit open enrollment applications for the 2023-24 school year is TOMORROW, February 1, at 4:30 pm. Please note that we will not accept late applications for any reason. Visit our website for more information.
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| Chimborazo Garden Club – The Chimborazo ES Garden Club, in partnership with Open Space Education, is beautifying their school with original works of art. Using clay as their medium, students created garden stakes, which they painted and used to decorate the raised flower beds at Chimbo. Enormous gratitude to Blythe, Birdie, and Courtney for helping make this happen!
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| Boushall MS Spirit Night – Boushall MS has partnered with the Virginia Special Olympics to become a Unified Champion School. The community is invited to join the school's Unified Champion Committee for a "sweet" spirit night on Wednesday, February 8, from 4 - 9 pm, at Gelati Celesti. Please be sure to show the spirit night sticker below to ensure that Boushall receives credit for the sale. Hope you can make it out!
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| With great appreciation,
Jason
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- Big shout-out to Southampton Elementary PTA, staff, parents, and most of all students! Everyone had a blast at the winter dance as former Southampton Elementary student and DJ, Don John, kept everyone dancing!
- Shout-out to Ms. Gentry at Westover Hills Elementary for establishing the guitar club! Our child is excited to be a part of this group, and it has been fun to watch their musical knowledge and friendships grow. Thank you for creating this opportunity!
- I'd like to give a special shout-out to Mrs. Anderson and the awesome cafe staff at Lucille Brown Middle School!! They prepare fresh, delicious salads I absolutely love and fill me up! The baked chicken, green beans, and baked beans are to die for! Almost like grandma's cookin'! Thank you for showing us so much love not only through your words and spirit but through your culinary talents, providing us with food for our minds, bodies, and souls every day! You are immensely appreciated! Thank you!
- Shout-out to all faculty and staff at Miles Jones Elementary School for taking the time to go above and beyond for our students. Your kindness and efforts do not go unnoticed. Our students are so fortunate to have you in their lives!
- I would like to shout-out the 3rd grade chair Mrs. Faye at OSES! She does an exceptional job managing our schedule and making sure we are prepared for all meetings.
- I want to recognize Ms. Durrette at Linwood Holton Elementary, who has taken a wonderfully diverse group of students and created a community that is steeped in humor, structure, and love of teaching and learning. We feel so lucky to have landed in her 3rd grade class this year.
- Just a random community member giving a shout-out to two people who make my morning commute better! Principal Michael Powell at John B. Cary Elementary waves at all of the cars in the morning and folks slow down for this! And to the crossing guard at Maplewood & Sheppard – I don’t know if this person is an admin, teacher, or volunteer, but he keeps that traffic moving and all of those kiddos safe!
- End of the 1st Semester shout-outs to our admin team at Binford Middle. Dr. Chantea Wright: You continue to amaze us with your strength, presence, and warm demeanor and it makes a difference every day. Tyler Chapman: Who knew high energy and enthusiasm could also be the peace and solitude students need at any moment? Mr. Scott: It’s a real life juggling act supporting two schools and you show up every day! Thank you.
- I would like to recognize Ginter Park's amazing Communities in Schools coordinator, Krystle Cook. She is one of a kind and an all around champion for people. She has a heart of gold and lives by the motto: If I can help somebody along the way ... then my living will not be in vain. On her way home today, she noticed another staff member who needed support. She remained with her colleague, called family members, spoke on the colleague's behalf, kept her colleague calm, and reassured her that everything would be alright. Other CIS coordinators may be good, but Krystle Cook is the best!!!!
- I would like to shout-out the new family liaison, Saraisa Simpson, at Oak Grove-Bellemeade Elementary. She has been a refreshing addition to our Teddy Bear family. She is friendly, welcoming, and always willing to help a family member, student or staff member. Thank you for jumping in and helping out so much.
- I want to shout-out RVA but especially to Ms. Lofton-Pickens for all that she does.
- Mr. Bets, custodian at John B. Cary Elementary, is so kind and helpful. He goes out of his way to make each staff member feel supported and taken care of, and has fantastic relationships with the students. Mr. Bets encompasses what it means to serve with love. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Mr. Bets!
- Thank you to Ms. Barnes and Mrs. Burgess for teaching me how to use the repaired laminator at Cary ES. Cary is lucky to have experienced colleagues who support the new teachers in every way, big and small. Shout-out to the PTA for repairing the laminator recently.
- I’d love to give a shout-out to Sharne Francis, assistant principal at Henderson Middle School. She is always so kind and responsive. Our family is grateful for her work and her commitment to her students.
- I would like to thank our amazing office staff, Ms. Wendy Lucas and Mr. Brandon Rodgers. Thanks for supporting the students and staff here at Blackwell Elementary School. We love you both.
- I would like to shout-out my scholar Mikael Ward coming from Mrs. LP's class. She is just breathtaking! She was able to understand and help my child with so much and make things so much easier for him to catch on to. She is so amazing and great and I really appreciate her and the team behind her.
- Please send a shout-to the staff at RVA. They have been really working hard and showing the love for what they do. Thank you so much!!
- Please shout-out Mrs. LP of RVA! Thank you so much for being a caring and loving teacher to your students. We appreciate everything you do.
- Please everyone join me in giving a final shout-out to Ms. McCray, administrative assistant for the principal directors. Ms. McCray's warm smile and genuine personality greeted everyone she met. I will truly miss our morning inspirational talks that helped support me throughout my work day. We all need someone that has a listening ear and your best interest at heart. Her dedication to RPS will truly be missed. I want to say I appreciate you and all that you did. Good luck with your new endeavor.
- I would love to shout-out Mary Valenza and Bridgette Brown of CIS for being the heartbeat of OGBES. The students and staff of this school are incredibly lucky to have their support every day as they go above and beyond their roles. I appreciate the ways they step in at any moment to lend a hand – their consistency and passion for students are beautiful examples of leading with love. Thank you!
- I'd like to shout-out Nicole Nelson, the intensive support teacher at Overby Sheppard. She has done a phenomenal job working with her students and they have all made great progress this year!
- Shout-out to Binford art teacher Ms. Hein Sadler for truly making an impact on students. My daughter is so sad the semester is over because seeing and learning from Ms. Hein Sadler was truly the bright spot in her week.
- Shout-out to RPS for giving the Fox community something huge – their outdoor space! In a neighborhood where most houses do not have much green space, the Fox playground is an important part of the community. After 11 long months, there is again a lot of joy on the Fox playground.
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| FY24 Budget – See below for details about our FY24 budget work sessions and public hearing.
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| Teacher Job Fair Event Registration – Registration is now open for our upcoming teacher job fair! If you or someone you know is interested in joining the RPS team, join us on Saturday, February 11, from 9 am - 1 pm, at Martin Luther King, Jr. MS. To register, just scan the QR code below with your phone's camera.
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| Important Links – Last updated on November 14, 2022.
RPS Links
COVID-19 Links
Crisis Support Links
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