| Tuesday, January 25, 2022
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| Test to Stay (TTS) – Yesterday we launched the latest update to our COVID protocols, a "Test to Stay" program. TTS is a CDC-recommend approach that allows students and staff who've been identified as close contacts to continue coming to school by testing nightly for the first five days of their quarantine period. TTS will help us keep students and teachers in school while also increasing the rigor of our screening. Please review these Frequently Asked Questions to learn more!
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| RPS Student-Athlete in the News – One of our incredible scholar-athletes, Dennis Parker, Jr. at John Marshall HS, was featured in the Richmond Times Dispatch today. Dennis is the leading scorer for the Justices, #1 in the Times-Dispatch Top 10, and the top boys basketball recruit in the 804! Congratulations, Dennis!
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| Budget Meetings – Our first Budget Work Session is TOMORROW, January 26, at 6 pm. You can attend in-person at City Hall or watch virtually in English or Spanish. See the flyer below for more details.
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| 2022-23 Open Enrollment Applications – The deadline for families to submit open enrollment applications for the 2022-23 school year is Tuesday, February 1, at 4:30 pm. Students can apply to up to 3 out-of-zone schools, plus Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts, if eligible, via the lottery. Please note that we will not accept late applications for any reason. Visit our website for more information.
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| Citizenship Exam Prep Course – RPS Adult Education is offering a 10-week virtual course to help individuals prepare to take the U.S. Citizenship exam. Learn more and begin the registration process by emailing adulted@rvaschools.net or calling (804) 780-8311.
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| With great appreciation,
Jason
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- I would like to shout out Mrs. Mark who has been helping in my John B. Cary classroom since central office was deployed. She is amazing with my students, is so kind, and has been extremely helpful in countless ways. We will miss her tremendously, but are so lucky we got to work with her!
- Thank you to Principal Murphy-Braxton at River City Middle School for always inspiring and reminding the staff of our "why"!! She has been leading with love and is an incredible colleague, mentor, and leader! We are so blessed to have her as a Red Tail!
- A huge shout out to the LIEP dream team at River City Middle School for helping each other and those outside of the department with subbing and support throughout these tough times! It is apparent that they are teaching with love!! Thank you, Ms. Forrester, Ms. Pierson, Ms. McDevitt, Ms. Hurwitt, Ms. Davis, Ms. Ellwanger, Ms. Winthrop, and Ms. Kim!!
- I want to shoutout Ms. Rockwood at Linwood Holton Elementary!!! She truly does the best for her students every day, cares for them, and does her best to make sure they will be the best they can be!!! She is outstanding and a true inspiration!!
- Shout out to Dr. Wiggins (Principal Director for Cluster 1) for your continued support of schools and principals. We appreciate you giving us bite size feedback on each and every visit. Your advice, your collaboration, and your ideas are greatly appreciated!! Your hard work is noticed and appreciated. Keep up the great work!
- Shout out to Astrid Andrews, the school nurse at Henry Marsh ES. Thank you for all your hard work and diligence over the last few months. You are working 24 hours a day to make sure we are following the appropriate protocols and procedures to keep everyone safe at our school. We appreciate you!
- Shoutout to Ms. Lundy at George Wythe High School! She coaches the Lady Bulldog's basketball team and she does whatever is needed for her team! I’ve also seen her stop students in the hallways to check on them and encourage them. She speaks life into our students. She levels with our kids and helps them to view things from a wider perspective. Her enthusiasm is contagious and she really has a heart for our kids at Wythe.
- Shoutout to Captain Corey at Franklin Military Academy! She has gone above and beyond to help prepare her students for their SOLs. Her dedication to teaching is contagious and excites me as a new teacher. I love seeing her find new ways to reach her students.
- Shoutout to Ms. Weinstein at George Wythe High School. She is the mentor of all mentors!! She is an instrumental part of my support system who has helped me navigate virtual and in-person instruction. She fights for our students and colleagues daily!
- I want to take the time to let you know how impressed I am with the Richmond Virtual Academy. This setting is definitely beneficial to those students who are unable to attend school for in-person learning. It is so impressive to see the adjustments made and attention given so all students are in a position to receive a quality education.
- The staff for the Richmond Virtual Academy all have to be exceptional to be successful in this setting. Mrs. Tomorrow Lofton-Pickens has a strong history of going over and beyond to ensure her students succeed socially, as well as academically. Her concern and compassion for her students is unmatched.
- Kudos to all of Richmond Public Schools for the development and achievements of the Richmond Virtual Academy. Your dedication to your students, as well as your staff, does not go unnoticed. Best wishes to all for continued success.
- I want to recognize a special educator who has gone above and beyond the call of duties. She has made a difference in my child's life! She has been a positive influence and is always encouraging! She's genuinely concerned about her students! There has not been a time that my student needed her, and she wasn't there! Even after hours! We love her! Mrs. Tomorrow Lofton-Pickens is the best teacher that my student could ever have. We need more like her!!
- The teachers that I have had the opportunity to work with are engaged with making sure the scholars learn in this environment. One teacher in particular that is certainly a stand out is Ms. Lofton Pickens. She is knowledgeable, patient, and gives her all to the scholars. There are certainly more, but this one has really shown up for her students.
- My son is a kindergartener at J. H. Blackwell Elementary. His teachers have helped him to grow and mature tremendously in only a few months. Ms. Cotten, Ms. Fitz, Ms. Bryant, and Mr. Sergeant have been so nurturing to my little man. The entire staff at Blackwell has been so kind. The events for parents and children, such as Trunk or Treat and Winter Wonderland, have put my mind at ease. It means so much for my child to be given the opportunity to learn in person and develop skills to shape him into a fine young man.
- I want to give a shoutout to Ms. Corey, the dance teacher at George Wythe High School. She is energetic, smart, progressive, technology savvy, and her students and colleagues love her. She is out-spoken, creative, and thinks outside of the box. She is always willing to go the extra mile for her students, even in the face of adversity. George Wythe High School is lucky to have her.
- Mrs. Robin Majer goes above and beyond for staff and students. Mrs. Majer always adapts quickly and collaborates with teachers when we face challenges. As a first year reading interventionist at John B. Cary ES, she has elevated the position to make certain all teachers are trained in SIPPS and working with students efficiently in their classroom, while she runs her own reading intervention groups. Thanks for all you do for the teachers, students, and staff at Cary, Mrs. Majer!
- Ms. Alesha Reeves at John B. Cary ES is committed to working with staff, teachers, and students to make certain all students have access to grade level curriculum. Thank you for all you do, Ms. Reeves!
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| COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics – We have more vaccination clinics scheduled at our schools this week. If you haven't gotten your 1st, 2nd, or booster shot yet, please do so this week. Remember, everyone five-years-old and up is eligible!
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| R.E.B. Awards for Teaching Excellence – Don't miss the opportunity to nominate your teacher for the R.E.B. Awards for Teaching Excellence. Award winners receive grants up to $15,000 to support any professional learning adventure they wish to pursue, anywhere in the world! Nominations are open until February 22.
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| In-Home Vaccination – The Richmond City Health District is offering to bring vaccinations to your home if you can't get to a clinic (amazing!). See the flyers below for more information.
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| Testing at Richmond Raceway – The Richmond Raceway is serving as one of the state's COVID-19 Community Testing Centers (CTC). To make an appointment, click here and enter zip code 23222. The CTC operates at Gate 7, 4690 Carolina Avenue, and is open Saturdays - Tuesdays, from 9 am - 6 pm.
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| Important Links – Last updated on December 15, 2021.
RPS Links
COVID-19 Links
Crisis Support Links
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