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Dear #RPSStrong Family,
On behalf of RPS, I want to express our love and support to our colleagues in Newport News, who are grappling with yet another school shooting. I'm heartened to read that Abby Zwerner, the teacher who was shot, is improving every day. Nothing is as important as the safety of our students and staff, and I assure you – as both superintendent and father – that we will continue to do everything possible to protect the RPS family.
We learned today that the student in Newport News used his mother's gun. This new information highlights how critical it is for legal gun owners to securely store their firearms. To learn more, please watch the video below from Sandy Hook Promise.
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| If you'd like to express your support for common sense gun safety laws, I encourage you to join the Moms Demand Action Advocacy Day this Friday, January 13, at the State Capitol. You'll have an opportunity to meet your state lawmakers, engage with them about legislative priorities, and network at caucus meetings.
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| Tonight's Updates:
Rising Covid-19 Levels – According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the COVID-19 community level in the City of Richmond is currently "High." Per School Board policy, if we remain at the "High" level for two consecutive weeks, we will return to requiring masks indoors for all adults and students (although families could opt out their students per state law). In the meantime, please make sure to take the follow precautions:
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- Wear a mask indoors in public and on public transportation.
- Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
- Get tested if you have symptoms. COVID-19 tests are available free of charge to all RPS students and staff. In addition, the United States Postal Service (USPS) is offering free at-home COVID-19 tests delivered right to your home. To order, complete this form on the USPS website.
- If you are at high risk for severe illness, please consider taking additional precautions.
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| 2023-24 Calendar and Bell Schedule Survey – Please be sure to check both your inbox and spam folders for an email from K-12 Insight regarding our 2023-24 calendar and bell schedule. If you didn't receive a link, please email outreach@rvaschools.net and we'll send you a new one within two business days. All responses will remain anonymous and no personal information will be shared. The deadline to complete the survey is Friday, January 20, at 11:59 pm. Thank you!
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| National Mentoring Month – January is National Mentoring Month, a time to celebrate and raise awareness about the positive effect that mentoring can have on students and communities. One fabulous example of mentoring in action? The Armstrong Leadership Program! Enormous gratitude to Yvette Rajput, executive director, and Marvin Roane, assistant director, for all that you do to support Armstrong students. Check out the photos below of the ALP participants enjoying the James River at their fall retreat and giving gifts to children at the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club in Church Hill.
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| VA School Principal Appreciation Week – This is Virginia School Principal Appreciation Week and we're excited to give our principals the recognition they so richly deserve. Help us spread the love by emailing your principal shout-outs to me at jkamras@rvaschools.net!
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| Bank of America Student Leaders – Bank of America is searching for the next generation of community leaders in RVA. As a BofA Student Leader, high school juniors and seniors will participate in an 8-week paid internship at a local nonprofit. The deadline to submit applications is this Friday, January 13.
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| With great appreciation,
Jason
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- I would like to send a shout-out to Mr. Raymond Wallace Jr., freshmen coach at George Wythe High School, for willingly volunteering to pick up PPE for the George Wythe students and staff weekly. Your commitment to this task is greatly appreciated. You rock!
- Care and Safety would like to give praise to Mr. Robert Gilstrap for his daily commitment to every student and staff member. Thank you, Mr. Gilstrap.
- Shout-out to Ms.Singleton at John B. Cary ES for being a warm and wonderful assistant principal!
- I’d like to give a special shout-out to Ms. Moore and Ms. Drye at BOES for their compassion, empathy, and devotion to their students. They have great rapport with my children, and they genuinely care about their wellbeing. As an involved parent, it is not easy to leave your children in the care of others. I can say that my mind is at ease when they are at school at BOES. They have safety and security, love and belonging, and the ability to focus on education simultaneously. I have no doubt that my babies receive holistic care from Ms. Moore, who is professional, down-to-earth, and approachable. Ms. Drye is fair, consistent, and reinforces accountability. These dynamic women can look at each other and instinctually respond to the needs of all students by just looking at one another. Special thanks, acknowledgement, and gratitude for your integrity and devotion.
- I would like to shout-out Mr. Samuels, our incredible principal at J.B. Fisher Elementary. He has been such a light for our students and is the consistent presence we've all been needing. Mr. Samuels is encouraging, positive, and will drop anything he is doing for any of us. We are truly just so lucky to have him! Thanks for everything, Mr. Samuels.
- I would like to shout-out several members of the G.W. Carver ES Leadership Team – Jasmin Pitts, Richelle McKoy, Chelsea Graham, Chelsea McCoy-Bryant, Dominique Byrd, and Wilinda Townsend. Thank you all so much for always showing up with “boots on the ground!" No ask is ever met with opposition. Your presence, assistance, and professionalism help to make Carver Nation a better place to work, grow, and learn!
- I go to Thomas Jefferson HS and I really want to thank Mrs. Corbin, Mrs. Casey, Mrs. Potee, Mr. Tyler, Mr. Tyre, Ms. Golt, and Mr. Poley. And a special thanks to Mr. Harrison/Coach JoJo. They really help me and make living and going to school worth it.
- Sending a heartfelt shout-out to an amazing, smart, well organized principal of Franklin Military Academy. Col. Hudson is a man of his word & considers every student as his own child once they walk through the doors of his school. I pray he continues to be the beacon of hope for all of the cadets. You rock, Col. Hudson.
- Chrystal Hartsfield, principal at Martin Luther King Jr. Preschool, is the best principal ever. She knows all our young children by name. She encourages the staff every day and gives our babies high fives and shout-outs, and creates activity books and individual schedules as needed. She supports our needs. Thank you for everything you do.
- I’d like to give a shout-out to our amazing principal at J.B. Fisher. Mr. Samuels is the true definition of a leader. His kindness, joy, and optimism flood our hallways. He makes an effort to greet each child with a smile and a hug each day. He is always there for his teachers, and we know we can count on him for anything we may need. We are so lucky to have him! Thank you, Principal Samuels, for all that you do. Our Flamingo Fam appreciates you!
- Mrs. Tarnee Hudson is engaging, motivating, and understanding, all while holding everyone accountable to do their best each and every day. She is the type of principal who makes everyone feel welcome and special and I feel that we are beyond lucky to have her at PHSSA!
- Shout-out to Ms. Walkes, the school social worker at Cardinal Elementary. She made me feel safe and supported when I needed help with a situation. She is a wonderful human and I am thankful to have her as a coworker!
- Thank you to Adrienne Simms, the office associate at Summer Hill. Her cheery attitude, organization, coffee-making skills, and dedication to ensuring teachers and staff receive a sweet "pick me up" every afternoon are a few reasons that our school is a special place to work and learn.
- Shout-out Maria Holmes, human resource specialist, for being proficient and efficient in performing her many duties. One of her duties is verifying RPS employment for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. She verified twice for me and I am sure many other teachers/public servants have requested her service. For what she does privately, I want to thank her publicly. So, on behalf of my colleagues in RPS, who like me have been forgiven their student loans and for those who are waiting, thank you!
- PHSSA's principal, Ms. Hudson, brings a vibrant, positive, and energizing attitude every day to her staff and students. We greatly appreciate her ongoing support and communication with staff and parents. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication in making this year a success!
- A huge shout-out to the transportation and fleet maintenance folks who worked to outfit the Lit Limo! The students are amazed with the bus. Quote from students: "Oooh, it looks so nice in here. Look at the flooring! The bookshelves are amazing!" Bernie Jenkins-Booker and Warren Mangrum, please thank all who helped make the Lit Limo amazing!
- I want to express my sincere admiration for the outstanding work of Ms. Diamond Jones. She has consistently gone above and beyond the expectations of her assignment, displaying exceptional care, dedication, and professionalism in all of her work. She has a natural talent for working with students. In addition to her excellent work ethic, she is always kind, compassionate, and positive. She has a way of making everyone around her feel valued and appreciated. She is truly a valuable member of our school, and we are lucky to have her. I cannot say enough to convey how I believe she truly deserves recognition for her hard work and dedication or to adequately acknowledge the exceptional contributions she has made to our school community. I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge her positive contributions as well as willingness to step in. I know she will continue to make a positive difference in the lives of those with whom she works.
- I want to shout-out Mary Schell, our nurse at Chimborazo Elementary. She is dedicated and appreciated! She goes above and beyond to support our students, forms and maintains excellent relationships with everyone, and has impeccable follow through. We are so grateful to have her on the Chimborazo team!
- Shout-out to Principal Watkins and AP Gross at Chimborazo Elementary! They are an amazing administrative team! They make teachers and staff feel supported and appreciated and they truly understand the challenges we face every day.
- I want to shout-out Lori Miller, school social worker at Albert Hill Middle School! She excels at collaboration and teamwork and works tirelessly with her teams and colleagues to serve the students and families of Albert Hill!
- I want to give a special shout-out to Deborah Dailey from the Talent Office. She was incredibly helpful, professional, knowledgeable and got everything done in such a timely manner. Thank you, Ms. Dailey!
- I want to shout-out the entire rockstar staff of Blackwell Preschool Center, especially Dr. Probst. You all are doing a wonderful job.
- I'd like to give a huge shout-out to Ms. Perkinson at Binford Middle School. She took on the responsibility of medical training for my child's needs, which enabled my child to attend a field trip today. She did not have to accept this responsibility, as it is not in her job description, but she did so willingly and showed love and support as well. Ms. Perkinson, thank you!
- I'd like to shout-out Ms. Gerteisen, math teacher at T.C. Boushall Middle School. Her love for her students is unsurpassed. She gives all of herself to her classes and sometimes that means that there isn't a lot left at the end of the day. I want her to know that we see her and that she too is loved! You've got this, Ms. G! Keep up the great work!!!!
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| Open Enrollment Applications – The application window to apply for out-of-zone schools via the Open Enrollment lottery is open through February 1 via the Enroll RPS Portal. This is your opportunity to apply for up to three schools outside of your "zoned school," including Richmond Virtual Academy. (Reminder: This is different from specialty school applications for schools like FMA or Community. That application window closed yesterday.)
A few important notes:
- Families will have until 4:30 pm on February 1, 2023, to submit open enrollment applications.
- We unfortunately cannot accept late applications for any reason. Please plan accordingly.
- As long as your application is submitted before the deadline, the timing of your submission will have no impact on the outcome.
- If you have additional questions, please email us at enrollrps@rvaschools.net.
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| Important Links – Last updated on November 14, 2022.
RPS Links
COVID-19 Links
Crisis Support Links
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