| Thursday, January 27, 2022
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| Calendar Reminder – We have a 2-hour early dismissal (no extended day) TOMORROW, January 28, and no classes on Monday, January 31. Classes will resume on Tuesday, February 1.
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| International Holocaust Remembrance Day – Today is the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and is recognized as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in memory of the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and the millions of other victims of Nazism. To learn more, I encourage everyone to visit the Virginia Holocaust Museum located in Shockoe Bottom. RPS middle and high school teachers, take note of the museum's February 16 workshop focused on the diaries of young victims of the Holocaust.
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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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| Grocery Delivery Drivers Needed – We need additional volunteers to help with our grocery delivery program. Sign up for a shift today and thank you in advance for your help!
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| Mary Munford Student Actor – Jordan Pendelton, 4th grader at Mary Munford ES, has been selected to play Young Simba in the Disney National Touring Production of The Lion King! He'll be leaving Munford in February to begin touring, and will continue his education with onsite tutors. Check out the video below of Munford's celebration for him. Break a leg, Jordan!
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| With great appreciation,
Jason
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- I'd like to thank Ms. Ricks and Ms. Cardwell from T. C. Boushall Middle School and Ms. Routier from Communities in Schools for interviewing our 8th grade scholars so that they could get practice for their high school interviews! The scholars really enjoyed it and you all gave such professional and positive feedback! We really appreciate you!
- I'd like to shout-out Casey Natale for coming to T. C. Boushall Middle School yesterday to take pictures of our staff and scholars wearing #RedForEd! Our scholars were so excited to be included in the RPS Direct yesterday! Thank you for highlighting our school!
- Overby-Sheppard ES would like to thank Christopher Angeles, Claude Hathaway, Carol Smith, Lyanna Cuadrado-Lleras, Daniel Erwin, April Burwell, Dr. Shadae Harris, Dr. Rossi Volley, Indira Quarles, and all other central office staff members who have covered classes or supported us in others ways. We appreciate your commitment to our students and staff. We see you and want you to know that we could not have done it without you.
- Thank you to Mr. Powell and Ms. Hammond for your support earlier this week at Overby-Sheppard ES. While you have so much on your plate, you are always willing to support when needed. We appreciate you and see your efforts.
- Shout out to Christal Bacon, STEM teacher at Henderson MS, for her support of central office staff subbing in a neighboring STEM class. She made sure I had the resources I needed to ensure the students had a worthwhile learning experience while their teacher was unable to be present. Her commitment to Henderson students and her innovative spirit are opening doors for our students.
- Shout out to Patricia Jessee, math coach at Henderson MS, and Linda Terry, math specialist, for ensuring central office staff substitute teaching in math classrooms since our return after Winter Break had all of the resources needed to ensure Henderson students are receiving cohesive math instruction.
- Nicholas Rivadeneira at Cardinal Elementary School is an amazing P.E. teacher who has nothing but love for the students that he teaches. He pours endless amounts of passion into his work. He is a shining example of a teacher who teaches and leads with love.
- I wanted to send a shout-out to Principal El-Koubi, Vice Principal Alston, and all the amazing teachers and staff at Westover Hills Elementary School. They are doing an outstanding job of loving and educating our kids during this difficult season. Go, Beavers!
- I am reaching out to offer my sincere gratitude regarding how Richmond Virtual Academy is being conducted and navigated during these trying and uncertain times. Richmond Virtual Academy has shown great innovation at providing stellar instruction and education for all students during this unprecedented period. I want to especially make sure Mrs. Lofton-Pickens is given recognition for her amazing teaching and support of her students. Her dedication and creative teaching haven’t gone unnoticed and I hope everyone has seen it as well.
- Shout-out to Ms. Glasglow at Blackwell Elementary School. She's our CIS liaison, but she does so much more. Ms. Glasglow put together our Dental Education Day and it was a great success! She works wonderfully with our parents, staff, and students, providing various programs and mentors. She is always willing to lend a helping hand or listening ear.
- Ms. Waller, our phenomenal school psychologist at Blackwell ES, brings a light with her into every room she enters! You can always count on her to lift the spirits of staff and students, leaving smiles on their faces.
- Ms. Fairbanks, RBHA at Blackwell ES, has filled in as a TDT counselor for our students on top of her actual position as the RBHA clinician. Despite juggling the responsibilities of two full time jobs, she is always there for our students, going above and beyond to address their needs, put out small fires, and cheer them along in reaching their behavioral goals. It's an honor to work along her side in addressing the mental health of our students.
- Ms. Dunlap, one of the Kindergarten teachers at Blackwell ES, has been working diligently this year to assist students in their transition to elementary school. She has such a big heart and the love she has for her class is apparent in her daily actions and teaching.
- Sending love and a huge shout-out to the CIS site coordinators division-wide who will always jump in and try to help wherever they can to address various needs within schools. From mental health/social-emotional learning to the plannings/facilitation of individualized supports, small groups, classroom supports, and school wide initiatives, CIS site coordinators find a way to do it all!
- I'd like to give a shout-out to the Care and Safety Associates at George Wythe HS. Led by Mr. Nious's educated, friendly and kind example, the team treats the students with care and love. I've seen Mr. Jourdan translate for parents looking for help. I've had numerous talks with Mr. Brown and seen him gently persuade students to class while asking about their families, and Ms. Dixon is a gentle constant at the front door. Their communication and encouragement to teachers and students, even popping into class to say hi and a brief look at what we're doing makes them a very important part of the GWHS day.
- We just wanted to take a minute to say thank you to Ms. Bermejo from the Special Education Department for your help at J.L. Francis ES last week! It was incredibly important for you to be here and we would have struggled through the days without you. Thanks for being so flexible and accommodating. We appreciate your work with our students, families, and staff members. Much appreciated, Ms. Bermejo!!
- I’d like to send a great big shout-out to Mrs. Korde, geometry teacher, and Mr. Hostman, history teacher, at Huguenot High School. Mrs. Korde spent her planning periods to get my daughter up to speed to pass her SOL and she did it. Thanks for your continued encouragement and support. Mr. Hostman is so pumped about his students; he sent out continuous work over the winter break and phone calls and text messages to encourage/support families and students to be prepared for the SOL. Coming from virtual last year and missing so much time due to the weather this year, he wanted his students to be ready. Kudos to you for your hard work and dedication to our kids.
- Big shout-out to Victoria Garren, ELA specialist, for constantly advocating for transparency for her team and putting the needs of teachers first. She responds immediately and is always willing to step in when we need assistance.
- Shout-out to Ms. Bauman!!! Ever since I started working at Linwood Holton ES, she has been a huge support system for me in and out of school!! I am blessed to know her and her kids truly do adore her!
- I want to give a huge shout-out to all of the faculty and staff at George Wythe High School! I am truly in awe of all of the amazing things they are doing every single day at this school! I walk in every day and see teachers dedicated to making their students' experience the best it can possibly be! I’ve never been so inspired to teach every day!
- Shout-out to Sonata Koger, front office administrator at Mary Scott Preschool. She helps keep the pulse of the building and is such a ray of sunshine. You are so appreciated for all the things you do and none of it has gone unnoticed!
- Shout-out to Tiana Addai-Mensah, librarian/media specialist for all 5 RPS Preschools. Her lessons are so engaging and designed with the students in mind. I love being a fly on the way in her classroom
- Shout-out to Maurice Holland, a senior network engineer with Technology Services. Thank you for serving with love and ensuring all of our students have what they need. You are the best.
- Thank you and shout-out to Monika Haskins for your help getting things set up for John Bennett as a long-term sub for Ms. Jenkins. Your communication was outstanding, and I really appreciate the support you provided to help us navigate what is a difficult time for everyone. You got all this done in one afternoon...amazing!!!!
- Nurse Brandl is phenomenal! She’s the school nurse at Binford Middle School and she deserves a shout-out every day for all of the love and care she pours into our school. She does this by being well-informed, kind, collaborative, approachable, patient, and urgent. Our staff and students rely on her expertise daily for all healthcare needs on top of COVID! Speaking of COVID, Nurse Brandl is always eager to learn, listen, share, consider, and refine our COVID protocols so our students and families can benefit from the resources we have as a school community. None of this is easy by any means yet she is persistent because she is the epitome of the nursing profession. Thank you, Nurse Brandl, for all that you do to support and care for the Binford Lions!
- This shoutout goes to Nick Bergheimer, Jonathan Faulks, Michelle Hackley, Rai Anne Larkins, Destiny Rainney, Michelle Redd, James Self, Mark Spewak, Josh Tucker, and Maribelle Via at Binford Middle School. These brilliant educators make up the English Department and need to sit with this moment of public appreciation for their fierce determination that has authentically convinced our students that there is excellence within them and that it is just one more draft away from being unleashed into the world. This team of teachers also expertly weaves in our arts integration mission with the full rigor of their curriculum because they know that every student they teach is deserving of opportunities to connect themselves to the bigger world in this deeply meaningful way. Mr. B, Mr. Faulks, Mrs. Hackley, Ms. Larkins, Ms. Rainney, Ms. Redd, Mr. Self, Mr. Spewak, Mr. Tucker, and Mrs. Via - thank you for creating consistently safe spaces for all of our students to be their authentic selves through the power of literacy and the arts!
- Shout-out to Westover Hills Elementary teachers Aliyah Hoye and Lesley Greene for their excellent work in our kindergarten collaborative classroom! During a recent skills block lesson, Ms. Hoye was expertly teaching three different digraphs from beautifully drawn anchor charts. She then had her students use a "total participation technique" by having them draw sticks and call each other to the front to identify the selected digraphs embedded in short texts. Ms. Greene was working with a couple of her students on their letter recognition and it was great to see the intentional collaboration between those two students. It was inspiring to watch the engagement, celebration, and learning that were happening simultaneously with a whole group and small group skills block lesson. It is clear why all the students – general education and exceptional education – are showing so much growth in this classroom! Kudos to you both.
- A huge shout-out to Ms. Woolridge, the health and PE teacher at Richmond Virtual Academy. My students are absolutely in love with her and come back to class with sweat on their foreheads and smiles on their faces! I am amazed at how engaging she makes PE through a virtual platform. My students have only been with her for a few weeks and they can't stop talking about how amazing her class is! Hooty Hoot!
- I’d like to shout-out all the students, teachers, admin, staff, and parents who advocated for our schools on Monday. Times are tough, and politics are delicate, but those folks are working hard to make sure we move forward with hope and a vision for our future that includes safety for all of us.
- I’d also like to shout-out my supervisor, Mr. Eley, at Henderson Middle School. He is always working hard regardless of what he’s got on his plate and still takes the time to ask me how I’m doing when he sees me.
- Shout-out to Ms. Jessee at Henderson Middle School for being a team player and always offering support and encouragement even when she herself could probably use some extra help. She works hard to support the Math Department every day at Henderson.
- Shout-out to Mrs. Donohue at Henderson Middle School. She always has my back to help my students when I need to be out – in addition to being an amazing classroom teacher. She forms strong relationships with all students she encounters and even in the face of tough situations always has her students’ safety, happiness, and well-being at the front of her priorities.
- Shout-out to Mrs. Goldenbaum at Henderson MS for trekking across the city to reach all her students, in addition to helping me be a solid teacher for my students whenever I have to step out.
- Shout-out to Dr. Evans at Henderson MS for always holding the media center operations down and for being a friendly face at Henderson for me since day 1 – anyone who works with her is lucky to know her!
- Shout-out to Ms. Briscoe for creating positivity and joy for our students with her student of the month initiative. Students feel so appreciated by this and her work on this project has been one of the main sources of joy and motivation for my students.
- Shout-out to the folks in the Talent Office, in particular, Ms. Sherrie Brown and Ms. Betty Stephens, who have been so helpful amidst all the extra responsibilities recently placed on central office employees. It is reassuring to know that folks across the district, in spite of being stretched so thin, are working hard to connect with, and support, RPS employees. I don’t know what your day looks like exactly, but if it looks anything like that of the teachers and building staff, y’all definitely deserve a big shout out as well.
- Shout-out to all the bus drivers who drive buses full of children every day. Teaching is tough, but I’m not sure how you handle driving a 30 ft vehicle while trying to manage the children as well. Thanks for getting our students to and from school safely every day.
- Shout-out to Ms. Lenore and all the Communities in Schools employees across RPS. There are so many students who need you all this year more than ever, and every student who works with you values that relationship so much! I have recently gotten to see Ms. Lenore in action at Henderson, and it is a sight to behold. The care and skill she has with her job is a beacon in tough times, and an inspiration for my own practice. Thank you for doing this work and helping these children carry the unfair burden that is placed on them these days.
- Huge shout-out to Crystal Potee at Thomas Jefferson HS for her organization and implementation of an SOL testing plan that has been as smooth as they come. Thanks for going above and beyond for our Vikings!
- I wanted to shout-out Mrs. Campbell, Mrs. Blount-James, and Mrs. Norrell for all of the hard work they do behind the scenes to keep the show running at J.B. Fisher ES! You all wear so many hats throughout the day and I hope you know how appreciated you are!
- Shout-out to all of the instructional assistants out there in RPS! You are the glue holding our schools together and deserve so much credit for everything you are doing right now.
- Shout-out to Ms. Harper and Ms. Reese at Miles Jones Elementary School. They are wonderful teachers. Very professional and I feel like my child is in good hands whenever I drop her off.
- I'd like to shout out Ms. Wilson, CIS coordinator at Westover Hills Elementary, and Ms. Clark, 2nd grade teacher at Westover Hills, for helping me when I had car trouble. I cornered Ms. Wilson in the parking lot to help jump start my car. She didn't hesitate to help out even though she was walking out the door after 5 pm. Ms. Clark was a fount of moral support and muscle! I'd also like to shout out Ms. Hoye, Westover Hills kindergarten teacher, who checked in later that evening to make sure I got home ok. The WHES team is the best team!
- Shout-out to Mr. Byrd, Westover Hills ES crew chief, for helping out with a load of book donations for the book vending machine while I was in class.
- I would like to make a shout-out to Marie Lamonica-Sarro, early childhood instructional specialist. She has been such an amazing support to the ECE Ed Team! Thank you for everything that you do, Marie!!
- This shout-out is for the first line English 11 Testing Team at Huguenot High School: Ms. Gwendolyn Nixon, Mr. Kyle Fuller, and Ms. Amy Brown. Many juniors entered Huguenot High School for the first time. These teachers were tasked with acclimating them to a new environment, teaching a new curriculum, and designing benchmarks, materials, and other resources so that their students would meet success. These students, despite illnesses, testing glitches, and other obstacles, showed up. On both the Reading and the Writing SOLS, several students earned 500+! Numerous students earned 400+ on both exams. Overall, this team did a stellar job!
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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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