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Monday, November 14, 2022

Dear #RPSStrong Family,

Tonight's updates:

School Applications Info Session – Join us tomorrow, November 15, from 6 - 8 pm, at Boushall MS (3400 Hopkins Road) for our next in-person school application information session. Swing by to learn all about the process and ask any questions you may have!

Grocery Delivery Drivers Needed – We need volunteers to help with our grocery delivery program on Thursday, November 17. You'll pick up groceries from The Market at 25th and then deliver them to RPS families experiencing housing instability. You can sign up here. Thank you in advance for your help!

Mindfulness Opportunity for RPS Staff – The Innerwork Center is offering another series of free mindfulness courses exclusively for RPS staff beginning December 6. See the flyer for additional information and register today!

Osiris Foundation at RAS – CBS6 recently highlighted the Osiris Foundation, a local non-profit that runs an after-school program at Richmond Alternative School focusing on healthy relationship-building. We're so grateful for their partnership!

Senator McClellan Visit – Sending a huge shout-out to Senator Jennifer McClellan for visiting government students at Thomas Jefferson HS to discuss life as a legislator. Kudos as well to the Vikings for asking such thoughtful questions. Thank you, Senator McClellan!

With great appreciation,

Jason

Shout-Outs – Please keep sending them to me at jkamras@rvaschools.net!

Monique Harris, guidance counselor at Huguenot High School, deserves a hearty shout-out for her round-the-clock, expert work to support the students on her caseload. She has provided excellent, practical suggestions to teachers and staff to help us all be successful and has stepped up to assist students who are not on her caseload in times of need. Monique is a true team player who gives her all to her Falcon Family.
I would like to shout-out our parent, Kasel Williams. He has 2 children that attend J.H. Blackwell Elementary. During our shelter-in-place on Friday, Mr. Williams helped assure our parents of the safety of our students. He was also able to effectively explain to our parents the dangers of a tornado warning and how tornadoes can produce rather quickly. Thank you, Mr. Williams, for your expertise.
Shout-out to Mrs. Woodfolk, 3rd grade teacher at John B. Cary Elementary. We had our conference with her this week. Not only is she inspiring our daughter to be a great reader and a curious scientist but she also genuinely cares about her whole person. She asked if she could attend a gymnastics performance on a Friday night. What?!?!? She likes to know what goes on in her students' lives outside of school and be a part of it. Further proof that teachers are a special breed. RPS is a special place.
I want to put the spotlight on some very key people that went into help mode and ensured that everything went well on Friday during the shelter-in-place at Franklin Military Academy. The office staff, Ms. Hairston and Ms. Logan, continually monitored the 800 radio and helped field the phone calls and parent concerns. SGT Guishard and SGT Thornton went into help mode to ensure that all students were safe and comfortable during this uncertain period. The teachers sat with students and ensured that they were comfortable.
I would like to acknowledge Nerilis Suarez, our history exceptional education teacher here at George Wythe High School. Ms. Suarez has donated beautiful coffee mugs, Starbucks coffee beans, and cash to help support Cafe Read, the coffee and tea bar inside the GWHS library media center. She is helping to ensure that the spirit of hospitality and care for one another endures here at George Wythe High School.
I want to extend a huge shout-out for the positive leadership that the Cary ES homeroom teachers have demonstrated to support the inter-school, Fox ES/Cary ES PTA Fitness Challenge. The classroom teachers collaborated with the PTA to develop a way to teach the students how to track their fitness minutes for the fundraiser.
I would like to shout-out Mr. Jacob Sanford, our music teacher at Oak Grove Bellemeade Elementary School. He is our unsung hero. Mr. Sanford wears many hats. He starts the school day by greeting our students with a welcoming smile and different genres of music. He is the chairperson of the encore team. If a member of the encore team is absent, Mr. Jacob Sanford creates a schedule where all teachers will receive their scheduled breaks. In the afternoons at Oak Grove-Bellemeade, Mr. Sanford is the first person at the bus loop informing teachers of the buses that have arrived and assisting bus drivers. We are so thankful to have our unsung hero, Mr. Jacob Sanford.

RPS Preschool Enrollment – We still have spots available in our 4-year-old classes at Blackwell Preschool and Mary Scott Preschool! Start your application today or email preschool@rvaschools.net with questions. Don't miss out on these openings!

Important Links – Last updated on November 14, 2022.

RPS Links

COVID-19 Links

Crisis Support Links

Richmond Behavioral Health Authority (Child/Adult Mental Health) – (804) 819-4100
ChildSavers Immediate Response Helpline (Child Mental Health) – (804) 305-2420
YWCA Greater Richmond (Domestic Violence) – (804) 612-6126
Virginia Child Protective Services (Child Abuse) – (800) 552-7096
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – (800) 273-8255
Financial Navigators (Resource Contacts for Various Needs) – (804) 646-6673

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