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Dear #RPSStrong Family,
Tonight's updates:
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| R.E.B. Leadership Award – Congratulations to Ta'Neshia Ford, principal of Virgie Binford Education Center, for receiving the 2023 R.E.B. Award for Distinguished Educational Leadership, and finalist Shayla Holeman, principal of Overby-Sheppard! This award, sponsored by the R.E.B. Foundation and the Community Foundation, recognizes principals who have gone above and beyond to create exceptional learning environments filled with love. That's a perfect description of Principals Ford and Holeman. Please join me in celebrating these two extraordinary leaders!
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| Teen Summit RVA – This past Saturday, hundreds of high school students from Richmond, Henrico, and Chesterfield came together for the first-ever Teen Summit RVA – a leadership summit designed by teens, for teens, to discuss social issues impacting them. Enormous gratitude to the RPS Engagement team, and our colleagues in Henrico and Chesterfield, for organizing this event. Check out some of the coverage from CBS 6!
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| Arts in Our Schools Spotlight – Many thanks to our amazing students from Franklin Military Academy for sharing their story of 16 Strings with us yesterday. Today's highlight comes from the VMFA, where students from Huguenot HS participated in the Sketch It Tour, creating beautiful work inspired by famous paintings and sculptures.
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| Beginning of Ramadan – Tomorrow marks the beginning of Ramadan – the Muslim holy month when fasting is practiced from dawn to dusk for 30 days. During this time, please be mindful that observant students and staff may be tired, dehydrated, and hungry. Please extend them extra grace and love during this time. Thank you!
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| With great appreciation,
Jason
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- Big ups to Douglas Scroggins and his phenomenal team at RTC for keeping the building tip top! Scroggins and Dre respond in a timely manner when called upon. They go above and beyond and we are so happy they serve with a smile, a sense of humor, and with the utmost professionalism. Tip Top! Thanks for all you do!
- I would like to shout-out Ms. Ellerbe, my son’s first grade teacher at Linwood Holton ES. She was very gracious with her time during parent-teacher conferences. Her class structure has been very beneficial for keeping our son focused on class work. She also does fun group activities to get the kids to work with each other as a team. My son looks forward to fun Fridays. Thank you, Ms. Ellerbe!
- I would like to shout-out Ms. Jernigan, my daughter’s fourth grade teacher at Linwood Holton ES. We appreciate the time she took to stay after school with my daughter to help her grasp the math lesson that just wasn’t sinking in. She also started a book club in the class and my daughter loves it. It really reignited her love for reading. She also eats lunch in the cafeteria with the class on Fridays, and my daughter truly loves having her as a teacher.
- MLK preschool teachers, aids, and the principal deserve the loudest shout-out!! They love those kids with all they have. They go beyond the call of duty on a daily basis, supporting students and families! RPS is lucky to have them!
- I would like to highlight Suzie Blevins for the support she has given the students, staff and community at Fairfield Court Elementary. She is attentive and responsive to the community and has done an amazing job as part of the Fairfield Trio Attendance Team. During the CIS Recognition week and all day, every day we appreciate her service to our Fairfield Family.
- I want to recognize Mr. Fisher at PHSSA who has grown as a teacher in a way that is simply inspirational! He is doing an awesome job!
- Our top five Nearpod Schools for the month of February were River City MS, Huguenot HS, Lucille Brown MS, Redd ES, and MLK Jr. MS! Our top five teachers were David Bingen, Deborah Hardy, Brittany Wimmer, Terence Davis, and Jasmine McKay!
- For Flocabulary, Boushall MS, Chimborazo ES, Westover Hills ES, Holton ES, and Bellevue ES had the best usage in February, and our top five teachers were Sharon May, Leonetty Gray, Nicholas Allmond, Shirlean Harris, and Phoenix Steele!
- A big shout-out to Ms. Sheila Cotman at Cardinal Elementary. She always advocates for the needs of the teachers. Every time the printers run out of toner or need repairs, Ms. Cotman calls RICOH herself and makes sure the printers would be serviced in a timely manner. Thank you!
- Big shout-out to Ms. Megan Adair – she's at Carver ES and is the best social worker I've ever been honored to work with! She works with a wide variety of our students each and every day and always treats each with respect, honesty, and dignity. She truly #leadswithlove and is a great example of professionalism!
- Big shout-out to Ms. Means and Mr. Spain. As Carver's administrators they've worked together since January to bring honesty, openness, and empathy towards all at Carver. Seeing our admin teaching classes, walking the hallways, and interacting with parents/guardians in such a professional manner is truly refreshing. Each is a true example of #leadingwithlove!
- Shout-out to one of the very best Communities in Schools people we've had at Carver ES: Ms. Cathy Hite! She is very creative in her support of all of our students: haircuts for our young men, books for every first grader, holiday presents from various donors, and the list just keeps going on. She's a true treasure and we are extremely grateful to have her with us – another great example of #leadingwithlove!
- I want to shout-out to the amazing 7th grade AP at River City, Mrs. Christal Blue. She goes above and beyond to support the 7th grade students and teachers. We appreciate everything you do for us.
- I want to give a huge shout-out to the all-star 7th grade dean, Ms. Gallo. Her love and leadership make a huge difference in the 7th grade pod. Thank you!!
- I would like to give a tremendous shout-out to Deidra Starkes, Damone Harris, and Latonya Leigh from the Operations Team for being super kind and taking such care in coordinating moves and placements for our staff. They are the absolute best!
- I want to give a special shout-out to our dean of students, Ms.Gallo, in the seventh-grade pod at River City Middle School. Ms. Gallo does a fantastic job as an administrator by keeping our students and colleagues motivated and focused. Ms. Gallo has been more than an administrator to everyone in the building; she has been a mother, a mentor, and an arm to cry on, and she even gives excellent hugs. Ms. Gallo is very supportive, loveable, and admiring. Ms. Gallo is always willing to help where it is required. She thrives on fostering a community where we all work together to be there for the students. Ms. Gallo exemplifies what it means to be in leadership and a person who will always ensure her students are safe and loved, as well as her staff. I am genuinely grateful to have a person like Ms. Gallo as a dean of students.
- Shout-out to Keyla Pullen, ICC at Martin Luther King Middle School! Ms. Pullen has initiated practices at MLK that have vastly increased inclusion for students with disabilities. She is to be commended for being student centered and for her loving support of her students.
- Huge thank you to Blackwell Preschool teachers Ms. Ronin and Ms. Phipps for all you do for the children. I have watched my little one grow and flourish keep up the great work. Thank you for taking the time to notice any improvement needed for my child shelves both you and I'm confident she will be ready for kindergarten now because you two really care.
- Shout-out Ms. Ashley, our school librarian at Miles Jones ES! She put together a wonderful assembly for Virginia Reads One Book and all of our students were able to receive a book!! Thank you for motivating our kiddos to read, Ms. Ashley! We appreciate you!
- Sending major love to Ms. Cunningham and Mrs. DeYoung, our music and art teachers, respectively, at Miles Jones ES! We are so blessed to have you in our school community!! You ladies are so passionate and we appreciate you! Happy Arts and Music Appreciation Month!
- This shout-out goes to the amazingly paw-some AP Frenishee Smith at Blackwell Elementary. Ms. Smith's passion for children can never be questioned and it is such a wonderful thing to see day in and day out. Blackwell is truly blessed to have her as a part of the leadership team and I am so thankful for her leadership, dedication to education, and knowledge. She enlightens students and staff with every moment of the day.
- Ms. Shaunte Means, assistant principal at G.W. Carver Elementary School, is the glue that keeps things together at our school. She is here daily at the bus ramp in the morning and afternoon, making announcements throughout the day, in the lunchroom, responsible for testing, and filling in for teachers when necessary. She still has room for hugs for students and staff as needed. We appreciate you!
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| Opportunities for Students – We're excited to launch the RPS Opportunities Hub where students can browse scholarships, internships, summer programs, and a variety of other opportunities. Don't delay – deadlines for some programs are fast approaching! If you would like to share an opportunity with our students, please email opportunity@rvaschools.net. Thank you!
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| 2023-24 Preschool & Kindergarten Enrollment – Preschool and kindergarten enrollment is now open! We're thrilled to offer preschool for eligible 3 and 4-year olds, and kindergarten for all 5-year-olds living in Richmond. Please note: if your student is currently enrolled at an RPS preschool, they will still need to register for kindergarten. For more information, please email enrollrps@rvaschools.net.
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| RVA Men Teach Conference – The first-ever RVA Men Teach Conference will be held on Saturday, April 15 from 8:30 am to 3 pm at Huguenot HS. Conference breakout sessions, led by some of our dynamic male minority educators here in RPS, will showcase the ground breaking work being done in the city. There will also be panel discussions on 21st century education issues, an RPS hiring fair (with on-the-spot interviews), and free CPR certification classes for RPS teachers. Registration is free and open to all RPS teachers.
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Important Links – Last updated on March 20, 2023.
RPS Links
Crisis Support Links
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