| COVID Booster – The FDA and CDC have authorized a booster dose of the Pfizer COVID vaccine for children aged 5-11 who received their second vaccine dose at least five months ago. Given that infection rates are rising again, please make sure to get the booster for your eligible children. Contact your pediatrician’s office, make an appointment with a pharmacy, or check out vaccination events hosted by RHHD as soon as you can.
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| Richmond Visionary Scholarship – The Urban League of Greater Richmond is now offering its Richmond Visionary Scholarship to RPS high school seniors. Apply by June 3 for this amazing opportunity! Also, be sure to follow RVA Future on Instagram for scholarship announcements and other great information.
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| Teacher Appreciation Videos – Created by Mr. Frederick Vereen and RPS students, the video below tells the story of why the Fairfield Court ES extended day teachers and Peter Paul staff decided to become educators! Please keep sending your videos to outreach@rvaschools.net through the end of the month.
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| Decision Day Announcements – Please join me in congratulating the following seniors from CodeRVA on their post-graduation announcements! Class of 2022, keep sharing your Decision Day news with us at outreach@rvaschools.net.
- Marcus Brooks - J. Sargeant Reynolds University
- Laila Cokes - J. Sargeant Reynolds University
- Cherish Coleman - Hampton University
- Keniyah Collins - J. Sargeant Reynolds University
- Quinn Conein - Virginia Commonwealth University
- Ercyah Crawley - Virginia Union University
- Aliana Foulis - Old Dominion University
- Jon Solomon Habahbeh - Virginia Commonwealth University
- Ziquon Irving - York Technical College
- Carter Randall - Sweet Briar College
- Andrew Rivers - J. Sargeant Reynolds University
- Ezekiel Turner - Full Sail University
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| With great appreciation,
Jason
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- I just wanted to shout out Anne Forester of River City Middle School. She is a tireless advocate for teachers and students alike. Her hard work and dedication to her students, to the profession of teaching, and to our district and city are so appreciated. She is an amazing asset to RPS and we are so lucky to have her!
- I'd like to shout out Diantha (Cookie) Walker, instructional assistant at John B. Cary Elementary. Ms. Walker is truly willing to go the extra mile for all students she serves, without question. Ms. Walker truly leads her students with love first. Thank you for all you do, Ms. Walker!
- A huge shout-out and thank you to the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teachers at John B. Cary Elementary School – Ms. Kay, Ms. Hepner, Mrs. Mosley-Woodfolk, Ms. Sickinger, Ms. Booker, Ms. Green, and Ms. Atkeson – and the volunteers. They were supportive and flexible in pulling off our First Annual Math Carnival! The kids were excited and engaged and worked hard to solve math problems to review for SOLs and earn their way in to play carnival games. We couldn't have pulled this off without each of you. Thank you so much for your collaboration with this event!
- I would like to shout out Laura "Beth" Ramsay. Laura has done a wonderful job preparing test coordinators for SOL testing. She's held informative weekly meetings with the group and provided technical assistance as needed. The resources that she provides are clear, timely, and extremely beneficial. We appreciate her service and hard work.
- Thank you to the families, students, and teachers of Oak Grove-Bellemeade Elementary School for making our SOL Ray Of Sunshine Rally a success! It was great to see the smiling faces of so many and we know you are ready to Rock The Test! Special shout-out to Mr. Williamson and Ms. Wilkinson for their planning and setup work.
- I want to shout out Mr. Saleem Sargent, a music teacher at Blackwell Elementary School. Mr. Sargent is an amazing music teacher whose voice captures the eyes, ears, and hearts of our students and staff. Even more important, Mr. Sargent's delivery of lessons keeps students focused and actively engaged as he fosters cultural awareness through music. His commitment to our students is evidenced in the roles he has assumed as an extended day instructor, step team leader, and cheering/dance instructor. Mr. Sargent, you rock!!! Thank you for setting high expectations for all of our students and bringing out the best in them.
- Shout-out to Ms. Mary Reynolds at John Marshall, Mr. Gary Gray at Armstrong High School, and Ms. Bettylou Puga at Huguenot High School for their collaboration in maintaining the caseloads of the RVA intensive support scholars! Without your collaboration and teamwork, this year would not have run as smoothly as it did! Hoot Hoot!
- Shout-out to Keri Lagow, my mentor teacher! Thank you for your guidance this year! You are appreciated. Hoot Hoot!
- Shout-out to Tammy Sellers, my first mentor teacher this year! Thank you for answering questions on Saturdays and Sundays! Being available to your team is important and appreciated! Hoot Hoot!
- Here's a big shout out to my son's third grade teacher, Ms. Dunn at Mary Munford ElementarySchool! She is the best! She is calm, cool, and collected, and loves her class to pieces. She is awesome at communicating with parents and the kids just adore her. My son has grown so much this year and she has been a big part of that growth. We'll forever be thankful for her!
- Shout-out to Ms. C. Lucas, Ms. K. Lagow, Ms. T. Sellers, and Ms. A. Dailey for standing in the gap for the middle school intensive support scholars at RVA! Thank you! Hoot Hoot!
- Shout-out to Ms. R. Parks and Dr. Volley for their continued advocacy for all RPS scholars and for open lines of communication/collaboration with the RVA to provide the best support for the scholars here at RVA! Hoot Hoot!
- Shout-out to Mr. P. Wells, the math coach Binford and Lucille Brown! Thank you for your continued words of encouragement and communication with me! Hoot Hoot!
- Shout-out to Ms. Terry for her advice and guidance in math! Hoot Hoot!
- Shout-out to Mr. Jones at Lucille Brown! Thank you for collaborating with me on lesson planning all of last year! Hoot Hoot!
- Shout-out to all RVA staff and families for a successful school year! Here is to many more in the future! Hoot Hoot!
- Shout-out to Mrs. Lofton-Pickens of RVA. Mrs. LP's calm demeanor is admired! Her ability to encourage colleagues and the RVA community is fantastic! Mrs. LP, please continue to allow your Higher Being to lead you into greatness!
- Shout-out to Dr. Harris-Muhammed, Ms. Gibson, Ms. Rizzi, Ms. White, and Mr. Young ensuring checks and balances in RPS; RVA appreciates you!
- Shout-out to all RVA teachers and staff! My wife always speaks about the love that she has for you all! She has never been in a better work environment!
- I would like to send a huge shout-out to Mrs. Pam Mines for allowing the students at Lucille M. Brown Middle School to participate in the Special Olympics Event. Thank you, Ms. Lashley, for spearheading this inclusion event and for allowing our students to shine like bright stars!
- I would like to send a special thank you to Mr. Brown, Ms. Burchette, and Mr. White for working so diligently with the students and getting them prepared for the Special Olympics Event. A special thank you to Ms. Layne, Mr. Alexson, Mr. Rennalls, Mr. Lee, Ms. Thomas, and Mr. Hurt for volunteering to make this event a success for our students at Lucille M. Brown Middle School.
- I would like to shout-out Anne Forrester, LIEP teacher at River City Middle School. She has been an amazing emotional support for me during this difficult year, as well as an invaluable resource for supporting the English Learners in my classroom. Anne is always looking out for her colleagues, her students, and their families. She is a champion of social justice and a positive, solutions-oriented advocate for positive change in the district. River City Middle School is lucky to have her on our team!
- Huge shout-out to our PE instructor, Mr. Jonathan Pearson, for organizing an amazing field day this past Friday at Henry Marsh Elementary School. Not only did the kids have a great time, but the staff did as well. Thank you so much, Mr. Pearson, and all the staff that supported the event for the fun, the games, and the snacks!
- Shout-out to Ms. Marcey Braxton, Kieasha King, Robin Jones, Kimberly Jones, Anita Davis, Amarise Carreras, Alexa Janacone, Sandra Pillard, Emily Spencer, Elise Boyd, Sandra Pillard, Tomorrow Lofton-Pickens, Alicia Winning, Carmen Brown, Jodi Moore, Katie Danso-Danquah, Margaret Westfall, Dr. Cynthia Robinson, Alicia Langley-White, David Mistler, Justin Baber and anyone I missed...Thank you for all that you do for RVA, your co-workers, your kiddos, and their families.
- Shout-out to the marvelous Tomorrow Lofton-Pickens, LP, for being you. You have a huge heart, a caring heart and it is much appreciated. You are always thinking of ways to engage your scholars and to include them with their peers. Thank you for including other scholars and teachers in your activities and adventures. Your advocacy for your co-workers, families, and scholars is also much appreciated. Thank you, LP, for all that you have done, what you do and what you will continue to do.
- I would like to shout-out one of the most amazing leads in RPS, Robin Jones. She is very trustworthy, dedicated, respectful, organized, empathetic, a self-starter, and a team player. She is the librarian for Richmond Virtual Academy and the lead for the Encore Team! You rock, Mrs. Jones!!!! Hooty Hoot!!!
- I just wanted to shout out our Unified Sports Grant Initiative with Special Olympics VA led by Torrie Lashley in the Health & PE Department! This week we had the culminating events for the Unified Sports Initiative at Oak Grove-Bellmeade, River City Middle, Lucille Brown, and Boushall Middle! Everyone had fun and walked away with smiles!
- Thank you to the families, students, and teachers of Oak Grove Bellemeade Elementary School for making our SOL Ray Of Sunshine Rally a success! It was great to see the smiling faces of so many and we know you are ready to rock the test! Special shout-out to Mr. Williamson and Ms. Wilkinson for their planning and set-up work.
- I hope this message finds you well. As a new teacher in Richmond Public Schools, I can think of no stronger a mentor for educators new to our district, and no stronger an advocate for the needs of our students and their communities - especially our EL students - than Anne Forrester of River City Middle School. She is an asset to this district: a professional, an intellectual, and a leader. Whenever I have had a question about something going on in the district or the city, or about challenges I've faced in my classroom, Anne has provided invaluable perspective and advice. If anyone knows how to teach with love, it's Anne Forrester.
- Shout-out to Mrs. Evans at Boushall Middle School because she pushes you to go harder even when you wanna give up. She is there when you are down and she is the best teacher/step coach ever.
- Ms. Forrester is a tireless advocate for students, staff, and parents all across the district. She is constantly reaching out to fellow staff members, the parents of her students, and her students themselves to ensure that everyone has what they need. I don't know how she does it, but she does it all! RPS is incredibly lucky to have a dedicated, creative, and caring teacher like her.
- Shout-out to Miles Jones ES for providing us with fun teacher appreciation day treats this week! It was appreciated!
- Linwood Holton Elementary inducted 34 fifth grade students into the National Elementary Honor Society. 13 students had all As, and 4 students had All As and 1 B. The other 17 student had a mixuture of As and Bs. What a great accomplishment for these honor students. Go, Holton Lions.
- I want to give an all around shout-out to the Ram Fam at Broad Rock ES. Administrators and staff at Broad Rock are awesome, and the students make working at BRES even better! I am new to the Richmond area, and I feel so at home here at Broad Rock! Lets go, Rams!!!
- We would like to shout-out the Principal at Mary Munford, Mr. Greg Muzik, and the entire staff, for keeping the school clean when the custodial staff had urgent emergencies. The entire staff at Munford pitched in to help. That is true teamwork. Thanks so much!!!
- A sincere shout-out to my co-teacher, Emily Spencer, who has also been a huge support. The knowledge that you share with me and our parents is awesome sauce. The time, your personal time, you use to find resources for our kiddos is much appreciated. Thank you for a fabulous year.
- A big shout-out and thank you to Elise Boyd, ICC at RVA! Elise jumped in today with no notification and helped assist a new employee become acclimated to RPS systems. I appreciate Ms. Boyd's cheerful willingness to help a new member of the RPS family! I also appreciate her taking time out of her day to do so, particularly since this task was not related to her job! Many, many thanks, Ms. Boyd!
- I would like to shout-out Anne Forrester for her inspirational work as a teacher and community leader. Anne and I do not even work in the same building, but since I've met her, she has consistently been a mentor by the way she advocates for our students, our families, and our staff. River City Middle School is immensely fortunate to have such a caring teacher among their staff. She truly is the epitome of someone who leads with love.
- Shout-out to Anne Forrester, LIEP lead teacher at River City Middle School. You are such a positive force here at River City! Thank you so much for your support, knowledge and expertise. You are one of the hard workers that helped make sure River City got rezoned and I can't thank you enough for that. You are a fierce advocate not only for the school but the community as well. Thank you for everything you do.
- Shout-out to the administrative professionals at Southampton Elementary, Ms. Walker and Ms. Boyce. They both do so much to keep the school functioning smoothly. They know how to do so much and will help you figure it out if they don't. These exceptionally kind women are invaluable to our school. Thank you so much!
- Shout out to Anne Forrester, LIEP teacher and team lead at River City Middle School. When I need support, encouragement, positive energy, or when I am seeking guidance about how best to meet the needs of my ELL students, I go straight to Anne Forrester. I go to her because she has proven herself - through her actions - to be a consistent source of love and encouragement to myself, to all of her colleagues, and to all of the students at River City. She is a strong leader, educator, and advocate, and I feel honored to work in a community with her.
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| Family Engagement Survey – Have you taken the Annual Family Engagement Survey yet? Please help us strengthen our collaboration by letting us know what we're doing well and what we can improve. Thank you in advance for providing your invaluable feedback!
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| SOLs Are Here – SOL testing began this week in high schools and will begin next week for middle and elementary schools. Check out the tips below to ensure you and your students are prepared and have a positive testing experience!
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| RVA Men Teach HBCU Residency – I'm thrilled to share that our very own RVA Men Teach is partnering with Virginia State University and Virginia Union University to launch an HBCU Teacher Residency program! Black and Latino male residents will serve as long-term substitute teachers in RPS next year while taking courses at VSU and VUU to complete a master's in elementary or special education FREE OF CHARGE.
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| RPS Preschool and Kindergarten Enrollment – RPS preschool and kindergarten enrollment is happening now! Enroll your 3 and 4-year-olds in our free, high-quality preschool program, and your 5-year-olds in kindergarten. Please also remember, if your student is currently in RPS preschool, they will still need to enroll for RPS kindergarten.
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| Important Links – Last updated on April 12, 2022.
RPS Links
COVID-19 Links
Crisis Support Links
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