| Dear #RPSStrong Family,
Happy Friday! Tonight's updates:
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| Road to Licensure Fair – Join us tomorrow on the RPS Road to Licensure, from 9 am - 2 pm at River City MS. Learn about the requirements for teacher licensure, participate in onsite interviews, and speak with representatives from RPS and local universities. To sign up for this wonderful opportunity, scan the QR code below with your phone's camera. Also, if you know of a great teacher who might like to join the RPS team, please tell them to apply now. We have positions available in several content areas. Help spread the word!
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| BHM Community Event – Also happening tomorrow, from 10 am - 2:30 pm at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, is Here2Hear's "Black History: Learning from the Past and Inspiring the Future." This event will focus on the historical perspectives of African Americans who are deaf and hard of hearing, and will include interactive exhibits, poetry, short films, and presentations. The event is free but registration is encouraged.
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| BHM Spotlight – We simply could not do what we do without support from community partners like Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church. Led by Rev. Dwylene Butler, the congregation's members are steadfast supporters of RPS students and families. They routinely collaborate with our Center for Families in Transition to provide clothing, shoes, school supplies, and household items to families experiencing housing transition. In addition, they also operate a weekly food pantry that distributes groceries to individuals and families in need of assistance. We are eternally grateful for their service to RPS families and the Jackson Ward community!
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| Farm-to-Table Monthly Market – Mark your calendars for our next Farm-to-Table Monthly Market on Friday, February 16, from 2:30 - 4:30 pm at Swansboro ES. All RPS families are encouraged to stop by and pick up a free basket of fresh produce to enjoy at home. Help spread the word, RPS!
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With great appreciation,
Jason
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| Shout-Outs – Please help us continue to inspire and uplift the RPS community by submitting shout-outs to shoutouts@rvaschools.net. Entries can be submitted in Spanish or English!
- It's wonderful to know that there is a School Crossing Guard Appreciation Day. At J.L. Francis Elementary School, Mr. Robinson is the best crossing guard ever! When he puts on his bright yellow vest he becomes a "super crossing guard." With the use of a stop sign and the bright yellow vest, he is able to bring any car to a halt. He is a dedicated crossing guard who greets everyone with a smile and a wave. We appreciate all his hard work.
- Shout-out to Ms. Rachel Attenberger and Tenesha Bullock! They are the best preschool crossing guards around. Thank you for keeping MLK Jr. Preschool safe.
- A huge shout-out to the school counselors at G.H. Reid: Ms. Haynes and Ms. Jones. They are such caring and compassionate people. The students love to spend time with them. These counselors go above and beyond for the school and the students. We appreciate you, Ms. Haynes and Ms. Jones!
- Shout-out to our incredible school counselor, Laquea Carter! Your dedication to supporting our students emotionally, academically, and personally does not go unnoticed. Your unwavering commitment to their well-being enriches our school community every day. Thank you for all that you do!
- Happy National School Counseling Week to the two amazing school counselors at J.H. Blackwell Elementary School: Dr. Benn and Ms. Edwards. We are truly thankful to have you two and all the support you give to our students, families, and school community. Thank you for all you do! Our students love coming to see you all and having a safe place.
- I would like to shout-out Mrs. Tierra Jenkins, my co-counselor at Oak Grove Bellemeade Elementary. Mrs. Jenkins, thank you for dedication to the students and staff and for always leading with love. I am truly blessed to work along you at the "Grove."
- I couldn't let National School Counseling Week go by without acknowledging the amazing school counselors at T.C. Boushall Middle School! Ms. Johnson, Ms. Atkins, and Ms. Hayes are the most engaged and resourceful counselors around! I love how they work together for the good of our entire school community. Each counselor has their own unique gifts and strengths which is such an asset to our scholars. They are superheroes and we are so lucky to have them in our building!
- I want to give an awesome and amazing shout-out to the heartbeat of MLK – our thriving trio, Ms. Salena Scott, Mr. Timothy Carter, and Mr. Jeffrey Carter. We love and appreciate all you do each and every day! The students of MLK are better because you are here and you keep them first in all you do! Thank you, thank you. Happy School Counseling Week!
- Shout-out to River City Middle School's 8th grade school counselors, Dr. Kelly Olds and Jarcarla Hines. Your dedication to the 8th grade team is awesome. They worked tirelessly on organizing the process for our students to successfully apply to specialty schools. We love you both!
- I'd like to recognize Dr. Sherida Gholston, our proud counselor at Fairfield Court Elementary. Her voice is the first one you hear in the morning as she hands over the baton to our student leaders to read our school mantra and other announcements. She meets with our students in small groups and keeps abreast of their social, emotional, and physical health. She brings programs such as financial literacy that align with reading! We appreciate all that Dr. G does at FCES!
- Let's give a huge shout-out to the phenomenal Ms. Tranelle Pollard and the wonderful Mrs. Kanika Bonaparte-Moore as we celebrate School Counseling Week! Ms. Pollard not only excels as a school counselor, providing unwavering support to students and staff, but also holds the esteemed honor of being our school and district Teacher of the Year – a testament to her exceptional dedication and impact. Mrs. Moore's quiet spirit and ability to forge connections with our youngest scholars truly enriches our school community. Thank you both for your invaluable contributions to making Dogwood Middle School a place where students feel loved, safe, and supported!
- I would like to shout-out our wonderful 7th grade counselor at MLK, Mr. Timothy Carter. He does an efficient yet flexible and accommodating job of coordinating all our testing, an incredible feat of logistics. But most importantly, he is always there to take care of anything that goes amiss with our students. He helps them with their personal needs and their interpersonal relationships, and is a support our teachers can count on.
- I would like to shout-out our wonderful 6th grade counselor at MLK, Ms. Salena Scott. Ms. Scott is one of our most dedicated faculty at MLK, having served here longer than anyone else. She brings experiences to MLK that give our students a lot of joy, harmony, confidence, and empathy for others. She also stands ready to jump in when a student is having a bad day, not doing their best, or involved in a conflict. Our students go to her for that tough love.
- A heartfelt shout-out to our incredible Dogwood Middle School PTA for hosting an amazing fundraiser...the Art & Beyond Art Auction! This well-organized event not only raised funds for our school but also provided a fantastic opportunity for our school community to come together and build new connections. A special appreciation goes out to our dedicated PTA presidents, Mrs. Lauren Methena and Mrs. Ta'Meia Farina, for their outstanding leadership and commitment to enhancing our school's success. Thank you for all that you do!
- A huge shout-out to Mrs. Carmen Slayton, our former PTA president, whose unwavering dedication and support continue to enrich Dogwood Middle School in countless ways! Mrs. Slayton's consistent commitment to our school has made a lasting impact, and we are incredibly grateful for her continued involvement and support. Our school community is truly better because of her efforts. Thank you, Mrs. Slayton, for your ongoing dedication! A heartfelt shout-out to Mrs. Maia LaVallee for her endless contributions of time and talent to Dogwood Middle School! We are honored to have had our new school logo designed by one of our very own parents. Through her strong connection to our school community and her exceptional talent in graphic design, Mrs. LaVelle played a pivotal role in building a new culture at our school around our logo. Her dedication and creativity will leave a lasting impact, and we are truly grateful for all that you've done. Thank you, Mrs. LaVelle, for your invaluable contributions!
- Sending crazy love to Mr. Rennalls, athletics director, and the entire leadership team at LMBMS: Mr. Curtis, Ms. Wayne, Ms. Diaz, Ms. Mclaughlin, Mr. James, AP Hodges, AP Douglas-Jackson, the NextUp team, all the volunteers and whomever I've missed, for hosting both a full-school dance and playoff basketball game in the same two-hour period! So impressed by the teamwork that went into making such a successful afternoon for our scholars!
- The gator bowl event at Frances McClenney Elementary was a shining example of teamwork and collaboration among staff members. From planning to execution, the Title I team worked tirelessly to ensure a memorable experience for all involved. Parents enjoyed the fun-filled games and especially relished the excitement of bingo, which brought everyone together in laughter and camaraderie. The event showcased the dedication and collaborative spirit within the school community, leaving a lasting impression of joy and unity. Kudos to all staff who contributed to making this event a resounding success!
- A thunderous round of applause to the phenomenal teaching staff at Armstrong High School! Your tireless dedication and unwavering commitment to nurturing young minds never go unnoticed. With every lesson taught, every question answered, and every challenge overcome, you shape the future with boundless passion and care. Thank you for being the guiding lights, the mentors, and the inspiration behind countless success stories. Your impact reverberates far beyond the walls of the classroom, shaping generations to come. Here's to you, the unsung heroes of education! Your hard work is truly appreciated and celebrated!
- Thank you, Mr. Snead, for being not just a teacher, but also a father and uncle figure to so many students at Armstrong High School. Your strong presence and dedication are truly appreciated by all who know you. Here's to you and the positive impact you continue to make in the lives of those around you!
- Shout-out to Ms. Simmons at Carver Elementary for being a dedicated teacher to your second graders. Ms. Simmons is always on the ball, is constantly adjusting her instruction to meet the needs of her students, and has an amazing connection with her class. Thank you to Dr. Cooper and Mr. Johnson at Carver for the karaoke party this morning! What a great way to start off our Friday!
- Shout-out to Mr. Isaac Norris at MLK Preschool Center for providing wonderful food for the teachers every week! It's a great morale booster.
- I wanted to give a shout-out to the SLPA at Henry Marsh, Ms. Washington-Jones. She is an amazing collaborator and therapy partner! She works diligently to come up with therapy activities that target numerous goals at once and strives to be a trusted adult for our students. The SPED department is so lucky to have her!
- Shout-out to Mr. Patterson at Westover Hills Elementary School. Your hard work keeps our school clean and safe, and your bright attitude puts smiles on our faces! Many thanks to you, Ms. Williams, and Mr. Jones, for your efforts to keep our school clean and safe. Shout-out to Ms. Lawson at Westover Hills Elementary for doing your job with infectious joy. You are always one step ahead, solving problems before they become problems, and maintaining a sense of calm in the process. We appreciate you! Shout-out to Ms. Dimitri and the Westover Hills Elementary enrichment team! My kids were up early and excited to join their friends for the before school clubs. Huge thanks to all of the teachers, staff, and volunteers for giving our kids an opportunity to explore new ideas and skills, and build relationships in their school community.
- A huge shout-out to the 3rd grade team at Lois Harrison-Jones Elementary School! Mrs. Woodfolk and Mrs. Nowaczyk consistently work as a team to analyze student data to make informed instructional decisions for their students. They plan engaging lessons for their scholars and are a model for others in the profession. Keep pushing your scholars and having high expectations for them.
- Shout-out to Mrs. Hackley at Dogwood Middle School. She’s an uplifting coworker, dedicated to helping all students be successful, and an asset to the exceptional education department. Shout-out to Ms. Dudley at Dogwood Middle School for the peaceful library environment that she provides for all scholars. From a quiet place to do work, to the silent book club, to collaborating with teachers on projects, Ms. Dudley is always opening her doors to provide support.
- I would like to give a big RPS shout-out to Ms. Angela Jones and Mr. Charles Johnson for their commitment to school and staff safety. Their leadership supports effective collaboration across the district, and the energy and enthusiasm they bring to their threat assessment training is truly appreciated! Thank you both for all you do!
- I'd like to shine a light on Ms. Chele Miller who made connections between data collection, comparing numbers, and building conceptual understanding of teens in a fast-paced kindergarten class! Dynamic and fun for all!
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- At William Fox Elementary we like to have fun! Shout-out to our school counselor, Ms. London, for creating the Black History Month spirit week, and making today's theme, 90's hip-hop fashion! The teachers and students rocked it!
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- I’d like to give a shout-out to Principal Samuels at J.B Fisher Elementary. As I was going into classrooms to support with small groups, Mr. Samuels was right in there working with small groups during their math lessons as well. He goes above and beyond to make sure that everyone feels supported. Thank you for all you do, Mr. Samuels.
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- J.B. Fisher’s football themed literacy night was a great success thanks to Mrs. Megan Kuhl, Mrs. Lauren West, and Ms. Molly Boehm, as well as the rest of our Fisher family. It was so awesome to have so many students and their families come together for this fun event!
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| Reminders from Previous RPS Directs
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| Advocate for RHSA – On Wednesday, March 6, RPS will be requesting a waiver from the city Zoning Board to install light poles on the athletic grounds of the new Richmond High School for the Arts. If you can, please come out to support the RHSA community. For more information, visit our website or scan the QR code below with your phone's camera. Thanks in advance for your support!
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| School Immunizations – RPS Health Services has scheduled a series of school-based immunization clinics. If you would like for your child to be vaccinated at this or any of our upcoming events, please return the completed consent form to your school nurse in English or Spanish. These immunizations are mandated by Virginia law so please make sure to take care of them ASAP. See flyer below for locations and times.
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| Tutor Recruitment – Are you a retired teacher, college student/recent grad, or community member interested in supporting the academic success of our students? We're currently accepting applications for academic tutors to support our high-intensity tutoring program. If you or someone you know is interested in joining the RPS team, just visit our website to apply or scan the QR code below with your phone's camera. This work is going to take #AllofUs!
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| RPS Links
Crisis Support Links
Health and Wellness Links
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