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| Dear #RPSStrong Family,
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! Great teaching is magical, but it isn't magic. It takes hard work, expertise, creativity, perseverance, empathy, and, of course, love. RPS teachers have been demonstrating each of these qualities for years, which is why I'm not at all surprised by how they've supported our students and families during the pandemic. Please join me in conveying our deepest appreciation to our teachers – we love you!
To kick the week off, our RPS Voice today is Glenic Sandiford, a senior at Huguenot HS. Take a moment to listen to her shout-out for her teachers!
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| Today's updates:
- Computer Distribution for Elementary School Students – It starts tomorrow! See below for details.
- School Board Meeting – We'll be meeting via Zoom this evening at 6 pm. You can catch the livestream on our Facebook page.
- 2020 Census – Did you know that a lot of K-12 education funding is determined by the census? If you haven't filled it out, please do so today!
With great appreciation,
Jason
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Shout-outs! – Please keep sending them to me at jkamras@rvaschools.net! The teacher shout-out videos are pouring in and we’re excited to get things started with Westover Hills ES parent, Erica Ragsdale, and her son, Grant. Check out their video below and don’t forget to send yours in to outreach@rvaschools.net. We want to hear about all the amazing RPS teachers in your life!
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- Thank you to the Week 4 RPS@Home educators who dedicated their time to create videos and curate resources and activities: Agatha Brown-Johnson, Andy Brower, Megan Crowe, Melanie Saulsbury, Sydney Bauman, Kisha Christian, Rohoma Sims, Brooke Lock, Laura Anderson White, Elizabeth Jorgensen-Best, Meredith Howard, Catherine Green, Melanie Barker, Cassandra Obrien-Bates, Tamara Robertson, Kieasha King, Leigh Young, Corinne Tilley, Stephanie Hooks, Baylan Smith, Alexis Loving, Claire Mitchell, Katrina Tillman, Allie Tisone, Jenna Rhone, Jasmine McKay, Rantisha Whitaker, Katherine Kopelove, Phillip Vollmer, Courtney Vollmer, Heather Evans, Natalie Patino-Wright, Nathan Craft, Tiffany Floyd, Gloria Thomas, Barbara Haas, Heather Johnson, Vonita Foster, Carrie Bruner, Shawn Weisser, Lara Coggin, Elisa Schauer, Jasmine O'Leary Smith, Megan Scott, Kirsten Jersild, Angela Moore, Desiree Cotten, Monica Thomas Moore, Ashley Wolfe, Kristen Ruddy, Chele Williams, Jenna Ross, Sebrina Davis, Linda Jaeger, Meghan Manley, Rachel Smith, Shaunte Means, Chelsie Brown, Carmen Brown, Tiwori Bibby, Michelle Kenneth, Jenna Ross, Tierra Hobson-Trotter, Cayla Carruthers, Molly McPhillips, Tara McCrone, Ben Pryor, Erica McMillan, Christal Corey, John Nunez, Derrick Bates, Erin Willis, Antoinette Wilson, Christi Baker, Bernadette Taylor, Amanda Dailey, Tonya Epps, Rebecca Ceja, Elizabeth Wait, Justin Wait, and Ena Jamie Blair-Walker.
- Huge kudos to Corey Nelson & Damien Leftwich, staff in the RPS Technology Sevices Dept. They are sharing their expertise by helping countless scholars at the Mobile Help Desk located at Boushall Middle School between 4-6 each Monday.
- I would like to shout out Ms. Price, Ms. Sterling, and Principal Gordon from Oak Grove Bellemeade Elementary. Thank you!
- I would like to give a huge Titan shout-out to all of the hardworking, dedicated, loving, compassionate, loyal, funny, and caring, teachers of MLK! You are the best and we are in it to win it, together for our amazing students!
- A huge shout out to our RTC Administrators, Jonathan Mitchum and Alida Smith for holding a "Teacher Appreciation Week" zoom meeting this morning. It was great to see our colleagues and receive words of encouragement and thanks from our Administrators!
- I am a first year teacher and I teach at Oak Grove-Bellemeade Elementary and I didn’t have the year I expected. I came from a whole different working background before teaching and it was quite the experience. If it had not been for my mentor at the school, Lee Resnick, and the rest of the 5th grade team, I don’t know what I would have done. Just wanted to give them a shout out and let them know how blessed I am to have had them my first year.
- Just wanted to let you know what an AMAZING team Tee Jay has. On Friday 5/1 (College Decision Day) the Counselors, Future Center and Senior Advisor of Thomas Jefferson personally stopped by to surprise their Valedictorian and Salutatorian with a gift of their cap and gowns. This is this best team the city has in supporting their students through their big school career. Big thanks goes to Mr. W. Dupree, Ms. R. Johnson, Mr. R. Thompson (counselors), Ms. H. Kennedy (Future Center), and Mrs. Alexander-Taylor, Senior Advisor). Tee Jay is making history with the top Valedictorian and Salutatorian for the city.
- Shout out to Mr. London at Henderson Middle School for providing lunch and breakfast for the volunteers during chromebook distribution.
- Shout out to Ms. Rose Martin-Turnage for being the ITRT at Armstrong, MLK, and Henderson. She was very instrumental in getting students their passwords reset and trouble shooting challenges.
- Ms. Judy Payne at Oak Grove Bellemeade Head Start has gone above & beyond! She has sewn and delivered masks to not only RPS families who are essential workers but the elderly in our community as well. Thank you, Ms. Payne! We love you! We appreciate you!!!!
- I’d like to give a SHOUT OUT to our fabulous OGBES teachers! They have continued to engage with students and their families during this school closure. I’m thankful to work alongside such an amazing team of educators who want to see all students succeed.
- I want to give a shout out to the fantastic kitchen crew at Broad Rock Elementary School! Ms. Gwen, Ms. Yvonne, Ms. Marjorie, Ms. Michelle, and all the other amazing people there are working tirelessly to make sure all of our babies have the food they need. This team never stops moving, and they make volunteers feel welcome and appreciated. Thanks for all you do for our students!
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Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4-8) – As a token of our gratitude, we've teamed up with SAVE RVA Restaurants as well as a number of local eateries to offer discounted lunches to RPS teachers on Thursday, May 7. Thank you to these wonderful partners!
- Africanne - $6 for a buffet takeout meal
- Candela’s - 50% of any menu item
- Hogshead Cafe - 20% of any menu item
- Jamaica Taste - 15% of any menu item
- Perk! Bon Air - 50% any menu item
- Soul Taco - 50% off any taco (up to 5 tacos)
- Tazza Kitchen - $5 off any item that is $6 or more
- Urban Hang Suite - 50% any menu item
As part of our celebration, we're asking RPS students to participate in a Virtual Spirit Week! (Adults are welcome to join in, too :) Check out all the details below and make sure to post your pictures using these hashtags: #RPSTeachersRock, #RPSStrong, and #TeachWithLove.
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Computer Distribution for Elementary School Students – If you have not yet completed the form to request a computer and/or hotspot, please do so ASAP. Also, if you need transportation to the distribution sites or any other support, please call our Family Support Line (804-780-6195).
Distribution Dates and Locations
- Tuesday, May 5: Blackwell, Carver, Cary, Chimborazo, Fairfield, George Mason, William Fox
- Wednesday, May 6: Broad Rock, Fisher, Oak Grove-Bellemeade, ED Redd, Westover Hills
- Tuesday, May 12: Barack Obama, Linwood Holton, Patrick Henry, Swansboro, Woodville
- Wednesday, May 13: Bellevue, GH Reid, JL Francis, Miles Jones, ESH Greene
- Thursday, May 14: Ginter Park, Overby-Sheppard, Mary Munford, Southampton
- Amelia Street students may go to a school on any date.
Schedule
The time windows below are intended to help with social distancing so we respectfully request that you do everything possible to adhere to them. That said, we will not turn away anyone who comes outside their designated time.
- 9:30 AM for last names starting with letters A-D
- 10:15 AM for last names starting with letters E-J
- 11:00 AM for last names starting with letters K-N
- 11:45 AM for last names starting with letters O-S
- 12:30 PM for last names starting with letters T-Z
What to Bring
- Your parent/caregiver (required for elementary school students)
- Your student ID# (which can be found on your report card and transcript)
- A mask or face covering
What to Expect
- The process of signing out a computer and/or hotspot will take about 15 minutes per student. Each device needs to be powered up and the student then needs to log in to make sure everything is working properly. Parents/caregivers may come without their student but they will need to be able to log in with their student's ID# and password. Given this, we strongly encourage students to come.
- Everyone on the distribution team will be wearing masks and gloves, and will have disinfectant wipes for the devices and hand sanitizer for anyone who needs it.
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Tech Support – If you're having a tech issue with your chromebook, hotspot, or the RPS@Home platform, please email us at helpdesk@rvaschools.net. For issues that require hands-on support, please visit one of our mobile tech centers listed below.
- Boushall Middle School, Mondays, 4pm - 6pm
- MLK Middle School, Wednesdays, 11am - 2pm
- Elkhardt-Thompson Middle School, Fridays, 7am - 9am
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Important Links – I'll note in orange when there have been additions/updates so you you won't miss anything.
Local, State, and National Public Health Links
Local, State, and National Public Education Links
RPS COVID-19 Quick-Links
FAQs
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