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| Dear #RPSStrong Family,
Before diving into today's updates, I want to acknowledge the additional pain that is coursing through our community right now as a result of George Floyd's harrowing death at the hands of a white Minneapolis police officer. The similarity to the Eric Garner case, down to both men's cries – "I can't breath" – is chilling, to say the very least.
Nearly 35% of RPS students are African-American young men. The America that they will experience over the course of their lives is fraught with racist prejudices – held consciously or not – that dehumanize them and make deaths like Mr. Floyd's not just possible, but common.
We must change that. Our responsibility as educators is so much more than just teaching reading and math. It's about preparing our young people with the knowledge, skills, and social capital they'll need to construct a better, more just world – and doing whatever we can as adults to pave the way for them.
Towards that end, I'd like to make a request of my fellow white members of the RPS community: If you haven't already done so, please discuss Mr. Floyd's death – and the long history of racialized violence that precedes it – with your children. Yes, it may be difficult. But families of color don't have much choice when it comes to "the talk" – it's literally a matter of life and death for them.
For the entire RPS Family, here's a set of resources for talking with young people about race, racism, and racialized violence from the Center for Racial Justice in Education.
Finally, to everyone who is processing this tragedy with great pain, please know that your RPS family stands with you – and always will.
With great appreciation,
Jason
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Today's Updates:
- Two Notes for Teachers – First, once the School Board approves the "re-election" list at our meeting on Monday, we'll send out contracts electronically. Please look for them next week! Second, I have asked principals to schedule times for you to pack up your classrooms and perform other end-of-the year activities – of course, with all the necessary COVID-19 precautions. Our goal is to complete this work by June 12, which is technically the end of the school year for teachers. If you are uncomfortable coming to school at this time, or have personal responsibilities given the coronavirus that would prevent you from doing so, we completely understand. Please let your principal know so that alternate arrangements can be made. And, as always, if you continue to have challenges with any of this, please reach out to me directly at jkamras@rvaschools.net.
- Edgenuity – As a reminder, we've extended the deadline to June 8 for seniors and June 12 for 9th-11th graders AND any middle school students taking HS courses.
- Computer Distribution – Tomorrow is the final distribution day for preschool students. Click here for all the details. If you still need a computer for an older child, I respectfully request that you wait for one of our make-up days (dates to be announced very soon). I ask this because we will likely run out of devices if a significant number of non-preschool students show up tomorrow. Thank you for your understanding!
- Mindfulness Sessions – As I shared yesterday, we're offering a free introductory session on mindfulness on Wednesday, June 3, at 3 pm. Click here to register.
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- Solamente quiero agradecer a todos los de RPS por el apoyo y la ayuda con la entrega de las computadoras. Mis hijos ahora están muy felices que ya podrán hacer tareas en línea con sus maetros. Muchas gracias y que dios les bendiga un saludo. Muy especial también para todos los maestros de mis niños GH Reid Elementary School por toda la ayuda! [I just want to thank all of RPS for the support and assistance with the computer delivery. My children are very happy now that they can now do online tasks with their teachers. Thank you very much and God bless them. A special greeting also for all teachers of my children at GH Reid Elementary School for all the help!]
- I want to thank Ms. Katina Harris for all she does to uplift and support teachers and students. She constantly checks on teachers and is always available when we have concerns or just need to talk. A coworker of mine said it best: "After I talk to Ms. Harris, I believe I can do my job." She's just that awesome and inspiring!
- I wanted to shout out and show some love for our RPS bus drivers that are driving for food distribution. I'd like to especially thank Ms. Gale and Ms. Josephine. They go above and beyond to help the volunteers hand out the food and greet families. We are so lucky to have them.
- I would like to give a super huge shout-out to Rochelle Wilkins. She has assisted a Thomas Jefferson student who was having tremendous difficulties with Edgenuity, and now he is on the road to completing the modules. Thanks, Ms. Wilkins for your time and all of your efforts.
- Thank you to Rochelle Wilkins and Brent Evans for stepping up to support with Edgenuity for RPS@Home. Your willingness to learn a new system and provide timely and high-quality assistance for students and school staff has been invaluable.
- Huge shout out goes to Floyd Brown, Cafe Manager at Ginter Park Elementary School. He has been an outstanding teammate, working alongside several volunteers and employees at the Ginter Park Food Distribution Site. He makes sure our students are fed, working late to wait for food deliveries. Mr. Brown has provided a special treat to all the cafe employees, custodians, principal, and AP every Friday – lunch from Lee's, Shrimp Shack, and Fish Fries. Mr. Brown is a hard worker, and his efforts do not go unnoticed and are greatly appreciated.
- Ms. Jones, principal at Ginter Park ES, has been working in the building everyday since the closure on March 13th. She is so humble in her efforts to keep our Gator parents, students, faculty and staff informed and engaged. She has collaborated to keep our website, Facebook Page/Group, and Parents Snapping for Success Remind Chat up to date, and organized virtual spirit weeks and student-of-the-week celebrations. She manages the daily operations of the office, answers calls, and manages donations and a food distribution site. She facilitates virtual staff and leadership team meetings, including games and checking on the well-being of our faculty and staff. She is a true leader and I am proud to work beside her.
- The families at the Ginter Park food distribution site have been raving about the Blue Sky science kits. They LOVE them! The parents have shared the joy the students are having with them and have requested more.
- Shout out to Jonathan McDearmon and Thomas Washington from the Culture, Climate and Student Services attendance team!! They have been delivering Chromebooks and conducting follow-up community based visits with parents and students. One grandmother shared her appreciation for the home visit and the new ability to now connect her grandchild to work. She shared that they are both "excited to get to work." Another parent reached out with gratitude after the team brought the technology to her job and said: "You guys are amazing and it is awesome what you guys are doing out there. Thank you so much. What you are doing is making a difference for students." Way to shine, Jonathan and Thomas!!
- I wanted to give a huge shout out to Ms. Amy Harr from Linwood Holton. She has gone above and beyond to help my son this year and throughout the school closures. She is an amazing teacher and truly loves her students.
- I'd like to give a shout out to Mr. Johnson, the custodian at the Mary Scott Preschool Center, for all of his cheerful help making sure we had everything we needed for Chromebook distribution today! It couldn't have happened without him!
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RPS Live! – Thank you to everyone who tuned in last night for RPS Live! We were joined by six of our amazing 2020 Valedictorians: Kapri Robinson (Armstrong), Darius Gray (Franklin Military Academy), Janelle Sample (Huguenot), Audrya Jiggetts (John Marshall), Jane Ruggles (Open) and Amia Graham (Thomas Jefferson). Check it out!
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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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