| Wednesday, February 7, 2024
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| Dear #RPSStrong Family,
Tonight's updates:
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| Crossing Guard Appreciation Day – Did you know that our crossing guards are actually teachers, custodians, administrators, and other school staff? For a small stipend, they're out every morning and every afternoon – rain or shine – to help students get to and from school safely. In honor of Crossing Guard Appreciation Day, take an extra minute to thank your crossing guards and send them some shout-outs!
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| 2024 RPS Division-Wide Spelling Bee – Please join me in congratulating the champion of the 2024 RPS Division-Wide Spelling Bee, Max Ullman, a 7th grader from Franklin Military Academy! And kudos to the runner up from Chimborazo ES, Glorious Steve-Essi. We're so proud of you both!
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| BHM Spotlight – RPS programs like Young Kings in Action at Marting Luther King, Jr. MS teach, create, and celebrate Black history by building strong relationships and supporting students' academic, emotional, and spiritual growth. Young men like Demetrius Miller and Zyke Davis, both participants in Young Kings, are a testament to the Black excellence at MLK and across RPS!
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| Road to Licensure Fair – Join us on the RPS Road to Licensure this Saturday, February 10, 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!
In advance of this weekend's fair, Madison McNamee with NBC12 stopped by John Marshall HS to discuss staffing with Chief Talent Officer Maggie Clemmons and Principal Monica Murray. Check out the story below!
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| R.E.B. Awards for Teaching Excellence – Don't miss the opportunity to nominate your teacher for the R.E.B. Awards for Teaching Excellence! Award winners will receive grants up to $15,000 to support any professional learning adventure they wish to pursue – anywhere in the world! Nominations are due by 5 pm on Tuesday, February 20.
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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!
- A huge shout-out to Ms. Tessmer, school counselor at Westover Hills Elementary School. She has hit the ground running in her first year and gives so much care and consideration to all students. Thank you for being an absolutely amazing school counselor and all-around wonderful person. We appreciate you, Ms. Tessmer!
- Huge shout-out of love to our spectacular school counselors, Ms. Jenkins and Ms. Faison, from Oak Grove-Bellemeade Elementary School for being an amazing support system for our students and staff. They provide our students a safe space to share their feelings and teach them how to process their emotions. We also love seeing their bright, smiling faces every day on our morning announcements. We couldn't have school every day without you! Happy School Counseling Week! We love you!
- Shout-out to Tess Short! She served as the secondary school counseling specialist and was a phenomenal leader and school counselor advocate. In her new role as lead school counselor at Richmond High School of the Arts, I am most positive that she will continue to be a change agent, leader, and true school counseling professional. Continue to make great strides!
- Shout-out to the Teacher of the Year, Ms. Tranelle Pollard, who is also a school counselor. Your work and dedication is outstanding. You truly make a difference in the lives of young people. Thank you for all that you do!
- Huge shout-out to Ms. Morley for her work here at George Washington Carver Elementary School. We appreciate you for all the hats you wear each day. You are an outstanding social worker, a compassionate counselor, a reliable colleague, and overall remarkable addition to our school. As we celebrate school counselors this week, your contribution to Carver, as well as dedication to our students, has not gone unnoticed. We would be lost without you.
- A huge shout-out to the amazing counselors at MLK Middle School! Ms. Scott makes it a point to make staff and students feel welcome, supported, and heard. Mr. T. Carter is also a dedicated supporter of our students and staff! Mr. J. Carter is a warm, generous and caring part of our community. He goes above and beyond to help rising 9th graders follow their goals of attending the high schools of their choice. Our counselors are one of a kind, hard working, and a backbone to the success of our students. We appreciate you all!
- Shout-out to the school counselors at Broad Rock Elementary School: Mrs. Wood and Ms. Marshall! Thank you for your kindness and dedication.
- Shout-out to the amazing counselors at Cardinal Elementary! Thank you for not only being there for the students, but for staff too. We all appreciate you so much!
- Linwood Holton Elementary would like to celebrate our counselor, Mr. Rashad Rodgers. He is supportive to students and staff. He is always checking on everyone's emotional health. Mr. Rogers has an enviable sneaker collection, yet another way he connects with the kids. Thank you for serving our community.
- We would like to send a resounding shout-out to our amazing school counselor at Bellevue Elementary School! Mrs. Anne Harris has a gentle, insightful, nurturing, engaging, purposeful, and dedicated demeanor as she interacts with students, parents, and staff members! Mrs. Harris is the heartbeat of our beloved Bellevue, and her welcoming spirit is one that is cherished and celebrated by us all. We appreciate and salute you on all of your jobs being "well done!" Thank you for your service and Happy School Counselors Week!
- Sending a huge shout-out to the amazing school counseling team at Thomas Jefferson High School: Mr. Willie Dupree, Mrs. Rahmah Johnson, and Mr. Redell Thomas all lead with love. They are compassionate, patient, and understanding with all of the students they encounter throughout the day. They work tirelessly as a true team to solve student concerns and develop processes that not only assist the students at TJ, but also the division as a whole. TJ is proud to have these individuals as members of the Viking Family. Keep up the great work! G-Unit!
- 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.
- There are three school counselors at Cardinal Elementary: Vivian Henderson, Zach Sneed, and Katrina Tillman. They do an amazing job of supporting the students and families for Cardinal. The students know that they are there to help with any difficult situation while teaching the students ways to cope with the challenges of life. Vivian, Zach, and Katrina make this world a better place!
- Big shout-out to Ms. Tunstall at Holton Elementary School for lovingly shepherding children through the amazing Delta Sigma Theta Oratorical Contest at John Marshall High School on Saturday. Ms. Tunstall's dedication, love, and commitment are evident in the way she shows up for the kids and goes the extra mile. Way to go and thank you!
- Huge shout-out to everyone throughout all of RPS who had any role in supporting and helping all of the amazing students who participated in the Delta Sigma Theta Oratorical Contest on Saturday at John Marshall High School. This event was an amazing and inspiring display of talent, character and courage. From the caregivers to the educators to volunteers to the students themselves it was a huge success. The future is indeed bright!
- Kudos to the PHSSA staff, students, and school community for making the Winter VGA testing session a success. You all are awesome. Thanks for the support.
- Shout-out to Shirley Moore in the ISAEP program. She never misses! Always positive and energetic. She is truly a gem. Whenever there is a question, she is readily available and is always solution-focused.
- Shout-out to Ms. Potee at Thomas Jefferson High School. She is such an enthusiastic leader. She goes above and beyond and ensures that children come first and works diligently to meet their needs. She is very resourceful and dedicated towards all children succeeding.
- Thank you to Ms. Amanda Steeley, BCBA, for jumping in and giving 100% every day. You are present at schools and are fully onboard to participate in collaborative brainstorming sessions to meet student and staff needs.
- I’d like to shout-out Ms. Haas and Mrs. Hayes at Boushall MS for all they’ve done and continue to do to ensure our scholars are applying to speciality schools, making it to their interviews, and getting the support they need. I appreciate you both deeply for everything you do for our students! You are truly incredible people and I’m so glad to work with you both.
- Thank you to Ms. Taylor at J.B. Fisher Elementary for always making learning fun. My 2nd grader never wants to miss a day of school with Ms. Taylor and has endless interesting things to say about all she learns from her loving teacher. Thank you, Ms. Taylor!
- A big shout-out to Ms. Charlene Williams for leading the work on job shadowing day this past Friday! About 100 middle school students were able to learn about different industries and careers through this experience. Special thanks to the business partners and the entire CTE team – Ms. Salley, Mr. Watson, Col. Licorish, Ms. Buck, and Dr. Turner – for their support in this event as well.
- I would like to give a shout-out to Ms. Goode, Ms. Hoye, Ms. Bermejo, and Ms. Reed at Westover Hills! This team works diligently to meet the unique needs of all students. They bring creativity, collaboration, and joy to the table! Thank you for your leadership, ladies!
- I would like to shout-out Keytron from the Fade Factory for providing free haircuts to the young men at T.C. Boushall Middle School ahead of our homecoming dance! All styling came with a side of sage wisdom! We are very grateful to you!
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| Reminders from Previous RPS Directs
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| RPS Love Store – Check out the new Black history designs in the RPS Love Store! All proceeds will support the Richmond Black History Museum.
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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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