| Dear #RPSStrong Family,
I'm devastated to share that we lost two more students to gun violence this weekend. That makes four fatalities just since Easter. Please join me in extending our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the young people we lost.
As I shared during this morning's press conference, since 2019, 169 young people have been shot in our city – and 43 of them have died. I ask you to pause for a moment and really take that in. It's simply staggering.
The bullets tear not only through bodies, but also through the connective tissue of our communities. With each wound, our neighborhoods and the social bonds that strengthen them become even more stressed. Many are at the breaking point.
Sometimes, the only thing holding everyone together is our schools. RPS administrators, teachers, mental health personnel, and support staff stand in the gap, wrap our young people in love, and connect our families with the support they need. If you haven't done so recently, please thank the RPS team members in your life. They are holding Richmond together.
The events of the past couple of weeks are incredibly traumatic, especially for children. If you or a young person in your life is struggling to cope, I urge you to access the resources listed below.
- Students who need emergency mental health support should call the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority at (804) 819-4100 or the ChildSavers Immediate Response line at (804) 305-2420 (or send a text to 741741).
- RPS employees in need of emergency support should contact the Cigna 24/7 Crisis Line at (833) ME-CIGNA, or (833) 632-4462. Additional counseling and support services are also available through the Cigna Employee Assistance (EAP) program by calling (800) 544-6931.
- Spanish-speakers affected by violence are encouraged to contact the Latinos in Virginia Empowerment Center at (888) 969-1825.
- Any community member impacted by gun violence can reach out to the Trauma Healing Response Network, a coalition of grassroots, community-based organizations and mental health partners. The network can also facilitate the distribution of emergency relief funds to help those in crisis. For more information, email traumahealingresponsenetwork@gmail.com.
Should you be so moved, please consider donating to the Trauma Healing Response Fund that was established last year by the RPS Education Foundation to support the well-being of our students, families, and educators. Thank you in advance for your generosity and for being a champion for public education and community healing.
You can also get involved in anti-gun violence advocacy with one or more of the following organizations.
Finally, if you do own a firearm, please make sure it's stored safely. More than half of all owners of firearms in the US – including 55% of gun owners with children in the home – do not practice safe firearm storage. As a preventative measure, Lock & Talk Virginia provides free trigger locks for firearms. To receive one, please email Charlene Edwards at RBHA or stop by VCU Pediatrics (1000 E. Broad St).
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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!
- I'd like to shout-out Ms. Chloe Tremper, science teacher at T.C. Boushall Middle School, for her amazing lesson and activities around the solar eclipse! It was so engaging for everyone!
- I'd like to shout-out Mr. Cipolla, ETI at T.C. Boushall Middle School, for always being there in a pinch! I appreciate his willingness to try new things and troubleshoot at the drop of a hat! So glad you landed in the Boushall eagle's nest!
- Shout-out to Mrs. Brown at Huguenot HS. She is a supportive teacher and she's the reason why my friends and I improved in English and also became better people who are now more open minded about things in the world. She has helped us become a better version of ourselves. She's just all around a good teacher and anyone would be lucky to have her.
- Thank you to our amazing Huguenot High School APs – Ms. Kelley, Mr. Monroe, and Mr. Sanchezconcha – for their hard work and dedication to our students and staff. This year has not been an easy one, but it has been a successful one thanks in part to your leadership, team work, and the culture you have grown within our building.
- Thank you to our office associates, Ms. Garland, Ms Walton, Ms. Dalton, Mr. Green, and Mrs. Moultry, for always being so positive, accommodating, friendly, and caring for the staff and students of Huguenot High School. You are the heart of our building!
- Shout-out to Bellevue’s House of Jinshu leader, Anna Waters, and her team for leading a fun Unity day. It was filled with excitement and fun for students and families! We learned a lot about respect. Way to go, Jin- shuuuu!
- A huge thank you to Maggie Clemons, chief talent officer, Monika Haskins, and the entire recruiting team for an awesome custodial/maintenance job fair on Saturday. Their team, along with Bridget Davis, Camille Johnson, Larry Allen, LaShawn Adams, Trica Parham, and Charlene Smith from Facility Services, made this job fair successful.
- I would like to shout-out our principal, Teya Green, from Broad Rock Elementary. Mrs. Green is taking a course to better serve the English learners at our school. She is simply the best and truly believes all students can succeed. We are lucky to have an administrator who cares about our students as much as she does!
- Shout-out to CSA Supervisor Joanne Ortiz and the RPS Safety & Security team! Many thanks to you, Ms. Ortiz. You and your team have been extremely helpful and responsive to all our school community needs. You are always there to answer the call, no matter how big or how small. Thank you for assisting as we problem solve through issues. Thank you for partnering with me to ensure the safety of our school community. You shine bright and your service is greatly appreciated at MLK Preschool.
- The J.L. Francis reading team would like to send a huge shout-out and enormous thank you to Rob and Heather at River City Roll for hosting our 100 Book Celebration! Congrats to our students who not only read but also summarized 100 books this school year! River City Roll is a great place to bowl!
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| Reminders from Previous RPS Directs
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| #TeachWithLove at RPS – We're thrilled to offer signing bonuses of up to $7,000 for new hires starting in the fall! If you or someone you know is interested in joining the RPS team, please take a moment to visit our website to browse open positions. For more information, please email talentoffice@rvaschools.net.
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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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