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| Tuesday, November 10, 2020
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| Dear #RPSStrong Family,
I just wrapped up 90 minutes with my amazing Parent Advisory Council. I can't tell you how grateful I am to this dedicated group of RPS families. Their feedback, wisdom, and humor :) is invaluable! Before we ended our discussion, I asked everyone what I should highlight in RPS Direct tonight. They said it would be helpful to remind our families about the emergency childcare centers, which still have lots of open seats. So, here goes:
- Peter Paul Development Center is offering childcare at MLK MS for 2nd-8th grade RPS students. The full-day option goes from 9 am until 6 pm, and is completely free for low-income families. To learn more, click here.
- The YMCA is offering childcare at Miles Jones ES, Holton ES, and Huguenot HS for K-8th grade RPS students. The full-day option goes from 7:30 am until 6 pm, and is completely free for low-income families. To learn more, click here.
- There are also many other childcare centers not housed in RPS schools across the city. To learn more, click here.
Shifting gears, this week is National School Psychology Awareness Week and we're thrilled to acknowledge the incredible dedication of our school psychologists. This phenomenal group of educators provides a broad range of services to support our students’ academic achievement and emotional well-being. These services are especially important during our virtual semester. Please join me in recognizing and thanking our wonderful school psychologists!
Finally, see below for some beautiful and moving artwork from Mr. Harnsberger's art students at Thomas Jefferson High School. In the words of the great Tina Turner, our students "are simply the best!"
With great appreciation,
Jason
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- I would like to give a huge shout-out to Andrew Bishop with the RPS Enroll team. I reached out yesterday for help with an application and he not only responded right away but went above and beyond to ensure that the issues were resolved.
- We thank Guthrie Ashton for coming in at the last minute to substitute, checking on links at least 30 minutes prior to class starting, and reviewing slide decks to ensure understanding. Thank you so much for being prepared to help us out today!
- I would like to give a shout out to Assistant Principal Ray at Ginter Park. She does the morning announcements every day for the students. She encourages them daily and provides them with a normalized routine. She is always fun and enthusiastic. Assistant Principal Ray is truly an asset to Ginter Park.
- Thank you to Deborah Jones, "substitute teacher talent agent," who worked hard to secure people to assist us in our moments of need. The number of responses received when she sent out the call was immense and we are appreciative of the flex subs that make themselves available daily to provide our students with quality instruction. You are appreciated!
- After reading yesterday's shout-outs I have to echo the shout-out to the Encore Team at Linwood Holton. My daughter is in 2nd grade and she is always so excited and ready to go for her scheduled Encore class. The activities are simple to follow and engaging to the point that I will find her alone in her room in the evenings continuing to do the PE activities, which we have also done as a family for exercise, as they are extremely fun to do. Thanks for doing such an awesome job!
- I would like to shout my daughter's 3rd grade teacher, Ms. Boscana at Southampton Elementary. She is so patient and so engaging and she never seems to have a bad day. She makes the lessons and information very interesting and relatable for the students. She tells her class at the end of each day that she loves them and says goodbye to each student by name. I can feel her sincerity and I am grateful that she is my daughter's teacher.
- Shout-out for Mrs. Julie Fay, lead kindergarten teacher at Cardinal. Mrs. Fay is always cheerful, hardworking, and helpful. She is a fierce advocate for her students and her team. Mrs. Fay always seeks out and delivers rational explanations for the constantly changing requirements expected of staff. She makes Cardinal (and RPS) a great place to be!
- A HUGE appreciation for Mrs. Joseph at Southampton Elementary School. Mrs. Joseph consistently goes above and beyond for every single person. She cares for the students like they are her own and supports the staff as such, too. Mrs. Joseph is there with advice through the lows and a smile through the highs. She is the BEST school counselor a school could hope to have as a part of their family.
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| RPS Voices – Our RPS Voice this week comes from Christal Bacon, a STEM teacher at Henderson MS. In honor of National STEM Day (11/8), Ms. Bacon tells us what she loves most about teaching STEM and how she engages her students with fun and challenging activities and experiments. Thank you for sharing your voice with us, Ms. Bacon!
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| Mindfulness Days – We're thrilled to introduce Mindfulness Mondays and Wellness Wednesdays for RPS employees as part of our commitment to support the overall health and well-being of our staff. Be sure to join us tomorrow for our next session. If you can't make it, don't worry; it will be recorded so you can participate at any time. Click here for more information – and breathe!
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| Flu Vaccinations – The Richmond City Health District is hosting two community flu clinics. The first will be held on Wednesday, November 18, from 1 - 4 pm, at MLK MS, and the second will be on Wednesday, December 2, from 1 - 4 pm, at Huguenot HS. Please see the flyer below for additional information.
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| Specialty High School Open Houses – We are now accepting applications for specialty high schools. Virtual open houses continue this week:
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| Family Academy – We're very excited to launch our fall Family Academy which features live, virtual courses as well as pre-recorded videos, to help our families navigate RPS. Topics include: how to apply to specialty schools, how to support your students during virtual instruction, how to troubleshoot technology issues, and how to maintain health and wellness amidst the pandemic.
Check out our Family Academy website for more information and to register for one of our upcoming courses. The first 150 families to register will receive a Family Academy Pack filled with activities and resources. One family will also be selected to win an iPad!
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| Community Hubs – Calling all RPS community partners! You're invited to participate in our upcoming virtual launch events for our new Community Hubs. Each of the three regional Community Hubs will have its own virtual launch. If your organization serves more than one region, you're welcome to participate in more than one event. Please RSVP using the links below.
- East End Hub: Tuesday, November 17, 10 - 11 am - Register here!
- Northside/West End Hub: Wednesday, November 18, 3 - 4 pm - Register here!
- Southside Hub: Thursday, November 19, 11 am - 12 pm - Register here!
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| Updated Lit Limo Schedule – The Lit Limo is back on the road with new Saturday stops. Please note the schedule below.
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RPS Love Store – Show your RPS Love and help us raise money for RPS families in need and local racial justice non-profits by ordering something today from the RPS Love Store!
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Important Links – I'll note in orange when there have been additions/updates so you you won't miss anything.
#ReopenWithLove Links
Local, State, and National Public Health Links
Local, State, and National Public Education Links
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