Shout-Outs!

• I would like to shout-out our school social worker, Ms. Rocha, for all of the hard work and dedication she provides to our students at Woodville. Your hard work does not go unnoticed we appreciate you not just this week, but daily. 
• I would like to give a big thank you to our fabulous school social worker, Ms. S. Hicks at Fairfield Court. She always does her job efficiently, effortlessly, and with integrity. Ms. Hicks always has the students' best interest at heart. Fairfield is very lucky to have you at our school. 
• Happy School Social Workers week to our amazing, extraordinary school social worker, Ms. Tori Griffin, who will go the extra mile for the students, staff, and parents at Miles Jones. You are an integral part of our school family and very much appreciated for all that you do!
• A huge shout-out goes to Daniela Trevino, speech language pathologist at J.B. Fisher Elementary School. She is an amazing SLP and my students love going to her for speech therapy. Daniela makes learning speech fun and she is overall phenomenal. So glad she is here at J.B. Fisher Elementary. We love her!
• A heartfelt shout-out to everyone at Barack Obama Elementary School! I am incredibly proud to be part of a family of educators who are not only dedicated, but deeply admired for their unwavering commitment to our students. The passion and love the staff extends to every student truly embody the spirit of education at its finest. A special thank you to Dr. Drye, whose leadership is guiding us from greatness to even greater heights. Your vision and steadfastness remind us daily that at the heart of our work are the children, our inspiration and purpose. To the BOES team, thank you for the phenomenal work you continue to do and for warmly welcoming me into this remarkable family. Together, we're making a difference, one child at a time.
• A huge shout-out to the person who created the partnership with Virginia Credit Union. My son (2nd grader) and I went to open a savings account that earns interest and learned about sharing, saving, and spending money intentionally and responsibly. Thank you, RPS and VACU!
• I want to give a huge shout-out to our CSA "GOAT," Mr. Robert Crosby. Thank you so much for your patience and support during multiple incidents today at Huguenot High School. You were so clutch in helping our students stay calm and ensuring their safety all day. You have such an amazing relationship with so many students and even when they are struggling to regulate their emotions, they still know that you are there to help them every step of the way. You are the real MVP and none of it goes unnoticed. Thank you! 
• Shout-out to Caroline Crowley, our LIEP department office associate! She has only been in RPS for 5 months, but she has jumped right in, learned the ropes, and helped to improve our team’s processes and functions. Caroline works hard and always carries herself with positivity and grace. She is a true team player. I am so fortunate to work with her! Shout-out to Dr. Jennifer Blackwell, LIEP director, for her tireless work every day for our staff, teachers, students, and families. What I admire about Dr. Blackwell is how she faces challenges with not only solutions but compassion. I am so grateful for Dr. Blackwell’s support, advocacy, and leadership. Shout-out to our RPS LIEP teachers who embody what it means to #TeachWithLove! We appreciate you!
• Shout-out to Ms. Thompson at Westover Hills for her amazing work on the Square 1 art fundraiser! Thanks to Ms. Thompson, my child created an original artwork that I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to purchase for my family! The art that comes out of her classroom is truly exceptional! Thank you for bringing your creative vibe and talent to the students of Westover Hills!
• A huge shout-out to Ms. Franzel for keeping her students engaged and making learning fun! I had the pleasure of sitting in on one of her morning meetings with her classroom and it made me excited to start my day! My child has not only learned to read in her classroom this year, but has shown big growth in math as well!! She is the crème de la creme and Westover Hills is lucky to have her!
• I would like to give a massive shout-out to Ms. Cullum, our outstanding special education teacher at Dogwood Middle. Ms. Cullum consistently goes above and beyond to support students with special needs, creating a positive and inclusive learning environment. Her commitment and enthusiasm for teaching are very admirable. Ms. Cullum's ability to customize her approach to meet the specific needs of each student distinguishes her. She exudes kindness, compassion, and excitement, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of those she teaches.
• My family and I would like to thank the staff at J.L. Francis for their support during this difficult time for us.
• Shout-out to Ms. Ponton for always supporting MLK. She is amazing. Thank you for all that you do! Shout-out to MLK's attendance team for all of their hard work. Last year our chronic absenteeism rate was at 27%. It is currently 20%! Great job to the following staff: Mr. Murray, Mr. Shepsu, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Moore, Mr. Hunter, Ms. DePriest, and Heckle.
• I would like to shout-out the Read Across America committee at Mary Scott Preschool. Thanks for all you did to kick off our event. Specifically, I would like to shout-out Ms. Washington, school cafeteria manager; School Nurse Shannon Simms; Ms. Mills, annual sub; and Alana, floater, for their amazing support and attention to detail today. Because of these ladies, the event was successful. The students and teachers enjoyed themselves and that's what the event was for.
• Big shout-out to the following middle school teachers who prepared and took their students to orchestra assessment at Hanover High School this week: Katherine Baker, Evan Turner, Beverly Fitch, and Samantha Fordis! Thank you for giving your students this learning experience.
• Richard Rebmann, academic architect and band director at Dogwood MS, led a great professional learning session this week, "Creativity and Composing in the Music Classroom." Thank you for sharing your expertise and experience with your peers, Mr. Rebmann!
• RPS choir teachers did a wonderful job preparing their students for an amazing All-City Choir concert at Virginia Union University last week. The event brought 90 students from Franklin Military Academy, Huguenot HS, Thomas Jefferson HS, Dogwood MS, Boushall MS, Albert Hill MS, Martin Luther King, Jr. MS, and Henderson MS together to practice and learn from professional conductors and sing with the Virginia Union Choir on stage at Coburn Hall. Thank you to the following teachers – Daniella White, Suzanne Kane, Andrea Burke, Samantha Fordis, Beverly Fitch, Lauren Crapanzano, and Jessica Weaver – for working together and putting in the extra time, labor, and love to make this opportunity a positive experience for our students and their families. Thank you to Leslie Dripps for conducting our middle school group. Lastly, it is with so much gratitude we thank Dr. Randy Tilmutt, choir director at VUU, and the VUU administration, nutrition, and admissions offices for hosting us and treating us like family. Your support means so much!
• Wonderful job to RPS visual art teachers who collectively have over 200 pieces of gorgeous artwork represented in out-of-district shows in the community to celebrate Arts in Our Schools Month! Congratulations to Chimene Bruno & her students from River City MS for planning an outstanding dance performance for the February School Board meeting. It was a beautiful and powerful experience for all who were there to witness it! Keep soaring, Red Tails!
• Congratulations to Albert Hill MS orchestra students, led by Band Director Evan Turner, who received all 1s (superior!) at assessment on March 6! This is a huge accomplishment!
• Thank you to the performing arts team at TJHS for the great recruitment event they planned! Way to go, Albert Hill and River City MS teachers, for arranging for students to attend.
• Dogwood MS theatre department had a wonderful showing of “Puffs” led by Phil Vollmer last week! So much planning is involved to put on a play of this caliber. Well done!
• John Marshall HS and Obama ES kilns are up and running! Shout-out to Jessica Bahari and Rebecca Field for diving into ceramics this month for the first time at their schools!
• Welcome to the following student teachers from VCU Art Ed who are starting their second placements in March: Jayme Shoen, Kamryn Williams, Brianne Creger, Samantha Brem, and Sinphkone Sphapmixay. Thank you visual art teachers – Kirstie Hein Sadler, Takeshi Ellis, Amanda McMahon, Tracie Phelps, and Christopher Thompson – for hosting and sharing your knowledge, classroom, and students!
• Thank you to the following visual art teachers for hosting VCU student teachers this winter and for sharing your expertise and passion for teaching: Julie Crowder, Kim Jones, Jessica Bahari, Meredith Hertel, Jasmine Stone, and Danielle Houdek.

Reminders from Previous RPS Directs

Important Links

• RPS Website
• Family Support Line: (804) 780-6195
• Enrollment Portal
• RPS Love Store
  
• RPS Opportunities Hub
• Breakfast & Lunch
  

• Richmond Behavioral Health Authority (Child/Adult Mental Health) – (804) 819-4100
• ChildSavers Immediate Response Helpline (Child Mental Health) – (804) 305-2420
• YWCA Greater Richmond (Domestic Violence) – (804) 612-6126
• Virginia Child Protective Services (Child Abuse) – (800) 552-7096
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – (800) 273-8255
• Financial Navigators (Resource Contacts for Various Needs) – (804) 646-6673
• Latinos in Virginia Empowerment Center (24/7 hotline in Spanish) – (888) 969-1825

• Richmond & Henrico Health Districts (Immunizations & Physicals) – (804) 205-3501