Tuesday, November 21, 2023
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Dear #RPSStrong Family,
Happy Thanksgiving Break! Tonight's updates:
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Calendar Reminder – All RPS schools and offices will be closed November 22 - November 24 for Thanksgiving Break. We look forward to seeing everyone back on Monday, November 27! View the 2023-24 calendar online to see all upcoming holidays.
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Free Thanksgiving Meal Opportunities – RVA has several events coming up to help families prepare for an enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday. Please spread the word!
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- The Giving Heart – The Giving Heart will host its annual Community Thanksgiving Feast on Thursday, November 23, from 11 am - 2 pm at the Richmond Convention Center (403 N. 3rd St). All are welcome!
- Community Luncheon – UGRC / Black Pride RVA will host a luncheon on Thursday, November 23, from 11:30 pm - 2:30 pm at Diversity Richmond (1407 Sherwood Ave). All are welcome!
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2024-25 School Applications – The deadline for families to submit specialty and Governor’s School applications for the 2024-25 school year is quickly approaching – December 1, 2023, at 4:30 pm (the week we return from Thanksgiving break). If you're interested in applying for open enrollment or the Governor's STEM Academy for CTE at RTC, you have until February 1, 2024, at 4 :30 pm to submit applications.
A few important notes:
- We unfortunately cannot accept late applications for any reason. Please plan accordingly.
- As long as your application is submitted before the deadline, the timing of your submission will have no impact on the outcome.
- If you have additional questions, please email us at enrollrps@rvaschools.net.
- If you haven't already done so, please review the recently developed list of FAQs regarding changes to the admissions process for Richmond Community HS, Open HS, and Maggie L. Walker Governor's School.
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School Board Recognition – Enormous gratitude to the Huguenot HS Falcon Notes who graced us with their beautiful voices during last night's Board meeting!
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Region Playoff Results! – Please join me in congratulating the Armstrong HS Varsity Football Team on advancing to the VHSL Region 3B finals! The Wildcats will take on Brentsville District HS this Friday, November 24, at 7 pm at Brentsville (12109 Aden Rd, Nokesville, VA). Read more about the team's storybook season.
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Please also join me in recognizing the Huguenot HS Falcons (8-3) and the Thomas Jefferson HS Vikings (10-1) on incredible years. Both teams showed grit and determination this season and we're incredibly proud of them. Congratulations on record-breaking seasons!
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Farm-to-Table Market – Our very first farm-to-table monthly market was a huge success! In partnership with Lulu's Local Foods, the market kicked off last Friday at Fairfield Court ES with free fresh produce for RPS families. Enormous gratitude to our student-volunteers from Armstrong HS for stopping by to assist. Be sure to mark your calendars for our upcoming markets happening Friday, December 1, from 2:30 - 4:30 pm at Carver ES and Friday, December 15, from 2:30 - 4:30 pm at Woodville ES.
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Before I close out this evening, I want to share my deep appreciation to all of the families, students, administrators, staff, and community partners who came out to our Southside block party last Saturday at Boushall MS! Huge kudos to RPS Board Member Dawn Page for organizing the event and for her unwavering support of RPS students and families.
I wish you all a peaceful Thanksgiving filled with light and love.
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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!
- The cafeteria staff at Broad Rock would like to thank Ms. Tiffany Archer, Ms. Mary Beth Reed, and the other volunteers that came out to greet and help serve the students during our special holiday lunch meal on Thursday. Your help and team work was outstanding.
- Big thanks to Ms. Harr, Mr. Ruh, and Ms. Caird at Holton Elementary School for offering a warm and inviting welcome every day to my kindergartener, who is a little nervous to walk into school until a friend comes along to join her. They, along with Mr. Lindsay, have been kind and understanding of her process, and have offered their hands to walk her in on mornings when friends don't come along in time. I feel confident and happy at drop-off, knowing that my daughter is cared for so well.
- Thank you, Ms. Tracey Oliver, John Marshall's CTE teacher, financial officer, and co-testing coordinator. Ms. Oliver works tirelessly to help all things John Marshall. Her responsiveness is spectacular. Her organizational skills and attention to detail are top-notch. Ms Oliver, we love you and there is nothing you can do about it!
- Shout-out to the Swansboro leadership team for your help and support with the Diving into Math celebration for our students.
- A special shout-out to the Summer Hill Preschool staff. The care and dedication you provide are greatly appreciated daily. Anyone who walks into the building feels the sense of family and community that the school represents. Thank you for all you do!
- A huge shout-out to Mrs. Hull and Mrs. Ellerbe, the November hospitality crew at Holton, for being wonderful teammates! Also, shoutout to the whole hospitality team for hosting a wonderful, colorful Staffsgiving!
- Shout-out to everyone at Open High School who contributed to the annual Thanksgiving feast! It was successful and a fun bonding experience for teachers and students.
- Shout-out to the best third grade team on the Southside of Richmond at Miles Jones for the amazing Thanksgiving luncheon provided for the leadership team and office staff. We are truly thankful for each of you!
- The biggest shout-out to Ms. Valentine and all of the staff at Chimborazo ES for their selfless hosting of the annual Thanksgiving dinner. They served every single family a lovingly made holiday meal, for free, and it provides amazing fellowship in our community. Most of the coordination is made through Ms. Valentine, who is able to effortlessly juggle so many hats at once! Her generosity is seen and appreciated by all of us. Also, big thanks to the volunteer staff who helped serve the meal after teaching all day. We value your huge contribution to our families!
- I'd like to give a shout-out to Dr. M and Mrs. Kelley at Huguenot. I'm loving the energy and optimism they are bringing to HHS this year! The initiatives that they are implementing are bringing forth some positive changes. Dr. M is very present in the building, even setting up a workstation in the halls sometimes. He's responsive and engaging. Mrs. Kelley is always smiling and upbeat! I appreciate their energy.
- Shout-out to Ms. Stacey Crochunis and Ms. Dianna Almazo for their support during our VA Credit Union family finance night last week. The families who attended had a wonderful time, and you both made that possible! Thank you both for your diligence and care!
- A huge shout-out to all of the amazing instructional assistants in RPS! You make sure our students are supported in and out of the classroom and we have seen their growth.
- The cafe team at Patrick Henry made sure the families were welcomed to support the family meal this week! From the decorations to the great food that was served, everything was amazing!
- I would like to give a shout-out to mentor teachers Tammy Sellers and Amanda Daily and the intensive support teachers they work with. Their dedication to their craft, and their heart for collaboration, is truly an asset to our RPS students. I am grateful to witness the work they are doing to provide all students access to a quality education here at RPS!
- I truly would like to thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for helping me and my team out today with our Thanksgiving lunch. You came in and were ready to help with a smile and most importantly you put a smile on each student's face today. Any time that I need the support you guys are always willing to help and jump right in at any time. Thank you once again; it means a lot to know that I have the support of my J.L. Francis team and Mrs. Craig who came from downtown (you are always welcome back). My superstar team! You ladies and gents rock! Thank you once again!
- Special thanks to the Enrollment, Placement, and Planning team for organizing the Fall professional development last week. Enormous gratitude to our presenters and participants: Sarah Haden, Andrew Bishop, Amelia Castaneda, Takita Brown, Nakesha Martin, Johneisha Fitz, Sandra Bullock-Lomax, Ingrid Nelson, Andrea Gardner, Monica Fecht, and John Beazley for their valuable contributions. Also, huge shout-out to the backbone of our schools, our dedicated office associates and school staff who attended. Your efforts are truly appreciated!
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| - Big shout-out to the cafeteria staff at Bellevue Elementary School. Our Thanksgiving lunch was great and you are always so patient with everyone! I also want to shout-out Beth Sawyer, STEAM teacher, Raffinee Worsley, math coach, and Katisha Marrow, reading coach, along with Principal Hines and the many staff members, who helped with Bellevue’s STEAM night It was such a great time and very well put together! What a great turnout by our families! Go, Dragons!
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- I would like to give a huge shout-out to all of the STEAM, literacy, and math committee members at Bellevue Elementary who stepped up to put on an amazing "Camp Bellevue" family STEAM night! We would also like to thank Maymont, the Mech Tech Dragons, and CVWMA for their support.
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- A gargantuan thanks to Mrs. Ashlee Easter Davis, the amazing school counselor at Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts, for organizing and facilitating our school career day. It was a perfect end to a spirit week filled with our students' goals and aspirations for the future!
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- I would like to give a shout-out to the Swansboro Elementary staff for staying after school and engaging with families at our Title I Math and Reading night! Team, you all did a great job!
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Reminders from Previous RPS Directs
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| Energy Assistance – Dominion Energy has several payment programs to assist families experiencing financial hardship. For a full list of Dominion Energy customer assistance options, visit their website or call 866-366-4357.
EnergyShare Bill Payment Assistance
- Anyone needing help to pay heating bills may qualify for assistance
- Not income-based
- Individuals 60 and older, military veterans, and people with disabilities may be eligible for additional assistance
- Offers up to $600 in bill payment assistance from October 1 through May 31
- For more information, visit Virginia 211
Extended Payment Plans
- Extended payment plans to assist customers who have fallen behind on their electric bills
- Eligible customers can make a 50% down payment on their past due bill and spread the remaining balance over 6 months (sign-in to your Dominion Energy account online to apply)
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| Teach With Love at RPS – We hire all year long so if you know of a great teacher who might like to join the RPS team, please tell them to apply now. We're offering bonuses of up to $12,000!
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| Student Wellness and Mental Health Support – Please note the resources below and remember that we love you here and you are not alone.
- 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).
- Latinos in Virginia Empowerment Center provides education, advocacy, and support to Spanish-speaking individuals affected by violence. The 24/7 hotline in Spanish is (888) 969-1825.
- The Trauma Healing Response Network is a coalition of grassroots, community-based organizations and mental health partners that provide support services to families and communities impacted by gun violence. The network can also facilitate the distribution of emergency relief funds to help those in crisis. For more information, email traumahealingresponsenetwork@gmail.com.
- 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.
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| RPS Links
Crisis Support Links
Health and Wellness Links
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