| Before diving in this evening, a quick logistical note: during summer break, I'll be sending RPS Direct once a week on Wednesdays. So please keep sending shout-outs and other information you'd like to share throughout the summer. Thank you!
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| Welcome RPS Principals – I'm pleased to announce the hiring of several new principals for the 2022-23 school year! See the bios below to learn a bit about each of them, and look for Remind messages about in-person meet-and-greets. Please join me in welcoming our newest leaders!
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| Cordell Watkins - Chimborazo ES
Throughout his years in education, Cordell Watkins has learned to encourage and adopt a culture of “Yes!” that invites opportunity and creates value for all stakeholders. Prior to being named Interim Principal at Chimborazo Elementary, Mr. Watkins had the pleasure to work at J.L. Francis Elementary as an Assistant Principal for the past five years. During this time, he led a number of teams in creating systems, processes, and procedures that resulted in immediate academic success for our young scholars. In addition to his role as an Assistant Principal, he has had the honor to teach under and learn from a variety of leaders across eight schools within the division since the beginning of his tenure at Richmond Public Schools in 2001. He holds a master’s degree in educational leadership and Policy Studies from Virginia Tech University and a bachelor’s of science in education from Old Dominion University.
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| Mark Davis, II, Ed.D. - J.B. Fisher ES
“All children can achieve and perform at a high level, given adequate support and nurturing environment” is the working philosophy of Dr. Mark Davis, II. Prior to being named Interim Principal at JB Fisher Elementary, Dr. Davis served as an administrator at the KIPP Schools in Oklahoma, where he managed the merger of the KIPP Tulsa and Oklahoma City campuses. Dr. Davis is a career educator with 15 years of experience working with young people, including service as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and division administrator. He holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences from Langston University, a master’s of business administration from Webster University, and a doctorate in educational leadership from Saint Louis University.
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| Lisa Johnson-Hicks - Mary Scott Preschool
Lisa Johnson-Hicks has more than 30 years of preschool educational experience focusing on building collaborative relationships with students, teachers, and families to improve instruction. Prior to being named Interim Principal at Mary Scott Preschool, Ms. Johnson-Hicks served as a Head Start Teacher, Lead Teacher, Virginia Preschool Initiative Plus Coach, and Early Head Start/Head Start Curriculum Coach, all while in Richmond Public Schools. Ms. Johnson-Hicks earned her bachelor's in early childhood education from Norfolk State University, holds a master's of arts from Central Michigan University, and a post-graduate certification in administration and supervision from Longwood University.
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| Fatima Smith - Oak Grove-Bellmeade ES
Fatima Smith’s passion for school leadership stems from the belief that every single child – irrespective of zip code or socioeconomic status – deserves a premier educational experience. Prior to being named Interim Principal at Oak Grove-Bellmeade Elementary, Ms. Smith served as the Principal of Patrick Henry School of Science & Arts (PHSSA). Under her leadership, PHSSA was recognized as a 2022 National Green Ribbon School, PHSSA fourth graders won the White House Historical Association Prize at the 2022 Virginia History Day Competition, nine PHSSA scholars competed at the National Science Bee competition, and PHSSA experienced marked growth on the 2022 Virginia SOL assessments. She is a New York City Teaching Fellows alumnus, as well as a former District of Columbia Public Schools Capital Commitment Fellow, a prestigious program for the "50 Best Teacher Recruits of the Year." Ms. Smith holds a bachelor's degree in English, journalism, and communication from Old Dominion University, and a master's of science in curriculum and instruction from St. John's University.
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| Lee A. Doxey, Summer Hill Preschool
Lee A. Doxey has spent her career promoting the importance of early childhood education and advocating for students with disabilities. Prior to being named Interim Principal of Summer Hill Preschool, Ms. Doxey served as the Early Head/Head Start Coordinator of Student Support and Intervention in RPS, where she worked closely with teachers and families to ensure students with developmental and speech delays gained access to early intervention and specialized services to prepare them for success in kindergarten. Previously, Ms. Doxey taught for PACT Head Start in Honolulu, served as a private preschool director and teacher in Virginia Beach, and taught early elementary at RPS. Ms. Doxey earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, received her teaching licensure from Old Dominion University, and holds a master’s in educational administration from Grand Canyon University.
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| First Day of Summer School – Our students and staff had a wonderful start to summer school today! As a reminder, our summer session continues tomorrow, June 30, and then resumes on Tuesday, July 5. We're closed on Fridays during the summer, and Monday is July 4th. You can find information about summer school – including bus stops – here.
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- Masks are not required outdoors on RPS property for staff or students.
- The isolation period for positive individuals is reduced from 10 to 5 days (distancing during lunch and mask wearing are required on days 6-10).
- Contact tracing is no longer performed for individual cases; it is only performed for "outbreaks" (3 or more linked cases).
- Quarantines from outbreaks are reduced from 10 to 5 days.
- All social distancing and group size restrictions are eliminated, including during meals.
- School communities will be notified when there is a positive case but we will not do a daily division update. Cases will be updated weekly on our website.
We'll continue to monitor the trajectory of the virus and adjust accordingly for the fall. Thank you for helping keep everyone safe!
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| Reynolds Early College Academy Graduates – Please join me in congratulating the 2022 RPS graduates of the Reynolds Community College Early College Academy. These students worked incredibly hard to earn their associate's degree while completing the requirements for their high school diploma. Just amazing!
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| Art 180 Residency Participants – Please also join me in congratulating the nine RPS high school students accepted into the Art 180 Edward Dean Robinson Artist Residency program this year!
- Oktoba Gilliam - Armstrong HS
- Itzaiana Meza-Tovar - Franklin Military Academy
- Jaliyah Daniels-Smith - George Wythe HS
- Malia Harris - Huguenot HS
- Xzavier Watkin - John Marshall HS
- James Salgado - Open HS
- Yaa-Nailah Bell-Barber - Richmond Community HS
- Aaliyah Washington - Richmond Alternative School
- Zurianna Lincoln - Thomas Jefferson HS
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| George Wythe Reimagined Phase 2 – Thanks to everyone who helped kick off Phase 2 of George Wythe Reimagined last night! If you're interested in joining the Wythe Reimagined Committee, please fill out this application.
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| Summer Meals – Now through August 3, we'll be providing free dine-in breakfast and lunch, Monday-Thursday, at eight locations. Meals may not be distributed or picked up. See the flyer below for more information and additional food options around Richmond.
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| Central Office Appreciation! – The kind folks at Movement Church partnered with Chick-fil-A to provide lunch to our wonderful central office staff earlier this week. Special thanks to Jared Burwell and Khiry Cooper for hand-delivering each one with love and gratitude!
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| With great appreciation,
Jason
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- An enormous shout-out to Mrs. Regina Mitchell, assistant principal at Armstrong High School, for organizing and hosting an amazing Spring Tea event! It was spectacular! Mrs. Mitchell held this inaugural event to provide young ladies of Armstrong an opportunity to network, learn about the school's women legacies, and develop relationships. It was truly inspiring! Mrs. Mitchell brought in several speakers who shared their stories, as well as provided guidance on future planning. The gym was decorated beautifully, with the fanciest of table decorations, extremely delicious finger food, and of course, a variety of tea! As a wonderful addition to the tea party, young men of Armstrong, all of whom have been selected to the National Honor Society (kudos!), graciously seated and served the guests. Their efforts were much appreciated by all attendees! Fantastic job, Mrs. Mitchell, and hopefully, this will become an annual tradition at Armstrong!
- Great big thanks to Cara Gill, safety and security administrative office associate! Ms. Gill responded to my request quickly and worked diligently to ensure its completion. I greatly appreciate her exceptional customer service. Ms. Gill represents RPS so very well!
- Marquita Jones is the ICC at Linwood Holton Elementary School. She is probably one of the most amazing coworkers I have ever worked with. Not only is she knowledgeable about special education law, but she’s also a team player and her level of professionalism is second to none. She fights for the families and the children to assure that they have and receive everything and sometimes more. She was and is the absolute glue that held our exceptional education department together this year. She led and she taught, and she stepped up and stepped in when we lost teachers for various reasons. Ms. Jones (soon to be Dr. Jones) is an absolute asset to Linwood Holton and the exceptional ed department (and quite frankly she’s an asset to the district). She’s an absolute pleasure to work with. I don’t know how we/I would’ve made it throughout the year without her.
- A huge shout out to Mercedes Buck at Linwood Holton ES for answering all of my technical questions. I am hoping she did not count how many times I said, “I have a question.” She answered every question with patience and grace and even came to my room to bail me out a few times. I learned a great deal, but will always need Ms. Buck to help me out. Thank you, Mercedes.
- I would like to give a big shout-out and thank you to all my coworkers, parents, and students who showered me with love and gifts for my retirement. Shout-out also to Ms. Koger for all her hard work in putting together a beautiful retirement celebration for all the retirees at Mary Scott Preschool. Much love!
- Rachel Smith, G.H. Reid ES math guru, has done a phenomenal job this year. Her math meetings were inclusive and user-friendly. She invited our input as well as used our suggestions. We loved the stickers of affirmations and words of wisdom. The students, parents, and staff all enjoyed the math fair activities held outside. We had music, games, raffles, etc.
- G. H. Reid ES teacher of the year, Mrs. Hertel, is the art guru of RPS. She exhibited student artwork throughout the building. She used a variety of materials, resources, videos, pictures, etc. to compliment a lesson. The students were always engaged and happy.
- G. H Reid's Mr. Boone and the new custodial team are dynamic. We had a field day spearheaded by our own Mr. Vickers and the awesome field day support team. It was a fantastic day in spite of the weather. But that day, a student lost her money to buy treats. Mr. Boone stood in line and bought her some popcorn and a snow cone. The entire crew are kind, hard working and sociable. They work so hard throughout the day cleaning up daily spills, bathroom disasters, ceiling/water problems, etc. Kudos to the custodial team and the field day committee of G.H. Reid!
- A special "so long" to G. H Reid retirees Mrs. Crump and Mrs. Brooks for your many years of service to RPS. Mrs. Brooks has exhibited great office qualities and treated parents and staff with kindness and respect. Mrs. Crump has taught many, many students along the way. Her wisdom and acts of kindness will be remembered. Both of you are ready for the next chapter of your life.
- Last but not least, the G. H. Reid 5th grade moving on ceremony was awesome in spite of the weather. It was held at River City Middle school. The stage decor was made by our own Mrs. Jackson and Ms. Leach. Each 5th grade student dressed for the occasion. The 5th grade teachers are commended for their collaboration and professionalism that led to the success of the ceremony. There were memories shared, pictures taken, and words of encouragement given by our speaker, Ms. Germain, along with many tears shed. A special thank you to Ms. Winston and Ms. Holomon for their support, guidance, and leadership.
- To the G.H. Reid family, I wish you a safe, restful, and peaceful summer. We deserve it! We did it! Be blessed!
- I would like to shout out Mrs. Waller -Day, HR specialist-licensure, for her impeccable service. She is always willing, able, and available to assist to the best of her ability. In addition, she always answers the phone with a virtual smile!!!
- I want to give a shout-out to Dr. Rossi Volley, Dr. Sharon Woodson, Vice Principal Ms. Hudson, and teachers Ms. Nefertiti Germain and Ms. Lakeisha Williams for making sure that my son was ok this morning. If you've ever had a child who speaks late in life or who communicates differently, then you know the struggle of leaving your child with strangers, no matter what their credentials are. After a tiny snafu in registration resulting in my child coming home in tears with his father, this team pulled together within 30 minutes and I drove him back to the school. The team sat down with me and my son and I felt more confident leaving him with the caring RPS staff and my cell number.
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| RPS Preschool and Kindergarten Enrollment – RPS preschool and kindergarten enrollment is happening now! Enroll your 3 and 4-year-olds in our free, high-quality preschool program, and your 5-year-olds in kindergarten. Please also remember, if your student is currently in RPS preschool, they will still need to enroll in RPS kindergarten.
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| RPS Summer Fest 2022 – We're thrilled to announce our second annual RPS Summer Fest on Saturday, July 23, at George Wythe HS! We hope you'll join us for free food, games, music, a visit from the Lit Limo, enrollment assistance, and much more. Be sure to mark your calendars – you won't want to miss this!
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| Important Links – Last updated on May 24, 2022.
RPS Links
COVID-19 Links
Crisis Support Links
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