| Dear #RPSStrong Family,
Tonight's updates:
| |
|
Teacher Spotlight – Retired Army Sergeant First Class Treon Simon's entire career has been one of service. Prior to his current role as JROTC instructor at John Marshall HS, SFC Simon spent 20 years as a medical non-commissioned officer and later as an Army recruiter in the Richmond area. For the past 20 years, SFC Simon has served as a JROTC instructor, training cadets on military protocol, ranging from how to properly fold a flag to uniform etiquette to first aid. The JMHS Corps of Cadets holds a very special place in his heart. He has personally funded uniform alterations, supervised field trips, served as lead trainer for the Raider Challenge physical fitness program and primary trainer for the Color Guard, and orchestrated the roadside cleanup service learning project. In 2023, SFC Simon received the RPS JROTC Soldier of the Quarter award. We wish SFC Simon all the best in his retirement and thank him for his service to our students and country!
| |
|
Farm-to-Table Monthly Market – All RPS families are invited to join us tomorrow at Henry Marsh ES for our next Farm-to-Table Monthly Market. Be sure to stop by from 2:30 - 4:30 pm and pick up free, fresh produce to enjoy at home.
| |
|
Bike & Roll to School Day – Look at them go! Yesterday, students, families, and staff across the city celebrated National Bike & Roll to School Day. Shout-out to everyone who strapped on their helmets and laced up their shoes for an active commute to school. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful morning!
| |
|
Strawberry Street Festival at Clark Springs ES – Join William Fox ES on Saturday, May 11, from 11 am - 4 pm for the 2024 Strawberry Street Festival! Come out to Clark Springs ES (1101 Dance St) for live entertainment, yummy treats, a climbing wall, bounce house, carnival games, and more!
| |
|
LIEP Stakeholder Survey – The RPS Language Instruction Educational Program (LIEP) is undergoing a name change and would like your feedback. Please take a moment to complete our brief survey by Monday, May 13. Thank you in advance!
| |
|
CTE Summer Exploration – Calling all 9th and 10th grade students! The RPS Career and Technical Education department is hosting a summer exploration series for students interested in CTE. To sign up, just complete the student interest form.
| |
|
With great appreciation,
Jason
| |
|
|
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!
- To all of the wonderful RPS nurses for everything you do to make sure our students are healthy and our families are informed about the best safety measures for our schools, we say, "Thank you!"
- Sending a belated School Nurse Day shout-out to Nurse AJ at Westover Hills. We have absolutely hit the jackpot with Nurse AJ. Her passion and compassion for our students is on display every day in recognizing when they need medical help or just a "Hi friend, go back to class." She is a part of school community in a way that helps to connect us all more.
- Shout-out to the amazing teachers at Woodville Elementary who each day commit to doing it the "Woodville way!" Thank you for providing our students with a learning experience that allows them to learn and grow. The Woodville bears appreciate all that you do!
- Thank you Nurse Kolbe & Nurse Hawkins for the love and care you provide daily to our Woodville bears! No matter the situation, you provide us all with love and care.
- Nurse AJ at Westover Hills ES is awesome! She goes the extra mile for our kids and not only looks out for their physical health but also their social and emotional well being. She is an asset to our team here.
- A big shout-out to Nurse Parris at J.L. Francis Elementary. She truly loves our students and takes great care of them. She is professional and very knowledgeable. We are lucky to have her! We love you, Parris!
- Shout-out to Nurse AJ at WHES. She has been a source of joy for everyone this year. She always goes above & beyond for our students. What a gem! Shout-out to Ms. Warren in 1st grade at WHES. Her patience and sincere regard for her students' growth is evident in so many ways. She is a great leader and we simply adore her!
- I would like to wish the Bulldog Enrichment Academy teachers a huge and happy Teacher Appreciation Week: Catherine Few, Nicole Turnage, Harold Aquino, Lisette Kimbrough, Heaven Cannady, Christal Bacon, Renee Goode-Boyd, Maria Hernandez, Estephania Hernadez, Abizue Santos-Rios, Joy Moore, Monica Mclean, and Michael Brown. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication to serve our scholars.
- A special shout-out to Mrs. Andrea Bryant and Mr. Ryan James – two exceptional teachers at Lucille M. Brown Middle School. You can tell that they enjoy, love, and care for their students! They always go above and beyond to ensure that my daughter understands the work and encourage her to do better and be a better person. For that, I am truly appreciative. Teachers like them make learning easier for students. They deserve all the flowers – kudos to them! Also, a special shout-out to School Counselor Mechelle Mayo at Lucille Brown Middle School. She always goes above and beyond for my daughter. She cares and it shows! She has a kind and nurturing spirit and I appreciate her contribution to my child's life. Mrs. Mayo is definitely one of a kind!
- Shout-out to Ms. Jarvis and Ms. Jafri of Bellevue Elementary, 3rd grade. They both have contributed so much to my classroom and to me and I want them to know I appreciate them both. Shout-out to the Garden Committee at Bellevue for working throughout the year to create plans to revamp our outdoor spaces. Big shout-out to the school nurses of Bellevue Elementary. Nurse West and Nurse Mooney are hands down the best school nurses I've ever worked with. They are dedicated, thoughtful, caring, and loving to our Dragons, and very considerate of staff, too. We appreciate you! Shout-out to Ms. Powell for her hard work on SOL testing! You make it run so smoothly for the teachers, thank you! And lastly, shout-out to Mx. Small, art teacher at Bellevue. My students love coming to see you each week. We appreciate all the special projects you do and appreciate you so much.
- I would like to shout-out the math interventionist/specialist at Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts, Mrs. Ashley Burden-Smith. Mrs. Burden-Smith has worked at several RPS schools and she makes learning fun and exciting for students. She is thoughtful and kind to her students but also to the staff as well. We are fortunate to have her.
- Shout-out to the amazing teachers at Virgie Binford Education Center: Keshia Bracey, Shondalyn Chamblee, Kevin Middleton, Sam Robinson, Kim Smith, Andrea Tucker, Tyson Etheridge, Kofi Moseley, and Jennifer Young. Your tireless dedication to our students is appreciated.
- Linwood Holton is truly a special place for our students and a special place to work. All the amazing teachers – Mrs. Scambos, Mrs. Edwards, Ms. Taylor, Ms. Darby, Mrs. Saunders, Ms. Brockman, Ms. Hairston, Mrs. Morgan, Mrs. Ellerbe, Mrs. Conway, Ms. Bell, Ms. Tam, Mrs. Ruffin, Ms. Wilson, Ms. Decamps, Ms. Robinson, Mr. Bowles, Ms. Joynes, Mrs. Durrette, Ms. Brannon, Ms. Poe, Mr. Patrimonio, Ms. Wilkerson, Ms. Turnage, Mr. Gaskin, Ms. Linens, Ms. Boswell, Mrs. Harr, Ms. Mankus, Ms. Archer, Mr. Ruh, Mr. Baugh, Mr. Dansbach, Ms. Hawley, Mr. Clark, Mrs. Easter, Mrs. Carid, Mrs. Hooker, Ms. Kate, Mr. Patterson, and Ms. Ford – are the reason why it is so special. Thank you for pouring your hearts and souls into teaching every single day. The impact you all make extends well beyond the classroom. Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!
- Huge shout-out to Mrs. York, 4th grade teacher at PHSSA. She has been so patient, understanding, and helpful in teaching my daughter, which has really boosted her confidence and let her abilities shine. As a parent, I’m so appreciative of her resourcefulness and responsiveness. She is wonderful and truly makes a difference every day!
- Shout-out to all of the teachers who have welcomed us into their classrooms to record them facilitating instruction with their students during the course of this school year! Kudos to Ms. A. Beverley (G.H. Reid), Ms. D. Miles (J.L. Francis), Ms. V. Schwarz (Mary Munford), Ms. A. Jackins (Swansboro), Ms. S. Nguyen (Francis), Ms. T. Gordon-Absalom (Overby Sheppard), Ms. M. Thomas-Moore (Obama), Ms. S. Williams (Obama), Ms. C. Manning (Henderson), Ms. Beck (Obama), Ms. Barnes (Harrison-Jones), Ms. Vadhanam (TJ), and Ms. T. McCrone (McClenney) to name a few. Their ability to build a positive and safe learning environment where RPS students are challenged and are thriving has been a joy to witness. Thank you for opening your doors and allowing your peers to learn from you!
- Shout-out to Mrs. Scholar Cardwell at T.C. Boushall Middle School. Momma! Thank you for not only being a teacher but a mother to all! Being a mother to the two you birthed led you down the path of being an educator in Richmond Public Schools and I don't think you have slowed down since your first day at Henderson Middle. From Teacher of the Year to teacher coach (yes, she has coached some of your favorite teachers how to teach) to ICC, your knowledge, passion, and compassion for the education of all has spilled over to not only your daughters, but also the people who have the opportunity to work with you every day. Not only do we love you, we appreciate you beyond words!
- Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to all of the Hospital Education program teachers! Every day, this special group of teachers brightens the lives of children who have acute and chronic health conditions which prevent them from attending a typical school. Their commitment to enriching the lives of these students is remarkable and admirable. Thank you to Tikka, Ruth, Kristie, Lake, Jennifer, Ellen, Gretchen, Sharron, Michele, Ashely, Sarah, Nadra, Brenda, Deidra, and Stacy!
- I would like to send a huge shout-out to Ms. Kathleen Tisdale, Ms. Jeanette Crosswhite, Mr. Darryl Baugh, Mr. Kevin Ruh, Ms. Arika Goode, Ms. Nealie Allen, Ms. Eunique Bryant, Ms. Tondalehya Wright, Ms. Shelita Clayton, and Ms. Anita Anderson for being an amazing group of intensive support teachers. I appreciate how much you advocate for your students and provide an environment in which they feel loved, appreciated, and understood. Thank you for all you do each and every day of the year!
- Big shout-out to Pamela Randolph, math intervention specialist and summer school organizer! Pamela has embraced students with disabilities being fully inclusive in the summer school experience. She has worked tirelessly and diligently to ensure that all students are able to participate in all of the activities and field trips. Pam, you are so appreciated for the love you show to all children!
- Shout-out to the humanities team at Westover Hills Elementary School (Coach G, Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. Barker, and Mrs. Gentry)! Your hard work does not go unnoticed. You guys are amazing and are the glue within our school! Shout-out to Mrs. Reed, Mrs. Robertson, and Mrs. Bremejo at Westover! Your positive energy really keeps our 3rd-5th graders going and sets the tone for testing. Shout-out to Mrs. Fernandez at Westover Hills. You are always there when we need a helping hand. You are so patient and calm with our students and provide them a safe space to get their big feelings out! Shout-out to Nurse AJ at Westover! We all love you! You are amazing with the students, and have provided such a safe and welcoming environment for students to come with any problems they may have!
- I want to give a big shout-out to CSA Felicia Roberts for not only keeping us safe at Albert Hill, but being a caring soul who always encourages me and the students, and makes us smile even on a rough day! She is simply amazing! Also, big shout-out to CIS Site Coordinator Ms. Polk at Albert Hill! The way she cares about our students and goes over and beyond to get them the resources they need is so heartfelt. We’re grateful to have such a beautiful soul at the Hill!
- Sending gratitude and a loving attitude to absolutely every person caring for the precious students at Amelia Street School, including the bus drivers & helpers who may not be in the building but make so much learning possible from the first moments to the last of the day. There is a depth of professionalism woven to a breadth of loving kindness at Amelia Street School that changes lives for good – in every sense of the word.
- We would like to thank the 3-5 teachers and exceptional education team at PHSSA for all of the work they do daily! With much thankfulness this testing season, we want to say thank you to Ms. Flannagan, Mr. Thornton, Ms. E. Smith, Mr. Fisher, Ms. Rice, Ms. York, Ms. Hamlet, Mr. Lewis, Ms. Price, Ms. Anby, Ms. Moore, Mr. Youakim, Ms. Holland, Mr. Morris, Ms. Hargrove, Ms. Brandon, Ms. Riehl, Ms. Fisher, Mr. Gillespie, and Ms. Rossi. You are all appreciated!
- Huge thanks to First Presbyterian Church, Christ Church Episcopal, Cedar Street Baptist Church, Robinson Theater, and 31st Street Baptist Church for hosting a Teacher Appreciation Week dessert bar for faculty and staff at Henry Marsh ES. We are a better school because of the community support we receive.
- Food, laughter, and gratitude! Thank you, Capital One Card Risk team, for making our staff at HLMES feel special and appreciated! Your continued support goes a long way!
- Shout-out to Principal Hicks, Sonata Koger, Tiana Addai-Mensah, and our wonderful Councilwoman Lambert for making our teachers feel loved and appreciated!
| |
| Reminders from Previous RPS Directs
| |
| Teacher Appreciation Week Specials – We're not the only ones celebrating teachers this week! Sugar Shack will be giving teachers and nurses a free donut and 12 oz. coffee all week long. Just show your ID and enjoy. Planet Fitness is offering all nurses and teachers a complimentary 1-week PF Black Card® pass for use at any of their six Richmond locations. Amenities include HydroMassage beds, massage chairs, guest privileges, and more! To take advantage of this offer, visit the location nearest you and present a valid ID. The pass must be redeemed by May 12. From now through May 12, teachers and school staff can get 20% off all orders at Buffalo Wild Wings. Valid on dine-in, call-in, and walk-in orders! Be sure to visit our website for additional discounts and specials.
| |
| RPS Teachers ROCK – To celebrate our teachers, we've relaunched the RPS Teachers ROCK campaign in the RPS Love Store! All proceeds will go to instructional supplies for RPS teachers and instructional assistants.
| |
| Be SMART – According to findings from the 2021 National Firearm Survey, 4.6 million children in the U.S. live in a household with at least one loaded, unlocked gun. We need to change that. 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). For more information on the Be SMART campaign, visit their website or text 'SMART' to 64433.
| |
| #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.
| |
| RPS Links
Crisis Support Links
Health and Wellness Links
| |
|
|
|
