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Dear #RPSStrong Family,
Tonight's updates:
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| Thank You for Being My Teacher – To close out Teacher Appreciation Week, make sure to check out this adorable video from the chorus at Albert Hill MS. Please also join me in expressing our deepest appreciation to all of the life-changing educators of RPS. You Teach, Lead, and Serve with Love every single day and we are forever grateful!
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| ART 180 Middle School Residency – Students at Boushall MS have been participating in the ART 180 Middle School Residency this year. This extraordinary program connects RPS students with professional artists, who serve as teachers, mentors, and coaches. The goal: give students an opportunity to enhance their artistic expertise, see themselves as potential professional artists, and feel accepted for who they are how they express themselves artistically. The smiles in the pictures below pretty much say it all!
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| ART 180 Atlas Residency Cohort – Art 180 also runs a summer residency for RVA high school students. Please join me in congratulating the RPS students in this year's cohort: Emily Meza Tovar from Franklin Military Academy, Sierra King from Open HS, Sophia Widmer from Richmond Community HS, and Hannah Gallagher and Shiane Taylor from Thomas Jefferson HS. These amazingly talented students will spend the summer working alongside professional artists to develop original work for exhibition in August. I've been to the end-of-summer showcases twice and I was absolutely blown away both times. Enormous gratitude to Art 180, one of our most valued partners!
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| New Teacher Bright Spot – Tonight, we're highlighting Elizabeth Bartenstein, art teacher at Albert Hill MS. "Ms. Bartenstein has done an amazing job bringing culturally responsive lessons to students and ensuring students see themselves through art. Ms. Bartenstein restructures lessons and behavior management strategies to be responsive to the needs of her students. She builds deep, meaningful relationships with students and is often at the front line of coordinating services with colleagues. She takes and implements feedback and uses it to grow her practice. She is always seeking growth and innovative ways to meet the needs of her students." ~ Principal Tashiana Ivy
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| Strawberry Street Festival at Clark Springs ES – Don't miss the 2023 Strawberry Street Festival from 12-4 pm tomorrow, May 13, at Clark Springs ES (1101 Dance St)! They'll have live entertainment, tasty treats, bounce houses, carnival games, and more. Hope you can make it!
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| Lit Limo Spring Schedule – The new schedule for the RPS Lit Limo will begin on Monday, May 15. Find a stop near you to pick up a new book!
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| SOLs – Elementary students start taking SOLs next week. To help prepare, please make sure your little ones get lots of rest, encouragement, love – and maybe even some dancing and singing. Take a minute to watch this heartwarming and hilarious video from Holton ES teachers and staff to encourage their students on the SOLs next week!
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| To close things out tonight, I'd like to wish all the mothers of all types in the RPS family a very Happy Mother's Day. If I may, I'd like to shout-out a few very special moms in my life: Miwa, Linda, and Megumi. And to those of you for whom Mother's Day is difficult, please know the RPS family is wrapping you in love.
With great appreciation,
Jason
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- A super shout-out to the teachers, IAs, and floating support staff at Summer Hill Preschool. You all work together to make the school shine. Anyone who enters the door at SHP can feel the warmth and care you show the students and families on a daily basis. That compassion takes learning to the next level. Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication. You are respected and appreciated!
- I would like to highlight Lakisha Goode-Lewis, administrative dean at Amelia Street School, for organizing Teacher Appreciation Week. The entire week was filled with surprises and was executed very well. She did an amazing job staying in theme ("We Are Wild About Our Teachers") and every day made teachers and staff feel special.
- I would like to shout-out my teacher, Ms. Grant at Binford Middle School, for being the best teacher. She always makes sure her students are safe and OK, mentally and emotionally. She is just a great teacher and a great person.
- Big thank you to all the staff at PHSSA for making me, as their nurse, feel so welcome and appreciated. I've never worked with a more gracious, cooperative, respectful group of students, teachers, and administrators like Vice Principal DeVaughn and Principal Hudson.
- Shout-out to Dr. Abrego and our church friends at Cardinal Elementary for spoiling us this week! What a treat to have breakfast, ice cream, and lunch on Friday!
- I'd like to send a special thank you to the Greater Richmond SCAN team for providing Fairfield Court Elementary staff with a respite day when we needed it most. Having the moment to "break away" in our time of need was special to us. Thank you!
- Shout-out to the 8th grade team at Henderson Middle School: Mr. Dulin, Mr. Earnshaw, Ms. Manning, Mr. McFadden, Ms. Barnes, Ms. Bacon, Ms. Francis, Ms. Baylor and Mr. Harrison. They have been so supportive of my student! They've encouraged his creativity, helped him develop and explore interests that expand his learning outside the classroom, and provided encouragement and motivation along the way. Thank you!
- I would like to send a huge shout-out to the faculty and teachers at the marvelous Miles Jones ES! You all are the best! You love on our students daily and teach them both academically and socially to be great human beings. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
- Shout-out to all the families who showed up to support our students at the fine arts event at Overby-Sheppard Elementary School. It was heart-warming to see and feel the love and support of our geniuses!
- Shout-out to Nurse Chris Dewilde at Overby-Sheppard Elementary School. Nurse Dewilde has developed such great relationships with our students that many stop by the clinic during dismissal to say goodbye and give her hugs! She is a tremendous asset to our school and is adored!
- Shout-out to music teacher Mrs. Robson and art teacher Ms. Hammond for putting on an amazing fine art event at Overby-Sheppard. Mrs. Robson presented a fantastic show of musical talent. Ms. Hammond created an art gallery featuring works from all OSES students. We are blessed to have such talented and caring teachers who expose our students to life-long abilities and appreciation. Thank you, both, for your love and support to our scholars.
- Big shout-out to Dr. Massa at Huguenot High School. He is an example of professionalism, charisma, dedication, and education. Above that, he is always willing to support teachers in the building! There is not a day that is not a pleasure to see him walking in the freshman hall.
- I want to thank Jodi Granger and Chrisantha James in the Talent Office and the career coaches Shannon Hodges, Vickey Drew, Christal Mark, and Dale Williams for all their logistical help in making the RVA Men Teach conference a successful event.
- Thanks to Huguenot's activities director, Richard Farquharson, for his help and professionalism. Every time I reach out to him to use the building for an event, he is super helpful and professional. He had a football camp with over 300 kids on the field but still made time to come into the building to make sure we had everything we needed.
- Thanks to all the teachers who came out to the Teacher Town Hall and the members of the teacher retention task force for a smooth, productive event.
- Shout-out to the teachers and admin at Broad Rock ES! It is a delight to work alongside talented educators who love big and collaborate every day. And Happy Nurses Week to Nurse Jones who makes me laugh and takes care of all of us.
- Abracadabra! Shout out to Cardinal Elementary’s math coach and school counselor, Danielle Welton-Boxley and Zachary Sneed, for making a magical video to excite our students to do their best to “slay the dragon!” Whoo-hooo to Cardinal Elementary’s Alex Alexson for his many save-the-days when the distress signal is called! Wish we had you here 5 days a week! Shout-out to Chloe Houdek, Lathem Koerner, Steve Lampert, Donald Rodriguez, and our room host, Missy Corrada, all Cardinals, for making every day better. The laughs shared and flash lunch time to decompress with each of you has lifted my spirits daily!
- Special thank you to the magnificent SCAN team for leading Wellness Wednesday at Thomas H. Henderson Middle School. Our teachers enjoyed all of the wellness activities provided. Thank you for investing in our well-being.
- I would like to send a huge thank you to the field day committee at Blackwell Elementary. We had an amazing field day today for our students, staff, parents and community volunteers. The committee members include: Lloydette Bey, Ashley Edmonds, Christina Esquivel, Janice Gray, Wendy Lucas, Rashod Rodgers, Frenishee Smith, Saleem Sargent, and Jessica Thomas. Their hard work did not go unnoticed as was evident by the enjoyment on our students' and parents' faces. I always want to say thank you to our parent volunteers. We could not have had a successful field day without your help. The field day served as a reminder that it truly takes a village and I am beyond proud and thankful for all those who are a part of the J.H. Blackwell village.
- I would like to give a tremendous shout-out to Mrs. Wallesa Jones at Swansboro Elementary for the amazing concert she did with the Swansboro Choir ranging from grades K-5th. The parents and grandparents who came were so proud of their children. She is such a dynamic, inspirational, caring, and extremely thoughtful music teacher. She has brought joy to so many! We all love and appreciate Mrs. Wallesa Jones!! Thank you for all you have done for all of us!! Happy Mother's and Grandmother's Day, Mrs. Jones. Much love, respect, and appreciation always!
- Special Warrior shout-out to the best nurse in town! Thank you, Nurse Davis, for keeping the Henderson Warrior family healthy and well. We appreciate all that you do! Happy Nurses Week!
- I would like to shout-out Principal Wood, Mrs. Belton, the field day committee members, as well as Mr. Hunt and the rest of the PreK Encore Team for all of the teamwork and support shown that made Blackwell Preschool's Family Fun Day a success! It was a great event!
- A big shout-out to Dr. Massa at Huguenot HS. Thank you for all the support you provide to the teachers, for your extraordinary patience with our 9th grade students, and above all for your charisma and education by greeting, smiling and simply answering "good morning" every day.
- I would like to give a huge shout-out to the amazing ELA Team at MLK: Mrs. Black, Ms. Jay, Mr. O, Mrs. Faush, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Waggoner, Mr. Allmond, Ms. Stewart, Ms. Brown, Ms. Tennessee, Mr. Tabb, Mr. Gaskins, Mr. Werts, Ms. Wendel, and Ms. Roberts. It has been a pleasure working with you all this school year. Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to you all!
- I would to shout-out Dr. Robinson from Richmond Virtual Academy for always being so kind! She is always there when you need her and I appreciate her for always responding so quickly with anything! Thank you, Dr. Robinson, for all you do!
- I would like to shout-out Dr. Hampton, principal, and Ms. Williams, office associate, at Maymont Preschool Center for taking the time to show appreciation to teachers and staff this week. I gained a few pounds but I was smiling the whole time.
- Thank you for the great support from Nutrition Services today for our Generations Day Luncheon. We had almost 400 guests, and it went very smoothly and people loved the food. A great community event!
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| - We appreciate Mrs. Addai-Mensah so much! She's always incorporating new experiences into the day for our students! We were able to visit U of R for the “Farfalle” butterfly play! Thank you!
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| - Shout-out to our 4th grade students and their coach, Ms. Nurse, at Oak Grove-Bellemeade Elementary School for placing 2nd in this year's regional Virginia History Day Contest. We are super proud of our students for advancing to the state level!
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| Decision Day Announcements – Class of 2023, please keep sharing your Decision Day news with us at outreach@rvaschools.net. Thank you!
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| Teach With Love at RPS – If you or someone you know is interested in joining the RPS team, sign up to attend one of our Virtual Teacher Hiring Events on May 17-18. To register, just scan the QR code below with your phone's camera, and to apply for a position, just visit our website. Take advantage of up to $12,000 in early commitment bonuses if you sign your commitment letter by June 1.
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| 2023-24 Preschool & Kindergarten Enrollment Events – Join us for our upcoming preschool and kindergarten enrollment events. For more information, please email enrollrps@rvaschools.net. All children enrolled while at the event will be entered into a raffle to win a bike!
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| 2023 Summer Programs – We're beginning to hire for our summer programs. See the flyer below for details and apply today!
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Important Links – Last updated on April 14, 2023.
RPS Links
Crisis Support Links
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