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| Wednesday (PM), March 3, 2021
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| Dear #RPSStrong Family,
Make sure to tune into RPS Live! tonight at 7 pm for a discussion about two powerful films – Black Boys and Pushout – focusing on concrete steps we can take support and uplift – not push out – Black students. Our guests include:
- Dr. Tiawana Giles, Principal, Carver Elementary School
- Lamont Trotter, Principal, Richmond Alternative School
- Riddick Parker, Assistant Principal, Armstrong High School
- Tiffany Patton, RPS Behavioral Specialist
With great appreciation,
Jason
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- Congratulations to our newest National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs): Lindsay Williams and Sarah Anzelmo-Steele.
- I'd like to shout three members of the Red Tail family that made my day today: Mike C. of my class, our Axiom tutor Mr. Diego, and Ms. Jamison, our grade level administrator. Today in class Mike said, "I finally understand surface area and volume. Mr. Diego really helped me!" Thank you, Mr. Diego for having the heart of service it requires to motivate and educate a middle schooler after just 3 class periods with us. Thank you, Ms. Jamison, for placing Mr. Diego in my class. Lastly, thank you, Mike, for applying yourself and refusing to quit. You are on the path to greatness, young man!
- I would like to shout out Mr. Darryl Williams from the Engagement Office, and his team – Marquis Davis, Doron Battle, and Alexa Burnette – for assisting Fairfield Court Elementary School deliver goody bags to students and lunch to parents for the students who had perfect attendance during the first semester. This event was awesome!!! The children and parents were so appreciative and happy to see us!!
- I want to shout out Ms. Ray @ Ginter Park! I emailed her today with an issue with my son's laptop, and she came out her way to bring us a replacement today! Thank you so much for making sure we got what we needed! Also, shout out to Mrs. Alexander, Ms. Lopez, Mr. Flynn, and all of the 2nd grade teachers and staff, and all of Gator Nation! Great job, guys!
- I would like to shout out what I am calling our social emotional/community connection team leaders at G.W. Carver. At Carver all of our staff and teachers have a great connection and relationship with the parents, students, and community, but these three ladies hold up the standard that Dr. Giles and Mr. Sampson set: Ms. T. Brown, attendance liaison; Ms. L. Joyner, CIS coordinator; and Ms. M. Adair, school social worker. Ms. Brown has been with us for two years and has improved our school attendance and so much more. Both Ms. Joyner and Ms. Adair are new to us, but they have already made their positive impact on the staff and students. All three of them work together and coordinate getting materials to students, following up with families needs/concerns, and letting them know that we still care and that they are special to us. They make our students and families feel special and connected to what may be the only source of consistency and inspiration they have during the season we are all going through...They are the cherry on top of the milk shake (insert your favorite flavor), and we are so grateful to have them and thankful for the job they do and will continue to do. On behalf of Carver Nation, thank you, ladies, you are awesome!
- I want to shout out John Marshall alumnus and Technology Services superstar, Leroy Hatcher. His kindness, patience and expertise make him a true RPS superstar! Thank you for everything you do to support RPS employees! You make our jobs easier and help us shine!!
- I would like to pass along a big thank you to Ms. Woodward-Johnson for substituting for my classes at Albert Hill Middle School. Ms. Woodward-Johnson sent me detailed reports for each of my classes throughout the day. I also heard great things from my students about her when I got back. Thank you, Ms. Woodward-Johnson!!!
- Ms. Mary Smith, ESL teacher at Huguenot High School, is a quiet leader who does so much work behind the scenes to provide dynamic educational experiences for her students. She devotes so much of herself to making certain that they have full access to as many academic opportunities and experiences as possible and is a fierce advocate for them. When students ask for assistance, she perseveres until she helps them find the best answers and resources possible. She never gives up on her students, and they greatly benefit from her excellent teaching and professional knowledge. Ms. Smith is a caring colleague who loves to research and share best practices and materials with her peers, and she is always the first to offer to help a colleague in need. HHS is fortunate to have Ms. Smith!
- I wanted to send you a quick email to express how grateful we are for Ms. Davis. I reached out to her last fall looking for some help with my child as he struggled with the ongoing isolation of the pandemic. She has been such a gift. She's met with my son online for counseling and encouragement, and he always leaves his video chats with her feeling happy and eager to meet again. Ms. Davis has been a real lifeline for our son in keeping him connected with the PHSSA community. We are so thankful for her! I'm so grateful for PHSSA and all the ways their fabulous staff have worked so hard to support our children during this crazy year!
- Super duper shout-out to Wanda Parker in Technology Services. She is awesome and makes it happen when extra special assistance is needed! Kudos to her for making it happen!
- Shout out to Angela Jones for being "Johnny-on-the-spot" whenever I call with a concern regarding one of my PK babies! Thanks, Angela, for all you do!
- Many, many thanks to Dr. Angela Dickens for her expertise and assistance with exceptional education training, and filling in for meetings whenever needed! My hat's off to you, Dr. D!
- Shout out to the 6th grade team at Henderson Middle School! We’d like to recognize Mrs. Abdelkader (English), Ms. Upton (Science), and Ms. Williams (History) specifically. We are thrilled with how they all continue to challenge and motivate our child. We are so thankful for their work!
- Huge shout out to G.H. Reid's CIS team, especially Mrs. Ketterlinus, for going far above and beyond making a video in Spanish explaining the virtual tutoring registration form for our families! We couldn't have reached as many families as we have without you, Mrs. K. and Ms. Capito!
- Lisa Marshall, a kindergarten teacher at Mary Munford is the best. Virtual K is tough, but Mrs. Marshall, somehow, has connected deeply with all of her kids. Her love shines through every day. She understands when virtual learning is hard and talks through the hard parts with the kids and supports them every step of the way. She also tackles the big topics of our time (Covid, monuments) when the kids bring them up with love and historical information that is accurate and that the kids can understand. She does not shy away from the hard stuff (kindergarteners have big feelings!) but dives right into the hard to help the kids through it. My kid does not love virtual K, but he sure does love Mrs. Marshall (and so do we!).
- Shout out to Ms. Lee Resnick for setting up the Read Across America schedule with virtual guest readers for our champions! Group links were ready to go when readers and teachers clicked on the chart. Readers and classes had so much fun with this literacy event that Oak Grove is doing it again. Thanks, Ms. Resnick, for helping students and staff celebrate books on this special reading day!
- I had a family emergency last week. When I called Ms. Waller and Ms. Kenneth, they both said: "Family is first. Just let us know if you need anything. Don't worry about work." Thank you for being so understanding.
- I just wanted to send a shout-out to the admin team at Thomas Jefferson High School: Ms. Cherita Sears, Ms. Crystal Potee, and Mr. Nicholas LeReche. Our administration is always pushing us to be better at our jobs, but they do it without micromanaging. They are fun and caring and always want to help. The very best part about every one of these leaders is how they make decisions based on the students' best interests. They really embody the #leadwithlove motto. :)
- I have to give a massive shoutout to the teachers and students at Woodville for their amazing Black History Living Museum today. I am blown away (and brought to tears) by the work we saw that celebrated Black Excellence from the past and present. It was so wonderful to have members of the community join in and speak directly to our students. Our future is in good hands – don't sleep on the East End y'all!!! A special shoutout to Ms. Samantha John for going above and beyond for our students, as always.
- Shout out to Mrs. Maxwell and Ms. Delaberrera, office associates at T. C. Boushall Middle School, for being the best office team a girl could want! Their determination, compassion and teamwork is unparalleled!
- My daughter is a kindergartner at Southampton Elementary School and has been blessed with two amazing teachers: Ms. Walton and Mrs. Anderson. Virtual teaching is filled with very unique challenges and Ms. Walton and Ms. Anderson handle it all with patience, style, grace, professionalism, and love. In this virtual year, I am grateful my daughter is in class with these two amazing educators. Thank you!!
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| Tutoring – Just a quick reminder that we're offering FREE virtual tutoring in reading and math for students in grades K-8. Click here for additional information.
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| ¡RPS en Vivo! – As you may recall, our Black History Month program for ¡RPS En Vivo! was postponed due to inclement weather. I hope you can join us tomorrow, March 4, at 5:30 pm, for a discussion about the influences of Afro-Latino culture in Richmond (in Spanish) on the RPS en Español Facebook page.
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| Tune in to iPower Richmond's Facebook Live tomorrow, March 4, at 5 pm, to support RPS Sr. Recruiter, Toshia Green, and RPS Sr. Policy Advisor, Rodney Robinson, during the Virtual Employer Spotlight. Please join them in sharing the love for RPS!
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Facilitated Learning Centers – As a reminder, there are still seats available at the "facilitated learning centers" serving RPS students. See below for details.
- Peter Paul Development Center is running a facilitated learning center at MLK MS for 2nd-8th grade RPS students. The full-day option goes from 9 am until 6 pm, and is completely free for low-income families. To learn more, click here.
- The YMCA is is running facilitated learning centers at Miles Jones ES, Holton ES, and Huguenot HS for K-8th grade RPS students. The full-day option goes from 7:30 am until 6 pm, and is completely free for low-income families. To learn more, click here.
- There are also many other facilitated learning centers not housed in RPS schools across the city. To learn more, click here.
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RPS Love Store – Show your RPS Love and help us raise money for RPS families in need and local racial justice non-profits by ordering something today from the RPS Love Store!
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| Crisis Support – Please reach out if you need help.
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Important Links – I'll note in orange when there have been additions/updates so you you won't miss anything.
#ReopenWithLove Links
Local, State, and National Public Health Links
Local, State, and National Public Education Links
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