| Thursday, February 8, 2024
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| Dear #RPSStrong Family,
Tonight's updates:
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| School Board Appointment – During Monday's meeting, the School Board voted to appoint Ms. Shavonda Dixon as the School Board Representative for the Ninth District! Ms. Dixon is a Virginia native, dedicated mother of two, and proud graduate of TJ. She's a passionate advocate for the students of RPS and for the broader Richmond community. Ms. Dixon will be sworn in next week and will be seated at our next School Board meeting. Please join me in welcoming Ms. Dixon to the Board!
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| BHM Spotlight – When Tiffany Taylor began her freshman year at Huguenot HS she was quite shy. Determined to stretch herself and motivated to achieve greatness, she joined the basketball team and dance team, became a tutor for World History I, and ran for (and won!) class president! Tiffany boasts a very impressive GPA and is always up for any challenge. Her teacher had this to share: "Tiffany is a student who captures the hearts of many. Since freshman year, she has had her goals in mind. She wants to and will achieve great things in life. She is the epitome of Black excellence and a shining example for others in the Huguenot community." When asked how she is creating Black history, Tiffany answered: "By making sure my future is bright, attending an HBCU, and becoming a performer and a business owner."
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| Richmond Spiders Men's Basketball Tickets – The University of Richmond is currently offering $5 discounted tickets for RPS teachers, staff, students, and their families to attend the following home games. Tickets can be purchased online at the links below. If you have any questions, please call 1-877-SPIDER-1.
- Saturday, February 10, at 2 pm vs. LaSalle
- Saturday, February 24, at 6 pm vs. Davidson
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| Zoning Initiative – On Wednesday, March 6, RPS will be requesting a waiver from the city Zoning Board to install light poles on the athletic grounds of the new Richmond High School for the Arts. If you can, please come out to support the RHSA community. For more information, visit our website or scan the QR code below with your phone's camera. Thanks in advance for your support!
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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!
- Happy School Counseling Week! I'd like to shout-out Southampton's favorite school counselor, Dr. Joseph, affectionately known as "Dr. J." She is all things kids. She will do what it takes to ensure our students are acknowledging and processing their emotions and replacing negative words, thoughts, and actions with healthy behavior. Don't be surprised if you find her on the floor in the hallway talking it out with students. I love how she meets students where they are to help them get to where they need to be emotionally. Thank you for all you do.
- Shout-out to a phenomenal woman...that is Mrs. Harris! She is a treasure and I am so glad that the students and staff of Bellevue Elementary School have the pleasure of her presence. We love her and appreciate everything she does for us. She puts pure love in her work and it shows. Can’t say enough great things about her. Thank you, Mrs. Harris, for being the person you are!
- Huge shout-out to Ingrid Cauthorne, school counselor at Lois Harrison-Jones Elementary School, for being a wonderful school counselor. Also, huge shout-out to our school crossing guards, Ellen Burgess, Ryan Bennett, Letitia Johnson, and Dylan Stoskus, for keeping our scholars safe and doing a wonderful job.
- I would love to shout-out our dynamic duo of school counselors at Oak Grove-Bellemeade Elementary: Ms. Bridget Faison and Mrs. Tierra Jenkins! Thank you for all you do for Oak Grove each and every day. Our students love spending time with you and you work so well together. You are the epitome of what you picture elementary school counselors to be! We appreciate you both! Happy School Counseling Week!
- I would like to shout-out our wonderful 8th grade counselor at MLK, Mr. Jeffrey Carter. He is always available to support both the students and the teachers with anything that will help make the students' lives more positive. And he does it with a cheery smile every day!
- A huge shout-out to our amazing school counselors, Ms. Jenkins and Ms. Faison at OGBES! We appreciate all you do for our students as well as your support for the teachers! Happy School Counseling Week!
- Shout-out to Rose Gordon, the incomparable school counselor at Mary Munford Elementary. Mrs. Gordon works tirelessly for the students, families, and staff at Munford. She brings empathy, knowledge, and humor into her work each day, and is truly an asset to the RPS community. Happy School Counseling Week, Mrs. Gordon! Thank you! I don't know what we'd do without you!
- Happy National School Counseling Week to Ms. Shari Hobson-Flowers at Frances W. McClenney Elementary School. Ms. Flowers brings a caring, firm, consistent, and loving approach to each student within the building. She often includes real-world application to the social-emotional and wellness skills she works on with young learners. Her support of her colleagues throughout the building is invaluable. McClenney is more than lucky to have you, Ms. Flowers!
- Shout-out to Ms. Stephanie here at Carver Elementary. You are so dear to us here at Carver. The counseling and love you give to our little ones has made you invaluable. Thank you and we love you!
- I'd like to extend a huge thank you and shout-out to Ms. Angela Chiles, SpEd teacher at Albert Hill Middle School. She and her team of BAs are truly amazing as they support and push their students to their full potential. It is an honor to be her colleague and witness the love she gives!
- Huge thank you to Mr. Ownby at Lucille Brown for his efforts with the theater department. The production of "I am Artist" (that he wrote) was so well done. It was a great display of the talent our kids possess. He has been amazingly supportive of my kid over the years, and I know her friends feel the same. Thank you for all you do!
- I would like to shout-out Dr. Blair Smoak, the interim principal at Richmond Alternative School. This is his first year being the principal and since taking leadership the attendance rate has drastically increased. He looks for ways to get the staff and teachers on the same page and to take pride in the hard work they are doing. It is not easy doing the job they are doing. Thank you, Dr. Smoak, for hitting the ground running and for arriving to school each and every day with a smile on your face and a desire to make a difference for the students and staff you serve.
- I would like to send a huge thank you to the School Nutrition Services staff: Julia Logan and Jamal Mitchell at Brown Middle School, Mrs. Sandra Dayo from Huguenot, and Supervisor Mr. Goode for lending a hand to help make things run smoothly while I was out on the mend.
- A huge shout-out to Dr. Pitts, Ms. Hite, Ms. McCoy, Ms. Morley, and Mr. Byrd at George Washington Carver Elementary School. Thank you for supporting our little scholars and teachers. You are all shinning examples of leading with love.
- I want to give a shout-out to Shannon Ebron, the director of School Nutrition Services, for always being open to new and innovative ways to keep students fed, healthy, and eating their fruits and veggies! Thanks, bestie!
- Special thanks to Principal Ryan, AP Johnson, and AP Stewart at J.L. Francis Elementary School. Their continued love and support for students and staff is beyond amazing. Thank you for showing up, and showing out every day.
- Shout-out to our wonderful elementary school counseling team. Happy School Counseling Week! Thank you for lighting the pathway with love, respect, hope, and promise for our students. We appreciate all that you bring to RPS each and every day!
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- Congratulations to Thomas Jefferson High School on a record setting day. During the National Football Signing Day, there were 9 Football player commits. This was the largest number at one time for the same sport. We are extremely proud of our coaches and athletes on such a great honor and season. We look forward to great things in the future from our Class of 2024.
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- Big shout-out of thanks to Ramona and her mom for putting together the rising star attendance ball treat bags. Here at Mary Scott, not only do our students shine bright, but our parents do, too.
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| Reminders from Previous RPS Directs
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| Road to Licensure Fair – Join us on the RPS Road to Licensure this Saturday, February 10, from 9 am - 2 pm at River City MS. Learn about the requirements for teacher licensure, participate in onsite interviews, and speak with representatives from RPS and local universities. To sign up for this wonderful opportunity, scan the QR code below with your phone's camera. Also, if you know of a great teacher who might like to join the RPS team, please tell them to apply now. We have positions available in several content areas. Help spread the word!
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| RPS Love Store – Check out the new Black history designs in the RPS Love Store! All proceeds will support the Richmond Black History Museum.
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| School Immunizations – RPS Health Services has scheduled a series of school-based immunization clinics. If you would like for your child to be vaccinated at this or any of our upcoming events, please return the completed consent form to your school nurse in English or Spanish. These immunizations are mandated by Virginia law so please make sure to take care of them ASAP. See flyer below for locations and times.
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| Tutor Recruitment – Are you a retired teacher, college student/recent grad, or community member interested in supporting the academic success of our students? We're currently accepting applications for academic tutors to support our high-intensity tutoring program. If you or someone you know is interested in joining the RPS team, just visit our website to apply or scan the QR code below with your phone's camera. This work is going to take #AllofUs!
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| RPS Links
Crisis Support Links
Health and Wellness Links
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