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Dear #RPSStrong Family,
Tonight's updates:
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| 2024-25 School Applications – The deadline for families to submit open enrollment applications and applications to the Governor's STEM Academy for CTE at RTC for the 2024-25 school year is this Thursday, February 1, at 4:30 pm. Please note: we cannot accept late applications for ANY reason. As long as your application is submitted before the deadline, the timing of your submission will have no impact on the outcome. If you have additional questions, please email us at enrollrps@rvaschools.net.
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| Legislative Priorities – We have six legislative priorities this year, including school funding, new school construction, and support for English learners. To learn more about our priorities (available in English and Spanish) and how you can advocate for public education, be sure to check out the Advocacy Hub on our website!
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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!
- Shout-out to RBHA, CIS, the East End Hub, Child Savers, Nurse Mary, University Tutors, IAs, long term subs, and cafeteria staff for all of the work you do to support our students. Your work is noticed, valuable, and meaningful. We celebrate you and thank you for the time you spend here at Fairfield Court! We would not be able to create full circle moments without you!
- I would like to shout-out Ms. Grandison because you have become an important part of my day at Fairfield. Thank you for leading with love, being resourceful, and making math fun!
- Shout-out to Ms. Morrison at Fairfield Court. ES. Thank you for always being a listening ear, providing resources, and being a teacher advocate.
- I would like to send a shout-out to Ms. J. Grandison at FCES for being a phenomenal math coach. You are an asset to Fairfield Court Elementary. Thank you for leading with love, being resourceful, and making math fun!
- Thank you to Cardinal Elementary Reading Coaches Smith and Williamson for jumping in to support teachers and students for PALS administration.
- Thank you to all of our building subs at Cardinal Elementary for stepping in and caring about our classes. Your hustle to keep our children learning and engaged when teachers are absent is appreciated and our kids are lucky to have you!
- I would like to thank Pamela Randolph, math intervention specialist, for always being available to support Boushall Middle School with IXL and/or i-Ready questions. We truly appreciate your immediate attention to our needs.
- I would like to shout out Ms. Angel Reynolds at Boushall Middle School for all she does for our students. She is always there for them and creates lasting connections that support the culture and climate of the whole school.
- Grateful for the Boushall team! They work collaboratively to do what is best for students. Dr. Vaughn, your leadership is felt and seen! Angel Reynolds is an amazing student support specialist who goes above and beyond for all students!
- I would like to send a huge shout-out to our amazing SRO and CSAs: Officer Foster, Sgt. Wills, Officer Lofton, Officer Newby, and Officer Harris. Thank you for keeping our campus safe and secure every day. We truly appreciate you!
- A huge shout-out to Dr. Vaughn, the principal at Boushall Middle School, for his leadership and leading with love.
- I would like to shout-out our school social worker, Ms. Copeland, for all the resources she provides and for creating a safe space for the students.
- I would like to send a huge shout-out to Mr. Christopher Boyd, math teacher at Boushall Middle School. Your dedication to our students is unmatched. I’m not sure what we’d do without you!
- Shout-out to the entire Coordination of Services team at Boushall Middle School, led by Dr. Timothy Vaughn, Jr. It takes a village to raise a child and the love and support from the team members is unmeasurable. Great things are continuously happening at Boushall and the best is yet to come!
- Blackwell ES Interim Principal Felecia Coleman and Administrative Coach Susan Stokes both serve as exceptional role models and mentors. I am beyond grateful for their leadership, coaching, and support. Janice Gray, JHBES reading coach, did a phenomenal job coordinating the school spelling bee! Ms. Gray always goes above and beyond daily to serve students, staff, and our families. Thank you to staff in supporting roles who helped to make this event a success! Shareema Hill, JHBES instructional assistant, is always willing to step in to assist, provide coverage, and support after school intervention.
- Tiera Lee, JHBES third grade teacher, is phenomenal! She is a true model of professionalism and provides quality instruction for her students. We are lucky to have her as a part of the JHBES family!
- Kindergarten teacher Desiree Cotten is a great teacher and valued member of our building leadership team! Her consistent kindness to colleagues and students make her a welcome presence daily in our building.
- Ms. Nealie Allen, JHBES intensive support teacher and our school-based teacher of the year, is one of the kindest, thoughtful, most patient souls I know. She arrives early every day and stays late to plan and prepare. We are grateful for the love and dedication she shows to her students, their parents. caregivers, and to her JHBES family as well. The JHBES PTA, Carlin Gibson, president, Rosalyn Henley, secretary, Brittani Barnes, treasurer, and Shavvon Forrest, teacher/PTA liaison, have done a fabulous job with getting our PTA up and running this year! To date, they have spearheaded and aided many initiatives to include: open house, back to school night, CIS holiday coat drive, providing breakfast and snacks during teacher work week, Title I family engagement night, securing community partnerships, teacher wish lists for classroom supplies, and more!
- Shout-out to Emily Wheat, 4th grade ELA teacher at Bellevue Elementary. Her students did a phenomenal job becoming animal experts by researching and presenting about different animal defense mechanisms. The students were full of pride as they presented their Google slideshows. Thanks for giving our 4th graders opportunities to shine, Ms. Wheat!
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| Reminders from Previous RPS Directs
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| Mental Health Support – I want to remind everyone – students, staff, and families – that your mental health continues to be a top priority. Please note the resources below and remember that we love you here and you are not alone.
- Students who need emergency mental health support should call the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority at (804) 819-4100 or the ChildSavers Immediate Response line at (804) 305-2420 (or send a text to 741741).
- RPS employees in need of emergency support should contact the Cigna 24/7 Crisis Line at (833) ME-CIGNA, or (833) 632-4462. Additional counseling and support services are also available through the Cigna Employee Assistance (EAP) program by calling (800) 544-6931.
- Latinos in Virginia Empowerment Center provides education, advocacy, and support to Spanish-speaking individuals affected by violence. The 24/7 hotline in Spanish is (888) 969-1825.
- The Trauma Healing Response Network is a coalition of grassroots, community-based organizations and mental health partners that provide support services to families and communities impacted by gun violence. The network can also facilitate the distribution of emergency relief funds to help those in crisis. For more information, email traumahealingresponsenetwork@gmail.com.
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| Road to Licensure Fair – Join us on the RPS Road to Licensure on Saturday, February 10, from 9 am - 2 pm at Huguenot HS. 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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| 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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