| Dear #RPSStrong Family,
Tonight's updates:
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May Student Representative – Many thanks to our May student representative to the School Board, Emacio Jefferson, a senior at Richmond High School for the Arts, for sharing his thoughts with us during Monday night's meeting. Emacio serves on my Student Advisory Council and is captain of the Varsity Baseball Team. He's also on the Scholar Roll, has received the Principal’s Award, and has a part-time job. Upon graduation, Emacio will be attending Virginia State University where he will major in hospitality management. Congratulations!
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School Board Recognitions – So many recognitions and proclamations at Monday night's Board meeting! We celebrated our 2024 Early College Academy graduates, Teacher Appreciation Week, and School Nurses Week. On behalf of RPS, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who go above and beyond the call of duty to serve our students, families, and staff with love every day!
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National School Nurse Day – Today is National School Nurse Day, falling right in the middle of National Nurses Week! Today and every day, celebrate and give thanks to all of the school nurses out there, especially the amazing ones we have here at RPS. Keep sending your shout-outs to shoutouts@rvaschools.net. Thank you!
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Teacher Spotlight – After eight years as a visual arts teacher, Shannon Brady transitioned to exceptional education at Amelia Street School. "I'm committed to making sure all of our students have access to the education that they deserve, especially in reading. I love being able to see my students’ worlds open up as they discover how to blend sounds to make words, and have been deeply appreciative of this new role!” One of her colleagues shares: “Ms. Brady has been such a positive addition to our family this school year! She is always willing to assist and go the extra mile for every student and staff in the building. We appreciate you, Ms. Brady!”
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Retiree Breakfast– This year's class of 88 retirees has dedicated 2,165 years to teaching, leading, and serving with love in RPS! Retirees, though you're stepping away, we will always be your family and RPS will always be your home. Thank you for your decades of service to young people of Richmond. Get some rest, travel, enjoy time with family and friends...and then come back as tutors!
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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 Nurse Harris for taking care of students daily in many capacities, whether it is regular clinic visits or emergency situations. She also volunteers and participates in many school events, as time permits. She is approachable, compassionate and a pleasure to work with. Caregivers need love and support also!
- Shout out to Nurse Sam at Southampton Elementary for caring so much for the students. We love having his assistance and patience on the soccer field, too, as he volunteers his time as a coach!
- I would like to give a beautiful shout-out to the Nurse Mary at Fairfield Court Elementary School. I know that my two babies are always in great hands with her. She always has a pleasant personality and speaks soon as you walk into the office.
- Nurse AJ at WHES is an absolute rockstar! She communicates so quickly and professionally with parents and provides a safe and caring environment for the students at Westover Hills. I got a call from her last Thursday at work calmly saying that my daughter needed minor stitches for an accident that occurred on the playground. My daughter was so calm and felt so safe with her she wasn’t even crying! Nurse AJ just did her job so well and I had every confidence that my daughter was in great, capable hands while she waited for us to come get her. She and Principal Alston both personally followed up with texts to make sure everything was okay, which it was, because of their excellent care, love, and professionalism. We are so lucky to have them and have Westover Hills. We love this school, Nurse AJ, and we love RPS! Go beavers!
- A huge shout-out to Nurse B at Henderson Middle School for caring for our scholars! You are appreciated!
- Shout-out to Nurse Mary at Fairfield Court Elementary. She always has a smile for the kids and adults too.
- Shout-out to our team of nurses for Nurses Week and School Nurse Day! Thank you to Candiece Bourne and Karrell Smith for all of your hard work and dedication! You are both amazing at what you do and we are lucky to have you both as the leaders of our team. Thank you to Laurel West for being an exceptional lead nurse. You go above and beyond to be sure your team of nurses have what we need and you guide us with such compassion and kindness! To the rest of our team, keep up the good work. We rock!
- At PHSSA we are so grateful for our awesome clinic nurse, Ms. Taylor! Her dedication and service to our students is truly unmatched. Thank you, Ms. Taylor, for everything that you do!
- A huge shout out to our school nurse, Shannon Sims, in honor of National School Nurse Day. You're a rockstar! We love you here at Mary Scott Preschool!
- Thank you to Nurse Scott of John Marshall High School for her diligent collaboration between home and school, compassion, attentiveness, and vigilant consideration of the well-being of student health.
- I would like to take a moment to shout-out Jasmine Armistead at MLK MS. Watching her blossom and excel in her role has been incredibly inspiring. Her unwavering love and commitment to her career and students are truly unmatched. Witnessing her students thrive in their tests is a clear reflection of her dedication. RPS, you have made an excellent choice in adding her to your staff.
- Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to the best early childhood special education integrative services teachers. Natasha Dandles, Brandi Rucker, Helena Didot, and Chrissy Springfield provide itinerant exceptional education services to preschool-aged students attending community-based daycare centers as well as in our RPS preschool centers. Every day these ladies demonstrate their dedication and commitment to educate our youngest learners. I personally applaud them because, whatever is asked of them, they are willing to support in any way possible. Thanks, team! You are appreciated more than you know!
- Thank you, Ms. Schwarz, Ms. Clark, and Ms. Ashley at Mary Munford for your kindness shown to me today with the unexpected schedule change for our shared students.
- I would like to give a huge shout-out to the amazing teachers and nurse at Boushall Middle School. We cannot do anything in a school without having amazing teachers who come to school every day and nurture and educate our incredible students. Our teachers are the bright and shining light on our campus. And they are the reason the school is moving towards accreditation. We truly appreciate Nurse Austin for all that she does for our school community. She is truly a blessing to our campus!
- Shout out to all of the teachers at Franklin Military Academy! You are all amazing at what you do every day for our students. They are lucky to have such a wonderful team of compassionate and dedicated teachers. You are appreciated more than you know!
- Here at Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School we have a number of great teachers. One is Mr. Nicholas Allmond, 7th grade English teacher. Mr. Allmond has taught for seven years and during the time that I have observed his classes his students are engaged, on task, growing, and well-managed. Thanks, Mr. Allmond, for your dedication, commitment, and labor of love! Salute!
- Ms. Armistead, thank you for all you do. You are a great teacher!
- I would like to shout-out all of the teachers, IAs, floaters, and our very own Nurse Amy here at Blackwell Preschool. You all make every day special for our students as you provide smiling faces, hugs, and love to each one of our students. We can not say enough we appreciate you!
- I would love to send a shout-out to the beautiful staff at Fairfield Elementary School, especially the exceptional education staff. Ms. Ramsey, Ms. Palacio, Mrs. Mitchell, Ms. Primus, Sgt. Gore, Mrs. Hicks, Mrs. Henderson, and Mrs. Wright have been great with my babies since they stepped foot into Fairfield. I appreciate all that you do!
- A huge shout-out to the teachers and staff at J.L. Francis Elementary School! Here at the Eagle’s Nest, our teachers facilitate learning with love, passion, and dedication! Full of laughter and cheer, this school without walls is a hidden gem on the Southside! Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! You are simply the best!
- I would like to give a huge shout-out to Mr. Samuel Best, fifth grade exceptional education teacher at William Fox Elementary School. Thank you for your hard work in supporting my child as he develops. Your patience and commitment to supporting my child has meant a lot to our family. Your expertise in teaching has put our minds at ease. Thank you; we appreciate you; your sacrifices don't go unnoticed; you truly care about your students; and you've made a huge impact.
- Shout-out to the best 7th grade English teacher at MLK MS – my daughter, Jasmine Armistead. Ms. Armistead has really made her dad and I so extremely proud! The way she approaches teaching is absolutely incredible. She gives students 100% of herself and the connection she has with them is truly beautiful to watch. Jasmine continues to be as excited today, as she was on day one of school. Her students love her and she loves them! She is a valuable asset to RPS.
- Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to the amazing teachers and staff at J.H. Blackwell Elementary School. Your commitment to reach and teach our scholars is valued. The innumerable ways you demonstrate love and foster learning is making a difference, one scholar at a time. You are all that and more! You are simply the best!
- Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to all the amazing teachers at Chimborazo Elementary who go above and beyond for their students and co-workers. They are the best.
- Walking into Summer Hill Preschool, you feel the warmth, love, and support. The teachers, instructional assistants, annual substitutes, Encore teachers, and floating support staff make this possible. Their hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed. Each of you deserves applause and praise daily for the phenomenal experience you give our students. Thank you for all you do!
- Shout-out to my daughter's entire support team at Lois Harrison-Jones! Ryan Bennett (504 coordinator/case manager), Katie Tanguay (occupational therapist), Madison Sweeney (speech-language pathologist), and Ingrid Cauthorne (guidance counselor), and, of course, her general ed teacher, Emily McAden. Thank you for all the work you have done this year to support my 2nd grader! She has flourished at LHJ this year with your help! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
- Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to all of the amazing teachers who teach with love! A special shout-out to Mrs. Amy Thurston, second grade teacher at Barack Obama Elementary! Mrs. Thurston goes above and beyond each day to make each scholar in her classroom feel special. My child is fortunate to have her as a teacher. Thank you for all you do!
- Shout-out to the Safety and Security staff who helped support Saturday's Staff Appreciation Day. Thank you, Sabrina Pollard, Kristia Watson, Tonya Dixon, Peggy Morris, Elizabeth Adams, Robert Crosby, and Kimberly Tucker for all of your hard work during the event. You are appreciated! Thank you for leading the team, John Beazley, Monica Fetch, and Brukisha Corbin, and for ensuring safety was the highest priority.
- Shout-out to the Maintenance and Custodial team on site to support Saturday's Staff Appreciation Day. Thank you Barry Staten, Kenny Staten, George Mayo, Bobby Lee, William Spencer, James Boone, and Julius Cole for all of your hard work during the event. You are appreciated! Thank you for your leadership, Mary Gresham.
- Shout-out to Huguenot's athletic director, Robert Farquharson, for all his timely and thorough assistance in ensuring Staff Appreciation Day was a success. Thank you, AD Farquharson!
- Shout-out to Jodi Granger of the Teacher & Leader Pathways department for all her hard work and commitment to everything she does! She is an amazing office associate, and serves RPS with love every day. Thank you, Jodi!
- I'd like to shout-out Laurel West at Bellevue Elementary. She brings a depth of experience and compassion to providing excellent nursing care. Laurel serves as the lead nurse for eight schools in RPS. She rides her bike all over the city to these schools, acting as a resource to the nurses, doing health screenings, and assisting with enrollment and vaccination compliance. She spearheaded and maintains the Bellevue "growing tower," enabling salad bar days in the school. She fulfills her role with kindness, a down-to-earth approach, and a good sense of humor.
- Shout-out to all RPS staff and retirees who participated in the retirement breakfast – it was awesome!
- I would like to send a hearty and heartfelt acknowledgement to the speech and language pathologists who provide services to Richmond Public Schools. It would take more time and space than allowed to list all of the ways that you educate, investigate, problem solve, support, and treat the students, staff, and parents all with professionalism and endurance, and in the face of constant challenges. I respect your work, I applaud your tenacity, and I appreciate the fact that like a "duck in the water," you appropriately present yourselves in a calm and dignified manner while beneath the surface, you're fighting to ensure that your students are provided appropriate and ethical treatment. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! And Happy National Speech-Language-Hearing Month!
- The scholars at Franklin Military Academy have been working so hard during testing! Administrators, teachers, military staff, school social worker, school counselor, and support staff worked together to provide some extra encouragement to students as they entered the building! Keep up the great work! We are so proud of you all!
- Shout-out to Ms. Natia Smith, social worker at Franklin, for pulling the staff together to welcome students in for their first day of SOL testing – complete with a red carpet and all.
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| Reminders from Previous RPS Directs
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| #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.
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