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| Dear #RPSStrong Family,
It's hard to believe, but our three new schools are nearly complete! Henry L. Marsh III Elementary School (replacing George Mason ES), Cardinal Elementary School (replacing Greene ES), and River City Middle School (replacing Elkhardt-Thompson MS) are BEAUTIFUL! If you haven't driven by them lately, I encourage you to do so. I guarantee they'll put a huge smile on your face. Thank you, RVA, for eating out and funding these modern facilities that shout "We love you!" to our students.
With great appreciation,
Jason
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- Stacey Green again quickly fixed and responded about an issue with a student's computer! Thank you so much! Also, last week my computer started doing something crazy. When I called the service desk, they answered and helped resolve the problem so quickly and graciously. I'm so thankful!!
- As a parent to three daughters at Mary Munford Elementary School, I would like to send a shout-out to Ms. Dunn, 4th grade teacher, for the incredible connection she maintained with her students throughout the final months of the 2019-20 school year. My daughter was never void of work, whether it was on Google Classroom or the written work (prepared in rainbow order packets) that was sent home. Additionally, Ms. Dunn held multiple Zoom meetings each week, and went "on tour" to personally visit students (while following appropriate guidelines) during the final weeks of school. Ms. Dunn is dedicated and loves her students endlessly, so much so that an (optional) weekly Zoom meeting has continued throughout the summer. Shout out also to Ms. Via, Mary Munford 1st grade teacher. My daughter was given enough work to keep her academically engaged throughout the summer so as not to experience the summer slide. Additionally, Ms. Via scheduled phone calls with each student to listen to their reading skills and even delivered a birthday package to my daughter in honor of her summer birthday (on her actual Saturday birthday).
- I’d like to give a shout-out to Mrs. Keisha Washington, who has been supervising on-site community food programs for RPS. As volunteers with this program, my daughter and I were incredibly impressed with Mrs. Washington during the weeks we worked with her at Reid ES. It was great to see her this week at Miles Jones ES. She is a force of nature! Mrs. Washington is focused, diligent, and committed to her job. She inspired us with her dedication, and I know she has helped many, many people in Richmond get the food they need in these difficult times.
- A huge thank you goes out to the wonderful cafeteria employees, volunteers, and bus drivers that arrive daily, at the Miles Jones distribution site. They ensure RPS students receive meals safely and with a smile. Un enorme agradecimiento a los maravillosos empleados de la cafetería, voluntarios y conductores de autobuses que llegan diariamente al sitio de distribución de Miles Jones. Se aseguran de que los estudiantes de RPS reciban comidas de forma segura y con una sonrisa.
- I want to give shout outs to the SROs at Armstrong High School. They both have such dynamic relationships with our students. It does my heart good to see some our our youth just stopping in the hall to dap up the officer or many others who appear to have no problem having SROs around. I have actually sent students to speak with one of them about concerns in their neighborhoods and traumatic situations in their living environment. They really bring a lot more than additional safety to our school; they bring a level of respect between students and police. That’s a good thing!
- Shout out to Tyra Harrison & Sidney Gunter for leading all the RPS summer learning, and to everyone who made it happen: Angela Wright-Summer School Principal; Helen DeMeana & Deborah Jones-HR; Michael Powell-for the use of his building for eight weeks; Monique Yates-Aspen; John Grove-Attendance, Aspen, & Problem Solver; Ashley Bland & Stacy Green-ITRTs, Newsletter Editors; Leigh Young-Admin Intern; Lindsay Barnes & Provonda Hunter-Custodial Team at Cary; Samantha Jones-Office Associate this Summer/Attendance; Marquetta Bagley-Attendance/Tagging; Yomara Diaz Serrano-Bilingual Parent Liaison; Angeline Maboneza-Bilingual Parent; Pam Smith, Amir Elsayed and the entire YMCA staff; Jeanine Turner, Candace Benn, and Sarah Ramirez, NextUp Program Services Coordinators; Pre-K Teachers: Stephanie Matthews-Privott, Debbie Miller, Jenifer Williams, Saundra Donahoo; Kindergarten Teachers: Jordan Payne, Anna Kalkus, Janice Gray, Sarabeth Kawugule, Marci Semeraro, Aliyah Hoye, Janice Fisher, Virginia Taylor, Nicole Benjamin; 1st Grade Teachers: Felicia Grady, Trejahn Rutlin, Tanji Wyatt, Monica Thomas-Moore, Chelsea Goode, Katrina Washington, Abbie Radcliffe, Megan Petzold, Sharrie Merritte; 2nd Grade Teachers: Kathryn White, Machelle Johnson, Cynthia Todd, Rebecca Wachowski, Tina Radford, Marita Harrison, Tracy Saunders, Alicia Willing, Meredith Houston; 3rd Grade Teachers: Tierra Hobson-Trotter, Elizabeth Jorgensen-Best, Regina Warren, Chelsea Manzo, Assata Siders, Inger Woodfolk, Evongeline Henderson; 4th Grade Teachers: Ketia Singleton, Cherriss Eaglin, Jane Gordon, Carey Caddell, Mary Tisdale, Rolly Quizo; 5th Grade Teachers: Cheri Manning, Tammy Blackstone, Kenyodda Sykes, Mellisa Alson, Kadene, McDonnough, Joe Jackson; 6th Grade Teachers: Rodney Barnes, Jessica Diaz, Stephanie Granderson, Christal Corey, Nikita Johnson, Tracee Hogans-Foster; 7th Grade Teachers: Chanel Graves, Dennis Williams, Kiara Thompson, Coby Williams, Eric Lindely; 8th Grade Teachers: Katherine Shenk, Sarah Collier, Evelyn Holmes, Crystal Mitchell; ESL Teachers: Paige Ellwanger, Jacqueline Gyimesi, Andria Impson, Wesselyn Gwaltney, Raquel Vandenesse, Emily Lazar, Victoria Pierson; ESY Teachers: Tonya Epps, Amanda Dailey, Adrienne Rozier, Yolanda Simmons, Charissw Williams, Carolyn Jones, Ebony Thomas, Tawana Hampton, Steven Armstrong, Carolyn Mitchell, Charlotte Lucas, Jewel Urquhart, Samiuah Garnes-Brooks, Sheena Davis, Shanni Merritte, Simone Cheeks, Tracy Howard, Brandon Richardson, Jasmine Stultz; Instructional Assistants: Peggy-Anne Morris, Kylee York, Kristal Cherry, Defonda Foskey, Sandra Wilkins, Sherry McKeithan, Michelle Clark, Aletha Fernandez, Leanne White, Holly Cooper, Tia Carver, Brenda Morton, Katina Harris, Malcolm Bigby, Tiana Terry, Christal Bacon, Audrey Foxx, Debra Dabney, Samantha Smith, Taylor Williams, Diantha Walker, Latice Tabb, Corless Brown, Natasha Whitaker, Molly Ruggieri, Lloydette Bey, Lisa Williams, Gabrielle Hernandez, Emani Robinson, Renee Bagley, Carla Duckett, Chasity Newsome, Curtis Conyers, Dre'Mon Miller, Antoine Fries, Nicole Jackson, Jerry Gunter, Mikayla Williams, Jonathan Wheelock, Rosina Guevara, Lila Sandage, Deisy Heredia, Maria Dominguez; Occupational Therapists: Michelle Thompson, Sydney Butterworth, Justine Zinskie, Zach Gran.
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Community Meetings on Police in Schools – Join us tonight for our first virtual community meeting regarding the role of police in RPS schools. The meeting will be streamed on our Facebook page starting at 6 pm.
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Tech Survey for Teachers – Teachers, please check your RPS email account for a survey about your technology needs. Please complete it as soon as possible so we can make sure you're all set for the start of school. If you've already completed the survey, you're all set! If you have any questions, please contact Sandra Lee, our new Chief Talent Officer, at slee7@rvaschools.net.
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NextUp RVA – If your organization provides a great extra-curricular activity geared towards 6th-8th graders, please contact NextUp RVA about how to partner with RPS middle schools. For additional information, just click here!
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Meal Distribution Updates – Please review the flyers below for updates to our summer meal distribution beginning this week.
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Free Physicals – The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts are sponsoring free physicals and immunizations for uninsured new elementary school students. See below for more information!
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Important Links – I'll note in orange when there have been additions/updates so you you won't miss anything.
Fall 2020 #ReopenWithLove Links
Local, State, and National Public Health Links
Local, State, and National Public Education Links
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