| Thursday, November 16, 2023
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Dear #RPSStrong Family,
Tonight's updates:
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Dreams4RPS – I'm happy to share that our website has been updated to include all of our upcoming Dreams4RPS community meetings. Be sure to check out the schedule to find a meeting location near you!
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Region Playoffs! – Are you ready for some football?! Tomorrow night, three RPS teams will compete in regional playoff games and we want to fill the stands for our student-athletes and coaches. Everyone is encouraged to wear their school colors/gear and to share photos during the game. Just add a location-tag and mention RPS for the opportunity to have your photos shared on our social media channels. The kickoff time for both games is 7 pm. Please see below for important game details.
Region 3B
- #4 Armstrong HS at #1 Thomas Jefferson HS
- Location: Virginia Union University – Hovey Field (1500 N. Lombardy St)
- Purchase tickets in advance
Region 4B
- #3 Huguenot HS at #2 Varina
- Location: Varina HS (7053 Messer Rd, Henrico VA)
- Purchase tickets in advance
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Southside Block Party – Join Southside RPS schools for a day of family fun this Saturday, November 18, from 11 am - 2 pm at Boushall MS. They'll have music, food, and opportunities to connect with school leaders, teachers, and community partners. Hope to see you there!
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Free Thanksgiving Meal Opportunities – RVA has several events coming up to help families prepare for an enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday. Please spread the word!
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- Give Back Turkey Giveaway – Newly elected Delegate Mike Jones will host the Give Back Turkey Giveaway on Saturday, November 18, from 9 am - 12 pm at River City MS. Registration is required. Please email Ken Wright or call (804) 646-2779 to register.
- The Giving Heart – The Giving Heart will host its annual Community Thanksgiving Feast on Thursday, November 23, from 11 am - 2 pm at the Richmond Convention Center (403 N. 3rd St). All are welcome!
- Community Luncheon – UGRC / Black Pride RVA will host a luncheon on Thursday, November 24, from 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm at Diversity Richmond (1407 Sherwood Ave). All are welcome!
- Farm-to-Table Monthly Market – Lulu's Local Foods will provide fresh produce to RPS families tomorrow, November 17, from 3 - 5 pm in the cafeteria at Fairfield Court ES. Stop by to pick up a free basket of fresh produce to enjoy with your holiday meal. Be sure to stay tuned for more information on future markets coming soon to Carver ES and Woodville ES.
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Energy Assistance – Dominion Energy has several payment programs to assist families experiencing financial hardship. For a full list of Dominion Energy customer assistance options, visit their website or call 866-366-4357.
EnergyShare Bill Payment Assistance
- Anyone needing help to pay heating bills may qualify for assistance
- Not income-based
- Individuals 60 and older, military veterans, and people with disabilities may be eligible for additional assistance
- Offers up to $600 in bill payment assistance from October 1 through May 31
- For more information, visit Virginia 211
Extended Payment Plans
- Extended payment plans to assist customers who have fallen behind on their electric bills
- Eligible customers can make a 50% down payment on their past due bill and spread the remaining balance over 6 months (sign-in to your Dominion Energy account online to apply)
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Lights Up! at Huguenot – The Richmond Performing Arts Alliance will host the Genworth Lights Up! Youth Series this Saturday, November 17, from 10 am - 12:30 pm at Huguenot HS. Kids ages 3-18 are invited to enjoy performances by some of Richmond's most talented visual and performing artists, and to participate in free workshops. Pre-registration is encouraged but not required. Don't miss this great opportunity!
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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 River City MS, Huguenot HS, and Boushall MS! These stellar schools dominated the October leaderboard in Nearpod usage! Basil Hatcher, Chanel Graves, and Jacob Neal-Helt were the top Nearpod teachers in October! Your dedication to interactive and impactful teaching with Nearpod sets the bar high!
- Big cheers to Blackwell ES, Lucille Brown MS, and GH Reid ES! Congratulations on securing the top spots for the most Flocabulary activities completed by students in RPS for the month of October! Special shout-out to the district's top teachers – Kenyodda Sykes, Alita Fulford, and Shirlean Harris! Your dedication to fostering a dynamic learning environment truly shines.
- Shout-out to Taura White and committee at Miles Jones ES for putting together a fabulous book tasting event for our families and students! We appreciate you!
- Thanks to Ms. Martin at Cardinal ES for holding down the fort in my absence during a family funeral. And I want to send a special shout-out to the parents, teachers, and staff at Cardinal ES who made it out to caregiver/teacher conferences, and to everyone who shared their time and talents translating.
- Huge shout-out to Facilites team members: Bubba, Rick, Tommy, Brandon, David, and Jon. Thank you for all of your dedication and hard work!
- I'd like to shout-out Behavior Specialist Melanie Brown at Amelia Street, who is a leader in teaching with love. Ms. Brown has an amazing ability to establish relationships with students and makes them feel excited about learning SEL strategies in morning groups with me. I appreciate Ms. Brown for everything that she brings to Amelia Street and just know that Ms. Brown is a true talent for the students, school, and district. We are so grateful for you.
- I would like to shout-out Sandra Armstead, ICC at RAS! She works tirelessly to ensure compliance, makes a way out of no way, and is a super advocate for all students at RAS. We appreciate you!
- Marika is a valuable member of the TJ science department. She is a master at establishing daily routines in the classroom and being consistent with her students. Also, Marika is getting married this Saturday. Congratulations, Marika, from your TJ Family!
- I'd like to give a huge shout-out to Mrs. Estrada-Williams, assistant principal, and Mrs. Weisser, dean, at River City MIddle School. These two ladies give their all every day and show the teacher respect and appreciation. We all know they care about the students and teachers. We appreciate them so much!
- I would like to send a shout-out as a parent and PTSA member to our dedicated art teacher, Brigette Newberry. Brigette has been teaching for RPS for 42 years! She has served as the teacher representative on the Open High PTSA for over 20 years and heads up the annual art auction that brings in money to support students and the school. Brigette faithfully attends Open High events and goes above and beyond volunteering for the PTSA and the school. She is passionate about her students and encourages them to do and to be their very best. Thank you, Brigette, for your work and commitment to RPS and our students.
- Shout-out to Latonney Gregory, media specialist at Lucille Brown Middle School! Ms. Gregory is consistently friendly, welcoming, and inviting to all whose paths she crosses! She often allows me to "invade her space" and offers me water, a charger, etc.! Kindness truly does matter, and Ms. Gregory, I appreciate yours! You are appreciated!
- I'd like to give a huge thank you to Letitia Lampley for her kindness and patience in helping me understand my benefits! Kindness goes so far in this world!
- I'd like to give a shout-out to Ms. L. Williams at Mary Munford. She not only works hard in the classroom to provide a top-notch experience for her second graders, but also does so out of the classroom at the Richmond marathon! High-fiving her on the course was such a thrill for our child. Her dedication to both teaching and wellness is inspiring, and we are so thankful to have her this year.
- Shout-out to the following team members at Dogwood MS. Mrs. Nichole Parker, exceptional education teacher, gets the job done and doesn't complain. We thank you for filling in the gaps and being a great resource to our students. Mrs. Michelle Hackley, exceptional education department chair, not only creates a positive learning environment for her students, but she also creates a safe space for her department to connect and support one another. Robin Cullum, exceptional education teacher, has a remarkable work ethic and desire to get things right for all students. John Novak, instructional assistant, has a calming presence and provides great support to our students. Rylie Wolff, your flexibility is greatly appreciated. Thank you for putting students first. And, Nichelle Ortiz-Torres, school social worker at Dogwood Middle School, your small groups are making a big difference in the lives of our kids. Thank you for all you do!
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| Reminders from Previous RPS Directs
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| Teach With Love at RPS – We hire all year long so if you know of a great teacher who might like to join the RPS team, please tell them to apply now. We're offering bonuses of up to $12,000!
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| School Nutrition Open Interviews – Every Thursday through November, we're holding walk-in interviews for part-time nutrition assistant positions. Interviews will be conducted from 1:30 - 3 pm at our Facility Services office (1461 Commerce Rd).
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| 2024-25 School Applications – The application window for families to submit open enrollment, specialty school, and Governor’s School applications for the 2024-25 school year is open! Families have until 4:30 pm on December 1, 2023, to submit specialty and Governor’s School applications, and until 4:30 pm on February 1, 2024, to submit open enrollment applications and applications to the Governor's STEM Academy for CTE at RTC.
A few important notes:
- We unfortunately cannot accept late applications for any reason. Please plan accordingly.
- As long as your application is submitted before the deadline, the timing of your submission will have no impact on the outcome.
- We're holding information sessions about the application process, the Enroll RPS portal, and school options. Details will be at www.rvaschools.net/enroll as soon as they are final.
- If you have additional questions, please email us at enrollrps@rvaschools.net.
- If you haven't already done so, please review the recently developed list of FAQs regarding changes to the admissions process for Richmond Community HS, Open HS, and Maggie L. Walker Governor's School.
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| Student Wellness and Mental Health Support – 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).
- 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.
- 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.
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| RPS Links
Crisis Support Links
Health and Wellness Links
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