| Wednesday, January 24, 2024
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Dear #RPSStrong Family,
Tonight's updates:
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School Board Budget Work Session – The School Board will hold a budget work session tonight at 6 pm at River City MS. You can attend in person or watch the livestream of the meeting in English or Spanish. Please note that there won't be a public comment period at the work session. Hope you can tune in!
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Early College Academy – Families of current 10th graders are encouraged to attend a virtual information session for the Early College Academy tonight at 6 pm. The Academy provides students with the opportunity to earn an associate's degree while completing the requirements for their high school diploma. Current 10th graders with a GPA of 3.3 or higher are encouraged to apply. The deadline to submit applications is February 5 at 11:59 pm.
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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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| 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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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!
- I'd like to shout-out our wonderful nurse at PHSSA, Nurse Taylor! Day in and day out, Nurse Taylor is always willing to go the extra mile for the students. We're grateful to have the very best as part of our PHSSA family.
- Thank you to SportsBackers for their time and partnership in raising the bar of RPS athletics! Jacki, Megan, Noelle, and John, you all rock! Our future is bright with partners like you all! And huge thanks to the principals, asst principals, coaches, and athletes who gave their time last week at SportsBackers!
- Ms. Crystal Potee has been rocking it as the principal at Thomas Jefferson! Although she is a staple at TJ, she has assumed the new role with ease and the entire faculty has welcomed her with open arms. We are so blessed to have her leading the Viking family!
- I want to give a shout-out to the media specialist at Linwood Holton, Ms. Caird. Recently, I asked her to help a reluctant reader in my classroom find some level appropriate chapter books and she jumped right in and found just the right books. Thank you, Ms. Caird – you are awesome!
- I would like to give a huge shout-out to Dr. Harold Mitchell, senior school psychologist. It has been an amazing journey to work under a supervisor who is caring, compassionate, and committed. He is a great leader who believes in all his staff and wants us to be the best professionally and personally. Your dedication, guidance, and support is appreciated.
- Congratulations to Brandy Paige, Future Center navigator at Thomas Jefferson High School and Franklin Military Academy. Brandy, along with her TJHS school counseling colleagues, and GRASP Advisor Mrs. Golatt, hosted a well-attended college information night last week at TJ. Students and parents received valuable information on post-secondary planning and they received assistance in completing the FAFSA.
- Huge shout-out to Helen Mickens-Demena, director of talent, for her dedication, hard work and inspiring leadership. She goes out of her way to make sure she and the Talent Office have what they need to work toward the goals of the entire RPS district. Thank you for being so creative and intelligent, and for sharing your talent and expertise with the Talent Office. You are the best!
- Shout-out to Ms. Christian at J.L. Francis Elementary! She goes above and beyond for all students each day. If a student comes in late and hungry, she does not hesitate to drop what she is doing to make sure the student is fed. Thanks for always putting a smile on all of our faces!
- I would like to give a huge shout-out to our two assistant principals here at Carver. Dr. Harris, you have such a jovial and positive nature about you. We all feel your presence throughout the building and appreciate your consistent support of both staff and students. Mrs. Mayfield, you are wise beyond words and we love the way you encourage staff to grow and be at our best with such genuineness. I would also like to shout-out our school social worker, Ms. Morley, and our RBHA clinician, Mrs. Buttner, for all your hard work in the building. I see the growth and change in all the students you work with. I believe you both make a true difference in our students' lives daily. Thank you for making our students’ mental and emotional health your top priority each and every day. Our building would not be the same without you.
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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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| Let's Keep Dreaming! – Our strategic planning community meetings are ramping up across the city. To help frame the conversations, we've put together an Outcomes Report covering the last five years. Check out the report and find a meeting in your community to come dream with us!
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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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