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| Dear #RPSStrong Family,
Since it's Saturday, I'm just doing shout-outs. Before I get to them, just a quick reminder that we still need volunteers to help with our food distribution program. If you're willing and able, please sign up here. Thank you!
With great appreciation,
Jason
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- I want to say thank you to Mrs. Renesha Parks for continuing to provide professional development opportunities for all Special Education Staff during school closure...Again, thank you Mrs. Renesha Parks, you’re the BEST!
- A shout out to all PLC staff members who continue to keep in contact with students daily to offer support on coursework in Edgenuity. Shout-out to Ms. Valenta Wade in Testing who continues to keep Site Testing Coordinators informed of any changes. Shout-out to Ms. Gueringe Richardson and Ms. Victoria Garren, Secondary English Instructional Specialists, who have kept us informed of any changes and provided additional Teachers of English resources available from the Virginia Association of Teachers of English.
- A shout out to Ms. Lane Dowe, my son's SPED teacher at Thomas Jefferson, for calling to check on him and asking if we needed ANYTHING. She left her contact number so my son could call her whenever he wished.
- Fisher - I took the opportunity this morning to join one of our 2nd grade teachers, Ms. Zappalla, as she taught a Zoom lesson on flowering plants. She did an incredible job! Way to go, Ms. Zappalla.
- I had to share a Shout Out about Kristi D'Souza! This Distance Learning Plan has required a lot of training to ensure that it is being implemented appropriately. Kristi has gone above beyond to make sure that teachers and the staff are well acclimated to the Google files by doing additional Zoom calls. She is patient and open to answering all of our questions.
- I am overly thankful and appreciative of 5th Baptist Church Head Start! I am an essential employee for the City of Richmond and have been perplexed about how to care for my nephew during these times. The church was still operating for essential staff only and reached out to see if any of the Headstart kids also needed help...In addition, we were in the process of his IEP eligibility and your staff reached out...to make sure he is on track for services next year. Thank you for working with such an amazing group of individuals who truly make your program shine!
- The G. H. Reid Elementary family would like to give a HUGE shout out to our very own Mrs. Davis. She is a dedicated third grade teacher here, and we are truly grateful to her for her selflessness. Mrs. Davis has volunteered EVERY DAY to assist with food and learning packet distribution for our families in the community. She has provided books for the children to take home and also gives pointers to parents related to strategies for how they can support their children at home. We do not take her commitment to our children lightly! Thank you, Mrs. Davis! We love you!!
- A HUGE shout-out to our science curriculum specialist, Josh Bearman, for being so responsive to questions and concerns from teachers during this time! I know he’s been in non-stop Zoom meetings for weeks but if I text him or send him an email he will always get back to me right away! With many teachers being just as lost as our parents and students I cannot stress enough just how helpful he has been so far, and I know he has a lot on his plate moving forward with RPS@Home. Thank you to him, but also thank you to the entire curriculum and instruction team, as well as the technology team, for all their hard work!
- I will like to shout out Ms. Merritte, a Special Education Teacher, at Oakgrove Bellemeade. She called to check on my child, keeps me informed on what she knows, and connected with us on youtube, which helps my kindergartner & 1st grader. Also, Ms. Cutright reached out to us to make sure we're okay, making a home visit to drop off supplies and extra work. That means a lot to me at this time. Also want to shout out Ms. Leslie with Child Savers. She's always one call away. Mr. Byrd, a Behavior Counselor, has been checking in try to help the best he could from a distance - I really appreciate it. Oakgrove Bellemeade means a lot to me & my little ones. WE ALL GOT THIS!!!!
- A big shout out to Mrs. Fulks from Oak Grove. She makes sure my daughter and son have work to keep them learning and making sure their brains moving!!
- I would also like to shout out Ms. Ashley Burden, a third grade teacher at Miles Jones Elementary School. She is my teaching partner and has been a great support not only to me, but to the children we teach as well. We have continued to work together during the school closure by having zoom lessons online a few times a week with our students, checking on families, and helping out in other capacities when we can. I am so thankful for her.
- I would like to thank Col. Hudson at Franklin Academy for taking time out his day to personally drop off my son's medication because my work schedule did not allow me to pick it up myself. Also a thank you to Maj. Dubinsky for taking his time to personally call and check on us and give some valuable info. Thank you!
- From the Academic Team, Autumn, Tyra, Renesha, Barbara, Kristi, Darlene, Luke, and Bonnie have all been phenomenal in preparing RPS@Home. Autumn has led the charge on the vision for PK-8 and has set up the visuals, process, and content; Tyra has led the charge on the HS work, and has secured additional supports from our tutoring partners; Darlene has engaged ITRTs to get the website ready to go; Renesha has been jamming on all things SPED, lining up Related Service Providers to deliver services to students virtually; Kristi has gotten the PK team lined up on videos and instructional packets; Barbara has worked to get content for 50 CTE courses so kids get that credit; Luke had led the way on ensuring we can use Edgenuity seamlessly and efficiently to make this all come together; and Bonnie has been a champ getting POs in on chromebooks, lining up printing of letters to seniors and round 2 of packets. All of their teams have been great, too! Many of these folks have children at home to educate, families to support, and themselves to keep healthy. We are extremely grateful for their hard work over the past few weeks, and the past two weeks in particular!
- I'd also like to recognize 5th grade teacher, John Bennett, at Mary Munford. He has gone above and beyond what is expected in caring for his students through these past few weeks. In addition to hosting daily Zoom chats with his students to encourage and empower them, he has also personally delivered garden seeds and books to them all. Mr. Bennett loves his students, and it shows. We are grateful for his passion.
- I would like to shout out Ms. Newsome, 5th grade teacher at Linwood Holton Elementary School. In addition to providing lessons through Zoom, Ms. Newsome has given the students time to reconnect with each other during that process. While some may see it as "down time" she understands that social distancing is affecting our children as well. Being able to talk and laugh with each other on that platform allows them to stay connected. Ms. Newsome understands and loves her children!!!
- I am a SPED teacher at Fairfield Court Elementary School and I wanted to shout out our AP, Ms. Henderson, for continuing to provide guidance and direction to the department as we navigate everything that’s going on. She is always available to answer questions and assist us, and she continues to meet with us by conference call to make sure we feel supported. Her concern for us and our families means the world to us! Thanks for all you continue to do!!!
- I would like to recognize the team downtown. Lucas Hostetter and Autumn Nabors have responded to my emails quickly, even after hours, and are always eager to help! Thank you so much!!!
- I want to give a shout out to 2 people from my granddaughter's school. Thank you, Melanie Brown, for texting us, concerned parents, about our special kids. You continue to keep them in your heart. And thank you, Ms. Vasquez. It was so nice to get the phone call and the basket of goodies you left for my granddaughter. She is missing everyone so badly. She talks about how you have all touched her heart and asks every day when she will see everyone again.
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