| Wednesday, January 31, 2024
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| Dear #RPSStrong Family,
Tonight's updates:
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| School Board Meeting – The School Board will hold an in-person budget work session tonight at 6 pm at MLK MS. You can watch the livestream of the meeting in English or Spanish. Please note that there will not be a public comment period this evening.
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| 2024-25 School Applications – The deadline for families to submit open enrollment applications and applications to the Governor's STEM Academy for CTE at RTC for the 2024-25 school year is TOMORROW, February 1, at 4:30 pm. Please note: we cannot accept late applications for ANY reason. If you have additional questions, please email us at enrollrps@rvaschools.net.
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| School Immunizations – Our latest round of school-based immunization clinics start tomorrow, February 1, at MLK MS. 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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| Teen Relationships Workshop – Join Empower RVA Teens for a workshop by teens and for teens on Saturday, February 3, from 1 - 3 pm at the Branch (2501 Monument Ave). Students will make their own zine (mini magazine) while discussing how to build healthy relationship skills. Registration is free and open to all teens. For more information, please email Sam Mickey.
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| Fentanyl Awareness Youth Challenge – The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is searching for the best ideas from students ages 14-18 on a strategy to increase youth awareness of the dangers of fentanyl – especially the hidden dangers of counterfeit pills. The top six ideas will be awarded a $5,000 prize, and up to 25 students will receive a $2,000 honorable mention prize. For more information and to apply, please visit the "Challenge" website. The deadline to submit entries is February 26 at 6 pm.
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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!
- A special shout-out to Miles Jones Principal Mrs. Sonya Shaw for planning an awesome "Game Day" professional development. The team building activities were excellent and the food was an extra special treat. It really helped to uplift our staff members.
- Shout-out to our Southampton Elementary School Principal Mrs. Crews who continues to excel even without an assistant principal!
- Our STEAM teacher, Beth Sawyer, has been an amazing thought partner and is quick to provide resources and support whenever needed. She sparks curiosity and creativity in her STEAM lessons. Her dedication to STEAM has truly enriched our Bellevue Dragons' school experience!
- Oak Grove’s very first "beary" terrific recognition is awarded to Mr. Givens, who goes above and beyond each day to support our students and our staff! Whether it’s monitoring lunches or assisting in classes, he is dedicated to whatever the need may be. Mr. Givens, we thank you “beary” much for the way you continually show up for the OGBES school community!
- Shout-out to Mrs. Perry and Mrs. Taylor at Southampton Elementary. They have been a huge support while teachers have been out. They also are always willing to lend a hand in the room or offer advice. They are both a wealth of knowledge and wonderful coaches! Shout-out to Mr. Ellis at Southampton Elementary. He has been so flexible and positive each day. He takes feedback very well, and each day is better than the one before. Third grade is glad to have him! Shout-out to Mrs. Sellers for being so amazing and always being willing to help support me and my students. She has been so helpful in the transition back into the intensive support setting. So happy that she is my mentor.
- A very big shout-out to Lt. Andre Nious for your continuous support of the Miles Jones family. You are very much appreciated for all that you do! Shout-out to Mrs. Taura White, reading coach at the marvelous Miles Jones, for an amazing spelling bee competition this season. You and your committee did a fantastic job!
- Shout-out to Ms. Reid who has recently joined the interventionist team at Overby-Sheppard. We appreciate your organizational skills and the work that you put in to ensure our scholars become fluent readers. Shout-out to our school counselors, Ms. Coles, Ms. Salinas (SSW), Mrs. Perkins (CIS), and Mrs. Plesants (EIA) for collaborating and planning Ovebry-Sheppard's dance party for all students who showed improvement in attendance! You guys rock!
- Shout-out to Mr. Spurlock here at George W. Carver Elementary School. You are an amazing teacher. Thank you for showing up every day to ensure our 4th graders are receiving quality instruction. Shout-out to the 5th grade team at George W. Carver Elementary School. You are doing an amazing job with out 5th grade students. Thank you for being present every day for our students. We appreciate each and every one of you. Shout-out to the 2nd grade team! You guys are doing an amazing job with our 2nd graders. They have grown so much since the beginning of the school year. You continue to show up and show out every day for our students' success. Just know you are appreciated.
- Dr. Kira Austin, BCBA, thank you for being a partner and helping by observing our students, being present for feedback, and being supportive throughout any additional processes. We appreciate your collaboration and all you do to help support students in RPS!
- Dr. Marquita Jones, Holton ES ICC, thank you for stepping up in all things and for the care and attention you provide to the special education programs, students, and families at Holton ES with a smile. You are dedicated and committed and always putting our Lions first. Thank you for all you do! Principal Lindsay, if you're rocking, I'm rolling! Thank you, sir, for being the epitome of leading with love. You will never make everyone happy, but you indeed come close. I appreciate the thought you put behind your decision-making and your vision for the school. You continue to inspire us all by modeling what it means to create and sustain relationships with students, staff, and families in a respectful, caring way. Thank you for laying the foundation so we can continue to grow!
- Shout-out to Deena Jones at Richmond Alternative School. She is an exceptional educator with exceptional skills and spirit, who inspires all our students, whether general education or exceptional education. She's always willing and ready to help out wherever and whenever needed. One minute she is planning a field trip, and the next minute she is sharing resources from a training she attended with her colleagues. She does it all with a smile. She is truly the backbone of the Exceptional Education department. She is an innovative thinker and problem solver. We are so fortunate to have her here at RAS.
- I would like to give a huge shout-out to Dr. Wright and Mr. Scott for their leadership and passion at Dogwood Middle School. Mr. Scott facilitated a student leadership program induction ceremony that included special guest Mayor Stoney and School Board Chairperson Rizzi. Parents and scholars were so excited! Dr. Wright facilitated our ELA/history parent engagement event that provided parents with a better understanding of how to support their scholars and specific strategies for a roadmap to success.
- I want to give a huge shout-out to the attendance team at the great Elizabeth Redd Elementary School! We had a huge turnout with our parents and students for the attendance academy awards: perfect attendance, most improved, as well as our attendance ambassadors. Great job, everyone!
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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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| Road to Licensure Fair – Join us on the RPS Road to Licensure on Saturday, February 10, from 9 am - 2 pm at River City MS. 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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| 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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