| Monday, February 12, 2024
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| Dear #RPSStrong Family,
Tonight's updates:
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| Virginia Kindness Week – Today marks the beginning of Virginia Kindness Week, a time to celebrate the simple, daily acts of kindness that make our schools and communities healthier, safer, and more joyful. To learn more, visit our website and check out the video below about the scientific benefits of being kind.
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| School Immunizations – We have two immunization clinics this week – tomorrow, February 13, at Henderson MS and Wednesday, February 14, at John Marshall HS. If you would like for your child to be vaccinated, 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 – Dozens of interested applicants came out to our Road to Licensure fair this past Saturday! Many thanks to Chief Talent Officer Maggie Clemmons, the Talent Acquisition team, principals, and so many other staff for a successful event. Check out the story below, courtesy of Madison McNamee with NBC 12.
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| BHM Spotlight – As a dedicated dancer, Kasyona Singleton, 5th grader at Lois Harrison-Jones Elementary School, creates Black history every day through her performances. For example, this winter, Kasyona performed in "The Nutcracker" with the Richmond Ballet. Kasyona practiced every evening leading up to opening night and performed several times over the winter break, all while maintaining excellent attendance. For her Black History Month research project this year, Kasyona chose renowned jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald. "I learned so much about her that I didn’t know, mostly that we are a lot alike. She was an entertainer and I’m an entertainer, too. After learning more about her, I am inspired to continue to become a better dancer."
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| Sneaker Ball – This past Friday, students, teachers, staff, and families from Overby-Sheppard Elementary School danced the evening away at their Valentine's Day Sneaker Ball. Looks like everyone had a love-ly time!
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| Mind of All Kinds – The Science Museum of Virginia will host a sensory-friendly evening for guests with disabilities on Friday, February 23, from 4 - 8 pm. Museum lights will be dimmed, sounds will be lowered, and sensory tables and quiet rooms will be available for those who require fewer stimuli. Admission is free, but registration is required. For a schedule of events, please visit the museum's website.
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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 give a big shout-out to Mrs. Debra Long, who works tirelessly in the cafeteria at JMHS. Not only is she a seasoned veteran in her role, but she also consistently goes above and beyond to ensure our students are well fed and content. Today, I had the privilege of witnessing her selfless dedication and hard work, all delivered with a smile and without a single complaint. Often, the unsung heroes are the quiet ones and Mrs. Long, please know that your efforts are seen, appreciated, and loved by us all. We love you and there is nothing you can do about it.
- I would like to shout-out to Ms. Jamika Moore and Ms. Judy Payne, Head Start teachers at Oak Grove-Bellemeade. The last two weeks they have been amazing with providing an inclusion environment for our Head Start students. They meet our students where they are and provide exceptional care to our students. Thank you, Ms. Moore and Ms. Payne, for your amazing work!
- Huge thanks to Jacquelyn Murphy-Braxton and River City Middle School for allowing the Talent Office to take over on Saturday for our hiring event. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all the RPS employees who came and represented their schools. And a special thank you to our custodians and CSAs who always do an amazing job supporting us. Everyone showed up and showed out! We couldn't do this without you! Also want to recognize the amazing job done by the Talent Acquisition team putting together a stellar hiring event! Even with so many moving pieces, y'all made it look like a well oiled machine. Incredible work by Monika Haskins for making sure no detail was overlooked. The TA team knocked this one out of the park!
- I would like to shout-out She'ron Fields, my counselor at Barack Obama Elementary. Ms. Fields, thank you for your dedication to the students and staff and for always leading with love. I am truly blessed to work with you at the BOES, home of the Stars!
- I would like to shout-out Ms. London, school counselor at Fox Elementary. Ms. London has a wonderful rapport with all of our students. Her joyful style and easygoing nature are part of what makes her a natural counselor. She is able to make kids feel supported and cared for even during their tough moments. Happy School Counseling Week, Ms. London.
- I would like to shout-out Ms. Cole, school counselor at Overby-Sheppard Elementary. Ms. Coles' nurturing and calm manner makes our kids feel safe and cared for. She is a strong advocate for our children and I am honored to be a part of her team. Happy School Counseling Week, Ms. Coles.
- I would like to shout-out Alexa Zafarana, trauma support specialist. Ms. Zafarana is a huge support to my school-based mental health teams. She goes above and beyond to help teams work cohesively and efficiently. Her passion for students' health and well-being is the epitome of leading with love.
- Shout-out to Dr. Olds, Ms. Woodson, Ms. Hines, and Ms. McClendon, the counselors at River City! Thank you for your dedication, compassion, and the impactful work you do to empower our students and help them succeed in academics. RCMS loves you!
- We would like to send a shout-out to Ms. Crapanzano, chorus teacher at Albert Hill MS, who worked with our daughter at District I chorus Friday and Saturday. The concert was great and we wanted to thank her for taking time to make sure our daughter was prepared.
- I would like to shout-out all of the hardworking counselors at Richmond High School for the Arts. Thank you for your dedication to our students! We celebrate Tess Short, Vernon Claytor, Zino Hines, Victor Carias, and Ms. Stephens.
- A big shout-out to Mrs. Kaylin Bryce for her unwavering support of ELA instruction and data analysis at Dogwood Middle School! Her dedication to supporting our teachers and students has truly paid off, resulting in exceptional growth among our staff and many students. Thank you, Mrs. Bryce, for your commitment to excellence and for making a significant difference in our school community! A huge thank you to Mrs. Evelyn King for her invaluable support of our silent book club at Dogwood Middle School! Despite being retired, Mrs. King's dedication shines through as she volunteers every day to enrich the educational experience of our students. We deeply appreciate her commitment and the positive impact she continues to make in our school community. Thank you, Mrs. King, for your unwavering dedication and support! Lastly, a huge thank you to Dogwood Middle School's CSAs: Anthony DiMichelle, Samuel Whitaker, and Nadine Bennet! Your dedication to building relationships with our students, supporting our staff, and helping to maintain a positive school climate and culture is truly invaluable. Thank you for your tireless efforts in creating a safe and welcoming environment for everyone at our school. We appreciate all that you do!
- I just wanted to send a shout-out to Westover Hills Elementary's school counselor, Ms. Ada Tessmer! Ms. Tessmer shows great care and love for all students. She works hard in all the teams she's a part of and shows immense commitment and kindness in everything she does. We appreciate you, Ms. Tessmer!
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| Reminders from Previous RPS Directs
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| Advocate for RHSA – On Wednesday, March 6, RPS will be requesting a waiver from the city Zoning Board to install light poles on the athletic grounds of the new Richmond High School for the Arts. If you can, please come out to support the RHSA community. For more information, visit our website or scan the QR code below with your phone's camera. Thanks in advance for your support!
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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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