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| Dear #RPSStrong Family,
Happy Spring Break! I hope you're able to take some time for yourself this week – to rest, reflect, and recharge. I'm going to practice what I'm preaching so there won't be any RPS Direct next week. Look for the next one when we return on Monday, April 12. Thanks for your understanding!
RPS Senior in the News – Check out this amazing story about Harold Aquino, senior at George Wythe High School. Harold will graduate at the top of his class with a 5.0 GPA (!) and multiple Associate Degrees. He's been accepted to his dream school, VCU, among many others. If Harold decides to attend VCU, he'll enter as a...senior! Harold, we are so proud of you!
Continental Societies Donation – Many thanks to Continental Societies, Inc., Richmond, Virginia Chapter, for their donation of 5,000 children’s masks for our fall reopening. We deeply appreciate your partnership and generosity!
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| P-EBT Card Update – We've been notified by the Virginia Department of Social Services that there has been a delay with distribution of Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) cards for some of our families. If you have any questions, please call the P-EBT hotline at (866) 513-1414 or (804) 294-1633.
RPS Voices – Even though Arts in our Schools Month has come to a close, we know that the arts are an integral part of our students’ lives all year long. Jamari Davis, first grader at Woodville Elementary School and the RPS Voice for the week, shares a little about his love for the arts, especially music. Thank you for sharing your voice with us, Jamari!
With great appreciation,
Jason
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- Ms. Loudermilk has to be one of the best teachers I’ve had (virtually and in person) and I just wanted to tell someone because honestly I think she should be recognized for the effort she puts into her math students. I’m in her Math Analysis and Pre-Calculus Honors class and I have not misunderstood one thing all year. And even for those who do, she’ll go over literally whatever they have a question on, and she never makes us feel dumb for not remembering how to do something we already previously learned. Actually, she has a literal white board in her living room to make sure she’s not missing anything when she’s explaining things to us, and she even encourages us to correct her if she messes up. It sounds like things normal teachers should do, but they usually don’t to this extent. It means a lot to see a teacher who cares so much that she'll talk to students for an extra hour if that's what they need to understand.
- J.B. Fisher Elementary School staff that put together a Fun Family Paint Night. My daughter & I really enjoyed it. It was a wonderful opportunity for each family and allowed the children to see each other as well as staff.
- Huge thank you and shout out to the Red Tail team at RCMS. Ms. Forrester, thank you for being a great collaborative partner in preparing Reid's 5th grade English learners for life in middle school. The discussion definitely helped reduce their anxiety.
- Thank you to the amazing counselors, Ms. Haynes (G.H. Reid), Ms. Estrada, and Ms. Hines, who took time to meet with our students and share additional information about core classes, electives, and honors classes. Thank you, Ms. Assani and Ms. Winthrop, for giving our students some familiar faces to look for this fall and answering their questions about middle school work and expectations.
- Thanks, Ms. Pierson, for popping in and introducing yourself to RCMS's soon-to-be scholars. A heartfelt thank you to the RCMS students who joined us and shared their personal experiences about how to navigate the world of middle school. I'm glad that we are able to send our students off to such a supportive community.
- Finally, shout out to Mr. Vargas, the family bilingual liaison at Reid. Mr. Vargas, thank you for always supporting the Reid community and helping out whenever you are called on. You are greatly appreciated and a wonderful person.
- I would like to give a shout out to Ms. Grygiel at Mary Munford Elementary School for her energy and innovation this year. She invited her class to the school grounds to pick up materials and conducted an outdoor fun critical thinking and team building exercise. Her first year at Munford has been an unusual one, but she has overcome the challenges to be an amazing gift to her students!
- I want to give a huge shout-out to our amazing school counselor at Henry L. Marsh, Ms. Battle, for her hard work and dedication to our school. She did an amazing job with the virtual Career and College Presentations. Thank you so very much!
- I would like to shout out Mrs. Vivian Ellis and Ms. Jakeeta Lee at Mary Scott Preschool Center for their tireless efforts and encouragement of our preschoolers. Their love and dedication is witnessed and appreciated.
- I would like to send a shout out to all RPS staff and families. We have done a fabulous job with this virtual setting. We all deserve a break! Have a restful one and also have some fun with family and friends. Most of all, stay safe. Peace and blessings!
- I would like to shout out to Mr. Charles Watson, part-time Jobs Specialist for the Jobs for VA grant program. He goes above and beyond in coordinating job placement and employment opportunities for our graduating seniors in alternative programs. He may be part-time, but he is 100% committed to our students!! Thank you for coordinating mock job interviews, a virtual career fair, and resume writing! Leading with Love!
- I just wanted to give one last shout out before spring break. I want to lift up the 5th grade team at GH Reid Elementary. I am so thankful for Shalondrea Gary, Joshulyn Burnette, and Stephanie Burgess. We could not have made it this far in the year without each other and I am so grateful for the constant positivity and support. We truly are a dream team!
- Please shout out our administration at Blackwell Elementary for a wonderful Virtual Awards Day Celebration. Thank you so much for acknowledging our students, Dr. K Anderson, AP Frenishee Smith, and AP Terri-Seay Anderson. Also, thank you for all of your support, Counselor Jenkins.
- I'm extending a huge shout out to RPS school counselors Alison Kaplan @ Redd Elementary and Andrea Clotter @ Cardinal Elementary for providing assistance to a fellow colleague right before their Spring Break was about to begin! They were extremely knowledgeable and resourceful. RPS is fortunate to have compassionate counselors who go above and beyond the call of duty every day!
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Preschool and Kindergarten Registration for Fall 2021 – Registration is now open!
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| Tutoring – Just a quick reminder that we're offering FREE virtual tutoring in reading and math for students in grades K-8. Click here for additional information.
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Facilitated Learning Centers – As a reminder, there are still seats available at the "facilitated learning centers" serving RPS students. See below for details.
- Peter Paul Development Center is running a facilitated learning center at MLK MS for 2nd-8th grade RPS students. The full-day option goes from 9 am until 6 pm, is completely free for low-income families, and includes transportation now. To learn more, click here.
- The YMCA is is running facilitated learning centers at Miles Jones ES, Holton ES, and Huguenot HS for K-8th grade RPS students. The full-day option goes from 7:30 am until 6 pm, and is completely free for low-income families. To learn more, click here.
- There are also many other facilitated learning centers not housed in RPS schools across the city. To learn more, click here.
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RPS Love Store – Show your RPS Love and help us raise money for RPS families in need and local racial justice non-profits by ordering something today from the RPS Love Store!
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| Crisis Support – Please reach out if you need help.
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Important Links – I'll note in orange when there have been additions/updates so you you won't miss anything.
#ReopenWithLove Links
Local, State, and National Public Health Links
Local, State, and National Public Education Links
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