| Dear #RPSStrong Family,
Tonight's updates:
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School Board Meeting – The School Board will hold an in-person meeting tonight at 6 pm in City Hall (17th Floor Board Room). You can watch the livestream of the meeting in English or Spanish. Hope to see you there!
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2024-25 Preschool & Kindergarten Enrollment – Preschool and kindergarten enrollment begins today! We're thrilled to offer preschool for eligible 3 and 4-year olds, and kindergarten for all 5-year-olds living in Richmond. Please note: if your student is currently enrolled at an RPS preschool, they will still need to register for kindergarten. For more information, please email enrollrps@rvaschools.net.
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School Immunizations – RPS Health Services will hold two school-based immunization clinics this week: tomorrow, March 19, at Boushall MS, and Thursday, March 21, at Thomas Jefferson 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.
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Dreams4RPS – Join us on Thursday, March 24, from 6 - 7:30 pm at Richmond's First Baptist Church (2709 Monument Ave) for our next Dreams4RPS community meeting. If you're unable to make it, you can still share your dreams with us. Just visit our website to take the survey and find a meeting location near you. Let's keep dreaming, RPS!
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Calendar Reminder – All RPS schools will be released two hours early on Friday, March 22, for caregiver/teacher conferences. View the 2023-24 calendar to see all upcoming holidays.
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Stakeholder Survey – The RPS Education Foundation is seeking feedback to help guide its strategic planning process and ultimately better serve the students in Richmond Public Schools. The deadline to complete the survey is April 1.
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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 huge shout-out to Harry, Alan, and Dominique from Facilities! These amazing individuals went above and beyond to swiftly address our issue. They dedicated an entire week to meticulously checking and double-checking, resolving long-standing problems at our school. We are incredibly grateful for their hard work and dedication!
- I’d like to shout-out Frankie-Lynn Conklin as a natural leader at Amelia Street School. She consistently shares her many talents and strengths and is known for her kindness and incredible ability to work with students. Ms. Conklin has helped staff and students grow by thinking creatively and bringing new ideas.
- Big shout-out and thanks to harp teacher Kanae Foreman and dance teacher Lisa Perkinson for giving of their time to organize student groups to perform at the RPS History Fair. The harp and dance students worked hard to perform beautifully. Well done all around, ladies!
- Celebrating Bellevue Elementary art teacher Mx. Jackie Small who led their kindergarten and fourth grade students in some fabulous ceramics lessons! Their artwork will be showcased at Whisk Bakery in collaboration with Clay Windows of Richmond while the National Council on Education for Ceramic Arts will be in town.
- I would like to give a huge shout-out to the teachers of Swansboro Elementary for participating in Pi Day! The students enjoyed their "Cutie Pi" Oranges and I'm sure the teachers enjoyed their individual pies! Great job, Swansboro Dolphins!
- I would like to give a big shout-out to the entire staff at Summer Hill Preschool, along with Principal Doxey. They did a very good job this year even though they're short-staffed. Thank you so much, everyone, for everything you have done this year. We will miss this school.
- RPS band directors and their students have been working so hard to prepare for District Band Assessment! Thank you, Richard Rebmann, Evan Turner, Darius Carter, LaMonica McFarland, Nat Boyd, Dante’ Chambers, Noah Mason, and Andrew Miles, for giving your students this experience! Well done!
- A huge shout-out to Ms. Shere Lee, our exceptional cafeteria monitor at Barack Obama Elementary School! Her dedication and willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty in assisting students, parents, and staff is truly remarkable and greatly appreciated!
- Overby-Sheppard Elementary is lucky to have two stellar examples of leading with love – Charles Spain, principal, and Sharonda Ware, math interventionist. They greet our scholars at the door daily with smiles, words of encouragement, humor, and if needed, hugs. They set the tone of connection and care which lays the foundation for learning.
- A heartfelt acknowledgment to Sidney Gunter for her exceptional administrative prowess and multifaceted contributions. With a blend of professional swiftness, compassionate guidance, and motivational support, Ms. Gunter exemplifies the essence of professional excellence at RPS. Gratitude is also extended to her dedicated team, and to Alvina Jones, for their commendable display of positive administrative roles and responsibilities. Our sincere thanks to Sidney and everyone involved for their tireless dedication and hard work.
- A big shout-out to Mrs. Monica Thomas Moore and Mrs. Laurie Gingrich at Barack Obama Elementary School! The dedication and excellence these two professionals bring to their roles as math and reading specialists are truly inspiring. Boundless in their commitment, they go above and beyond their job descriptions, showcasing a level of professionalism and hard work that is rare to see. They are a shining representation of RPS, and both students and staff are incredibly lucky to have them as coaches. Their impact is profound and worthy of immense praise.
- A heartfelt commendation to the CIS team at Barack Obama Elementary School's for their exceptional work. The dedication and tireless effort of these professionals are truly remarkable. Without setting any limits on their responsibilities, they proactively follow up and set high goals with the aim of making a significant impact not just in the lives of children, but in the lives of entire families. Special thanks are extended to Ms. Sheron Fields, the counselor who is simply outstanding, Ms. Rebecca Wood, the social worker, Ms. Jill Campbell, the psychologist, and the speech pathologist, Ms. Virginia Donaldson. While the team includes many more dedicated individuals, these members, in particular, have made a notable difference. Their commitment to excellence is appreciated. Their collective dream and teamwork are making a real difference at Obama Elementary School. Keep up the fantastic work!
- Shout-out to the Armstrong HS eligibility team members, Diane Brown, school social worker, and Kimberly Jackson-Small, school psychologist, for not only being excellent clinicians but also amazing mentors! Thank you for ceaselessly advocating for our Armstrong students and families. We are lucky to have you both!
- I want to give a huge shout-out to everyone who made the RPS History Fair such a tremendous success! To Jamar Jillaps, history and social studies instructional specialist, for his bold vision and flawless execution for this awe-inspiring event, which included a thoughtful welcome from Congresswoman (& RPS parent) Jennifer McClellan; poised emceeing by an RPS high school student; a powerful rendition of “Lift Every Voice”; a moving performance by the Dogwood Dance Company, beautifully choreographed and introduced by a Dogwood MS 8th grader; a reflective and empowering address from VA Supreme Court Justice Cleo Powell; a heart-bursting special achievement award to honor J.L. Francis master teacher Gregory Stallings, in whose name and legacy this award was created; and finally Mr. Billups himself, for his generous and often comedic presence that provided the perfect combination of gravitas and levity. Kudos as well to Director Cassandra Bell and her C&I team for all their behind-the-scenes work to ensure all the moving parts fell in place!
- Thank you to all of the RPS history teachers (elem, middle and high) who inspired and supported their students to participate in the history fair! At a time when history and social studies often have to take a back seat to math and reading, you all know that there is never a time when we can afford to lose focus of the lessons history has taught us. And to the students who submitted a History Fair project: indeed, you are all change makers with your creative and inspiring projects highlighting “turning points” in history. I was so impressed by the creativity, analysis, and often bold and courageous topics that were beautifully presented last night. As Justice Powell said, "You are all winners for taking the step to be involved in this important event."
- I'd like to shout-out Ms. Jasmine Williams at Open High School. The Open High PI Day 5k was a huge success. RPS is so lucky to have someone so dedicated to our students. She goes way past her duties.
- Shout-out to Mr. Billups, history instructional specialist, for an amazing history fair that showcased the talents of RPS students and teachers. Kudos on his ability to partner with prominent women of color (Justice Cleo Powell and United States Representative Jennifer McClellan). And to the students ofArmstrong, job well done!
- Thank you to our math and reading coaches, Ms. Graham and Ms. Harris. Aside from the hard work they do on a daily basis, they jumped into action at the last minute to provide a service to our staff at the last staff meeting that lifted spirits and supported in making our staff feel valued and appreciated. Thank you, ladies!
- Shout-out to Mrs. Finch-Reid, Mrs. Ricks (math coaches), and the math team at Boushall Middle School for providing their scholars with such an engaging learning experience on Saturday. Keep up the great work!
- It is my honor to shout-out to Mr. Willie Chambers, the custodian at Maymont Preschool, for his dedication in keeping Maymont Preschool a clean, safe, and learning school environment. His work emphasizes his character by showing an abundant amount of care and friendliness to all PK students and staff. Hats off to Mr. Chambers for being an outstanding individual and hard-working custodian. Much appreciated!
- School Board Representative Dr. Harris-Muhammed was recently honored as a Woman of Excellence by Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan. During this National Women's History Month, Dr. Harris-Muhammed was honored and recognized alongside twenty-two other women for their meaningful contributions to our community and their commitment to improve the lives of those in Virginia's Fourth Congressional District. Congratulations.
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| Reminders from Previous RPS Directs
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| Kindergarten Enrollment & Health Fair – We've partnered with the VCU School of Nursing to provide a one-stop-shop for families of students entering kindergarten this fall! Join us on Friday, March 22, from 12:30 - 4 pm at Martin Luther King, Jr. MS, for the kindergarten and enrollment health fair. Students and families will have the opportunity to register for kindergarten, receive a physical, make appointments to receive immunizations, and more. Appointments for physicals are limited so scan the QR code below to reserve your child's spot today! For questions, please email enrollrps@rvaschools.net.
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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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