Friday, September 15, 2023
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Dear #RPSStrong Family,
Happy Friday! Tonight's Updates:
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Hispanic Heritage Month – RPS is proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins today and continues through October 15. Our theme this year is Celebrating a Mosaic of Cultures to shine light on the diversity our Hispanic/Latino students, families, and staff.
Visit our website throughout the month to stay connected with school and community events celebrating Hispanic heritage. For example, the Lit Limo will showcase books honoring Hispanic and Latin American authors and public figures, and will offer read-alouds to students. The RPS Language Instruction and Educational Program (LIEP) will also host virtual Lunch and Learn sessions for staff and community members. See the flyer below for details.
Lastly, check out the RPS love store for newly added swag available in English and Spanish. All proceeds and additional donations will be directed to local racial justice non-profits that support Hispanic and Latino youth and families.
Additionally, please help us celebrate by submitting shout-outs to shoutouts@rvaschools.net so we can continue to inspire and uplift the RPS community. We want to hear about the people who have made a difference for you since joining the RPS family. Entries can be submitted in Spanish or English!
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DonorsChoose – On Wednesday, September 20, DonorsChoose will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by doubling donations on every project by Hispanic/Latino teachers and for teachers at schools where most students are Hispanic. Visit the donors choose website for more information.
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Before signing off tonight, I want to wish all who celebrate Rosh Hashanah a sweet and joyful year filled with love and light. Shana Tova!
With great appreciation,
Jason
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Big shout-out to Ms. Nichelle Ortiz Torres, our school social worker extraordinaire! Since joining the Dogwood Middle School Wolves this year, she's brought an amazing positive energy that has truly enriched our school community. Thank you for running with the pack, Ms. OT!
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Huge kudos to our testing dream team – Ms. Deborah Smith, Mrs. Latonja Mackey, Mrs. Kaitlyn Bryce, and Ms. Electa Barr! Your dedication and hard work made testing week at Dogwood Middle School run like clockwork. Thank you for your outstanding efforts in ensuring a smooth and successful week!
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Thank you to Mrs. Alston and Mrs. Reed for your continued leadership. Your calm and steady presence as well as your immediate problem solving is so appreciated. Westover Hills is fortunate to have you both at our helm.
- Shout-Out to Mr. James Boone of G.H. Reid Elementary School. We see you and appreciate you very much!!!
- Shout-Out to Kathyrn Haynes, our super attentive school counselor at G.H. Reid Elementary School.
- Shout-Out to all G.H. Reid Elementary School teachers, staff, and leadership for Leading with Love while demonstrating unity and a "can do" Spirit. #RavensRise
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Shout-out to Dr. Clayton, Ms. Holeman and Ms. Winston for spreading cheer throughout the staff with specialty meals, snacks and beverages!
- Shout-out to our cafeteria manager, Ms. Tangela Johnson, and her team:
Ms. Kimberly Edmonds, Ms. Jessica Samuels, Ms. Babet, Mc Cray, Ms. Fina Whitaker and Ms. Keysha Randolph. They arrive to work hours before dawn to provide each of our Ravens with beautifully prepared meals and lots of love every day!
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Shout-out to Jill Jones at Mary Munford. She cultivated a love of learning while also building confidence, friendship and community among her students and their caregivers last year. She prepared the kids for the challenges of first grade and is so warm and welcoming to those former students when she sees them around school!
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Shout-out to Ms. McCabe and Mr. Sanchez at JB Fisher Elementary! Ms. McCabe and Mr. Sanchez are so creative and loving to their students, and they are amazing at communicating with parents. Our kids love you so much!
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Shout-out to Mrs. Burton at JB Fisher Elementary! Mrs. Burton is patient and kind, and she’s made learning so fun for her students!
- Shout-out to the Parks & Rec After Care crew at JB Fisher Elementary! They have created a wonderful sense of community with the students after school, and our kids love getting to learn from and know you!
- I would like to shout-out Principal Anderson at Frances W. McClenney and her amazing relationship building skills. Two little boys walked out of the library today as mortal enemies and after talking with her, came back best friends!
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I want to give a warm and exuberant shout-out to my son's 6th grade teachers at Albert Hill Middle School because that's how I felt last night as I was going home from Back-to-School Night! When he asked me which of his teachers was my favorite, I honestly could not give him an answer because I was so delighted and impressed by all of them. As a former middle school teacher myself, I can appreciate that this is such a formative time for children in their development – and so, it is so important to have teachers who *get* middle school students, with their roller-coaster emotions, big questions about life, and silliness (at times, all within a 5-minute period!). Kudos to Ms. Porter (reading), Ms. Perry (science), Ms. Bartenstein (art), Mr. Mac (history), Ms. Ross (math), Mr. Easter (Health & PE – whom we didn't get to meet, but my son loves your class!), and Mr. Harter (library). It was obvious that you all have passion for and expertise in your content area and you love working with middle school students. What a gift for my son and our family that he has the privilege to learn with you this year! Even after a full day of work, thank you for being so present, engaged, and enthusiastic about sharing your vision for the upcoming year!
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Shout-out to Tashiana Ivy, principal at Albert Hill Middle School, for leading and modeling for her AHMS team the importance of seeing her middle students as individuals! When I commented to her last night how impressed I was with all the teachers I had met and felt as though they each *saw* and *got* my son, she immediately responded with, "That's our goal, to make sure every student is seen." Whatever you are doing, keep doing it. It's working because "Every Tiger, Every Day!" is ringing loud and clear and true throughout your building!
- Shout-out to the RPS Transportation/Facilities staff for the awesome upgrades in the RPS LitLimo! The new floorboards look so polished and the sound system adds lovely ambiance to an already great experience (who doesn't love to pick out free books, in a school bus, no less?!?) And to top it off, kids (& adults!) get to exit via the newly installed slide. So fun!
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Huge shout-out to Judy Deichman (library media services specialist) for her incredible vision and effective execution in her department! As the "Head Librarian" in our district, she models and practices the essential components that I hope are true for all our RPS librarians: appreciation for & acquisition of diverse books, including diversity in content (race, religion, sexual orientation, immigration, ability, etc.) and genre (novel, picture books, graphic novels, prose in verse, etc); ensuring easy access to these wonderful books with bringing the LitLimo regularly and consistently into our students' neighborhoods; and most importantly, being a lifelong reader and bibliophile! Thank you for al you do to get great books in the hands of as many students and RPS teachers and staff as possible!
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Shout-out to the Encore Team at Lois Harrison-Jones Elementary School! Every day when my son arrives home and I ask him about his day, his responses have been something along the lines of "Great! We had art!" (or music or PE or library). Even though you are all new to your positions at LHJ, you are already making a huge positive impression on your students. My son loves to share what he learned about and did in your class each day. I'm so grateful that he gets to learn from Elaina Hunnicutt (art), Rachel McLain (longterm sub for library), Journee Smith (music), and Dylan Stoskus (health & physical education). Your positions and importance are not an *extra* ... you play an essential part in the main performance of my child's learning experience. Perhaps your classes should be called "Essentials" instead as that's how it seems you are viewed by my child. Thank you for all you do!
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Shout-out to Ms. Merrick, 4th grade teacher at Lois Harrison-Jones Elementary School! This morning, my son became a poet. He wrote two lovely poems that he was excited to share with me. I credit his new interest in poetry to the wonderful work you are doing with him and his class with the first anchor text, Love That Dog. Your first year as a teacher can feel pretty daunting, but you are doing a great job and we are so grateful that he is in your class this year!
- Shout-out to Care & Safety Associate Mr. Richardson at Albert Hill Middle School! This morning, he was welcoming all the students who were coming off the bus with a big smile, enthusiastic greetings, and tons of positive energy. What a great way for them to start their day as they walk into school!
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Ms. Jackson from Frances W. McClenney Elementary School took the opportunity to cultivate joy after completing testing. While waiting to return to class, she showed students videos from a summer trip to see a national landmark and then pivoted the opportunity for students to connect by sharing a fun activity, trip, or experience from this summer. Students enjoyed discussing their experiences with peers and she helped broaden their horizons as well. #MsJacksonRocks
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Kudos to Ms. Blocker from Frances W. McMClenney Elementary School for an outstanding science lesson! Your passion for teaching and your ability to make complex concepts so clear and engaging truly shine through. You've ignited a spark of curiosity in the minds of our scholars, and they were eager to explore the wonders of friction thanks to your guidance. Your dedication to our students and the world of science is truly inspiring. Thank you for being an exceptional teacher! #MsBlockerRocks #ScienceSuperstar
- Huge shout-out to Principal Jacobs at Dogwood Middle School for supporting the restorative work and participating in a restorative circle today that contributed to the overall safety and well-being of many of the scholars that participated.
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A huge shout-out to Ms. Michael and the 2nd grade teachers at PHSSA for making the Reedy Creek water adventure happen and making it such a fun day for everyone involved.
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Kudos to Douglas Barrett, science department chair at TJHS. He has done an awesome job supporting the science team! Thank you, Mr. Barrett, for all you do! You are appreciated.
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Reminders from Previous RPS Directs
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RPS Advisory Councils – We've extended the deadline to submit applications to join my 2023-24 Parent/Caregiver and Interfaith advisory councils to Tuesday, September 26 – Teacher Advisory Council applications are due by October 24. These groups advise me and the RPS leadership team, advocate for RPS, and help us achieve our goals. This year, our advisory councils will play an important role in helping develop our new strategic plan, Dreams4RPS 2.0 (more details on that process soon). Please visit our website for additional information.
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School Immunizations – RPS Health Services has scheduled a series of school-based immunization clinics. If you would like for your child to be vaccinated at one of these clinics, 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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Road to Licensure – Join us for the RPS Road to Licensure Fair on Saturday, September 30, from 9 am - 1 pm at Huguenot HS. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the requirements for teacher licensure and to speak with representatives from the RPS Talent Office and local universities. Attendees will also be able to participate in onsite interviews. To register, click on the flyer or scan the QR code below with your phone's camera.
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Teach With Love at RPS – We hire all year long so if you know of a great teacher who might like to join the RPS team, please tell them to apply now. We're offering bonuses of up to $12,000!
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Nominate an RPS Principal! – Nominations for the R.E.B. Awards for Distinguished Educational Leadership are now open! Don't miss this opportunity to recognize an amazing RPS principal who demonstrates every day what it means to lead with love. The winning leader will receive a $10,000 award and an additional $20,000 for their school. Submit your nominations by Thursday, November 2 at 5 pm.
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Student Wellness and Mental Health Support – Please note the resources below and remember that we love you here and you are not alone.
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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).
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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.
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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.
- 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.
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Health and Wellness Links
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