| Wednesday, October 20, 2021
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| Over the last couple of weeks, I've heard directly from dozens of teachers, principals, and support staff about how stressful this year has been. Many have shared that they're on the brink of burning out – even leaving – and it's only October. Tragically, as The Washington Post recently reported, this is a national trend.
Some of the stressors are beyond our immediate control. Chief among these is the toll that COVID-19 has taken on our community. Many staff members are still mourning the loss of loved ones; others are still caring for those who are ill. In addition, many spouses and life partners of our employees have lost their jobs and are struggling to find their footing.
But some of the stressors are within our control. In my conversations with teachers and other staff, the three that I hear the most are: 1) We're doing too much; 2) There's not enough time; and 3) Students are exhibiting significant trauma from the past 20 months and we need more support to help them. Tonight, I'm announcing several changes to address each of these.
We're doing too much – As of today, I'm placing a moratorium on new division-wide programs, initiatives, curricula, etc. for the rest of the year. If something's not already in place, it won't be added this year. Period. In addition, I've asked the Leadership Team to think through ways we can scale back on non-essential activities. We need to do less, better.
There's not enough time – Not having time for a duty-free lunch, and independent planning time not being held sacred, are the two concerns I've heard the most. Many teachers have lost their duty-free lunch because of our COVID protocols which, in many cases, require students to eat in the classroom with their teacher. We simply don't have enough lunch monitors to cover every one of these rooms. To fully free up our teachers, we need 100 additional monitors. So tonight I'm making an urgent appeal to our stakeholders: If you, or someone you know, can serve as a lunch monitor, please complete an application today. We'll expedite the review process so we can get you in schools right away. Please note that you don't have to volunteer; this is a paid position.
As for planning time, yesterday, I authorized our principals to make any necessary changes to hold independent teacher planning time more sacred. This means more flexibility with coach meetings, collaborative planning meetings, and so on.
Students are exhibiting significant trauma from the past 20 months and we need more support to help them – I wish I had a quick fix for this one, but I sadly do not. Many of our students faced multiple pandemics before COVID-19: poverty, racism, gun violence, and more. The last 20 months have only exacerbated these. While we've already invested millions this year for additional mental health clinicians and other supports, we need to do even more. That's why – with the School Board's consent – I intend to reallocate $3 million of our federal relief funding to increase mental health supports for our students.
Finally, in the interest of our employees' mental health, I've also made the decision – after conferring with School Board Chair Burke, my Parent Advisory Council, all of our principals, and dozens of teachers – to close RPS on Monday, November 1, and Wednesday, November 3. We are already closed on Tuesday, November 2, for Election Day; and Thursday, November 4, for Diwali. In addition, there's no school on Friday, November 5, due to Parent/Teacher Conferences, which will be virtual this year to save everyone time and prevent COVID-19 transmission.
I recognize I'm giving our families very short notice of this calendar change and truly apologize for the inconvenience it will cause. After very careful consideration, I made this decision because I think it's essential for our employees' mental health. And because of their mental health, I worry about significant staff absences on November 1 and 3, which could make it very difficult for us to follow our COVID-19 distancing protocols, putting student and staff health in jeopardy. Again, I sincerely apologize for the short notice and thank you in advance for your understanding.
I'm under no illusion that the changes I've shared tonight will eliminate the stress that the RPS Team is feeling. But I'm hopeful they will help. To everyone who has called, emailed, texted, shared at public comment, or grabbed me in the hallway to share feedback and potential solutions, thank you. I'm eternally grateful for your engagement.
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| With great appreciation,
Jason
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- I would like to send a huge shout-out to Principal Trotter of the Richmond Alternative School for being the awesome leader that he is! Principal Trotter arrives at school almost daily (including weekends) before the sun comes up and is always the last person to leave each night. He pours so much love, compassion, energy and knowledge into his staff, students, and families every day. There is not a need that he does not try to meet. We appreciate his dedication and positive energy that he so eagerly shares with us daily.
- I'd like to shoutout Julie Crowder, art teacher at William Fox Elementary School for being named Central Region's Elementary Art Educator of the Year. She totally deserves it. She's a fantastic role model for the students and staff alike. Way to go, Julie!
- I would like to shout out Ms. Waller at Boushall Middle School for her leadership and willingness to collaborate with our staff to meet student and staff needs.
- I want to say thank you to Julie Lawson, Administrative Office Associate at Westover Hills Elementary. She is so often the face (and voice on the phone) for parents for any matter of topics. I know I have had to contact her probably a dozen times already this school year, and she handles each issue with care. Specifically, she is helping me (a parent) with getting materials together for our fall fundraiser, which I know is extra work for her, but it's greatly appreciated especially this year when everything feels a little stickier to manage. She is such a lifeline, and our school community is lucky to have her and so many like her at WHES.
- I want to give a shout-out to Ms. Coleman in Transportation. Ms. Coleman assisted Albert Hill Middle School administrators in connecting with the appropriate transportation staff member after making several calls. Ms. Coleman demonstrated tenacity in her efforts to make sure she connected administrators with the right person who could provide precise information to the parents waiting for their students to arrive home safely. Thank you, Ms. Coleman!
- Shout out to Eric Thompson, custodian at Fairfield Elementary School. He is a good worker. He helps to keep the school clean and works hard.
- Shout out to Principal Wright at Fairfield Elementary for her outstanding commitment to the staff and students. The Sped Department appreciates all you do.
- Shout out to Principal A. Wright at Fairfield Elementary. If you are looking for an enthusiastic, child-centered individual to support the education of your child, she is it. Principal A. Wright models what she wants to see and encourages the staff to be the best they can be for the students we educate. Thanks for all you do and we do appreciate your leadership.
- I would like to give a shoutout to Ms. El Koubi at Westover Hills ES. Two things I really appreciate about her 1. No matter what crazy stuff is going on, you know she has the kids first in her heart. 2. She will admit when she has done something wrong. If we could all be so passionate and humble.
- I'd like to give a Shout Out on behalf of all the teachers, students, families, and staff of Oak Grove - Bellemeade Elementary School to our wonderful leader, Principal James Gordon. He is our biggest cheerleader, supporter, and partner when it comes to helping our students become the best they can be! Thank you for leading us in the right direction and making it fun along the way!
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| 2022-23 School Applications – The application window for families to submit Open Enrollment, Specialty School, and Governor’s School applications for the 2022-23 school year is now open. Via the Enroll RPS Portal, students may apply for:
- Any specialty school for which they are eligible (specialty schools include Franklin Military Academy, Open High School, Richmond Community High School, Governor’s STEM Academy at Richmond Technical Center, and the IB Diploma Programme at Thomas Jefferson High School (for rising 11th-grade students))
- Out-of-zone schools via the open enrollment lottery (maximum of three school choices)
- Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts (charter school) via a separate open enrollment lottery (if eligible)
- Appomattox Regional Governor’s School and/or Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School (the application for CodeRVA is managed separately by that school)
A few important notes:
- Families will have until 4:30 pm on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 to submit Specialty and Governor’s school applications, and until 4:30 pm on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 to submit open enrollment applications.
- We unfortunately cannot accept late applications for any reason. Please plan accordingly.
- As long as your application is submitted before the deadline, the timing of your submission will have no impact on the outcome.
- We're holding information sessions about the application process, the Enroll RPS portal, and school options. Details will be at rvaschools.net/enroll when our new website is live.
- If you have additional questions, please email us at enrollrps@rvaschools.net.
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| New RPS Love Store Gear – As part of our new website launch, we're also kicking off new RPS t-shirts, hoodies, masks, and more! They feature the Richmond City map divided by school zones. We have one each for preschools, elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools. All proceeds benefit our schools, teachers, and local racial justice, housing, and food support non-profits. Show your #RPSLove today!
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| New Website – Thank you for all the wonderful feedback about the new website! Please continue to share your thoughts – including info about any links that may not be working – via this link. Thank you!
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| Parent/Caregiver Advisory Council – Join the 2021-22 Superintendent's Parent/Caregiver Advisory Council for an opportunity to directly impact RPS decision-making in support of all students. PAC meetings will be held virtually, once a month. Click here to learn more, and apply by October 25!
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| 2022 Employee Benefits Open Enrollment – RPS employees, the open enrollment window for your 2022 benefits begins today and goes through October 29. This is your annual opportunity to review your benefits and make changes – if you'd like – to your medical, dental, flexible spending, and voluntary accounts. Changes made during open enrollment will become effective January 1, 2022. We have three ways for you to participate in the open enrollment process:
- Online – Click here to access the online benefits system 24/7. Your pin is a six-digit number, consisting of the last four of your SSN, followed by the last two digits of your birth year.
- Phone – Call our Benefits Service Center at (844) 379-0069, M-F, 7 am to 7 pm.
- Appointment – Click here to schedule an appointment with a benefits counselor.
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| Bus Driver Incentives – As a reminder, we now have a $4,000 signing bonus for bus drivers with a CDL. New hires without a CDL will receive $2,000. Check out the flyer below for more details and apply at www.rvaschools.net/talent.
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| Important Links – Last updated on October 18, 2021.
RPS Links
COVID-19 Links
Crisis Support Links
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