RPS News Details

Happy School Social Worker Week to the excellent social worker at Fox Elementary, Dominique Vanhorne. Ms. Vanhorne's friendly and calm demeanor helps meetings run smoothly. She is an invaluable resource to both our students and families. Thank you for everything you do every day, Ms. Vanhorne!

Happy School Social Worker Week to the very best, Ms. Nichelle Ortiz Torres! Ms. OT goes above and beyond daily to support our students, staff, and community​ of Dogwood Middle School. Her compassion, dedication, and impact are deeply valued and appreciated. Thank you for everything you do!

Happy School Social Worker Week to the amazing school social worker at Overby Sheppard Elementary School, Ms. Rebecca Wood. Ms. Wood works tirelessly for the students and families at Overby. She is passionate about being an advocate and connecting people to resources. Ms. Wood has spearheaded events designed to increase engagement. We are so lucky to have Ms. Wood.

Shout-out to Bellevue Elementary’s amazing school social worker, Megan Adair! Her kindness, dedication, and hard work make a difference in the lives of students, families, and staff daily. Thank you for always being a source of support, encouragement, and positivity. Bellevue Elementary is so lucky to have you!

Shout-out to Ginell Walkes, our school social worker at Cardinal Elementary School. Thank you for being awesome, putting our children and families first, being a logical thinker, and being the best to work with. We love your leadership and your drive. Thank you for being your authentic self!

Happy School Social Worker Appreciation Week. I would like to give a shout-out to our amazing school social worker, Ms. Angeloni, at Amelia Street. Ms. Angeloni is new to the school but quickly jumped in to support students immediately. She does a wonderful job with students and coordinating with the Behavior Specialist team. We are truly grateful for her talent and support.

Shout-out to Ashley White, school social worker. You are a shining star and shining light. It was a pleasure working with you. I learned a lot from you, and for that, I am thankful.

Ms. Colter, the school social worker at G.H. Reid Elementary, is a superstar! She cares well for our students and staff! We are so glad she is a part of our Reid Raven team!

Shout-out to the John Marshall High School co-teaching teams! The following teachers attended a professional development session on co-teaching and specially designed instruction, and they were an absolute delight to work with! Thank you to the following teachers for their avid participation, valuable insights, and thoughtful partnership: Sonya Epps-Crawford (math), Olivia Armatis (math), Karimjon Mullaboev (math), Melvin Williams (math), Pauletta James (math), Donte Cathey (science), DeAndra Braxton (science), Anne Yellets (history), Trometa Hawkins (history), William Murphy (history), Milondra Coleman (history), Alice Henderson (English), Danielle Rotramel (English), Sara Bailey Macrae (English), Jessica Conley (English), Ashleigh Carrington (English), Julianna Lopez (English), and Jenny Pak (English). You all were an absolute joy to work with, and you are appreciated for your hard work and dedication to your students. Thank you to Lynn Quash, exceptional education department chair; Carol Trent, instruction and compliance coordinator; and especially Camille Calloway, assistant principal, for initiating and facilitating this professional learning opportunity. Your leadership has helped create a dynamic group of teachers and teaching teams 100% committed to excellence! Many kudos, Justices!

Tirelessly administering LIEP tests for the last several weeks in any available classroom (or library), the Red Tail LIEP team has been nothing short of fantastic! Testing approximately 500 students, four tests for each, takes patience, teamwork, and love, and they are nailing it (again)!

I would like to send a shout-out to Mr. Green, a long-term RPS employee. We are so lucky to have him as our crew chief — our building is always clean. Mr. Green also assists with students if needed. Thank you, Mr. Green, for all that you do!

Thank you to the amazing staff at Amelia Street School and the bus folks for showing up with love for our family during a crisis. We are stronger together. Our family is hopeful because of your good work!

I would like to thank Mrs. Charlene Myers and Ms. Euphemia "Vickie" Jones for their steadfast support and love for the students here at Richmond Success Academy. They always take the time to encourage and reach our scholars here. We appreciate your dedication to the building.

Huge shout-out to members of the MTSS and CIS teams at Oak Grove- Bellemeade Elementary School. Thank you, Ms. B. Brown, Ms. K. Brown, Ms. Faison, Ms. Samuels, Ms. Wingfield, and, of course, Teddy Bear, for helping deliver “bearific” awards for February. Congratulations to all student winners. Keep up the good work!

Shout-out to the LIEP team at G.H. Reid Elementary for their quick and efficient WIDA Testing. They finished testing over 380 students in 15 days and are now back providing services to our students. We missed them in the classrooms, but we are thankful they got testing done!

I would like to send a heartfelt shout-out to Mrs. Christie Barford in the Talent office. She is dedicated, positive, uplifting, and always has encouraging words. But what I love the most about her is she always answers her phone. I can count on her to answer any questions related to employment. We have pleasant conversations, and it is a joy to speak with her. Also, she is very resourceful and makes follow-up calls or emails with the requested information. Thank you for being a wonderful asset to the RPS Family.

I would like to shout out Christopher Mitchell from the Academic Office data team. Chris has worked tirelessly to provide quarterly data for the 21st Century grant programs. He has been very patient as we continue to need data and does it promptly. Chris, thank you so much for your help! It is greatly appreciated.

A huge round of applause for the students in the Show Choir at PHSSA! They performed "Pizza Love." Thank you, Ms. Erika Smith, for the cute song, and Mrs. Phillips, for the awesome shirts.

Shout-out to the MLK Preschool Head Start family service workers, Rhonda Young-Barfield and Lora Smith. Your assistance is greatly appreciated. Thank you for supporting the MLK Preschool teachers and students!!

A huge round of applause to the cast of Frozen Jr.! Dogwood Middle School students put on a phenomenal performance, showcasing their incredible talent and hard work. A special thank you to Mr. Phillip Voolmer, Ms. Samantha Fordis, Ms. Lisa Perkinson, and Mr. Ryan Johnson for their leadership in directing and supporting this amazing production. Bravo to all!

Shout-out to the incredible team behind​ the Passport to Literacy Family Engagement Night! Ms. Destiny Rainney, Mrs. Latanja Mackey, Ms. Carron Fillingim, Mr. Andre Mason, Ms. Robin Cullum, Ms. Angelica Perez, Mr. Ryan Johnson, Ms. Nekondeh Myrick, Ms. Samantha Watson-Loftin, Mr. Willis Weber, Mr. Matthew Baker, and Mr. Jackson Berman—thank you for creating an interactive and informative night for Dogwood Middle School caregivers and students. Your dedication to literacy and family engagement is truly appreciated!

Shout-out to the entire Martin Luther King Jr. Preschool family! Thank you, teachers, custodians, and all support staff. Thank you for showing up every day to support students and families. You matter, and you make a huge difference in the lives of our families! Thank you for making MLK Preschool a loving place to work & play. You genuinely serve with love. We are one team with one dream, making an impact every day!  

Shout-out to Ms. Allen at Blackwell Elementary, who always goes above and beyond for her class. Mrs. Allen has wonderful leadership skills and is a team player. She is a delight to work with. Job well done!

I would like to thank 3rd-grade teacher, Ms. Faye, at Overby Sheppard Elementary. Ms. Faye demonstrates daily what it means to "teach and lead with love." She goes above and beyond to ensure that her students have what they need and feel welcomed and loved daily.

​Shout-out to Ms. Destiny Rainney, Ms. Tiara Harris, and Ms. Electa Barr for their outstanding coaching and leadership of the Dogwood Middle School She-Wolves Cheer team! Their dedication, hard work, and encouragement led the team to a 3rd place victory—a huge accomplishment! Congratulations to the She-Wolves for their amazing performance and to their incredible coaches for guiding them to success!

I would like to shout out the staff and students at Richmond Community High School for putting on an amazing Black History Month program. Special thanks to Mr. Mason for leading the band. Their performance of Stevie Wonder songs, as well as the VUU fight song, was spectacular.  

Shout-out to Ms. Cydny Neville for hosting an incredible African-American read-in at Dogwood Middle School! She created an engaging and enriching experience for our students. Thank you for bringing this impactful event to life!