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Lois Harrison-Jones Elementary has achieved remarkable success in literacy rates, with 85% of third graders passing the SOL. Notably, LHJ also leads in the percentage of disadvantaged students passing the test. Read more in the Richmonder about how partnerships, data-driven instruction, amazing teachers, and new curriculum — being taught in every RPS elementary school — is fueling progress
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Calming Traffic — with Art!
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A new, colorful mural outside MLK Middle School — designed and painted by students — aims to both beautify the neighborhood and improve traffic safety. Led by local artist Sam Skrinpz, the artwork is part of a citywide initiative for “lighter, quicker, cheaper” traffic calming, with more murals planned at RPS schools. Hear more from students and artists on CBS 6.
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We are thrilled to share that seven RPS teachers have been named Yale National Fellows. As Fellows, they will attend seminars led by Yale faculty, develop a curriculum unit to teach in the 2025-26 school year, and receive a stipend upon completion of the program. The Initiative, now in its 20th year, is a long-term endeavor to influence public policy on teacher professional development, in part by establishing exemplary Teachers Institutes for high-poverty, high-minority schools.
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The National Association of Black Social Workers is bringing its 57th Annual Conference to RVA next week — and RPS will be proudly represented! Our very own Olufemi Shepsu, school social worker at MLK MIddle and facilitator of Young Kings in Action, along with co-facilitator James Jackson, stopped by NBC 12 to talk about the powerful impact of this national gathering. Check out their interview and learn more about how RPS is helping lead the way!
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Fruit & Veggie Week 2025 was a huge success! We prepared and served a whopping 1,800 pounds of produce provided by Performance Food Group, distributing a total of 21,808 samples to students! Of the four dishes sampled and voted on by students, chili lime pineapple was the clear winner. Enormous gratitude to everyone for their commitment to promoting healthy habits in RPS! Recipes for all of the items sampled during the week, can be found here. Bon appetit!
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Inspiring the Next Generation
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VCU’s Diversify Dentistry Youth Summit recently introduced over 50 RPS students to careers in dentistry. The event included hands-on activities, mentoring, and a tour of VCU’s digital dentistry lab. Organized by Diversity In Dentistry Mentorships, Inc., the summit aimed to inspire underrepresented students to pursue dental careers and increase diversity in the field.
RPS Shoutouts
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Vickey Drew was a true blessing to Richmond Public Schools and the greater Richmond community. Her unwavering passion for science education was evident in everything she did, igniting a love for learning and driving achievement across the district. Vickey’s commitment to excellence was not only admirable but also inspirational—setting a high standard for what it means to be an educator.
Throughout her career, Vickey consistently went above and beyond the responsibilities of her role. Her willingness to step in wherever needed and her tireless efforts to support both students and colleagues made her an invaluable asset to the RPS family. In addition to duties as a RTR coach and Teacher Development Coach, she graciously served as Interim Science Specialist for the district, where she provided visionary leadership and strategic support for science instruction. In addition, she mentored and coached countless teachers, sharing her knowledge, wisdom, and encouragement to help them grow professionally and succeed in their careers.
Vickey’s dedication extended beyond the classroom. She devoted countless hours to tutoring students in preparation for their SOL tests, ensuring that each one had the tools and confidence to succeed. Not only that, she also supported fellow educators by tutoring them for their Teacher Certification Exams, helping them achieve milestones that advanced their careers and strengthened the district as a whole.
Her legacy is one of service, passion, and excellence. Vickey Drew’s impact on Richmond Public Schools will be felt for years to come, and her memory will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of working with or learning from her.
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Thank you, Ms. Dabney, Mr. Gail, Ms. Couther, and Mr. Robinson, for your unwavering support! Huge shout-out to the collaborative teachers, Mr. Wingfield, Mr. D. Jones, Mr. Gaskins, Ms. Hunter, Ms. Stewart, and Ms. Roberts; you all did an amazing job! Thank you to Ms. Mitchell for being available to be interviewed without notice.
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Shout-out to Swansboro Elementary. I commend the staff and students for their excellent performance last night in their presentation of The Blacks in Wax Unveiled: A Magical Night of Black Literature and Arts and “Showtime at the Apollo.”
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Shout-out to Chrissy Valentine for everything that she is doing at Munford. In addition to working incredibly hard to keep everything running in the absence of Mr. Muzik, she has been a huge source of support for the entire Munford community during this challenging time.
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I want to thank all the teachers and instructional staff at Lois Harrison-Jones Elementary School for going through a district audit on the last day before spring break; it was a very challenging day to do so! I know you all did great and showed off your Cougar pride. We love you here. Thanks for all you do!
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A big shout-out to Mr. Baker and Ms. Myer's class at Dogwood for their incredible effort in building the school garden! Your hard work and dedication made a difference—thank you for making the garden a beautiful space for everyone to enjoy!
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Shout-out to the fantastic school counselors at Oak Grove-Bellemeade — Ms. Faison and Ms. Jenkins — for planning an outstanding College & Career Week. They organized presenters from a wide range of careers to come and speak to our students about what they do each day. The students had so much fun, and we all learned a lot! Thank you to the CIS site coordinators at Oak Grove-Bellemeade — Ms. Samuels and Ms. Wingfield — for organizing, helping, and supporting the students and families in our community. We appreciate all you do to better the lives of our Teddy Bears. You rock!
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I want to express my deepest gratitude for your incredible support, time, and effort in making the RPS Little Feet Meet on March 26, 2025, a success. It means the world to me to have such a dedicated team of teachers, administrators, exceptional education staff, transportation professionals, and volunteers by my side. With your support, we provided an unforgettable experience for over 530 athletes and partners—creating moments of joy, inclusion, and achievement that will be remembered for years. This event would be impossible without each of you, and I am genuinely grateful. Thank you for all you do to champion inclusion and create meaningful opportunities for our students. I appreciate you more than words can express, and I look forward to continuing this important work together!
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Thanks to Wendy Just and Aimee Sobon for planning and hosting an excellent science showcase with over 300 colleagues, community partners, parents, and students attending. Science rocks!
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From the Kindergarten team, we want to thank our leadership team at Lois Harrison-Jones — Mr. LeReche, Mrs. Singleton, and Ms. Floyd — for their commitment to the continuous learning of our littlest Cougars. Their constant presence in our wing has created a loving and safe environment for our kindergarteners to share their big feelings and make strong choices. We see all their friendly faces across our schedule, from joining in on a morning meeting to stopping by for a wiggle break, walking with us to Encore, or supporting a friend in need. Your support and communication help us work hard and be great for our kinder community. We love you here so much!
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I express my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Kira Austin, Dr. Craig Marrer, and Ms. Amanda Steeley for their steadfast commitment to enhancing the functional skills of our RPS scholars. Your dedication transforms lives, promotes positive change, and contributes to a more compassionate society. Thank you for your invaluable contributions!
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Shout-out to Ms. Tranelle Pollard! Congratulations on being selected as a 2025 Phenomenal Woman Award recipient by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Richmond Metropolitan Area Chapter! This incredible honor recognizes her relentless and selfless service to the Richmond community in the field of education. Her dedication and impact on Dogwood Middle School students, staff, and families at Dogwood Middle School are truly phenomenal! We are so proud of you!
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Shout-out to Janice Wilkins Harris, a teacher at Armstrong High School, for her continuous generosity, love, and support of her students! She recently treated her Foundations of Literacy class to a “Spring Break-fast” where they reflected on their reading, writing, and vocabulary progress. Keep logging those minutes and meeting your goals; we are so proud of you!
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Dogwood Middle School would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the John Marshall High School Marching Band for their incredible band performance at our attendance pep rally last Friday! We appreciate you energizing our students and highlighting the importance of attendance!
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This week, we proudly celebrate National Assistant Principals Week, and we want to take a moment to recognize the incredible leadership, dedication, and hard work of our very own Mrs. Camilla Battle and Ms. Camille Calloway!
Mrs. Camilla Battle – A proud 2000 Jayem graduate and former Jayem counselor, she continues to pour her heart into our students and community. Her commitment to excellence and unwavering support for our scholars make a lasting impact every single day. Ms. Camille Calloway — New to the Jayem family, she has already made her mark with her passion, leadership, and dedication to developing future leaders. Her fresh perspective and drive inspire us all!
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