RPS News Details

One of the best ways to celebrate a teacher, bus driver, custodian – anyone at RPS – is to submit a shout-out. If you encounter someone wonderful at RPS, let us know so we can celebrate them. All you need to do is send an email to shoutouts@rvaschools.net. Thank you!

Our bus drivers are amazing! I want to shout out the wonderful Ms. Tianda Jefferson! She greets every student with a huge smile and hugs those who need extra love! We love you, Ms. T!

Shout-out to our dream team for Mary Scott Bus #1, Ms. Parker and Ms. Royal! They transport the babies of RPS with such love and care! They make sure the kids physically get on and off the bus! You are incredible! We love you!

Shout-out to the Lucille Brown Middle School Girls Basketball team for their awesome job in their championship game. Huge shout-out to their coaches, LaKeyah Burchette, James Haskins, and Jasmine McKay: You guys did an excellent job with those young ladies.

Shout-out to the team at Oak Grove-Bellemeade — great job in all that you do. Way to go!

We all want to thank Mr. James May for his hard work and dedication. Mr. May takes pride in his work, and everything is always done. Mr. May has been staying over to ensure the building is clean for the staff and students for the next day. Thank you, Mr. May, for all that you do.

Our second-grade scholars at Overby-Sheppard go to swim lessons in partnership with the YMCA. During this last week, the manager reached out to the teachers, praised our students for their behavior, and said they were the best students they had ever hosted.  

Principal Spain puts students at the forefront of decisions and takes care of the staff. This can be seen in how he and others set up the staff Wellness Room to be a special and relaxing retreat for the staff. Thank you to the instructional coaches here at the hive. Ms. Gordon and Mr. Roberts go above and beyond what is required and do all they can to make Overby-Sheppard the best school in the Division—shout-out to the entire third-grade team at Overby-Sheppard. While there are new faces on the team, you would not know how they collaborate and help lift each other daily. Keep it up, third grade!

Special shout-out to Ms. Lee and Ms. Butler, fifth-grade teachers at Miles Jones Elementary. They offer a welcoming learning environment and see the positive and reasonable in all their students, providing an optimistic learning environment. My son often faces challenges, and they can redirect him and help him embrace his strengths instead of focusing on his weaknesses. They are loving, kind, and empathetic. They are a true blessing to my son and all of their students!

I would like to give a big shout-out to the hardest-working intervention team, at Overby Sheppard Elementary. They are present daily and ready to provide intervention to our students who require additional reading help. Excellent job to Monica Reid, our reading interventionist, Alison Shell, Beverly Pleasants, and Ann Culbreth, our EIRIs. We appreciate the work that they do for our students.

A huge shout-out and gratitude to Taylor Johnson (math coach) and Chante Mason (reading coach) at Carver Elementary for being the best support team to the teachers, helping to make sure our students achieve their goals, and they do it in a way that makes math and reading fun for our students. They have been a vital part of helping to ensure that my 5th-grade class is doing their best, and I am so grateful as a teacher to have them as a part of my team. Thank you for all you do for us here at Carver Nation!

A huge shout-out and much gratitude to Ms. Chelsea McCoy for all the support she provides teachers and students here at Carver Nation! She has been my students' great teacher, friend, and role model. Thank you, Ms. Chelsea, for always having my back! I appreciate you!

Shout-out from Oak Grove-Bellemeade Elementary School to Ms. McCray and Ms. Cardona for the excellent planning and organization that went into our Harvest Festival. There were so many activities, such as pumpkin painting, bike course riding, a petting zoo, and tree climbing, just to name a few. Thanks for all the time and effort put into ensuring this event was a success to bring joy to our students and community.

Shout-out to Sheena Palmer, registrar at Boushall Middle School! When there's a task to be tackled, Ms. Palmer jumps in and gets it done every time. Her dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment are genuinely inspiring. We can’t say enough about the difference she makes every day—people like Ms. Palmer keep us moving forward and remind us what true teamwork looks like. Thank you for everything you do!

I would like to shout out Ms. Molly Ruggieri, PE teacher at Broad Rock Elementary School. Ms. Ruggieri goes above and beyond to support her students through collaboration and parent engagement. She leads with heart and a passion for education. I saw her make a big difference for a family this year, and I know from her colleagues that this is only one of many families and students for whom she has gone that extra mile. Thank you!

A huge shout-out to the PTO at Barack Obama Elementary School! In the past two weeks, they have opened the first quarter "Star"buck store (school-wide incentive program), heavily supported our 1st ever Trunk or Treat event, sold snacks at the Fall Dance, and organized a school grounds clean-up event…whew! The support of our school is vital, and this group of parents is appreciated more than they know!

Great things are buzzing over at Overby-Sheppard! Although the name is Communities in Schools, Ms. Hite took the school to the community by taking several students to VCU for a campus tour, where they visited a few classrooms and spoke with students and professors. It doesn't stop there today, the "Speaking Spirit” ice cream truck blessed the school with over 250 ice cream treats for everyone as an attendance incentive. Keep it up, Overby staff, and way to go, Ms. Cathy Hite!

Thank you to the custodians at Overby-Sheppard Elementary School, Mr. Robinson, Ms. Sykes, and Mr. Taylor. Thank you for all you do to ensure our building is clean and safe. Your hard work is greatly appreciated.

I want to shout out CSA Lamesha Hodges at MLK. She continues to make a positive difference in the lives of our students and staff. Her leadership skills continue to grow. During her recent opportunity to lead the building during the absence of the lead CSA, she led with confidence and precision. We are so proud to call her our own. Great Job!

Shout-out to the following staff members at Armstrong High School from your students: Shout-out to Coach Garthwaite because she has helped me learn basketball and find myself as a person. Shout-out to Ms. Martinez because she treats her students very well and encourages her students to learn. Shout-out to my bus driver because they are always driving us safely.

Shout-out to Mrs. V. Smith at Southampton Elementary School! Thank you for bringing your positive attitude and high energy to school every day for your students! You make learning fun! You are appreciated.

I would like to give a huge shout-out to our amazing math coach here at Miles Jones, Mrs. Smith-Hewlett! She definitely did not see this coming, but surely deserves to be recognized. Thank you for all you do and continue to do for our teachers and students in the world of math! You go above and beyond continuously and your unwavering support never goes unnoticed! I am grateful and blessed to work alongside such a positive, dedicated, and committed individual such as yourself. Just know that you are amazing! We are grateful to have you! Looking forward to continued success here at Miles Jones with you! You rock!