Nov. 2022
RCPS Division Newsletter
Introducing Roary
Our Panther has a name! Minutes before the start of last month's Homecoming game, RCHS unveiled the mascot's official name, Roary! The name was submitted by a 4th grade student, Zoee L., and was the top pick in a community-wide survey. Zoee received a t-shirt featuring Roary the Panther and an ice cream gift certificate to Bruster's Real Ice Cream in Culpeper. Congratulations, Zoee!
MyFuture Celebration
Recently, kindergarten students enrolled at RCES received a special present: a personal MyFuture savings account! Each received a piggy bank with a special $100 bill, but the real money is held for them at Oak View National Bank. FamilyFutures, a local nonprofit focusing on financial education for children and adults, annually opens accounts for all new kindergarteners. The students can earn up to $100 more this year and yearly until they graduate. The students learn and earn through school activities with their teachers and with Miss Jenny, the Family Financial Education Coordinator, and Miss Lacey, Program Assistant. Students took home goody bags with information for their parents/guardians about the accounts and other MyFuture opportunities.
Agriculture Academy Students Host Special Visitors
On October 19th, the RCHS Agriculture Academy students hosted some very special guests: Delegate Michael Webert; Mr. Garrey Curry, County Administrator; Ms. Bonnie Jewell, Assistant County Administrator; Ms. Debbie Donehey, Board of Supervisors Chair; Mr. Ron Frazier, Board of Supervisors; Mr. Wes Mills, RCPS School Board Chair; Superintendent Dr. Shannon Grimsley; Dr. Tom Massie; Carlos Seward, RCHS Principal; Ms. Stacey Whitt, RCPS Chief Financial Officer; and Ms. Amy Newman, Clerk of the School Board. Agriculture Education Instructor, Ms. Michele Fincham, introduced the academy model and spoke about the many certifications students could obtain before graduation. The esteemed guests had an opportunity to observe students working at various lab stations that included drawing blood, stitching, bandaging, and more.
Following the classroom observation, Dr. Grimsley and the county representatives met with Delegate Webert to share key recommendations from the School Innovative Finance Taskforce (SIFT) and budget challenges facing Rappahannock County.
Pumpkins and Book Characters
RCES students were tasked with disguising a pumpkin to look like a character from one of their favorite books. Both individual students and classes submitted cleverly disguised pumpkins, which were later voted on by staff and students. The winning pumpkin (shown above) was created by Miss Kim and Miss Brooke's class, which was based on the book "Funny Farm."
Helpful Information
Fit Kids Clinic
Valley Health and Rappahannock County Public Schools have partnered together to bring video telehealth into our schools. If your child gets sick at school, it's not always easy to leave work. Telehealth makes it easier. With your consent, a nurse will use video telehealth technology to connect your child with a provider at Valley Health. In most cases, your child can be diagnosed without leaving school or you having to leave work. Conditions treated include: asthma, allergies, cough, colds, flu, ear aches, sore throats, fever, headaches, head lice, pink eye, and skin irritations. The nurse will be onsite in the elementary school clinic each weekday from 8 am- 3:30 am when school is in session.
Be sure to check out our video to learn more about our Fit Kids Clinic! This video (and more) can be found on our Parent U page.
For more information and to enroll, visit www.valleyhealthlink.com/schools. Please note, registration does not obligate you to use the service.
Mental Health & Wellness Resources
To view the list of helpful mental health and wellness resources for students and families, CLICK HERE.
Free Or Reduced Meals for Students
Children need healthy meals to learn. Rappahannock County Public Schools offers daily healthy meals that meet the standards established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Your child(ren) may be eligible for free meals or reduced-price meals if your household income is within the limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines. To view the eligibility chart and learn more, CLICK HERE.
To apply, visit our SCHOOL NUTRITION page and select from either an online application or paper application.
Survey
Survey to Assess Special Education Services
Each school year, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is required to report to the U.S. Department of Education the “percentage of parents with a child receiving special education services who report that schools facilitated parent involvement as a means of improving services and results for children with disabilities.” Your participation in this survey will help VDOE collect the necessary data to report on this requirement while providing additional information to identify training needs related to the special education processes.
Parents who have more than one child receiving special education services should submit one survey for each child receiving services.
English survey link- https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WMW6HJ5
Spanish survey link- https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/82HPLG3
Connect With Us
Website: www.rappahannockschools.us
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rappahannockcountypublicschools
Instagram: www.instagram.com/_rcps_