The Star News
A Monthly Newsletter for RCPS Families: February 2022
February is packed full of wonderful events, history, and recognition both inside and outside of the classroom. From Black History Month to Virginia Kindness Week, our students are learning and are engaged with their teachers' innovative lessons. They are also enjoying activities in the community and excelling in their extracurricular activities.
In this month’s newsletter you will find highlights, including: a high school student who's been awarded a competitive college scholarship, a new partnership between RCPS and the Frontier Culture Museum to bring history to life, and a letter from Superintendent White highlighting our new, forward-thinking strategic plan.
Thank you for your continued support of Roanoke City Public Schools. As always, we welcome your thoughts, questions, or suggestions by emailing info@rcps.info.
Patrick Henry Senior Receives Competitive Army ROTC Scholarship
Reesa Devers was recently awarded a highly competitive three-year Army ROTC scholarship that will cover most of her college expenses. Click here to read the full story.
Social Studies Outreach Program Immerses Students in the Past
A new partnership with the Frontier Culture Museum allows students to see history with their own eyes. Click here to read the full story.
School Board Recap
Superintendent's Corner
RCPS Family,
February is a month to honor the past, present, and future, as you’ll read about in this month’s newsletter. We’ve been thinking a lot about the future recently as we’ve developed the 2022-2028 Strategic Plan, The Roadmap to Student Success. Many community members, parents/guardians, RCPS partners, students, and staff gave of their time and talents in the development of this plan. I’m so grateful for your collaboration and for your support of our students in Roanoke City Public Schools.
We presented the draft Strategic Plan at the beginning of the month and asked for the community’s feedback. The plan that was approved by the School Board this week is even better because of this additional community input. More than 150 stakeholders submitted feedback, and I want to personally thank each of you for your thoughtful and relevant input. As we often say, We Are One, and I believe this plan showcases the importance of working together, as one, for the benefit of our students.
What we heard was a call for:
- A more intentional focus on the Arts
- Inclusion of our environmental initiatives
- Clarifying language to highlight a focus on mathematics
- An enhanced focus on instruction for English learners
- Families to be able to see themselves and their role in the plan
- And professional development for our teachers that builds on the expertise of a consortium of educators
We also clarified language around existing goals based on the input we received. As a result, this plan is now stronger than ever. Again, thank you!
This is the beginning of a journey. The plan will be our roadmap that guides us, and every two years we are going to pause and progress monitor. We will see where we are, and if we need to, we will adjust course. This is about ensuring all our students have a Roadmap to Success.
I encourage you to download a copy of the Strategic Plan and discover our mission, vision, and goals for the next six years. Click here to view The Roadmap to Student Success.
Sincerely,
Verletta B. White
Superintendent
Save the Date
Read Across America Day
School Highlights
Grandin Court
Morningside
Morningside Elementary students decorated coffee sleeves during their Kindness Challenge Week and presented them to Chris's Coffee & Custard, which provides gainful and meaningful employment for young adults in our community with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities.
Parent & Community Engagement
College-bound seniors, fill out the FAFSA today!
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is open for seniors who plan to attend college next fall. Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as some aid is on a first come, first serve basis. Not sure if you qualify? It is a good idea to apply even if you aren’t sure if you qualify, and you do not have to wait for an acceptance letter to apply for financial aid. Students only have to pay back financial aid if it is in the form of a loan. Click here for more information.
New opportunities for families and students
The Family Wellness Initiative, through Blue Ridge Behavioral Health, offers free parenting workshops. Please contact Cynthia Levasseur at (540) 982-1427, ext. 5154 for more information.
For the 2022-23 school year, the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program will add a 7th grade class at Breckinridge and Lucy Addison Middle Schools and a 10th grade class at Patrick Henry and William Fleming High Schools. Contact your school counselor for more information.
For more information, contact:
Anthony Frazier, Coordinator of Family & Community Engagement:
P: (540) 853.1359 | E: CommunityEngagement@rcps.info
Twitter: @AnthonyFrazier
New & Noteworthy
Visit the RCPS Newsroom for photos and news stories about RCPS students, schools, employees, and the Roanoke School Board. Visit rcps.info/news to access the RCPS Newsroom.
- Patrick Henry and William Fleming athletic tickets are available for purchase. Patrick Henry also has season passes available. Visit events.ticketspicket.com and search your school.
Reminders
Preschool applications for the 2022-2023 school year are now open! Click here to apply today.
- RCPS continues to require face coverings to be worn in school and on school buses by students, staff, and visitors. While face coverings are still required, Senate Bill 739 requires an opt-out option for parents and guardians who do not wish for their child to wear one. Please click here for more information. If your child experiences COVID-19 symptoms, please stay home and call the school nurse for a return to school date. If you are an employee, call employee health.
- Your child's school is a great source of information. They always welcome you to contact them directly with questions. Visit rcps.info/schools for school contact information.
- Missed an edition of The Star News? Access previous issues here!
Roanoke City Public Schools
Roanoke City Public Schools is an urban school division in Roanoke, Virginia, serving a PK-12 population of approximately 14,000 students. Its mission is to provide an inclusive and equitable, student-centered culture that empowers lifelong learning. Through meaningful, relevant, and engaging learning opportunities, RCPS will empower all students to dream, excel, and meet their full potential to benefit our city and its citizens.