Feb. 2023

February is School Board Appreciation Month! To celebrate our remarkable school board members, we ran a social media spotlight throughout the week of February 13th expressing our gratitude for their service and dedication to our schools. We are thankful for all that they do for our students!

The RCES Student Council Association (SCA) held a Valentine's Day Dance on Friday, February 3rd, for 6th and 7th-grade students. Attendees were asked to bring an optional canned good item to donate to the local food pantry, a long-standing tradition for the Student Council. With roughly 70 students in attendance, the event was a success!

The council's sponsor, Mr. Matt Hummill, a 6th-grade US History and 7th-grade Civics and Economics Teacher, was proud of the students’ achievement. "The dance was regarded as one of the best dances ever held by the Student Council," said Hummill. He added, "it included a Valentine's Day Court of 6th and 7th-grade couples, with the winner being chosen by election from students at the dance. There were also dance competitions and raffle drawings with prizes donated by the PTO."

The elected members of the Student Council are President Emily Scheulen (7th grade), Vice President Jason Williams (6th grade), Historian Adlin Hubble (7th grade), and Secretary Mariah Phillips (6th grade). Additional SCA members include Eugene Lopiano (6th grade) and Aubrey Murray (6th grade).

On Friday, February 17th, the ecstatic students delivered the bounty of canned goods to the Rappahannock Food Pantry. The items included a variety of vegetables, soups, and beans. In total, the students donated an impressive 193.9 lbs. of food!

"This Student Council has been very forward-thinking and is always eager to incorporate student ideas and host events that appeal to a majority of the students. This is a very engaged group with a mind for creating positive change at our school," shared Hummill. Their efforts will also benefit the community thanks to SCA's hard work and the generosity of the 6th and 7th-grade families.

Photo by Matt Hummill

This month's MyFuture Activity recognized Kindness as an important life skill. Current MyFuture students (RCPS kindergarten, first, second, and third-graders) were asked to describe kindness and answer, "What does kindness look like?"; "What are examples of kindness?"; and, "How do people express kindness?" They were then asked to write a note or draw a picture describing or recognizing someone's kindness on a heart-shaped "leaf." These colorful "leafs" were collected and put onto a giant Kindness Tree. Walking by the beautiful and colorful Kindness Tree will bring joy and hope to those who stop to look at these sweet notes and pictures created by the MyFuture students.

Photo by Jenny Kapsa

Eighth-grade students participated in The Reality Store financial management program on Thursday, February 16th. There were many "aha" moments, as students quickly realized that they can't always afford to purchase items they want, but instead have to first purchase items they need. And, they learned that kids are expensive!

Many thanks to the 30 volunteers who gave their time to this program. Without their support, this program would not have been possible.

Additional thanks goes to Virginia Cooperative Extension, which partnered with RCPS to offer the Reality Store program, and to the RCHS culinary students who prepared a delicious lunch for program volunteers, under the direction of Chef Kurt Streu.

Rappahannock County Public Schools welcomed authors and cousins Betty Kilby Baldwin and Phoebe Kilby on February 15th. During a school-wide assembly at the high school, the special guests shared their family story, which began in Rappahannock County in the 1800s. Students attentively listened as Phoebe described researching her family's history and eventually finding and connecting with her cousin, Betty. She explained to the audience that her first introduction email to Betty was on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Within her email, she referenced Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech by including the quote “a dream that… the sons of former slaves and slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of Brotherhood.” She added, “Perhaps, we as daughters can contribute to fulfilling dream.” Since that time, both Phoebe and Betty have been working together to promote this message of peace.

Additionally, Betty shared a remarkable story of her father's courage to sue the Warren County School Board to allow her to attend the high school following the Supreme Court's ruling in Brown vs. Board of Education. This case, Betty Ann Kilby et. al. vs. the County School Board of Warren County, Virginia, ultimately led to the school integration, allowing Betty and twenty-two other black students to attend the Warren County High School in 1959. RCHS students learned how Betty and Phoebe worked together in 2011 to erect a historical marker on the grounds of the former high school (now Warren County Middle School), which names Betty's father, James W. Kilby, for his pivotal role in the school's integration.

Following a community meet & greet event at Before & After, Betty and Phoebe returned to RCPS to present for students in grades 4th-7th at the elementary school. The two assemblies were in honor of Black History Month and were made possible by RCPS' JEDI team and the PATH Foundation.

On Thursday, February 16th, RCES students had an opportunity to sample the Harvest of the Month, butternut squash. The students enjoyed learning about the featured harvest and meeting Ms. Tederick’s butternut squash “guinea pig.” Thank you to Ms. Liz Beling, Regional Farm to School Liaison, for teaming up with Commit to Be Fit and offering monthly nutrition education opportunities for the elementary school students.

The next day, Commit to Be Fit visited RCHS for students to sample spaghetti squash topped with marinara sauce. Many of the students (and staff) said it was their first time trying it.

Earlier this month, students John Scott Woodward, Cassidy Graves, and Austin Clem traveled to Loudon County Academies of the Arts for a grueling four hour Skills USA welding competition. A good time was had by all.

Photo by Rich Hogan

The February 4th event was a basketball enthusiast’s dream. The Harlem Triksterz brought laughter, fun, and friendly competition. Our RCHS ballers gave it their best shot but in the end, “they got tricked!” Although Dr. Grimsley had a few tricks of her own to show off. The class of 2023 thanks everyone who gave their support to this event.

Contributed photo

RCHS Scholastic Bowl took second place on Feb. 4th with wins over Mathews and West Point!! Galileo Magnet (Danville, Va) took first place. Our scholars will be going to the State Tournament on February 25th at Jamestown High School. Way to go Rappahannock County Scholastic Bowl!!

Contributed photo

RCPS will be closed on Thursday, March 2nd- Monday, March 6th for spring break. We look forward to welcoming students back to school on Tuesday, March 7th.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, RCHS will be offering behind-the-wheel training! To view the informational flyer, visit https://content.myconnectsuite.com/api/documents/d874699a4a9243e3af05003ca6e61864.pdf

RCPS is generating an internal list of students who qualify for this program based on eligibility requirements for students in grades 10-12. Parents/guardians will be contacted once the schedule has been created. For additional questions, please contact Dani Pond at dpond@rappahannockschools.us. If you are the parent/guardian of a NON-RCPS student who is eligible and would like to receive more information, please fill out the form using the QR code on the flier.

To view the list of helpful mental health and wellness resources for students and families, CLICK HERE.

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.

Website: www.rappahannockschools.us
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