Panther Cub Chronicle
Monthly Newsletter
September 1-30, 2023
About RVLA
Rainier Valley Leadership Academy is a public, tuition-free charter school that provides an anti-racist collaborative community and rigorous education while providing access to civic leadership and college success for all scholars in Seattle and has traditionally served grades 6-12. With the addition of the elementary school RVLA seeks to cultivate the growth of our youngest learners to diminish learning gaps through engagement, love, kindness, joy, and rigorous academics. Our first class of Kindergarteners will commence 2024 with additional grade levels added each year.
Leadership Team
Rainier Valley Leadership Academy is proud to announce its founding Elementary Leadership team. We are confident in their ability to implement a program that realizes the mission and vision of RVLA; providing an anti-racist education and dismantling systemic oppression through scholar leadership.
Ms. Angela M. Thomas, Principal
Angela M. Thomas started her career in education 15 years ago with a certification in Social Studies. Ms. Thomas has most recently been a Founding Administrator ranging from Assistant Principal to Acting Principal with Charter Schools USA in Florida and Louisiana. Beginning with her firs scholars, a bright class of 3rd graders, Ms. Thomas fell in love with teaching and the scholars she served. Throughout her career, Ms. Thomas has worked with all grades across the K-12 continuum and is excited to work, again, in the elementary space.
Ms. Thomas has a background in theatre, music, and visual arts. As if more is needed, Ms. Thomas has led gifted and talented programming, worked in the alternative school setting, self-contained classrooms, and has experience as an adjunct instructor at South Louisiana Community College. Ms. Thomas has led oversight of Special Education departments, 504 compliance, and Multi-lingual programming. Ms. Thomas led a high school expansion at her previous organization and has led two charter renewals.
Ms. Thomas comes to Seattle with her three beautiful children, ready to call the PNW their home for decades.
Ms. Courtney Claxton, Dean of Academics
Courtney Claxton, a native of Memphis, TN, is a passionate educator with 6 years of experience in creating and implementing differentiated, engaging content for K-12 students. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education (BS.Ed) degree from the University of Memphis and a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree from Relay Graduate School of Education. Courtney has taught and mentored grade levels ranging from 1st-3rd, 6th-8th, and 9th-12th, leading subjects such as Literacy, Math, Science, Health & Fitness, and Student Leadership.
She continuously works to improve her practice of navigating scholars through a journey of self-exploration, academic tenacity, and future-building by analyzing metrics, presenting curricula, and adjusting instruction to meet the needs of scholars. Courtney is a dynamic and resilient self-starter with the ability to design effective learner solutions that enhance experiences in the classroom and school community.
What's New???
CONTINUING
Finalize the following for 2024-2025:
Curriculum (Kindergarten)
Policies and Procedures
Scholar Handbook
Faculty Handbook
Academic Resources
UP NEXT
Community Visits
Community Q&A
Curriculum (grades 1-5)
LATER
Kindergarten Application Information
Classroom Before & After pictures
Kindergarten Preparedness Tips
TIP #1--Help Develop Independence at Home
Encourage your child to dress themselves, take their coat on and off and hang it up, use the bathroom without assistance and wash hands without constant reminders, and put on their own shoes. Provide serving spoons so your child can serve themselves at the table and clear their own dishes. These skills will take them from the coatroom to the lunchroom and beyond
TIP #2--Teach Scholars their Full Legal Name
Many scholars are frequently referred to by their nicknames at home. Please ensure your child knows their full legal name as provided to the school. Start referring to them by using their given name so that they get used to hearing it during the course of the day.
Community Voice
Spread the Word!!!
Do you know of anyone looking for a top-tier, anti-racist, educational program for their soon to be Kindergartener? Share this newsletter and have them sign up to receive the monthly newsletter using the QR code in the top banner!
Contact Information
Early Learning Partnerships
If you know of an Early Learning Center that shares RVLA's mission and vision, point them in our direction! They can contact Ms. Thomas directly at:
Unsubscribe
We hate to see you go, but we understand. Please email angela.thomas@myrvla.org to unsubscribe from the Panther Cub Chronicle Newsletter.