The Star News

Happy New Year! January has brought us into a new year, and we hope you had plenty of time to recharge over Winter Break. We are excited to pick up where we left off in December: continuing high-quality instruction with an emphasis on authentic literacy, supporting our students' social-emotional well-being, and strengthening engagement with our families and community partners.

Thank you for your continued support of Roanoke City Public Schools. We can't wait to see what our students achieve this semester!

As always, we welcome your thoughts, questions, or suggestions by emailing info@rcps.info.

RCPS Family,

Happy New Year! I hope you and your family had a restful Winter Break. We are excited to have our students and staff back in school as we get ready to kick off a great second semester!

I am proud of every one of our students for all they have accomplished during the first half of the 2021-2022 School Year. I know we will all continue to work hard during the second half of the school year. Now is not the time to let up, whether in your academic pursuits, extracurricular goals, or regarding health and safety measures.

As we’ve shared with families previously this month, face coverings continue to be required in schools, on buses, and other school transportation, as medically and developmentally appropriate, for all students, staff, and visitors. Transmission in our city remains high, and we must do everything we can to keep our students and staff safe. We have been successful in protecting in-person instruction so far this year by following the mitigation strategies outlined in the Infectious Disease (COVID-19) Preparedness and Response Plan. If we continue to remain diligent and vigilant together, we can stop the spread of COVID-19 and continue to provide high-quality, in-person instruction. I also continue to urge everyone in our RCPS family to get your vaccinations and booster shots if eligible.

Thank you for your support of our students, staff, and Roanoke City Public Schools. As I’ve said many times this year, We Are One, and I’m proud to be your Superintendent.

Sincerely,
Verletta B. White

RCPS is hosting an Open House Job Fair on Thursday, February 10, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Ruffner School Operations Center. Explore positions in our building operations department and discover why you should join the RCPS team, including amazing benefits and membership in the Virginia Retirement System.

Calling All Families! Join "All Pro Dads"

RCPS is excited to introduce "All Pro Dads" this semester at nine schools across the district: Fallon Park, Fairview, Hurt Park, Lincoln Terrace, Round Hill, Roanoke Academy, Virginia Heights, Woodrow Wilson, and Patrick Henry.

The “All Pro Dad” program is a monthly gathering at school where dads and students engage in meaningful conversations and activities centered around a character-based curriculum. The program is open to all families who are interested. Contact your school for additional information!

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.

Currently, RCPS has more than 40 seniors who have received over 70 college acceptance letters. Congratulations, seniors!

For more information, contact:

Anthony Frazier, Coordinator of Family & Community Engagement:

P: (540) 853.1359 | E: CommunityEngagement@rcps.info

Twitter: @AnthonyFrazier

• 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.

• Preschool applications for the 2022-2023 School Year are now open! Click on the pre-K banner photo in the newsletter to apply today!

• RCPS continues to require face coverings to be worn in school and on school buses by students, staff, and visitors. 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. Click here for information about the COVID-19 vaccine, which is now also available for students ages 5-11.
• 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 is an urban school division in Roanoke, Virginia, serving a pre-K through 12th grade population of approximately 14,000 students. Its mission is to graduate students prepared for life in a rapidly changing world. RCPS believes strong students create strong schools and ultimately a strong city.

Email: info@rcps.info | Phone: (540) 853.2502 | Website: rcps.info | 40 Douglass Ave. NW, Roanoke