Chimborazo Elementary Newsletter
September 2019
Principal's Message
Welcome back Chimborazo families,
I want to officially welcome all of you to the 2019 - 2020 School Year! Summer has come and gone and now it is time to continue with the excellent traditions of Chimborazo, as well as to introduce exciting new programs and personnel. The office staff, teachers, custodians, and administration have been working hard this summer to continue the momentum we established last school year. Over the summer break the following has occurred at Chimborazo:
- The building has been thoroughly cleaned and floors have been waxed.
- Thanks to the graphic design work of one of our parents, Matt Klimas, we now have a school crest and crests for our House System.
- Our discipline committee met multiple times over the summer to revise our school-wide discipline plan, routines, and incentives to more readily enable our students to excel as citizens in and out of school.
- Summer school has been facilitated.
- Much of our roof has been replaced and a new boiler has been installed.
- New programs have been added to provide mentors to our students and establish relationships with our families such as home visits!
These are just a few of the “happenings” over the summer to help continually improve and enhance the great things we are doing at Chimborazo!
Our dedicated staff has been working hard to ensure and prepare for a successful start of school on Tuesday, September 3, 2019. Please plan for delays the first week of school. We need to ensure each student who comes to school gets home safely. Students need time to acclimate themselves to morning and afternoon procedures and systems will be more efficient as the days progress.
I am beginning my fourth year as principal of Chimborazo, and am thrilled at the continued opportunity to engage in the progress we have made over the last three years. The elementary school years are critical times of development for students, and I look forward to working with all of you to make this year successful.
We have several new staff members coming aboard to join our crew this year at Chimborazo which include:
We have two VCU Richmond Teacher Residents who will be with us this year prior to becoming Richmond City Public School’s teachers next year. Justin Baber will be with Raven Parham. He is in the Liberal Studies Early/Elementary Master of Teaching Program at VCU and completed his practicum experience at Chimborazo. A strong interest of his is technology.
Lauren Horton will be with Erin Campbell. Lauren worked for C.H.A.T and she lives in Church Hill. She has lots of experience working with students in the east end. She has an undergraduate degree from UVA and is in the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate program at VCU.
Aaron Garber will be our new VPI teacher. He received his bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and MT in Early Elementary Education from VCU. He is entering his 14th year of teaching and has been at Holton his entire career. At Holton, he taught kindergarten for 9 years and am now entering his 5th year of teaching preschool. He has twin daughters who are entering high school at Franklin Military this year. Outside of teaching he works for himself doing construction and remodeling. He also enjoys attending concerts, playing music, cooking, gardening, and most anything that involves being outside.
Molly McFadden will be assuming the role as Wellness Integration Specialist as she incorporates movement into lessons and helps promote healthy habits for our children. She graduated from Longwood University with a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Studies and a Master's Degree in Special Education. Over the past 8 years, she has worked as a special educator in Chesterfield County. During this time, she also joined Sports Backers Fitness Warrior Program, which has a goal to bring free fitness opportunities to high need areas. She began using her knowledge of movement, exercise, and wellness in her classroom, and saw great improvements in her students' academics and well-being. During her free time, Ms. McFadden likes to garden, read, and hike with her dog Olive. She is excited to be working at Chimborazo and is looking forward to getting to know the community!
Tara Mccrone will be joining our staff as one of our 5th grade teachers. She grew up in Northern Virginia and earned her Master of Elementary Education at the University of Mary Washington. When Ms. Mccrone is not in school, she enjoys hiking and reading!
We are ecstatic to have Megan Crowe serve the students, teachers, and families at Chimborazo Elementary, as an additional Title 1 Reading teacher. Richmond Public Schools has held a very special place in her heart and she firmly believes in unlocking the potential each student possesses by providing them with strategic and effective instruction while encouraging a positive attitude towards reading. She is a proud graduate of Longwood University. Go Lancers! During her undergraduate career, her interest peaked in literacy instruction. This led her to pursue and, ultimately receive, a Master of Education in Reading, Literacy, and Learning. When she is not at school, you may find her in a cycling class, trying a new restaurant, spending time outside around Richmond, hiking in the fall, or reading a book - her favorite one this summer? Educated by Tara Westover!
Lamisha Compton will be joining our family as a special educator after serving as special education coordinator in Chesterfield County Public Schools and previously served in Henrico County and Richmond City Public Schools as a special education teacher. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Virginia Union University and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership in Policy and Virginia Tech from Virginia Tech.
Please note the logistical information below to ensure the school year runs smoothly.
ARRIVAL TIMES:
Our school day begins at 8:15 AM daily. Instruction begins at 8:30 am. Please be sure to have your child/children here on time. Students who are consistently tardy are at a clear disadvantage, miss instruction, and usually arrive feeling frantic and unprepared. All students who arrive after 8:45 am must sign in at the office with a parent and are considered tardy. If your child is sick please report the absence.
Note: If you drop your child off by car please remember to do so on the side of school. Parking in front to drop off presents a danger to children, parents, and other drivers. Also, do not park in front of school during marked hours before and after school. Richmond City Police Department will be ticketing those who do not abide by these procedures.
SCHOOL BREAKFAST AND LUNCHES:
School lunch and breakfast will be served daily and will continue to be free of charge. Please regulate the amount of cash students bring to school for lunch. Many students are eating multiple snacks that can be purchased a la carte and not eating their lunch. The amount of snacks for available purchase has been limited and money carried by the student is the responsibility of that student. Parents are encouraged to come in and put money on a student’s account as opposed to the aforementioned. Sodas are not permitted in school.
INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS:
General: Our programs each year are exciting and structured to ensure that all our kids continue to receive a well-rounded and challenging education. Our standards and expectations remain high! As always, our number one goal is providing our students with a quality educational experience in a safe, caring, and nurturing environment. All our teachers are fully credentialed and professional development and collaborative opportunities are built into our yearly schedule. Our curricular program is aligned to the Virginia Standards of Learning and, as the first PYP IB school in Central Virginia, encompasses a meaningful and inquiry based approach to learning.
TUESDAY FOLDERS:
Please ask your child for this folder every Tuesday. It is one of the critical ways for us to maintain the lines of communication between school and home. Information regarding programs, events, PTA, instructional changes, etc. will be found in these folders, and parents are asked to sign the folders each week and return them promptly with their child on Wednesday. Please contact your child’s teacher after you inquire as to the whereabouts of the folder with your child if it did not come home.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES:
Chimborazo Elementary provides some classroom supplies, however, a supply list was sent to families with their SOL scores and report cards. Each student will receive a book bag. The list was also posted on our social media accounts. Please label personal belongings such as jackets, sweaters, lunch boxes, and backpacks. Our lost and found is located by the cafeteria.
SCHOOL INVOLVEMENT:
Because it is so important that teachers and parents work together in making a child’s school year a happy and successful one, it is my hope that you will be able to spend some time during the school year supporting in the classroom or at home. Please discuss with your child’s teacher ways that you can help support learning at Chimborazo. Home/School partnership is essential to the success of Chimborazo.
TEACHERS/CLASSES:
Teacher attribute request cutoff date was June 6, 2019. Once your child has been placed in a classroom they will remain there for the remainder of the year barring extenuating circumstances.
PARENT/TEACHER ASSOCIATION:
We strongly encourage all of our families to join our Parent Teacher Association, led by our PTA President, Tom Oristian. We are eager to see all of you again. Fundraising is paramount to the success of Chimborazo and we hope you will help support our programs and events this school year. When a fundraising event surfaces please consider supporting it as it helps support our number one priority: our children.
I encourage you to follow our school on Twitter @ChimborazoES, and on Facebook. This will allow you to see all the great things that are happening at Chimborazo on a daily basis and keep up to date on important dates and events. Additional operational procedures, protocols, and resources are outlined in our Chimborazo parent handbook. Please also ensure your contact information is up to date to receive information via our parent link system. Lastly, if you wish to receive occasional reminders of important Chimborazo events and activities, please use the Remind app and text @7e3dh7 to 81010. I look forward to an amazing school year. If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at 804-780-8392 or contact me by email at dpeck@rvaschools.net. I am looking forward to an amazing school year!
Respectfully,
David T. Peck
Principal- Chimborazo Elementary
House System begins Chimborazo!!!
Please consider joining PTA!
Follow our PTA on Twitter and Facebook for updates and to hear about our new PTBoard to make your life easier!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ChimborazoPTA/
Twitter: @Chimbopta
Follow us on Twitter @ChimborazoES
Get reminders and updates through Remind!
Like us on Facebook
Mark your calendar ( September Events)
Dates are fluid, and although we attempt to minimize these, if there are changes or additions, they will be reflected via social media.
Tuesday, September 3rd 1st Day of School
Wednesday, September 5th 5:15 PM PTA Meeting Room 120
Friday, September 6th 6 pm University of Richmond Street soccer event @Chimborazo
Monday, September 9th Superintendent visit and press conference @Chimborazo
Thursday, September 12th 4th grade Blue Sky Field Trip
Monday, September 16th 21st Century After School Program begins
Thursday, September 19th 5:30 PM-7 PM Back to School Night Gym/ Classrooms
Friday, September 27th 5th grade Blue Sky field Trip
Attendance matters
Research shows that missing 10 percent of the school, or about 18 days in most school districts, negatively affects a student’s academic performance. That’s just two days a month and that’s known as chronic absence.
Box Tops
Look for the 10¢ Box Tops coupon on hundreds of your favorite products -- Cheerios, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Ziploc, Kleenex, Hefty, and many more.
Cut out the coupons and ask your child to give them to their teacher. The more coupons you send in, the more money our school receives! You can also use the boxtop app which allows you to scan your boxtops! We also added a boxtop mailbox in the entrance for you to collect boxtops and bring them in!
For more information, see http://www.boxtops4education.com/home .
Brothers United Mentor Program
September Elementary Menu
The Nutrition Services department and Chimborazo's cafeteria staff is made up of food and nutrition professionals that are dedicated to students' health, their well being, and their ability to learn. We support learning by promoting healthy habits for lifelong nutrition and fitness practices.