Hill Happenings
Family Edition: September 7, 2021
Welcome Back Albert Hill Tigers!
Important Information
Arrival
The building will open at 7:50 a.m. Supervision will not be available prior to 7:50 a.m.
All students should wear masks while waiting to enter the building and should be at least 3ft apart from peers. Students will report directly to their first period class. Breakfast will be served through grab and go kiosks placed in the hallway or cafeteria.
Student Drop Off and Pick Up
Students should be dropped off and picked up in the front of the building on Patterson Avenue. When dropping off and picking up students for school, please park on the building side of Patterson Avenue. If you are unable to park on the side closest to the building, please use the crosswalks.
Mask Requirements
All guests are required to wear masks regardless of vaccination status on RPS properties.
Transitions
One way traffic. All stairwells on the right of the building when entering the front door will be for traffic moving upstairs and all stairwells on the left of the building will be for trafficking moving downstairs. Please see attached building map with Covid markings below. One was also mailed with student schedules.
Restrooms
We believe in inclusivity. We will have a universal restroom located outside of Room 105. Students will sign-out and sign-in of class when leaving for the restroom and returning from the restroom using a google form. Only 6 students will be allowed in the restroom at a time. All remaining students will wait socially distanced outside the restroom. Students will hang a lanyard outside the restroom so that other students will know how many students are in the restroom.
PE
Locker rooms will not be used until further notice due to supervision and distancing. Students with physical education should come to school dressed for PE.
Dismissal
We will stagger dismissal. Walkers and pick-ups will be released first, by grade level. Bus riders will be called by bus when the bus arrives. All students will wait in their 4th period classes.
Guests and Volunteers
We are limiting guests and volunteers in the building until further notice. Guests will not be permitted in classrooms. All guests and visitors must sign in in the office using the Raptor 6 system and answer the Covid screening questions. Please ensure students have lunch and other belongings as we will not be able to accommodate drop-offs and deliveries. Please call the office prior to entering the building at 780-6107.
Supplies
Each grade level has developed a supply list for students. Individual teachers and elective teachers may include additional supplies in the course syllabus on the first day of school.
Chromebooks
Students should bring their Chromebooks to school each day, charged. Students who have not returned technology should bring it to school on the first day. We will be distributing Chromebooks to students who have not received them on the first day of school. Personal chromebooks/devices should be left at home as they will not be able to access the school's WiFi.
Schedules
Student schedules were mailed on Friday, August 27th. If you would like to request a schedule change, please use the google form posted on the school website or QR code within the mailing.
After School Programming
NextUp RVA will offer high quality after school programs virtually beginning in October. We are hopeful that face-to-face programming will begin in January. Humphrey Calder community center has a limited number of spaces available from 3:30 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. (804) 646-1780Medication
Parents should not send students to school with medication. All medication must be brought in by a parent and given to the nurse. If you have medication to drop off, please call (804) 780-6107 for an appointment.
7th grade students who do not have their vaccinations will not be permitted to start school on Wednesday, September 8th. You may send your 7th grader to school if they have a copy of their vaccination record. Any students who report to school without the required vaccinations will be isolated and must be picked up by a parent.
Effective July 1, 2021, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), Meningococcal, and *HPV are required vaccines for 7th grade students. If your child has already received the required vaccinations, please be sure that documentation of the vaccinations have been provided to the school. If students have not yet received the *HPV, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), and Meningococcal, they must do so prior to entering 7th grade.
* As a parent or guardian, you have the right to decide if your child receives the HPV vaccine.
Student Lockers
Students will be issued lockers this school year after the first few weeks of school. Combination locks will be given to all students. Students should NEVER give their combination to another student. If a student needs assistance opening their lockers or if they have forgotten the locker combination, they should see their Homeroom teacher.
Student Enrollment
If you need to enroll your student, please make an appointment by calling 780-6107. Please do not send students to school who are not completely enrolled.
School Attendance
Every Tiger, Every Day! Every Day Counts!
School attendance is vital to student academic success at all levels.
The Virginia Department of Education defines “chronic absenteeism” as missing ten percent or more of the academic year for any reason (18 days). Truancy is the act of accruing one or more unexcused absences.Though the definition of absenteeism may differ from truancy, the National Center for School Engagement asserts that the outcomes of a student missing class remain constant regardless of how truancy or absenteeism is classified. Several studies suggest that chronic absences frequently lead to notable academic problems.
Parent/guardians are encouraged to call the school on the day of their child’s absence, but MUST send a written note requesting absences be considered excused upon returning to school. All written notes MUST be submitted to the school within five (5) days of the last absence.
Excused absences are typically those that have resulted from conditions beyond the control of the students or parents/guardians. The only excuses for absences that shall be deemed acceptable for consideration are:
Personal illness (if over three days, the school shall require a note from the doctor)
Personal court appearance (student)
Death in the family (mother, father, spouse, son, daughter, sister, brother, grandparent, aunt, uncle, nephew or niece)
Religious holidays regularly observed by the student
Extenuating circumstances as approved by the school administration
Fall Sports
We are excited to be able to offer Middle School Athletics again! We have missed our student athletes on the field!
Our athletic director is Mr. Dean Lee. If you have any questions regarding middle school athletics, please email him dlee3@rvaschools.net
This Fall we will offer the following sports:
Girls Basketball- Tryouts begin September 13, 2021. Coach: Michele Drayton and David Yavorsky.
Fall Soccer
Fall Outdoor Track
Cheerleading
Please be on the look-out for announcements and information regarding tryouts. All students must have a current VHSL physical to participate. (Form below)
Please Join!
Parent Teacher Association
We need you! The PTA is an integral partner in our successful school program. They generously provide us with funds and volunteers to support our educational efforts. Additionally, their input regarding our program is of great value to us. Please join them this year and support their work. Dues are $7.00. For more information, please contact our PTA president Mrs. Leigh-Emma Lion, alberthillpta@gmail.com