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The Star News

A Monthly Newsletter for RCPS Families: December 2021

The Star News A Monthly Newsletter for RCPS Families: December 2021

Welcome to the December issue of The Star News! As we close out the first semester of the 2021-2022 School Year, we want to thank our students for showing up to school every day ready to learn. To our teachers and staff, thank you for your hard work and dedication to our students. And thank you to our families and the Roanoke community for your engagement and support of Roanoke City Public Schools.


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


We hope you have a restful Winter Break, and we will see you in 2022!

Reminder: Winter Break
Friday, December 17 is an On-Demand (Asynchronous) Learning Day. Schools will be closed from December 20 to 31 for Winter Break. Students and staff will return on Monday, January 3. Enjoy your time off! Click the button to access RCPS' full calendar.

ROTEC Students Continue Annual Food Drive

One small act can turn into a movement, and ROTEC students continue to carry the torch of helping their neighbors through an annual Thanksgiving food drive. Click here to read the full story.

Breakfast with Santa Raises More Than $11K

The annual Breakfast with Santa fundraiser raised approximately $11,280 for the Help the Homeless Fund, which supports RCPS students experiencing homelessness. Click here to read the full story.

School Board Recaps

The new RCPS Newsroom features recaps of School Board meetings so families can stay connected. Click here to read the December 14 recap, and bookmark rcps.info/news for future stories!

Superintendent's Corner

Portrait of Superintendent White

RCPS Family,


As we prepare for Winter Break, I want to wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season and happy New Year. While the holidays can be a joyous time, it can also be a difficult time for many, and I want to be sure you are aware of the resources available to you and your family during Winter Break. Under Quick Links on the RCPS website, we have placed Resources for Parents and Guardians should you need assistance. Additionally, immediate support is available by calling Carilion CONNECT at (540) 981.8181.


As I reflect on the first semester, I am so proud of our students and staff for their hard work and dedication, and we are looking forward to welcoming everyone back in January. I know the second semester will be just as successful as the first. Students, keep working hard to achieve your goals. Even if the first semester didn’t go quite as planned, there is plenty of time to stay the course and make it a successful school year.


To our parents, guardians, and friends, thank you for your continued support of Roanoke City Public Schools. I appreciate your engagement with your school community and hope you continue your involvement through the second semester. Together, We Are One! #RCPSProud


I hope everyone has a restful break filled with peace and joy.


Sincerely,
Verletta B. White
Superintendent

Save the Date

Return to School from Winter Break

Students and staff will return to school on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. Click here for the full RCPS calendar.

School Highlights

We received these photos from teachers and principals over the past month. This month we highlight Highland Park, Lincoln Terrace, and ROTEC. We will feature new schools each month!

Highland Park

Highland Park brought learning to life with a recent visit from a petting zoo. Kindergarten and first grade students are studying animals this quarter during reading class, so this visit connected curriculum to everyday life!

Lincoln Terrace

Lincoln Terrace fifth graders have recently been studying phases of matter. What better way to see all phases at one time than root beer and orange cream floats? This tasty treat showed how one phase can change to another.

ROTEC

ROTEC's carpentry students have been busy in their workshop helping Santa decorate ROTEC for the holiday season ahead. They did a great job creating these items out of wood and painting them to look real.

Parent & Community Engagement

Portrait of Mr. Frazier

Last month you met Mr. Frazier, Coordinator of Parent and Community Engagement. This month, he wants to make sure you are aware of a new partnership with the YMCA.


The YMCA Express at Gainsboro has partnered with Roanoke City Public Schools to pilot an after-school program designed to build foundational skills and competencies for middle school students. Additionally, the Kirk Family YMCA is currently offering afterschool child care for ages 5 to 12. Additional information is available at your school. You can also call the Kirk Family YMCA for more information at (540) 342.9622.


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

Twitter: @AnthonyFrazier

New & Noteworthy

  • Have you seen the new "RCPS Newsroom" on the division’s website? Here you will find 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.

Reminders

  • If your child experiences COVID-19 symptoms, please keep them home and call your school nurse. Do not return to school without a return date from the school nurse. 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!
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Logo of Roanoke City Public Schools

Roanoke City Public Schools

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

Roanoke City Public Schools
Strong Students. Strong Schools. Strong City.