The Tiger Tea
Hill Happenings 11/14- 11/18
Principal's Message
A huge thank you to the teachers and staff for all that they do. They kept our scholars calm and safe during the Tornado warning that required us to shelter in place. Thank you front office for sending the Remind messages and fielding the phone calls! Please take the time to show your scholar's teachers or any AHMS staff member gratitude! It costs nothing but means the world.
Scholars will begin interim testing this week in their core content classes. Scholars will be tested on information covered during the 1st nine weeks. Please encourage them to study, review test taking strategies, do their best, and get a good night's rest. It is imperative that students are present in school each day. Interim assessments help us to determine the progress of our scholars and adjust our practices to meet their needs.
Report cards will be sent home with scholars on Thursday, November 17th. If you have any questions, contact your scholar's teachers.
We are asking all scholars to wear Spirit Wear or Black and Orange, Tuesday, in support of our soccer team. At 6:00 p.m. they will face River City Middle School in the championship game at Huguenot High School. Both teams are undefeated. Let's root them on as they defend their title.
We hope to see our families Thursday for Math Night. Scholars will earn 25 Tiger Bucks for attending and be entered to win one of three $25 gift cards.
Highlights from last week!
- The girls basketball team put up a valiant effort against MLK in the first round of the Girls Basketball Tournament. Congratulations to all of our girls basketball team members on a wonderful season!
- The NextUp flag football team defeat Henderson and MLK in the NextUp flag football tournament. Congratulations to our The next game is Saturday 11/19 at the Lucille Brown Fields from 12pm-3pm.
- The soccer team defeat Lucille Brown 8-2 to advance to the Championship game against River City Middle School on Tuesday, November 15th, 6:00 p.m. at Huguenot High School.
Girls Basketball Team
NextUp Flag Football Team
Dates to Remember
November 14
Interim 1 Testing Window Begins
History PBA Testing Window 2
Cheerleading Tryouts Begin
Final Tryouts for Track Meet Events
November 15
Spirit Wear/Black and Orange
6:00 p.m. Championship Soccer Game: Albert Hill vs. River City @ Huguenot
November 16
1:30 p.m. Track Meet @ Huguenot High School
November 17
6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. Math Night
Report Cards Sent Home with Students
November 18
Fall Tiger Rally- Scholars must have 250 Tiger Bucks by COB, Wednesday, November 16th to be eligible to attend.
November 23- 25
RPS Closed: Thanksgiving Holiday
November 28
Fall Picture Retakes
December 8
PTA Board Meeting
December 9
Element Meeting: Flex Bell Schedule
December 12
Winter Spirit Week Begins
December 13
Winter Spirit Week Day 2
December 14
Winter Spirit Week Day 3
December 15
Winter Spirit Week Day 4
6:00 p.m.- 7:30 p.m. Winter Showcase
December 16
Winter Spirit Week Day 5
December 19- 23
Winter Break
Specialty School Applications
The application window for families to submit open enrollment, specialty school, and governor’s school applications for the 2023-24 school year is now open via the Enroll RPS Portal. Students may apply for:
- Any specialty school for which they are eligible (specialty schools include Franklin Military Academy, Open High School, Richmond Community High School, Governor’s STEM Academy at Richmond Technical Center, and the IB Diploma Programme at Thomas Jefferson High School (for rising 11th-grade students))
- Out-of-zone schools via the open enrollment lottery (maximum of three school choices)
- Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts (charter school) via a separate open enrollment lottery (if eligible)
- Appomattox Regional Governor’s School and/or Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School (the application for CodeRVA is managed separately by that school)
A few important notes:
- Families will have until 4:30 pm on December 1, 2022, to submit specialty and governor’s school applications, and until 4:30 pm on February 1, 2023, to submit open enrollment applications.
- We unfortunately cannot accept late applications for any reason. Please plan accordingly.
- As long as your application is submitted before the deadline, the timing of your submission will have no impact on the outcome.
- If you have additional questions, please email enrollrps@rvaschools.net.
Open House Dates
- CodeRVA - Tuesday, December 13th, 2022 at 6:00 PM In-Person
- Governor's Career and Technical Education Academy for STEM at Richmond Technical Center - Monday, November 14th, 2022 from 6:30 - 7:30 PM Virtual
- Richmond Community High School - Wednesday, November 16th, 2022 from 6:00-7:00 PM In-Person
- Open High School - Thursday, November 17th, 2022 from 6:00-7:00 PM Virtual
- Meeting ID: 837 7441 2078
- Passcode: 169434
- One tap mobile - +13126266799,,83774412078#,,,,*169434# US (Chicago) /+16469313860,,83774412078#,,,,*169434# US
- Franklin Military Academy - Monday, November 21st, 2022 from 5:00-6:00 PM - In Person
- Thomas Jefferson High School International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - Monday, November 21st, 2022 from 6:30 - 7:30 PM Virtual
Interview Preparation
NextUp RVA
Newtowne Tutoring @ Maggie L. Walker Governor's School
Newtowne Tutoring run by students at Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School. Newtowne offers free tutoring to elementary, middle, and high school students for any subject. This program takes place once a week after school on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5:30 pm until April. Tutoring is currently offered in-person at the Bluestone Lobby at Maggie Walker (1000 N Lombardy St). Students who participate can opt-in to wear masks according to personal comfort levels; tutors may or may not wear masks. Safety protocols such as sanitizing tables will be implemented.
Newtowne Tutoring is not directly affiliated with the Richmond Public Schools system. It is a program run by Maggie Walker. Newtowne Tutoring has been in operation for several years and is monitored by club sponsor, Ms. Hana Voight.
If you are interested, in signing up please fill out this Google Form below.
TIGERS T.A.L.K.: TAKING ACTION WITH LOVE AND KINDNESS
Scholars are encouraged to use the Tigers T.A.L.K. QR code if they need mental health support or if they would like to report instances of bullying or unkind acts anonymously. The QR code is monitored by one of our school counselors.
Fall and Winter Sports Updates
Our athletic director is Mr. Kyle Kimbrell. If you have any questions regarding middle school athletics, please email him kkimbrel@rvaschools.net
All scholars must have a VHSL Physical to tryout or participate in sports.
Fall Outdoor Track (co-ed)
Head Coach- Ms. West (twest@rvaschools.net)
Track Meet- November 16th
*Final tryouts for the track meet events are November 14.
Cheerleading
Head Coach: Ms. Lloyd (clloyd@rvaschools.net)
Assistant Coach: Ms. West (twest@rvaschools.net)
*If your scholar is interested in cheering for boys basketball. Tryouts will begin November 14. Information sessions will take place during each grade-level lunch on November 9.
Boys Basketball
Head Coach: Mr. Carlos Payne (carlospayne24@gmail.com)
Assistant Coach: TBD
*Tryouts are November 28-30 and December 1st.
TIGER P.R.I.D.E./ THE HILL WAY
Please help us encourage all of our scholars to learn and recite the Hill Way! Give scholars a pop-quiz!
P: Prepared- I will be in school on time ready to learn.
R: Respectful- I will conduct myself in a way that honors myself, my school, and my community.
I: Integrity- I will do the right thing and make positive choices.
D: Determination- I will not give up in the face of adversity. I am resilient.
E: Exceeding Expectations with Excellence- I will do my personal best everyday.
Every Tiger, Every Day!
SCHOOLWIDE TITLE 1 PROGRAM
Title I, Part A provides financial assistance through state educational agencies to school divisions and public schools with high numbers or percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic content and achievement standards.
School divisions target the Title I funds they receive to public schools with the highest percentages of children from low-income families. RPS Title I funded schools are school-wide programs that are designed to upgrade their entire educational programs for all students, particularly the lowest-achieving students.
Please view this schoolwide Title 1 Presentation to learn more! This information can also be found on our school website.
School Attendance
Every Tiger, Every Day! Every Day Counts!
School attendance is vital to scholar 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
CELL PHONE PROCEDURES FOR THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR
Scholars are asked to voluntarily accept the #distractionfreechallenge and turn in cell phones to a secured cell phone bin in each class. Scholars are rewarded for their participation and receive cell phones back at the end of each class. The RPS cell phone policy is referenced in the student and caregiver handbook and Student Code of Responsible Ethics. #offandaway #Tigersdistractionfree