Dec. 2022
RCPS Division Newsletter
Panther Bands
It's been a busy holiday season for our Panther Bands. On December 4th, the RCHS Marching Band participated in the Christmas in Little Washington parade. The following Thursday, December 8th, the students, under the direction of Ms. Kalia Page, presented a Holiday Extravaganza, which featured the RCES 6th and 7th Grade Band, Percussion Ensemble, RCHS Jazz Band, RCHS Concert Band, and the new A Cappella Choir! Additionally, the band performed for the elementary school on December 14th. The younger students showed their excitement by loudly clapping and cheering throughout the concert.
Photos by Marcus Gallardo
Holiday Spirit Week at RCES
RCES students and staff showed off their holiday spirit during the book-themed spirit week!
FFA Spreads Holiday Cheer by Helping Families in Need
RCHS FFA, under the guidance of Adviser Michele Fincham, are spreading holiday cheer in a big way this season. Their annual Adopt-a-family program is sponsoring 48 kids this Christmas! Thanks to the generosity of donations from the community, the club has been busy shopping and wrapping gifts to ensure everyone has a magical Christmas.
Additionally, FFA has taken on a joint project with the Benevolent Fund to supply families in need with firewood to provide heat during the cold winter months. The students have been hard at work cutting trees and splitting wood to deliver to those that would benefit from an additional heat source. To read more about FFA's community outreach, CLICK HERE to view a recent article from the Rappahannock News.
Photo courtesy of the Rappahannock News
Stockdale Named RCPS Teacher of the Year
Congratulations to our RCPS Teacher of the Year, Mr. Tim Stockdale! After careful consideration using the criteria of the Mary V. Bicouvaris Teacher of the Year Program, Tim was selected for demonstrating expertise in the field, a high level of collaboration with colleagues, students, and families to cultivate a culture of respect and success, creating a deliberate connection between the classroom and key stakeholders to foster a strong community, demonstrating leadership and innovation in and outside of the classroom walls that embody lifelong learning, and a self-expression that is engaging and articulate. Congratulations, Tim, for being selected for this award and for earning the chance to compete at the state level.
Pictured: Our Teacher of the Year showed off his school spirit on a recent trip to NYC.
Congratulations Veterinary Science Students!
Congratulations to our Veterinary Science students for becoming American Allied Health Certified Veterinary Assistants and Pet Emergency CPR/FIRST AIDE Certified!!
Photo by Dani Pond
Giving Back to the Community
Just before Thanksgiving, RCHS students from the National Honor Society, and Ms. Drewlo's and Mr. Dwyer's 2nd block classes, volunteered at the Rappahannock Food Pantry by assisting with the special Thanksgiving food drive. The students and several community volunteers helped distribute turkeys, veggies, desserts, and more to provide bountiful meals to local families.
Native American History Month
RCPS celebrated Native American History Month during the month of November. On November 21st, students in grades PreK- 4th enjoyed a special presentation by Ms. Nicole Clark. The young students learned about Native American culture, tradition, and food. Additionally, Ms. Clark, showed the young audience several Native American items that belonged to her family, which included moccasins, blankets, and a wedding vase.
The following day, RCHS students attended an engaging assembly featuring Mr. Jerry Fortune, Elder Councilman from the Rappahannock Indian Tribe. Mr. Fortune explained life growing up an an American Indian in segregated schools, topics of interest from students in students including food, Thanksgiving celebrations, mascots, and traditions. Both presentations were made possible by the generosity of the Headwaters Foundation in collaboration with the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Team.
On November 29th, students in grades 6th- 12th attended a special presentation by Mr. Geoffrey O'Gara, a documentarian and director of "Home from School: The Children of Carlisle." After sharing a short clip from the film, Mr. O'Gara spoke about what he had learned through in-depth research and interviews with members of the Arapaho tribe. Additionally, students had the opportunity to ask the director multiple questions about the Native American students.
The Native American History Month celebrations concluded with a division-wide fry bread taste test. Students at both schools enjoyed trying the tasty Native American food. This activity was a collaboration between Commit to Be Fit and the JEDI Team.
Reminders
RCPS Families- As a friendly reminder, Friday, December 16th, is an early release day for students (12:00 pm). Our winter break for students will be through Tuesday, January 3rd. We look forward to welcoming students back for the 2nd semester on Wednesday, January 4th. We wish you all a happy holiday!
Helpful Information
Fit Kids Clinic
Valley Health and Rappahannock County Public Schools have partnered together to bring video telehealth into our schools. If your child gets sick at school, it's not always easy to leave work. Telehealth makes it easier. With your consent, a nurse will use video telehealth technology to connect your child with a provider at Valley Health. In most cases, your child can be diagnosed without leaving school or you having to leave work. Conditions treated include: asthma, allergies, cough, colds, flu, ear aches, sore throats, fever, headaches, head lice, pink eye, and skin irritations. The nurse will be onsite in the elementary school clinic each weekday from 8 am- 3:30 am when school is in session.
Be sure to check out our video to learn more about our Fit Kids Clinic! This video (and more) can be found on our Parent U page.
For more information and to enroll, visit www.valleyhealthlink.com/schools. Please note, registration does not obligate you to use the service.
Mental Health & Wellness Resources
To view the list of helpful mental health and wellness resources for students and families, CLICK HERE.
Free Or Reduced Meals for Students
Children need healthy meals to learn. Rappahannock County Public Schools offers daily healthy meals that meet the standards established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Your child(ren) may be eligible for free meals or reduced-price meals if your household income is within the limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines. To view the eligibility chart and learn more, CLICK HERE.
To apply, visit our SCHOOL NUTRITION page and select from either an online application or paper application.
Connect With Us
Website: www.rappahannockschools.us
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rappahannockcountypublicschools
Instagram: www.instagram.com/_rcps_