The Tiger Tea

Happy Sunday!

I hope to see all families at Back to School Night this Thursday, September 14th from 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity to meet your child's teachers and enjoy a Tiger family dinner!

Highlights from last week:

• NJHS Induction. Congratulations to all the newly inducted members of the National Junior Honor Society. We know you will do great things as you continue the legacy of Scholarship, Service, Leadership, Character, and Citizenship!

Every Tiger, Every Day!

National Suicide Prevention Week

National Suicide Prevention Week begins with World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) recognizes the entire month of September as National Suicide Prevention Month: a moment in time in which we rally the public to create awareness of this leading cause of death, and inspire more and more people to learn how they can play a role in their communities in helping to save lives. (Source AFSP website)

Risk Factors, Protective Factors, and Warning Signs (AFSP)

Talk Away the Dark: Prevention Resources (AFSP)

Student Wellness and Mental Health Support

• Students who need emergency mental health support should call the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority at (804) 819-4100 or the ChildSavers Immediate Response line at (804) 305-2420 (or send a text to 741741).
• Latinos in Virginia Empowerment Center provides education, advocacy, and support to Spanish-speaking individuals affected by violence. The 24/7 hotline in Spanish is (888) 969-1825.
• The Trauma Healing Response Network is a coalition of grassroots, community-based organizations and mental health partners that provide support services to families and communities impacted by gun violence. The network can also facilitate the distribution of emergency relief funds to help those in crisis. For more information, email traumahealingresponsenetwork@gmail.com.
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Are you in a crisis? Call or text 988 or text TALK to 741741
• AHMS Resources- Tigers Talk: QR Code and immediate access to AHMS guidance counselor. School Social Worker- Lori Miller (lmiller3@rvaschools.net); Guidance Counselors: Kanika Bonaparte-Moore (kbonaparte@rvaschools.net) and David Gustavson (dgustavs@rvaschools.net)

Our goal at Albert H. Hill middle school is to ensure that each student has at least 1 trusted adult in the building. Help us by asking your child who their trusted adult is and helping them select a trusted adult from their current and/or past teachers. The more trusted adults they have the better!

Chromebook Distribution

We will begin chromebook distribution to all students who have returned a chromebook device usage agreement form. Please note the updated fees for lost or damaged chromebooks, replacement of charges, and fees for not returning devices. This year google chat has been disabled for all students. We will work with students on how to use their email accounts to communicate with teachers.

VGA Testing

VGA testing begins this week. All parents should've received their Virginia Department of Education's parent portal instructions to access state test results. If you have not received that information, please contact Mr. David Gustavson (dgustavs@rvaschools.net), school counselor.

PTA Spirit Night- SAVE THE DATE

Save the Date for our first PTA spirit night of the 23-24 School Year on September 26th from 4:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. at &Pizza Willow Lawn location. &Pizza will donate 25% of sales to our school!

September 10-16

National Suicide Prevention Week

September 12

VGA Testing Reading 8

September 13

VGA Testing Reading 7

September 14

VGA Testing Reading 6

6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. Back to School Night

September 15

Hispanic Heritage Month Begins

September 18

NextUp After School Programming Begins

Girls Basketball Tryouts

September 19

VGA Testing Math 8

Girls Basketball Tryouts

Co-ed Soccer Tryouts

September 20

VGA Testing Math 7

Girls Basketball Tryouts

Co-ed Soccer Tryouts

September 21

VGA Testing Math 6

Co-ed Soccer Tryouts

September 23

Flex Bell Schedule: Element Meeting

September 25

RPS Closed- Yom Kippur

September 28

FCCLA State Fair Trip

4:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. Spirit Night &Pizza @ Willow Lawn

Please join our PTA. The cost is $7.00 per person. We are striving for 100% family participation. You can also encourage friends, neighbors, and extended family to join.

Our PTA supports monthly programming, helps to keep our school and grounds beautiful, supports families who experience hardships, supports our teachers through monthly displays of appreciation, sponsors students for school events, field trips, and materials, and ensures our teachers have everything they need in the classroom. Your membership and generous donations help to support all of these things and more!

There are several available positions on our 2023-2024 PTA Board. Help us continue to provide students and staff with experiences and resources needed to have a fun and memorable middle school experience. To find out more information or to volunteer for any of the roles above, please email alberthillpta@gmail.com with the name of the position you are interested in as the subject.

Show your Tiger Pride and Support the PTA by purchasing Albert Hill Merchandise!

Merchandise Link (Scroll down to access the Spiritwear order form.)

All students must have a current VHSL physical form dated after May 1, 2023 and signed by a physician before they can try out or participate in any athletic activities. Transportation is provided for in-zone students.

Our athletic director is Mr. Kyle Kimbrell. If you have any questions regarding middle school athletics, please email him kkimbrel@rvaschools.net

This Fall we will offer the following sports:

Cheerleading

Coaches: Tiana West (twest3@rvaschools.net); Charmaigne Lloyd (clloyd@rvaschools.net)

Girls Basketball

Girl’s Basketball Tryouts are 9/18, 9/19, & 9/20 after school from 3:30-4:45.

Coaches:

Head Coach: Mr. Brouder (gbrouder@rvaschools.net)

Assistant Coach: Ms. Gabbart (egabbert@rvaschools.net)

Fall Soccer (co-ed)

Fall Outdoor Track (co-ed)

NextUp RVA, our after school program provider will begin programming September 18th. Some of the after school programs offered last year include Cooking, Spin Academy (DJing), Hair Braiding, Chess, STEAMulate Laser Tag, Business of Art (Airbushing), Basketball, Empowered to Jump, and many more high quality program offerings. Block 1 of programming will be from 3:15 p.m.- 5:00 p.m. and Block 2 of programming will be from 5:00 p.m.- 6:30 p.m. Students will have the option to be dismissed at 5:00 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. Transportation is provided for in-zone students.

Virginia Credit Union is offering an opportunity for all Richmond Public School students to jumpstart their savings in 2023-2024. This new initiative, called RPS Saves, is designed to provide families with quality financial literacy programming to prepare all individuals for a brighter financial future. Parents can sign their student(s) up for a Virginia Credit Union Custodial Saving Account using this link. VACU will then cover the $5 membership and deposit $20 in the account to get their savings started!

Students 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.

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!

Core Belief: In order to facilitate an uninterrupted, distraction-free learning environment, all cell phones and electronic devices should be off and away unless teachers expressly permit their use for instruction.

• All classrooms will have signage indicating “Red, Yellow, or Green Zone”

• All classrooms will have a cell phone locker for students who are using cell phones during unauthorized times.

Every Tiger, Every Day! Every Day Counts! Thank you for helping us reduce our chronic absenteeism rate last year from 25% to 21%! Our goal this year is 15%. WE CAN DO IT!

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

Albert Hill is a Title 1 School. Our fantastic Title 1 coaches, Ms. Collier (Reading) and Ms. Newkirk (Math) are always available to answer your literacy and mathematics questions. We thank them for sharing information regarding our Title 1 status at Back to School Night Thursday, September 14, 2023.

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.

All students are eligible to receive a healthy breakfast and lunch at no charge each day of the school year. No further action is required of you. Your children will be able to participate in these meal programs without having to pay a fee or submit an application.

Food deliveries to students from meal delivery services are not permitted at any time during the school day or at after school activities due to safety and to minimize disruptions. Attempted deliveries will be confiscated and will remain in the main office until dismissal. Parents may bring food to students.

If you would like to stay abreast of all of the latest information. Please be sure to sign up to receive Remind messages from our school. You should've already been receiving Remind messages if your student is enrolled. If you are not, you have likely opted out of receiving Remind messages and must change your preferences.

Please also check out the school's website, weekly Tiger Tea (access through school website, social media accounts, or set preferences to receive via email), and follow all school and PTA social media accounts.

-TigerEye ParentLink on Instagram
-Albert Hill Middle PTA private Facebook group
-Albert Hill PTA Facebook account