The Tiger Tea
Hill Happenings 12/12- 12/16
Principal's Message
We hope all scholars will join us in our winter holiday week schedule. Please see flyer below!
Encourage your scholars to participate in our two service opportunities. Our Tigers Serve event is Tuesday, December 13th. Transportation is provided for in-zone students. Our Holiday Canned Food Drive ends Friday, December 16th. We are asking all of our scholars to have at least 10 hours of community service this school year.
Come out and enjoy the sounds of the Albert Hill Music Department in the Winter Showcase Thursday, December 15th. Dinner begins at 6:00 p.m.
Let's have a fantastic last week of school in 2022! I wish all who celebrate a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year! Happy Holidays!
Highlights from last week!
- Congratulations to our scholars who have their artwork selected for display at Art Works for the month of December! Benjamin Barton, Javell Brown, Bella Brownlee, Haley Burton, Esmee Campbell, To'mela Cooper, Carmen Recinos, Virginia Willard, Ashiya Mitchell, Nicole Mitchell, LaMaree Shelton, Ruth Wagaman-Eure, Cocoa Cole-Cheatham, Dylan Levy-Lavelle, Heidi Pierce, Margot Nunnally, Fotini Tzavellas, and Nolan Pruett!
- Congratulations to our Boys Basketball team on their season opener 37-14 win against Franklin Military Academy!
- Scholars enjoyed Element Meeting Friday! Earth, Fire, Water, and Air Tigers Rock!
- We recognized our Principal's List and A/B Scholar Roll Scholars. They enjoyed their ice cream sandwiches!
- We recognized our scholars with Perfect Attendance for the 1st Quarter! They enjoyed their popcorn!
- A huge thank you to our AMAZING PTA for providing pizza lunch for our staff on Friday!
Holiday Canned Food Drive
Thank you National Junior Honor Society for organizing this service opportunity!
Dates to Remember
December 12
Winter Spirit Week Day 1: Merry Morning Monday- Holiday Pajamas
4:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m. NextUp Winter Showcase
December 13
Winter Spirit Week Day 2: Toy Shop Tuesday- Dress as Santa, Reindeer, Elves, Tree, Presents, etc.
3:30 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. Tigers Serve
December 14
Winter Spirit Week Day 3: Winter Wonderland Wednesday- Dress in Blue or White
December 15
Winter Spirit Week Day 4: Twinkle Toes Thursday- Wear Your Holiday Socks and Lights
Boys Basketball Game: Albert Hill vs MLK @ Albert Hill
6:00 p.m.- 7:30 p.m. Winter Showcase
December 16
Winter Spirit Week Day 5: Festive Friday- Ugly Sweater/Festive Holiday Clothing
7th Grade Holiday Tiger Incentive- 4th Block
Canned Food Drive Ends
December 19- 30
Winter Break
January 2
1st Day Back from Winter Break- Help us get 100% scholar attendance on our 1st Day Back!
January 5
Boys Basketball Game: Albert Hill vs Binford @ Binford
January 6
Flex Bell Schedule- Element Meeting
January 9
Boys Basketball Game: Albert Hill vs Boushall @ Boushall
January 10
Mock Writing Test- 8th Grade
January 12
PTA Meeting
Boys Basketball Game: Albert Hill vs Brown @ Albert Hill
January 16
RPS Closed: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 17
Interim 2 Window Opens
VGA Testing Window Opens- ELA
January 19
International Night
Boys Basketball Game: Albert Hill vs Henderson@ Henderson
January 20
Flex Bell Schedule- Element Meeting
January 23
VGA Testing Window Opens- Math
January 26
Boys Basketball Game: Albert Hill vs Franklin @ Franklin
January 27
Half Day
End of 2nd Quarter/ 1st Semester
January 30
History PBA 3 Begins
Boys Basketball Tournament Round 1- TBA
Open Enrollment
The application window for families to submit open enrollment applications for the 2023-24 school year is open via the Enroll RPS Portal. Students may apply for:
- 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)
- CodeRVA is managed separately by that school (2023-2024 Online application Window opens January 2, 2023 and closes February 17, 2023. CodeRVA will have an open house December 13, 2023 at CodeRVA and virtually. Please see the CodeRVA website for more information.
A few important notes:
- Families will have 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.
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.
Cheerleading
Head Coach: Ms. Lloyd (clloyd@rvaschools.net)
Assistant Coach: Ms. West (twest@rvaschools.net)
Boys Basketball
Head Coach: Mr. Carlos Payne (carlospayne24@gmail.com)
Assistant Coach: TBD
First Home Game: December 15th ($1 for students; $2 for parents)
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