The Tiger Tea

Muchas gracias! Merci beaucoup! Grazie infinite! Danke sehr! Muito obrigada! Bol’shoye spasiba! 感谢, Kiitos paljon!, Sas efharistó!, bahut dhun-yuh-vaad! What I am trying to say in many languages is Thank you! Thank you very much for your generous contributions to The Big Tiger Give. We raised over $8,000. It is because of your generosity and involvement that continue to allow Albert Hill to provide premier service to our scholar and families!

Registration for the Winter Session of NextUp opens today!

Highlights from last week!

• Congratulations to Ms. Grabbert, our 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year!
• Congratulations to our class and grade level Spelling Bee winners!
• Congratulations to our finals winners representing each grade level: Peter Carbonneau, Claire Lindbloom, Liam Richardson and Max Ketterlinus!
• The administrative team recognized our amazing teachers with an "Awesome to the Core" appreciation event.
• Kudos to Mrs. Leigh-Emma Lion, the PTA fundraiser chair, and Mrs. Becky Sirpis, PTA president, for their hard work and organization of the fundraiser.
• Mrs. Crapanzano's chorus class had a visit from The Thomas Jefferson High School chorus!

Lastly, because I'm late sending out the Tiger Tea and we have had our school-wide Spelling Bee....

Congratulations to Claire Lindbloom for winning the schoolwide Spelling Bee!

Tigers Serve! We are collecting non-perishable food items between November 16- December 16. The Winning Element earns 300 points! Let's go Tigers!

Thank you National Junior Honor Society for organizing this service opportunity!

December 5

1:45 p.m.- Spelling Bee Finals

December 8

PTA Board Meeting

December 9

Element Meeting: Flex Bell Schedule

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

6:00 p.m.- 7:30 p.m. Winter Showcase

December 16

Winter Spirit Week Day 5: Festive Friday- Ugly Sweater/Festive Holiday Clothing

December 19- 23

Winter Break

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.

Eighth grade scholars interested in interview prep for specialty schools should email or google chat Mr. Gustavson (dgustavs@rvaschools.net) to sign up.

Our fall session of NextUp will end on December 15th. The Winter Session will begin on January 2nd. Registration for the Winter Session opens December 5th. 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. Scholars will have the option to be dismissed at 5:00 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. Transportation is provided for in-zone students.

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.

https://tinyurl.com/Newtowne2022.

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.

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)

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!

Albert Hill is a Title 1 School. Our fantastic Title 1 coaches, Ms. Greenhill (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 22, 2022.

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.

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

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