The Star News

As we settle into the second semester of the 2023-2024 school year, we have so much to celebrate! Our students continue to excel both inside and outside of the classroom. From spelling bees to science fairs and from athletics to the arts, our students are making their mark.

We're also embracing important moments of recognition and reflection, having honored Black History Month, celebrated the 100th day of school, and showing appreciation for our dedicated school resource officers on SRO Appreciation Day in February. We kicked off March with Read Across America Week, where we celebrated the importance of authentic literacy.

Spring means we are already looking ahead to the 2024-2025 school year. We want to remind families that preschool applications and kindergarten registration forms are now open for the next school year, as is RCPS+ summer registration.

There's a vibrant energy in our schools, and this newsletter is full of updates and achievements that we are excited to share with our RCPS community. Thank you for your continued support of Roanoke City Public Schools. As always, we welcome your thoughts, questions, or suggestions by emailing info@rcps.info.

RCPS Family,

As you can see in this newsletter, and as you have hopefully heard from your students, we have had a busy winter! We are moving forward, staying focused, and working together to improve outcomes for our students. Our students are engaged in high-quality instruction, with a focus on reading, writing, and discussion in every class, every day.

We cannot have teaching and learning, though, without first ensuring our schools are as safe as possible. The safety and security of our students and staff is our top priority, and I want to again thank our students, families, and staff for pulling together last month when we experienced several threats. You said something you when saw and heard something, which allowed the Roanoke Police Department to immediately respond and arrest those involved. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners, follow our threat assessment process, and do what we have always done to keep our students, staff, and schools as safe as possible.

I also want to take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate our School Resource Officers (SROs). It was SRO Appreciation Day last month, and our schools celebrated the invaluable role our partners at the Roanoke City Sheriff's Office and Roanoke Police Department play in ensuring the safety and well-being of our school community. Their partnership in fostering positive relationships with our students contributes to a supportive learning environment where every student can thrive.

Keeping our students safe doesn't end when the school year ends. We offer many summer programming opportunities to keep our students engaged and connected. I am thrilled to share that a new program, Community Builders, will begin this summer, pending the governor's signature. House Bill 626, which we have championed in partnership with Del. Sam Rasoul and Petersburg City Public Schools, has been passed by the General Assembly. It will create a pilot program, Community Builders, designed to address the root causes of youth gun violence and promote positive youth development. Through collaborative efforts with community partners, business leaders, and legislators, we will provide our rising 8th graders with positive experiences, including summer and after-school programming focused on workforce development, academic support, and social-emotional growth.

Community Builders is an extension of our existing Staying Safe by Staying Connected programming, and we are excited to continue these programs this spring and summer. Our annual RCPS Works Student Job Fair and Transition Fair will be held on Thursday, April 4 from 3 to 6:30 p.m. RCPS+ registration is also now open, and we will be sharing more information soon about new workforce boot camps in partnership with Virginia Western Community College and our annual athletic and fine arts summer camps!

We have much to look forward to in 2024, and I encourage you to stay connected to your student's school so you can remain engaged. Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

Sincerely,

Dr. Verletta White
Superintendent

RCPS' annual Student Job Fair and Transition Services Fair will be held from 3 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 4 at The Berglund Center. This is an opportunity for high school students to connect with more than 80+ local employers for summer jobs as well as longer-term employment opportunities. There will also be transition resources available for students with disabilities. Learn more and register.

As you may be aware, Virginia will experience a partial solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, which will occur between 2 and 4:30 p.m. Due to the timing of the eclipse and for student safety, schools will dismiss 2 hours early on Monday, April 8, so dismissal will take place before the eclipse begins.

As a reminder, do not look directly at the sun during an eclipse as it can seriously damage the eyes. Ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, or homemade filters are not safe for looking at the sun. More information on the solar eclipse, including important safety reminders, will be available on the RCPS website when we return from Spring Break.

We are excited to officially celebrate the opening of the Charles W. Day Technical Education Center (DAYTEC) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 12 at 3605 Ferncliff Ave. NW. The event will include remarks by school division and city leaders, an open house, and tours.

The Career & Technical Education (CTE) Foundation's annual CTE Extravaganza will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 23 at the Charles W. Day Technical Education Center. 100% of funds raised benefit students enrolled in CTE courses! Sponsors and ticketholders will be able to attend Extravaganza, which will include a scholarship presentation and open house. Visit the Extravaganza webpage to learn more and buy tickets.

Our students’ mental health, physical health, and well-being is a priority for the Student Services team and throughout RCPS. We regularly review our layers of support for our students and families. In addition to our in-school staff champions who provide care on the front lines every day (such as our school nurses, school counselors, school social workers, psychologists, teachers and administrators), we are working to improve the health and well-being of our students through our new partnership with Hazel Health. Through this partnership we are addressing all students' access to healthcare.

Hazel Health was founded in 2015 to build a new model of care that meets the needs of every family and child, both at home and while in school. Hazel partners with school divisions and families to provide mental and physical health services to K-12 students where they are—at school or home. At no cost, and regardless of insurance status, Hazel’s providers can help with everything from allergies and stomach aches to anxiety and depression. Our students can receive this care when they need it, without long wait times.

Hazel’s mental health services include therapists who specialize in helping children and teens understand and cope with what they’re feeling. This partnership began in November, and in January, we also began offering physical health services through telehealth visits. Hazel doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants combine medical expertise with a compassionate, child-centered approach.

Parents/guardians must fill out a consent form for students to receive services. We encourage parents/guardians to submit a consent form today, so students are ready to receive services as soon as they need them! Learn more and sign up: my.hazel.co/rcps.

Have a question about Mindfulness?

Laurie Seidel, Coordinator of Mindfulness Education
P: (540) 853-1726 | E: lseidel@rcps.info

Visit our website!

Literacy Resources

One of RCPS' goals is for all students to read at or above grade level by the end of 3rd grade. We want to empower all students to be lifelong learners equipped with the literacy skills needed to make meaning from text. Parents/guardians play an important role in supporting students' academic success.

The Elementary Literacy and Community Engagement teams have worked together to create a new Literacy Resources webpage designed to support literacy development at home. Learn about your students' curriculum, download tips and activities, and stay connected with community events.

College-bound seniors, fill out the FAFSA today!

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is open for seniors who plan to attend college next fall. Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as some aid is on a first come, first serve basis. This year's application has been updated to make it easier to apply, and more students now qualify for aid. The deadline to apply is June 30.

Not sure if you qualify? It's a good idea to apply even if you aren’t sure. You do not have to wait for an acceptance letter to apply for financial aid. Students only have to pay back financial aid if it is in the form of a loan.

Have a question about PTA or Family & Community Engagement?

Corey Allder, Director of Community Engagement

P: (540) 853-1359 | E: callder@rcps.info

Visit our Website!

• If you aren’t receiving robocalls, your phone number may be deactivated or incorrect in the RCPS mass notification system. Please contact your child’s school to ensure you continue receiving these important messages. In addition, if you have moved, make sure to provide your new address to the school as well.
  

• Need help resolving an issue that impacts student learning, the school-work environment, or understanding how RCPS works and where to go for assistance? The RCPS Constituent Services Office may be able to help! Click here for more information.

• Are you looking for a job that allows you to be on the same schedule as your child? Apply to become an Instructional Assistant, School Security Officer, Bus Driver, Bus Aide, or Food Service Worker! Other part-time and full-time positions are also available. Visit our website to learn more.

• Your child's school is a great source of information. They always welcome you to contact them directly with questions. Visit rcps.info/schools for school contact information.
• Missed an edition of The Star News? Access previous issues here!

Roanoke City Public Schools serves approximately 14,000 students in grades pre-K through 12. RCPS provides an inclusive and equitable, student-centered culture that empowers lifelong learning. Through meaningful, relevant, and engaging learning opportunities, RCPS will empower all students to dream, excel, and meet their full potential to benefit our city and its citizens.