The Tiger Tea

Highlights for the week:

• Two of our 8th grade students were recognized as honorable mentions in the Black History Month Essay Contest sponsored by Congressman McEachin! Kudos Reid Winters and Olive Roever.
• In Celebration of Read Across America week, Mr. Prest, our school librarian came around to classes on Friday with a selection of books that students were able to pick from and keep. Books were donated to the district for this purpose.
• Classes enjoyed the warm weather last week and utilized outdoor classroom spaces and the sidewalk around the building!
• The Flag Football and Tennis teams were rostered. Congratulations to all students who made the team!

Tiger Service Week kicks off this week. Students will be given the opportunity to complete small service projects for their teachers during the week.

We will begin two-way hallway movement this week. This is a change from our one-directional movement and designated up/down stairwells. Please encourage students to go directly to class using the most direct route. Students should walk to the right in the hallway and on stairwells.

March 7

Element Meetings

March 8

School Tornado Drill

March 9

8th Grade SOL Writing Test

March 10

8th Grade SOL Writing Test

March 12

10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. Tiger's Serve Community Service Projects

March 14

Interim Reports Distributed

Pi Day

March 18

Parent Teacher Conference

March 21

Spring Sports Pictures

Our school's goal is to provide students with an educational experience that inspires and motivates them to be lifelong learners and caring contributors to the world around them. We seek to establish Albert H. Hill Middle School as a leader in service work — developing students’ innate sense to give, serve, and support.

This year we are kicking off this vision with a day of service on March 12th from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. We are asking all of our students and families to join us at one of the following 3 events.

1. Byrd Park litter pick up with Keep Virginia Cozy

2. Albert Hill edible garden beautification with Fit 4 Kids

3. Charles S. Gilpin Community Garden cleanup with Community 50/50

Sign your student and/or family up here!

Please contact your child’s teacher via email or Remind, or call the school at 804-780-6107 if you wish to schedule a conference with your child’s teachers.

Conferences will take place on Friday, March 18, from 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. to make sure times are available for parents and guardians with varying schedules. Conferences will be in ten minute slots within these timeframes.

As always, if you are unavailable during any of the scheduled timeframes for conferences, and would like to conference with your child’s teachers, contact the teacher with your request. We appreciate your involvement in your child’s academic success, and look forward to the opportunity to discuss it with you.

Calling all tiger flag football players! The PTA is hosting a spring picnic on April 24th, 2022. During the day, we will be running a flag football tournament where students can represent their elements and compete in order to earn element points. Everyone is welcome, but must have their own transportation. Currently, the event will be held at the AHMS field. Each student will have the opportunity to fill out an interest form on Monday during their element meeting. Please speak with your student about their interest and your availability to join us. We look forward to a fun packed day!

Course offerings and the middle school program of studies is listed below. Course offerings are not guaranteed. The ability of the school to offer courses is dependent upon the budget and staffing. Not all courses may be offered at Albert Hill for the 2022-2023 school year. Students may have the ability to take other options virtually, in addition to their full in-school schedule. All questions regarding course selection, offerings, and scheduling should be directed to Mr. G (dgustavs@rvaschools.net)

Schoollinks FAQ

• What is Schoolinks?

Schoolinks is a modern College and Career Readiness Platform that your district partnered with to help you for life after high school. The platform offers more than 80 experiences such as career interest inventory assessments, college and career search, internship matching, portfolio, and more.

• Logging in

You can launch Schoolinks from your Clever Portal. Or GO to: https//apps.schoolinks.com/ and use the login with Clever Option.

• Take swipeable surveys and quizzes!

• Go to personalized plan and select your courses for the 2022-2023 school year.

Oliver Hill Day

The Oliver Hill Day celebration will take place on Friday, April 29th at 3:00 pm at the Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Relations courthouse. This year the committee is partnering with Richmond Public Schools for their annual art competition. Students are encouraged to complete a project on Oliver Hill. Those students who complete a project on Oliver Hill will be recognized and have an opportunity to win a cash prize at the Oliver Hill Day celebration. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place cash awards to the middle schoolers and high schoolers will be given. Cash prizes are as follows: First place will receive $100; second place will receive $50 and third place will receive $25. The students’ projects will be judged using the rubric created by Richmond Public Schools to judge History Fair submissions.

Please reach out to Steven Forbes (sforbes@moranreevesconn.com) with any questions.

Exceptional Education-Family Engagement Collaborative Conversations – The Office of Exceptional Education will be hosting a series of virtual Family Engagement Collaborative Conversation Sessions. Please share this information with your families and school community and encourage them to join us!
March 31, 2022 (Post-Secondary Transition Planning: Life After High School) 1:00-2:00pm Google Meet
April 28, 2022 (Pathways to Graduation) 1:00-2:00 pm Google Meet
May 26, 2022 (Assistive Technology Considerations in Special Education) 1:00-2:00 Google Meet

Battle of the Bands! – S Cubed Productions, LLC is hosting with Virginia Union University the Battle of the Bands RVA on April 9. Admission is free and we are asking for your support in sharing this information with RPS schools so they can come with their marching bands to showcase their talent to the community. FREE Band Registration can be found here. The community can register for their FREE tickets or souvenir tickets on eventbrite.

Albert Hill is reviving its annual Spring Yard Sale fundraiser and is asking for help from the school community and its neighbors to provide the items for sale. The yard sale will take place on May 14th on the Albert Hill campus, and all proceeds will directly benefit the Albert Hill PTA. For complete information, please visit www.alberthillyardsale.com

The Albert Hill PTA will gratefully accept donations every Wednesday through April from 5-6pm and occasional Saturdays (see website) from 10-11am at the front of Albert Hill Middle School (3400 Patterson Ave). Receipt of donations made will be provided to the donor for tax purposes. If you would like to arrange for a different drop off time or you would like to request that someone pick up your item(s), please contact Becky Sirpis at alberthillyardsale@gmail.com.

All items must be operational and in good condition and should fall under one of the following categories:

Home goods - furniture, dishes, decor, small appliances, electronics, etc.

Outdoor items - landscaping items, holiday decorations, outdoor furniture, etc.

Sporting goods - bikes, yard games, hiking/camping gear, etc.

Baby/Children’s items - strollers, high chairs, etc.

Toys/Puzzles/Games - all parts and pieces must be included; no stuffed animals, please

Accessories

Art

Jewelry

Luggage

Tools

Musical Instruments

We will not be accepting clothing for this yard sale. Other items that will not be accepted can be found on the “no thank you” list on the website. If you have an item you would like to donate but it does not fit into one of the categories above or you have any questions about this sale, please reach out to alberthillyardsale@gmail.com.

Anyone can donate items, so please spread the word! And mark your calendar to attend the yard sale on May 14th!

Spring sports are here! All students must have a VHSL physical on file prior to tryouts. If your student would like to participate and you need transportation or financial assistance getting a physical, please email Mrs. Ivy at tmayo@rvaschools.net. Please contact the coach listed for more information or the athletic coordinator, Mr. Dean Lee (dlee3@rvaschools.net)

Spring- Coaches and Tryouts

Tennis (Coed) - Tryouts were held last week. All students are welcome to participate in tennis for the whole season whether or not they make the team. Please email Mr. Yavorsky with any questions.

Coach- Mr. Yavorsky (dyavorsk@rvaschools.net)

Flag Football (Coed)- Tryouts were held last week. Please email Mr. Kimbrell with any questions.

Coach- Mr. Kimbrell (kkimbrel@rvaschools.net)

Softball April 13, 2022

Coach- TBD

Outdoor Track: TBD

Coach- Ms. West (twest3@rvaschools.net)

Track Schedule- TBD

Each day, prior to leaving home, parents should ask students/students should ask themselves the following questions:

1. Have you experienced any of the following symptoms in the past 48 hours?

• fever (100.4 degrees or higher) accompanied by chills

• persistent cough

• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing not contributed to underlying health issues

• fatigue, muscle or body aches not contributed to underlying health issues

• new loss of taste or smell

• sore throat

• congestion or runny nose

• nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

3. Are you isolating because you have tested positive for COVID-19 or are waiting on COVID-19 test results?

If a student answers yes to any of the questions, they should stay home from work/school that day, monitor their symptoms, and contact a medical professional, as appropriate. Parents should notify the principal at tmayo@rvaschools.net and provide any supporting documentation available. Mrs. Ivy will then notify the nurse to begin contact tracing and staff members to provide student work via google classroom. Students may be marked present if they complete assignments through Google Classroom while Quarantined.

Students that present with COVID-like symptoms during the day will be evaluated by the school nurse and, in most cases, sent home and families will be advised to seek testing and or further medical evaluation. School nurses will use the When Should a Child Stay Home From School and/or Child Care?guide provided by the VDH for up-to-date guidance.

*All students received a thermometer in their PPE kits distributed on the first day of school.

Please complete the lost or stolen chromebook form linked for reporting lost or stolen chromebooks or hotspots.

Internet:

If you do not have internet and are in need of a hotspot, please contact Mr. Jacobs (cjacobs@rvaschools.net).

Please help us reinforce schoolwide expectations

• Be Kind- If you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all.
• Masks- If worn, masks should be covering the mouth and nose.
• Following Directions: Follow directions the first time asked.
• Cell Phones- Off and away during the school day. Cell phones should not be visible to teachers and staff throughout the day.
• Hats and Hoods should be off during the school day.

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!

Every Tiger, Every Day! Every Day Counts!

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

Under Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, schools that receive Title I funds are expected to collaborate with families to develop and maintain a parent and family engagement policy that describes the school’s approach to involve families in students’ learning.

Albert Hill Parent and Family Engagement Policy