The Peanut Gazette

Happy Sunday!

This month is National Bullying Prevention Month! Wednesday, October 21, 2026 is Orange Shirt Day: National Unity Day. We are asking all staff and students to wear orange to show unity.

This week we begin the Marcos Reading Challenge. Students will work toward 804 total points by reading and completing activities that help them explore, connect, share, and create. Each student will receive a Reading Challenge Passport to track their progress. Families can help by encouraging students to read regularly, complete activities, and keep their passport updated throughout the challenge. The challenge will run through the Friday before Thanksgiving. Be on the lookout for your student’s passport and more information coming home this week. We can’t wait to see our students reading, creating, and working toward 804!

We are planning a trunk or treat event for our students Thursday, October 29th. We are in need of volunteers to decorate their trunks and provide candy for students. The event will be held from 5:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. Please sign up using the sign-up genius if you are able to help.

The Thanksgiving Luncheon will be held on Tuesday, November 17th! Adult meals are $6.50 and advance reservations must be made online using the QR code on the flyer October 5–29, 2026. If you would like to eat lunch with your student on November 17th, please register!

Please note: Payments will not be accepted at the door on the day of the luncheon. Payments will not be accepted after October 29th. All reservations must be completed in advance.

Selective Admission and Open Enrollment are currently underway, and we’re here to support students and families in completing their applications.

Join us at one of the support events below from 5-6:30 p.m. for in-person assistance.

• October 21: River City MS (6300 Hull Street Rd)

• October 29: A.V. Norrell (2120 Fendall Ave)

• November 11: River City MS (6300 Hull Street Rd)

Selective Admission Schools — The deadline to apply is December 4, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.

• Appomattox Regional Governor’s School

  Grade: 9

• CodeRVA Regional High School

  For information and application details, visit coderva.org

• Franklin Military Academy

  Grades: 6 and 9 only

  Current FMA 8th graders who want to continue attending FMA for 9th grade must apply.

• IB Diploma Programme at Thomas Jefferson High School

  Grade: 11

• Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School

  Grade: 9

• Open High School

  Grades: 9–10

• Passion4Learning — CREATE at Richmond High School for the Arts NEW

  Grade: 9

• Richmond Community High School

  Grades: 9–10

Open Enrollment — The deadline to apply is January 31, 2027, at 4:30 p.m.

• Richmond Career Education and Employment Academy (RCEEA) is a public charter school and an Open Enrollment option for students ages 14–22 with disabilities who are pursuing an Applied Studies Diploma. Transportation is provided. For more information, including upcoming Open House dates, please contact Principal Maurice Burton at (804) 230-7763 or by email at mburton2@rvaschools.net.

If you are interested in volunteering at Carver or serving as a field trip chaperone, you must complete the RPS Volunteer Process. Please complete the process early to ensure you are able to volunteer and serve as a chaperone when the opportunity arises.

Get Started

Please follow these three steps to get started:

1. Review our RPS Volunteer Handbook: Please read our handbook for important information on our application process, guidelines, and volunteer roles.

• RPS & CIS Volunteer Handbook

2. Submit an Application: Complete our online application via Raptor.

• English Application Link

• Spanish Application Link

3. Attend Orientation: You can register for an upcoming orientation here. (Please review our RPS Volunteer Handbook, as not all Volunteer roles require orientation.)

Further instructions will be given as these steps are completed. For more information, please visit our RPS Volunteer website page.

If you have any questions about the process or specific roles, please feel free to reach out to our team at RPS Volunteers.

Fit4Kids Learning Garden Lessons

Fit4Kids garden educators lead 30 minute lessons aligned to SOL standards. Students get to try plant based recipes during lessons. All students should have a tasting permission slip on file if they would like to participate in the tastings. Teachers are present in the garden with their class.

Dentist Visits

The dental clinic is coming to Carver, October 13th and 14th. If you are interested in your child receiving a visit, please register https://www.myschooldentist.com/Default.aspx. There is no cost for children covered by Medicaid. See additional information below.

Morning Arrival

Doors open at 8:00 a.m. Students should arrive to school by 8:15 a.m. Students who arrive after 8:30 a.m. are considered tardy and must enter the building with a parent.

Transportation Changes and Early Dismissal

All transportation changes must be made daily by 2:15 p.m.

Early Dismissal ends at 2:45 p.m.

Student Dismissal Google Form

Please complete the attached google form to let us know how your child will get home in the afternoon.

Car Riders

• Every family receiving car rider dismissal is assigned a unique family number (e.g., 101, 102, 103).

• Numbers must be picked up from the main office. Parents/Caregivers must display a photo ID and be authorized to pick up the student in PowerSchool. A maximum of 2 numbers will be allowed per family.

Car Rider Parent Procedures

1. Enter the car rider line in front of the building on W. Leigh Street. Pull as close to the curb as possible.

2. Display your numbered placard on the right side of your dashboard. Keep it clearly visible until your student is safely loaded in the vehicle.

3. You MUST remain in your vehicle. If you need to exit your vehicle, you must leave the Car Rider line, park on the side of the building, and enter through Door 1 (Main Entrance).

Walk-Up Pick-Up

• Families desiring walk-up dismissal are assigned a unique family number (e.g., 101, 102, 103) on a yellow card.

• Numbers must be picked up from the main office. Parents/Caregivers must display a photo ID and be authorized to pick up the student in PowerSchool. A maximum of 2 numbers will be allowed per family.

Walk up Pick Up Procedures

1. Join the line on the side of the building at Door 2 (N. Harrison Street).

2. Walk up to Door 2, where a staff member will greet you and verify that your numbered card matches the number on your student’s backpack tag.

3. If you do not have your numbered card, you MUST go inside the building and present a physical copy of a state-issued photo ID for identity verification before your student can be released.

Forgotten Number Card

1. Park on N. Harrison St. and enter the building through Door 1 (Main Entrance).

2. Present a physical copy of a state-issued photo ID to the front office staff.

3. Staff will verify your identity before releasing your student to you.

At G.W. Carver Elementary, we believe that Carver Peanuts show their P.O.W.E.R. every day, including through the way they dress. Wearing our school uniform demonstrates Ownership

by coming to school prepared, Respect for our school community, and Wisdom by making

choices that keep the focus on learning. Our dress code also promotes Empathy by creating a

sense of belonging for all students and Perseverance by helping us stay focused on achieving

our goals.

Daily all students are expected to wear:

• Khaki or navy blue pants, shorts, skirts, or jumpers
• A yellow, navy, or white polo shirt or an approved Carver spirit T-shirt
• Closed-toe shoes for safety during learning and play

Our school-wide uniform policy helps create a safe, respectful, and unified learning environment where every Carver Peanut can learn, lead, and grow. When we dress with P.O.W.E.R., we show that we are ready to be our BEST SELVES every day.

Clear Backpack Protocol

All students are required to have clear backpacks. This decision was made by the RPS School Board on June 3, 2024, and is a preventive safety and security measure to ensure RPS Schools are safe and productive learning environments.

The only exceptions permitted are:

A small non-transparent pouch for personal hygiene items.

School-approved sport-specific carrying case for athletic equipment.

School-approved instrument-specific carrying case for band equipment.

School-approved cases for medical equipment.

Last year, our school had a chronic absenteeism rate of 41%. Our goal is 24%.

For reference from the school's in our feeder pattern: Albert Hill Middle School 20.95% and Thomas Jefferson High School 21.12%

How families can help:

• Send students to school each day.
• If your student has an appointment, we ask that you consider allowing them to come to school before the appointment or bringing them to school after the appointment so that they can be marked present.
• If your student has to miss a day for any reason, including suspensions and excused absences, allow them to make-up their absence by attending Flexible Instruction Time. For every two days of FIT after school, one absence is recovered.

The table below shows the maximum number of absences for each school day and date range. For example: Your student is considered chronically absent if they have 2 or more absences on September 30th. They will no longer be considered chronically absent on October 1st if they have 2 days absent and don't accrue any more absences before October 15th.

If you would like to stay abreast of all of the latest information. Please be sure to sign up to receive ParentSquare messages from our school. You should've already been receiving ParentSquare messages if your student is enrolled and your information is correct in PowerSchool.

Please also check out the school's website, weekly Peanut Gazette (access through school website, ParentSquare, social media accounts, or "follow" to receive via email), and follow all school social media accounts.

*Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Spirit Day 1: Pajama Day

K-2 Attendance Ice Cream Social 1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.

K-2 Kiwanis Reading Volunteers

Spirit Day 2: Jersey Day

Spirit Day 3: Costume Day

Wednesday Folder/Newsletter Sent with Students (Sent Thursday)

Spirit Day 4: Wacky Tacky Day