The Tiger Tea

Happy Labor Day!

Join me in welcoming Ms. Jessica Ford, our new assistant principal, to the Tiger Family! She will begin Tuesday, September 5th.

Please return the chromebook device usage agreement forms that were sent home Thursday. More information regarding distribution of chromebooks will be forthcoming.

Every Tiger, Every Day!

It is with honor, great pleasure, and excitement to greet you all as the new assistant principal at Albert Hill Middle School. I am honored to have the opportunity to help lead this school to great heights.

Ms. Jessica Ford has committed herself to the field of education for more than ten years. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from Norfolk State University, Master of Education from Georgia State University, Educational Specialist degree from Regent University, P-12 Administration & Supervision certification from the University of West Georgia, and currently finishing her Doctor of Education from Virginia State University in Educational Administration & Supervision. She has had the pleasure of working with students ranging in age from Kindergarten through 12th grade in various roles. She served in the capacity of a high school and middle grades mathematics educator, an elementary mathematics interventionist, a K-8 mathematics instructional coach, a Central Office Administrator, serving as the district Coordinator of Professional Learning, and most recently, High School Assistant Principal.

Her philosophy is that education is a life-long process, and she expects to continue to learn much about all of the great things happening at Albert Hill Middle School. In her free time, she enjoys Saturday brunch with family and friends, binge watching movies on Netflix and Hulu, and spending time with her daughter Camille.

She aims to lead with intention, innovate with passion, and inspire from the heart. Go, Tigers!

September 4

RPS Closed- Labor Day

September 6

7:00 p.m. NJHS Induction

September 10-16

National Suicide Prevention Week

September 12

VGA Testing Reading 8

September 13

VGA Testing Reading 7

September 14

VGA Testing Reading 6

6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. Back to School Night

September 15

Hispanic Heritage Month Begins

September 19

VGA Testing Math 8

September 20

VGA Testing Math 7

September 21

VGA Testing Math 6

September 23

Flex Bell Schedule: Element Meeting

September 25

RPS Closed- Yom Kippur

September 28

FCCLA State Fair Trip

Please join our PTA. The cost is $7.00 per person. We are striving for 100% family participation. You can also encourage friends, neighbors, and extended family to join.

Our PTA supports monthly programming, helps to keep our school and grounds beautiful, supports families who experience hardships, supports our teachers through monthly displays of appreciation, sponsors students for school events, field trips, and materials, and ensures our teachers have everything they need in the classroom. Your membership and generous donations help to support all of these things and more!

There are several available positions on our 2023-2024 PTA Board. Help us continue to provide students and staff with experiences and resources needed to have a fun and memorable middle school experience. To find out more information or to volunteer for any of the roles above, please email alberthillpta@gmail.com with the name of the position you are interested in as the subject.

Show your Tiger Pride and Support the PTA by purchasing Albert Hill Merchandise!

Merchandise Link (Scroll down to access the Spiritwear order form.)

Fall Sports will begin in the next couple of weeks. All students must have a current VHSL physical form dated after June 1, 2023 and signed by a physician before they can try out for any athletic activities.

Our athletic director is Mr. Kyle Kimbrell. If you have any questions regarding middle school athletics, please email him kkimbrel@rvaschools.net

This Fall we will offer the following sports:

Cheerleading

Coaches: Tiana West (twest3@rvaschools.net); Charmaigne Lloyd (clloyd@rvaschools.net)

Girls Basketball

Fall Soccer (co-ed)

Fall Outdoor Track (co-ed)

NextUp RVA, our after school program provider will begin programming September 18th. Some of the after school programs offered last year include Cooking, Spin Academy (DJing), Hair Braiding, Chess, STEAMulate Laser Tag, Business of Art (Airbushing), Basketball, Empowered to Jump, and many more high quality program offerings. 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. Students will have the option to be dismissed at 5:00 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. Transportation is provided for in-zone students.

Virginia Credit Union is offering an opportunity for all Richmond Public School students to jumpstart their savings in 2023-2024. This new initiative, called RPS Saves, is designed to provide families with quality financial literacy programming to prepare all individuals for a brighter financial future. Parents can sign their student(s) up for a Virginia Credit Union Custodial Saving Account using this link. VACU will then cover the $5 membership and deposit $20 in the account to get their savings started!

Students 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.

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!

Core Belief: In order to facilitate an uninterrupted, distraction-free learning environment, all cell phones and electronic devices should be off and away unless teachers expressly permit their use for instruction.

• All classrooms will have signage indicating “Red, Yellow, or Green Zone”

• All classrooms will have a cell phone locker for students who are using cell phones during unauthorized times.

Every Tiger, Every Day! Every Day Counts! Thank you for helping us reduce our chronic absenteeism rate last year from 25% to 21%! Our goal this year is 15%. WE CAN DO IT!

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

Albert Hill is a Title 1 School. Our fantastic Title 1 coaches, Ms. Collier (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 14, 2023.

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.

All students are eligible to receive a healthy breakfast and lunch at no charge each day of the school year. No further action is required of you. Your children will be able to participate in these meal programs without having to pay a fee or submit an application.

Food deliveries to students from meal delivery services are not permitted at any time during the school day or at after school activities due to safety and to minimize disruptions. Attempted deliveries will be confiscated and will remain in the main office until dismissal. Parents may bring food to students.

If you would like to stay abreast of all of the latest information. Please be sure to sign up to receive Remind messages from our school. You should've already been receiving Remind messages if your student is enrolled. If you are not, you have likely opted out of receiving Remind messages and must change your preferences.

Please also check out the school's website, weekly Tiger Tea (access through school website, social media accounts, or set preferences to receive via email), and follow all school and PTA social media accounts.

-TigerEye ParentLink on Instagram
-Albert Hill Middle PTA private Facebook group
-Albert Hill PTA Facebook account