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Welcome to James H. Blackwell Elementary School, the home of the Bears! Thank you for visiting our website to learn more about our school community, including our amazing students, our loving staff, our supporting families, partners, and our exciting programs. As the summer draws to a close, it is my hope that your break from formal schooling opened opportunities for rest, growth, and renewal. As we prepare to receive our students back in the building, our staff eagerly awaits to witness their laughter, energy, and enthusiasm for learning. Our entire faculty and staff are committed to providing every student with a safe, caring, and positive environment that inspires each student to realize and desire to reach their full potential academically and as a member of our community.
While the 2020-2021 school year was one for the books, our students, staff, parents, and community did an outstanding job keeping each other safe and ending the school year strong with many successes. As we enter the 2021-2022 school year, we will be able to continue to grow together academically, socially, emotionally, and behaviorally through the introduction of our new theme of “Scholarly Bears Show Your P.A.W.S.” We are going to work to Be Prepared, Accept Responsibility, Work Hard and Show Respect as we move through the 2021-2022 school year.
We have worked this summer on a recovery plan and a variety of academic and social/emotional supports to make sure our Bears hit the ground running in the fall and are set up for success. We are excited for some of the traditional welcome back activities later this month and encourage families to stay abreast of all that is taking place at Blackwell. It is critically important to have updated phone and email contact information, please use this link to update your contact information. Also, please remember to visit our website and social media platforms regularly for current news, additional highlights, and upcoming events.
Facebook: James H. Blackwell
Instagram: @jhblackwellbears
Twitter: @JHBlackwellRPSI am honored to serve as the principal of Blackwell Elementary School and consider it a privilege to work with all stakeholders to educate and empower our students. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns at ehill@rvaschools.net. I look forward to getting to know each of our Blackwell Bears and all of their families as we journey together in the 2021-2022 school year.
Bears let’s make it an amazing year!
In Partnership,
Ms. Ebony Davis
Principal
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RPS Direct Update - September 17, 2021
Dear #RPSStrong Family, Happy Friday! Tonight's updates: Mask Reminders – Parents and caregivers, please be sure students have their masks on when approaching and boarding the school bus. This helps ensure a safe and speedy boarding process. Please also make sure to send your students with a mask that fits their face. Adult size masks are not appropriate for small children, as they do not fit tightly (see CDC graphic below). If you need pediatric masks, your school can provide them. Thank you for helping keep RPS safe! COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate – RPS employees, please be reminded that you have until October 1 to submit full proof of vaccination or obtain a religious/medical exemption. Though I pray it doesn't come to this, please understand that any employee who does not meet the requirements of the mandate will face progressive discipline, including loss of employment.
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RPS Direct Update - September 15, 2021
Dear #RPSStrong Family, While we've been overjoyed to return to school despite COVID, we've also been heartbroken by another pandemic that plagues our community – gun violence. I'm devastated to share that, in the past 48 hours, five RPS students have been shot. We've also lost two students to other causes (unrelated to gun violence or COVID). These tragic events remind us of the grief and trauma that so many RPS students, families, and staff face daily. The RPS family is hurting tonight. Let us all pause this evening to check on one another, support one another, and extend grace and love to one another.
