Principal Message
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Happy New Year Open High!
Please join me in saying good riddance to 2020 and welcoming better days in 2021. We hope everybody has had a rejuvenating break and is ready to begin the new year strong. As with any time of transition, it’s wise to take inventory of where we are and where we have been.
At Open, we want to embrace new goals as we also reaffirm who we are. Our mission to develop intellectually curious and socially responsible students is steadfast. Obviously the pandemic has forced us to make changes, but it has also forced us to reflect more on how we can best serve adolescent learners. We learned quickly that there are many drawbacks to virtual learning, the biggest being the simple yet profound loss of human proximity and connection. Maintaining a connection continues to be a primary goal of Open High as we move into the spring semester. The community circle model--which we continue to practice in Family--is a move to accomplish this and may also be practiced in core courses so teachers and students can continue to build trusting relationships. And because we believe that student voice is essential to growth, we invite students to share their ideas, their questions, and their struggles every single day. Our hard-working teachers are committed to providing a supportive space for students to tackle complex reading, multi-step equations, or just wonder out loud about the world around them.
Just like our students, Open High will only remain strong if we continue to grow and improve. For example, recently a team of teachers examined our admissions process to address concerns about equity. We feel passionately that diversity is a strength that makes Open a dynamic place to learn, and we hope small changes to our process can help us maintain a school that represents all of Richmond. If you have any questions about this year or an Open education, don't hesitate to contact me at cwashing@rvaschools.net or at (804) 229-9961.
Be well, stay safe, and keep celebrating Open minds!
Clary Carleton
Principal
Open HS Announcements
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Open Announcements Weekly Newsletter
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Family Video Announcements
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Applications for the 2021-2022 school year have closed. Virtual Interviews for prospective students will take place January 27-29, 2021. Specific details with scheduled dates and times will be provided to school counselors and to parents/students through email.
District Announcements
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RPS Family Academy - With live workshops and a virtual resource library, the Family Academy provides RPS families and advocates the opportunity to connect with each other and get engaged with our childrens' education and future. Learn more and register for upcoming sessions here.
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#ReopenWithLove - For the latest information and resources for families, visit the #ReopenWithLove section of our website. It includes the most current information about meal distribution and other critical information.
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Family Support Helpline - Questions about reopening? Call the RPS Family Support Helpline at (804) 780-6195 and learn more about other resources available to families.
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Support RPS - There are many ways to support RPS and #ServeWithLove! Please consider volunteering, donating, or partnering with us, and for new and existing partners, don't forget to add your organization to our new searchable partnership database!
"RPS Direct" Emails from Superintendent Kamras
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RPS Direct Update - January 27 (PM), 2021
Dear #RPSStrong Family, I want to extend a huge thank you to my guests on RPS Live! tonight: Principal Anderson (Blackwell ES), Principal Powell (Cary ES), Principal Hartsfield (MLK PS), Principal London (Henderson MS), and Principal Murray (Marshall HS). If you missed it, I strongly encourage you to catch the video on the RPS Facebook page. It's like watching a TED talk on leadership - but even better. Please join me in expressing our profound gratitude to these extraordinary leaders, and the many others in RPS they represent! As you might recall, in December we celebrated Inclusive Schools Week and we asked our students to submit a t-shirt design to promote inclusion. I'm thrilled to announce the winner: Bella Brownlee, a 4th grade student at Linwood Holton Elementary School!
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RPS Direct Update - January 27, 2021
Dear #RPS Strong Family, I'm reaching out with this special RPS Direct to share the following COVID-19 positive test result/s: Fairfield Court Elementary School - 1 staff member (last there on 1/21) George W. Carver Elementary School - 1 staff member (last there on 12/18) Mary Munford Elementary School - 1 student (not physically present this school year) Transportation Department - 1 staff member (last at South Bus Compound and Thomas C. Boushall Middle School on 1/12) Woodville Elementary School - 1 student (not physically present this school year) Please reach out to your primary care provider if you have any concerns, or contact the Richmond City Health District (RCHD) by calling their COVID-19 hotline: (804) 205-3501. Please also continue to wear your mask, stay physically distant, and wash your hands. Our number one priority remains the health and safety of our students, staff, and families. Towards that end, we will continue to work in close collaboration with RCHD to ensure the well-being of the entire RPS community.