New programs at George Wythe and John Marshall aimed at boosting student achievement
George Wythe and John Marshall high schools are big winners of the Virginia Department of Education’s 21st century Community Learning Center grants.
Lines form to taste Richmond ice cream queen’s winning creation
The line was long, but Richmonders had the opportunity to finally taste and enjoy the new prize-winning Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor created by Richmond’s own Rabia Kamara.
RPS graduation rate improves; no longer the lowest in state
Richmond Public Schools no longer has the lowest on-time graduation rate in Virginia.
Surprised again, Richmond’s Ashley Bland named state Region 1 Teacher of the Year
Ashley S. Bland thought she was giving a simple tour Monday of the outdoor environmental learning center she helped create at John B. Cary Elementary to Gov. Ralph S. Northam and his wife, First Lady Pamela Northam, Mayor Levar M. Stoney, Richmond schools Superintendent Jason Kamras and Richmond School Board Chairwoman Cheryl L. Burke.
Families plead for more information on missing loved ones
Richmonder Toni Jacobs wishes that her missing daughter could have gained the kind of national and social media exposure that the family of 22-year-old blonde Gabby Petito experienced.
Positive COVID-19 cases climb among area students
Richmond Public Schools reported this week 241 positive cases of COVID-19, while Henrico County Public Schools reported 570 positive cases.
School Board rejects terminating contract for school food vendor
The Richmond School Board and schools administration debated the future of who will be contracted to provide meals to the city’s 24,000 students and what they will eat after last week’s public outrage over the condition, quality and nutritional value of the “Grab and Go” meals delivered to schools daily by provider Preferred Meals.
Students to face new ‘growth assessment’ tests this fall
Richmond Public School students will be required to take a statewide growth assessment test starting this fall.
Kamras offers plan to change role of public safety in schools
Richmond schools Superintendent Jason Kamras presented to the School Board a list of recommendations designed to re- imagine the day-to-day roles of those charged with security in schools.
Richmond ice cream queen gives the scoop on Food Network competition
You scream. I scream. Everybody screams for Rabia Kamara, who has won the first two rounds in “Ben & Jerry’s: Clash of the Cones,” a competition to create a new ice cream flavor broadcast on the Food Network.
School reopening a push-pull for some parents and educators
After a year of virtual learning because of the coronavirus and new concerns about the highly contagious delta variant, Richmond Public Schools students, teachers, staff and contractors must mask up as schools open next Wednesday, Sept. 8.
’New Shoes For Back To School’ reaches 15-year mark of providing for youngsters
As students across the metro region prepare for in-person classes, they are looking to get new school clothes, especially rocking shoes and fine sneakers.
Marsh Elementary School dedication this Saturday
This Saturday, Aug. 28, will be a banner day for former state Sen. Henry L. Marsh III and the new elementary school in Church Hill named in his honor that will be officially dedicated.
RPS mandates vaccinations for teachers, staff
Richmond Public Schools teachers, staff, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, volunteers, contractors and anyone else working with the district must be fully vaccinated against the corona- virus by Friday, Oct. 1.
Kamras proposes changing role for SROs; board gives green light to new 1,600-student high school
Richmond schools Superintendent Jason Kamras presented a proposal to the School Board Monday night to re-imagine the role of school resource officers, or SROs, the police hired to provide public safety in the city’s public schools.
Cardinal Elementary School officially dedicated
It was a monumental moment Monday as the ribbon was cut officially opening Cardinal Elementary School in South Side.
VSU changes names of 4 buildings to honor history of women at university
Virginia State University has taken a monumental step honoring the achievements of African-American women with ties to the school.
Building a race car from the wheels up revs up learning process for RPS students
Vroom.... Vroom...Vroom. That’s the sound Armstrong High School students yearn to hear as they build the interior of a Dodge Daytona 500R STEM car in a summer program at Richmond Raceway.
School Board insists on going it alone on Wythe
Construction of a new George Wythe High School is still in limbo as the Richmond School Board needs to work out some design decisions for the request for proposal, or RFP, in order to move the construction process forward.
Blanche Moore named Henrico County Christmas Mother
Blanche Moore has been selected to a very exciting and much needed Henrico County volunteer position – the 2021 Henrico County Christmas Mother.
RPS names four new principals
Richmond’s George Wythe High School and three elementary schools will have new principals in the fall.
Unbridled joy
RPS’ first full graduation since COVID-19 brings smiles, cheers and joy at The Diamond
Huguenot High School’s graduation Monday was a day to remember — the first Richmond Public Schools gradu- ates to walk across a stage and receive their diplomas in a traditional, big group ceremony since the pandemic hit in March 2020.
Community members call for School Board to work with city on new George Wythe
The George Wythe High School community has a clear and strong message for the Richmond School Board: George Wythe can’t wait; build a new high school now.
Tops in their class
Richmond Public Schools valedictorians take the stage next week to speak at high school commencements
It’s graduation time — and time to celebrate.
Incumbent Sheriff Antionette V. Irving beats back primary challenge
Richmond Sheriff Antionette V. Irving won a close primary race Tuesday, defeating challenger William J. Burnett in his attempt to take over the job of managing the city jail and supervising hundreds of deputies and staff who work in the jail, provide security in city courts, serve subpoenas and other documents and handle evictions.
Kamras: New George Wythe won’t be completed until 2027
Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras is insisting that it will take six years to produce a replacement for George Wythe High School, or three years longer than City Hall has insisted it would take if its personnel led the construction.
Police K9s forced into retirement with state legalizing marijuana
What do marijuana-sniffing police dogs do when pot is no longer illegal?
City, VUU and RRHA join forces to help boost Gilpin Court residents through new partnership
The City of Richmond announced a new 20-year partnership with Virginia Union University and the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority to help support residents of the Gilpin Court public housing community.
RPS launches community conversations May 15 about school reopening
Richmond Public Schools is partnering with local businesses, churches and nonprofits to host community conversations to prepare families for city schools reopening for in-person learning.
She’s No. 1
STEM teacher Ashley Bland surprised as RPS Teacher of the Year
Friday was a festive day in Richmond’s West End with the sounds of the 1965 hit “Dancing in the Street” by Martha and the Vandellas playing as news crews began setting up in front of John B. Cary Elementary School.
On the battlefield:
City schools, agencies and government work to find strategies to combat gun violence
South Richmond residents are preparing to bury a mother and her infant daughter, two of the latest victims of a spate of indiscriminate violence that has left families devastated and in tears over the unnecessary loss life.
Richmond Public Schools to hold graduations at The Diamond
Richmond Public Schools hopes it has hit a home run in its plans to hold in-person graduation ceremonies for the high school Class of 2021 at The Diamond baseball stadium.
New George Wythe may not happen until 2027, Kamras says
The Richmond School Board voted to establish a community advisory board for the construction of a new George Wythe High School in South Side.
School Board adopts reopening plan, calendar
In a demonstration of unity, the Richmond School Board unanimously approved a plan for reopening schools in the fall for in-person learning five days a week.
Patients and doctors alike adapt during a year of COVID-19
During the height of the coronavirus pandemic, everyday activities people often took for granted — hugs, seeing friends at birthday parties, dinners out and midday coffee runs with colleagues — were no longer considered safe and harmless.
John Marshall High renames gym, field to honor former coaches
The John Marshall High School gymnasium and athletic field are getting new names to honor two coaches who were instrumental in the North Side school’s sports history and in mentoring youths.
‘Scoop There It Is!’ Nicci Carr now a star for GEICO
“French vanilla, rocky road, chocolate, peanut butter, cookie dough. Scoop, there it is. Scoop, there it is. Shaka-laka-chaka-laka-chaka-laka.”
School Board expands day care, program, works to get ready for reopening
The Richmond School Board voted 7-0 Monday night to increase the number of students attending city learning centers by 125 beginning Friday, April 2.
Comedian Micah ‘Bam-Bamm’ White celebrates 25 years in the business with benefit show
For two and a half decades, Micah “Bam- Bamm” White has been using his comedic talent to contribute to the Richmond community.
City students, families, teachers adjust to new styles of learning during a year with pandemic
Tisha Erby has four children attending Richmond Public Schools.
Richmond School Board puts off year-round school until 2022-23
After a marathon debate Monday night on Richmond Public Schools’ reopening calendar, the Richmond School Board approved a multiyear plan that does not include immediate year-round school but is designed to address educational gaps caused by the coronavirus shutdown and virtual learning.
Questions persist about Richmond Technical Center classes
The debate and search for answers about eliminated vocational classes at the Richmond Technical Center raged on for a second week on “The Gary Flowers Show” on WREJ-990 AM.
Low enrollment putting RPS tech programs in jeopardy
Richmond Public Schools’ traditional technical programs are on the verge of extinction due to low enrollment.
Gonzalez hired as new PRS COO
Alana Gonzalez has as a tough road ahead as a new member of Richmond Public Schools’ executive team.
RPS to reopen April 12 to 800 students
After hours of debate, an attempted amendment and process clarification, the Richmond School Board voted Monday night to reopen schools to 800 students April 12.
School Board approves plan for $54M in COVID-19 relief
The Richmond School Board voted 8-1 Monday night to approve a plan for $54 million in federal money to handle a variety of costs stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lawyer and former NFL athlete plays new role in ‘Wonder Woman 1984’
Richmond native Archie L. Harris Jr., a Washington attorney and actor, has a new role. He plays a police officer in “Wonder Woman 1984,” the superhero sequel that had the highest domestic box office opening since the pandemic closed theaters last March.
Richmond siblings’ film, ‘Slave Cry,’ to be shown at the Pan African Film & Arts Festival
“Slave Cry,” a film by Richmond filmmaker Jai Jamison that stars his sister, Courtney Jamison, will be screened at the 29th Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival that runs Feb. 28 through March 14.
Kamras: RPS has too many obstacles to reopen safely by March 15
With all due respect, governor: No way, no how.
Keeping Kamras
Richmond School Board votes 6-3 to extend Superintendent Jason Kamras’ contract for another 4 years
It’s official: Richmond Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras will stay on for another four years.
