Kudos to the Richmond Public Schools administration for securing a grant to address the problem of sending some of our children to schools that may be older than their grandparents. A large part of creating an environment conducive to instruction and learning is ensuring a comfortable space.

It’s difficult to process information when you’re shivering from the cold in class or to pay attention when you’re sweating onto your laptop keyboard at your desk. This grant should, in due time, remove one barrier that may be preventing students and teachers from doing their best.

If you’ve been around children recently, you know this generation picks things up fast. Unfortunately, a crumbling school building teaches a hard lesson to students who walk its hallways every day. If the building is neglected and not important enough to maintain, what does that say about the people inside it? On the other hand, a properly maintained school fosters emotional well-being. When students see investment in their learning space, they feel that their education matters. It sends a powerful message that their success is worth the effort, which can boost morale and classroom engagement.

Every student deserves to be educated in an environment that shows they are welcome and valued. We applaud RPS for taking one giant step in the right direction.