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No new curriculum for RPS
Initial task force calls for changes in implementation
Richmond Public Schools does not need a new curriculum — rather, teachers want autonomy in how to customize existing curricula for their classrooms, according to a 15-member task force.
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Labor wins
Sending a message to corporate America, the United Auto Workers has proven that labor unions are no longer on the wane.
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Cheyney women made NCAA ‘herstory’
Cheyney (Pa.) State University is far removed from the brightest stage of women’s college basketball now, but that was far from the case in 1982.
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USDA updates rules for school meals that limit sugars
The nation’s school meals will get a makeover under new nutrition standards that limit added sugars for the first time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture an- nounced Wednesday. The final rule also trims sodium in students’ meals, although not by the 30% first proposed in 2023. And it con- tinues to allow flavored milks — such as chocolate milk — with less sugar, rather than adopting an option that would have offered only unflavored milk to the youngest kids. The aim is to improve nutrition and align with U.S. dietary guidelines in the program that provides breakfasts to more than 15 million students and lunches to nearly 30 million students every day at a cost of about $22.6 billion per year. “All of this is designed to ensure that students have quality meals and that we meet parents’ expectations,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told reporters. The limits on added sugars would be required in the 2025-2026 school year, starting with high-sugar foods such as cereal, yogurt and flavored milk. By the fall of 2027, added sugars in school meals would be limited to no more than 10% of the total calories per week for breakfasts and lunches, in addition to limits on sugar in specific products. New WIC rules include more money for fruits and veggies. They also expand food choices Officials had proposed to reduce sodium in school meals by as much as 30% over the next several years. But after receiving mixed public comments and a directive from Congress included in the fiscal year 2024 appropriations bill approved in March, the agency will reduce sodium levels allowed in breakfasts by 10% and in lunches by 15% by the 2027-2028 school year.
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Postal service managers, supervisors ready to fight terminations
The battle over pay practices of the U.S. Postal Service in the Richmond area is about to become even more heated.
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On Mandela’s birthday, a call to reflect, volunteer
“Nelson Mandela International Day,” formalized by the U.N. General Assembly in November 2009, recalls the late South African president’s contribution to the culture of peace and freedom on his birthday — July 18.
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City budget deficit pegged at $4.1M
The City of Richmond is facing a $4.1 million deficit and likely will have to dip into savings to avoid being in the red when the books close June 30 on the current 2015-16 fiscal year. That’s according to Lenora Reid, the city’s chief financial officer.
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Community groups announce anti-violence summit on Feb. 11
Over the years, countless well-intentioned individuals and groups have organized rallies, prayer vigils and community meetings to stem the tide of violence in Richmond. While the number of homicides and violent crimes in the city has declined during the past 15 years, too many Richmond residents still suffer as victims.
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Healing or hate?
Since 1994, I have been leading Slave Trail Walks (the Trail of Enslaved Africans) in Richmond. I have led those walks with groups from around the world and have witnessed the impact the experience has had on many of them.
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Young people able to understand what leaders don’t
Re “ ‘Our ballots will stop bullets:’ Thousands take to streets in Richmond, D.C. and across the nation to demand gun control and school safety,” Free Press March 29-31 edition:
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Justin Tillman leads Rams to overtime win over Dayton
Virginia Commonwealth University basketball Coach Mike Rhoades says the Rams’ motto this season is “it takes what it takes.”
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RPS needs $150M more to fund strategic plan
Richmond Public Schools will need to beef up its budget with an added $150 million over five years to help implement its strategic plan to bolster city schools. Superintendent Jason Kamras presented the Richmond School Board with the cost estimate for the first time during its meeting Monday night.
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President Carter talks ‘Faith’ in book
In his 32nd book, titled simply “Faith,” former President Jimmy Carter looks at how belief in God and others has shaped his 93 years.
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NFL black power: Mahomes among 6 African-American quarterbacks
Patrick Mahomes II has gone from substitute to superstar with the Kansas City Chiefs. The latest addition to the NFL’s African-American quarterbacks club has passed for 10 touchdowns in Kansas City’s opening wins over the Los Angeles Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers.
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City alleys now to receive maintenance on regular schedule
The roar of heavy equipment over a backyard fence signals the start of work on another alley. Suddenly, with little publicity, city alleys are starting to get regular attention and care.
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God’s gouda: Nuns in Albemarle County make cheese
Tucked in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, down a lengthy stretch off U.S. 250, over a bridge, through the woods and at the end of a gravel road sits Our Lady of the Angels Monastery perched on a hillside. The 13 nuns who live there believe God has a plan for everyone.
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City Council committee again closes door on private ambulance service
Richmond City Council’s Public Safety Committee voted to kill legislation that would give Fire Chief Melvin Carter greater decision-making authority over permits for the operation of private ambulance service within the city.
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Rematch underway for leadership of letter carriers local union
Once again, a battle is underway for control of one of the oldest unions in the state, the Old Dominion Branch, Local 496, of the National Association of Letter Carriers.
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Henrico Stars win MJBL Inner City Classic's U-14 division championship
The U-14 Henrico Stars are the undefeated and undisputed champions of the annual Metropolitan Junior Baseball League’s Inner City Classic.
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Dr. Maria Pitre-Martin selected as new Petersburg schools superintendent
Dr. Maria Pitre-Martin will start Monday, July 1, as the new superintendent of the 4,200-student public school division in Petersburg.
