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School Board’s Dawn Page not running for re-election; board considers training
In a statement sent to the Free Press, the Richmond School Board’s 8th District representative Dawn Page announced that she will not run for re-election.

St. Catherine’s student awarded almost $2M in scholarships
After applying to over 30 colleges and universities, 17-year-old St. Catherine’s School student Ava Holloway was awarded over $1.98 million in scholarships.

Granite Community Foundation unearths lost community legacy in South Side
Bridget Blake and Katrina Clarke are on a mission to preserve their family history and honor their ancestors buried in Green Cemetery located in the Granite community near what is now Stratford Hills in Richmond’s South Side.

School Board reviews conduct proposal for members
At its April 22 meeting, the RPS School Board discussed policy changes to School Board procedures and board member conduct.

Jonathan Young resigns from RPS School Board
Jonathan Young resigned from the Richmond Public School Board April 12 after it was revealed that a December 2023 incident between him and a 15-year-old female student resulted in the student filing a harassment complaint against him.

Review: ‘Quiet’ causes whispers for network TV
Disturbing claims by former Nickelodeon cast, crew
There have been plenty of retrospective documentary exposés about entertainment’s dark side; “Surviving R. Kelly” and “We Need to Talk About Cosby” are just two examples.

RPS school board member Jonathan Young responds to student allegations
The Richmond School Board plans to revise its standards of conduct policy following an independent attorney’s investigation into School Board Member Jonathan Young’s behavior toward a 15-year-old student, according to a WTVR-CBS 6 news report.

From youthful harmonies to senior sounds
Melvin Short's love for community never misses a beat
Melvin Short Sr. might be the first person to say he is surprised to have founded and led multiple youth and senior singing groups over the years.

Schools prepare for partial solar eclipse in Richmond
It all happens Monday, April 8 when a total solar eclipse will span across the U.S., Mexico and Canada as the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking sunlight.

New safety nets
Richmond School Board discusses homebound learning, protocols for upcoming graduations
Improvements are underway to clarify Richmond Public Schools’ homebound and home-based instruction protocols, along with revised procedures for certifying graduating seniors. In its March 18 meeting, RPS School Board members discussed the changes made some nine months after the June 6 shooting death of Shawn Jackson, a homebound student attending Huguenot High School.

RPS principals receive R.E.B. Awards
John Marshall High School Principal Monica Murray is a recipient of the 2024 R.E.B. Award for Distinguished Educational Leadership, according to an announcement by Richmond Public Schools. William Fox Elementary School Prinicipal Daniela Jacobs was named a finalist for the award.

Coming Together Virginia to explore impact of racism on mental health
For the next three months, Coming Together Virginia (CTVA) will host its Racism at Work (RAW) series to tackle how racism affects physical and emotional well-being. Founded by Danita Rountree Green and Martha Rollins in 2014, the nonprofit’s vision is of “a racially healed world of thriving, equitable and just communities.”

City School Board hears pros and cons about cell phone pilot program
Absent devices bring on boredom, missed buses, and language barrier, say students
Meeting for the first time since the Huguenot High School graduation shooting trial ended last week, the Richmond School Board failed to discuss the trial, which resulted in Amari Pollard, 20, accepting a plea deal.

Shawn Jackson’s mother calls for community unity
On Thursday, Feb. 29, day four of the Huguenot graduation shooting trial, Amari Pollard, 20, accepted a plea deal. Mr. Pollard pleaded guilty to one charge of first degree murder and one charge of the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony for the death of Huguenot graduate Shawn Jackson. Mr. Pollard was not charged for the murder of Renzo Smith, Mr. Jackson’s stepfather, who was also killed during the shooting chaos. Mr. Pollard was sentenced to 43 years with 18 years suspended. After 25 years, Mr. Pollard will be eligible for release.

School Board approves 2024-25 RPS budget
In a meeting Tuesday, the Richmond School Board approved the Richmond Public Schools budget for the 2024-25 school year.

‘We have seen enough’
Crusade for Voters calls for removal of RPS Superintendent Kamras
The Richmond Crusade for Voters (RCV), a historically Black political organization, is calling for the immediate removal of RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras. In a statement released Tuesday, the organization said they have “seen enough” to make this determination.

Community bands together to renovate Charles City’s historic Mt. Zion School
A tarp covers part of the roof of an abandoned building on Route 623 in Charles City County. Underneath the tarp, clear plastic drapes a weathered window, perhaps to further shield the decaying wood structure from elements endured nearly 110 years.

RPS School Board appoints Shavonda Dixon for 9th District; budget changes, safety also discussed
The Richmond School Board has unanimously voted to appoint Shavonda Dixon to represent the 9th District.

SAD? There are ways to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a form of depression that occurs during certain seasons of the year, usually fall and winter, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

In service and remembrance
The Friends of East End and Ancestral Capital collaborated in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 15, to clean up Evergreen Cemetery.
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