One of the best ways to celebrate a teacher, bus driver, custodian — anyone at RPS — is to submit a shout-out. If you encounter someone wonderful at RPS, let us know so we can celebrate them. All you need to do is send an email to shoutouts@rvaschools.net. Thank you!

Shout-out to Rebecca Parks, a part of the wonderful Transition Mentor team. Rebecca actively engages with families and community resources, which enhances the support network for her students. Her ability to connect with each individual allows her to tailor opportunities that align with the student's specific aspirations, paving the way for successful transitions into adulthood. Thanks again, Rebecca!

Head Start would like to thank our incredible Speech and Language Pathologist team for all of their time and support in ensuring each of our students received a speech screening. Angela Dejarnette led her team flawlessly, and we appreciate and recognize all the hard work that this event took.

Big shout-out to school psychologist Kendra Vendetti for facilitating Overby's school-based mental-health team. She displays great leadership as the lead for these meetings by being organized, communicative, supportive, and listening to the perspectives of others. Keep it up, Mrs. Vendetti!

I want to give a big shout-out to my kids’ teachers at Henry Marsh. Ms. Mitchell, fourth grade, goes above and beyond to help my daughter and her whole class — love to see it! Ms. Fountain, fifth grade, is truly amazing and my son loves her like she is family. Mr. Parker has been there for me and my kids, and he listens and gets the job done. Thank you!

Shout-out to Kerry Richardson, a third-grade teacher at Obama Elementary, who is loving and inspiring to all of her students, past and present. Also, as the school's recycling coordinator, she teaches our children the importance of taking care of our environment and its natural resources.

Sending a huge shout-out to Dr. Barbara Davenport for her incredible work at RTC! She has hit the ground running and created an absolutely amazing wellness room for faculty and staff. It's a place where we can recharge, even take a walk, or bike ride indoors between classes. Thank you, Dr. Davenport, for prioritizing our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. The positive culture shift at RTC is truly noticeable!

Shout-out to Dr. Allen-Miller and Ms. Morrison at Woodville for their response last week. They were quick, effective, and very open with their communication as always.

Shout-out to G.H. Reid’s LIEP department for a wonderful "Taste of Hispanic Heritage" event. There was food, music, dancing, activities, and did I mention delicious food? Students and parents were excited to share a taste of their culture and fellowship with everyone. Students raved about the spicy chip challenge. Again, this was an amazing event.

Dixeen Toliver is a quiet yet extraordinary hero, a beacon of hope and inspiration. For more than three decades, she has poured her heart and soul into the art of teaching, shaping not just minds but futures. With unwavering dedication, she has nurtured countless educators, guiding them with wisdom and compassion. Her profound impact resonates in the hearts of thousands of students, whose lives she has transformed with her fierce belief in their potential. Each day, she champions the promise of knowledge, igniting a passion for learning that will ripple through generations to come.

Sofia Greene is a remarkable new teacher at Lucille M. Brown, whose boundless passion and dedication have profoundly transformed the hearts and minds of her students in ways that resonate deeply within them.

Huge shout-out to Mrs. Gutierrez, who presented a beautiful, insightful, and interactive Hispanic Heritage Month assembly to all of our Encore classes! Mrs. G. is our bilingual family liaison who speaks Spanish, English, and Garifuna fluently and beautifully. She also knows everything about Hispanic culture, and she is a great teacher, too! Mrs. G. is Miles Jones' very own treasure and makes Miles Jones Elementary great! Gracias, Senora G! We love you!

Carla Wood, edtech integrator, is nothing short of a superhero! With a vibrant cape billowing behind her, she unleashes dazzling laser beams from her eyes, illuminating the darkness and igniting hope. By her side, the fearless Stacy Green stands ready, their bond unbreakable. Together, they form an unstoppable force on Clever, a dynamic duo destined to conquer challenges and inspire hearts everywhere!

Judy Deichman, the extraordinary library specialist, is a vibrant soul who enchants the streets of Richmond in her beloved Lit Limo. With every drive, she spreads the magic of literature, igniting a spark of passion for reading in the hearts of children everywhere. Like a whimsical fairy godmother, she sprinkles her metaphorical fairy dust on books, transforming them into portals of imagination and adventure. She doesn’t just inspire kids; she nurtures their dreams and uplifts their spirits, creating a world where every page turned is a journey into limitless possibilities.

Jason Bruffey, director of technology, has been nothing short of a revolutionary force. He possesses an extraordinary understanding of the classroom, a deep empathy for teachers, and an unwavering commitment to the students. Jason truly knows that making technology accessible to everyone is not just a goal—it's a necessity for brightening the future of education. His visionary leadership has transformed the technological landscape of Richmond, elevating it to heights we haven't seen in decades. He is a true mastermind, inspiring hope and igniting possibilities for all who walk through those school doors!

Thank you and shout-out to Mrs. Edilsa Gutierrez from Miles Jones for the amazing Hispanic Heritage Month program she presented for our students. It is so important for our students to learn more about where they come from and about each other and Mrs. G. thoughtfully planned a creative presentation! We appreciate all you do for our students, Mrs. Gutierrez!

Shout-out to Principal Talley at Miles Jones for providing teachers and staff with supplies for our classroom and student learning needs! You rock! Thank you!

A big shout-out to Ms. Evans, the school counselor at Miles Jones Elementary! Your ability to listen and care for both students and staff makes such a difference. Thank you for always going the extra mile and for being a beacon of support. Thank you for dropping everything to help with a student this week when I could not step out of the classroom. You are truly appreciated!

I’d like to give a shout-out to Ms. Helene Carrington for stepping up to assist a high school student in need. Ms. Carrington truly exemplified teamwork by providing a safe space for the student and helping to prevent any potential conflicts, demonstrating her commitment to fostering a positive school environment.

Ms. Greene at Blackwell Elementary demonstrated exemplary customer service and care when a parent visited the office with concerns about their child. She listened attentively and responded with empathy. While she was unable to resolve the parent's issue on her own, she reassured them of her and the administration's dedication to creating a nurturing and supportive environment. Ms. Greene provided her name and stated, "I am always here in the office and available whenever you need me. I understand that your family is new to our school, and having a point of contact is important. Great job, Ms. Greene, and keep up the excellent work. Office associates rock!

We have three EIAs here at Frances McClenney that have gone far above expectations. Morgan Slattery, Ashleigh Stroube, and Raylyn Hunter-Claiborne have worked tirelessly to support teachers and students this quarter. VALLSS testing would have been impossible if it wasn't for them. We are incredibly lucky and fortunate to have them in our building. McClenney would not be the same without them. Thank you!

G.H. Reid's LIEP team deserves a huge shout out for putting on a fantastic "Taste of Hispanic Heritage" event! The joy and honor on our families' faces was undeniable. A special thanks go to Mrs. Rucker (Martinez) for spearheading this event and leaping over the hurdles when they were thrown in the way, and Ms. Castillo for sharing her heritage cuisine by cooking for all that attended. Thank you for creating that extra love during a very special month.

Special shout-out and appreciation go to Mrs. Daphne Facison, administrative office associate in Exceptional Education. Mrs. Facison is such a gem and so helpful, kind, and patient with everyone. Her infectious smile, warm spirit, and willingness to serve and support really make all the difference. She truly is the glue that keeps everything together and I am so glad to work with someone so special and genuine. Keep shining and thriving, Mrs. Facison!

Shout-out to our amazing team of website admins, who maintain each and every school’s website! Your work this fall to make sites engaging, accurate, and up-to-date has been second-to-none. The Communications team deeply appreciates your hard work, learning mindset, and positive approach!

May this shout out be read with the highest level of appreciation for Principal Allen Vernon at Henderson Middle School. This is Mr. Vernon's first year at Henderson. He entered the doors with a positive demeanor and a willingness to stand in support of the staff and students. He has been present, visible, engaged, consistent, trustworthy, and knowledgeable. He is not only strengthening our team at Henderson; he is building a family. His interactions with the students are impactful and meaningful. His interactions with the staff are motivational and empowering. His interactions with parents are straightforward and consistent. His interactions with the community are inviting and genuine. Mr. Vernon, you are appreciated and valued. Thank you for your leadership!

A huge shout-out to the amazing staff at Miles Jones Elementary! This team has done a wonderful job of rolling with each day and its challenges. Our students are lucky to have such an incredible group of educators who show up ready to teach and support them every single day. Thank you for all you do! Ms. Patillo has done a fantastic job showing up for her students and providing such engaging lessons. She exhibits patience on astronomical levels. She is our staff spotlight for the month of October. We are so honored to have Ms. Patillo here at Miles Jones. Ms. Oyediran also known as Ms. O, has been an amazing help to all students here at Miles Jones. She is always willing to step in when necessary and support all students. You are amazing, Ms. Oyediran.

Shout-out to Southampton's amazing fifth-grade ELA teacher, Ms. Oliver! Thank you for working so hard to help your students learn and grow. Your high expectations and efforts are greatly appreciated and show in all you do. Thank you for joining the Tiger team and doing what is best for your kids!

Shout-out to our exceptional second-grade team at Southampton Elementary School. A great big thank you to Ms. Darradji, Ms. Sisk, Ms. Weir, and Ms. Talley who show up and show out every single day! You are an exemplary example of teamwork that makes the dream work! We appreciate you all and all that you do for your students. Thank you for being positive role models at Southampton.

I would like to shout out Mr. Cipolla, ETI at T. C. Boushall Middle School! Not only is Mr. Cipolla very smart, but he is also fun to work with! I especially appreciate the time and effort he puts forth in creating engaging, data-driven, and technology integrated lessons in every content area! I would like to thank him for the recent workshop on using Spheros across the content! I learned so much and can't wait to share that knowledge with my students! Thank you for being a rock star, Mr. Cipolla!

Shout-out to bus driver #236 going to Fox Elementary School. Not only do you safely get the kids to school, but you also awarded the kids mini pumpkins for good behavior and made them adorable snack bags with tasty and healthy treats. All of your hard work and dedication to getting scholars to school punctually isn't overlooked. Thank you so much for all that you do to get the kids safely to school and to home!

Principal Vernon has been incredibly welcoming to all the students at Henderson Middle School. He has managed to create an inclusive and enthusiastic environment in just a few months. I appreciate that he shows up (literally and figuratively) every day!

Thank you to all of the families who came out this week to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the Summer Hill family! Gracias to the committee for planning an amazing event: Ms. Cumberbatch, Ms. Hernandez, Ms. Matute, Ms. Aguilar, and Mrs. Hunt for all of your hard work, which sets a positive example for us all. You all brighten our workplace every day!

Shout-out to Mr. Gaskin, a fifth-grade teacher at Linwood Holton, who is always willing to lend a hand to every student in the school. On Walk and Roll to School Day, a sweet kindergartner wanted to walk to school with him — and so — they did.

I would like to give a shout-out to the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration committee at Summer Hill Preschool. They did a wonderful job and the food was delicious.