John Rolfe Middle School PTA

Henrico County Public Schools



This message is a REMINDER about a virtual learning survey for families of HCPS middle and high school students:

(Tome una encuesta corta acerca del horario de aprendizaje virtual de HCPS. Desplazar el cursor hacia abajo para

Henrico County Public Schools



Henrico families,

I’m writing with gratitude for all you’ve done to support our first week of predominantly virtual learning — and to give you an update on how Henrico County Public Schools is monitoring health data in an effort to gradually return to in-person learning. We are using a comprehensive, data-driven process and timeline to guide our forthcoming recommendations and decisions.

How does the process work? The 16 members of the HCPS Health Committee meet every two weeks to look at the latest pandemic data provided by the Virginia Department of Health. They use the data to determine the current “pandemic status,” characterizing the severity and transmission trends in central Virginia. The pandemic status relies on several health indicators, including conditions during a 14-day window; the incidence rate; the percentage of people testing positive; and the number of outbreaks. HCPS uses that status to determine what instructional approach, as illustrated on a continuum, we can safely use to conduct in-person classes. (The HCPS “Continuum of Reopening” includes a total of four approaches and can be viewed on our website.)

On Sept. 10, the group reported to the School Board that regional data from the previous week resulted in a pandemic status of “Substantial/High Community Transmission.” That status is tied to HCPS’ current instructional approach, “Approach 2”, which calls for most students learning online with students seen in person on a limited basis.

The committee, made up of representatives from the Henrico Health District, Henrico County Public Schools, the HCPS Student Health Advisory Board and the larger community, will continue to make regular presentations to the School Board, and the committee is expected to make a recommendation by Oct. 22 about the approach to learning for the second nine weeks of the school year.

Upcoming dates for health-related presentations include:

· Sept. 24: Health Committee update to Henrico School Board.

· Oct. 8: Health Committee update to Henrico School Board.

· Oct. 22 School Board meeting: Target date for committee recommendation concerning which approach will be used for the second nine weeks (also called the second marking period) of the school year, which begins Nov. 16.

Please rest assured that while we are monitoring health data to determine when more students may return, we have been actively reimagining our programming to ensure an in-person experience that follows the HCPS COVID-19 Health Plan. This includes redesigning classroom and school bus seating arrangements to allow for physical distancing, rethinking daily cleaning protocols and equipping classrooms with hand sanitizer and additional disinfecting supplies.

Please check out our new Health Update page to keep up with the latest information, and we look forward to keeping you informed.

Sincerely,

Amy

Amy E. Cashwell, Ed. D.

Superintendent

Henrico County Public Schools uses SchoolMessenger to connect with families, students, and staff through e-mail, voice, and text messages. If you received this e-mail in error, or if you wish to be removed from these e-mail communications, you may unsubscribe by clicking: Here. If you unsubscribe then you will no longer receive e-mails from the School Messenger service, which means you might miss other important messages about your school(s).

For questions about these messages, first try contacting your school directly. After that, try the Henrico County Public Schools Central Office at (804) 652-3726 during normal business hours.

SchoolMessenger is a notification service used by the nation's leading school systems to connect with parents, students and staff through voice, SMS text, email, and social media.

Henrico County Public Schools



Henrico families,
Welcome to the 2020-21 school year! To use an ice cream metaphor, this year will be a “double dip” of emotions: the predominantly virtual start is sure to be tremendously exciting — and challenging, as well. While for now, we’ll miss seeing the smiling faces of our students in person; rest assured that we remain committed to a gradual return to in-person learning in a manner that prioritizes the safety of our students, staff members and community. You’ll hear more about that in the weeks to come.

For now, let’s get started!

First, I want to share our School Board’s special “welcome back” video.
The first day of school is always a photo opportunity, and that’s no less true this year. Show us your big day by printing one of our 2020-21 back-to-school signs! Snap a picture and let’s see it on Tuesday!
Attention high school students, middle school students, as well as preschool and Kindergarten students: We have custom-made school-logo backgrounds for you to use on Microsoft Teams! (Unfortunately, because of browser limitations, students in grades 1-5 who are using Chromebooks aren’t able to use custom backgrounds just yet, but we’re working on that!)
Families: Check out this printable HCPS flyer with simple virtual learning tips to help your student get the most out of the start to the school year.
Meals are free for students! Check out this information we announced late last week. Servicios de Nutrición de HCPS brindarán comidas a los estudiantes a través del servicio de tomar y llevar y distribución en los vecindarios.
We’re calling this fall “Mission Forward,” and our freshly redesigned Mission Forward webpage is your starting place for all-things back-to-school. It’s like a “Farmer’s Market” of the latest information, our Handbook for Families and Students, important virtual learning links, and much more. The page has never been easier to navigate!
To help families better understand the technologies behind virtual learning, we’ve made a series of virtual learning “Help Chats.” The chats now include nine videos that break out exactly what families need to know. Go to our Mission Forward page and click on “Help Chats” or go to HCPS’ YouTube page to select the videos you need.
Need a hand with virtual learning technology? Your teacher can help! Answers can also be found by emailing the HCPS “Help Desk”: [email protected]. In most cases, you’ll get a reply by the next business day.
Reminder: Families of students in ALL grade levels can complete “back to school” forms by using the PowerSchool Parent Portal. Once logged in to your PowerSchool Parent Portal account, look for “Access Online Forms” on the left-hand side of the page.
Follow the Henrico County Public Schools verified accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
This year, more than most, we are all learning together — staff, students and families. Patience, understanding and grace are critical for a successful start to this school year. Teamwork and strong communication will also be essential. We look forward to staying in touch and working together to make this school year a great one.
Have a wonderful and safe start to 2020-21!
Sincerely,

Amy

Amy E. Cashwell, Ed. D.

Superintendent

Henrico County Public Schools uses SchoolMessenger to connect with families, students, and staff through e-mail, voice, and text messages. If you received this e-mail in error, or if you wish to be removed from these e-mail communications, you may unsubscribe by clicking: Here. If you unsubscribe then you will no longer receive e-mails from the School Messenger service, which means you might miss other important messages about your school(s).

For questions about these messages, first try contacting your school directly. After that, try the Henrico County Public Schools Central Office at (804) 652-3726 during normal business hours.

SchoolMessenger is a notification service used by the nation's leading school systems to connect with parents, students and staff through voice, SMS text, email, and social media.

Henrico families,
In order to help everyone better understand the tools and technologies behind virtual learning, HCPS will offer a series of virtual learning “Help Chats.” The chats include a series of prerecorded videos and LIVE question-and-answer sessions TODAY that will help get you from login to learning.
The prerecorded videos are available now, by going to this new playlist on HCPS’ YouTube channel.
If you’d like to skip to a particular topic, the videos are also linked here:
• Resources for Virtual Learning
• PowerSchool, Part 1: Creating your Parent Account
• PowerSchool, Part 2: Features of PowerSchool (device login info, schedules, grades)
• Devices: iPads, Chromebooks and laptops
• Clever and Schoology (plus, creating your Schoology parent account)
• Microsoft Teams
If after watching the videos you still have questions, then today’s LIVE sessions will provide a chance to get additional answers or guidance.
Three live, interactive sessions using Microsoft Teams will take place today, Sept. 3, at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. The sessions will consist of HCPS experts answering questions and taking a step-by-step approach to virtual learning for all grade levels. All three sessions will be similar and no registration is required.
Note: These sessions are specifically designed for families and students who are using PowerSchool, Schoology, Microsoft Teams and HCPS-issued devices for the very first time.
To join the sessions, go to https://tinyurl.com/HCPSHelpChat at any of the following times today:
• 10 a.m. session.
• 2 p.m. session.
• 6 p.m. session.
If you can’t attend, no worries. Each session will be recorded for later viewing!
Sincerely,
Andy Jenks
Chief of Communications and Community Engagement

P.S. For more information about HCPS’ predominantly virtual start to the 2020-21 school year, go to three places:
Our Mission Forward page at https://henricoschools.us/returntoschool/
Our page dedicated to virtual learning: http://blogs.henrico.k12.va.us/hlp/virtual-learning/
The “how-to” video series at this new playlist on HCPS’ YouTube channel


Henrico County Public Schools uses SchoolMessenger to connect with families, students, and staff through e-mail, voice, and text messages. If you received this e-mail in error, or if you wish to be removed from these e-mail communications, you may unsubscribe by clicking: Here. If you unsubscribe then you will no longer receive e-mails from the School Messenger service, which means you might miss other important messages about your school(s).
For questions about these messages, first try contacting your school directly. After that, try the Henrico County Public Schools Central Office at (804) 652-3726 during normal business hours.
SchoolMessenger is a notification service used by the nation's leading school systems to connect with parents, students and staff through voice, SMS text, email, and social media.

Henrico County Public Schools



Henrico families,
Imagine that it’s early on the morning of Sept. 8 and you’re staring at a Chromebook, iPad or laptop for the start of our new, predominantly virtual school year.
What comes next?
To help families better understand the tools and technologies behind virtual learning, HCPS will offer a series of virtual learning “Help Chats.” The chats include a series of prerecorded videos and LIVE question-and-answer sessions this week that will help get you from login to learning.
The prerecorded videos are available now, by going to this new playlist on HCPS’ YouTube channel.
If you’d like to skip to a particular topic, the videos are also linked here:
• Resources for Virtual Learning
• PowerSchool, Part 1: Creating your Parent Account
• PowerSchool, Part 2: Features of PowerSchool (device login info, schedules, grades)
• Devices: iPads, Chromebooks and laptops
• Clever and Schoology (plus, creating your Schoology parent account)
• Microsoft Teams
If after watching the videos you still have questions, then our LIVE sessions will provide a chance to get additional answers or guidance.
Three live, interactive sessions using Microsoft Teams will take place Thursday, Sept. 3, at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. The sessions will consist of HCPS experts answering questions and taking a step-by-step approach to virtual learning for all grade levels. All three sessions will be similar and no registration is required.
Note: These sessions are specifically designed for families and students who are using PowerSchool, Schoology, Microsoft Teams and HCPS-issued devices for the very first time.
To join the sessions, go to https://tinyurl.com/HCPSHelpChat at any of the following times on Thursday, Sept. 3:
• 10 a.m. session.
• 2 p.m. session.
• 6 p.m. session.
If you’re new to PowerSchool, Schoology, Microsoft Teams or the HCPS-issued devices, then I hope you’ll join me on Sept. 3 for the live discussions! (If you can’t attend, no worries. Each session will be recorded for later viewing.)
Sincerely,
Andy Jenks
Chief of Communications and Community Engagement

P.S. For more information about HCPS’ predominantly virtual start to the 2020-21 school year, go to three places:
Our Mission Forward page at https://henricoschools.us/returntoschool/
Our page dedicated to virtual learning: http://blogs.henrico.k12.va.us/hlp/virtual-learning/
The “how-to” video series at this new playlist on HCPS’ YouTube channel


Henrico County Public Schools uses SchoolMessenger to connect with families, students, and staff through e-mail, voice, and text messages. If you received this e-mail in error, or if you wish to be removed from these e-mail communications, you may unsubscribe by clicking: Here. If you unsubscribe then you will no longer receive e-mails from the School Messenger service, which means you might miss other important messages about your school(s).

For questions about these messages, first try contacting your school directly. After that, try the Henrico County Public Schools Central Office at (804) 652-3726 during normal business hours.

SchoolMessenger is a notification service used by the nation's leading school systems to connect with parents, students and staff through voice, SMS text, email, and social media.

Virtual Learning - HLP Season 3 has Arrived! July 13 – August 6 As part of Henrico Edflix’ summer season, HCPS is offering robust activities in English, math, science and social studies, to help your student continue learning in meaningful ways. What will you find in Season 3? English: We want to make sure students ar...

Employee involved in distribution of laptops for Henrico schools tests positive for COVID-19 Henrico County Public Schools disclosed in a message sent to parents Friday that an employee who took part in the distribution of laptops last week has tested positive for COVID-19. The employee wa…

CHROMEBOOK DISTRIBUTION UPDATE: Thank you to everyone who has demonstrated considerable patience today, which is the first day of our fall Chromebook distribution for students in grades 1-5. We are distributing Chromebooks at eight sites this week, and if you’re reading this in your car, you probably know that some lines are very, very long today. We are sorry about the inconvenience. It takes approximately 1-2 minutes to distribute a Chromebook, which is fast, but when there are dozens of cars in line, that amount of time will add up in a hurry.

Please know that we are NOT going to run out of Chromebooks. If the lines are too long where you are, please consider returning to your distribution site on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday of this week. HCPS has an ample supply of Chromebooks for EVERY student.

We are so thankful that you and your families are attending Chromebook distribution. We will continue to work as quickly as possible today as well as on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Elementary schools have been communicating specific instructions about Chromebook distribution. For general information, visit this page: https://henricoschools.us/2020/08/05/hcps-sets-schedule-for-distributing-more-tablets-computers-to-support-virtual-learning/

Henrico County Public Schools



Henrico families,
In the past six months, we’ve heard the word “unprecedented” a lot. This school year definitely qualifies. And while our community has never started a school year using a predominantly virtual format, I know we can do this. It will take teamwork, planning and creativity, and this message is about two key parts of that equation: our new Learning Plan for 2020-21, and our Health Plan. We will be submitting both plans to the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Department of Health. Before we do, however, I wanted to share them with you.
The 2020-21 Learning Plan: A Handbook for Families and Students is our guidebook for ensuring that this school year will be as effective and healthy as possible for all our students. It was created by educators and other staff members from across the school division, with the input of community members and experts. It outlines:
What a typical day might look like for HCPS students of all grade levels.
Video: “A Day in the Life” for grades K-5
How we’ll keep your family informed.
Plans for student support and involvement, from computers and extracurriculars to equity.
How we’ll incorporate some limited, in-person instruction.
Options for gradually returning to school.
Video: HCPS 2020-21 Learning Plan: An Introduction from Superintendent Amy Cashwell
The HCPS COVID-19 Health Plan outlines the strategies HCPS will use to reduce the health risks of coronavirus in our schools. The plan lays out measures to keep our community safe:
Assessing risks and local health conditions.
Working with health officials as we plan to reopen.
Promoting behaviors that reduce the risk of COVID-19.
Maintaining healthy schools.
Protecting people who are most vulnerable.
Planning for when someone gets sick.
Planning to close down, if necessary, because of severe conditions.
I want to thank you, our families, staff and community, for your important role in creating these documents. Through your questions and comments, you’ve helped us identify content, possibilities and opportunities we might not have considered.
While we know this is a daunting challenge, we also begin this new school year with great enthusiasm to serve our students and families in new and innovative ways. We will continue to monitor local health information and make decisions that are grounded in data and the recommendations of health experts. By proceeding in this way and implementing our health-risk mitigation strategies, we can work toward a measured, gradual return to in-person teaching and learning for all students.
I hope you’ll take some time over the next few weeks to look through these plans: https://henricoschools.us/returntoschool/
While this unusual year will no doubt prove challenging at times, it also offers plenty of opportunities. Virtually or in person, I can’t wait to spend time with our students, families and staff members as we get started.
Sincerely,
Amy
Amy E. Cashwell, Ed. D.
Superintendent

Henrico County Public Schools uses SchoolMessenger to connect with families, students, and staff through e-mail, voice, and text messages. If you received this e-mail in error, or if you wish to be removed from these e-mail communications, you may unsubscribe by clicking: Here. If you unsubscribe then you will no longer receive e-mails from the School Messenger service, which means you might miss other important messages about your school(s).

For questions about these messages, first try contacting your school directly. After that, try the Henrico County Public Schools Central Office at (804) 652-3726 during normal business hours.

SchoolMessenger is a notification service used by the nation's leading school systems to connect with parents, students and staff through voice, SMS text, email, and social media.

2020-21: Mission Forward – Henrico County Public Schools 2020-21: Mission Forward TranslationsEjemplos de horarios recientemente detallados del día escolar virtual The Latest(Updated August 11, 2020)2020-21 sample schedules for pre-K, elementary, middle and high school students are now available below. Two in-depth documents will be emailed to families T...

Henrico County Public Schools



Due to the temporary closure of Varina High School, the “grab and go meal service” that typically takes place at Varina High School will move to Rolfe Middle School, located at 6901 Messer Rd. (next to Varina High School).

“Grab and go meal service” will be available at Rolfe Middle School today (Thursday, Aug. 13) and Monday, Aug. 17, from 11 a.m. until Noon. Students can receive meals for the weekend at today’s pickup.

For the full list of “grab and go meal service” sites, visit this page: https://henricoschools.us/covid19/grab-and-go-breakfasts-and-lunches/

Andy Jenks

Chief of Communications and Community Engagement

Henrico County Public Schools

Henrico County Public Schools uses SchoolMessenger to connect with families, students, and staff through e-mail, voice, and text messages. If you received this e-mail in error, or if you wish to be removed from these e-mail communications, you may unsubscribe by clicking: Here. If you unsubscribe then you will no longer receive e-mails from the School Messenger service, which means you might miss other important messages about your school(s).

For questions about these messages, first try contacting your school directly. After that, try the Henrico County Public Schools Central Office at (804) 652-3726 during normal business hours.

SchoolMessenger is a notification service used by the nation's leading school systems to connect with parents, students and staff through voice, SMS text, email, and social media.

“Grab and Go” School Meals – Henrico County Public Schools “Grab and Go” School Meals COVID-19 and HCPS On-Demand Learning(Updated: June 15) Aprendizaje LifeReady Bajo Pedido Commonly Asked Questions (Updated: June 16) “Grab and Go” School Meals (Updated: June 12) Servicio gratuito de comidas para llevar, para los estudiantes Mobile Tech Hubs Gradin...

This message is for students who are scheduled to take the SAT on Aug. 29, 2020:

SAT testing scheduled for Aug. 29 will take place at Douglas S. Freeman, Henrico and Varina High Schools. HCPS is working with CollegeBoard to provide a safe and secure testing environment for our students. If your Aug. 29 SAT registration is for Douglas S. Freeman High, Henrico High or Varina High, please follow the information below:

- Students and staff will be required to wear a facial covering throughout the test day.
- All students will be required to move through a temperature screening (less than 100.4◦F) and to answer questions about COVID-19 contacts.
- No parents or visitors will be allowed to enter the testing area; only test-takers and staff will be allowed in the school buildings.
- Once the screening and questions have been completed, the student will be directed to the testing room.
- Because of the screening and questions, students are encouraged to arrive early so they can get to their testing rooms in a timely manner. If you usually get to the school at 7:30 a.m., you may want to consider arriving at 7 a.m.
- Social Distancing will be maintained both outside and inside the testing rooms; cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting of rooms and areas will take place before, during and after testing.
- Hand sanitizer will be available in every testing room, and students will be encouraged to use it when returning to assigned desk from breaks.
- Snacks should be at a minimum and 6-foot social distancing will be maintained during all breaks.
- Students are reminded to bring an approved ID, pencils, calculator and snacks. No sharing of items will be permitted during the test day.
- A good plan is to practice wearing a facial covering while working on a practice SAT before the actual test day. Mask-wearing will be required for at least 6 hours on Aug. 29.

Students who fail to follow HCPS COVID 19 protocols for a safe testing event will be dismissed from the test and will not receive a refund.

Please contact CollegeBoard if you have any questions. HCPS staff will not be able to answer your questions.

Website: https://collegeboard.tfaforms.net/66

Phone: 866-756-7346

COVID-19 Health Screening Questions for Visitors

If the answer is “Yes” to any of the following questions, access to the school building/campus will not be permitted.

1. Have you returned from traveling outside the country within the last 14 days?
2. Have you had close contact with or cared for someone diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last 14 days?
3. Have you been in close contact with anyone who has traveled outside the country within the last 14 days?
4. Have you been sent home or declined access to an HCPS building since 3/13/2020 because of COVID-19 screening?
5. Have you experienced any cold or flu-like symptoms in the last 14 days? (Fever > 100, Cough, Sore Throat, Respiratory illness, difficulty breathing)

Again, please contact CollegeBoard if you have any questions. HCPS staff will not be able to answer your questions.

Website: https://collegeboard.tfaforms.net/66

Phone: 866-756-7346

Henrico County Public Schools



Henrico families,
Today I’d like to give you a first look at newly detailed “virtual school day” sample schedules. These schedules are freshly updated and contain many more aspects of the school day than previously communicated.
To see the newly detailed sample schedules, please visit our website: https://henricoschools.us/returntoschool/
Of course, we know our students and families need more than just samples. Later this week, please be on the lookout for a new message from your school’s principal which will contain your school’s master schedule for the virtual learning period. The master schedules will be mostly similar to the samples, but some learning activities may occur at different times as determined by school-based administrative teams.
Additionally, we’ll be releasing the full HCPS Learning Plan on Thursday as part of our School Board work session that afternoon.
As for the newly detailed sample schedules which are available now, you can skip straight to a particular grade level by using these links:

Pre-K sample schedule (pdf)
(*Official Pre-K schedules are expected to be finalized by Monday, Aug. 17.)

Grades K-2 sample schedule (pdf)
Grades 3-5 sample schedule (pdf)
(*Official elementary school master schedules will be released by your school on Thursday, Aug. 13. Teacher assignments will be available the week of Aug. 17)

Middle school sample schedule (pdf)
(*Official middle school master schedules and teacher assignments will be released after 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28)

High school sample schedule (pdf)
(*Official high school master schedules and teacher assignments will be released after 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28)

Again, families of elementary school students will receive communication from their school this Thursday with additional schedule information. To see additional information related to our predominantly virtual start, please visit our website: https://henricoschools.us/returntoschool/

Thank you for your patience and support of Henrico County Public Schools!

Sincerely,
Amy

Amy E. Cashwell, Ed. D.
Superintendent

Henrico County Public Schools uses SchoolMessenger to connect with families, students, and staff through e-mail, voice, and text messages. If you received this e-mail in error, or if you wish to be removed from these e-mail communications, you may unsubscribe by clicking: Here. If you unsubscribe then you will no longer receive e-mails from the School Messenger service, which means you might miss other important messages about your school(s).

For questions about these messages, first try contacting your school directly. After that, try the Henrico County Public Schools Central Office at (804) 652-3726 during normal business hours.

SchoolMessenger is a notification service used by the nation's leading school systems to connect with parents, students and staff through voice, SMS text, email, and social media.

2020-21: Mission Forward – Henrico County Public Schools 2020-21: Mission Forward Translations Asunto: Año académico 2020-2021: Mensaje de la Superintendente Amy Cashwell Audio en español शैक्षिक वर्ष २०२०-२०२१: अधीक्षक एमी क्याशवेलबाट Amy Cashwell सूचना नेप...

ATTENTION TEACHERS:

In order to give families the support they need for the predominantly virtual start to the school year, Henrico County Public Schools will provide a tablet or computer for each of HCPS’ more than 50,000 students. HCPS has set a schedule for the distribution of devices, which include iPads, Chromebooks and Dell laptops. Families will soon receive detailed instructions from their individual schools about specific times and places to pick up devices.

Preschool and kindergarten students will receive iPads, students in grades 1-5 who still need Chromebooks will get them, and rising sixth-graders will get Dell laptops. (Most other secondary students still have their HCPS-issued laptops from 2019-20.)

HCPS will also provide Wi-Fi hot spots to households that need internet, while supplies last.

The distribution schedule will apply mostly to certain grade levels, as well as students who are new to the school division.

Distribution of devices (specific pickup instructions will be communicated by each school):

- Aug. 10-13: Distribution of Dell laptops to new middle school students. Rising sixth-graders will exchange their HCPS-issued Chromebooks and receive Dell laptops. (This would include newly enrolled middle school students who did not previously have an HCPS-issued device.)

- Aug. 17-20: Distribution of Chromebooks to elementary students. Rising first-graders will receive Chromebooks, as will all other students in grades 2-5 who still need one.

- Aug. 24-28: Distribution of iPads to pre-K and K students. Preschool and kindergarten students will pick up iPads (and in some cases exchange their Chromebooks issued in the spring).

- Aug. 31-Sept. 4: Remote technology hubs open at all secondary schools. Hubs will be open at all HCPS middle and high schools to complete device distribution (including devices for newly enrolled high school students) and support other student and staff technology issues.

The new plan ensures that every HCPS student will be provided an HCPS-issued device for the school year. During the spring closure, middle and high school students used their HCPS-issued laptops, while households with multiple elementary school students may have shared devices previously stored in classrooms.

Individual schools will soon contact families about specific times and places to pick up devices.