The Tiger Tea
Hill Happenings 9/2- 9/6
Principal's Message
Happy Monday!
I hope everyone enjoyed the extended weekend! We hope to see you Thursday at Back to School Night! Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. Soccer tryouts and Girls Basketball tryouts begin this week. Flyers in the Sports Corner!
Highlights from last week:
- Attendance ambassadors recognized students with 100% attendance during the 1st week of school!
- The admin team celebrated the amazing Hill staff!
Every Tiger, Every Day!
Announcements on the Hill
Parents and Caregivers, please remind students of our community expectations. We know middle school can be hard. Our school uses restorative practices to engage students and teach them ways to handle stress and conflict. Encourage students to use the Tigers Talk QR code if they don't feel comfortable seeking help from an adult.
- Be Kind- If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. it is never okay to use our words or actions to make others feel less than.
- Communicate- If there is an issue, there are loving adults in the building to help you navigate. Start with your favorite teacher, guidance counselor, or grade level administrator. Remember if you don't feel the issue has been resolved, seek help again!
- Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourselves. We use our words to resolve conflict.
THEATRE on the Hill!
This year's musical at Albert Hill is... (drum roll please) BEETLEJUICE JR! Are you interested in performing or Technical Theatre? Join us for our virtual Musical Interest Meeting on Thursday, September 5th at 5:00 pm. Use this link to access our Google Meeting: https://meet.google.com/wci-meti-kzr If you have questions, ask Mrs. Vollmer in room 302.
Do you want to audition to perform or be a part of the Beetlejuice Jr. tech team? Beetljuice Jr. Auditions will take place on Monday, September 9th from 3:15-5:00 PM. You must complete the Musical Audition Application. Sign ups are now LIVE! Use the link below to complete your application today!
Students interested in tech will not need to stay for auditions, but you will need to list a teacher to provide a character reference on your behalf. Callbacks will take place on Thursday, September 12th from 3:15-4:30 PM. If you plan to audition, you need to be available for both auditions and callbacks. If you have questions, ask Mrs. Vollmer in room 302.
Thursday, September 5th will be public library card sign-up day at Albert Hill. If you would like your student to receive a public library card, please complete the attached form and return it to the library or email it to Mr. Harter (dharter@rvaschools.net).
House Page Program
The 2025 House Page Program application is now live! This is a wonderful opportunity for students ages 13-14 to explore government and politics! Applications are due by Friday, October 18, 2024 at 5:00 pm. For more further information, check out the updated program overview and FAQ on the Capitol Classroom section of the Virginia General Assembly website.
TIGERS T.A.L.K.: TAKING ACTION WITH LOVE AND KINDNESS
Students are encouraged to use the Tigers T.A.L.K. QR code if they need mental health support or if they would like to report instances of bullying or unkind acts anonymously. The QR code is monitored by one of our school counselors.
VisArts After School Program
Hello Art After School Families!
Another session of Art After School at the Visual Arts Center is on the way for Fall 2024, beginning the week of September 17, 2024 ! Attached is a flyer with a class list, and below is updated info about how to sign up your student for scholarship or tuition seats!
What is Art After School?
At the Visual Arts Center of Richmond, students aged 6-14 have the opportunity to make art with some of Richmond’s most talented artists and educators in our professional studios. Students can choose from classes like Stained Glass, Darkroom Photography, Screen printing, Clay and much more!
After-school classes run one day per week on either Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Scholarships
Our goal with our scholarship program is to help combat financial barriers that might limit access to our fun and engaging programs.
Scholarship seats will be prioritized by financial need. Each Scholarship student is awarded one free class per semester. Please follow the directions below to access our Scholarship Sign-Up Form!
Tuition Classes
If you are a parent/guardian who is able to pay to enroll your student, or you would like your child to participate in more than one program a week, please sign up as a tuition-based student through our website. Availability may be limited so sign-up early! We also always offer additional Financial Aid through our website.
SCHOLARSHIP SIGN UP FORM:
Click here: https://form.jotform.com/VisartsRVA/scholarships-Fall2024
This form must be completed by September 12, 2024
- Please see the attached list of classes to choose from
- We will do our best to sign your child up for one of their choices, and will get back to you with your child’s class assignment by Sept 13th, 2024
- Classes begin the week of Sept 17th!
- Scholarship seats will be prioritized by financial need
Info for ALBERT HILL Families:
- Parents/Guardians will need to drop off Albert Hill students by 4:00pm at the Visual Arts Center
- Please escort your student inside on the first day of class
- All classes begin at 4:00pm.
- All students must be picked up at the Visual Arts Center at 5:30pm Address: 1812 West Main St, Richmond VA
VisArts has a van this year, that can be used to pick up 10 students who need transportation! If you need transportation from Albert Hill, please reach out to the Community Programs Manager at VisArts.
If you have any questions or need help signing up, please reach out to Liana Elguero, Community Programs Manager at VisArts lelguero@visarts.org. We are looking forward to seeing you at Art After School!
IGNITE fueled by the YMCA of Greater Richmond
If you are looking for FREE high quality after school programming, please sign-up for the IGNITE fall session. Transportation is provided for in-zone students. Programming options are available from 3:30 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. Fall session begins September 16th.
Contact Ms. Crystal Taylor (taylorc@ymcarichmond.org), Site Coordinator, if you have any questions.
Dates to Remember
Attendance Awareness Month, Suicide Prevention Month, Hispanic Heritage Month
August 30- September 2
RPS Closed: Labor Day Weekend Holiday
September 3-6
Co-Ed Soccer and Girls Basketball tryouts
September 4
1:30 p.m.- 3:00 p.m. Vaccination Clinic @ Albert Hill
September 5
Public Library Card Sign Up
5:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. Back to School Night
September 9-13
Cheer Tryouts
September 10
VGA Testing: Reading 8
September 11
VGA Testing: Reading 7
Remembrance Day
September 12
VGA Testing: Reading 6
September 16
Ignite fall session begins
September 17
8th Grade Trip: John Marshall Center
September 18
VGA Testing: Math 7 and Math 7/8
September 19
VGA Testing: Math 6
September 23
Opt-in Locker Distribution Begins
Sports Corner
All students must have a current VHSL physical form dated after May 1, 2024 and signed by a physician before they can try out or participate in any athletic activities. Transportation is provided for in-zone students.
Girls Basketball
Girls Basketball tryouts will be September 3rd- 5th. Students should meet in the gym at dismissal.
Coaches: Mr. Brouder (gbrouder@rvaschools.net), Mr. McLane (jmclane@rvaschools.net)
Cheerleading
Cheer tryouts will begin the week of September 9th. Signups will be outside of Ms. Lloyd's (202) and Ms. West's (213) rooms during the week of August 26th.
Coaches: Ms. West (twest3@rvaschools.net), Ms. Lloyd (clloyd@rvaschools.net)
Soccer
Soccer tryouts will be September 3rd- 5th. Students should meet in the gym at dismissal.
Coach: Mr. Turner (eturner2@rvaschools.net)
Athletic Director
Mr. Kyle Kimbrell (kkimbrel@rvaschools.net)
Students can sign up using the QR code or sign up outside of Room 202 or 213.
PTA Roar
Join the PTA
Membership dues are currently just $7 per person but will likely increase in September because of an increase in cost in state and national dues. Join now -- click here!
PTA Board Positions
The Albert Hill PTA is seeking volunteers to fill the remaining open board positions. Please help us continue the tradition of excellence and community support by joining the PTA board! No experience necessary only a willing heart!
>>Fall Fundraiser Chair
>>Volunteer Coordinator
>>Yard Sale Chair:
>>Community Service Chair
For detailed descriptions of the above positions, click this link. To volunteer or find out more, email alberthillpta@gmail.com.
Tiger Lair
TIGER P.R.I.D.E./ THE HILL WAY
P: Prepared- I will be in school on time ready to learn.
R: Respectful- I will conduct myself in a way that honors myself, my school, and my community.
I: Integrity- I will do the right thing and make positive choices.
D: Determination- I will not give up in the face of adversity. I am resilient.
E: Exceeding Expectations with Excellence- I will do my personal best everyday.
Every Tiger, Every Day!
School Attendance
Every Tiger, Every Day! Every Day Counts! Thank you for helping us maintain our chronic absenteeism rate last year of 21%! Our goal this year is 15%. WE CAN DO IT!
School attendance is vital to student academic success at all levels.
The Virginia Department of Education defines “chronic absenteeism” as missing ten percent or more of the academic year for any reason (18 days). Truancy is the act of accruing one or more unexcused absences. Though the definition of absenteeism may differ from truancy, the National Center for School Engagement asserts that the outcomes of a student missing class remain constant regardless of how truancy or absenteeism is classified. Several studies suggest that chronic absences frequently lead to notable academic problems.
Parent/guardians are encouraged to call the school on the day of their child’s absence, but MUST send a written note requesting absences be considered excused upon returning to school. All written notes MUST be submitted to the school within five (5) days of the last absence.
Excused absences are typically those that have resulted from conditions beyond the control of the students or parents/guardians. The only excuses for absences that shall be deemed acceptable for consideration are:
Personal illness (if over three days, the school shall require a note from the doctor)
Personal court appearance (student)
Death in the family (mother, father, spouse, son, daughter, sister, brother, grandparent, aunt, uncle, nephew or niece)
Religious holidays regularly observed by the student
Extenuating circumstances as approved by the school administration
Schoolwide Title 1 Program
Albert Hill is a Title 1 School. Our fantastic Title 1 coaches, Ms. Collier (Reading) and Ms. Russell (Math) are always available to answer your literacy and mathematics questions. We thank them for sharing information regarding our Title 1 status at Back to School Night Thursday, September 5, 2024.
Title I, Part A provides financial assistance through state educational agencies to school divisions and public schools with high numbers or percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic content and achievement standards.
School divisions target the Title I funds they receive to public schools with the highest percentages of children from low-income families. RPS Title I funded schools are school-wide programs that are designed to upgrade their entire educational programs for all students, particularly the lowest-achieving students.
Please view this schoolwide Title 1 Presentation to learn more! This information can also be found on our school website.
Breakfast and Lunch
All students are eligible to receive a healthy breakfast and lunch at no charge each day of the school year. No further action is required of you. Your children will be able to participate in these meal programs without having to pay a fee or submit an application.
Food deliveries to students from meal delivery services are not permitted at any time during the school day or at after school activities due to safety and to minimize disruptions. Attempted deliveries will be confiscated and will remain in the main office until dismissal. Parents may bring food to students.
School Communications
If you would like to stay abreast of all of the latest information. Please be sure to sign up to receive Remind messages from our school. You should've already been receiving Remind messages if your student is enrolled. If you are not, you have likely opted out of receiving Remind messages and must change your preferences.
Please also check out the school's website, weekly Tiger Tea (access through school website, social media accounts, or "follow" to receive via email), and follow all school and PTA social media accounts.
-TigerEye ParentLink on Instagram
-Albert Hill Middle PTA private Facebook group
-Albert Hill PTA Facebook account