March 2025

RCES welcomed families for the Spring Fling Family Engagement Night on Thursday, March 20th. Students and their families enjoyed an assortment of fun enrichment activities while connecting with the school community. To learn more and see lots of event photos, CLICK HERE.

On March 4, Ms. Sappington led 1st graders around the elementary school in a second line (a traditional New Orleans walking parade) to celebrate Mardi Gras and introduce students to some New Orleans traditions. The students sang and played tambourines as they walked through the hallways.

Photo by Holly Jenkins

Mr. Hogan's Building Maintenance class meticulously lined the field in preparation for the upcoming soccer season earlier this month.

Photo by Holly Jenkins

Forty-three 8th graders and their peer mentors and chaperones had an exciting day at Massanutten Waterpark during the 8th-grade Academy Overnight Program! After dinner at Wood Grill Buffet, the group spent the night at Graves Mountain Lodge, where they enjoyed a bonfire and toasted marshmallows before settling in for the night. The adventure concluded with a hearty family-style breakfast the following day.

Photo by Dani Pond

During Read Across America Week, Ms. Robinson's PreK students showed off their school spirit on Wacky Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Erica Robinson

On March 12th, the Emergency Medical Responders (EMR) students from Mrs. Waters’ class visited the Fairfax County Fire Training Academy. The students practiced skills learned in class and so much more!

Photo courtesy of Kat Waters

A few weeks ago, Ms. Barron’s 5th grade students received a letter from a 5th grade class in Ohio inviting them to participate in The Great American Mail Race. This is a challenge where students write to a class in each of the 50 states hoping to receive a response from all of them! Students answered a questionnaire about our school. On March 5th, they were excited to fill their envelopes to mailed off to the different schools. They are excited to see how many responses they get back!

Photos by Lauren Barron

On March 14, four juniors attended the West Point Leadership and Ethics Conference at George Mason University 's Arlington Campus. The students participated in discussions focused on ethical leadership and developed solutions to leadership and ethical challenges typically faced by young adults. Rappahannock County High School was represented by Henry Loth, Ruth Cossette, Carmen Pond, and Eli Genho.

Photo by Kreighton Long

Sixth grade students worked on completing circuits using Electronic Circuit Board Technology in STEAM on March 13th. They powered propellers, made noise makers and turned on LED lights using the snap circuits!

Photos by Bethany Cubbage

Mrs. Sanborn’s pre-algebra class celebrated Pi Day on Friday, 3/14! Because Pi is a never ending number the Greek symbol, π, is often used. Students learned some fun facts about π. Did you know that Albert Einstein’s birthday is today, Pi Day? Pi is used to calculate the density of the Earth. Did you know the density of the earth is less than π? It would take 133 years for someone to recite the first 6.4 billion known digits of π. Students celebrated with pizza and took a picture representing the first 11 digits of π. Just in case you are wondering—3.1415926535 is three and one thousand four hundred fifteen million nine hundred twenty-six thousand five hundred thirty-five ten-billionths.

Photo courtesy of Karen Ellis

The RCHS Panther Band was hard at work on March 14th, preparing for the Mini Golf Fundraiser the following day.

Photo by Holly Jenkins

Rory the Panther visited the RCES parent pick-up line on Monday, March 24, to remind everyone to sign up for the Fun Run. Check out the announcements & reminders section below to learn more about the PTO fundraiser.

Photo courtesy of Rappahannock PTO

Ms. Williams’ 10th grade Drivers Education students created informative posters to help their peers understand how to safely share the road with a variety of different vehicles, pedestrians, and situations. Through this project, they highlighted ways to minimize risks and promote safer roadways for everyone.
Photo by Lauren Williams

RCPS celebrated National School Breakfast Week earlier this month. Our amazing cafeteria staff at RCES and RCHS works hard to provide students nutritious meals, helping them stay fueled and ready to learn.

Photo by Holly Jenkins

The RCHS 8th Grade Academy and Peer Mentors had a blast this month with a spring-themed rocking painting activity! After getting creative with their colorful designs, the groups placed their vibrant rocks in the flower beds at the school's main entrance, adding a fun and cheerful touch to the grounds!
Photo by Jenny Kapsa

RCES third-grade students enjoyed experiencing the "Kids Marketplace," a financial literacy activity on March 20th. For the past several years, the Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) and Rappahannock County Public Schools' Profile of a Graduate (POG) program have partnered to create an engaging exercise that teaches children the difference between spending money on wants vs. needs in a fun and eye-opening way.

Photo by Holly Jenkins

Students in Mrs. Curry's Economics & Personal Finance (EPF) course participated in a team competition during their lesson on Monetary and Fiscal Policy in the US. Teams were challenged to categorize different Federal Government 'actions' as examples of either Monetary or Fiscal Policy. This team of students earned a perfect score!

Photo by Sarah Beth Curry

Mrs. Debbie Donehey, Chairperson of the Rappahannock County Board of Supervisors, stopped by Rappahannock County High School today. Mrs. Donehey was taken on a small guided tour around the building visiting random classrooms and speaking with various staff members. Mrs. Donehey really enjoyed her visit to Mrs. Waters’ class where they were studying hands on labor and delivery. However, her favorite stop was Mrs. Fincham's Agricultural classroom where she quickly bonded with Small Fry the bearded dragon. Small Fry readily took to Mrs. Donehey as well climbing up onto her chest and appearing to quickly go to sleep. Mrs. Donehey's visits are always very much appreciated and gives the students a chance to show off their hard work and achievements from the school year.
Photos by Chris Ubben

During the RCHS Panther Band trip to NYC, the students attended a workshop through Broadway Plus and worked on a piece from the musical, Gatsby, with instrumental professor and Broadway trombone player, Jennifer Wharton.

Photo by Shannon Grimsley

The innovative RCHS Tiebrary was officially revealed on Friday, March 14th, thanks to the students who skillfully crafted the wooden structure. To read all about it, click HERE.

RCES celebrated the 15th annual Agriculture Literacy Week, recognized on March 17-21st, with a special visit from local farmers, including Delegate Webert (pictured above). To read all about it, CLICK HERE.

As a friendly calendar reminder, RCPS will be closed for spring break on Friday, April 18th thru Tuesday, April 22nd. We look forward to welcoming students back to school on Wednesday, April 23rd.

The PTO FUN RUN fundraiser has officially kicked off for 2025! The big event will be held on Thursday, April 3rd. For all the details, check out the info below.

RCHS and RCES families can sign-up their student today at https://mybooster.com/v3.

Want to join the fun and volunteer? Sign up by clicking the links below.

RCES - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050944A5AF29A0FC1-55505265-funrun/12025596#/

RCHS - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050944A5AF29A0FC1-55876219-funrun/12025596#/

If you would like to donate to the fundraiser, CLICK HERE.

WHAT: RCPS PTO Fun Run Event

• The PTO's biggest fundraiser of the year—now expanded to include RCHS!
• A 10-day school-wide spirit event featuring exciting prizes and contests at BOTH schools!
• New: Even though it’s called the “Fun Run” to build on our past successes, this year we’re doing A Rappahannock-themed Obstacle Course at RCHS, where older students help younger grades complete fun local-inspired challenges!

WHY: Improve our schools

• In the past years, we’ve raised $175,000+ for playgrounds, field trips, a paved walking trail, and school resources!!
• 100% inclusive—every student gets to participate, gets a FREE school spirit shirt, and can compete for prizes!!
• RCES - a CLIMBING WALL, GAGA BALL PIT, and a school spirit MURAL!! RCES Goal - $25,000

• RCPS - A new OUTDOOR COURTYARD for learning, eating, and socializing!! RCHS Goal - $25,000

WHO: All RCPS students!!!!

• RCES students will be bussed over to RCHS during exploratory times to complete a fun, 30 min Rappahannock unity themed obstacle course put on by the RCPS students
• RCHS students who sign up for the event at mybooster.com and bring in ANY donation will get to enjoy the event and a FREE lunch during their lunch periods
• We welcome parent volunteers to help with the event and all the moving parts!

HOW:

• Students sign up at mybooster.com, then get Donations from family, friends, and businesses March 24th- April 3rd
• Volunteers & sponsors needed!

WHEN and WHERE is the RUN:

• Rappahannock County High School practice field
• April 3, 2025 -9am-3pm RCES Students during exploratory times, RCHS student helpers throughout the day and at lunchtime

We are currently accepting PreK applications for SY 2025-2026. After completing the electronic registration (link below), please email the required documents (immunization records, income verification, and birth certificate) to Michelle Berta at mberta@rappahannockschools.us or drop them off at the school board office. A limited number of slots are available.

Click the button below to start the application.

All children who will be five years old by September 30, 2025 may enter Kindergarten this August. Formal registration for new Kindergartners will be held on Tuesday, April 29th , Wednesday, April 30th , Thursday, May 1st , and Friday May 2nd . The hours are 8:30–11:30am, and 1:00–3:00pm by appointment only. If you know of any children in Rappahannock County who will be five by September 30th, we would greatly appreciate your giving us that information so that we may contact their parents and arrange an appointment.

To view the printable PDF form, CLICK HERE.

The clinic is available to all students in grades PreK-12 with parental consent. The necessary paperwork can be found HERE. To schedule an appointment, please call the clinic at 540-793-1371. Ms. Prince begins scheduling appointments at 8 am for students and RCPS staff. If she is busy assisting another patient, please leave a message for her to return your call.

To sign up for Behind the Wheel, visit

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSccnKHX9tDOU1oY45Az8kkTVnkvWGYTEU4sKqIyz0RG02rxwg/viewform

For more information, please contact Ms. Fox at efox@rappahannockschools.us.

Check out the upcoming events calendar, your one-stop place to view RCPS' community events and more! To view, CLICK HERE or visit our district website and click "Happenings and Highlights," now under the CALENDAR tab.

Enrollment information and more can be found at www.RappNatureCamp.org. Student scholarships are available through the Headwaters Emily Hilscher Passion Award.

RappTaxFree will prepare your return accurately and at no cost. Register at RappTaxFree.org or call 540-227-0493. We will schedule your time with an IRS-certified counselor. There is NO fee to prepare your return. We are scheduling appointments now for Saturdays at the Sperryville Schoolhouse, beginning February 15. RappTaxFree is an AARP TaxAide site hosted by RappCE. For more information, call 540-227-0493.

Check out this free outdoor event for dads and their children at Verdun Adventure Bound!

To view the list of helpful mental health and wellness resources for students and families, CLICK HERE.

Website: www.rappahannockschools.us
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rappahannockcountypublicschools
Instagram: www.instagram.com/_rcps_

Email: info@rappahannockschools.us

To view a helpful list of our communications channels, CLICK HERE.