On Monday, October 7, 2024, the Fredericksburg City School Board formally recognized and honored Dr. Gladys West, for whom our new elementary school will be named. Delegate Joshua Cole procured and read a letter of congratulations from Vice President Kamala Harris. Mayor Kerry Devine and Senator Tara Durant also spoke at this historic event. This will be the first school in the nation to recognize this great woman and her important achievements.

Last week, Preschool Penguins celebrated Fire Safety Month and Fire Prevention Week with a visit from the Fredericksburg Fire Department. Students have been learning all about fire safety and were excited to share all their new knowledge with the visiting firefighters! Great work, Penguins!

Students missing school is a significant problem for school divisions all across the state of Virginia. Chronic absenteeism has risen significantly since the pandemic, so FCPS has initiated an attendance committee tasked with finding creative new ways to get students back in class. Every month, we recognize the school with the best overall attendance, and in September, the Lafayette Lions proved that #AttendanceMatters!

Keep an eye out for attendance winner banners outside your school, and keep helping us fight chronic absenteeism!

Last week, Preschool Programs hosted Penguin families at the Walker-Grant Center for a Health & Safety Family Night. Students and families spoke to vendors, shared a meal, and had some fun too!

Last week, Hugh Mercer students headed to Sunshine Park for their Fall Field Days!

"All good things are wild and free." — Henry David Thoreau

American Heart Association's HeartSaver Hero Award (pictured above): Phil Bernard (2)

James Monroe High School Optimist Student of the Month: Hailey Zeller (12), Keanan Berry (12), Madison Abbott (12)

Keep Virginia Beautiful Student Ambassador for SAVE: Alivia Teri (12)

National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Scholars: Elizabeth Furrow (12). Genesis Ortega Cuevas (12), Yash Patil (12)

The College Board Academic Honors: Luis Alvarado Zamora (12), Adam Lin (11), Genesis Ortega Cuevas (12), Hailey Zeller (12)

VCU-RRTC PROGRESS Summer Intern Program Participants: Isobel Hornung (9), Christian Ienco (11), Grace McGirr (12), Jaidan Pressley (11), Darius Wilson (12)

VCU-RRTC PROGRESS Summer Intern Program Mentors: Alice Cobey (JM Media Specialist), Lameka Parker (JM Attendance Coordinator), Jeremiah Valade (FCPS Technology Technician), Phyllis Washington (JM Lead Custodian)

VCU-RRTC PROGRESS Summer Intern Program VCU Representatives: Joshua Drywater (VCU-RRTC Director of Native Initiatives), Mallary McEvoy (VCU-RRTC Employment Specialist)

National Custodian Appreciation Day: Rosa Amaya Cortez, Veronica Amaya Cortez, Rosa Amaya Sanchez, Katrina Boxley, Diana Campos, Maxine Cannon, Wydella Crawford, Julie Dennis, Patricia Espinal Melendez, Claudia Gallo Delcid, Pamela Fauntleroy, Maurice Fortune, Brian Henson, Sonia Iraheta, Kevin Jackson, Michael Laskowski, Maria Martinez, Claudia Martinez de Perez, Ilbea Martinez Guevara, Margo Melchor, Celestine Mercer, Charlotte Nnomah Asiedu, Sherman Paige, Roman Perry, Silvia Reina de Sandoval, Laura Rodriguez, Sarah Rojas, Ana Ruiz de Palacios, Normas Salinas, Julia Sweeney, Flor Torres, Phyllis Washington, Roger Williams

National Instructional Coach Appreciation Day: Hadley Christi, Laura Powell, Albert Jacoby, Tara Lewis, Stephanie Teri, Ashley Van Tassel, Katya Zablotney, Carli Goodsell, Jill Yeboah-Kankam, Pam Douglas, Blaire Morris, Nancy Collins, Melanie Roth, Annie Langdon

National Principals Month: Laura Dove (PP), Jay Snyder (HMES), Courtney Wheeler (LES), Stephen Ventura (WGMS), Marcus Petty (JM)

New Administrative Employee: Sarah Cook (HMES Assistant Principal)

Downtown local favorite Ristorante Renatos has shared that they will be offering warm meals on Thanksgiving Day again this year for anyone who needs one. They can deliver it to you, or you can pick it up. Meals include turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, a roll, stuffing, a beverage, and a dessert. We are incredibly fortunate to have this wonderful community partner looking out for our Fredericksburg families.

Ristorante Renatos

422 William Street

Fredericksburg VA, 22401

(540) 371-8228

Fredericksburg City Public Schools (FCPS) is pleased to announce the launch of a new SpeakUp for Safety tipline for students in Grades 6-12.

• This resource allows students to report confidentially concerns of bullying, threats, and other safety concerns via email, text, and phone call.
• A monthly reminder will be emailed to students in Grades 6-12, including the phone number as well as more information on how the tipline works.
• For questions, please contact FCPS Safety Coordinator Angie Roenke.

As always, if you have an urgent concern, you can call 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you witness or have information about a crime or potential crime, you can text "FPD Tip" to 847-411 to send an anonymous tip to Fredericksburg Police.

Every October, we celebrate National Principals Month in honor of our school principals, whose strong leadership, passion for education, and nonstop dedication to learning make our schools truly great. Consider taking a few moments this month to share a few kind words or send a thank-you note to your principal for all they do to support, uplift, and inspire our students.

• Basketball (WGMS Girls) vs. King George — 4:30 PM @ King George Middle School
• Volleyball (JV) vs. Courtland — 5 PM @ Courtland High School
• Volleyball (Varsity) vs. Courtland — 6:30 PM @ Courtland High School
• Field Hockey (JV) vs. Courtland — 5:30 PM @ Courtland High School
• Field Hockey (Varsity) vs. Courtland — 7 PM @ Courtland High School

• Field Hockey (WGMS) vs. St. Catherine's — 4:30 PM @ Walker-Grant Middle School
• Cross Country (Varsity) — 5 PM @ Pratt Park
• Football & Cheer (JV) vs. Courtland — 6 PM @ Maury Stadium

• Basketball (WGMS Girls) vs. Culpeper — 4:30 PM @ Culpeper Middle School
• Football (WGMS) vs. Culpeper — 4:30 PM @ Walker-Grant Middle School
• Field Hockey (JV) vs. Spotsylvania — 5 PM @ Maury Stadium
• Field Hockey (Varsity) vs. Spotsylvania — 6:30 PM @ Maury Stadium
• Volleyball (JV) vs. Spotsylvania — 5 PM @ James Monroe High School
• Volleyball (Varsity) vs. Spotsylvania — 6:30 PM @ James Monroe High School

• Football & Cheer (Varsity) vs. Courtland — 7 PM @ Courtland High School

• Cross Country (Varsity Boys) vs. Atlee — Pole Green Park

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