The Tiger Tea

Happy Sunday!

Thank you to everyone who celebrated Dr. Ford and Mr. Pitt this week for Assistant Principal's week! Please come out to support our PTA Bingo Night rescheduled for Wednesday, April 16th (flyer below).

We are 10 school days from our 1st SOL test. It is imperative that all students are present and actively engaged in review over the next couple of weeks. Our school has maintained accreditation for the past 2 years and this year we are hoping to be recognized as distinguished under the new state accountability system. We can do it Tigers!

Highlights from last week!

• A huge thank you to our PTA for sponsoring our attendance Ice Cream incentive before we left for Spring Break! Thank you to Elite Treats & Eats for serving our students with excellence!
• Thank you to all families who attended PTA Spirit Night at the Kickers this week!
• 6th Grade Civil War Museum Field Trip!
• Monument Avenue 10K. Thank you to our run club and teachers, Mr. Kimbrell, Mrs. Perry, and Ms. Oelkers!

It's time to order the 2024-25 Albert Hill Yearbook! Ms. B and the yearbook club have been working hard to make this year's book very special. Place your order by this Monday, April 14 here: https://strawbridge.fotomerchanthv.com/search/YB31719

April is a month full of celebrations, including National Poetry Month, Earth Day, and School Library Month.

This year, in the AHMS Library, we are going to celebrate all of them as School Library Month.

Why? Because the school library is not just a place where students can find books or teachers can bring classes for library instruction. It’s a place for history, math, science, English, foreign languages, art, performance, creativity, and fun.

Here’ what’s going to be happening:

• Bookmark contest - All students are invited to design and create a bookmark that will then be judged by our fantastic art teachers, Ms. Bartenstein and Mrs. Russell. The winning entry will be reproduced and laminated and available for free in the library. Last year’s winner was Tolly Crozier.

• Book drive - For the rest of the month, Mr. Harter will be collecting used and new books that will be donated to the Calhoun Community Center and Fantastic Thrift on Main Street. All genres and age levels will be accepted. Because the annual yard sale does not include books, this is a great opportunity to clean out your bookshelves while cleaning out your closets and garages.

• Community Science Day - On Tuesday, April 22 (Earth Day), the library will be hosting our first annual Community/Citizen Science Day, 9-2:30. Classes can schedule to come to the library throughout the day to see how the following organizations are working with science in our community: Central Virginia Waste Management Authority, Chesterfield Master Naturalists, James River Association, Pocahontas State Park, University of Richmond, and the Virginia Department of Conservation. Expect free swag and maybe a critter or two.

• Poetry Slam - On Monday, April 28, during all three lunch periods, we will hold a poetry slam in the library for any student who would like to present an original poem or spoken word creation. Sixth graders will present during A Lunch, 8th graders during B, and 7th graders during C. Anyone student who presents can select two of their friends to attend. All teachers are welcome to attend.

All 8th grade students received their End of Year Activity Letter on Friday, April 11th (see below). If you have any questions or concerns please contact Ms. Tiana West, 8th grade team lead (twest3@rvaschools.net).

Payment link for $85 fee: https://osp.osmsinc.com/p/GB314-65

Payment link for $25 with KD pass: https://osp.osmsinc.com/p/GB314-66

Payment link for anyone wishing to make donations towards 08 EOY fees: https://osp.osmsinc.com/p/GB314-VAR7

All student electronic devices must be off and stored in bags or lockers from bell to bell. “Stored” means a cell phone or personal electronic communication device not being carried on the student’s person, including not in the student’s pocket. Lockers are still available after receipt of the locker opt-in form. Parents/caregivers or students may pick up a form from the office and return it to receive a lock and locker. As a reminder, personal locks are not permitted.

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.

RPS Community Corner

Our Community Corner is Richmond's biggest bulletin board! Please share any family- or student-focused opportunities through the form below or by emailing opportunity@rvaschools.net. Each Monday, we'll run upcoming opportunities in Direct — and they'll all live on our website, searchable by location and age. Please note, we are only able to share programs and events that are free or are minimal in cost. If scholarships or financial assistance are provided, please be sure to let us know.

April 15

Extended Day

• 6th and 7th Grade ELA
• Math 6, Math 7 & 7/8, Algebra 1

April 16

10:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. Big Feet Meet

Extended Day

• 6th and 7th Grade ELA
• Math 6, Math 7 & 7/8, Algebra 1

5:45 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. PTA Bingo Night Rescheduled (Enter through Door 5)

April 17

Extended Day:

• Physical and Earth Science
• ELA 6
• Math 6

4:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. AHMS Parent/Caregiver Conference

PTA Board Meeting

April 22

Earth Day

3:30 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. Team Lead Meeting with Admin

Community Citizen/Science Day (library)

April 23

Strong Men and Women Exhibit: April 23rd- May 31st

Administrative Professionals Day

School Bus Driver Appreciation

Student of the Month Lunch

April 24

Spring Showcase

April 29

Grade 7 and 8 Reading SOL

April 30

Interim 4 Window Ends

Tri-M Induction Ceremony/ Music Banquet

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.

Softball

Coaches: Mr. Brouder (gbrouder@rvaschools.net) and Ms.Shenk (kleachma@rvaschools.net)

Track

Coach: Mr. Brooks (jbrooks8@rvaschools.net)

Athletic Director

Mr. Kyle Kimbrell (kkimbrel@rvaschools.net)

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!

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

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.

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.

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

Please see Albert Hill facility condition assessment published by the school board.