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Fourth District Schools
District Four Schools Committee
Interested? To join, go to the District Four Schools Yahoo Group
or contact Erin Bishop at erinbishop@gmail.com or 377-6906.
Southampton Elementary School Selected for State Honor, May 2008
Mind Games Success for Fisher Elementary School, May 2007
District Four Schools Committee Formed, July 2006
If We Build It, Will They Come?, July 2006
A message from School Board Member George Braxton
COMPAQ Computers Presented, May 30, 2006
Fisher Elementary School Mind Games Update, April 20, 2006
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Southampton Elementary School Selected for State Honor
Southampton Elementary school is one of only 118 schools statewide to be designated as a “Title 1 Distinguished School” for its work with economically disadvantaged students.
The school was selected by the State Department of Education for maintaining full state accreditation under the Standards of Learning (SOL) program for two consecutive years, meeting federal benchmarks in reading and mathematics, and having average test scores in both reading and math at or above the 60thpercentile.
“These awards show that all children-regardless of family income-can learn and achieve, said State Board of Education President Mark Emblidge.
City Council Member Kathy Graziano joined in the praise for Southampton president Linda Bennett and her faculty and staff. “Southampton is a happy school,” Mrs. Graziano said, “and Ms. Bennett is doing a great job.”
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Mind Games Success for Fisher Elementary School
May 2007
Two top trophies in the same year for one school is a major accomplishment for any school, and we are sooooooooo proud of these Fisher Flamingos! These fabulous minds have worked hard, dedicating at least two afternoons a week for the last four months to build their skills and teaming abilities.
RPS MIND GAMES 2007
MIND GAMES is a Richmond Public Schools extracurricular program that challenges students' knowledge and imagination in four skill areas. Mind Games has two goals: to promote intellectual skills through friendly competitions and to build the self-confidence of the contestants – but the gains are so much more. Five members of a seven-member team participate in each competition. Here are the J.B. Fisher results from the recent events...
Fisher's 2nd/3rd grade Team won FIRST PLACE (Overall) among the 29 RPS Elementary Schools in the 2nd/3rd grade Division on Friday April 20th. Separate competition awards were:
2nd place in General Knowledge, 2nd place in Logic, 5th place in Construction
2nd/3rd grade team 2007
Samuel Brady (3rd grade)
Kayla Diallo (3rd grade)
Zachary Jacobs (3rd grade)
Matthew Lyons (2nd grade)
Madeline May (3rd grade)
Isabella Ragazzi (3rd grade)
John Rosemond (2nd grade)
Fisher's 4th/5th grade Team won SECOND PLACE (Overall) among the 29 RPS Elementary Schools in the 4th/5th grade Division on Wednesday April 25th. Separate competition awards were:
2nd place in General Knowledge,
1st place in Productive Thinking
1st place in Logic (perfect score),
3rd place in Construction
4th/5th grade team 2007
Robert Blake (5th grade)
Syeda Haider (4th grade)
Courtney Hay (5th grade)
Hannah Lyons (5th grade)
Matthew Perry (4th grade)
Dara Prentiss (5th grade)
Alessandro Ragazzi (4th grade)
Coaches: Mark Brady, Stephanie Perry and Shelli Jost Brady
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District Four Schools Committee Formed
July 2006
A group of residents from Westover Hills, Stratford Hills, and surrounding neighborhoods has formed a District Four Schools Committee. Over the long term, they hope to foster an elementary school option as good as or better than Fox Elementary (located in the Fan). In the short term, they plan to serve as a resource to residents about public school options and developments, and work closely with district principals, PTAs, and residents to begin the improvement process. The offices of George Braxton and Kathy Graziano have lent their full support and encouragement.
The group encourages new members! The best path to success is broad-based involvement. Those of you with very young children (or a newly forming family) are perfectly positioned to both contribute and benefit from this effort. And, improving our schools improves virtually every aspect of our district. District Four Schools would love to have a diverse group of residents of all ages involved. Interested? Go to http:groups.yahoo.com/groups/districtfourschools/ to join, or contact Erin Bishop at erinbishop@gmail.com, or 377-6906.
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If We Build It, Will They Come?
A message from School Board Member George Braxton
July 2006
As we move through the second half of baseball season and the School Board wrestles with the selections of schools to be closed, built, and renovated, I am reminded of the whispering voice in the motion picture Field of Dreams: “Build it and they will come.”
I fully support the plan that will offer a much needed overhaul to ailing school infrastructure. “City of the Future” will bring District 4 a new state-of-the-art Huguenot High School and should free up funds currently used to maintain buildings well past their prime. However, it is naïve to think that construction alone is a panacea for our school system.
Prior to the Mayor’s plan for new schools, the Board decided to “right-size” by closing schools and changing attendance zones. Also, City Council has sent a strong pro-neighborhood school message by imposing major reductions in the School’s pupil transportation budget.
Though “COF” is getting the attention, it is rezoning that may pay major benefits for District 4. Preliminary Geographic Information Systems (GIS) reports show our district having a number of young children and families that could populate a neighborhood school. Most of my Board colleagues agree that the growth area for Richmond schools is with the students and parents in this district.
“Building it” is important and a great opportunity for the City. However, establishing neighborhood schools that will gain the confidence of District 4 parents is at least of equal significance.
I welcome your comments and questions at braxton4rps@comcast.net or 503-1777.
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COMPAQ Computers Presented
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
RICHMOND -- Richmond City Council Member Kathy Graziano and School Board Member George Braxton, both from the Fourth District, today presented three new Compaq Presario computers to three elementary schools in the Fourth District.
The computers and printers were donated to Mrs. Graziano to “support public education” by the Frito-Lay Company and Wal-Mart Super Center at Sheila Lane in Richmond. They will be earmarked for special learning programs for students at Fisher Elementary School, Southampton Elementary School and Westover Hills Elementary School.
They mark the fourth and fifth computers donated through Mrs. Graziano to support education and learning in Richmond.
Southampton School and the Westover Hills Branch Library have previously received new computers.
“I think is it important that our children have all the tools we can give them,” Mrs. Graziano said in making the presentation. “Our schools have lagged behind in technology, and that makes these wonderful gifts from Frito-Lay and Wal-Mart even more important. With dedicated teachers, supportive parents, and good learning tools, there are no barriers our children can’t overcome.”
For additional information, contact:
Mike Gignac, Wal-Mart 320-6991
David Hathcock, Fourth District Liaison, 320-2454
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Fisher Elementary School
April 21, 2006
A Mind Once Expanded Can Never Return to Its Original Size!
The Fisher Flamingos were really thinking today!!!
Thirty Richmond Public Elementary Schools participated in the 25th annual Mind Games competition, a program to stimulate creative thinking and problem solving. Events included General Knowledge, Productive Thinking, Logic, and Construction.
Congratulations are certainly in order for our 2nd and 3rd grade team!! They won 2nd place in the General Knowledge category, 1st place in Construction, and 3rd place in the Overall Competition!!
We are so proud of each and every one of them: Kayla Diallo, Janai Golden, Maddie May, Matthew Perry, Ale Ragazzi, Gwyneth Sholar and Isabel Waters.
A very heartfelt thank you to Coaches Shelli "Where's My Caffeine?" Brady, Mark "I Can Send Them Telepathic Messages About the Alien" Brady, and Stephanie "Oh, This Just Makes Me Too Queasy" Perry. They worked so long and so hard, and we're so grateful.
Best of luck to the 4th and 5th grade team who will be competing on Thursday, April 27!! This is the same team that took 1st place in the city two years ago as 2nd and 3rd graders.
