RCPS Community Partner Cafe

Back to School Essentials: RCPS Updates for the New School Year

Are you curious about what is new in RCPS this school year? In episode 16 of RCPS Community Partner Cafe, host Katie LaPira answers community questions and shares important updates for the upcoming school year. From back-to-school nights to enrollment procedures, Katie provides all the essential information families need to get ready for the new academic year. Katie also highlights the vital role of community partnerships in supporting our schools, particularly the United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County's "Tools for Schools" event. 
Listen in to learn about important back-to-school dates, how to access supply lists, and important enrollment details to make sure that you are ready for the 2024-2025 school year. Hear how you can stay connected with the new RCPS app, register for the Tools for Schools event, and make the most of the new school year's opportunities. Check out the links below for more about all of the important resources mentioned in this episode.
Important RCPS Links: 
 
Health forms and calendars: https://rockinghamcountypsva.sites.thrillshare.com/page/families-students 
 
Sign up here for RCPS text notifications: https://www.rcps.net/o/rcps/page/notification-sign-up
 
Enrollment page: https://rockinghamcountypsva.sites.thrillshare.com/o/rcps/page/student-enrollment
 
RCPS Rooms App: https://rockinghamcountypsva.sites.thrillshare.com/o/rcps/page/rooms-support
 
Learn More and Pre-Register for Tools for Schools: https://uwhr.org/toolsforschool

Beyond the Classroom: Summer Reading Benefits for All Ages

Are you wondering how to keep your child's brain active and engaged during the summer break? Listen in to hear the benefits of reading in the summer as host Katie LaPira sits down with Kim Tate, the Language Arts and Library Supervisor for Rockingham County Public Schools, to discuss how powerful reading can be. Kim provides practical advice on making summer reading an enjoyable and integral part of family life. Kim and Katie discuss the importance of allowing children to choose their own books, exploring different formats such as audiobooks, and setting aside family reading time.
 
Tune in to discover various community resources and opportunities, from the Massanutten Regional Library's summer reading program to fun incentives offered by local businesses, all designed to keep young readers engaged and excited about reading. Whether your child is just beginning to read or is a seasoned bookworm, this episode is packed with tips and ideas to inspire a summer full of literary adventures.
 
For more information, check out rcps.net! 

Preparing Students for Tomorrow: Science, STEM, and Soft Skills

Are you curious about STEM and science activities in our schools? Today, host Katie LaPira chats with Tammy Stone, the Science, STEM, and Challenge Supervisor for Rockingham County Public Schools. Tammy shares exciting insights into the hands-on learning experiences of RCPS students.
 
From dissecting owl pellets to exploring watershed ecosystems, students of all ages experience captivating activities that bring science to life. Listen in to hear how STEM education isn't confined to the classroom, but extends into engaging programs where students explore the science of cooking, force in motion experiments, and even solar challenges.
 
With a commitment to fostering the next generation of teachers through initiatives in STEM and science, Rockingham County Public Schools ensures students are not only prepared academically but also equipped with essential soft skills for future success.
 
For more from RCPS, check out rcps.net.

Empowering Expression: The Role of Fine Arts in Student Growth

How do the fine arts integrate into the social and brain development of our students? What initiatives does RCPS have that strengthen opportunities for our students? Listen in as host Katie LaPira talks with guest Becky Ford, Supervisor of the Fine Arts for RCPS.
 
Becky shares with Katie about the integral ways that RCPS incorporates the fine arts into student education, and she talks about what kinds of opportunities RCPS students have at each level. Becky and Katie talk about initiatives available to RCPS students such as Any Given Child, and they discuss ways parents and community partners can support the arts and their student.
 
For more about Any Given Child, check out the Kennedy Center website: https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/networks-conferences-and-research/networks-and-strategic-leadership/any-given-child/ For more from RCPS, check out rcps.net.

Unlocking Math Success: Tips to Support Students

Are you wondering about how to help your child with math? Today’s guest Amanda Rickard, Supervisor of Math with Rockingham County Public Schools, joins host Katie LaPira to talk about the new math standards and actionable steps family members can take to support our students in math. 
 
Amanda talks about how math instruction has evolved over time and the benefit of the current approach. Listen in to hear practical tips about ways that you can help the RCPS students in your life to succeed in math. Amanda shares steps students of all levels can take to be successful.

Safety First: The RCPS Approach to Weather-Related Decisions

What happens when weather events cause potential school disruptions? In today’s episode of RCPS Community Partner Cafe, Director of Transportation Chris Sours talks with host Katie LaPira to share what goes into making weather-related decisions for RCPS. Chris gives listeners a glimpse behind the scenes into what happens when weather events impact Rockingham County. 
 
Listen in to hear what makes RCPS unique and how decisions about delays and closures are made when weather impacts travel. As Chris shares, the safety of RCPS students and employees is the focus of every decision made. Learn about the process RCPS uses when determining whether a delay or closure is needed because of weather-related events. 

Taking Successful Next Steps: Insights from RCPS Seniors

How does RCPS help students prepare for their next steps after high school? In this special episode, student host Leo Johnson talks with two RCPS seniors about their plans after high school. Leo, Clayton, and James reflect on their time in RCPS, share what helped them along their current paths, and provide tips for students and parents looking to get more involved.
 
Leo talks with seniors James and Clayton about what each of them plans to do after high school, and they share how they reached those decisions about their career paths. The RCPS seniors also have fun envisioning changes that could enhance the student experience. Don’t miss this outstanding episode featuring three RCPS seniors, and listen in to hear the highlights of their experiences.  

Unlocking Student Potential: How Career Coaches Shape Future Success

What can career coaches do to help RCPS high school students? RCPS career coaches Jessica Baker and Liz Whiston-Dean join Katie LaPira and Donna Delisle to share about how career coaches at the RCPS high schools can support all students with their pathways after high school. 
 
As Liz and Jessica share, they can help students with activities such as identifying interests and career opportunities that align with those interests as well as making future plans, gathering materials for applications, and support with financial aid applications. Jessica and Liz share how parents and guardians can best support students on this journey, and their advice will help make the journey a smooth and empowering one for students. Listen in to hear their tips and how they can best support your student. 

Navigating the Middle & High School Years: Insights for Parents & Guardians

How can we better support our children in middle and high school? In this episode, middle school counselor Laura Ogden and high school counselor Sandy King join Katie and Donna to share about the unique challenges and opportunities that middle and high school students face and how parents and guardians can provide support.
 
Laura and Sandy share insights about these specific time periods for students, and they let us know how we as a community and as individual caretakers can better support the young people going through middle and high school transitions. 

Helping Kids Thrive: Back-to-School Transition Strategies

Are you wondering how to help your elementary school child with school transitions as we settle into a new school year? Listen in to hear RCPS elementary guidance counselor Lindsey Bateman share tips and tricks for parents and family members to use to help our younger children navigate the changes that come with the start of school. 
 
Lindsey shares simple actions caretakers can take to help our elementary school students with their emotions and with socialization. Just by assisting young children in identifying their emotions, openly sharing our own feelings, and reassuring children of all ages that it's perfectly normal to experience any emotion they're feeling, we can significantly aid them during times of change.
 
Lindsey reminds us that families are the first teachers, and we can make a positive difference for our children during transitions and throughout the school year. Listen in to hear practical tips!