Good afternoon, CodeRVA Families-
It’s almost time to kick off another school year, so that means we have LOTS of information for you this week. Let’s go!
First, please see this note from our awesome CodeRVA PTSA. They welcomed back our teachers and counselors in style this week in providing both a salad bar and wrap luncheon and a breakfast buffet. We appreciate their efforts and hope you will join in supporting them!
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Now is the perfect time to join the PTSA! With your support, we can offer exciting programs for students and show our appreciation for teachers and staff with monthly events. Your support makes a difference! Join Here: https://coderva.givebacks.com/
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Like CodeRVA High School PTSA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
profile.php?id=61552004986020
Next, our School Board approved our CodeRVA Student Code of Conduct 2024-25 FINAL BOARD APPROVED.pdf at their August meeting. We are sharing the entire document here, and it is available all year long on our website here. We also want to highlight a major change to our technology practices in 2024-25.
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Effective the 2024-25 school year, CodeRVA is approaching student mobile devices in a way that more aligns with how most school divisions issue 1:1 computers and supports our small school in most effectively using our limited financial resources. These changes will affect all families.
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Students entering CodeRVA in ninth grade will continue to receive Chromebooks. These Chromebooks will now have cases on them, and students are responsible for keeping their devices in good working order. We will not have a same day swap option available for students whose devices are damaged. If a Chromebook is damaged, the student will be issued a non-preferred older device to use while their machine is being repaired. If the damage is deemed as intentional, the fee schedule below will be implemented. At the end of the school year all Chromebooks will be collected from students. When students return the following school year as 10th graders, they will be issued laptops that they will keep for three years.
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Current 10th graders and 11th graders will receive a laptop with a case when they return for the 2024-25 school year. This is the device they will keep for the remainder of their time at CodeRVA. Like with Chromebooks, students are responsible for keeping their devices in good working order. We will not have a same day swap option available for students whose devices are damaged. If a laptop is damaged, the student will be issued a non-preferred older device (most likely a Chromebook) to use while their machine is being repaired. If the damage is deemed as intentional, the fee schedule below will be implemented. At the end of the school year students will be able to keep their laptops over the summer.
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Current 12th graders have had cases applied to their devices already, and they will use this device until Graduation.
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Again, the rationale behind these significant changes is the closing of the current company CodeRVA uses (and has used since 2017) for device maintenance. As we went through the contract negotiation process with approved vendors, this new plan was the most fiscally responsible method to choose and helped to align us best with our school division partners’ practices. We ask for families’ partnership in ensuring the safety of all our mobile devices, and we are happy to answer any questions you may have.
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Lastly, the information below has changed slightly since it was first communicated in May. Please read through the information carefully.
Technology Fee Schedule Effective 2024-25
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Annual Technology Fee = $35
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Students may be assessed a fee of $35 for lost, stolen, or damaged mobile device chargers.
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Students may be assessed a fee of $35 for lost or stolen mobile device cases.
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Students may be assessed up to a $150 fee for the repair or replacement of intentionally or accidentally damaged mobile devices.
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Students may be assessed up to a $750 fee for lost or stolen mobile devices.
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Students may be assessed a fee of $100 for the repair or replacement of mobile hotspot devices.
Typically we move information after one week down to the Previous Raptor Rundown section that ends each of these emails, but we are highlighting several items this week one more time so we make sure everyone sees them.
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All families received their students’ 2024-25 class schedules on August 12. You can use these schedules to pay for fees online if you would like using this link. (Please note any service fees associated with the online fee payment system do not come to CodeRVA; those go directly to the company.) If your family is undergoing temporary or persistent economic hardship, you can apply for a fee waiver using this form.
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We need all families to complete our annual Student Information Form as soon as possible. All CodeRVA families are required to update their information with us each year, and you do not have to worry about us sending home any paper packets to fill out; all we ask is that you do this one form. Thank you!
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CodeRVA has been classified as a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school, which means all our students receive free breakfast and lunch daily now without having to fill out any paperwork. Please encourage your students to take advantage of this new opportunity and enjoy free breakfast and free lunch!
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If your student is planning to drive to school, please note families will need to complete this form. (We will also have paper copies available in the main office if needed.) No students may drive to school without a completed form, and there is no parking fee associated with this form. Even if a student has a completed form on file from last year, we must have a new form completed for this school year. As a reminder, CodeRVA students should park their vehicles in the parking lot at CodeRVA only. Students should not park at FeedMore or at any other restricted locations as they may be towed and CodeRVA will not be held responsible for any vehicles that are towed from the areas surrounding our school.
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CodeRVA is partnering again with Virginia Driver Education and Traffic Safety (VADETS) to provide a driver education course to our students. The DMV website has all steps for obtaining a Driver’s License here. The VADETS program satisfies the classroom component of the DMV’s Step 1: “Successfully complete a state-approved driver education program.” Upon successful completion of the VADETS driver education program, families will receive a signed completion card in the mail. This card can be given to the behind the wheel instructor. Behind the wheel is offered through many home school divisions and private companies. Unfortunately CodeRVA does not offer a behind the wheel option for students. Please note we are often asked about the two topics below, and we have tried to provide responses. These slides will be shared with students at CodeRVA, and it may be helpful for families to preview them in advance.
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Obtaining a learner’s permit is separate from completing a driver education program like VADETS. Learner’s permits can be obtained at the DMV when students turn 15 and 6 months, and CodeRVA does not have to be a part of the process.
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The test to obtain a permit or driver’s license is not the same as the final exam students take with VADETS
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If you are interested in signing up for VADETS Driver’s Ed with CodeRVA, please read the following information carefully.
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Families will be responsible for a $120 payment to CodeRVA’s Online School Payment (OSP) before students are enrolled in the course. Families should only pay CodeRVA in order to register with the CodeRVA cohort. Payments can be made on OSP from August 13 to October 11. CodeRVA will reimburse families of 10th graders upon successful completion of the course by the date below. Students in other grade levels are welcome to register for VADETS as well, but families will not be reimbursed the $120 fee.
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Once families have paid CodeRVA, students will receive an email invite to register for the course on VADETS Canvas. The email will prompt students to answer required questions for the course and create a password to enroll in the class. Ms. Cooper will send a verification when you have successfully entered the course.
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The CodeRVA cohort of the VADETS course will run from November 4, 2024 – March 12, 2025. There will be no extensions past March 12 for completion of this course.
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Students must spend a minimum of 30 hours on the course prior to taking a final exam that will be proctored at school. The VADETS course includes the state law-required 90 minute Parent/Teen video and contract, online coursework, and additional assignments such as a scavenger hunt for road signs and creating a video of setting mirrors. Since this course is not administered by CodeRVA, the course will not appear in PowerSchool, on transcripts, or on CodeRVA’s Canvas.
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Please direct questions to Emily Cooper at emily.cooper@coderva.org.
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Two of our teachers, Mr. Jernigan and Ms. Vandy, are hoping to present at the national SXSW EDU conference in Austin, Texas in March 2025. They need your help now though! Please consider voting for their presentation by clicking the up arrow next to their session title on this site: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/
vote/147351. Simply create a SXSW account to vote; click on the up arrow found on the upper right part of the screen; and know that you can only vote once. Feel free to leave a positive comment on their proposal as well. Voting is only open August 6-18. Thank you for supporting our teachers, and please feel free to encourage your family and friends to vote as well!
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CodeRVA is pleased to resume our Weekend Backpack Program in collaboration with Feed More! Each bag will contain 6 shelf-stable, quick to prepare meals: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners. If your family is interested in participating in the program, please contact Ms. Welsh by Monday, September 2nd or by completing the interest form.
Next, we have three items we are required to pass along from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE):
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The 2022 General Assembly passed House Bill 1299, directing the Virginia Department of Education and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to distribute to school divisions information that assists high school students in making more informed decisions about their futures and ensures that students are aware of the costs and benefits of different educational and certificate programs.
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The Postsecondary Opportunities for High School Students webpage and the Level Up Virginia website contain information for students on preparing, applying, and paying for college, as well as information on degrees and labor market career projections. Please share these resources with your students in middle and high school to help them make informed decisions regarding preparing for post-high school educational and training opportunities.
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The 2024 General Assembly passed House Bill 1473, which requires the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Department of Health to work collaboratively to develop a fentanyl education and awareness informational one-sheet and make this resource available to each school board for distribution to all grade 9-12 students within the first two weeks of the 2024-2025 school year.
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This information will serve to promote awareness of:
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the dangers of fentanyl use;
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how to identify and avoid fentanyl;
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overdose prevention and preparedness;
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how to recognize the signs and symptoms of a fentanyl overdose; and
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resources for students who may need help or may know someone who needs help with a substance use disorder.
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The Fentanyl Awareness one-sheet document is available for school divisions to download on the VDOE Preventing and Reducing Youth Substance Misuse webpage. The webpage also includes additional resources for administrators and educators on substance use prevention.
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Cardi, Virginia’s New Free Application for Federal Student Aid Support Chatbot: The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and the Virginia Department of Education are excited to introduce Cardi, a new chatbot designed to assist students and families with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). With FAFSA completions in Virginia currently down by 10% compared to last year, Cardi is designed to increase submissions and ensure students receive the financial aid they need.
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Key features of Cardi include:
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24/7 access for instant FAFSA assistance
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User-friendly and easy to understand language
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Features both FAFSA and Virginia-specific financial aid information.
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To see Cardi in action and to share it with your students, please visit FAFSA and FSA ID texts.
Last but not least this week, here is an opportunity from the University of Richmond that you may want to check out:
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On Friday, Sept. 13, at 7:30 p.m., enjoy the talents of the Music Department’s large ensembles at the annual Family Weekend Concert, featuring Schola Cantorum, Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, and Symphony Orchestra.
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This concert is offered as part of the Department of Music Free Concert Series 2024-2025 Season. The Department of Music produces over 25 concerts annually featuring a broad range of styles and genres. Enjoy student recitals, faculty ensemble performances, and concerts created in collaboration with visiting artists. All concerts are FREE and seating is general admission. Tickets are required, and all will be welcomed as space allows.
That is quite enough for one week! I hope all our Raptors rest up this weekend and return on Monday ready to learn, collaborate, and make 2024-25 our best year yet!
#WeAreCodeRVA
Previous Raptor Rundown Reminders
Here is another community announcement we encourage all our families to read:
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GRASP (Great Aspirations Scholarship Program, Inc.), in partnership with Capital One and the National College Attainment Network (NCAN), is hosting a series of free FAFSA workshops to assist students in completing their financial aid applications. These workshops will be held at the Capital One Cafes in Richmond:
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Short Pump Capital One Cafe (Short Pump Town Center, 11800 W Broad St): Sat., Aug. 31st, 11am – 2pm
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Carytown Capital One Cafe (2933 W Cary St): Sat., Aug. 31st, 10am – 1pm
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GRASP (Great Aspirations Scholarship Program, Inc.) is a non-profit, college and career access organization, headquartered in Richmond. GRASP’s goal is to ensure that every student has an equal opportunity for continuing education after high school, regardless of financial or social circumstances.
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The FAFSA® form allows students to request federal grants, work-study funds, and loans, all in one application and is the basis for determining a student’s financial aid package.
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More information about GRASP is available at the website, www.grasp4va.org.