2601 Durham Street, Richmond, VA 23220 804 968 1820 info@coderva.org

October 4, 2024

Oct 7, 2024 | Raptor Rundown

Good afternoon, CodeRVA Families-

You had a little break with last week’s Raptor Rundown, but we’re back at it this week!  Pull out your To Do lists and calendars and let’s get to it!

First, please remember the easiest way to check your student’s current grade is to have them open up their Canvas dashboard and show you their scores.  Our teachers are happy to help you understand your student’s scores in their courses.  One programming note (a reminder for families who were with us last year and new information for ninth grade families) is that for the 2024-25 school year we will not offer a full day of Parent Teacher Conferences. Over the last two years, we have seen only 15-17% of our student population on Parent Teacher Conference Day.  We want to continue to support families with conferences, which can be scheduled via School Counselors from 8:00 – 8:30 AM or 3:00 – 3:30 PM Monday – Friday. School Counselors will coordinate with teachers for conferences, and we can meet in person at CodeRVA or virtually on Google Meet. In observance of Election Day and anticipated transportation changes from our 15 school districts, students will learn virtually on November 5, 2024, with the option of virtual office hours with teachers.  Your student can contact their teachers directly to set up a meeting as needed, but they are not required to log in on November 5.  If you haven’t yet spoken with your student’s School Counselor, their emails are below.

Next, did you miss the August spiritwear sale?  No worries!  Here is another one you might want to check out.  Please see the note from Mrs. Wenberg and our SCA:

  • We have a new line of spirit wear designed by two of our very own 11th graders. How well do you know your binary numbers?  See if you can figure out the significance of them in this design.  This year the crest design is on the back.  T-shirt, long sleeve shirts, crew neck sweatshirts and hoodies are all available.  Buy yours today because the sale only runs through October 13.  Please visit this website to place your order. All proceeds go to the CodeRVA SCA to support students, teachers and staff through activities all throughout the school year.

Did you miss School Picture Day?  Here is how you can still get your picture taken!

  • Strawbridge Studios will return to CodeRVA on Monday, October 21, 2024 for make-up pictures and retakes for students in grades 9-11. This picture make up day will be the final opportunity for student pictures this school year. To order photos, go to www.strawbridge.net, click Order Pictures, and enter the code FM449844. Please contact emily.cooper@coderva.org if you have any questions.

  • Senior reminders: Senior portraits must be completed by November 29, 2024 to be included in the 2025 yearbook. Here is the link to the information shared over the summer. Seniors who took portraits with Strawbridge will receive proofs to their CodeRVA email addresses.  Please contact scott.ludlow@coderva.org if you have any questions.

Attention All Families of 10th Grade Students!

  • Your student is scheduled to take the Writing LPA test on Tuesday October 22 during Rotation 1 and 2. This is the second of three parts of the Writing LPA, which will contribute to students’ writing portfolios that will serve as their End of Course (EOC) Writing SOL, and upon their successful completion, will result in a verified credit in writing, which is required for graduation. Your student’s Humanities teacher will share scores for this assessment after the scoring session in November. Our students will be working hard over the next several weeks to prepare for this assessment, and we are confident that they will be successful! Best of luck to all of our Raptors who are testing!

Here is a message from our amazing CodeRVA PTSA you won’t want to miss!

  • If it’s not on your calendars, add it now for the Fall Festival, Saturday, October 19, 2024 – Rain or Shine!  Get ready for a Fall Festival like no other! On Saturday October 19, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, we have an exciting day planned for our students, parents, and staff at The Park at 1407 Cummings Drive, Richmond, VA 23220. The Park is located above CodeRVA. Visit thepark.com for more info.

  • We’ll have The ParkRVA exclusively for CodeRVA students, family, and friends until noon, before the doors open to the public.

  • Food for Purchase! We ask that you support The ParkRVA with your patronage as they are supporting us hosting this event. The CodeRVA menu will be available at 10 AM for you to enjoy delicious coffees, teas, shakes, muffins, cookies, and more to kickstart your day.

  • We will have a fantastic CodeRVA specialized menu along with The ParkRVA’s menu (which will be available at 11a.m.) for you to choose from for purchase, so come hungry and support  The ParkRVA’s eateries (NO OUTSIDE FOOD IS PERMITTED) while enjoying all the activities! (Please note that The Park does not accept cash.)

  • Complimentary gaming (requires a wristband from registration table):

    • 9-hole mini-golf course

    • A karaoke room

    • Bowling lanes for a friendly competition

  • Don’t miss out on exciting raffles ($1-$50 options) and prizes retailing over $2,000.00!  Raffles, swag bags and other merchandise will be available for purchase (at multiple price points)!  All methods of payments will be accepted for raffles and merchandise.

Attention All Families of 12th Grade Students!

If your student is interested in reducing their schedule for this school year, please check out the information on this form to learn more about whether or not this is an option for your student.  Questions?  Please contact your School Counselor.

Attention All Families!  Are you looking for a way to support CodeRVA and have time during your day?  If so, please see the note below from Ms. Welsh:

  • CodeRVA has an important volunteer opportunity starting October 17th, and we would love your support.  We need one volunteer to pick up Weekend Backpacks from FeedMore for students. FeedMore is moving locations to 8020 Villa Park Drive, Richmond, VA 23228. Each bag contains 6 shelf-stable, quick to prepare meals for students. Your job would be to pick up the backpacks and deliver them to CodeRVA each Thursday. These meals help ensure that students have nutritious food to take home for the weekend.

  • If you’re able to help with this initiative, please reply to Ms. Welsh (ryanne.welsh@coderva.org) with your availability or for additional information. Your assistance would make a significant difference for our students and their families.  Thank you for considering this opportunity to make a positive impact in our community!

Last but not least today, we have a few behavior-related reminders as our students have settled into the school year and we have taught and retaught expectations.  Now we turn to the time of year when students may receive consequences choosing not to following expectations.  Here are a few items we respectfully ask families to review with their Raptors.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Harmon (our Associate Principal) or myself.  We appreciate your help in supporting us to make CodeRVA a safe, education-focused learning environment.

  • Students should receive specific permission from their teacher before leaving any classroom or open space.

  • The selling of any items, including food, is not permitted at CodeRVA.  Related, we discourage students from bringing large amounts of cash to school for any reason.

  • Students are welcome to use AirPods, earbuds, headphones, etc. as needed at CodeRVA, but the volume on these devices must be kept at a level where they can still hear adults at all times.  Students who cannot hear adult directions are at a safety risk if there was an emergency.

  • Lastly, we are seeing an increase in the number of gaming systems and personal computers at CodeRVA.  As a reminder, no students may use their personal computers to connect to our network or complete schoolwork.  Students must use CodeRVA issued devices to access their coursework.  Please know that if your student brings a personal gaming device to school, CodeRVA is not responsible for damage or loss.  Any student who brings any type of personal device may be asked to put it away by our staff, and we expect all students to follow those directions.  Students who choose not to comply may have to surrender their devices for families to pick up.

As we shared last week, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, CodeRVA will be administering a free PSAT/NMSQT test to all 10th and 11th grade students. To learn more about the benefits of your student taking the PSAT/NMSQT, check out this page of resources from CollegeBoard.  As a reminder, the PSAT/NMSQT will be administered digitally, so please remind your student to bring their laptops fully charged on test day. Ninth and twelfth grade students should not report to be in the building on October 16 due to testing space constraints, but they will be expected to work on assignments at home. Transportation will be provided for 10th and 11th grade students like a regular school day; however, you are welcome to pick up your student after the test is finished.

Whew!  That was a lot for one week!  Thank you for a fantastic first marking period, and have a great weekend, Raptors!

#WeAreCodeRVA

***24-25 CodeRVA: Raptor Scholarship Sheet

Previous Raptor Rundown Reminders

Virtual Virginia Reminder!  The deadline to drop your student’s World Language course without penalty is Friday, November 15, 2024 at 3 PM. Please notify your student’s School Counselor no later than 3 PM on November 15 if you wish to drop the course. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your student’s School Counselor.

CodeRVA offers a PSAT in October and an SAT in March free of charge. If your student is interested in taking the SAT or ACT this year outside of CodeRVA and is in need of financial assistance, please reach out to your student’s school counselor to request a fee waiver.

Attention families of 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students who are interested in learning how to drive.  The deadline to enroll is fast approaching!

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • The test to obtain a permit or driver’s license is not the same as the final exam students take with VADETS

  • If you are interested in signing up for VADETS Driver’s Ed with CodeRVA, please read the following information carefully.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • Please direct questions to Emily Cooper at emily.cooper@coderva.org.