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

August 23, 2024

Aug 26, 2024 | Raptor Rundown

Good afternoon, CodeRVA Families-

What a wonderful first week of school we have had!  THANK YOU for sending your students to us ready to jump back into the business of learning!  Our new Associate Principal Rebecca Harmon, our School Leader Resident Kiana Bradford, and I met with all students on the first day of school in grade level assemblies.  Below is a recap of the major topics of conversation.  Thank you for reinforcing these reminders at home, and please let us know if you have any questions about expectations for students at CodeRVA.  We want to work in partnership with all families.

  • CodeRVA is different from any other school students have attended.

  • We focus on readiness for work, college, or the military.

  • We are a community, and our school works because we all make positive contributions.

  • Most of the things students have seen in previous school settings are not appropriate in this community.

  • We keep our school clean and neat without being asked.

  • We touch only our belongings and turn in any unattended items we find.

  • We report anything that puts others in danger or breaks the law, which includes horseplay, tobacco, alcohol, drugs, and weapons immediately.

  • We provide emotional and mental safety for others by focusing on kindness, courtesy, and including all students.

  • CodeRVA is a school of choice, and attending here means choosing to adapt to our community’s expectations.

  • CodeRVA teachers and staff all chose to come here too, and we care about every student and want what is best for them.

  • We want our community to be drama and conflict free as much as possible, and students should seek out help from Mrs. Harmon, Dr. Goranson, or other staff if they need assistance.

  • There is an expectation of 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students at CodeRVA that they model appropriate behaviors and choices and have a welcoming attitude to new students.  As students move through the grade levels, expectations for them increase.

Thank you to our students for their positive, polite behavior in those short Day 1 assemblies!  It was a great first impression on our team!

As another reminder before we start sending out our hassling robot voice messages, we ask that all families pay their school fees at this time.  You can use your student’s schedule to do so 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.

Here is one last reminder as well for families to complete our annual Student Information Form before you get the automated messages for this one as well.  Right now our 9th and 12th grade families are leading the way with well over half of their forms turned in, and unfortunately 10th and 11th grade families are way behind.  (Does making it a competition spur form completion?  We’ll see after this message!)  All CodeRVA families are required to update their information with us each year, and we thank you in advance for completing this task.

A much more fun task is to join our awesome PTSA!  Just this week alone they donated so many boxes of items for our weekly PBIS gifts, and they need your support!

  • The PTSA is close to reaching our goal of 200 members, and we need your help to get there! Invite grandparents, aunts, and uncles to join—they’ll receive our monthly newsletter to stay updated on PTSA happenings. Memberships are just $10 each or 3 for $20. Let’s make a difference together!  Join now:  https://coderva.givebacks.com/store?limit=21&live=true

Here is a note about upcoming assessments certain groups of students at CodeRVA will participate in again this year.  Please check to see if your student is included.

  • Next week, all 9th graders will complete a NWEA MAP Growth test to measure student growth and proficiency in math. This data allows teachers to plan more meaningful instruction based on student readiness. Testing will occur during their math class during 8/26 and 8/27 with make-ups scheduled for 8/28.

  • In two weeks, all students taking a Humanities class at CodeRVA will complete a NWEA MAP Growth test to measure student growth in reading and English language proficiency. Testing will occur during their Humanities class. Students enrolled in Dual Enrollment humanities courses will not complete a NWEA MAP Growth test. Testing will occur on 9/3 and 9/4 with make-ups scheduled for 9/5.

Last but not least today, 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.

That is plenty of information for Week 1, but please do check out our reminders below from previous communications in case you missed something.  We do have some important information about mobile devices and Driver’s Education.  Thank you to all our students for making our return to instruction a smooth one, and we look forward to a fantastic 2024-25!

#WeAreCodeRVA

Previous Raptor Rundown Reminders

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.  One additional note for students, grade 9 students with Chromebooks should not put any items such as stickers or other designs on their Chromebook cases as they are only using these devices for one year.  Students in grades 10, 11, and 12 are permitted to decorate their cases as they have these devices for the remainder of their time at CodeRVA.  

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Current 12th graders have had cases applied to their devices already, and they will use this device until Graduation.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • Annual Technology Fee = $35

  • Students may be assessed a fee of $35 for lost, stolen, or damaged mobile device chargers.

  • Students may be assessed a fee of $35 for lost or stolen mobile device cases.

  • Students may be assessed up to a $150 fee for the repair or replacement of intentionally or accidentally damaged mobile devices.

  • Students may be assessed up to a $750 fee for lost or stolen mobile devices.

  • Students may be assessed a fee of $100 for the repair or replacement of mobile hotspot

  • devices.

  • 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.

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.