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

October 9, 2026

Oct 14, 2026 | Raptor Rundown

Good afternoon, CodeRVA Families-

It’s been another busy week at CodeRVA, and it’s not over yet!  In the Previous Raptor Rundown section at the bottom of this email, please refer to the information on Homecoming if your student is attending and you missed the previous announcements.  I cannot stress enough that the dance ends at 9 PM sharp.  Please be in the parking lot at 9 PM and do not allow your student to linger.  Thank you!

As a reminder, printed report cards should have arrived home yesterday (Thursday October 8) with your student.  Please check with your student to see theirs, but remember Canvas is where you can see their most current grade.

Mr. Neal wants you to know there’s still time to order school pictures from Strawbridge! If you would like to order photos from our photo day, please see the details on this flyer. Note: You will need your student’s ID number to view and order photos. If you have any issues, please use the Customer Support features on the Strawbridge website!

Our School Counseling Department wants you to know what they have planned for this upcoming Flex Day:

  • Admission representatives from James Madison University and Randolph-Macon College will be holding information sessions for interested 11th and 12th-grade students.

  • 9th and 10th-grade students will review steps they can begin taking to prepare for life after high school with their School Counselors. This will include tips on planning for college and career exploration from the VA Opportunities Guide.

Our awesome PTSA would like to remind you that everyone who joins the PTSA by October 9 for the 2026-2027 school year will get a special Invitation for Virtual Bingo!  Virtual Bingo will be held on Wednesday, October 21 at 7 PM.  Remember memberships are annual, and if you were a member last year you must renew the membership for this school year.  Join today: https://www.givebacks.com/causes/coderva/shop?category=memberships

Here is one last reminder about Driver’s Education enrollment for the 2026-27 school year for 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students who are interested in learning how to drive!

  • CodeRVA will once again be providing its own driver’s education course taught by one of our teachers (Ms. Jessica Minks) asynchronously online. The DMV website has all steps for obtaining a Driver’s License here. This program satisfies the classroom component of the DMV’s Step 1: “Successfully complete a state-approved driver education program.” Upon successful completion of the driver education program, families will receive a signed completion DEC-1 card by Ms. Minks. 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.  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 their driver’s education course.

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

    • Families will be responsible for a $110 payment to CodeRVA’s Online School Payment (OSP) before students are enrolled in the course. Payments can be made on OSP now until October 16.

    • Once families have paid CodeRVA, students will be added to a course in Canvas.

    • The CodeRVA Driver’s Ed course will run from November 9, 2026 – March 19, 2027. There will be no extensions past March 19 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 course includes the state law-required 90 minute Parent/Teen video and contract and asynchronous online coursework.

    • Ms. Minks is currently on maternity leave, so any questions about the Driver’s Education course should be directed to Mr. Brennan Neal, our Instructional Specialist, at brennan.neal@coderva.org

    • Any questions about payments and finances should be directed to Melody Krupnik at melody.krupnik@coderva.org

    • Once the course has begun, please direct any course-related questions to Jessica Minks at jessica.minks@coderva.org.

Looking for something to do on a rainy Sunday?  Here is a short article on screen time and online safety that was featured on one of our partner’s pages.

Speaking of our many partners, here are some upcoming events your family may be interested in:

  • Community Conversation: AI Beyond the Workplace:October 20, 2026 (5:30 PM – 7:30 PM) in the Richmond Public Library Auditorium – 101 E. Franklin St., Richmond, VA 23219

    • This community conversation will explore how AI is already shaping everyday life, access, opportunity, families, work, and the decisions that affect our communities. The session is intentionally not highly technical. It is designed to create space for honest conversation and community voice.  We want to hear from people who are experiencing both the opportunities and the barriers created by emerging technology.  Register directly HERE.

  • Join The Valentine on Thursday, October 15, 6-7 p.m., for a conversation about artificial intelligence in Richmond’s community institutions. Hear from experts representing Richmond’s libraries and museums as they navigate this changing environment, and join the conversation yourself.   Controversy/History | AI and Cultural Institutions – The Valentine Museum

  • The Richmond Folk Festival returns Friday-Sunday, October 9-11. The festival features six stages and showcases music and dance from more than 30 artists from around the nation and the world.  Richmond Folk Festival

  • Join VCU’s School of Life Sciences and Sustainability at their river campus in Charles City for an afternoon of research, hands-on activities and interactive exhibits on Sunday, October 25, from 1–4 p.m.  The event is free and open to the public, making it a great opportunity for alumni, families and friends of VCU to come explore Rice Rivers Center and see some of the work happening across SLSS.  Register here: https://lnkd.in/e6VasdYy

  • Virginia Election Protection Volunteers: Sign up to become a trained election protection volunteer. Volunteer roles include Voter Advocates, Roving Voter Advocates, Legal Advocates, and Sign Team Members. Learn more.

  • The Fall 2026 Hard Light Cinema at UR series showcases film noir and neo-noir. All events are at 7 p.m. in Jepson 118. Upcoming screenings include: Thursday, Oct. 15: Laura and Thursday, Oct. 22: Blow Out

  • Join the Modlin Center for the Arts and Harnett Museum of Art on Sunday, Oct. 14, 1-3 p.m., for the annual Family Arts Day, a celebration featuring the vibrant sounds of Afro-Puerto Rican folk music with Richmond-based Kadencia Orchestra, interactive dance and music workshops, and hands-on arts activities. Free performance with ticket: Free Family Arts Day with Kadencia Orchestra – Calendar

  • Join the Department of Education and Education Studio on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 5:30 p.m. for a conversation and book signing with award-winning children’s author Matthew Cordell about his life and work:  An Evening with Matthew Cordell, award-winning children’s author & illustrator – Calendar

  • UR Department of Music Free Concert Series

  • UR Free Theater & Dance: Saturday, Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m.: Celebration of Dance

That is it for today, Raptors!  I hope you have a fun and safe weekend ahead if I don’t see you at tonight’s dance!

#WeAreCodeRVA

***26-27 CodeRVA: Raptor Scholarship Sheet

Need a transcript?  Create a self-service Parchment account here: Ordering a Transcript from Parchment

Previous Raptor Rundown Reminders

Homecoming Reminders:

  • If you are dropping your student off, please note you will have to enter from the BACK entrance of The Park.  If you are facing our entrance, you’ll want to drive around to the right of the building near the Tool Bank entrance.  We will have staff members to guide you.

  • There are stairs at this alternate entrance, so students are advised to be cautious and careful when climbing them (just one more argument in favor of choosing sensible, comfortable footwear for the evening; please note students cannot remove their shoes during the dance for any reason).

  • Once students enter the area where our Homecoming is being held, they may not go to any other areas.  There are restrooms within the assigned area, and there will be monitors stationed throughout the space to assist as needed.

  • Light snacks and water are being graciously provided by our awesome CodeRVA PTSA.

  • The Homecoming dance is from 7-9 PM.  Students may not enter before 7 PM and students should be picked up as soon as the dance ends.  Please do not believe them when they say the dance is still going on later.  I promise the music stops at 9 PM sharp, and our staff is already going to be up past their bedtimes, so please do not allow your students to linger after the dance.

Please review this summary: New Grading System Update for Families October 2026.pdf if you are unsure how grades work at CodeRVA.

Attention Seniors who are in good academic standing (which includes being on track for graduation) and have their own reliable transportation !  Here is our annual Senior Early Release/Late Arrival Form.  Please read the guidelines on the form very carefully before completing it.  While you’re at the computer, please remember the Fall Tasks Form is due Friday, October 30. This form is mandatory for all Seniors. Failure to complete it may result in loss of privileges for school-sponsored Senior activities.  If you need to take your formal pose portrait for the Yearbook, there will be an option to do it here at CodeRVA on October 22.  More information will be sent out closer to the date.

Many thanks to our School Counselors Mr. Winn and Ms. Edwards as well as our Testing Coordinator Ms. Heath for developing our all new Raptor College Readiness Roadmap.pdf !  We hope this concise guide will help your family consider college as an option for your student.  If you have any questions about the document or next steps, please contact your School Counselor and stay tuned for a virtual session for parents in February about planning for life after CodeRVA!

Attention families of students currently taking a World Language with Virtual Virginia!  Please see these important updates below!

  • On Monday, October 19, Virtual Virginia will withdraw any student whose World Language grade is 40% or below.

  • The deadline to drop your student’s World Language course without penalty is Friday, November 13 at 3 PM. Please notify your student’s School Counselor no later than 3 PM on November 13 if you wish to drop the course. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your student’s School Counselor.