Good afternoon, CodeRVA Families-
The Raptor Rundown has lots of updates for you, and as a reminder, each week key items from the previous week are highlighted in the Previous Raptor Rundown section at the bottom of each email.
First up this week, a reminder that Monday is a Student Holiday for those families honoring Yom Kippur, and our building will be closed to the public. Teachers and staff will be in meetings the majority of the day, so phone calls will be answered on Tuesday when we return, but we will be checking our email if you need us.
We have two notes this week for the Class of 2027! Thank you to our incredible PTSA for hosting the Senior Breakfast on September 11 for our future graduates. Below are the items shared with the Seniors at that time.
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Here are the slides (https://canva.link/
seniorkickoffbreakfast2027 ) that were presented at the breakfast. -
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.
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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.
The FAFSA will officially open on October 1, 2026. The FAFSA has become even faster than last year, as the student’s FAFSA will be processed in “real-time”. The student will receive a FAFSA Submission Summary seconds after it has been submitted. Students/parents will also be able to make any corrections they may have made immediately after submission.
Speaking of our amazing PTSA, please see this note from them:
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Now Is a Great Time to Join the PTSA! We have some fun incentives coming up for our PTSA members!
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During Back-to-School Night, we’ll have a special prize table for everyone who has already joined the PTSA, as well as anyone who signs up that evening.
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We’re also hosting Virtual Bingo in October! Members who join by October 9 will be eligible to participate and have a chance to win gift cards.
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Join us, have some fun, and help support our school community. Remember, there is no wrong way to PTSA!
Next, in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, our National Honor Society students have put together an incredible series of slides to celebrate people of Hispanic cultures who have made an impact on our world. These slides are being shown each day during Raptor Rotation from September 15th through October 15th, which is when Hispanic Heritage Month is traditionally observed. Please take a moment and read through the slides our students have worked hard on creating and join us in celebrating all that has been accomplished by these inspiring Hispanic icons! Want to know more about Hispanic Heritage Month? Check out the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce website, which lists celebrations across Virginia.
Mr. Neal has put together a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) for families about our new grading system in place this year. Students learned this information the first week of school and we are summarizing information for families here.
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What was the previous grading system?
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In previous years, the year-end grade for all CodeRVA classes (excluding Dual Enrollment courses) was calculated by using a running average of all grades earned by students throughout the year. Grades were broken down into either Formative Assignments (meant to give feedback on the learning process), or Summative Assignments (meant to evaluate learning after the material was taught). Marking Period grades were recorded on a student’s report card as a snapshot of academic performance at that point in the year.
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What is the new grading system?
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Now the academic year will be broken down into two different Semesters, with each Semester having 3 Marking Periods. Students will still have a total of 6 Marking Periods as in previous years.
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The year-end grade will now be calculated using the Semester grades and the Cumulative Assignment: 45% Semester 1 grade; 45% Semester 2 grade; and 10% Cumulative grade. Any students who are excused from the Cumulative assignment will have their year-end grade be an even split of the two Semester grades.
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Are there still Formative and Summative Assignments?
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Yes! We are keeping the grading categories of Formative and Summative assignments and those two categories will be used to calculate the Semester grade.
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How do I know my student’s grade during the year?
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Canvas still remains the primary way for students and families to monitor real-time academic performance. When you access the Canvas gradebook, you will now see two different grading term choices: Semester 1 and Semester 2. You will NOT be able to see individual Marking Periods on Canvas any longer. Checking the Semester grade is the best way to keep track of academic performance throughout the school year.
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Will report cards still be sent out for each marking period?
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Yes! We will still use the Marking Periods to serve as check points throughout the year for work completion and grade reporting. Teachers will stop accepting assignments at the end of each Marking Period and then take a snapshot of each Semester grade at that point. Those snapshot grades will be sent out in report cards.
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Why is this change being made?
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Better alignment to the grading systems used for Dual Enrollment courses and many higher education institutions that our students may attend after high school.
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Students get a “fresh start” for grades at the start of Semester 2 so students can demonstrate their growth over the course of the year.
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Student academic performance towards the end of the year has a higher impact on year-long grades, which encourages students to have engagement throughout the entire year.
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Who can I contact with questions or to get more information?
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Feel free to reach out to Mr. Brennan Neal, the Instructional Specialist at CodeRVA via email (brennan.neal@coderva.org) or by calling 804-968-1824.
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As usual, some of our community partners have passed along some events your family may be interested in:
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Join us for an exclusive screening of Shenandoah, followed by a post-film discussion with the filmmakers. This stunning, one-hour documentary provides an in-depth look at the wonder and fragile beauty of Shenandoah National Park. The breathtaking cinematography from acclaimed National Geographic filmmakers, featuring rare wildlife encounters is both a celebration of wilderness and a call to preserve it. Thursday October 1 (5 – 8 p.m.) at VPM Headquarters Seating is limited. Attendees must RSVP by Friday, September 25. Learn more about the film here.
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Greater Richmond Fit4Kids will host Fun Fest at Park365 on Sunday, September 27, from 2-4 p.m. All families are welcome to stop by for an afternoon of fun designed to engage children in activities that promote active play, outdoor fun, and wellness. This is a free event, but registration is kindly requested.
That is it for today, Raptors! I hope you have a safe and fun weekend, and we’ll see our students on campus on Tuesday!
#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
Order your 2027 Yearbook online now at https://yearbookordercenter.
Attention Class of 2027 Seniors! While ordering your Yearbook online at https://yearbookordercenter.
We are opening our Fall Spiritwear store September 11-27. Please note this is NOT a fundraiser and families are only paying the cost of the items purchased. (We will have future Spiritwear fundraisers later in the year if you would prefer a different design than the one offered here.) To save on shipping costs, we are happy to send your purchases home with your students. Order by the deadline here: https://coderva.itemorder.com/
Attention families of 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students who are interested in learning how to drive!
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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.
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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.
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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 their driver’s education course.
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If you are interested in signing up for Driver’s Ed with CodeRVA, please read the following information carefully.
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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.
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Once families have paid CodeRVA, students will be added to a course in Canvas.
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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.
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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 course includes the state law-required 90 minute Parent/Teen video and contract and asynchronous online coursework.
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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
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Any questions about payments and finances should be directed to Melody Krupnik at melody.krupnik@coderva.org
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Once the course has begun, please direct any course-related questions to Jessica Minks at jessica.minks@coderva.org.
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