Good afternoon, CodeRVA Families-
We have just a few new updates for you this week before we head off into what is supposed to be a rainy weekend.
First up this week, a serious reminder that I do not often have to send here at CodeRVA. We respectfully ask that families check their students’ backpacks regularly to ensure there are no school inappropriate items in there either on purpose or on accident. Regardless of the reason a student possesses a school inappropriate item, once that item is on school property and it is reported to us, students will receive a consequence (as applicable). Because of CodeRVA’s limited funding, we do not employ a full time School Resource Officer or other security personnel. Safety is our daily priority, and we rely on vigilance from families and from students at school to report if there are concerns. Yesterday we were able to find a quick solution to a concern because of the willingness of students to come forward to alert adults. That behavior is one of the many things I love about CodeRVA. Each of us, both students and adults, has the ability (and responsibility) to help make our school the best version of itself it can be.
On a much lighter note now, attention families of 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students who are interested in learning how to drive!
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This year CodeRVA will 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 $100 payment to CodeRVA’s Online School Payment (OSP) before students are enrolled in the course. Payments can be made on OSP from August 13 to October 11.
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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 3, 2025 – March 13, 2026. There will be no extensions past March 13 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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Please direct course-related questions to Jessica Minks at jessica.minks@coderva.org. Please direct payment-related questions to Melody Krupnik at melody.krupnik@coderva.org
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Last but not least today, here is a note from the Virginia Department of Education:
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Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15 – October 15: We celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success. The observation began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988. The Commonwealth of Virginia honors the contributions of Virginians of Hispanic heritage during national Hispanic Heritage month, September 15 – October 15. The Smithsonian Learning Lab and eMediaVA also feature resources and information on Hispanic Heritage Month. For more information and resources, view related records on the Hispanic/Latino Heritage resource page and in the Archives Catalog.
That is it for new information today, Raptors! Please check out our Reminders section below in case you missed something in a previous edition. Hopefully our students spent their Workday this week catching up on missing assignments, but if not, I encourage you to do that this weekend before grades close on Wednesday. It is hard to believe we are almost done with our first marking period!
Have a great weekend, and stay safe!
#WeAreCodeRVA
***25-26 CodeRVA: Raptor Scholarship Sheet
Need a transcript? Create a self-service Parchment account here: Ordering a Transcript from Parchment
Previous Raptor Rundown Reminders
Check out the Back to School Night recordings using this link. Each teacher has put together a short introduction to their class.
One of the annual reminders we have learned we are supposed to send to families is to alert you where to retrieve your student in the event our building becomes uninhabitable. This could be due to fire, flood, etc. Thankfully this has not been something we have had to contend with, and even last year when we were unable to drink the water for a portion of the day, we were still able to remain on site. Even though we are not in a traditional school building, typically a building like ours is a safe place to be during a natural disaster (few windows to the outside; on the ground floor, etc.) In the event we do need to evacuate, we will send an emergency message using our typical communication methods (text, call, email), and we will ask for your patience and understanding while we prioritize working with students directly first and not answering the phone or emails, even though I know as a parent that may heighten your stress levels. If we leave our building, we will first use SCOR (Sports Center of Richmond at 1385 Overbrook Road) as our evacuation location. In the event that building is also compromised, we will go to The Diamond complex, although we understand this area is currently under construction. We have to select our locations though as long term sites and hope that we are not in our dire circumstances at the same time our secondary evacuation location is under construction. Lastly, please note that even in an emergency we will not release a student to anyone who is not listed on the Student Information Form we ask families to complete or to someone who cannot verify their identity with a Driver’s License or other state/federal identification. We will always err on the side of student safety and keep students will school personnel rather than releasing them to an unknown individual. Thank you for your understanding, and hopefully we will never need to utilize these procedures!
Attention Class of 2026! Ready to buy your cap and gown, class rings, and more?! Mark your calendars for January 28 and February 11. During Raptor Rotation, Herff Jones will be here to help students select items to commemorate their high school years including items required for Graduation.
Join the PTSA here: https://coderva.givebacks.com/
We are so grateful to the YMCA of Greater Richmond for once again giving us a free student membership for each of our 9th and 10th grade students enrolled in Health/Physical Education 9 or 10. (Unfortunately there are no memberships available for 11th or 12th grade students since they do not take these classes.) Check out this: CodeRVA YMCA Activation Guide 2025-26.docx to sign up if you are interested.
2026 Yearbook Orders! Order your 2026 yearbook online now at yearbookordercenter.com (school code: 17686). Yearbooks are $30. All orders will be distributed to students at CodeRVA in May. Please direct questions to scott.ludlow@coderva.org
Attention all Families of the Class of 2026! For those students who may be interested in an early release or late arrival option as a Senior, check out this form.