Are you curious about what is new in RCPS this school year? In episode 16 of RCPS Community Partner Cafe, host Katie LaPira answers community questions and shares important updates for the upcoming school year. From back-to-school nights to enrollment procedures, Katie provides all the essential information families need to get ready for the new academic year. Katie also highlights the vital role of community partnerships in supporting our schools, particularly the United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County's "Tools for Schools" event.  Listen in to learn about important back-to-sch ..read more

Are you wondering how to keep your child's brain active and engaged during the summer break? Listen in to hear the benefits of reading in the summer as host Katie LaPira sits down with Kim Tate, the Language Arts and Library Supervisor for Rockingham County Public Schools, to discuss how powerful reading can be. Kim provides practical advice on making summer reading an enjoyable and integral part of family life. Kim and Katie discuss the importance of allowing children to choose their own books, exploring different formats such as audiobooks, and setting aside family reading time.   Tune ..read more

Are you curious about STEM and science activities in our schools? Today, host Katie LaPira chats with Tammy Stone, the Science, STEM, and Challenge Supervisor for Rockingham County Public Schools. Tammy shares exciting insights into the hands-on learning experiences of RCPS students.   From dissecting owl pellets to exploring watershed ecosystems, students of all ages experience captivating activities that bring science to life. Listen in to hear how STEM education isn't confined to the classroom, but extends into engaging programs where students explore the science of cooking, force in m ..read more

How do the fine arts integrate into the social and brain development of our students? What initiatives does RCPS have that strengthen opportunities for our students? Listen in as host Katie LaPira talks with guest Becky Ford, Supervisor of the Fine Arts for RCPS.   Becky shares with Katie about the integral ways that RCPS incorporates the fine arts into student education, and she talks about what kinds of opportunities RCPS students have at each level. Becky and Katie talk about initiatives available to RCPS students such as Any Given Child, and they discuss ways parents and community pa ..read more

Are you wondering how to help your elementary school child with school transitions as we settle into a new school year? Listen in to hear RCPS elementary guidance counselor Lindsey Bateman share tips and tricks for parents and family members to use to help our younger children navigate the changes that come with the start of school.    Lindsey shares simple actions caretakers can take to help our elementary school students with their emotions and with socialization. Just by assisting young children in identifying their emotions, openly sharing our own feelings, and reassuring childr ..read more

Are you wondering about how to help your child with math? Today’s guest Amanda Rickard, Supervisor of Math with Rockingham County Public Schools, joins host Katie LaPira to talk about the new math standards and actionable steps family members can take to support our students in math.    Amanda talks about how math instruction has evolved over time and the benefit of the current approach. Listen in to hear practical tips about ways that you can help the RCPS students in your life to succeed in math. Amanda shares steps students of all levels can take to be successful ..read more

What will the first one hundred days look like with the new RCPS superintendent, Dr. Larry Shifflett? In episode 5 of RCPS Community Partner Café, your host Katie LaPira talks with Dr. Shifflett about his plans for the first one hundred days in his time as the new superintendent of Rockingham County Public Schools.   Dr. Shifflett shares about his plan, which focuses on excellence, integrity, and inclusion of all students. He also shares about the four goals he has for the '23-'24 school year and beyond and the ways that he plans to involve all RCPS partners in that planning. Listen in t ..read more

How does RCPS help students prepare for their next steps after high school? In this special episode, student host Leo Johnson talks with two RCPS seniors about their plans after high school. Leo, Clayton, and James reflect on their time in RCPS, share what helped them along their current paths, and provide tips for students and parents looking to get more involved.   Leo talks with seniors James and Clayton about what each of them plans to do after high school, and they share how they reached those decisions about their career paths. The RCPS seniors also have fun envisioning changes tha ..read more

Do you know what services are available to your student with an IEP or a 504 plan? Do you know how to get support for a student who could qualify for special services but has not yet been assessed?   In this informative episode, special education experts Sarah Fawley and Melissa Bentley join your hosts Donna Delisle and Katie LaPira to share about special education support services.   Melissa shares a brief history of the laws that led to where we are today with IEPs and 504 plans for students, and Melissa talks about ways that students who qualify for services can be identified an ..read more

How can we better support our children in middle and high school? In this episode, middle school counselor Laura Ogden and high school counselor Sandy King join Katie and Donna to share about the unique challenges and opportunities that middle and high school students face and how parents and guardians can provide support.   Laura and Sandy share insights about these specific time periods for students, and they let us know how we as a community and as individual caretakers can better support the young people going through middle and high school transitions.  ..read more