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Welcome
to the Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts
 The Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts (PHSSA) is a kindergarten through fifth-grade school based on meaningful parent, educator and community involvement. The school provides the children of our diverse community with an academically rigorous science- and arts-based curriculum that emphasizes environmental awareness and social responsibility.
The school moved into its permanent school building
January 9, 2012.
PHSSA
3411 Semmes Avenue
Richmond, Va 23225
804-888-7061
BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ NOVEMBER 2013 NEWSLETTER
Gratitude
This is the season of gratitude, beginning with Thanksgiving. It may be a time for becoming more aware of the comfort and joy of family and friends. The PHSSA Board is grateful for the Patrick Henry families and staff. We are grateful to have Dr. Atkinson as our new principal. Her cheerful “give me five” that produces instant attention by students to their teachers and better behavior has had a positive influence on our children and on school climate. As an experienced educator who believes in an integrated curriculum and knows how to implement it, Dr. Atkinson has given greater unity and direction for the faculty.
When our new teachers interviewed for PHSSA, they were told by the current teachers that they will work harder here than they ever have anywhere else, but they chose Patrick Henry because they liked the challenge and the autonomy to teach creatively. We are grateful for the extra hours and constant search for ways to be a better teacher from all of our teachers.
Read More
Applications for the 2014-2015 school year will be released on Wednesday, January 22, 2014. An open house will beheld on Thursday, January 30, 2014 at 6:00 PM for prospective families.
New After School Programs Offered
PHSSA is offering three after school programs. Look for a description and sign up sheet in your child's backpack. Classes will form if enough students enroll by November 15 and will be limited to the first to enroll if a class has more applicants than places. Please be sure to have your child return the sign up sheet to the box in the office by November 15 if you want to participate.
PHSSA Board of Director's October Newsletter
At the October 21st School Board meeting, Dr. Lewis, Interim Superintendent, welcomed Dr. Atkinson as our new principal and gave her the opportunity to present her plans to realize the mission of Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts. She was well received by the School Board as it looks for schools to “think out of the box”. The PHSSA Board anticipates that Dr. Atkinson’s experience and stability will direct and inspire our teachers and students to enjoy the integrated curriculum while raising academic achievement.
At that same meeting, the PHSSA integrated curriculum was fully accepted as in compliance with the 2013-18 Charter Agreement with the School Board. The Agreement, a legally binding document, gives PHSSA autonomy to maintain the integrated curriculum as long as PHSSA meets basic standards set by the Virginia Department of Education. In addition, the Agreement gives PHSSA the autonomy to spend non-personnel funding where it is needed most by the school. The Charter Agreement is limited by Virginia charter school law to 5 years unlike other states that have charter agreements in effect from 10 to 25 years; therefore, PHSSA, will have to renew the Charter in 2018.
Read More >>
Growing Opportunity for Virginia Students Panel Discussion
Recently PHSSA Co-Chair, Debora Corliss participated in a panel discussion around school choice and opportunity.
See highlights from the discussion:
Welcome to our new principal, Dr. Eileen Atkinson
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Eileen Atkinson is our new principal, beginning on October 7. Dr. Braxton, our interim principal, and Cynthia Gentry will stay with us for a few days to help Dr. Atkinson settle into her new job. PHSSA owes a great debt of gratitude to Dr. Braxton and Ms. Gentry for stepping out of retirement, AGAIN, to take charge while we searched for a principal. The Board is immeasurably grateful to them, and we hope you will let them know of your own appreciation. Read More
Help PHSSA raise money when you shop at Martin's
PHSSA is registered in the Martin's School Cash-back Program. To participate and get $$$$ for PHSSA .you must register on-line every year with your Martin's Bonus Card - http://richmond.martinsfoods.com/aplus/. Go to the Martin's website and go to the customer zone to register. PHSSA number to register is 03025. After you register just go to the store, present your card, and credit will come to PHSSA. Last year we received over $700. Place on your FB pages and get as many folks interested as possible. This is a way for everyone to give to PHSSA.
PHSSA's Fourth/Fifth grade Math/Science Teacher, Stephen Schwartz named to the Governor's Teacher Cabinet.
Governor Bob McDonnell today announced the members of his Governor's Teacher Cabinet. The Cabinet includes teachers from every Superintendent Region in the Commonwealth. The Cabinet was created by the Governor's Executive Order Number Sixty Three. It is scheduled to have its first meeting later this month, and will submit an interim report with initial recommendations by November 15, 2013.
This is Mr. Schwartz's second year at Patrick Henry and we are very proud of his accomplishment. Read the press release here.
PHSSA received a $400,000 loan for Phase II of renovations
Great News! PHSSA received a $400,000 loan from Self-Help Durham, NC for the Phase 2 construction of the building. This includes the renovation of 4 classrooms and the auditorium, something we have been wanting for so very long! Construction will commence by the end of the month with RMT Construction out of Chesterfield, VA. The goal is to have the third graders back into the new classrooms when the children return from winter break. This is great news and puts us that much closer to total renovation. The final phase, Phase 3, will commence in late 2014.
PHSSA 2013-2014 Waitlist Enrollment
Have you heard? PHSSA is now accepting applications for the 2013-2014 waitlist. That's right! During the school year, a waitlist will be used to contact students interested in a spot at our spectacular school. We are accepting waitlist applications for grades Kingergarten-5th. These applications will be added to a waitlist and students will be contacted as a spot becomes available during this school year.
Parents! Please sign up for Lunch Room Duty
In order for Teachers to be able to have a duty-free lunch, we need family members to commit to volunteering once per quarter. You will earn 2 hours towards your volunteer requirement each time you assist students with maintaining a calmer lunch environment. This is a fun way to interact with the children and to get to know your child's classmates while allowing the teachers a much needed break.
Cafeteria Helper Sign Up
OR sign up on the calendar posted in the school lobby.
PHSSA awarded a $9,300 grant for the arts.
University of Richmond's Partners in the Arts awarded PHSSA with a $9,300 grant. The grant will fund professional development and visiting artists to help fully integrate the arts with a collaborative group structure on every Friday. We will begin with a visiting photographer to begin the year. Read more about the award program here: http://spcs.richmond.edu/arts/
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