We had a wonderful time last week on our first two Pumpkin Patch field trips! 🎃 Our Little Bears enjoyed exploring the farm, making memories, and learning outside the classroom. We can't wait for our final group to visit this week!

We also participated in the Crunch Heard 'Round the Commonwealth! 🍎 Our entire school joined together to enjoy a fresh apple and celebrate healthy eating and healthy living. What a fun way to promote healthy habits with our Little Bears!

Although RPS schools were closed today in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day, the rest of our week is BOOKED AND BUSY! 🎉 Please review the attached flyers for all the exciting activities happening this week and in the coming weeks.

📸 Tuesday, October 13 | School Picture Day

Get those smiles ready! 😁 Picture Day is tomorrow!

NO CASH ACCEPTED! All orders must be placed online at www.strawbridge.net. Click Order Pictures and enter school code PX524569.

🌎 Hispanic Heritage Spirit Week | October 13–16

We are celebrating the cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities!

🎩 Tuesday: Hat or Sombrero Day

🌈 Wednesday: Neon Colors Day

⚽ Thursday: Jersey Day

🌎 Friday: Flag Day!

📚 Wednesday, October 14 | ExCELL Family Literacy Event

⏰ 3:30–5:00 PM

Join our ExCELL partners for a fun family literacy experience focused on Oral Language and Phonological Awareness. Learn simple activities you can use at home to strengthen your child's early literacy skills!

🎃 Wednesday, October 14 | Head Start Pumpkin Patch Trip

Our Head Start classes (Bell, Thornton, Nail, and Davis) will enjoy their trip to Hanover Vegetable Farm. Please make sure all permission slips have been returned!

🎉 Friday, October 16 | Hispanic Heritage Flag Day Parade

⏰ 9:00 AM

Families are invited to join us as our Little Bears celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! Students are encouraged to wear cultural attire or colors representing the Hispanic country their class has been studying or their own Hispanic heritage.

📊 Beginning-of-Year VALLS Assessments

We will begin our final round of beginning-of-year assessments tomorrow with VALLS (Virginia Language & Literacy Screening).

VALLS helps teachers understand children's developing early language and literacy skills,

💗 Looking Ahead | Pink Out Wednesday

📅 Wednesday, October 21

Wear PINK in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

👻 Friday, October 30 | Trunk or Treat Parade

⏰ 9:30 AM

Families are welcome to join us for our in-school costume parade and Trunk or Treat celebration!

We are accepting donations of stickers, pencils, and small trinkets for student treats.

🚫 NO CANDY! Remember, Blackwell is a peanut-free school.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. We have so many wonderful opportunities ahead for our Little Bears to learn, celebrate, and make lasting memories! 🐻💛

Our new donation bin is located at the entrance to our parking lot! Donate your old clothing, shoes, and textiles. Community donations help support activities for our Little Bears! 💛

Early dismissal ends daily at 1 pm so that we are able to prepare for dismissal and get students ready to go home. Students will not be released after 1 pm until 2:00 pm at normal dismissal. If you have an emergency or plan to pick a student up for a doctor's appointment but are running late, please call ahead so we know you are coming.

At Richmond Public Schools (RPS), we believe in creating a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment for all students and families, regardless of immigration status. RPS is and will remain a safe place for all students, and we want to see our students in school every single day because this is the safest environment for them to learn, grow, and thrive. If you have any questions please feel free to utilize the Immigration Resource Hub or call the school at 804-780-5064