Sorry for the late notice, but a reminder that there is a 5th District meeting about schools tomorrow morning-
5th District School Board Member Mamie Taylor is hosting a meeting tomorrow, Saturday January 31st from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at 2nd Baptist Church, 1400 Idlewood Avenue. Mrs. Taylor plans to discuss the proposed Richmond Public Schools Budget, the proposed bell schedule and the Superintendent’s proposed Academic Enhancement Plan. Light Breakfast will be served.
From email:
I am a parent in the Open High PTSA. We wanted to let you know that we are having an Open High PTSA fundraiser at Chipotle in Carytown on Tuesday, January 27 between 4-8pm. Anyone that wants to come and support the school will need to tell the Chipotle cashier at the time of purchase that they are there for the fundraiser.
A student newspaper from Open High School in the 1980’s…
Later the editors changed the name of the paper to “Dry Clean Only” and “made it a lot more Gonzo”.
Not in Oregon Hill, but nearby-
from RVA Magazine article:
VCU’s Grace Street Theater is a great venue to catch unique and touring movies, and VCU’s Cinematheque program has a wealth of great flicks coming in the next few months.
A brand new state-of-the-art 35mm projector with lenses to project in many different aspect ratios, HD digital projectors, a new screen, and Dolby Surround Digital Audio make the spot great for a good screening–not to mention all the screenings are free and open to the public!
Click here for link to program schedule.
Also, on Feb. 5, the films A River Runs Through It and Gringo Trails will be playing at the VCU Grace Street Theater as part of the RVA Environmental Film Festival.
WTVR delivered a nice present with a report on St. Andrew’s School:
Delivering a well-rounded education has been the mission of teachers and staff at Saint Andrew’s school for several generations. And the founder of the school has been changing students’ lives for 120 years and counting.
Each morning begins the same at St. Andrew’s School with a warm smile and or hug like clockwork.At St. Andrews on South Cherry Street, students immerse themselves in an education that is so much more than just the three “Rs.”
Teachers and staff push students to achieve greatness.
“What we do is about their social and emotional well-being as well as their academics,” second-grade teacher Kathy Tappen said. “I wish Richmonders really knew about this treasure.”
While some local journalists have chosen to focus on VCU President’s performance review, they are missing some of the importance of VCU’s recent property grab on Cary Street.
VCU’s neighbors have relied upon VCU’s promise to abide by its Master Plan boundary when purchasing property. This promise is essential for removing speculation and inspiring a sense of trust between VCU and its neighbors. Unfortunately, VCU continues to breed community distrust with its actions. The history is not good: The Oregon Hill neighborhood at one point endorsed the VCU Master Plan 2020, which called for a small natatorium to be constructed at Cherry and Cary. In 2007, VCU abruptly changed its master plan, without community involvement, after a much larger recreational project was already submitted for state review. VCU still ignores “Issue 1” in regard to community relations.
In November 2014, VCU purchased the property at 9 W. Cary Street outside of its Master Plan boundary. In response to a request made under the Freedom of Information Act, VCU has confirmed that the VCU Master Plan boundary has not been changed to include the property at 9 W. Cary Street and that VCU did not inform its neighbors that it was purchasing property outside of its Master Plan boundary. VCU made no mention of the acquisition of the property was made at recent community advisory board meetings.
This appears to run counter to the Management Agreement between VCU and the Commonwealth of Virginia that states that capital projects must be “consistent with the University’s published Master Plan.” “Exhibit A … V. CAPITAL PROGRAM.
The President, acting through the Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration or other
designee, shall adopt a system for developing one or more capital project programs that defines or define the capital needs of the University for a given period of time consistent with the University’s published Master Plan.” (Editor added emphasis for this post).
While the property in question (9 W. Cary Street) is not in Oregon Hill, and Oregon Hill neighbors are not against VCU’s Office of Continuing and Professional Studies receiving a new home, the fact that VCU continues to disregard its own Master Plan raises alarm bells for the surrounding community (and that includes more than Oregon Hill neighborhood).
Again, where is the accountability?
After recruiting the help of several people, including a former City employee, Councilperson Parker Agelasto was able to find legal documents pertaining to deed restrictions on the Grace Arents school building that currently houses Open High School.
Links to large pdf:
Grace Arents School Deed Documents
Arents Grace School Deed actual
Neighbors are grateful as this will hopefully prevent the City from unwisely ceasing to use the building for the function for which the land was given to the city. Oregon Hill neighbors have largely been very supportive of keeping the successful Open High program in the neighborhood. Longtime residents also recall a somewhat similar situation some time ago where the City tried to sell off Pleasants Park, the ‘pocket park’ at Laurel and Albemarle (site of Laurel Street Methodist Church that burned down) to a developer, but re-located deed restrictions prevented it from happening.
In addition here is a photo of the deed whereby the St. Andrews Association conveyed the Grace Arents School property at Pine and China Streets to the City of Richmond in 1911 (DB 210c, Page 497; March 14, 1911). The deed specifies that the land will be used for a free school for city children.
From Richmond Public Schools press release:
The Richmond City School Board is slated to take action on recommendations proposed for Binford Middle School during a special meeting scheduled Monday, December 15. The deferred action is based on feedback received from the public requesting additional information and discussion on the options presented.
At its December 8 meeting, the Board will receive a report and discuss findings from the district’s three community engagement sessions and
corresponding survey.
The news leaves many neighbors and Open High students, parents,and faculty concerned about the future of their program.
Open High School Class of 2015 is hosting a fundraiser at Apple Bee’s (5400 West Broad Street) on Thursday, December 11, from 5:00 until 10:00 pm. Print out the flyer and hand it to your server so 10% of your bill will be donated to OHS.
The district will host three community engagement meetings to allow the public to share their views regarding the proposed options for the future of Binford Middle School.
