Category Archives: schools

VCU Alarm Siren Today At Noon/Hollywood Cannon Fire Saturday

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From VCU announcement:

Virginia Commonwealth University will conduct a full test of its emergency communication systems, including 10 sirens throughout the Monroe Park and MCV campuses, at noon on Wednesday, Feb. 4.

The full test will include the sirens along with text messages, Alertus boxes, mass email, digital signs, social media and VCU website information – all part of a multichannel system for communicating emergency information to VCU students, faculty, staff, visitors and the community.

VCU remains committed to supporting a wide variety of emergency alert technologies to distribute emergency information in a timely and effective manner. These various technologies help inform the VCU community of the necessary and prudent protective actions in a comprehensive manner.

The following list contains more information about each of these alerting technologies:

Outdoor sirens: In a real emergency, the 10 sirens on the Monroe Park and MCV campuses will sound for four minutes to signal that an immediate, life-threatening emergency has occurred or may be imminent. The purpose of the siren is to alert people outside of campus buildings to immediately seek secure shelter and to receive additional information. No all-clear siren is utilized during tests, but one would sound in an actual emergency.

Text Messages: These messages are short, protective action statements that will contain a link to http://alert.vcu.edu/, where additional information is located. Parents and community members may sign up for VCU’s text message alert system at http://alert.vcu.edu/signup/ to receive information about campus emergencies and cancellations.

Alertus: These small yellow devices are strategically installed in classrooms, residence halls and other high traffic areas throughout campus. They are designed to provide an auditory and visual alert when a threat has occurred or is imminent. Much like text messages, a protective action statement will scroll on the screen during the threatening event.

Mass Email: All VCU email account holders will receive an email containing the safety recommendations related to the event.

Social Media: Alerting information will be posted to the @VCUNews Twitter account and the VCU Facebook page.

Digital Signage: Digital displays are located throughout campus with a particular focus in high traffic areas. These signs will display the emergency alert and reference information that is posted to Alertus boxes and text messaging.

After the semester test, monthly checks of the siren system are conducted at noon on the first Wednesday of each month consisting of a one-minute steady wail that also recharges the siren batteries.
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From Hollywood Cemetery:

I wanted to let you know that there will be a ceremony this Saturday, 2/7 at 10:00 am until about 11:30 am with cannon fire sometime close to the end. Thanks for letting the folks know there will be boom booms.

Take care and stay warm.

Mabel

5th District SCHOOL Meeting Tomorrow

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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.

VCU Arts Cinematheque Releases Spring 2015 Schedule

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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.

“Why students don’t want to leave historic Richmond elementary school”

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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.”

VCU Continues To Disregard Its Own Master Plan, Counter To State Agreement

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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?

Deed Restrictions On Grace Arents School (Open High Building)

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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.

Grace Arents School deed, DB 210c P 497 March 14, 1911 copy

School Board to Vote On Open/Binford Proposal Dec. 15

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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.