Category Archives: St. Andrew’s School

New Head Of St. Andrew’s School Announced

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St. Andrew’s School has announced that Kay Mason, a longtime independent educator from Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, LA, will become our new Head of School starting July 2022.
Mrs. Mason takes the helm from the School’s seventh leader, Dr. Cyndy Weldon-Lassiter.
“When I sat across from Kay in my office and listened to her talk about her experience and how it could complement the work we have been doing at St. Andrew’s School, I could clearly see our next leader. She was impressed with the school community, and we were equally impressed with her. I am thrilled she will be St. Andrew’s Head of School,” Dr. Weldon-Lassiter says.
Mason said she is truly humbled to have the opportunity to continue Grace Arents’ legacy and vision, as well as St. Andrew’s mission and values.
“It is certainly one of my goals to partner with all members of the St. Andrews’ community as this wonderful school enters the next chapter in its long history,” Mason says.
Please join us in welcoming Kay!

St. Andrew’s School Starts Monday

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St. Andrew’s School is an independent elementary school in Oregon Hill, specifically for families with low incomes.
Students are returning to school, in some capacity, this coming Monday.

Neighbors are trying to be supportive. From Laurel Street neighbor Jenny Beth-

Hi neighbors, weather permitting we will be “chalking the walk” again this year for the Saint Andrew’s School back to school (Monday, August 10th). We’ll go out this Sunday (August 9) late afternoon/early evening and have plenty of chalk, or BYO. We will be wearing masks! We’d love your help sharing encouraging messages and cheering on these brave elementary schoolers returning for the first time since March!

From OHNA president Todd Woodson:

Dear Friends

Please remember that St Andrews School will open on Monday, August 10. Please DO NOT park in the areas fronting the school on South Cherry as well as Idlewood Ave. This is especially important as some grades will enter through the front and some grades will enter on the Cherry St side due to precautions associated with Covid preparedness.

Also, please remember to drive slowly in the vicinity of the school. Let’s keep our kids safe!

Todd.

Dr. Weldon-Lassiter From St. Andrew’s School Among Richmond Magazine’s ‘Bold Women of Richmond 2020’

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Earlier this week, Richmond Magazine published an article about local women who support other Richmond women and address community needs — building a better Richmond in the process. Sponsored with the help of other local businesswomen, the’Bold Women of Richmond’ article will be used to help financially support the 2020 Women’s Build project, overseen by Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity’s own team of bold women.

One of the recognized women is St Andrews School’s head, Dr. Cyndy Weldon-Lassiter. St. Andrew’s School, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, was started by Grace Arents in 1894 with the purpose of offering space to working-class families.

“We have created a whole-child approach, which includes several key areas of our programming that meet the needs of a child,” says Dr. Weldon-Lassiter, who has been with the school since 2010. “We’re not just thinking about the academic piece, we’re thinking about the social and emotional piece, we think about nutrition and wellness, we think about the performing and visual arts and how that impacts student academics.”

The piece on Dr. Weldon-Lassiter also mentions the COVID-19 pandemic –

“It was tough,” she admits. “We have an extended year and extended day program on purpose, to decrease the likelihood that students are out of school for an extended period of time.” Luckily, she and her staff have been able to move resources online for their students pretty quickly, and she is encouraged by the results.

WNRN’s Hear Together: St. Andrews School

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WNRN is a great listener-supported independent music radio station with a growing presence in the Richmond area.

As part of their public affairs programming, they recently featured a profile on St. Andrews School:

Celebrating its 125th Anniversary this year, St. Andrew’s School was established in 1894 by Grace Arents, the niece of Lewis Ginter. Known as the “silent philanthropist,” Arents founded the institution to provide tuition-free education for the working class families that lived in the Oregon Hill neighborhood of Richmond.

Today, St. Andrew’s enrolls 96 children in kindergarten through 5th grade. Their “whole child” approach to learning doesn’t just include a focus on academics, but incorporates nutrition and wellness, a social/emotional program, and even a graduate support system that assists with middle school placement.

They recorded an short interview with with Dr. Cynthia Weldon Lassiter, the Head of St. Andrew’s, for their Hear Together profile. You can listen to the profile on their website (click here).

St. Andrew’s School Spaghetti Fundraiser on Feb. 7

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Come celebrate 125 years of love and quality education with a fundraiser at St Andrews School at 227 S Cherry Street, 23220 in Oregon Hill!
Five bucks gets you a delicious spaghetti dinner with salad, rolls and iced tea (vegetarian option available) by Chef Ronni. Jazz combo will be playing some music. 5:30-6:30 on Friday February 7th. Please RSVP Amanda Kennedy at 648-4952 or drop off at front office. Donations welcome! Let’s join together as community for a great time and a good cause!

125 Years! Congratulations, St. Andrew’s School

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The Times Dispatch has published a story that celebrates St. Andrew’s School’s 125th Anniversary.

From the article:

“Grace Arents was a visionary,” said Head of School Cynthia Weldon-Lassiter. “We have the opportunity to continue to grow the school in ways that are going to impact the greater community.”

Students have been a part of ongoing anniversary celebrations, including the creation of a mural in the school’s courtyard. That light-blue mural, with a sun and flowers, includes the school’s motto: “Growing with Grace.”

Chalk the Walk Tuesday

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“India – Kolam chalk art – welcome”by McKay Savage is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Announcement-

Greetings dear neighbors, we’d love to invite you to join us on Tuesday between 5:30 – 6:30 to create chalk welcome messages for the students of St. Andrew’s School, who will be back to school this Wednesday, August 7! Let’s greet and encourage them! We will have chalk, just show up and share a drawing or greeting. Meet in front of the school at the corner of Idlewood and Cherry. See about it! — with Chris Milk.

Click here for FaceBook event page.