RichmondBizSense.com reports on the YWCA’s plans for expanding its childcare program.
The nonprofit’s Sprout School, a full-day and year-round early childhood education program, is expected to open a downtown Richmond location in spring 2022 and an Oregon Hill location in winter 2023.
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The Oregon Hill outpost will be located at St. Andrew’s School at 227 S. Cherry St. The school and nonprofit have already signed an agreement to open the location, Tissiere said.
Open High administrators are excited about these new patio picnic tables, courtesy of community volunteers, Dominion, Richmond ToolBank, and Oregon Hill neighbor Stephenie Harrington.
Oregon Hill, in recent years, has grown its younger population- more households have had babies, and more families with children have moved into the neighborhood. It’s been a welcome trend and it speaks to the ‘good bones’ of this historic, urban enclave.
That said, Oregon Hill parents are concerned about the lack of transportation options for getting their children to school, and feel like the public system should be doing more.
“RPS school bus schedules are out. Not a single bus stop in Oregon Hill! It is like we don’t even exist,” is one message that was sent.
Of course, as the pandemic continues, many localities are dealing with a shortage of school bus drivers, and other resource problems, and many are wondering if virus variants of COVID-19 will lead to the schools closing again anyway.
May 30 – June 5 is the second annual Open High School virtual silent auction, Art Expo 2021. Each year Open High School depends on the Art Auction to help fund the art department. This year the goal is to raise $5,000 to purchase art supplies for all of the art classes in school year 2021-22. Take a look and bid on items to support the school or simply make a donation. Three businesses in Oregon Hill – Rest in Pieces, Pine Street Barber Shop and L’Opossum- have donated items.
Also, this Thursday evening, Open High will be holding its 2021 Virtual Awards Assembly.
Please do check out their home page for more information on these and other events.
From neighbor:
Rowdy night last night on the Hill. Big student party broke up a bit after mignight. About a hundred partyers. No masks. They left trinkets in the new trees on the walk back to VCU.
This is unacceptable. VCU President Rao and administration have to take some responsibility also. But Oregon Hill residents also need to make sure they alert the VCU and Richmond police to the problems.
This is happening during a dangerous pandemic. There’s historical precedent for taking far greater measures in the interest of public health.
A report released Wednesday by the nonprofit Partners for College Affordability and Public Trust analyzed 15 public universities in Virginia for the accessibility of information such as board meeting minutes, policies and bylaws, and contact information for board members.
According to this report, Virginia Commonwealth earned an overall ‘C’ grade in the study of how transparent its governing board is to the public.
However it earned a failing grade in regard to its board member accessibility.
From the report-
The board currently provides the public options to observe meetings by video streaming or in-person, while allowing for physical distancing and health pre-cautions. In-person attendance is limited to 10 people who register in advance, with preference given on a first-come, first-serve basis. A phone dial-in option is not provided. Video recordings of in-person or virtual meetings are posted to the board website for public record (https://president.vcu.edu/board/minutes/).
Generic contact information for the board listed on the board website (https://president.vcu.edu/board/), including a mailing address and email address (bov@vcu.edu). The board website also lists contact information for a point-of-contact for the board (Chelsea Gray, Assistant Secretary and Board Liaison), including a mailing address, phone number, and an email address (cgray8@vcu.edu). Contact information to communicate with individual board members is not available.
According to board policy, a period of public comment will be accepted at the board’s annual Budget Workshop, which is routinely attended by the full board. Board policy does not specify that written comments be distributed to all board members.
The Partners for College Affordability and Public Trust announced the report Wednesday to coincide with the introduction of a bill in the Virginia General Assembly that addresses concerns about transparency among college governing boards. The proposed bill, H.R. 2120, would require boards to make meetings accessible to the public remotely and to post contact information such as email addresses for board members, among other policies.
“Service on a Board of Visitors for a Virginia public university is a highly coveted political appointment, but it is also a position of serious responsibility,” Del. Mark Keam, D-Fairfax, and the bill’s patron, said in a news release from the nonprofit. “Their decisions impact the lives of countless students, faculty, staff, and the broader university communities. At a time when the public’s trust in our institutions is frail and taxpayers demand more from government, I believe our colleges and universities must reassure their stakeholders that they are committed to the highest standards of public service.”
Even during the pandemic, Open High students continue to shine…
Richmond Public Schools recently recognized Jack Salgado for his presentation in the Solar Decathlon as one of the Solar Student Leaders.
They also congratulated Asia Goode from Open High School for her acceptance into Stanford University with a full-ride scholarship! She’s known for advocating for food justice and co-hosting their Civic Voices Town Hall.
From the Times Dispatch:
Virginia Commonwealth University has 25 confirmed student COVID-19 cases and 11 confirmed employee cases, a university spokesman said Thursday afternoon.
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VCU’s fall semester began on Monday. The school is offering in-person and online classes and the university’s dorms are home to more than 4,000 students in space designed for more than more than 6,200.
The university administration has created a ‘dashboard’ website to monitor cases of infection, but information is limited.
Neighbors are concerned about possible spread given the close proximity of the university and the number of students who live and visit Oregon Hill. There have been recent parties at residences in the neighborhood where masks were not used.
Some VCU students have publicly protested the re-opening of the university during the pandemic. They have also noted that the university has not refunded tuition despite many demands from students.
Starts at 10 am and the weather has been planned beautifully…
From the Facebook event page:
Our in-person, socially-distanced ceremony to recognize the Class of 2020! Wear your cap, gown, and facial mask. No more than 3 people per car, and no more than 1 car per graduate. Receive your diploma and have your picture taken! Meet in the OHS Parking Lot according to schedule emailed earlier. Decorate cars for a parade down S. Laurel to Overlook. Exit on S. Pine St.
From OregonHill.net to all Open High grads, CONGRATULATIONS!!!