Richmond’s Open High School just ranked 62 in a report of the nation’s best high schools.
The U.S. News Best High Schools rankings include data on more than 24,000 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. Nearly 18,000 schools were ranked on six factors based on their performance on state assessments and how well they prepare students for college.
Click here for the article.
With students coming back to Richmond universities, and with student government associations meeting again, it is worth noting that no Richmond university student government association (SGA) has claimed the previously announced $1,000 prize.
Just to refresh memories, in 2022, I, Scott Burger, pledged to reward whichever Richmond university student government is the first among Richmond university student governments to conduct a campus wide election of student government officers using ranked choice voting and incorporate ranked choice voting into its constitution/bylaws with a $1,000 prize.
(Please refer to the notes on the original post-
https://www.oregonhill.net/2022/11/16/1000-rcv-prize-for-a-richmond-university/)
In the last three years, this city, state, and country has seen some remarkably close elections, a few vote recounts, and much concern about voting and elections in general. Sadly, despite RCV progress elsewhere, and so much overall local change in general, Richmond politics is still languishing on its hotbed of apathy. It does not help that local media, including the college newspapers and media, have ignored this contest altogether, refusing to even mention it.
Some have suggested that I should just endow money directly to a university administration or department (as if I trust them to spend the money well!) or, completely ignoring the simple, grassroots approach to this promotion of RCV, should use the money instead to fund research or ‘a study’. As if there has not already been enough studies! Over 100 colleges and universities in the United States use ranked-choice voting (RCV) for student government elections. RCV is used at George Mason University, James Madison University, University of Virginia, and Washington and Lee.
I will state again that while I don’t think money should equal speech (I support www.MoveToAmend.org), for this contest, I am willing to make an exception.
I thought about doubling the prize amount, but between Trump’s tariffs and job threats from AI threatening the economy, I am not going to do that. I have decided to split the difference. I will increase my prize pool by $500. So, among the eligible Richmond university student governments, University of Richmond SGA, Virginia Commonwealth University SGA, or Virginia Union University SGA, the first SGA who satisfies the contest to my satisfaction will get $1,000. And now, the second one to do so will get $500. If there is not a second one within a year, the first winner will be rewarded the $500 in addition to the $1,000. Again, pay attention to the original caveats.
Remember, this city, state, and country need young people to lead. With emboldened fascism growing, we need to keep pushing for true democratic reforms that empower voters.
TheRichmonder online news site is reporting that City leaders are (again) discussing relocating Open High School, possibly to the vacant Clark Springs elementary building. No mention of deed restrictions on the Open High (Grace Arents School) building or its future.
Because Open High’s model program works so well (routinely listed as one of the best high schools in the country), the City wants to change it (instead of replicating it).
It’s not enough to build a 7,000+ amphitheater next to the neighborhood, with stages and speakers pointed at the neighborhood and river parks. It’s not enough to change land-use and re-zone the neighborhood against residents’ wishes. City leaders seemed determined to dismantle neighborhood institutions as well. This latest news is only contributing to the feeling that the neighborhood is under attack and that the City leaders care more about developers than anything else, including the views of longterm residents.
Photo by Baim Hanif on Unsplash
Congratulations to her, Open High, and all the RPS graduates!
In what some see as a sure sign of Spring, VCU workmen roll up the bubble dome that had been over the VCU tennis courts on W.Cary.
Not sure when these tennis courts will be demolished to make way for new construction…
Vox Concordia, a VCU choral group, will be part of Pine Street Baptist Church’s Sunday worship service at 11 am.
From event description:
Vox Concordia of VCU
Lisa Fusco, Director
Vox Concordia is the select treble choir of Virginia Commonwealth University and is open to students of any major who sing soprano or alto. Vox Concordia is Latin for “voices together in one heart.” These diverse singers, with majors in music, criminal justice, international studies, psychology, and more, unite in an inclusive choral community to make music that reflects the diversity of our world. In addition to performing the classics of treble repertoire, Vox Concordia often sings works written by women and living composers from underrepresented cultures with texts that address contemporary issues. Vox Concordia has sung in the Richmond area for community organizations such as the Lewis Ginter GardenFest of Lights, senior living communities, and for VCUsports games. The choir is conducted by Lisa Fusco, Adjunct Instructor at VCU.
Are you a Fox parent, alumni, or a student needing volunteer hours? If so, please volunteer to help with the Strawberry Street festival this Saturday!
Virginia Commonwealth University announced this morning that it will cancel all classes on April 8th so that students can watch their scheduled solar eclipse.
In the interest of science, the VCU administration has declared it has scheduled a solar eclipse and invite everyone to watch it for their viewing pleasure.
“We really want Richmonders, and Virginians in general, to embrace our advances in physics and engineering and feel like they are part of the celebration also”, said a VCU public relations spokesperson, “Think about it- we are creating the observation of starlight in the daytime. We are displaying direct evidence of how the sun and moon are arranged.”
Not all Virginia parents are enthused about the endeavor, noting that some area school systems are also being forced to change their schedule. Chesterfield, Henrico and Richmond are dismissing students early or later. “Families and employees should make arrangements for this change, which is being made out of an abundance of caution in connection to the April 8 solar eclipse and our traditional release times.”
Some citizens are asking their state representatives to step in and try to force VCU to change the timing of the eclipse.
In other eclipse-related news, the City Department of Utilities has announced a small, additional surcharge in next month’s utility billing because of the eclipse. It will most likely be part of of the PILOT in the billing.
…a reminder that the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association is holding its Annual Block Party in conjunction with Open High’s Fall Festival this Saturday!
From announcement:
Thanks so much to our friends at Pine St. Baptist for supplying popcorn and snow cones! Later in the evening they will also be screening our annual Block Party sunset movie! This year is CASPER, and they’ll be providing hot dogs, sides, and drinks! Free!!