New school year begins with a staggered start for Richmond middle and high schoolers

The energy at Thomas Henderson Middle School Monday morning was just how eighth-grader Julius Barmord would describe the school to anyone – “live.” 

Sixth grade students hopped off school buses Monday morning and walked into a crowd of cheering teachers and staff, while songs like “Boots on the Ground” by 803Fresh played.  

The first-year middle schoolers were the only students in the building for the day, as sixth and ninth graders across Richmond Public Schools began school a day early as part of the division’s staggered start. 

Superintendent Jason Kamras said the division’s academic team looked into research showing that staggered start provides a productive transition for rising middle and high school students by helping them navigate through the school year in a new school. He said he plans to keep staggered starts for every year moving forward.

“Every single student that walked down here genuinely felt that they belonged here,” he said. 

Students are coming into a school year that follows a strenuous budgeting cycle for RPS. Kamras noted that RPS is experiencing “tight budget times,” pointing to the fact that the commonwealth has historically underfunded K-12 schools, which was highlighted by the state’s Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission two years ago.

“I think it’s time for the state to step up and do its part,” he said, adding that he is keeping watch on a governor’s race he believes “will have a big impact” on K-12 funding.

Kamras also addressed rising concerns regarding the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s presence in the Richmond area, noting that the division has policies protecting students from the agency. Last month, a Southside resident was detained and deported by ICE, and a Henrico high school student was also detained in August. 

“Students will not be taken from our schools,” he said. “Kids are safe at RPS. Send your kids, we want them here.”

Preschoolers, kindergarteners and elementary students also started or came back to school Monday. That does not include RPS’ 200-Day schools, as students at Cardinal, Fairfield Court, Oak Grove-Bellemeade and Woodville elementary schools began on July 21.

Contact Reporter Victoria A. Ifatusin at vifatusin@richmonder.org