RCPS Community Partner Cafe

How do the fine arts integrate into the social and brain development of our students? What initiatives does RCPS have that strengthen opportunities for our students? Listen in as host Katie LaPira talks with guest Becky Ford, Supervisor of the Fine Arts for RCPS.

Becky shares with Katie about the integral ways that RCPS incorporates the fine arts into student education, and she talks about what kinds of opportunities RCPS studen...

Are you wondering about how to help your child with math? Today’s guest Amanda Rickard, Supervisor of Math with Rockingham County Public Schools, joins host Katie LaPira to talk about the new math standards and actionable steps family members can take to support our students in math. 

Amanda talks about how math instruction has evolved over time and the benefit of the current approach. Listen in to hear practical tips about ways ...

What happens when weather events cause potential school disruptions? In today’s episode of RCPS Community Partner Cafe, Director of Transportation Chris Sours talks with host Katie LaPira to share what goes into making weather-related decisions for RCPS. Chris gives listeners a glimpse behind the scenes into what happens when weather events impact Rockingham County. 

Listen in to hear what makes RCPS unique and how decisions abo...

How does RCPS help students prepare for their next steps after high school? In this special episode, student host Leo Johnson talks with two RCPS seniors about their plans after high school. Leo, Clayton, and James reflect on their time in RCPS, share what helped them along their current paths, and provide tips for students and parents looking to get more involved.

Leo talks with seniors James and Clayton about what each of the...

What can career coaches do to help RCPS high school students? RCPS career coaches Jessica Baker and Liz Whiston-Dean join Katie LaPira and Donna Delisle to share about how career coaches at the RCPS high schools can support all students with their pathways after high school. 

As Liz and Jessica share, they can help students with activities such as identifying interests and career opportunities that align with those interests as ...

How can we better support our children in middle and high school? In this episode, middle school counselor Laura Ogden and high school counselor Sandy King join Katie and Donna to share about the unique challenges and opportunities that middle and high school students face and how parents and guardians can provide support.

Laura and Sandy share insights about these specific time periods for students, and they let us know how we ...

Are you wondering how to help your elementary school child with school transitions as we settle into a new school year? Listen in to hear RCPS elementary guidance counselor Lindsey Bateman share tips and tricks for parents and family members to use to help our younger children navigate the changes that come with the start of school. 

Lindsey shares simple actions caretakers can take to help our elementary school students with th...

What can parents and caregivers do to help students enhance their cognitive abilities? Although learning about the brain can be complex, the steps parents and caregivers can take to help with cognitive development can be quite simple.

RCPS school psychologist Dr. Phil Wickline shares with host Donna DeLisle about cognitive functioning, developing background knowledge, inspiring creativity, and considering the impact of technology...

What will the first one hundred days look like with the new RCPS superintendent, Dr. Larry Shifflett? In episode 5 of RCPS Community Partner Café, your host Katie LaPira talks with Dr. Shifflett about his plans for the first one hundred days in his time as the new superintendent of Rockingham County Public Schools.

Dr. Shifflett shares about his plan, which focuses on excellence, integrity, and inclusion of all students. He also...

Do you know the role of school nurses and the vital role they play within our school communities? 

In this timely episode, your hosts Katie LaPira and Donna Delisle talk with Ashley Houff and Myra Hensley about the way that school nurses have become an important part of school communities and how those roles have changed over time. 

Listen in to hear helpful tips for maintaining strong communication with school nurses and the l...

Do you know what services are available to your student with an IEP or a 504 plan? Do you know how to get support for a student who could qualify for special services but has not yet been assessed?

In this informative episode, special education experts Sarah Fawley and Melissa Bentley join your hosts Donna Delisle and Katie LaPira to share about special education support services.

Melissa shares a brief history of the laws th...

What do you know about how public education came to the United States? In this episode, Donna Delisle talks with RCPS Social Studies Supervisor Beau Dickenson about the history of public education in the US and specifically in Virginia. With a grounding in major historical events, historian Beau Dickenson reflects on the beginning of American public education, how it has evolved, and how it looks today going into the future. 

As ...

Are you looking for ways to better support your child? In this episode, Katie LaPira, RCPS Coordinator of Community Engagement, talks with RCPS social workers including Donna Delisle, Ashlea Link, and Alexis Dovel, who share about specific challenges for each age group and what you as parents and guardians can do to best support your children as they grow and develop socially and emotionally.

Listen in to hear these tips about fr...