A Tree Headstone, a Couple Polls, and Sprout Schools
Cheers RVA!
Today the rain continues, with potential thunderstorms and localized flooding, and a high of 73. The evening looks similar, with continued rain and isolated storms possibly tapering off Wednesday.
the pulp:
RVA Mag breaks down who is running for mayor with short summaries and quotes from each candidate. The article includes a reader poll, and displays poll data after submitting, but only from questions answered.
GRTC is asking for public feedback for the North-South Pulse line connecting Richmond’s Northside and Southside with rapid transit, via RICtoday. Preliminary concepts include both curb-running and median-running designs. Take the survey here, and possibly win a $50 gift card.
The RTD is reporting City Council voted to dismiss Chief of Staff LaTesha Holmes in closed session yesterday. Holmes was appointed in January of 2023 and earned a salary of $196k.
35 RPS School Bus Drivers called out yesterday, resulting in significant delays, from channel 6. Superintendent Kamras did not want to speculate, but noted it is possible some drivers were disappointed with recent paychecks due to a new automated time clock system. The School Board and the LiUNA Local 804 Union, which represents RPS bus drivers, have been at odds in previous months over driver compensation after a report RPS paid drivers $1.7 million in overtime in 2023.
A 254 year-old White Oak stump has been carved into Hollywood Cemetery’s first tree headstone. Arborist and artist Jake Van Yahres, who has created murals of Arthur Ashe and Kobe Bryant around Richmond, carved the tree headstone.
the dive:
VPM dives into two new Sprout Schools opening in Richmond. The schools provide “full day, high-quality early childhood education for children age 2 months to 5 years old.”
Sprout Schools embrace the Reggio Emilia teaching philosophy which is similar to the Montessori method, but focuses more on collaborative learning.
A mixed-income model is used for the non-profit, where half of the students receive full or partial scholarships, while the other half pay full tuition.
One of the new schools is replacing Fulton Montessori.
The relationship with Fulton Montessori unfolded in a similar way. The school initially reached out for help recruiting a new director — but soon realized that its model wasn’t working. Murthy said so many kids were receiving subsidized tuition that Fulton Montessori couldn’t offer fair wages and benefits to staff.
Publicly-funded waivers, Murthy said, only cover about two-thirds of the cost of providing care; the Sprout School model — which includes philanthropy and also covers full benefits for staff — is just breaking even.
The Sprout School network, which is a 501(c) non-profit, currently has five locations, with the first opening at the Children’s Museum in 2016.
Read the full article here.
the vibe:
Have a sprouty day RVA!
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