Tappahannock Elementary School

Good evening, ECPS Families, We hope this message finds everyone well. Please be advised that Essex County Public Schools will be operating on a 2-hour delay on Monday, January 13, 2025. Thanks for your attention and please be safe.

Good afternoon, ECPS Families, Essex County Public Schools will remain closed for students on Friday, January 10, 2025. Some secondary roads are still not safe for traveling due to drifting snow accumulation. All staff will be expected to attend work by 10:00 a.m. or to make contact with immediate supervisors, should travel be adversely affected. Thanks for your attention and please be safe

Good afternoon, ECPS Families, Essex County Public Schools will remain closed for students on Thursday, January 9, 2025. The rationale for this decision is our observation of running water throughout the county on secondary roads such as Petro Pitts, Laurel Springs, and even Hustle Rd. This running water has been observed flowing across the roads in a downward direction. The early morning temperature will result in the freezing of this water and thus preventing school buses from traversing upward and downward. All staff will be expected to attend work by 10:00 a.m. or to make contact with immediate supervisors, should travel be adversely affected. Please be safe!

Good Afternoon, ECPS Families: Essex County Public Schools will remain closed for students on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. All ECPS’ staff members are expected to appear at assigned duty sites by 10:00 a.m., or as close to that time as possible, should anyone experience travel difficulties. The decision to keep schools closed for students is due to the poor condition of secondary roads, primarily in the north end of the county. Many of these roads still have snow and ice, while others have yet to be adequately plowed. Additionally, reports have been received regarding snow covered roads in the White Marsh/Route 684 areas of the county as well. Thanks for your attention.

Good Afternoon, ECPS Families, We hope this message finds everyone well and safe. Please be advised that Essex County Public Schools will be closed on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, due to inclement weather and dangerous road conditions. Thanks for your attention.

The Essex County School Board will hold its monthly meetings for January and February on Mondays, January 27, 2025, and February 24, 202,5 at 7:00 p.m. (Work Session @5:00 p.m. & Closed Session @6:00 p.m.) in the Essex County School Board Office Complex, and live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/essexcountypublicschools. There will be a Public Hearing on the Proposed 2025-2026 Calendar at 6:45 p.m. at the January 27th meeting and a Public Hearing on the Proposed FY 2025-2026 Budget at 6:45 p.m. at the February 24th meeting.

Good Afternoon, ECPS Families: We hope this message finds everyone well and you had an enjoyable holiday break. Please be advised that Essex County Public Schools will be closed on Monday, January 6, 2025, due to impending inclement weather conditions. Thanks for your attention and please be safe.

🎉 November’s Rockfish Award Winner! 🎉 At the end of each month, the class that earns the most compliments for being respectful, responsible, and ready to learn receives our school mascot, Rocky the Rockfish! 🐟This November, Ms. Washington’s 1st grade class earned an amazing 20 compliments, bringing their total to 90 compliments! 👏👏 What a fantastic example of excellence and teamwork! Additionally to celebrate hitting 90 compliments they earned Dress Up as a Book Character Day! 📚✨ We’re so proud of you, Ms. Washington’s class — keep up the great work! 🌟

🎉 December Attendance Challenge! 🎉 Don't forget about the weekly attendance incentive at Tappahannock Elementary School! 👉 When: December 2–19 👉 What: Students who are present every single day during the week—no absences, excused, or unexcused will be a part of the attendance incentive. The Attendance Team will visit classrooms every Friday to celebrate and reward students with perfect attendance for the week. Let's finish the year strong by showing up every day! Thank you for helping us make attendance a priority. Every day counts!

Want to Become a Teacher? Make a Difference with RTR! Are you ready to inspire and shape the future of students? 🌟 The RTR Teacher Residency Program at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), in partnership with Essex County Public Schools, provides an immersive, hands-on teacher preparation experience! Whether you're pursuing your first degree or advancing your education, RTR offers: ✔️ A full salary and benefits for bachelor’s degree candidates while working in schools ✔️ A stipend to cover education costs for both graduate and undergraduate pathways, leading to teacher licensure in elementary, secondary, or special education If you already have an associate's or bachelor’s degree, this could be your path to becoming an exceptional educator. 👉 Apply today at teachrtr.org! ⏳ Applications close February 1, 2025. Take the first step toward making a difference! 💡✏️ #BecomeATeacher #RTRResidency #TeacherPreparation

Upcoming School Board Meeting The next School Board meeting will take place on November 11, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. We look forward to your participation!

Today at TES, we came together to celebrate good character! Check out the amazing book characters we spotted around school—so much creativity and spirit on display! ✨📖📗🎃

In celebration of Red Ribbon Week, we had a special visit from Officer Dobbins and his K-9 partner, Atlas! They demonstrated how Atlas can search for items and shared important messages about making healthy choices. Thank you for inspiring us to make positive decisions! 🐾❤️

Students in Ms. Dungee's 4th grade science classes participated in an investigation of biodiversity in the Rappahannock River. Students are benefiting from the implementation of Meaningful Watershed Experiences, which have been implemented throughout the division.

🎉 What an Amazing Night at Teach n’ Treat! 🎉 Thank you to our wonderful PTO for sponsoring Tappahannock Elementary’s 1st annual Teach n’ Treat Fall Event! The kids had an unforgettable time enjoying all the fun activities – from the exciting kids’ costume contest to the fall family photo booth by Keith Payne. They absolutely loved the colorful face paintings and the many inflatables, which made for some fantastic photo opportunities! 🎈🍬 Thank you to everyone who came out and made this event such a success! We can’t wait to do it all again next year! Once again thank you to our amazing PTO! 🎃👻

ECPS science teachers participated in professional development activities with the Old Dominion Center for Educational Partnerships at Westmoreland State Park on October 11th during Teacher Professional Development Day.

Our amazing students in Ms. Stuart's class have been busy perfecting their cursive writing skills this week! With focus and creativity, they’re learning the art of cursive, building important fine motor skills, and having fun in the process. Keep up the great work, students!

Happy Custodian Appreciation Day! Today, we celebrate the hardworking custodians who play a vital role in keeping our schools clean, safe, and welcoming. Their dedication ensures our students and staff have a healthy environment to learn and grow each day. From early mornings to late nights, our custodians go above and beyond to maintain our facilities. We are incredibly grateful for their commitment and the pride they take in their work. Thank you to all our custodians for your tireless efforts and for being the backbone of Essex County Public Schools! Again we appreciate you.

Attendance Awareness Month: The Key to Student Success! At Essex County Public School, we believe every day counts regarding your child’s education! Consistent attendance is critical to academic success, social development, and long-term growth. What is Chronic Absenteeism? A student is considered chronically absent if they miss 10% or more of the school year—whether the absences are excused or unexcused. That’s just 18 days in a school year! 🔴 Why Attendance Matters: - Missed Learning Opportunities: When students are absent, they miss valuable instruction time and often struggle to catch up. - Social Connections: Regular attendance helps students form strong relationships with their peers and teachers, building a positive school community. - Preparation for the Future: Attendance habits developed in school carry over into life and work beyond graduation. 🏆 How You Can Help: - Encourage your child to attend school every day. - Reach out to the school if you’re facing challenges that may impact attendance. We’re here to support you! - Plan vacations and appointments outside of school hours whenever possible. - Let’s work together to make sure our students are present, engaged, and on the path to success! Attendance Matters at Essex County Public School

Tappahannock Elementary School is hiring! Essex County Public Schools is on the lookout for an enthusiastic and dedicated Elementary Special Education Teacher to make a difference in the lives of our students! If you’re passionate about supporting young learners, helping them reach their full potential, and working in a dynamic and caring environment, we want YOU to apply today! Ready to take the next step? Apply now and become a part of the Essex County Public Schools family! [Link to Apply: https://www.applitrack.com/essexva/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Elementary+School+Teaching]