The community is invited to hear motivational speaker Chris Skinner speak on how he transformed his life after an accident that caused him to become a quadriplegic.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18^th

7:00 p.m.

J. R. Tucker High School Auditorium

2910 N. Parham Road

Free to all members of our Henrico County Community

(a donation box will be available to support the J.R. Tucker PTSA who’s supporting this program.)

After hearing Chris’ incredible story of overcoming devastating disabilities, thousand of students and adults have been inspired to say,” Yes, I can!” Using a PowerPoint presentation of graphic images from his own personal struggle to survive and thrive, Chris shows us how much we can really do. As human beings we all possess the ability to reach deep down inside of ourselves to fulfill whatever dreams, ambitions, goals, and desires we have.

Chris delivers a profoundly motivating message. He talks about:

• The awesome privilege of life
• Making the most of one’s life
• Bringing your very best, and nothing less
• The power to chose success in your job and in your life

Chris describes his journey of returning to school after his accident with a pitiful .8 GPA, “earned” between parties. He finished his last four semesters on the Dean’s list and completed his Master’s Degree while adapting to his new life as a quadriplegic. Chris started his own successful corporation and foundation after leaving school. He is fast becoming one of the most sought-after motivational speakers in the country.

Chris leaves you with this message:  The Choice is Yours.

Richmond Public School officials have announced that Feb. 15 will now serve as a make-up day for students and staff. Originally, schools were to be closed in observance of Presidents’ Day.  For those who missed the earlier announcement, Henrico will also use Presidents’ day as a make up day.

Richmond City Schools will open 2 hours late on Thursday, February 11.  Henrico County Schools are also 2 hours late on Thursday.

UPDATED 8:03 am

Richmond Public Schools are now CLOSED for today, Wednesday, Feb. 10th.

Henrico County Schools are CLOSED today,Wednesday, February 10th. They are bringing elementary kids home if they are on the bus, or will hold them until they reach a parent.

The report from drivers in the Near West End is that roads are incredibly slick due to ice under the snow. DO NOT go out if you don’t have to.

Both Richmond Public Schools and Henrico County Schools are closed today, Friday, Feb. 5th.

p.s.  Really? Wow, it’s not even raining.

Both Richmond Public Schools and Henrico County Schools will have a 2-hour delay tomorrow, Thursday, Feb. 4th.

Billy K. Cannaday, Jr., Superintendent of Public Instruction for Virginia, has declared tomorrow Tornado Preparedness Day.

Schools statewide will practice a tornado drill tomorrow at 9:45 a.m. (if there should be a true emergency the drill will be postponed until Wednesday the 19th.)
Schools may choose an alternate time, but it is a requirement to have at least one drill per year. Personally, I know I’ll be warning my kids to be ready for the drill, and remind them, it is just for practice.

In Virginia, tornadoes can occur throughout the state, any time of year, with little or no warning. Recent years have brought record-breaking numbers of tornadoes to the Commonwealth. Tornado preparedness is more important than ever.

Click here for more info on tornado preparedness and local emergencies.

Kudos to Henrico County Public Schools for incorporating heart rate monitors into physical education classes to help better educate students about how exercising affects their body — all in an effort to fight childhood obesity.
And kudos to state legislators, the Richmond Sports Backers, and Henrico Schools for finding new ways to fight children’s obesity and making it a priority.

The students love it, said Bonnie Conner-Gray, an educational specialist for health, physical and driver education for Henrico County Public Schools, describing the program to members of a legislative panel studying ways to reduce childhood obesity.

What works to reduce childhood obesity is getting the attention of Virginia legislators and others.

The study panel that Conner-Gray testified before this year is expected to propose several policy changes, including one that would require schoolchildren to get 150 minutes of physical education per week.

Childhood obesity is also the focus of a Tuesday conference coordinated by Richmond Sports Backers, the group that organizes popular races such as the SunTrust Richmond Marathon.

“I don’t think anything is more important than the physical activity,” said Del. John M. O’Bannon III, R-Henrico, who chaired the study panel that will submit recommendations to the General Assembly.

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In Richmond City Schools, my daughter gets P.E. once a week. This is not enough — 150 minutes a week sounds more like it. Thank goodness her teacher knows how important exercise can be to learning and just overall health in a child. She has her students run or run-walk the gravel track at the school about 4 days a week.

Just when all seemed to be looking up, the Mayor and City Council continues to feud over the Mayor’s suspected (by City Council) withholding of school funds as reported by the Times-Dispatch:

Council members accused Black, the mayor’s top finance officer, of defying the law by continuing to withhold money appropriated for schools, despite budget provisions that make the action a misdemeanor offense…

…Further, the audit found that the school system does little to manage its cash flow. As a result, the school administration wastes the opportunity to earn interest on its money by waiting to pay bills until they are due, it said. In one case, the city earned about $3,000 in interest by waiting to pay a bill 11 days longer than the school system had planned.

I like this paragraph, especially since it was mentioned by our 1st District Councilman Bruce Tyler:

Initially, council members urged Black to sit down and talk to school finance officials to resolve the dispute. The Finance Committee promised to schedule a special meeting to settle the dispute. “I would like to see a meeting of the minds on this,” said Councilman Bruce W. Tyler, 1st District.

Only question I have is, after all of this idiotic immaturity, are there any “minds” left for an effective meeting?

In addition, WTVR has more info.