What does it really mean to build a culture of service in our schools? How can these experiences be not just a one-time event, but something more integrated that students carry with them?

In this episode, Katie LaPira talks with Kim Davidson and Misty Newman from James Madison University’s Community Engagement and Volunteer Center about how service can move from a checklist to a mindset. They explore the idea of students as collaborators and contributors, the importance of listening to community partners, and how meaningful engagement can shape students’ academic paths, career interests, and sense of purpose.

Kim and Misty offer practical ways schools can begin to embed service into everyday learning, from early exposure in elementary school to leadership opportunities in high school. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or community partner, you’ll walk away with ideas for helping students see themselves as part of something bigger, and how small, intentional steps can lead to lasting impact.

What does it look like when students learn to communicate in more than one way?

In this episode, your host Katie LaPira talks with Lacey Spring Elementary principal Tammy May and JMU professor Melissa Nguyen about bringing American Sign Language (ASL) into elementary classrooms. They share how even young learners can begin building communication skills through movement, expression, and visual language. Melissa and Tammy also share about how ASL supports inclusion, confidence, and meaningful connections across the school community.

From supporting reading development to helping students connect across classrooms, and even across different abilities, this conversation highlights how ASL is opening new doors for RCPS students.

Families will also hear simple ways to practice at home and how this initiative could grow in the years ahead, making communication more accessible for everyone in our community.

Mentioned in the Episode:

Nyle DiMarco’s TED Talk: Making Education Accessible to Deaf Children

What should families know about RCPS pre-K? Who is eligible, and how can those early school experiences help set the stage for long-term success?

In this episode of the RCPS Community Partner Café, host Katie LaPira sits down with Michele Judd, RCPS Director of Federal Programs, and Blair Harper, principal at River Bend Elementary, to talk about the RCPS pre-K program. Michele and Blair explain who the program is designed to support, how families can apply, and what children experience in those first classroom days, from play-based learning and early literacy skills to building friendships and confidence.

Whether you’re exploring pre-K for the first time or preparing for kindergarten in the near future, this conversation offers helpful insight into how RCPS supports young learners and their families.

Learn more about eligibility, application timelines, and how these early years help children build the skills they need for a successful start in school. Check out these resources for more information:

https://www.rcps.net/page/prek-k

https://www.rcps.net/o/rcps/page/preschool