News & Events

This October, we launched the ‘Be Connected Challenge’ across the New Story house of brands, as part of our Better Together initiative. This was a team-based friendly competition that encouraged employees from all schools to complete various activities to earn team puzzle pieces. Each of the puzzle pieces were assigned to one phase of the challenge: Be Connected to You, Be Connected to Each Other, Be Connected to Your Community, and Be Connected to our Core Values. By completing an activity for each phase of the challenge, teams will have collected all the puzzle pieces! Random drawings held every Tuesday would give prizes out to individual team members. This challenge was a great opportunity for all schools to come together and show what makes them unique!  

During phase one of the challenge, “Be Connected to You,” Rivermont Schools focused on fostering self-care and gratitude through thoughtful activities designed to support staff well-being and connection. Alleghany Highlands created a comfortable and calming space for staff to take a mental break on challenging days, complete with snacks and drinks for a quick recharge. At Hampton East, staff embraced mindfulness by illustrating yoga poses and practicing them together, encouraging movement and relaxation. Northern Neck started the week with a mental health first-aid class led by Brittney Hyer, Senior Director of Human Resources, and wrapped up with self-care treats, including strawberry-banana smoothies and early leave passes, to end the week on a positive note. These activities showcased Rivermont Schools’ dedication to fostering a supportive and connected environment. Many other schools also participated in similar initiatives, celebrating their staff with acts of appreciation and promoting personal well-being. Week one celebrated raffle winners with $20 Amazon gift cards. The winners were Lashanda Brockington, Ashley Conner, Shawna Davis, Anissa Godette, Kristina Greene, Rediet Kifle, Felicia Mix, Demetris Patton, Samuel Williams, and Briaun Rooks.

During phase two of the challenge, “Be Connected to Each Other,” Rivermont Schools emphasized teamwork and relationship-building through activities that encouraged collaboration and mutual support. Tidewater hosted a healthy food potluck, where staff shared their favorite nutritious dishes, creating a sense of camaraderie and wellness. Roanoke Southeast facilitated a fun and interactive “Get to Know Your Coworker” activity, where employees filled out a questionnaire about themselves and then guessed which answers matched their colleagues, which encouraged deeper connections and laughter. These activities, alongside similar initiatives across Rivermont Schools, reinforced the importance of meaningful connections and collaboration as essential parts of fostering a strong, supportive community. Week two celebrated raffle winners with $20 Amazon gift cards. The winners were Nadiyah Cooper, Anglie Dugger, Alexandra Ewing, RaShell Harrison, Blake Neal, Jennifer Primm, Miriam Smith, Nakiyah Taylor, and Christina Thomas.

During phase three of the challenge, “Be Connected to your Community,” Rivermont Schools focused on fostering a sense of community engagement and giving back through meaningful activities. Alexandria kicked off a school-wide canned food drive, with each class designating a space for donations and decorating their boxes to inspire participation. Flyers were posted throughout the school to encourage contributions, and the class that collects the most cans will enjoy a celebratory pizza party. Roanoke Southwest took a hands-on approach by canvassing the neighborhood around their school, where students and staff worked together to pick up trash and debris, fostering teamwork while improving their local environment. These efforts, along with similar activities across Rivermont Schools, demonstrated a collective commitment to making a positive impact on the surrounding communities. This week’s raffle winners were Michael Beringer, Delquan Bigelow, Annette Clark, Charles Curry IV, Twyla Gray, Rachel Hagen, Latoya Jones, Isabelle Padgett, Jennifer Raymer, Madilyn Riddle, Odell Rose, Dominique Simmons Gregory, Cassie Slate, and Mauro Zango.

During phase four of the challenge, “Be Connected to our Core Values,” Rivermont Schools focused on deepening understanding and practice of their guiding principles through reflective and relationship-building activities. At Lynchburg South, staff reviewed the school’s core values and incorporated them into classroom discussions, using writing prompts and social skills lessons to help students reflect on how those values are demonstrated by staff and within the school community. Students were encouraged to share their perspectives through writing or dictation, fostering a collaborative exploration of the values in action. Chase City staff took this opportunity to strengthen their connections with students by discussing relationships—both those that are already strong and those that could benefit from additional focus. These conversations emphasized the importance of continuous growth in fostering meaningful bonds with students. These thoughtful activities showcased Rivermont Schools’ dedication to living their core values and creating an environment where both staff and students can thrive through mutual respect and understanding. This week’s raffle winners were Charlene Davis, Andrew Edwards, Christopher Herring, Rebecca Lewis, Tina Martin, Tiashana Morris, Tracy Pouncy, Marquel Revely, Angelique Reynolds-King, Jessica Rich, Cecelia Sawyer and Stephanie Thompson.

The “Be Connected” challenge was a wonderful time for our team to come together, utilize our teams’ creativity, and bond with their students and team members. We are proud of everyone who participated, particularly the team captains for their commitment throughout the challenge!