- Target:
- Richmond Public Schools students, parents and faculty
- Region:
- United States of America
- Website:
- tinyurl.com
PLEASE NOTE: The renaming decision is expected to be made at the Richmond School Board’s next regular meeting, which will be Monday, July 13, at 6 p.m. at Carver Elementary (1110 W. Leigh St). We highly encourage James C. Vaughan Sr. Middle School supporters to speak at the meeting if you are able. For more information on signing up to speak, which must be done in advance, please click here. Thank you!
As names are being suggested for the newly merged Elkhardt-Thompson Middle School, we who knew and were touched by James C. Vaughan Sr. would like to propose that the school be named after this passionate, inspiring teacher who died at age 36 from a brain tumor.
In his 10 years at Thompson Middle School, James Vaughan was "that one teacher who made a difference" for so many students. Whether he was reciting "Invictus" with his theatrical flair, grilling students on the definition of a prepositional phrase in English class or standing in the back of the auditorium shouting "Project your voice!" to his drama students, Mr. Vaughan gave all of himself, at all times, to his students.
It is now time for his students to give some of themselves and their time to support this worthy cause.
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Retired Thompson teacher Judy Self's remarks at the June 15 public hearing: click here
Video of the June 15 public hearing, from about the 5:00 mark to 12:30: click here
Former Thompson student Beth Silverman Sprenkle's letter: click here
Former Thompson student Ashanti Luke’s letter: click here
Former Thompson student Regan Dillon's letter: click here
Former Thompson parent John Dillon's letter: click here
Former Thompson student Shawn Cox's letter: click here
Former Thompson parent Carolyn Cox's letter: click here
June 17 article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch: click here
June 16 article on WTVR.com: click here
June 16 newscast by WRIC: click here
Photo from the 1989-90 Thompson yearbook, dedicated to Mr. Vaughan: click here
Photo of the plaque adorning both entrances to the auditorium at the current Thompson building: click here
Wording on the plaque outside the auditorium’s easternmost entrance:
JAMES CALVIN VAUGHAN THEATRE
DEDICATED IN MEMORY OF
JAMES VAUGHAN
WHOSE BELIEF THAT THE PERFORMING ARTS
BE TAUGHT AND LEARNED ENTHUSIASTICALLY
SET A STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE
FOR ALL WHOSE LIVES HE TOUCHED
THOMPSON MIDDLE SCHOOL
1979 - 1989
As names are being suggested for the newly merged Elkhardt-Thompson Middle School, we who knew and were touched by James C. Vaughan Sr. would like to propose that the school be named after this passionate, inspiring teacher who died at age 36 from a brain tumor at the start of the 1989-90 school year..
Please take a moment to sign and comment on this petition in support and to send emails to the Richmond School Board, starting with the School Board clerk, Angela Lewis (alewis@richmond.k12.va.us); Vice Chair Kristen Larson (klarson@richmond.k12.va.us), whose district includes Thompson Middle School; and Superintendent Dr. Dana T. Bedden (dbedden@richmond.k12.va.us). All School Board members' email addresses are available here: http://web.richmond.k12.va.us/Administration/SchoolBoard/RPSSchoolBoardDistricts.aspx
The School Board will take feedback through June 30, and a final decision is expected to be made at the board's meeting on Monday, July 13. Please try to contact the School Board as soon as possible!
You can further help this campaign by sponsoring it
The Rename Elkhardt-Thompson as James C. Vaughan Sr. Middle School petition to Richmond Public Schools students, parents and faculty was written by Regan Winkler and is in the category Education at GoPetition.