Aiden Fincher, a sixth grader at Henderson Middle School, is greeted Monday, Aug. 18, by cheering faculty, staff and Richmond Public Schools representatives on his first day of middle school. Students were also greeted with remarks from Superintendent Jason Kamras, school Principal Allen Vernon and others. RPS launched a staggered start to the 2025-26 school year to help students transition to middle and high school. Students in preschool, kindergarten, grades 1-5, sixth grade and ninth grade began Monday, while grades 7-8 and 10-12 started Tuesday, Aug. 19.

Deionna, a sixth grader at Henderson Middle School, is greeted Monday, Aug. 18, by cheering faculty, staff and Richmond Public Schools representatives on his first day of middle school. Students were also greeted with remarks from Superintendent Jason Kamras, school Principal Allen Vernon and others. RPS launched a staggered start to the 2025-26 school year to help students transition to middle and high school. Students in preschool, kindergarten, grades 1-5, sixth grade and ninth grade began Monday, while grades 7-8 and 10-12 started Tuesday, Aug. 19.

The Valentine removed the Jefferson Davis statue from its exhibition, “This Is Richmond, Virginia,” on Tuesday, Aug. 19, preparation for a loan to the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles for an upcoming exhibition. The statue, which had been on view since 2022, will remain part of The Valentine’s collection. Bonsai Fine Arts Handling assisted with the removal. “We’re so glad it is going to be shown to a new community and to see how Californians respond,” said Christina K. Vida, Elise H. Wright curator of general collections at The Valentine. During its three years on display, The Valentine collected more than 7,000 responses from a public survey on monuments and public art and plans to compile the feedback for a discussion event, comparing it with survey results from California while the statue is on display there. The statue will remain in its current condition, laid on its side with paint splatters, remnants of a 2020 toilet paper noose, a tear in its arm, and uric acid stains. “We really wanted to make sure that this piece was not ever going to be used to perpetuate the myth of the Lost Cause, and so by having it displayed in its 2020 state we can ensure that it helps undo some of the damage it did for so long here in Richmond,” Vida said.

Wanda Williams helps daughter Deonna Glass move into Newman Hall on the campus of Virginia Union University, Saturday, Aug. 16.

Students with their help of family check in to the Gladding Residence Center on the campus of VCU on Saturday August 16, 2025. Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Butterfly bush Downtown

Volunteers and families gather inside Third Street Bethel A.M.E. Church for the 19th annual New Shoes for Back to School, organized by the Metropolitan Richmond Partnership of Churches/Synagogues with participants from congregations across the area giving Richmond area students new shoes to start the school year.

Volunteers Kim Allen and Willnette Beard browse shoes for student shoppers at the 19th annual New Shoes for Back to School event organized by the Metropolitan Richmond Partnership of Churches/Synagogues with participants from congregations across the area gave Richmond-area students new shoes to start the school year. Families lined up at a local church to pick shoes by size, enjoy live music, and take part in a voter registration drive.

Students and their families gather at Speaking Spirit Ministries in Richmond on Saturday, Aug. 16, for Urban One Inc.’s Prep for Success Back to School Bash, receiving free supplies and community resources.

Unique Bolden, 6, checks her school supply bag while her cousin, Jeremiah Richardson, waits his turn at Speaking Spirit Ministries in Richmond on Saturday, Aug. 16, for Urban One Inc.’s Prep for Success Back to School Bash, receiving free supplies and community resources.